CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

Scientists Are Working on Ways to Help IVF Couples Cope With Infertility

save article
profile picture of Kylie McConville
Updated March 2, 2017
Hero Image
Image: Thinkstock

A brand new study led by Helen Rockliff analyzed more than 23 previous studies in order to identify what types of coping strategies, personality traits and social circumstances are available to help couples going through IVF treatments. Turns out, all you really need is a friend.

By taking a look at 23 previous research studies, Rockliff found that at least all of them at explored how at least one psychosocial factor was related to one psychological health outcome, like how social supports, used to help couples cope during the IVF process, can affect a woman’s chances of getting pregnant.

What Rockliff and her colleagues realized what that all of these studies unearthed the fact that there are certain factors that can predict adverse emotional/psychological outcomes during IVF. Things like anxiety, depression and high distress were all defined as “worse” outcomes during and after IVF treatments. The researchers also found that behaviors like self-criticism, dependency, situational appraisals and attachment were linked with adverse outcomes as well.

On the opposite end of that was the fact that social supports , like leaning on a partner, friend and/or family during difficult IVF treatments, was found to be associated with far better emotional outcomes in both women who did get pregnant from IVF and for those who didn’t.

At the completion of her analysis, Rockliff said, “In general, people who are socially connected and who use their social network for support during difficult times are happier and healthier, but it is interesting that this is the case for IVF patients too, because as many patients reveal, usually well after going through it all, infertility and its treatment are incredibly personal and many couples don’t particularly want to tell people about it. It is often the case patients tend to have friends of similar ages, so IVF treatment for one couple can happen around the same time as their friends are discovering the joys of parenthood. All this often adds up to couples feeling socially isolated just when the research tells us social support is needed.”

Related Video

Social supports play such an important role in the IVF journey that scientists have even started testing their effects, with techniques like the “loving kindness meditation” and “compassion focus imagery.”

Rockliff added that, “Mindfulness, which is another emerging psychological training tool, is often a component of these interventions too. It appears that with practice the average person can learn to generate these positive emotions quite well using only their mind. Better still, it seems that in learning to do this people also get better at tolerating, and so engaging with their more difficult emotions — meaning less need for disengagement and escapism to cope with them.”

As for what comes next, researchers suggest that “mind training” could be a good way to counteract the loss of social supports in IVF patients that aren’t willing to open up to their circles about their experiences. Rockliff says that it could help them build on their psychological resources to help them face difficulties rather than disengage from them.

Do you have a “network” of support you can turn to? Do you think it’s important?

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

easter sales for baby toddler and kids clothing
The Best Sales for Families to Shop This Easter Weekend
By Wyndi Kappes
mother kissing baby before leaving for work
These States Provide the Best Work-Life Balance
By Wyndi Kappes
Lindsay Mendez speaking onstage during the SiriusXM On Broadway Town Hall With The Cast Of 'Merrily We Roll Along' at The Hudson Theatre on March 19, 2024 in New York City
Merrily We Roll Along Broadway Star Lindsay Mendez Is Pregnant
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
mom breastfeeding baby
Olympic Committee Will Provide Breastfeeding Athletes Hotel Rooms
By Wyndi Kappes
krystal anderson dead after stillbirth
Kansas City Chiefs Cheer Alum Krystal Anderson Dies After Stillbirth
By Wyndi Kappes
Lea Michele attends the 2023 Footwear News Achievement Awards at Cipriani South Street on November 29, 2023 in New York City
Glee Alum Lea Michele Is Pregnant With Baby No. 2
By Wyndi Kappes
ashley tisdale on the kelly clarkson show march 2024, ashley tisdale pregnant with second baby
Ashley Tisdale and Christopher French Are Expecting Baby No. 2
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Robert Pattinson and Suki Waterhouse attend the GO Campaign's Annual Gala 2023 at Citizen News Hollywood on October 21, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Robert Pattinson and Suki Waterhouse Welcome Their First Child
By Wyndi Kappes
Romeo Alexander and his fiancée Caroline Sullivan pregnancy announcement
Bachelorette Alum Romeo Alexander Is Going to Be a Dad
By Wyndi Kappes
ruben studdard on the kelly clarkson show february 2024
American Idol Alum Ruben Studdard and Wife Kristin Welcome Baby No. 2
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
anne hathaway miscarriage 2015 during off broadway play "grounded"
Anne Hathaway Opens Up About Miscarriage During Off-Broadway Show
By Wyndi Kappes
Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden ​seen on a night out at Sparrow Italia - Mayfair restaurant on December 02, 2022 in London, England
Cameron Diaz Welcomes Baby Boy No. 2 With Benji Madden
By Wyndi Kappes
comfi baby infant walkers recall
The CPSC Asks Parents to Stop Using Comfi Baby Infant Walkers
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
kate middleton announces cancer diagnosis march 2024
How Kate Middleton Discussed Her Cancer Diagnosis With Her Kids
By Wyndi Kappes
Fisher Price Little People Mickey and Friends Figures recall due to choking hazard
Fisher-Price Recalls Little People Mickey and Friends Figures
By Wyndi Kappes
jessica pettway dead at 36 from cervical cancer
Momfluencer Jessica Pettway Dies of Cervical Cancer After Misdiagnosis
By Wyndi Kappes
Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd attend the 2022 ESPYs at Dolby Theatre on July 20, 2022 in Hollywood, California
Peta Murgatroyd and Maks Chmerkovskiy Reveal the Sex of Baby No. 3
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
toddler girl choosing clothes from closet
This Viral Bedtime Routine Helps Prevent Morning Wardrobe Meltdowns
By Wyndi Kappes
woman working at desk
Study: Providing Parents With Support Makes Businesses More Profitable
By Wyndi Kappes
pregnant mom with three children
TikTok Parents Are Convinced Fourth Baby Pregnancy Brain Is the Worst
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List