Infertility counselors share how infertility affects a relationship, psychologically and emotionally, plus effective ways to cope together.

She also provides psychotherapy to parents experiencing postpartum depression or those having trouble adjusting to parenting.

international matchmaker and relationship expert

Rena Gower, LCSW, is an infertility counselor and integrative nutrition health coach.

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For starters, one person may be logistically going through it differently than the other.

3 ways dealing with infertility can compromise the quality of a relationship

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There arefive core stages of griefdenial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, says Gower.

Two people’s legs touch under a table as they work on their laptops.

Joanna Rosenblatt, LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist based in Westchester who works with people struggling with infertility, loss, postpartum depression/anxiety, and parenting stress.

The same thing is true of differentand perhaps conflictingcoping mechanisms.

The pressure to make a baby negatively impacts the intimacy you might otherwise feel.

The resulting tendency may be to have less sexwhich likely wont do your relationship any favors.

Books on grief are seen floating against a backdrop of clouds.

7 ways to minimize stressors of infertility within your relationship and strengthen your connection

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Take this time to be kind to your mind and body and to bolster your relationship.

After all, this phase will not last forever.

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Continue with the rest of your life, as much as possible

Remember: Infertility is not your identity.

Build a support system

The only thing more difficult than navigating a stressful experience is navigating it alone.

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Michelle Monaghan, Carrie Coon, and Leslie Bibb in The White Lotus, symbolizing toxic friendships.

Joanna Rosenblatt, LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist based in Westchester who works with people struggling with infertility, loss, postpartum depression/anxiety, and parenting stress.

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Courtesy Berkley Publishing