UB Chicago Area Counseling Offices Provide Support & Resources around Issues of Fertility

At Urban Balance, we see more and more clients seeking counseling and therapy to cope with the stressors that come with fertility problems.  Research says that 1 out of every 6 couples receives a diagnosis of infertility each year.  UB therapists provide education, information, support, guidance and resources for these individuals and couples.

At UB, we see that fertility challenges affect people in the following ways:

Emotionally

• Anxiety and depression
• Feelings of grief and loss
• Feelings of loss of control or powerlessness
• Feelings of anger, irritability, and frustration
• Increased stress, decreased coping skills
• Fear of not having the family they wanted
• Mood can be affected by hormone treatments

Financially

• Fertility treatments are extremely expensive and often not covered by insurance
• A person’s ability to work may be impacted by the time and stress involved with fertility treatments

Relationally

• Stress can exacerbate existing communication and conflict management issues
• Feelings of guilt and blame.  "If he were married to somebody else, he could have the family he wants."
• Conflict over differing opinions about fertility options.  "I am open to adoption, but my spouse is not."
• Feelings of anger and resentment.   "Why is she obsessing about this?  She is making us miserable/"  
• Disconnection:  "He has no idea what I am going through."

Physically

• Through miscarriage, pregnancy loss, and related medical issues
• Through hormone therapies that can cause weight gain and other physical symptoms
• Through fertility related surgical procedures
• Patient fatigue: "I feel like my body is a pin cushion."

Sexually

• Sex can become about baby making and less about desire, love and intimacy---something you have to do rather than want to do
• Medical requirements and tests: "It feels like we are a science experiment."

Socially

• Social isolation—avoiding friends who are pregnant or have children.
• Feeling alone and like others do not understand.
• "Am I a bad friend because I just can’t handle going to her baby shower?"

Spiritually

• A  decrease in faith in spiritual beliefs, which are often a source of support for people.  "I am mad at God.  Why is this happening to me?"
• Conflict with religious beliefs and fertility options.  "Will my religiously conservative family accept if I choose to have IVF or an egg donor?  Would I be doing something wrong?"
• UB therapists address all these issues with individuals and couples to help them navigate the challenges of infertility as best as possible by doing the following:
• Cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce negative thinking that may exacerbate fertility problems
• Releasing negative feelings (anger, sadness, grief) that may be reducing one’s fertility
• Accessing authentic feelings and becoming empowered in order to be assertive and decisive with regard to medical care
• Improving communication and conflict resolution skills
• Accessing resources to get information, treatment and support
• Developing new stress management and coping skills
• Promoting time and space to nurture yourself and your relationship
• Please contact UB at www.urbanbalance.org or 888-726-7170 for more information about our infertility services.

UB Fertility Partners:

Lotus Blossum Consulting
Essence-Healing
Serenity Health & Wellnes