Infertility is one of the most distressing experiences for anyone who expected to plan a family
It is often a shock, threatening hopes and dreams of how you have imagined your future will be.
There’s no doubt that after the diagnosis of infertility kicks in, one of the most difficult parts is processing the news and dealing with the emotional anguish. If this is happening to you, you may be surprised at just how hard it is to cope with your emotions – and as with any mental or emotional health issue, the psychological impact of infertility is invisible. Moreover, relatives, friends and colleagues may not understand or realise how much grief and anxiety you are feeling.
Not everyone will appreciate that a miscarriage is a bereavement or that undergoing fertility treatments is stressful, exhausting and can be painful, leaving you feeling frustrated and anxious, even making you feel the need to avoid social situations. These feelings can often be completely overwhelming, and we know it is often difficult to speak with those close to you – particularly if you feel they might not understand the emotions you are feeling.
Yes, you may feel isolated after your diagnosis, and it can feel very lonely, but you are not alone – and most importantly, know that it is not your fault
Infertility does not discriminate and can affect anybody. There are many couples out there going through the same journey – the statistics support this; around one in eight couples struggles to conceive.
Coping with an infertility diagnosis or dealing with fertility treatment can be emotionally and physically challenging; almost 80% of women experience clinical anxiety and over 50% experience clinical depression during this time. In fact, one study concluded that women with infertility felt as anxious or depressed as those diagnosed with cancer, hypertension, or recovering from a heart attack.
But you don’t need to go it alone. Support is now just a few clicks away, because we have partnered with Juno Health, a digital therapy startup offering affordable and confidential on-demand therapy with a network of professional therapists who specialise in women’s mental health issues.
Talking therapies are an important and effective way to help you manage your emotions and there is nothing to be ashamed of in asking for help. However, finding a suitable therapist is rarely easy and getting an appointment can be even more tricky; Juno recognise these challenges which is why their mission is to ensure that you can access the support you need when you need it, via their digital platform – connecting you to a network of vetted therapists with the experience and expertise to support you along your fertility journey.
Juno believe that mental health is a right, not a luxury, and we agree entirely
Our mission at IVF babble has always been to build something that we wish we’d had when we were on our fertility journey, which is why we’re partnering with Juno, who share our values and who are building a new type of healthcare company that puts women at the centre of everything they do.
Research shows that behavioural therapy provided via written message or video is as effective as face-to-face therapy, and it’s also much more convenient
appointments from the comfort of your own home or a location of your choice
convenience & choice
no long wait for GP referrals
no long waits for therapy appointments
no need to take time out of work to fit in appointments
sessions can be purchased as a gift for friends or family.
As women, we have unique and often complex health needs, especially where our reproductive and emotional health is concerned, and we are passionate that every woman should be able to use technology to access mental & emotional health support.
That is the fundamental reason for our partnership with Juno Health, it is why we do what we do and we cannot wait to support you further on your fertility journey
Look after yourself. If you are feeling the emotional strain, talk to someone. If you think you might want to use one of the lovely Juno counsellors, make sure you type in the code babble15 for your discount. Sending you all so much love as always.