Mgr. Soňa Uhrová is a psychotherapist and fertility coach, a certified lecturer at the School of Pelvic Floor, the author of the project When the Baby Doesn’t Come, and one of the holistic specialists at Unica Clinic in Brno. For more than 10 years, she has been accompanying women on their journey towards having a child and, as she herself says, she is “a guide on your path to your baby.”
When do you think it is advisable to seek psychological support during the journey towards having a child?
Psychological care and support on the journey towards having a baby should be a standard part of treatment at an assisted reproduction centre. This applies to everything from receiving test results and preparing for medical procedures to egg retrieval or embryo transfer.
When trying to conceive naturally, the journey can be long and may leave deep emotional scars, especially after pregnancy loss or in cases where women have experienced an insensitive approach from doctors. Women also often feel pressure from those close to them, whose insensitive questions can add to their pain.
If the waiting period becomes too long, one year or more, couples therapy is also appropriate. At Unica, it is part of the clinical care provided to patients undergoing IVF. Infertility is a major test for every relationship, and for some couples, it can become divisive.
What are the most common psychological challenges people face when dealing with infertility?
Most often, I encounter a lack of relevant information. Although today we have access to a vast amount of information, the internet is full of unsolicited advice and distorted ideas about treatment success rates, which can negatively affect patients’ mental well-being.
After the first unsuccessful attempt, expectations collapse, and women struggle with frustration, fear, and anxiety. At this stage, it is difficult for them to believe that there is no identifiable problem. This is medically referred to as idiopathic infertility, where both partners are healthy, yet the baby still does not come. This condition can lead to feelings of helplessness and anxiety.
Another frequent challenge is pregnancy loss, whether natural or after IVF. A positive pregnancy test followed by a loss brings deep sadness and disappointment. In therapy, we focus on restoring hope and managing the fears and anxieties that arise from previous experiences.
What does a therapist’s work with couples undergoing IVF look like?
A therapist understands not only the emotional reactions of both partners, but also how treatment and hormones affect the psyche. The therapist’s role is to accompany the couple and encourage them to experience disappointment together. Often, each partner grieves separately, which can drive them apart. In couples undergoing treatment at an IVF centre, we speak about so-called rapid microtraumas, which accumulate one after another in quick succession. There is often not enough time to process each one individually, let alone together.
A separate chapter of psychotherapeutic work is intimacy and the area of sexual life, which changes during treatment. What used to be hidden behind the bedroom door suddenly becomes a public matter. Semen analysis is evaluated, ovulation is monitored, intercourse is timed, and it is called “trying.” This alternates with periods when intimacy in the relationship is, on the contrary, prohibited. All of this significantly disrupts the relationship and the natural needs of both partners.
Many people underestimate the importance of psychological support during infertility treatment, yet its benefits are invaluable. At Unica Clinic, we strive for a holistic approach to treatment that includes not only the physical but also the psychological aspect.
How can a psychologist help with repeated unsuccessful attempts and waiting for results?
The waiting period for results is very challenging for women. They are often afraid that they will do something wrong, or that it will be their fault if the treatment does not work. This leads to increasing anxiety and restrictions in everyday life. As a therapist, I guide them to try to live as normal a life as possible, even though they know they are going through a very conscious process.
This conscious phase is very demanding, which is why I work with guided meditation, positive suggestion, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques that help release tension and manage anxiety.
What would you say to people who hesitate to ask for psychological support?
To overcome fear and various forms of prejudice, and simply ask for help. I often hear in my practice: “Surely I’m not crazy on top of everything else to need a psychologist.” There is still a certain stigma in society. But infertility treatment is very emotionally demanding, and there is no shame in entrusting yourself to the care of a specialist. Psychological support helps the couple manage the whole process and may significantly contribute to a higher chance of treatment success.
At Unica Clinic, we place emphasis on a holistic approach that includes not only psychological support, but also other holistic methods such as acupuncture, physiotherapy, nutritional counselling, and yoga. These methods can beautifully complement your treatment and support you on your journey towards having a baby.
If you are looking for professional and comprehensive support at every step, Unica is the right place.