During this event, Mgr. Adriana Meinert, Psychologist & Coordinator at Gynem Fertility Clinic, Czechia, discussed how to navigate the fertility journey with balance and resilience. She shared valuable advice on managing stress, emotional well-being, and self-care during fertility treatment.
Fertility treatment is often described as a medical process, but in reality, it is also a deeply emotional and psychological journey. In her presentation, Adriana Meinert, psychologist and coordinator at Gynem Fertility Clinic, focused on how patients and couples can protect their mental well-being before, during, and after fertility treatment.
Drawing on clinical experience and research, she explained that emotional support, communication, and self-care are not optional extras, but essential parts of a healthy fertility treatment experience.
Adriana explained that many patients fear that fertility treatment will automatically lead to depression. However, studies show that before treatment begins, patients are generally not more depressed than the general population. If depressive symptoms are present, they often existed before fertility treatment for other reasons.
What is more common is increased anxiety. This anxiety is natural, as fertility treatment involves uncertainty, loss of control, and high emotional stakes. Adriana noted that “anxiety before treatment does not mean something is wrong – it means this matters to you.”
Women tend to report higher infertility-specific stress than men, especially in social and sexual areas of life. Despite this, hope is usually present at the start of treatment, and this hope plays an important role in motivating patients to move forward.
One of the central messages of the presentation was that infertility is experienced differently by each person. Partners may cope in different ways, and these differences are normal.
Some people express emotions openly, while others process internally. Adriana stressed that a lack of visible emotion does not mean a lack of concern or involvement. Similarly, resilience varies. Some patients see fertility treatment as an opportunity, while others experience it as a major psychological burden.
Timing is also important. One partner may be ready to begin treatment immediately, while the other may need time to emotionally process the loss of natural conception. Adriana encouraged couples to respect these differences, reminding them that “a short delay rarely changes medical outcomes, but emotional readiness matters.”
Adriana highlighted that fertility treatment places high demands on decision-making, emotional regulation, and concentration. For this reason, basic needs such as sleep, nutrition, and rest become especially important.
Being kind to oneself and to one’s partner is not a luxury during treatment, but a necessity. She also emphasised that asking for help is not a sign of failure. Fertility treatment itself is a form of asking for help, and emotional support should be viewed in the same way as medical support.
Infertility often impacts multiple areas of life simultaneously.
Partnerships may be strained by hormonal changes, repeated disappointments, and uncertainty, but open communication can also strengthen connections. Social relationships may suffer if patients withdraw or avoid conversations about children and pregnancy.
Financial stress is another common issue, as fertility treatment can involve high costs. Adriana advised planning finances in advance where possible, as uncertainty around money increases emotional strain.
Self-confidence and identity can also be affected. Women may feel less feminine, and men less masculine, when conception does not happen naturally. Adriana stressed that infertility does not define a person’s value or identity.
Career life can also be disrupted due to frequent appointments and procedures. Clear communication with employers, when possible, can reduce stress.
From a psychological perspective, infertility interrupts an expected life stage connected with building a family. This disruption can intensify frustration, sadness, and anxiety, making emotional support particularly important.
Adriana described what patients should expect from a clinic that provides patient-centred care. Emotional sensitivity should be present across the entire team, including doctors, nurses, embryologists, coordinators, and administrative staff.
Both partners should be actively involved in consultations and decision-making. Fertility treatment concerns the couple, not only the woman.
Patients should be given enough time to ask questions and understand options. Feeling rushed increases anxiety and reduces confidence in decisions. Continuity of care, especially after embryo transfer, is also important. Even a short follow-up contact can significantly reduce stress.
Access to specialised psychological support should be part of comprehensive fertility care. Written information is equally important, as patients may not remember all details discussed during emotionally intense consultations.
Patients who want to assess a clinic’s atmosphere before travelling can watch independent clinic visit recordings, such as the Behind IVF Clinic Doors series, which documents unscripted visits inside IVF clinics abroad.
Adriana grouped patient needs into four main areas: behavioural, social, emotional, and cognitive.
Behavioural needs include practical actions such as planning appointments, preparing for procedures, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Partners can support each other by asking directly about needs and worries. Clinics can help by providing clear written instructions and realistic timelines.
Social needs relate to relationships. Women often experience increased need for closeness, while men may feel more isolated. Recognising this difference can prevent misunderstandings. Support does not need to come from family; friends or others who have experienced fertility treatment can be equally valuable.
Emotional needs are central. Being emotionally available, responsive, and empathetic helps couples cope with difficult moments such as negative test results or disappointing sperm or embryo findings. Shared views on parenthood can also reduce conflict.
Cognitive needs involve understanding and processing information. Reliable medical information is essential, as online forums often increase fear rather than clarity. Adriana explained that cognitive behavioural therapy can help patients recognise unhelpful thought patterns and replace them with more balanced ones.
Adriana warned against passive coping strategies such as rumination, emotional withdrawal, avoidance of discussion, and denial. These approaches tend to increase stress over time.
Active coping strategies are more helpful. These include problem-solving, seeking accurate information, setting realistic goals, and maintaining activities outside fertility treatment. Meaning-based coping, such as viewing fertility challenges as part of life rather than a personal failure, can also reduce emotional burden.
Psychological support has been shown to improve coping, communication between partners, and overall emotional well-being. It also helps identify anxiety or depression early and supports patients regardless of treatment outcome.
The waiting period after embryo transfer is often described as the most emotionally difficult phase of fertility treatment. Adriana shared practical recommendations commonly given by fertility specialists, such as avoiding excessive heat, heavy lifting, and intense exercise, while maintaining gentle movement and normal daily routines.
Relaxation techniques such as walking, breathing exercises, yoga, and guided relaxation can help manage anxiety. She encouraged patients to reassure themselves that they have done everything within their control.
Structured techniques can also help manage intrusive thoughts, such as limiting worry time or writing fears down and then intentionally shifting focus. Learning to challenge catastrophic thoughts with more balanced alternatives can significantly reduce distress.
Adriana concluded by emphasising that emotional and psychological support during fertility treatment is evidence-based and beneficial. Women who receive specialised support experience lower stress levels than those who do not.
Participating in educational discussions and seeking support is already a positive step. Fertility treatment is demanding, but with appropriate medical, emotional, and psychological care, it can be experienced in a healthier and more balanced way.
There are several ways to recognize it. First of all, your partner may notice that you are behaving a little differently, as they should be the closest person to you. Your partner might be the first to say, “Something seems a little different—don’t you want some support? Don’t you want to talk about it?” They should monitor how you feel, but of course, it is not solely their responsibility. Both partners share responsibility.
It’s important to pay attention to how you feel. If you notice that you are not sleeping well, not eating well, experiencing panic attacks, avoiding activities you used to enjoy, or not feeling happiness in things that used to bring you joy for a month or more, these could be signs of mild depression or anxiety.
There are also self-assessment questionnaires available online that can help. In the Czech Republic, we have a great website with mental health self-assessment tools. I assume the NHS has something similar, so you can check what is available in your country or consult your GP.
AI can support goal-oriented problem-solving by guiding you through steps like “What should I do?” and offering structured solutions. This can be quite helpful because you don’t have to think everything through on your own—it provides an instant list of options.
However, AI lacks human contact and empathy. It can engage in dialogue, but the conversation often feels robotic and emotionally detached. A real person may not give a perfect answer, but that imperfection can lead to more thoughts and reflections, which is valuable.
That being said, AI-powered apps can be useful, especially in moments when no one else is available—like at 2 a.m. However, during the day, I would encourage you to seek support from a real person whenever possible.
That’s an interesting point, especially as AI is constantly evolving. I’m not entirely familiar with the English-language versions of these apps, as I mainly know the Czech ones. However, I assume that the UK or international versions might be more advanced since English allows for more development opportunities.
Since I don’t have enough knowledge about these specific apps, I can’t give a definitive answer, but I imagine they can be helpful in some ways.
I would suggest patients reflect on previous stressful moments in their lives. Infertility is likely not the first difficult situation they have encountered. Think about times like studying for exams, job searching, losing loved ones, or dealing with serious diagnoses in the family.
Ask yourself: How did I cope back then? Maybe you went jogging to release emotions or engage in other physical activities.
For mental well-being, similar coping mechanisms might help. However, because you are undergoing treatment, high-impact cardio or long-distance running might not be suitable. Instead, you can look for fertility yoga or yoga designed for the first trimester of pregnancy.
Even though it might seem unrelated, these types of exercises help relax the pelvic floor and promote blood circulation. Doing them before breakfast can release endorphins and boost energy levels. Creating new habits can be beneficial, but it’s better to introduce a few (maybe three) rather than too many at once to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Yes! We actually have an acupuncturist in our clinic. Gynem Clinic hosts a fantastic acupuncturist from the U.S. who practices in Prague.
You can watch his webinar for a more in-depth explanation, but in short—acupuncture helps with relaxation, energy flow in the body, improving blood circulation to the uterus, and relaxing the pelvic floor.
It is usually recommended on the day of embryo transfer—before and after the procedure. If you don’t have a fear of needles and have access to acupuncture, it’s definitely a good idea.
Egg donation is a big topic that could fill an entire webinar, but I will try to summarize it.
Egg donation is a fantastic opportunity for couples who have been trying for years without success. Some women come to our clinic at age 45, having just met the right partner, and feel that now is the time to have a child. Life isn’t always straightforward, so egg donation provides a great chance for them.
You need to consider several aspects:
I don’t see your age mentioned, but I can clarify the rules. In the Czech Republic, there is no legal age limit for men, but there is an age limit for women. The law states that women can only undergo IVF up to the age of 48 years and 364 days (before turning 49).
After age 45, egg donation is usually recommended, but treatment is individualized.
Since you mentioned your husband’s age but not yours, I can’t give a definitive answer, but if you are within the legal age limit, your husband’s age would not be a restriction. For more details, you can reach out to Gynem Clinic in Prague, and they can provide further guidance.
