Psychological support

There are times in day to day life that make you feel more depressed and lacking in resources. But if you have become emotionally prepared, you will find that these situations can be handled. It is important that you remember that you should not participate in activities that depress you. For example, instead of looking after a baby you can plan something special for that day.

You should also be prepared for situations that are initially simple to face but which at that moment become unapproachable circumstances. For example, taking part in conversations focusing on pregnancy or on children, or conversations with pregnant friends during your fertility treatment. Perhaps holidays and birthdays imply additional stress due to the fact that time is passing by and you still have no children. Remember that you are on the way to achieving it.

Another difficulty may be visits to doctors. You will see pregnant women in the consultancy and you will face negative results in the tests. You and your partner will consider the possibility of abandoning the treatment. Generally, many women experience the beginning of the first menstrual cycle as a traumatic event from the moment this indicates that there is no pregnancy after a month of waiting and the need to start over again.

In order to face up to these situations, in IVI’s Psychological Support Unit we will help to build up this emotional strength and to prepare you for these events that may happen. Reflect on these kinds of circumstances and ask yourself how you will react. One good therapy is to talk to people that have experienced the same emotions. See how they have managed and what they have done differently from you.

After various months of tests and identification of your particular problem, you may be starting your first treatment or have already been through a cycle of assisted reproduction. In general, the doctor and team that are dealing with your treatment use terms that were probably unknown to you before. Don’t hesitate to ask about anything you need to know about the medication or about the specific technique that interests you. Generally, in the Reproduction Medicine Services’ offices they can give you graphic and visual documentation that will help to inform you better about what monitoring means, or the mechanical apparatus used for your treatment, the techniques that you didn’t know about until now, or the drugs that you are going to be prescribed. It may be useful to make a list of questions to remember them when you visit.

IVI’s Psychological Support Programme involves an average of four or five sessions in which patients are trained in cognitive behavioural techniques and self-control techniques. It is designed to combat and reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress, to improve difficulties in communicating with one’s community (family, friends, work) and with the medical and health care team. It restores self-esteem and improves the couple’s sex life: from learning to relax to developing psychological and social abilities, as well as combating and overcoming stress, getting to know oneself better, and learning to confront difficult situations. Keeping a positive attitude and anxiety under control, patients get involved in better conditions in all kinds of ART (Assisted Reproduction Treatment) and the rate of success in the treatment is increased.