The physicians and staff of Pacific Fertility Center truly believe that we are not just treating infertility, we are treating human beings. We strive to address both the medical issues that individuals and couples facing the challenge of infertility face, and we also strive to address the well-being of the whole individual.
At PFC, we know that the physical demands and emotional ups and downs of infertility experience can impact life at home, at work and with family. This is a path that one likely did not anticipate and, while there is much reason for hope, the treatment process can also be emotionally trying. The well being of our patients is a crucial aspect of fertility treatment, and we encourage our patients to take advantage of the many resources we have developed to address the emotional and even spiritual needs they may have as a part of their journey.
PFC's extensive support system includes a devoted patient care team, experienced clinical coordinators and educators and an in-house marriage and family therapist who has long specialized in fertility and third party parenting issues. Each of our physicians has his or her own team that will then work with each patient. We do try to get to know our own patients as much as possible in the (hopefully short) time they are working with us in their attempts to conceive. We all feel grateful to work in a rewarding field that allows us to help our patients build their families and have a positive impact on the lives of so many people.
Bi-Monthly Webinars
We encourage prospective patients to attend one of our free webinars where they can meet our physicians, learn about treatment options, and ask specific questions. Learn more about our seminars and register online.
Ongoing Patient Education and Support
Fertility treatment involves attention to detail. Our outstanding team of nurses and clinical coordinators are by our patient's side to help them manage this aspect of care. Our nurses work with each patient to understand their treatment course and help manage medication schedules. When lab results come in, a nurse will contact the patient, explain their results and answer any questions. A PFC physician is also always available to speak with their patients by phone or in person, beyond the initial consultation, to discuss lab results, review the treatment plan and progress, or discuss new options. For those taking fertility medications, a nurse will provide injection instruction, including one-on-one guidance and emotional support whenever they need it. Our physicians and nurses are available to our patients 24-7.
If treatment involves intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization, our patients will also be assigned a clinical care coordinator, who will walk them through all aspects of their IUI or IVF cycle. If treatment involves third party reproduction (egg donors or surrogacy), we have specialized staff in our Egg Donor Agency and with our Third Party Coordinators, to make sure the entire process is as smooth and stress-free as possible. Our staff's extensive experience and careful attention to detail is very reassuring to patients trying to learn about and prepare for their treatments.
Learn more about our exceptional support staff and read personal profiles in PFC's Fertility Flash Newsletter.
Counseling
Our counselor, Peggy Orlin, MFT, is an important member of our clinical team, and is able to facilitate discussion of emotionally charged topics and help our patients navigate the decisions and life changes they may be facing. For many of our patients, speaking one- on-one with a counselor or interacting in a group workshop leads to new perspectives and improved well being. The benefit of this process cannot be overstated.
Peggy Orlin, MFT is a Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in the emotional aspects of infertility, third party family building, and adoption. She has been a therapist since 1984, a counselor to those experiencing infertility since 1992 and has been affiliated with Pacific Fertility Center since 1998.
A native of Buffalo, New York, Ms. Orlin received a master's degree from Hofstra University. She moved to the Bay Area in 1978 where she completed her postgraduate training at the Family Therapy Center in San Francisco and at the Marin Psychotherapy Institute.
Her personal history of infertility led her to sub specialize in infertility counseling. At Pacific Fertility Center, she has co-led stress reduction classes for patients and co-ordinates discussions for staff on ethical issues in reproductive medicine. Her involvement with third party family building includes psychological screening of all involved - donors, recipients and gestational surrogates.
Ms. Orlin's professional associations include the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, where she is immediate Past Chair of the Executive Committee of the Mental Health Professional Group, and RESOLVE, the national infertility organization, where she is a member of their Mental Health Advisory Board. She regularly speaks at conferences on infertility.
She maintains an interest in disclosure and attachment issues that affect individuals and their children involved with ART and adopted children. In addition to her infertility counseling, Ms. Orlin enjoys working with couples, adults dealing with grief and loss, and those coping with anxiety and relationship problems.