Page 108 - ESHRE2019

Key elements of infertility counselling
• Normalisation, validation, depathologisation and externalisation of the fertility problem
• Flexibilisation (couple communication, “road maps")
• Activation of all creative options in the treatment course • Deciding as a couple and on the best informed basis
• Counselling is impartial and open-ended in the interests
of both partners (and the child-to-be)
Heidelberg University Hospital | ESHRE PCC 8 Vienna (Austria) 23 June 2019 | Prof. Dr. Tewes Wischmann | 7
Case B: Infertility experience triggers PTBS
1st counselling session
Mr. B., 60 yrs old, has fathered 3 children in his marriage (which broke about 3 years ago). Since 2 years a new partner, a black African woman, about 30 years younger with a strong wish for a child. The diagnosis is male factor infertility, "I‘m very annoyed about this diagnosis!" His sexual life is not affected by this. He wakes up every night, sees his son‘s shadow in the house. Mr. B. reported that his son has committed suicide 31⁄2 years ago, "I feel guilty: Should I‘ve noticed it earlier that he was depressive?" Mr. B. was referred for individual psychotherapy to
facilitate the mourning process.
Heidelberg University Hospital | ESHRE PCC 8 Vienna (Austria) 23 June 2019 | Prof. Dr. Tewes Wischmann | 8
(© Wischmann 2010)
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(Hammarberg et al. 2010)