First SAGBAL "St. Sofia Sofia, Mihalaki Tashev St. 2, organizes free psychological counseling for couples with reproductive problems. The initiative is within the program for the treatment and diagnosis of couples with reproductive problems "40+".
Psychological consultations in connection with emotional problems during in vitro treatment will take place in the period May 15 - June 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in room 116. Consultations with the psychotherapist Irina Dimova will take place after prior appointment at tel.: 0887513 244
“The desire for a child is a natural need and is of fundamental importance in planning life and relationships in a couple. Infertility is an unexpected shock that confronts families with powerlessness, pain and a sense of inferiority," said Dimova. According to her, the inability to get pregnant affects a woman's self-confidence and self-esteem, disrupts her self-image. Women feel inferior and failures, feel a sense of guilt towards the partner and parents who cannot be pleased with the continuation of the family. All this leads to a layering of multiple emotions - from anger to sadness and a feeling of isolation, due to the difficulty of discussing this delicate topic with friends and loved ones. Going through all the medical procedures of in vitro fertilization is a lengthy process that further traumatizes, bringing anxiety and depression to both partners. "Pregnancy becomes essential in the planning of everyday life and life in the couple. Spontaneity gives way to planned sexual relations, which often lack pleasure, at the expense of tense anticipation and anxiety about the result, "said the psychotherapist.
She explained that according to a number of medical studies, not a small percentage of infertile couples do not have any medical reason for their infertility. For them, it is due to many emotional factors related to: stress, problematic relationships, trauma experienced in the past or other reasons that prevent a woman from truly feeling the connection between body and psyche, which would unlock the natural and creative ability.
“Regardless of the possible psychological causes, the presence of a medical problem also requires emotional support, which aims to reduce stress, overcome fears and restore intimacy in the couple. The optimal option is for gynecological treatment and psychological support to go parallel in the in vitro process," said Irina Dimova.
The program for the treatment and diagnosis of couples with reproductive problems "40+" is mainly aimed at patients over the age of 40, but younger women with prematurely reduced ovarian reserve will also be able to benefit from it.
The program is a joint initiative of First SAGBAL "St. Sofia" and Varna Medical University "Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov" and will be implemented as a tribute to this group of patients who, due to the accepted criteria of the "Fund for Assisted Reproduction" Center, do not have the opportunity to benefit from the national program for financing treatment through in vitro fertilization. The goal is to offer preferential and affordable prices for in vitro procedures for these patients. For those who join the program, an individual treatment plan will be drawn up by leading specialists in reproductive medicine from both medical institutions.
