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Managing emotions is a key part of going through fertility challenges. Research shows that a significant number of people going through fertility treatment feels anxious, depressed, or suicidal. This is related to not having their reproductive goals met, ongoing loss and grief, coping with uncertainty, feeling social pressure, amongst other reasons. It is also known most people underestimate the upheaval of fertility treatment and emotional distress is the number one reason for people to stop treatment.

For all these reasons, emotional support during fertility treatment is really important. Support is available in multiple ways and one size does not fit all!

You have been trying to conceive for at least 12 months without success (6 if you are over 35 years old) and you may be wondering if there is something affecting your fertility. Scheduling an appointment with a fertility specialist is a daunting but important step to understanding what is preventing you from getting pregnant.

If you are going through infertility and your emotions are all over the place, you are not alone. In fact, this journey is a roller coaster of emotions. In a recent study, patients going through fertility challenges have reported that 90% felt depressed, 42% felt suicidal, 50% reported it was the most upsetting experience of their lives and 4 in 10 experienced PTSD after miscarriage.

For many of us, starting a family is important. However, it's not always easy. In vitro fertilisation, better known as IVF, gives a lifeline of hope to couples who have so far been unable to have a child. For same-sex couples, it raises the question of which partner will be the baby's biological parent. Reciprocal IVF is one option that allows two female partners to share in the process of having a child, with one partner providing the genes and the other carrying the embryo. Fertility Specialist Dr Malini Uppal explains.