Peer Support groups

Primary Infertility Support Group

(SPONSORED BY ANOVA FERTILITY AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH)

This free group is open to anyone in the community actively trying to conceive, not currently pregnant and without children, who is experiencing primary infertility/reproductive loss. People are encouraged to join on their own or with partners, if applicable. Together, participants create a safe and compassionate environment to talk about the experiences and emotions connected with infertility/loss.

For more information about joining this Primary Infertility Support group, please contact Dara directly or reach out to Anova to join their private Facebook Group, which lists information about upcoming support groups.

Note that in order to ensure the comfort and security of participants, please have your video camera on, mute activated unless you are speaking, and a 1st name noted in your zoom “window.” If you have any questions or concerns this, please let us know.

2023 Primary Infertility Support Group
When: 6:00-7:30pm on the 1st Wednesday of the month, with occasional exceptions. Please contact us for specific dates.
Where: ZOOM (a new password protected link is required for each video call.)

*Primary infertility is defined as someone who is struggling to have their first child, is not currently pregnant (and for this group, has no young children at home). Please note that this group is not open to friends/family members, as it is only for those directly impacted by primary infertility/loss.
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WARRIORS PRIMARY INFERTILITY SUPPORT GROUP

(SPONSORED BY TRIO FERTILITY)

This free group is open to those who have been struggling with infertility/reproductive loss for a long time, are not currently pregnant and do not have children, and who after years of unsuccessful treatments themselves, are now exploring or moving forward with donation and/or surrogacy, or considering life without children. People are encouraged to join on their own or with partners, if applicable. Together, participants create a welcoming and understanding environment to talk about their long journey with fertility, emotions to do with loss of genetics and/or carrying link, next steps, compassion fatigue amongst family and friends, and fears about moving on without children.

For more information about joining the Warriors Primary Infertility Support group, please contact Dara directly.

Note that in order to ensure the comfort and security of participants, please have your video camera on, mute activated unless you are speaking, and a 1st name noted in your zoom “window.” If you have any questions or concerns this, please let us know.

2023 Warriors Primary Infertility Support Group
When: 6:00-7:30pm on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, with occasional exceptions. Please contact us for specific dates.
Where: ZOOM (a new password protected link is required for each video call.)

*Primary infertility is defined as someone who is struggling to have their first child, is not currently pregnant (and for this group, has no young children at home). Please note that this group is not open to friends/family members, as it is only for those directly impacted by primary infertility/loss
JOIN NOW

Secondary Infertility Support Group

(SPONSORED BY MARKHAM FERTILITY CENTRE)

This free group is open to anyone in the community with a child(ren) at home, not currently pregnant and struggling to add to their family. People are encouraged to join on their own or with partners, if applicable. Together, participants create a safe and empathetic environment to talk about their experiences with secondary infertility and the complexities of caring for their current child(ren) while struggling to grow their family.

For more information about joining this Secondary Infertility Support group, please contact Blair/Dara directly.

Note that in order to ensure the comfort and security of participants, please have your video camera on, mute activated unless you are speaking, and a 1st name noted in your zoom “window.” If you have any questions or concerns about this, please let us know.

2023 Secondary Infertility Support Group dates
When: 7:00pm-8:30pm on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, with occasional exceptions
Where: ZOOM (a new password protected link is required for each video call.)

* Secondary infertility is defined as someone who is struggling to have a subsequent baby after successfully having had one or more children previously. Please note that this group is not open to friends/family members, as it is only for those directly impacted by secondary infertility/loss.
JOIN NOW

Support for People using Donor Eggs, Donor Sperm, Donor Embryos

Donor Conception Canada (DCC) organizes various support groups for people building their families through donor conception. Groups provide participants opportunities to discuss their experiences with donor eggs, sperm, or embryos, and topics include the social and emotional aspects, challenges and issues faced by participants. Groups are divided by topic and population and include, for example: people who intend to be parents; people who already have children conceived using donor gametes; people who themselves are donor conceived; and friends and family who support them. For more information and/or to register for any of the groups offered by DC, please email: info@donorconception.com

Province Specific Support

Fertility Matters is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for Canadians trying to build their families. Information on peer-led support groups, listed by province and city, can be found on their website, with specific questions directed to individual group facilitators. For a listing of support groups, please go to: www.fertilitymatters.com

Clinic Specific Support

Many clinics offer support to their patients through clinic specific resources, such as private Facebook groups. Please contact your fertility clinic directly for more information about what is available to you.

Memberships and Associations