Infertility and Loss 
The Perinatal Loss Office at Northside recognizes that all losses are painful and difficult, but we also know that special and unique challenges can occur when the loss follows infertility.
Seeds of Hope:
A prayer and support group for women in the journey of beginning their families or still wishing to expand their families. The group provides a spiritual connection and sense of community to those who are at any point in the reproductive process, including those who may have experienced or are currently experiencing, infertility, perinatal or infant loss, or high-risk pregnancy.
Meets the 3rd Tuesday of every month
6:30 - 8:30 pm
For more information:
- Website
- Email
- Phone: (770) 933-0081 ext 13
The following websites may be helpful:
www.inciid.org/forums/miscarriage_support/index.html
www.rba-online.com
www.resolve.org/
www3.fertilethoughts.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=170
www3.fertilethoughts.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=39
www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/572_4049.asp
www.storknet.com/cubbies/pil/index.html
www2.mc.duke.edu/ivf/miscarri.htm
www.acrm.com
www.ivf.com
www.infertilityblues.com/
www.theafa.org
http://www.tearsandhope.com
Christian-based support: http://www.pregnantwithhope.com/
http://www.pregnantwithhope.com/blog.html
www.hannah.org/welcome.htm
Judaism and infertility:
www.chanasprayer.org/index.htm http://www.amazon.com/Third-Key-Jewish-Guide-Fertility/dp/1583303901
http://www.infertilitybooks.com/titles/and_hanna_wept.html
http://www.infertilitybooks.com/titles/tears_of_sorrow_hope_jewish_spiritual_companion_infertility.html
Thoughts on Becoming a Mother
There are women that become mothers without effort, without thought, without patience or loss and though they are good mothers and love their children, I know that I will be better.
I will be better not because of genetics, or money, or that I have read more books but because I have struggled and toiled for this child.
I have longed and waited. I have cried and prayed. I have endured and planned over and over again. Like most things in life, the people who truly have appreciation are those who have struggled to attain their dreams.
I will notice everything about my child. I will take time to watch my child sleep, explore and discover. I will marvel at this miracle every day for the rest of my life.
I will be happy when I wake in the middle of the night to the sound of my child, knowing that I can comfort, hold, and feed him, and that I am not waking to take another temperature, pop another pill, take another shot, or cry tears of a broken dream. My dream will be crying for me.
I count myself lucky in this sense: that God has given me this insight, this special vision with which I will look upon my child that my friends will not see. Whether I parent a child I actually give birth to or a child that God leads me to, I will not be careless with my love.
I will be a better mother for all that I have endured.
I am a better wife, a better aunt, a better daughter, neighbor, friend, and sister because I have known pain.
I know disillusionment, as I have been betrayed by my own body.
I have been tried by fire and hell many never face, yet given time, I stood tall.
I have prevailed.
I have succeeded.
I have won.
So now, when others hurt around me, I do not run from their pain in order to save myself discomfort. I see it, mourn it, and join them in theirs.
I listen.
And even though I cannot make it better, I can make it less lonely.
I have learned the immense power of another hand holding tight to mine, of other eyes that moisten as they learn to accept the harsh truth and that life is beyond hard. I have learned a compassion that only comes with walking in those shoes.
I have learned to appreciate life.
Yes, I will be a wonderful mother.
(Author Unknown)