Fertility Counselling
Most couples say afterwards that the injections were not the hard part. The waiting, the disappointment, the strain on a relationship and the decisions about how far to go are what people struggle with, and those are worth support in their own right.
- Both partners welcome
- Confidential and separate from treatment
- Decisions about when to stop discussed
- Available between cycles as well as during
Stay
Outpatient
Duration
45 to 60 minutes
Anaesthesia
Not applicable
About Fertility Counselling
Counselling covers the emotional impact of infertility, the strain treatment places on a relationship, and the practical decisions that come with it: how many cycles, what to spend, when to stop, and whether to consider other routes to parenthood. It is not a judgement on how you are coping, and it does not affect your treatment.
- The emotional load is usually harder than the treatment
- Partners often cope differently, which itself causes strain
- Deciding when to stop is a legitimate topic
- Counselling is confidential and does not affect treatment
Before you read on
Everything here is general information about fertility counselling. Whether it suits you, and how it would be done in your case, is a decision for your doctor after examining you.
Your consultant's instructions always take precedence over anything written on this page.
When is it recommended?
Situations in which a doctor may suggest fertility counselling.
- Couples starting fertility treatment
- After a failed cycle or miscarriage
- Couples disagreeing about how far to continue
- Anyone finding the process affecting work, mood or the relationship
- Couples considering donor treatment or adoption
- Deciding whether to stop treatment
Procedure details
The usual sequence, from first consultation through to follow-up.
First session
Space to describe what has happened so far and what you are finding hardest, without being told how to feel.
Both partners
Partners often cope differently, and sessions can be joint, individual, or both, depending on what would help.
Practical decisions
How many cycles, what you can afford, and when to stop are discussed openly rather than avoided.
Ongoing support
Sessions are available between cycles and after treatment ends, whatever the outcome.
How to prepare
What to sort out before you come in.
- Nothing to prepare, and no need to have your thoughts organised
- Come together if you can, though individual sessions are available
- Note what you are finding hardest, if that helps you begin
- Know that what is said is confidential and does not affect your treatment
- It is entirely reasonable to attend before starting treatment
Recovery
What to expect afterwards, and roughly when.
- One session helps some couples; others benefit from several over months
- Support is available between cycles, not only during them
- Talking about stopping does not commit you to stopping
- Support continues after treatment ends, whatever the outcome
- Referral for further psychological support is arranged where it would help
Why choose Humayun for fertility counselling
Fertility treatment is emotionally demanding in ways nobody warns couples about beforehand.
- Offered routinely rather than only when somebody is visibly struggling
- Confidential and separate from the treating team, so it does not affect your care
- Both partners included, since they frequently cope very differently
- Honest discussion about when further treatment is unlikely to help
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More in Fertility & IVF
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ICSI
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Embryo Culture
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Blastocyst Culture
Growing embryos to day five before transfer, which allows the strongest to be identified more reliably.
Embryo Transfer
Placing the embryo into the uterus, a brief outpatient procedure needing no anaesthetic.
Male Infertility Assessment
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