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Symptoms that need urgent medical care

Call your emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department if you are pregnant, have recently had a positive pregnancy test, or are in a fertility-treatment cycle and notice any of the following:

• Severe or one-sided pelvic or abdominal pain, especially with shoulder-tip pain, dizziness, fainting or vaginal bleeding. These can be signs of an ectopic pregnancy, which is a medical emergency.
• Heavy vaginal bleeding, such as soaking a pad an hour for two hours in a row, or passing large clots.
• Rapid weight gain, a swollen or very painful abdomen, nausea or vomiting that will not settle, much less urine than usual, or shortness of breath during or after ovarian stimulation. These can be signs of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Call your clinic or emergency services straight away.
• Fever, severe pain or foul-smelling discharge after an egg retrieval, embryo transfer or other procedure.
• Signs of a blood clot, such as a swollen, painful, warm leg or sudden chest pain and breathlessness.

Your fertility clinic should give you an after-hours number. Keep it somewhere you can find it quickly. Learn more in our guides to fertility conditions and treatments.

Support for the emotional side of infertility

Infertility, treatment cycles and pregnancy loss can be painful and isolating. Feeling anxious, low or overwhelmed is common and deserves care. These organizations offer information and peer support:

• RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association: support groups, a community and advocacy for people building a family. (opens in a new tab)
• American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) patient resources: fact sheets on testing and treatment. (opens in a new tab)
• Postpartum Support International: peer support for perinatal mood and anxiety concerns, including after loss. (opens in a new tab)
• Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support: support after miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of a baby. (opens in a new tab)

A counselor who works with people through fertility treatment can help too; ask your clinic for a referral.

If you’re worried about a partner, friend or family member

• Ask directly. Asking someone if they are thinking about suicide does not put the idea in their head, and it can open the door to support.
• Listen without judgment, and take what they say seriously.
• Help them connect with a crisis line, their doctor or emergency services. You can call a crisis line for advice yourself.
• If they are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number and stay with them if it is safe to do so.

When you’re ready for ongoing support

Crisis lines provide immediate support. For ongoing fertility care, explore ways to find care, including your OB/GYN, online fertility programs and fertility clinics.