Supporting Someone Through IVF (Without Losing Yourself)

"You are going through this together, but it is a completely different experience for everyone involved.” That is how Kristina D’Antonio describes it to her patients, and it is the heart of this week’s conversation. So much of the fertility conversation centers on the person going through treatment. This week, Laura and Ashlee turn to the people standing beside them: partners, parents, siblings, friends, and even coworkers. Joined by Jessica Erickson, LCSW, and Kristina D’Antonio, LCSW, co-founders of Sana Psychotherapy, a practice focused on reproductive and perinatal mental health, we talk about how to support someone through IVF or fertility treatment without losing yourself along the way. In this episode, we cover: Why support people often feel they don’t have the right to struggle, and why “I don’t get it” can be exactly what someone needs to hear Comfort or solutions? One simple question that can change how your support lands How to ask for space and name your own needs without feeling selfish Why “I’m noticing” works better than “you are” when a loved one is spiraling on social media or Reddit How to repair after saying the wrong thing, and the difference between intention and impact What to do when someone you love is struggling and you have a pregnancy announcement to share Navigating disagreements with a partner about next steps, like trying another round or taking a break Fertility treatment and the workplace: how coworkers can help, and how to think about what you share What to do when a partner isn’t showing up for appointments, bloodwork, or consents, and how the care team can help Why support needs to last the whole journey, not just the moment someone first opens up The biggest takeaway? Perfection is not the goal. Support people will say the wrong thing, and that is okay. What matters is acknowledging the gap between intention and impact, staying open to repair, and tending to your own needs too, because no one can pour from an empty cup. If you are supporting someone through fertility treatment, navigating it yourself, or want to understand what the people around you may be carrying, this episode is for you. Connect with Sana Psychotherapy:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sana.psychotherapy/Website: https://www.sanapsychotherapypllc.com/