IVF counselling

[RhiChiChi]

DH & I decided to book in and do the finance counselling, testing & IVF counselling to gain a better understanding of the procedure for IVF etc.... We, well I had decided I didn't want to do IVF a few months ago but then a gf spoke to me about her experience & it got me thinking again.
Anyway, we are going through Monash Clayton and I wanted peoples thoughts on the IVF counselling. TBH I was really disappointed with it & wondered if I was expecting too much? I thought they'd delve more into the emotional side of it, but they sort of just talked about stress & possible emotions that may come up during various scenarios etc.... and that was about it. I also was a little annoyed that a pg counsellor was taking the session.

[Saffy]

you can tell its just a legal requirement and that they are just going through the motions.......I've had to do it twice cos i swapped clinics. Its just 'nothing', not good or bad, for true counselling i guess we would have to go to a proper preofessional!
I agree wth everything you said and thought it would be better too.
Good luck for when you go ahead with ivf xx

[Lenny]

Hm, sounds like poor form that a pg counsellor took your session.
Mine was pretty good. Talked about how men and women are different (yeah, I know, but it was still worth discussing). Talked about attachment to embryos (some people seeing them as 'possible babies', and some seeing them as just a few cells). Talked about death - of one or both of us. Talked about miscarriage. It was quite thorough.
I did it through MIVF in Dandenong.

[Lily Dust]

We didnt go through your clinic but I was a bit disappointed in the initial session, thought there wasnt much to it (perhaps cause they all thought it would work 1st go, sure proved them wrong) but that all said, when it all got too much and breakdown point happened, I could not fault that service. The counsellor was empathetic, understanding and full of knowledge. I guess to start with they just tell you the very basics of what is there and that they are there. I am sorry though that the clinic wasnt as accomodating and 'caring' as you had hoped

[RhiChiChi]

Thanks for all your replies.

I guess I would have thought they would have more of an idea of why we were there ie: she said, 'so you're looking at starting a family?'. My DH said 'no, we already have a DD'..... so, I felt like Saffy said, it was just a legal requirement. I felt I got alot more out of doing the counselling when we did IUI - the counsellor seemed more genuine and she knew our history of m/c, ttc etc....

Lenny, they did go through most of what you said (how men and women are different, attachment to embryos, skimmed over the death part- of one or both of us) but she was showing us the flip chart and not really delving much more into things. I really needed to talk to someone about the m/c side and what if we don't have success? She touched on this but it felt so rehearsed, I wonder what the point of it was?

Lily, the counsellor did say they were there if we needed to talk to them at anytime, so perhaps they don't get in your face too much at the start if there is no point?

Thanks again, I guess I am worried that we will still be in the same situation as we are now.

[Lily Dust]

I really needed to talk to someone about the m/c side and what if we don't have success?
Lily, the counsellor did say they were there if we needed to talk to them at anytime, so perhaps they don't get in your face too much at the start if there is no point?

Thanks again, I guess I am worried that we will still be in the same situation as we are now.

I know the first question wasnt meant for me and I hope you dont mind me butting in but I think it kinda relates to the question you have asked me too. I spose that perhaps IVF clinics have so many patients these days that they dont feel they 'can waste' valuable resources like this. Even though I am fully aware it is certainly not a waste!!! Its just that like you said why bother if it doesnt get to that stage iykwim?? I am so sorry as I know that has come off rude and uncaring but i just cant get the wording right! ARRRRGGGHH.

It is such a scary though to think that this wont work for you. All the what ifs are just plain terrifying. I am so sorry that this is happening and I hope that this journey startes a new level really soon, hun

[RhiChiChi]

Hi Lily, no I understand what you meant and I guess I already know this, so shouldn't be too surprised by it. I guess
My anxiety has returned and is heightened at the thought of doing IVF (IUI was difficult at times). I am trying to manage my anxiety and hopefully that will stop the negative thoughts. Thanks again for replying, I really appreciate it.