Main Line Fertility is devoted to helping you fulfill your dream of starting or expanding your family, but we also recognize the emotional impact infertility and its treatment can have on many of our patients. Our objective is to provide compassionate care for the whole patient, including offering guidance on emotional expectations during treatment. That’s why we’re proud to introduce Dr. Ali Domar, Inception’s Chief Compassion Officer.
Dr. Domar’s primary mission is to provide patients across the Prelude Network, of which Main Line Fertility is a part, with the knowledge and skills to maintain emotional health during the treatment process. She is a psychologist by training and has provided infertility counseling to individuals, couples, and families for over 35 years. She is also an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, at Harvard Medical School, and a senior staff psychologist in the department of ob/gyn at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Additionally, she has authored dozens of papers published in peer-reviewed medical journals, and eight books including “Conquering Infertility” and lectures around the world on the connection between infertility and stress. Dr. Domar really knows her stuff! Below Dr. Domar shares some information on the emotional impact of infertility:
If you find that you are not feeling like yourself, or experiencing feelings of sadness or anxiety, please know that this is a normal reaction to infertility. Research has shown that most women struggling to conceive report symptoms of anxiety and depression, and most men report feeling anxious. This makes sense. Combine the natural desire to procreate with your dreams of being a parent, family pressure, and all those social media announcements of pregnancy and births, it is not surprising that negative psychological symptoms can appear.
Given the prevalence of these symptoms, here are a few little-discussed facts:
- Women experiencing infertility report the same level of anxiety and/or depression as women with cancer, HIV+, or heart disease
- Women tend to report more distress than men. This might be because women do in fact experience more distress, or it is possible that men don’t feel as comfortable talking about it.
- Men with a diagnosis of male factor infertility report more distress than do men where the diagnosis is female factor or unexplained infertility.
- Unless someone has been through infertility themselves, it might be very challenging for them to say or do the right thing. There is a lot of flawed information online and in the media.
- Most women going through infertility struggle with pregnancy announcements, being around pregnant women, or newborns. If this is the case for you, please remember that this is a totally normal reaction and that jealousy is appropriate when it feels as if everyone around you is getting something easily when it’s proving challenging for you.
- We know that infertility causes stress- this is indisputable. We are currently researching whether or not stress might reduce the efficacy of treatment. In any case, since distress can be so unpleasant to experience, it makes sense to avail yourself of opportunities to feel better mentally.
What can you do to feel better or maintain well-being? Here are some options:
- MLF has connections with several highly experienced local therapists who can provide individual or couples counseling if needed, here is a link to the list.
- MLF offers a free weekly support group led licensed counselor and IVF mama, Cristina DiBartolomeo, MA, LPC. MLF support group is held virtually every Tuesday each month from 7PM – 8:15PM. Patients, partners and their support systems are welcome to attend but you must RSVP.
- Resolve, the National Infertility Association, offers support groups, education, and advocacy in all 50 states. Check out their resources on their site.
- ASRM is the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM.org). They have a special section on their website which is just for patients. They offer information, education, and support.
- Talk to the clinicians taking care of you if you have any questions or concerns about the psychological aspects of the process. They have a lot of experience and can help!
- Please be careful about the information you come across online. There is a significant amount of misinformation out there, and some studies have shown that about half of the medical facts you find online are simply untrue. It’s best to consult your doctor, or nurse, or refer to reputable websites for accurate information.
Find Confidence at Main Line Fertility Center
Maintaining emotional resilience throughout infertility treatment is no easy task, but the team at Main Line Fertility is here to help you every step of the way. If you’re ready to take the next step on your path to parenthood, or are just looking to explore your options, schedule an appointment with one of our experts today.
