Stress and IVF Cycle Failure

The procedure of IVF is tough to handle physically as well as emotionally. Every patient undergoing the treatment experiences tremendous stress regarding the procedure outcome.  Since IVF is often the last resort for infertile patients, it is obvious that the patient will be anxious about the treatment and its outcome.

The problem arises when the IVF cycle fails . Many doctors will cruelly blame the patient for the failure, by saying that her high stress levels caused her uterus to “reject” the embryos they transferred into her. After a failed IVF cycle, patients have very low self-esteem, and many of them accept the doctor’s verdict. This is very unfair on the poor patient !

The fact is that embryo implantation is a biological process , which is not affected by stress levels.  No-one can predict whether a specific embryo will implant or not, no matter how relaxed and “stress-free” the patient is !  This kind of victim-blaming just makes the poor patient’s life even harder. This blame game will not help her in future IVF cycles. The doctor should provide support for the patient during emotional times like these, rather than add insult to injury.

The good news is that there are different ways in which a patient can learn to cope with IVF related anxiety. There are various meditation and mind and body programs that can help a patient to handle her stress levels – both during the IVF  treatment and even after a failure.

We can help you in coping with IVF failure.  Please send me your medical details by filling in the form at www.drmalpani.com/malpaniform.htm so that I can guide you better !