A new study by Fertility Network UK has revealed that trauma related to infertility is far more widespread than previously thought, with 41% of 590 participants meeting the criteria for PTSD. The survey highlights that many women face “life-lasting trauma” due to infertility, often compounded by inadequate support during their treatment.
The study found that while some fertility patients reported positive experiences, many described their care as either causing or exacerbating emotional trauma. Only a small portion of respondents—16.1%—reported that their healthcare professionals discussed infertility-related trauma with them, and even fewer, 27.6%, had access to support for coping with this trauma. This underscores the need for trauma-informed care within the fertility healthcare system.
Jodie Nicholson, a 34-year-old school administrator from South Yorkshire, shared her painful experience following a miscarriage after IVF. She was sent to the early pregnancy assessment unit (EPAU) from A&E, but the staff had not been notified of her situation. “I was visibly emotional and bleeding heavily,” Nicholson recalled, describing how she was made to wait in a room full of expectant couples discussing baby names and furniture. “It was traumatic enough as it was, but the insensitivity made me feel like I didn’t matter,” she said.
Nicholson is advocating for changes in the healthcare system, including a scheme where women can use a “codeword” to indicate they are experiencing a miscarriage, so they are placed in a more supportive environment away from other pregnant women.
Anita Guru, 43, a mental health coach from Surrey, was diagnosed with PTSD after undergoing five rounds of IVF, including an ectopic pregnancy. Despite her mental health deteriorating, she faced a lack of support from healthcare providers. After undergoing surgery for the ectopic pregnancy, she experienced severe anxiety and suicidal thoughts. It wasn’t until later that she sought counseling and was diagnosed with PTSD.
She believes IVF clinics should provide mental health screenings and counseling from the start of treatment. “Counseling should be integrated from the beginning. Nobody warned me about the emotional toll of IVF,” Guru said. “If someone had explained what might happen, I would have known what I was experiencing.”
Carla, 45, from Leicestershire, also shared her long fertility journey, which spanned 16 years and included multiple IVF rounds, miscarriage, and PTSD. She faced inadequate support early on, as healthcare professionals focused solely on her husband’s infertility while neglecting her own health concerns. Eventually, after years of delays and frustrations, she underwent IVF again in 2021, leading to a successful pregnancy but continued struggles with PTSD.
Carla emphasized that the trauma didn’t end with the birth of her child. “Infertility never leaves you. You look at your baby and wonder what your other lost pregnancies might have been like,” she explained. She found support through the Fertility Network and hopes more women and men in similar situations seek help earlier.
Experts in the field are taking note of the findings. Dr. Stuart Lavery, a consultant in reproductive medicine, acknowledged the importance of addressing infertility-related trauma and the need for improved care pathways. “The research highlights that trauma is often compounded by poor care, and it’s crucial for healthcare providers to examine their practices and improve the patient experience,” Lavery said.
Sharon Martin, interim chief executive of Fertility Network UK, expressed concern over the high levels of infertility-related trauma uncovered in the research. She stressed the importance of trauma-informed care for both women and men navigating fertility struggles.
An NHS spokesperson responded, stating that the organization is committed to improving services for women and expanding access to specialist care, with a focus on integrating physical and mental healthcare needs in a trauma-sensitive manner.
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