Infertility Counseling Support

For many women and men, coping with infertility -- and infertility treatment -- is a  great emotional challenge.  Infertility can affect more than just the ability to become pregnant and have children. It can impact virtually every facet of your life, from how you see yourself to how you relate to others.  No one coping with infertility needs to struggle alone. Support is available in many forms.

The Reproductive Science Center has an onsite licensed clinical psychologist and licensed clinical social worker. Both have dedicated their professional carerrs to helping couples with a myriad of issues regarding infertility and infertility treatment. RSC counseling services are provided free of charge to patients in treatment at RSC.

Normal emotional responses

There are a number of predictable emotions that many people with infertility experience. These include:

• depression
• anger
• anxiety
• frustration
• irritability
• grief

Infertility treatment can add to the above list. Fertility medications can impact emotions and stress can build if treatment lasts longer than expected, .

It's common to wonder "Why me?" Feelings of guilt and anger about the causes of infertility are also possible. Men and women often respond to their feelings differently, but both certainly feel the pain of infertility. Women may respond by seeking information and support; men may try to withdraw and distance themselves from the stress. These differences, if not addressed, can damage a couple's relationship. On the other hand, some people look back on their infertility experience as a time of both struggle and personal growth. Some couples state they grew closer throughout the experience.

Treating the whole person

Support groups, individual counseling, and mind-body programs -- all can address the needs of different individuals and couples. Research continues to document that receiving psychosocial support can enhance fertility treatment results. The purpose of professional psychosocial support is to help individuals feel better or help couples maintain strong relationships. It can also help with making decisions about the fertility treatment options. Patients are highly encouraged to consider psychosocial counseling right from the beginning of treatment.  

Counseling isn't just helpful when you feel broken down by the struggle of infertility and its treatment. It can possibly help you avoid getting to that point. Patients who make use of various support services can learn new ways of coping with stress, feel better prepared about what to expect, and have an objective and experienced sounding board for weighing treatment and family-building choices. People who are struggling to have a baby can experience profound depression. With assistance, even they can heal emotionally and resolve their crisis. The following are indicators that you or your loved one could benefit from counseling:

• your normal functioning and relationships with others are negatively impacted
• persistent sadness and tearfulness
• increased levels of anxiety or worry
• isolating yourself from others
• strained relationships
• loss of interest in hobbies
• difficulty concentrating or remembering
• difficulty making decisions
• difficulty accomplishing your usual tasks
• change in appetite, weight, or sleep patterns
• increased feelings of bitterness or anger
• thoughts of death or suicide
• continuing feelings of pessimism, guilt, or worthlessness

Support on the Web:

• Resolve 
• INCIID -The International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination
• Fertile Thoughts
• Pregnancy loss (SHARE support groups)
• Center for Loss in Multiple Births   (CLIMB)