General
Infertility Discussion Groups — Our general infertility
discussion groups are open forums and provide you with the opportunity
to come together and meet others who are facing similar challenges, in a relaxed and confidential setting. Topics of discussion may include current treatment, dealing with friends and family, and coping strategies. Each of these discussion groups is facilitated by a volunteer peer leader. The groups are ongoing and meet once a month on a continuing basis in a variety of locations, as noted in the list below. These groups are open to women and men, individuals and couples, who do not have children by birth.
Note: Click here to see our list of Topic Discussion Groups, which are focused around a specific subject and meet in our Waltham office, unless noted otherwise.
Attend a meeting and simply listen in - or ask questions and share your experiences and strategies for coping, plus
learn about helpful resources and other RESOLVE of the Bay State programs and services.
Click here to read an article that describes the experience of attending a Peer Discussion Group and the amazing benefits of in-person support from peers who understand.
Read about the experience of attending these groups in the words of one couple:
"My husband and I went to our first RESOLVE peer group meeting after trying to conceive for more than a year. I wish we'd gone sooner, as we found the meeting transformative – we talked about it for days afterward. It was so helpful to hear about others' experiences (some similar to ours and some quite different), and so liberating to talk about our own journey. I highly recommend these groups, especially if you're not talking to friends or family about the frustrations of trying to conceive."
Fees: $5 per person for non-members; free for RESOLVE members. Pay at the door when you check in (cash - exact change appreciated, or check). Non-members joining RESOLVE of the Bay State that evening may attend for free.
Registration in advance is strongly recommended and greatly appreciated. Call 781-890-2225 or send an email to admin@resolveofthebaystate.org to let us know which group you'd like to attend. While pre-registration is preferred, walk-ins may also attend.
Please note: Meeting schedules are set in advance and
it is always a good idea to email our office or call our HelpLine (781-890-2225)
to confirm dates and times prior to attending a meeting.
Peer Discussion Groups
are held monthly in the following locations:
- Boston, MA
- NEW! Longmeadow, MA
- NEW! North Andover, MA
- NEW! North Shore (Beverly), MA
- Plymouth, MA
- Waltham, MA
- Westborough, MA
- Farmington, CT
- Portland, ME
- New! Concord, NH
- NEW! Derry, NH
- East Providence, RI
- Vermont (Looking for a New Leader- if interested email us here)
Boston, MA
Location: Morville House, 100 Norway St. - near Symphony Hall and the Symphony T stop on the Green Line - Boston, MA
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Dates: Wednesdays, January 25, February 29, March 21, 2012
Leader: Lisa Leidig
Address/Directions
Longmeadow, MA
Location: First Church of Christ, Buxton Room, 763 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA (Buxton Room)
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Dates:Mondays, February 6, March 5, 2012
Leader: Michelle Steger
North Andover, MA
Location: Caron Family Chiropractic, 1005 Osgood Street
Time: 7:00pm
Dates: Mondays, January 23, February 20, March 19, 2012
Leader: Jacqui Pilla
North Shore (Beverly), MA
Location: The Beverly Healing Center, 234 Cabot Street #2
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Dates: Thursdays, February 9, March 8, April 12, May 10, June 14, July 12
Leader: Keiko Zoll
Plymouth, MA
Location: Nolan Insurance 79 Samoset St, Rt 44 (note new location)
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Dates: Tuesday, February 7, March 6, 2012 (note date change)
Leader: Stephanie Fry
Waltham, MA
Location: RESOLVE of New England Office, Waltham, MA
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Dates: January 10, February 7, March 6, 2012
Leader: Caroline Gaibel
Address/Directions
Westborough, MA
Location:St. Luke's Parish, 1 Ruggles Street, Parish Center, classroom #25, first floor. (Subject to change - Room change is posted by the entrance to the parish).
Time: 7:00-8:00pm
Dates: February 7, March 13
Leader: Eunice Muniz
Farmington, CT
Location: UConn Health Center, Dowling South Building, 2nd Floor Education Room, 263 Farmington Ave.
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Dates: January 19, February 16, March 15, 2012
Leader: Carrie Scalzo
Portland, ME
NEW Location: Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall St., in the Dana Education Center (enter MMC at the main entrance)
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Dates: December 13, 2011 and January 10, February 7, March 13, 2012
Leader: Anne Belden
Concord, NH
Location: 160 Dover Road, Suite 5 Chichester, NH
Time: 7:00pm
Dates:February 6, March 5 2012
Leader: Kayla Page
Derry, NH
NEW Location: Marion Gerrish Community Center, 39 West Broadway (Don Ball Room)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Dates: January 4, February 1, March 7, 2012
Leader: Patricia Powers
East Providence, RI
Location: Church of the Epiphany, 1336 Pawtucket Avenue, in the living room (basement)
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Dates: Thursdays, January 5, February (no group), March 1, 2012
Leader: Melissa Casey
Topic
Discussion Groups
Topic Discussion Groups are informal discussion groups that focus on a specific issue. These groups are facilitated by a volunteer leader and provide opportunities to meet others who share a similar struggle and learn about resources for help. Groups are held approximately once every six weeks in our Waltham Office, except as noted.
Fees: $5 per person for non-members; free for RESOLVE members. Pay at the door when you check in. Non-members joining RESOLVE of the Bay State that evening may attend for free.
Pre-registration
is strongly recommended. Call 781-890-2225 or send an email to admin@resolveofthebaystate.org to let us know which group you'd like to attend. While pre-registration is preferred, walk-ins may also attend.
Groups currently offered - click on links below for more information:
Pregnancy Loss Discussion Group
NEW! Secondary Infertility Discussion Group
Adoption Discussion Group
Donor Egg Discussion Group
Donor Egg Parents' Discussion Group
Pregnancy After Infertility Discussion Group
NEW! Embryo Disposition Decision Making Support Group
Pregnancy
Loss Discussion Group — This group will focus on
support and acceptance for individuals who have experienced miscarriage/stillbirth/ectopic
pregnancy/recurrent pregnancy loss. Come and talk with others
about the impact of loss on all aspects of life, the emotional
and psychological experiences of grief and loss, coping strategies,
decision making, and how to move forward.
Wednesdays, January 11, February 15, and March 28, 2012
Leader: Margaret Albright
7:00-9:00 p.m., Waltham RESOLVE Office,
395 Totten Pond Rd, Suite 403, Waltham, MA
Pregnancy After Infertility Discussion Group —Now that you are pregnant, you may be experiencing a range of emotions that you didn't expect. It can be difficult to relax and enjoy a pregnancy after dealing with infertility for so long. This discussion group is for women and men who are experiencing apprehension as well as joy about being pregnant after treatment. Join our leader, a very experienced nurse, for conversation and support around making a successful transition into the reality of pregnancy.
Mondays, January 23, February 27, March 26, 2012
Leader: Paulette Melanson, MSN, RNC, WHNP, LCCE
7:00-8:30 p.m., Waltham Office
Click for directions: 395 Totten Pond Rd, #403, Waltham
Adoption
Discussion Group — Join us for an open discussion
led by an adoptive mom.
Bring your questions, concerns, thoughts and ideas to be shared
with others who are exploring adoption or are in the process of
adopting. This is an opportunity to get some answers and strategies,
and to connect with others in similar situations.
Thursdays, January 26 and March 8, 2012
Leader: Anne Coleman or Barb Luciano
7:00-9:00 p.m., Waltham RESOLVE Office,
395 Totten Pond Rd, Suite 403, Waltham, MA
Donor
Egg Discussion Group — Are you considering donor
egg as a way to build a family? Join us for an
open discussion of the issues, decisions, and emotions surrounding
this family building option. This group will be led by a mom through egg donation.
Mondays, January 9, February 13, March 9, 2012
Leaders: Cara Birrittieri or Carrie Redi
7:00-9:00 p.m., Waltham RESOLVE Office,
395 Totten Pond Rd, Suite 403, Waltham, MA
Donor
Egg Parents Discussion Group — Are you currently parenting a child(ren) through egg donation, pregnant through egg donation, or interested in learning mor about egg donation? Come join a peer-led donor egg parenting group that will meet at the group members' homes for conversation and a playgroup for the children.. Meet other donor egg parents in a supportive environment for socializing and for the discussion of relevant egg donation issues. This informal group meeting will include a playgroup, so your children are welcome!
Fees: A donation of $5 per person is requested of non-members of RESOLVE. Please give in advance of the meeting through our online donation portal, or donations gladly accepted at each meeting.
Sunday, January 22, 2012- Lexington @ 3:00 - 5:00 pm (Stay tuned for more dates)
Leaders: Linda Manganaro and Cindy Atoji
Please email or call our office at 781-890-2250 if you plan to attend, and we will provide you with the contact person and address of this meeting.
NEW! Secondary
Infertility Discussion Group — Are you coping with secondary infertility (infertility after successfully and naturally conceiving one or more children) while parenting? Feeling alone in your struggles? Perhaps this is the second time you've faced the emotional roller coaster of infertility treatment. The challenges and frustrations of secondary infertility are unique. Join our volunteer leader and peers who understand for informal discussion at this ongoing drop-in group.
January 18th, February 22, March 21, April 18, 2012
Leader: Caroline Gaibel
7:00-9:00 p.m., Waltham RESOLVE Office,
395 Totten Pond Rd, Suite 403, Waltham, MA
NEW! Embryo Disposition Decision Making Support Group — RESOLVE New England understands that many who have struggled with infertility may, some time later, be dealing with excess embryo disposition. We understand from our members and colleagues that many feel stuck in their decision making about embryos left-over from previous IVF cycles while others are seeking information about disposition options.
RNE is delighted to be launching a Saturday afternoon support group led by two board members both with personal and professional experience with residual embryo disposition. Jennifer Burbridge, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist will share with the group the outcome of much research on the emotional aspects of this matter while Amy Demma, JD will offer information about disposition options both in a legal and practical context.
Through this support group RNE will offer both information and strategies on making a final decision regarding excess embryos, members and non-members will be warmly welcomed.
Saturdays, February 25th, 2012 (Stay tuned for more dates)
Leader: Jennifer Burbridge, PhD and Ammy Demma, JD
1:00 p.m., 9 Hope Avenue, Waltham, MA (Children's Hospital)
