Fertility Counseling
Helping you manage difficult emotions and find your hope again.
Managing grief from miscarriage or other loss
1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage. However, just because it is common, does not make it easy. The grief associated with a loss is often difficult for others to understand. Some call it an “invisible loss”. Trying to conceive becomes significantly more challenging emotionally after this experience.
Therapy will provide a safe space to process these difficult emotions. Sometimes if women do not allow themselves to grieve and become pregnant too soon, they find themselves feeling disconnected from their pregnancy. I would love to help you heal from loss and prepare mentally for the transition.
Coping with anger and sadness stemming from fertility struggles
The longer you try and do not succeed, the more it takes a toll. The anxiety of not knowing when or if it will happen is challenging. Eventually this may transition into anger or depression, particularly after a loss. You start to question “How long can I live this way?” “Should I stop trying?” Will I ever be happy again?”
One of the most well-known research studies on the psychological impact of infertility have indicated that women with infertility felt the same level of anxiety or depression as those diagnosed with cancer, hypertension, or recovering from a heart attack. These feelings are not to be taken lightly. During counseling, I will help you answer the above questions and identify coping skills for this difficult time in your life.
Managing stress and anxiety related to trying to conceive, failed cycles, and worry about whether you will be successful
Everything about trying to conceive is waiting…waiting for ovulation, waiting to take a pregnancy test (or multiple tests), and waiting for the next cycle. If you seek care from a reproductive endindocrinologist…more waiting. Next thing you know, you’ve put your life on hold. Because it’s difficult to plan when you don’t know if you’ll be pregnant or still trying to conceive or doing IVF.
While research has indicated that the cause of infertility is often not from stress, prolonged stress may reduce chances of success. Stress management and relaxation strategies are an important part of coping with trying to conceive and fertility treatments. During therapy, I will encourage self-care and help you process this all-consuming life situation.
Navigating relationships with your partner and friends
Trying to conceive takes a major toll on relationships. You may start avoiding social gatherings and couples you know with children. This is usually hard for them to understand. Intimacy with your partner may be disrupted and men and women often cope with infertility in different ways.
During counseling, I will help you explore your wants and needs in your current relationships, including short-term and long-term, and identify an approach of how to reach those goals. You may decide that avoiding social gatherings in the short-term is what you need to cope right now. Or you may decide it would be better for your mental health if you find coping strategies to through these events.
