Infertility-related trauma is more common than previously recognised

The survey found fertility patients reported that their experiences of trauma are compounded by poor care provision, highlighting the importance of providing trauma-skilled fertility healthcare. This recognises that patients may be affected by adversity or traumatic events whether fertility-related or not, and that all care should create safety and trust for patients, so preventing and reducing the impact of these events.

This research was co-produced by Fertility Network and lead researchers at Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University and Queen’s University Belfast, in association with the British Infertility Counselling Association (BICA).

The research analysed data from 590 respondents from across the UK and Ireland, who self-reported their traumatic experiences linked to various infertility events.

A total of 41% of respondents met criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD, according to the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ, 32% of respondents with complex PTSD and 9% with PTSD). This is not necessarily representative of all who experience infertility, but only of those responding to the survey.

While some patients reported positive experiences, respondents noted the care they experienced during their fertility journey in some cases caused or exacerbated trauma. Only a minority of respondents (16.1%) reported healthcare professionals (HCPs) discussed infertility-related trauma with them, or put in place support to help them cope with infertility-related trauma (27.6%). A majority (61.2%) reported aspects of the fertility care they received made trauma worse.

The research gives testimony to patients’ traumatic experiences of events along their infertility journey.

Patients’ comments include: ‘No one has ever offered me support with the impact this has had on my mental health or even acknowledged it is hard.’

‘…after a successful round of IVF our child was stillborn. I can’t really put into words the pain and trauma of losing our baby, but we then had to face further fertility treatment, something I feel has been completely overlooked.’

‘My journey and failure to have children left me with PTSD and I often contemplated suicide.’ 

If you have been affected by these issues, info about support is at https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/access-support/trauma-support/

Full details of the press release are available at https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/press-releases/