There are so many resources out there - about step parenting, blended families and fertility. These are just a few that I have found helpful - feel free to email me and suggest any that you've found useful!
Fertility
Genea http://www.genea.com.au/my-fertility - not only is this the clinic we're currently going through for fertility treatment but they have a wealth of information about fertility issues and treatment. It can be a little bit difficult to navigate - when I'm looking for something I always seem to find something a bit different but it just means I keep adding to my knowledge!
Circle + Bloom http://www.circlebloom.com/ - A friend gave me the C+B IVF meditation tracks. I haven't been able to stay awake yet but that's what I love - when my mind is racing and I can't sleep I'll put on the tracks and fall asleep quickly!
Facebook Support Groups
I never thought I'd be the type of person joining online support groups but they are AMAZING! I went from a world of people who are biological parents, first marriages and no fertility issues. Through these support groups I've built connections with women who GET IT! We might all live different lives but we have similarities and I've found that when I'm feeling absolutely rotten I can get on one of these groups and have a rant without worrying about how I might be judged or perceived. They're not for everyone but they could be worth a try (and I'm sure there's many others out there)
Australian Stepmums Support Group - a closed group that you will need to ask permission to join. Posts are not visible on your public feed but people may be able to see you're a member of the group
IVF Support Group Australia - a closed group that you will need to ask permission to join. Posts are not visible on your public feed but people may be able to see you're a member of the group
IVF Support Group, Canberra - a closed group that you will need to ask permission to join. Posts are not visible on your public feed but people may be able to see you're a member of the group
Men's IVF Support Australia - a closed group that you will need to ask permission to join. Posts are not visible on your public feed but people may be able to see you're a member of the group (hubby joined this one)
The MC Facebook Group - Miss Conception Coach's private Facebook page. Another opportunity to connect with other women dealing with infertility
Circle + Bloom Infertility Support Circle - Circle + Bloom
Fertility
Genea http://www.genea.com.au/my-fertility - not only is this the clinic we're currently going through for fertility treatment but they have a wealth of information about fertility issues and treatment. It can be a little bit difficult to navigate - when I'm looking for something I always seem to find something a bit different but it just means I keep adding to my knowledge!
Circle + Bloom http://www.circlebloom.com/ - A friend gave me the C+B IVF meditation tracks. I haven't been able to stay awake yet but that's what I love - when my mind is racing and I can't sleep I'll put on the tracks and fall asleep quickly!
Facebook Support Groups
I never thought I'd be the type of person joining online support groups but they are AMAZING! I went from a world of people who are biological parents, first marriages and no fertility issues. Through these support groups I've built connections with women who GET IT! We might all live different lives but we have similarities and I've found that when I'm feeling absolutely rotten I can get on one of these groups and have a rant without worrying about how I might be judged or perceived. They're not for everyone but they could be worth a try (and I'm sure there's many others out there)
Australian Stepmums Support Group - a closed group that you will need to ask permission to join. Posts are not visible on your public feed but people may be able to see you're a member of the group
IVF Support Group Australia - a closed group that you will need to ask permission to join. Posts are not visible on your public feed but people may be able to see you're a member of the group
IVF Support Group, Canberra - a closed group that you will need to ask permission to join. Posts are not visible on your public feed but people may be able to see you're a member of the group
Men's IVF Support Australia - a closed group that you will need to ask permission to join. Posts are not visible on your public feed but people may be able to see you're a member of the group (hubby joined this one)
The MC Facebook Group - Miss Conception Coach's private Facebook page. Another opportunity to connect with other women dealing with infertility
Circle + Bloom Infertility Support Circle - Circle + Bloom
When I first signed up for the facebook support groups I realised I'd entered a whole world of acronyms that I had no idea what they meant! So here's a list to help you decipher any of my posts (or other sites)
General
AFAIK: as far as I know
FYI: for your information
MIL, FIL, BIL, SIL: mother, father, brother, sister-in-law
TIA: thanks in advance
TMI: Too much information
SAHM: stay at home mum
SO: significant other
WAHM: work at home mum
Stepfamilies
BM/BF: Bio mother/father - the biological parent of a child
SS/SD: Stepson/Stepdaughter
SK/SKids: Stepkids
SM/SF: Stepmum/Stepfather
Numbers after SS/SD refers to the age of the child
CSA: Child Support Agency
DH, DW, DP, DS, DD, DF, DB: dear husband/wife/partner/son/daughter/fiance/boyfriend etc.
DSD, DSS: dear step daughter, dear step son
SO: significant other
Fertility (Thanks to IVF Support Group for these)
2WW: 2 week wait (wait after ovulation when TTC)
AC: Assisted Conception
AF: Aunt Flo (period)
AI: Assisted or Artificial Insemination
AID: Artificial Insemination with Donor Sperm
AIH: Artificial Insemination with husband's or partner's sperm
AntC: Antagonist cycle
ART: Assisted Reproductive Technolgy
BBT: Basal Body temperature
BD: baby dancing (sex)
BFN: Big fat negative (negative pregnancy test)
BFP: Big fat positive (positive pregnancy test)
BT: Blood test
CC: Controlled Crying
CD: cycle day
CM: cervical mucus.
CVS: Chorionic Villus Sampling
DE: Donor eggs
DH, DW, DP, DS, DD, DF, DB,: dear husband/wife/partner/son/daughter/fiance/boyfriend etc.
DI: Donor Insemination
DP3DT: Days post 3 day transfer (age of embryo)
DP5DT: Days post 5 day transfer (age of embryo)
DPIUI: Days past an IUI
DPO: Days past ovulation
DRC: Down regulation cycle
EP: Ectopic Pregnancy
EPU: Egg pick up
ER: Egg Retrival
ET: Embryo Transfer
EW or EWCM: Egg White or Egg White Cervical Mucus (description of cervical mucus at ovulation time)
FET: Frozen Embryo Transfer (or fertilised egg transfer)
FN: Fertility (clinic) nurse
FOLLIES: Follicles that are the structure surrounding an egg
FS: Fertility specialist
FSH: Follicle Stimulating Hormone
GD: Gestational Diabetes
GIFT: Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer
GYN: gynaecolgist
HPT: Home pregnancy test
ICSI: Intracytoplasmic Sperm Insertion
IUI: Intrauterine Insemination
IVF: In Vitro Fertilisation
M/C: miscarriage
M/S: morning sickness
O: Ovulation
OB: Obstetrician
OHSS: Ovarian Hyper Stimualtion Syndrome
OI: Ovulation Induction
OPK: ovulation predictor test kit
OPU: Ovum (Egg) Pick Up
PCOS: Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome
PG: pregnant
PGD: Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis
POAS: Pee on a stick (home pregnancy test)
POF: Premature Ovarian Failure
PUPO: Pregnant until proven otherwise
S/B: Still birth
TI: Timed intercourse
TTC: trying to conceive
U/S: Ultrasound
General
AFAIK: as far as I know
FYI: for your information
MIL, FIL, BIL, SIL: mother, father, brother, sister-in-law
TIA: thanks in advance
TMI: Too much information
SAHM: stay at home mum
SO: significant other
WAHM: work at home mum
Stepfamilies
BM/BF: Bio mother/father - the biological parent of a child
SS/SD: Stepson/Stepdaughter
SK/SKids: Stepkids
SM/SF: Stepmum/Stepfather
Numbers after SS/SD refers to the age of the child
CSA: Child Support Agency
DH, DW, DP, DS, DD, DF, DB: dear husband/wife/partner/son/daughter/fiance/boyfriend etc.
DSD, DSS: dear step daughter, dear step son
SO: significant other
Fertility (Thanks to IVF Support Group for these)
2WW: 2 week wait (wait after ovulation when TTC)
AC: Assisted Conception
AF: Aunt Flo (period)
AI: Assisted or Artificial Insemination
AID: Artificial Insemination with Donor Sperm
AIH: Artificial Insemination with husband's or partner's sperm
AntC: Antagonist cycle
ART: Assisted Reproductive Technolgy
BBT: Basal Body temperature
BD: baby dancing (sex)
BFN: Big fat negative (negative pregnancy test)
BFP: Big fat positive (positive pregnancy test)
BT: Blood test
CC: Controlled Crying
CD: cycle day
CM: cervical mucus.
CVS: Chorionic Villus Sampling
DE: Donor eggs
DH, DW, DP, DS, DD, DF, DB,: dear husband/wife/partner/son/daughter/fiance/boyfriend etc.
DI: Donor Insemination
DP3DT: Days post 3 day transfer (age of embryo)
DP5DT: Days post 5 day transfer (age of embryo)
DPIUI: Days past an IUI
DPO: Days past ovulation
DRC: Down regulation cycle
EP: Ectopic Pregnancy
EPU: Egg pick up
ER: Egg Retrival
ET: Embryo Transfer
EW or EWCM: Egg White or Egg White Cervical Mucus (description of cervical mucus at ovulation time)
FET: Frozen Embryo Transfer (or fertilised egg transfer)
FN: Fertility (clinic) nurse
FOLLIES: Follicles that are the structure surrounding an egg
FS: Fertility specialist
FSH: Follicle Stimulating Hormone
GD: Gestational Diabetes
GIFT: Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer
GYN: gynaecolgist
HPT: Home pregnancy test
ICSI: Intracytoplasmic Sperm Insertion
IUI: Intrauterine Insemination
IVF: In Vitro Fertilisation
M/C: miscarriage
M/S: morning sickness
O: Ovulation
OB: Obstetrician
OHSS: Ovarian Hyper Stimualtion Syndrome
OI: Ovulation Induction
OPK: ovulation predictor test kit
OPU: Ovum (Egg) Pick Up
PCOS: Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome
PG: pregnant
PGD: Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis
POAS: Pee on a stick (home pregnancy test)
POF: Premature Ovarian Failure
PUPO: Pregnant until proven otherwise
S/B: Still birth
TI: Timed intercourse
TTC: trying to conceive
U/S: Ultrasound