The excitement of taking an important step towards pregnancy is often accompanied by doubts, nerves and uncertainty.
Our nursing team supports patients throughout the entire process, answering their questions and offering both practical and emotional support.
In this article, we address some of the most common concerns and fears people have before starting IVF treatment.
Is it normal to feel anxious before starting IVF?
Yes, it is perfectly normal. Assisted reproduction involves emotional, hormonal and organisational changes that can cause concern or uncertainty.
Many patients feel:
• fear that the treatment might not work,
• uncertainty about the unknown,
• anxiety about tests or medication,
• emotional strain after trying to conceive for a long time.
As nursing staff, one of our aims is to support you and offer reassurance at every stage of the treatment. Understanding the process helps to reduce fear and allows you to go through it with greater confidence.
“I’m afraid of needles”: will I be able to take my medication?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions and also one of the concerns we most often hear during consultations.
Most IVF treatments require subcutaneous medication, administered via small injections. Although this may be daunting at first, most patients manage to adapt quickly.
Our nursing team explains:
• how to prepare the medication,
• where to administer it,
• what steps to follow,
• and how to do it safely and easily at home.
We also offer support should you have any queries during treatment. In many cases, practising the first injection at the clinic alongside us helps you to feel more confident and at ease.
Does ovarian stimulation cause many symptoms?
Every woman may experience the treatment differently. Some patients notice hardly any discomfort, whilst others experience mild symptoms related to the hormonal medication.
The most common symptoms are usually:
• a feeling of abdominal bloating,
• tiredness,
• breast tenderness,
• mood swings,
• discomfort similar to premenstrual symptoms.
Throughout the process, medical and nursing care enables us to monitor your progress and address any symptoms that cause concern.
Does an ovarian aspiration hurt?
Follicular aspiration is a brief procedure carried out under sedation, so the patient feels no pain during the procedure.
After the procedure, the following may occur:
• mild abdominal discomfort,
• a feeling of pressure.
Recovery is usually quick and most patients can resume light activity on the same day.
Our nursing team explains in advance what the procedure will involve and what aftercare is required, so that the patient feels prepared and supported.
What happens if I feel emotionally overwhelmed?
Infertility and assisted reproduction treatments can have a significant emotional impact. Feeling sad, irritable, frustrated or vulnerable at times is more common than many people realise.
That is why emotional support is also part of the care provided.
The nursing team maintains close and ongoing contact with patients, helping to answer their questions, offering support and identifying when it might be advisable to provide additional psychological support.
Do you have any questions about IVF treatment?
At our gynaecology and fertility clinic, we provide personalised support throughout the entire process, answering your questions and offering you the support you need at every stage.
You can contact our team for further information or to book an initial consultation.
Sonia Lumbreras Álvarez
Laboratory technician. Specialising in fertility