CONCEPTION & FERTILITY ISSUES
During the process of trying to conceive a baby, there can be a range of emotions and questions that arise. Some individuals and couples seek pre-conception counselling to assist them when deciding to have a family or to resolve issues prior to starting a family. Counselling at this time can help with personal fears and ambivalence around becoming a parent and assist couples with differing opinions regarding having children and when. For those experiencing conception difficulties, it can be particularly challenging and emotionally difficult to navigate on several levels. Conception difficulties are often unexpected and initially frightening and confusing regarding the specific nature and severity of the difficulty. Those involved may face anxiety regarding test results and falling pregnant, fear of failure, uncertainty about the future, and in some cases loss of pregnancy or ones hopes of becoming pregnant. All these factors that often accompany the process of trying to conceive, can take a toll on individuals and relationships.
People face similar but different emotions depending on their individual circumstances or role within the conception relationship. However, sadness, fear, worthlessness, guilt, resentment, and anger are common emotions experienced during this time. This is often a particularly challenging time for the person trying to fall pregnant. They can experience heightened levels of distress, personal impact, anxiety, low mood, or depression as a result of not falling pregnant or possibly, coping with pregnancy losses hormonally, emotionally, and idealistically.
These challengers often become more difficult as friends, family members, and work colleagues seem to effortlessly fall pregnant. This is often when individuals or couples seek counselling for support; to assist in processing the situation better, managing their feelings, responses, expectations, and to discuss options moving forward. An important focus during this time, is open, honest communication, and working on maintaining a strong, supportive relationship. Mental health and emotional wellbeing are central to therapy as it is often when people deteriorate emotionally, and relationships are tested, and at times decline. Therapy offers a supportive, safe space for people to process their own individual thoughts, feeling, emotions, difficulties, and choices.
ASSISTED FERTILITY & IVF
A further range of emotions are often present when IVF and other forms of assisted reproduction are undertaken. It can be a time of optimism and anticipation, but also a time of confusion, stress, anxiety, and despair if treatments/cycles do not result in pregnancy. Each woman’s experience of treatment is unique and for some, the physical and emotional side-effects of treatment can be daunting, overwhelming, and unexpected. Women and couples often benefit from therapy at this stage to help them through the process of treatment and to assist them to better understand their own and each other’s needs and reactions.
Single women and same sex couples who contemplate and pursue donor conception often seek assistance in working through the complex issues they face in this process.
INFERTILITY
Coming to terms with infertility presents a multitude of complex, at times conflicting emotions, ideals, and dreams. Those affected usually benefit significantly by working through these complex themes with a supportive professional, who can offer guidance, compassion, and the necessary space to grieve and explore the emotions and potential options involved. For some people, coming to terms with their infertility means creating a meaningful future that does not include children. For other’s it entails exploring alternative ways of creating family.