Struggling with infertility can be one of the most difficult challenges a couple has to face. The frustration of not being able to conceive, together with stress over whether you’ll ever be able to have children, can take an extreme toll on your relationship.
If you are facing fertility difficulties, you may be questioning why conceiving is harder for you than others, and you may feel discouraged that you are not able to conceive on your own. It is not uncommon for these feelings of frustration and worry to spill over to the relationship between you and your partner, and impact the stability of the relationship. Often problems with open communication arise between partners, particularly if one or both of you are feeling desperate to conceive and emotional when discussing your concerns. Seeking support from a psychologist provides a safe and relaxed manner to discuss fertility concerns with your partner and explore your options.
Being around family or friends who are pregnant or have children can result in a range of emotions which can compound the stress you may already be feeling. It may impact the social life of you and your partner, as you shy away from seeing friends or family who have children. This may then affect your social support network and in turn, affect your ability perform at work, as well as social and family commitments. If the stress of your fertility challenges has begun to impact your relationship, it may be time to see a psychologist. Understanding that these reactions and experiences are normal is one step toward accepting and treating the situation. Being able to disclose these feelings to someone and get these concerns out in the open is the first step in moving forward, preparing realistic solutions, and tackling your fertility problems.
Furthermore, if you are considering, or undergoing, medical treatments such as IVF, seeking psychological support throughout this process can be particularly important in reducing stress levels for both you and your partner, and preparing both of you for all possible outcomes. Alternatively, if you and your partner are considering options such as surrogacy or adoption, it helps to seek caring, confidential and professional advice.
The psychologists at VCPS provide support to couples struggling with fertility concerns by: