Infertility & Loss

Infertility is a medical condition not unlike other medical conditions – it affects all aspects of your life. It can create one of the most stressful life crises that an individual or couple has ever experienced and can affect your relationship with others, your perspective on life as well as how you feel about yourself.

Feelings of grief, loss, guilt, shame, disappointment, anxiety, depression and isolation are normal. Dealing with the multitude of medical decisions and the uncertainties that infertility brings can create great emotional turmoil for most people.

Whether you are beginning to explore your infertility treatment options or you have been through many different infertility treatments, the sense of loss and disappointment and the feelings and emotions of being out of control are similar.

Research shows that depression among women with infertility is similar to those with cancer or heart disease. Men also get depressed. It is important for individuals and couples to seek counseling as a means to navigate and negotiate the many thoughts and feelings that arise.

There are many different reasons for seeking infertility counseling that can include the following:

• Learning to cope with the many emotions of infertility
• Grief of pregnancy loss/stillbirth/medical termination/selective reduction
• Ways to effectively communicate with your partner/spouse
• How to choose the right medical treatment
• Exploring other family building options
• Ways to respond to family, friends and acquaintances about your infertility journey
• Managing the day to day emotional stresses related to infertility