Accredited member ANZICA (Australia and NZ Infertility Counsellors Association) and FSANZ (Fertility Society Australia & New Zealand). (Senior Counsellor since 2007)
Infertility does not discriminate and affects all genders.
Conception and pregnancy are complicated processes that often are unexpected.
In Australia, there are many reasons people seek the assistance of an Infertility specialist, medical or personal reasons such as not having a partner.
Antonia provides supportive counselling during a very difficult and stressful time. Treatment cycles, the waiting period, disheartening results, losses, wider community and special people not understanding, add to upsetting burdensome feelings. Supportive counselling with Antonia provides understanding, validating and normalising, perspectives and guidance with strategies.
Donated Gametes, i.e. sperm, eggs or embryos are options that require an Infertility specialist counsellor. Antonia can support and provide implications counselling for both donors and recipients, including provide required report to your IVF Clinic.
Surrogacy is also an altruistic legal avenue that involves seeking specialist treatment, when a pregnancy can’t safely be carried.
Infertility is very frustrating as it is the one thing in life someone desperately wants but feels they have no control over. Infertility and reproductive loss can be emotionally debilitating and can have an enormous impact on your life at many levels. At least 15% of people are affected by issues related to their fertility. However, many people, friends and family members do not understand the emotional, financial and relationship issues you are experiencing, and have a very limited understanding of the medical aspects of fertility care.
Expectations, comments, baby showers, frustrated potential family members, pregnant friends or colleagues, miscarriages and other losses can all take their emotional toll. Individuals cope differently with stress and can experience a wide range of feelings and difficulties including;
Pre-treatment counselling is an opportunity to prepare emotionally and psychologically for the challenges of treatment and to discuss coping mechanisms that can help minimise the emotional and relationship impact of fertility care. Counselling gives people the opportunity to discuss their stress management plan and how to best utilise resources.
Antonia can assist by listening, develop strategies, improve communication, helping you to maintain a peaceful and fulfilling relationship.
A regulatory requirement that all people requiring treatment with a donor egg, sperm or embryo or who are considering surrogacy must undergo counselling prior to commencing treatment. Whilst the term "mandatory" sounds daunting, counselling is an opportunity to discuss concerns, issues, questions and excitement of both a difficult yet opportunistic way to have a healthy pregnancy.
A counsellor needs to be accredited with ANZICA (Australia and NZ Infertility Counsellors Association) to provide donor and surrogacy counselling. An experienced member since 2007, I can assist with a sound knowledge and understanding.
Some practical suggestions to consider;
Antonia Solomon
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