The emotional side of IVF no one really prepares you for
By Maria Michailidi – Midwife, International Patient Care & Communications
When you decide to undergo IVF, most of the focus naturally shifts to the clinical aspects—investigations, medication, treatment protocols, timelines.
But if you’re having treatment abroad, there’s something else running quietly in the background:
“Will I feel safe there?”
“Will they really understand me?”
“Who do I talk to when I feel overwhelmed?”
Choosing to have IVF in another country is not just a practical decision—it’s an emotional one. You’re stepping into an unfamiliar environment during one of the most vulnerable periods of your life, often carrying hope, pressure, and uncertainty.
While clinics tend to focus on protocols and success rates, what many women are really looking for is something far more human: reassurance, clarity, and the sense that someone is truly there for them.
IVF is never just physical. Behind every appointment, there is an internal dialogue that rarely gets voiced—women questioning their bodies, wondering if they’re doing everything “right,” trying to stay hopeful while quietly preparing for disappointment. It’s a constant emotional balancing act.
Then comes the waiting.
The time between embryo transfer and the pregnancy test—the well-known two-week wait—can feel endless. It has a way of amplifying every thought, every sensation, every doubt. And when you’re away from your usual support system, that emotional intensity can feel even greater.
This is why emotional support should never be seen as an optional extra in fertility care—it is a fundamental part of the patient experience.
From our perspective, as midwives and IVF coordinators, we see firsthand how much of a difference it makes when a woman feels supported—not only clinically, but personally. When communication is clear and consistent, when there is always someone available to answer questions, and when care is tailored to the individual rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach, the entire experience changes.
A personalised approach is not just about adjusting medication—it’s about understanding the person behind the treatment.
A patient-centred approach means recognising when reassurance is needed, even if it hasn’t been explicitly asked for.
And effective communication is what turns uncertainty into something manageable.
For international patients, these elements matter even more. Being welcomed by a supportive team, seeing familiar faces, and knowing exactly who to contact at any given moment—these are not small details. They create a sense of stability in a process that can otherwise feel overwhelming.
There are also small but meaningful ways you can support yourself during this time. Protecting your emotional space is essential—you don’t have to share every step of your journey with everyone around you. Allowing yourself to experience your emotions without judgment is equally important. And above all, staying connected with someone you trust within your care team can make a real difference. Sometimes, a simple conversation is enough to bring everything back into perspective.
Perhaps it’s time we shift the way we talk about IVF.
Not only in terms of outcomes—but in terms of experience.
Not only focusing on success rates—but on how women actually feel during treatment.
Because IVF is not just about achieving a positive result—
it’s about how supported you feel along the way.
And when you’re far from home, that support isn’t just important—
it’s everything!
