Any kind of fertility problem can cause friction in a relationship so it is completely normal for couples presenting at a fertility clinic already to be under some strain. It has also been found that IVF fertility treatment itself is a stressor and is the factor most likely to cause anxiety as the process unfolds. The role of stress during IVF treatment on the outcome has been of considerable interest with variable findings – but any means of easing this will certainly be welcomed by all.

Why is it so stressful?

The situation itself is extremely difficult. With couples longing to conceive, it is natural to oscillate between optimism that this cycle could be the one and then conviction that it is never going to happen. When you introduce hormones from the IVF drugs to the mix, everything becomes more intense. Further exacerbating factors can include a large, impersonal fertility clinic where you have minimal contact with your consultant, see different people for each procedure and don’t feel able to ask questions for fear of them being too trivial.

What can be done to make it less so?

At the Amanda Tozer London fertility clinic, you can be confident of receiving personal one-to-one, attentive and sympathetic care. Female gynaecologist Miss Tozer believes that continuity of care is hugely important and to this end she sees all couples prior to treatment to discuss their options and goes through the injections in detail, ensuring they know how and why to administer the drugs. She personally performs the egg collection, embryo transfer and first early pregnancy scan. Miss Tozer assures her London IVF patients that she can be contacted on her personal telephone at any time during the process, no matter how small the concern. Feedback from previous fertility patients shows that this personal care has been tremendously reassuring throughout what can be a nerve-wracking process.