Inability to conceive

Psychological stress caused by an inability to conceive

If you have a strong desire to have children and this is part of your fixed plans in life, it is often disappointing if your chances of pregnancy are low or if the possibility of having your own child is extremely limited. If your desire to have a child starts to take over your relationship and constantly grows, this can be not only physically but also mentally exhausting. Many patients find new hope in the possibility of fertility treatment.

When you’re still waiting for that first child

Making the decision to get treatment from a reproductive specialist gives new hope to couples who want to have their own children. However, therapy often entails long periods of waiting. This is partly because some medications need to be taken over a certain period of time to get the desired result. This includes the administration of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Processes such as the implantation of embryos have to occur naturally and take time. If your desire to have children is especially strong, you may grow impatient or be under psychological pressure during this time. Here at TFP, we want to give you extensive professional advice throughout this entire time, and our team of trained staff will be happy to help you with any questions you may have.

No success after multiple attempts

Before undergoing fertility treatment, it is important for everyone involved to openly communicate their own personal limits. Discuss together how often you want to have treatments and how far you want to go. Both partners should be given the freedom to change their mind, even once treatment has started. It is rare to be able to understand and assess the extent of the physical and mental impact before starting fertility therapy. The realisation that pregnancy is not going to occur is naturally going to cause a sense of disappointment. If you decide to discontinue your fertility treatment, you can consult professional counselling centres.

Support when trying to conceive

• Partnership: You share your desire to have children with your partner, and you should also share all your worries, fears and stressors during treatment and after any unsuccessful attempts while trying to conceive. You should support each other and work together as a team.

• Friends and family: Friends and family will not always understand your situation. Though you know each other very well, they still might not have an emotional attachment to your fertility treatment. Reach out to close friends and relatives in whom you can confide.

• Self-help groups: This is somewhere for couples to meet others who find themselves in a similar situation. Most find very good support and can help each other in these groups.

• Counselling centres: Specially trained professionals can have personal discussions with you to assist you and mediate between you and your partner where necessary.

• Our fertility clinics: During your treatment, we can also offer you psychological counselling. We will be happy to advise you on any questions you may have.