Therapy for
Infertility, IVF & Pregnancy Loss
“The truth is, pain is not a detour from the main road. Pain is a part of the road we walk as human beings” - Susan Cain
Your grief is real, and it deserves a safe place to land.
Infertility, IVF failures, and pregnancy loss can create a grief that feels unrelenting. Well-meaning friends may say “at least you can try again” or “be grateful you were pregnant at all” - remarks that comfort them but deepen your loneliness and disconnection.
In therapy with us, you won’t hear platitudes. Here, your pain is honored, not minimized.
Why This Grief Hurts So Much
Invisible loss: There’s no funeral, yet your heart is breaking.
Relentless uncertainty: Each cycle, scan, or test re-opens hope…and fear.
Societal pressure: You’re expected to “keep it together” at work, at home, everywhere.
Conflicting roles: Supporting others while barely staying afloat yourself.
You may feel you have to downplay or hide your anguish just to function. You don’t.
How Therapy Helps After Infertility or Pregnancy Loss
In our work together, you can:
Name the loss: whether it’s a miscarriage, stillbirth, failed IVF cycle, or the loss of imagined futures.
Process layered emotions of sadness, anger, guilt, and anxiety without judgment.
Navigate triggers: pregnancy announcements, doctor visits, social media - and build coping tools.
Honor your story at your own pace, without pressure to “move on.”
Re-discover meaning and create space for hope, even when the path ahead is uncertain.
Grief has no timeline. We’ll walk it together, one compassionate step at a time.
What We Might Explore
Traumatic medical memories or procedures
Fear of “trying again” vs. fear of stopping treatment
Relationship strain and communication gaps
Identity shifts (“Am I still a parent?” “Is Mother’s Day for me?”)
Navigating cultural, religious, or family expectations
Balancing workplace responsibilities with profound loss
A Therapy Space, Free of “At Least” Statements
Whether you’re wrestling with:
Infertility treatments (IUI, IVF, donor cycles)
Pregnancy termination for medical or personal reasons
Miscarriage or stillbirth
Recurrent pregnancy loss
…your experience is unique and worthy of specialized care.
You are not alone, and you don’t have to suppress your pain to keep from drowning.
Frequently Asked Questions about Infertility and IVF
What counts as infertility, and when should I see help?
Infertility is generally defined as not being able to conceive after 12 months of trying (or 6 months if someone is over 35.) If you’re concerned or have risk factors, a medical evaluation can help identify factors and interventions early. It is never too early to see a therapist who specializes in infertility, as a therapist can help you cope with fertility stress and help you identify ways to improve your wellbeing.
How can therapy help during infertility treatment?
Therapy doesn’t change medical outcomes directly, but it helps reduce stress, improve coping, reduce anxiety or grief, support relationships, clarify decisions, and maintain emotional wellbeing through ups and downs.
How does infertility affect emotional health and relationship wellbeing?
Infertility can lead to feelings of grief, shame, anxiety, loss of control, isolation, and it can strain communication with partners. Therapy or couples counseling can help navigate these.
What are good coping strategies during IVF?
Mkind-body techniques, talk therapy, and supportive routines can make IVF less overwhelming. Many people find stress relief by focusing on what they can control, including gentle movement, nourishing food, and talking with a fertility-informed therapist or support group. Setting boundaries and focusing on small wins also helps reduce emotional strain.
How to handle anxiety during the waiting periods (e.g. between transfer and pregnancy test)?
The “two-week wait” often brings intense anxiety, so it helps to focus on stress management, healthy routines, and tools to ground you in the present. Grounding techniques like mindfulness, limiting symptom-checking, and leaning on supportive friends or a therapist can make the wait more manageable.
Do you only offer therapy for infertility and pregnancy loss in Baltimore?
No! We offer therapy for infertility and pregnancy loss throughout the state of Maryland.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pregnancy Loss
What kinds of feelings are normal after a miscarriage or pregnancy loss?
All feelings are normal. Grief, sadness, anger, guilt, shock, and even relief at times are common. Many people also experience physical symptoms like fatigue, trouble sleeping, or concentration difficulties.
How long does grief last after pregnancy loss?
There is no fixed timeline. Some people feel better in a few months; for others, significant grief continues longer, especially around anniversaries or due dates. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. What’s important is support and self-compassion.
When should I reach out to a therapist after a miscarriage or pregnancy loss?
You don’t have to wait until things feel “bad enough”. Therapy can help at any stage, especially providing a support that truly gets it and centers your experience. That being said, if you find yourself stuck in overwhelming sadness, avoiding things you once enjoyed, experiencing disruptions to daily functioning, or losing hope for the future, therapy could help.
What is perinatal grief and how is it different from other types of grief?
Perinatal grief often includes grief for what didn’t happen (the child you expected), loss of imagined future, and sometimes lack of societal acknowledgment. It may include physical, hormonal, and identity‐related aspects.
How to find a therapist who understands infertility or pregnancy loss?
When searching for a therapist, utilize free consultation calls to find a therapist who you feel comfortable talking to. Studies show that goodness of fit and the relationship with a therapist is the number one predictor of positive outcomes. It is also helpful to prioritze seeing a therapist who specializes in infertility, IVF, and pregnancy loss so that you know you are in good hands. Typically, therapists with the credentials PMH-C (signaling that they are certified in perinatal mental health) will be good fits for this.
Ready to give your grief and loss space without the pressure to “lighten the mood?”
Whether you live in Baltimore, Rockville, Frederick or anywhere else in the state, you can access online therapy in Maryland and Pennsylvania with a therapist who truly understands what you’re going through.
Book a free 20-minute consultation to learn more about therapy for infertility, IVF & pregnancy loss.