Psychological care and support during IVF treatment

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an assisted reproductive technology that is an important way for many couples to realize their dream of having a child. During IVF treatment, psychological care and support plays a vital role.

1. Emotional management

IVF is a complex and lengthy treatment process, which may be accompanied by negative emotions such as anxiety, depression and frustration for couples. Psychological care and support play a very important role in this process. For emotional management, counselors can provide couples with effective emotional management strategies to help them reduce anxiety and stress. Couples often experience emotional ups and downs from expectations and hopes to uneasiness and anxiety. Counselors can help them recognize and understand their emotional reactions and guide them to express their emotions through verbal expression, journaling or trying art therapy, thereby reducing the accumulation of stress.

2. Communication and support

Good communication between couples is the foundation for successfully completing the entire treatment process. They need to support, understand and encourage each other. In addition, the support of family and friends is equally important. They can provide support and encouragement to couples in difficult times and help them get through this difficult time together. Communication between couples can be achieved through open and honest communication. Sharing inner feelings, concerns and hopes with each other, listening to each other's views, and supporting and encouraging each other can help to build an emotional bond between couples. The understanding and companionship of family and friends can also make couples feel less alone, and appropriate support can help relieve the stress of the treatment process. In addition to the support of personal relationships, couples can also consider seeking professional support. Psychologists can provide emotional support and guidance to help couples deal with emotional distress, solve communication problems, and develop appropriate coping strategies. In addition, joining an IVF patient support group or participating in related social media groups is also very helpful. Couples can share experiences, help each other, build friendships and encourage each other in this way.

3. Information transparency

During IVF treatment, doctors and nursing staff should provide clear, timely and accurate information to let couples understand the entire treatment process, possible risks and expected results, and avoid unnecessary anxiety and misunderstandings. Transparent information communication can help couples have a clear understanding of the treatment process and better participate in it. At the beginning of treatment, doctors should explain the entire process of IVF to couples, including the steps of treatment, possible risks, success rate and failure rate, to ensure that couples are fully aware of and prepared for the treatment process. In addition, doctors should actively answer questions that couples may ask, resolve their doubts, eliminate unnecessary anxiety and misunderstandings, and establish a trusting relationship between couples and the medical team. Information transparency also includes constantly updating the couple's condition and treatment progress during the treatment process. Doctors and nursing staff should keep couples informed of the latest test results and adjustments to the treatment plan at any time, so that couples always understand their situation, participate in the decision-making process, and increase the transparency and predictability of treatment.

4. Psychological counseling

Couples may face problems such as failure, doubt, and decision-making difficulties during IVF treatment. Psychologists can provide professional counseling services to couples to help them solve problems and make the right choices. Psychological counseling plays a vital role in the treatment process and can help couples effectively deal with emotions and challenges. Psychologists can discuss their emotional reactions and difficulties with couples, and help them recognize and deal with negative emotions such as disappointment, frustration, and anxiety. By listening and understanding, psychologists can provide support and guidance to couples, encouraging them to face difficulties positively and maintain an optimistic attitude. When facing decision-making difficulties, psychologists can help couples sort out their thoughts, evaluate the pros and cons of their choices, and guide them to make decisions that are in line with their values ​​and life goals. At the same time, psychologists can also provide decision-making support for couples, encourage them to believe in their choices, and be fully prepared for the future.

5. Self-regulation

During the IVF treatment, couples need to learn how to self-regulate to cope with mood swings and stress. By taking positive self-regulation methods, they can release negative emotions, reduce anxiety and stress, and maintain physical and mental health. A common way of self-regulation is exercise. Exercise helps release tension, promotes the secretion of neurotransmitters such as dopamine in the body, enhances positive emotions, and improves mood. Couples can choose a suitable exercise method for themselves, such as walking, running, yoga, etc., and insist on exercising for a certain period of time every day, which can help regulate emotions and relieve anxiety and stress. Another effective way of self-regulation is meditation and relaxation training. Meditation can help couples let go of distracting thoughts, focus on the present, and reduce anxiety and worry. Regular meditation practice and cultivating peace of mind can help adjust emotions and enhance inner stability. At the same time, relaxation training such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation can also help couples reduce physical tension and relieve stress.

Author of this article: Li Ying: Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine