WFC counselling service

The stress of infertility treatment

For a number of reasons, the time of infertility treatment can be a very stressful period in a couple's lives. This can be due to a number of factors, including the perceived stigma of childlessness, the nature of the treatment involved and particularly the disappointment when the treatment is not successful. Infertility treatment often involves complicated and difficult medical interventions. These can place significant demands on your time as well as meaning that you have to cope with the effects of all the medications and procedures.

In addition, the majority of IVF cycles are, unfortunately, unsuccessful. Despite apparently good progress in the early stages of treatment, implantation may not take place, leading to a huge sense of disappointment for couples who have often been trying to conceive for a long time. Feelings of grief and anger are common at these times. Sometimes, such emotions can impact negatively on relationships with partners, family and friends as well as on your attitude to the other things in your life. As a consequence of all this, it is very common for people to experience infertility as a time of real crisis in their lives. For many people, it can be the first time that they have felt they are not in control of what happens to them.

It is also well recognised by counsellors that men and women often react differently to the stress of infertility. Although both are upset by it, each partner may exhibit the pain in different ways. This, in turn, can cause major problems within the relationship.

How can we help?

The nursing and medical staff will help with any problems if they can. If you are worried, anxious or simply confused about what is going on just ask your nurse or doctor and they will give you guidance.

In addition to this, I am available to see you whenever you need any assistance. I have years of experience and training in helping infertile couples with the stresses of infertility. My role in the infertility team is to help you cope with the challenges of infertility treatment in ways that will maintain or strengthen your relationships and help you restore your self-esteem.

Counselling plays an important role in the service we offer to our patients and is available for all patients who request it at no addtional cost. If you wish to speak with me, I would be very happy to see you.

Please phone me or call in at our reception desk and an appointment can be made for you. A limited number of after hours appointments are also available for those who need them and telephone counseling is another, possibly valuable option.

Gay Shanahan, Infertility Counsellor