[Family counseling in infertility couples]

Abstract

For couples who want to have children, infertility is an undesirable situation. Certain emotions both obvious and hidden can emerge which could complicate the clinical picture and the couple's relationship. Fifteen infertile women between the ages of twenty five and forty were interviewed and invited to form workshops to identify the emotions evoked by infertility. The spontaneous expressed emotions were; fear, anxiety, frustration loneliness and sadness. The non expressed emotions were; rage and guilt. Women held themselves more responsible for the couple's infertility and generally protected their partners even when male factors were the evident cause. Men showed scant interest iin joining infertility workshops. Family orientated advice is vital in the management of the infertile couple both in the diagnosis and treatment.