INFERTILITY
 Conceivable Options assists individuals and couples in dealing with the emotional, psychological, and physical stresses associated with infertility.
Infertility...
..."is the inability to achieve and maintain a pregnancy after regular intercourse without contraception for one year. If over 35, it is after six months."
…is an "unanticipated life crisis, very often unexplained, and lasting for an indeterminate length of time."
"Women who can’t easily conceive have the same level of distress
as women with cancer, heart disease, or who are HIV positive."
~ Alice Domar, PhD
Infertility's Multiple Effects
The impact of infertility is immense. It affects the individual, the couple, and their relationship. It is unrelenting and can impact every aspect of life – self-esteem, sense of control, relationships, finances, career, and spirituality. It can cause a roller coaster of emotions – hopelessness, anxiety, depression, hostility, anger, despair, loss, isolation and loneliness.
Often difficulties arise which may include communication problems; differing views on treatment goals/options; sexual relationship issues for the couple; and an inordinate level of stress.
Conceivable Options will help clients to:
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MYTHS OF INFERTILITY
MYTH: Infertility isn't very common.
FACT: One in six couples has difficulty conceiving a child.
MYTH: Relax and you'll get pregnant.
FACT: Relaxing is not a guarantee of pregnancy. Infertility is often due to problems of the reproductive system. However, a number of studies have shown that the more distressed a woman is when starting a fertility treatment cycle, the lower the pregnancy rates. The interaction between biological and psychological factors is complex and still being researched.
MYTH: Adopt and you'll get pregnant.
FACT: Infertile adoptive couples become pregnant at about the same rate as infertile couples who do not adopt.
MYTH: Infertility is a woman's problem.
FACT: Infertility affects men and women equally. About 40% of cases are attributable to male factors, 40% to factors affecting women, 10% are a combination of male/ female factors, and 10% of cases are unexplained.
MYTH: Men and women react to infertility in the same way(s)
FACT: Men and women respond to infertility differently. Women tend to express a lot more distress than men do. "During infertility investigations or treatment, women reported higher psychological levels of distress than men on measures of anxiety, depression, self-esteem and psychological adjustment." (Burns & Covington) Society expects men to conceal rather than reveal their emotions. Men do react differently, but still have much to cope with when a diagnosis of infertility is given. |
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Give voice to their feelings
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Restore a sense of control of their life
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Reduce feelings of overwhelming grief, depression, isolation, and anxiety
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Discover/renew healthy coping mechanisms
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Reduce physical symptoms of stress - insomnia, fatigue, headaches, abdominal discomfort
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Enhance communication skills
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Work towards goals that fit with their beliefs & values
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Cope with the stress of fertility treatment
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Learn mind/body techniques to help them cope & enhance wellness
Enhance relationship(s) with partner, family and friends -
Create a greater level of joy in their life
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