What is the impact of IVF on couples' mental health?
IVF technology has attracted wide attention since the 1980s, providing a way for many couples who cannot conceive naturally to realize their reproductive dreams. However, various pressures and psychological troubles during IVF may have a certain impact on the psychological health of couples. This article will elaborate the influence of IVF on couple's mental health from four aspects: preparation, treatment, pregnancy and after birth.
Preparation process
The preparation process of IVF may lead couples into psychological pressure and anxiety. The first is the process of accepting the diagnosis. Couples may need to face the doctor's diagnosis results and know that they cannot conceive naturally. This news may be a huge blow to couples, triggering negative emotions and self doubt. Secondly, choosing the right hospitals and doctors is also a source of stress. Couples need to carry out a lot of research and comparison, and at the same time, they have to face the uncertainty of hospitals and other aspects, which leads to anxiety. Finally, financial pressure is also a major concern for couples in the preparation process. The cost of IVF technology is high, and couples may have to face the double pressure of spirit and economy.
In addition, the uncertainty and waiting in the preparation process will also have a negative impact on the couple's mental health. Couples need to undergo a series of examinations and treatments, but the uncertainty of the results may lead to the increase of their mood fluctuations and anxiety. The waiting process may become long and tortuous, and couples need to pay more patience and persistence, but it will also bring greater psychological pressure to them.
Treatment process
The treatment of IVF involves drug therapy and assisted reproductive technology, which have a certain impact on the psychological health of couples. The first is the side effects of drug treatment and physical changes. Couples may need to receive a series of drug treatments, which may lead to mood fluctuations, weight changes, changes in hormone levels, etc., affecting the couple's psychological state. Secondly, the process of assisted reproductive technology may be painful and uncomfortable. For example, the egg retrieval operation may cause physical discomfort and pain, and cause additional burden on the couple's mental health.
In addition, the failure and re attempt in the treatment process will also have a psychological impact on the couple. No matter the failure in the treatment process or the multiple attempts of IVF, couples will feel desperate and lost. Couples may fall further into anxiety and depression, questioning their ability and value.
pregnancy
When IVF is successfully conceived, couples may face new psychological challenges. The first is the worry and tension about the pregnancy process. The success rate of IVF is not 100%, and couples may be worried about the occurrence of early abortion or other complications, leading to increased anxiety and tension. Secondly, couples may face expectations and anxiety about the future. They may be worried about whether they can become qualified parents and full of worries and doubts about their children's future. These psychological problems may affect the couple's emotional and mental health.
After birth
Couples may face new challenges and pressures after IVF birth. The first is parenting pressure and anxiety. The birth of a test tube baby is usually the starting point for couples to continue to worry and shoulder. They may feel nervous and uneasy about how to take care of the baby, how to raise the baby and how to respond to the special needs of the baby. Secondly, social pressure is also a problem that couples may face. IVF technology is still controversial in some societies. Couples may face negative comments and pressure from relatives, friends, society and the media, which has a certain impact on the psychological health of couples.
In conclusion, IVF has a certain impact on the psychological health of couples. Psychological pressure and anxiety during preparation, drug treatment and failure experience during treatment, stress and worry during pregnancy, and parenting pressure and social pressure after the birth of the baby may all have a negative impact on the couple's psychological state. Therefore, couples need psychological support from doctors and professionals in the process of IVF, and learn to deal with pressure effectively to maintain their mental health.
