Struggling with infertility can be an extremely emotional experience. Whilst infertility can be extremely challenging for women, it will often affect the whole family unit as well. Family members may be impacted by the surrounding frustration of not being able to conceive, and the stress over how this will impact the future happiness of the family. It is not uncommon for family members to feel anxious and unsure about what the future will hold if the fertility problems are not overcome.
If you, or someone in your family are considering methods such as surrogacy, or medical treatments such as IVF, there may be disagreements within the family about the best course of action. You, or someone in the family be uncomfortable or unhappy with decisions being made and this can be upsetting for both parties. Often problems with open communication arise between family members, particularly if a family member is overwhelmed with emotions when discussing their difficulties. Seeking support from a psychologist provides a safe and relaxed manner to discuss fertility concerns and improve communication. 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 your concerns out in the open is the first step in moving forward and preparing realistic solutions.
If fertility problems are affecting the relationship of the parents in a family, this can be particularly upsetting for children. If you, or someone in your family is struggling with fertility, this can lead to emotional trauma which puts strain on relationships within the family. This in turn can affect your ability to perform at work, as well as social and family commitments. If the stress of fertility challenges in the family has begun to impact your wellbeing, it may be time to see a psychologist.
The psychologists at VCPS provide support to families struggling with fertility difficulties by:
