What You Need To Know Before Undergoing Fertility Treatment

The European trade association ESHRE (European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology) has drawn up a guideline for psychosocial care for fertility problems. A patient version of this guideline is now available on the initiative of resolve.org (the American patient association for people with a fertility disorder).

Based on the recommendations from the guideline, a concise and pragmatic advice has been written for patients before, during and after fertility treatments. The purpose of these tips is to help you get the best care and support at Dunya IVF in Cyprus so that you will experience the diagnosis of reduced fertility, infertility and associated treatment in a healthy way.

1. Be open and honest with the medical staff about your lifestyle and habits. 

Some examples are smoking, alcohol use, diet and possible eating disorders. Ask for advice to improve your chances of getting pregnant and getting a child.

Studies have shown that patients often have a lifestyle that negatively affects their general and reproductive health and that they are often unaware of this themselves. The guideline recommends that medical staff provide you with information about a healthy lifestyle. They should also help you in changing your lifestyle to improve your health and increase the chances of a pregnancy.

2. Ask the medical staff to make an assessment of the risk of developing emotional problems during the treatments.

The guideline recommends medical staff to look at your emotional needs before the start of treatment. This makes it possible to assess whether you will get emotionally difficult during the treatment, and possibly provide additional care, such as an appointment with a counselor, psychologist or contact with fellow patients.

3. If you have a partner, you will undergo all treatments together.

The guideline recommends medical staff to actively involve both partners in the diagnosis and treatment process. Therefore, if possible, go to the consultation with your partner.

4. Be aware that men and women experience fertility problems and treatments differently.

Various studies have shown that men and women experience fertility problems differently. Women indicate that they suffer more from depressive feelings and stress before treatment. Men show themselves more unmoved, so that they can support their partner, but they also indicate that they feel more isolated during treatment.

Moreover, the response of one partner influences the reaction of the other partner. If you expect the differences in experience between you, it can help you deal with the treatments, show mutual understanding and give an opening for a conversation with each other.

5. Ask for a brochure or information about medical treatments.

Studies have shown that brochures on medical treatments make these treatments easier, reduce possible anxiety and stress, and improve the patient's knowledge. That is why the guideline recommends that the medical staff provides you with preparatory information or a brochure about the treatments.

6. Be aware that you will experience different emotions during fertility treatments.

Studies have shown that most patients experience different emotions during fertility treatment. Patients indicate that they are hopeful during the hormone stimulation phase. 

At these times, women can feel physically tired and at the same time emotionally closer to their partner. Anxiety and stress are higher in the weeks before the pregnancy test. In a negative pregnancy test, patients may feel intensely sad and depressed. You will probably experience one or more of the above emotions during treatment and that is quite normal.

7. Expect the impact of the treatment on your work.

Studies have shown that during an IVF / ICSI treatment, 6 out of 10 patients for shorter or longer reporting sick for a longer period of time. On average, patients miss 23 hours at work per IVF cycle. You can inform yourself about the impact of the treatment on your work and how you can best deal with this.

8. Be involved in the decisions about your treatment.

The guideline recommends medical staff to discuss the different treatments and options with patients and to help them in making choices. The medical staff should also offer patients the opportunity to express their concerns about the treatment. If you have questions or if you want more information; do not hesitate to discuss this. Stupid questions do not exist.

9. If you experience psychosocial problems, ask the medical staff to refer you for additional care.

The guideline recommends medical staff to offer psychosocial care and to refer patients who are at risk of serious psychosocial problems to a counselor or psychotherapist with experience in the field of fertility problems. Do not hesitate to discuss psychosocial issues with the team.

10. After completing fertility treatment (successful or unsuccessful) asks for an appointment with your doctor.

The guideline recommends medical staff to give patients the opportunity to express their concerns about one pregnancy (after a fertility treatment), or to discuss the consequences of ending an unsuccessful treatment. At a (early) pregnancy you may need to discuss your concerns about the pregnancy and the health of your baby. If the treatment ends without a pregnancy, you may have questions about additional options or how to organize your life without children. In both cases you can benefit from an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor can discuss any follow-up steps with you and, if necessary, show you the way to additional care.