This October, Be Parent’s team had the privilege of attending the ASRM Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas, where leading fertility professionals from around the world gathered to share insights, innovations, and heartfelt discussions on how to better support patients during fertility treatment.
One of the standout sessions, “Enhancing Patient Care for a Better Experience During Treatment,” by Sarah Banks (fertility consultant and emotional support coach) resonated deeply with our team. The seminar focused on something at the heart of Be Parent’s mission—the emotional and psychological wellbeing of intended parents throughout their fertility journey.
Understanding the Emotional Impact of Fertility Treatment
Infertility is not just a medical condition—it’s an emotional experience that touches every part of a person’s life. The session shared data from a Fertility Network UK survey of over 900 women undergoing IVF, revealing that many felt sad, worried, and frustrated nearly all the time during treatment. Even more striking, 42% reported experiencing suicidal thoughts.
This underscores a sobering truth: infertility can cause emotional distress equivalent to that experienced by individuals facing illnesses like cancer or heart disease. For many, the journey brings a sense of life on hold, loss of control, and emotional exhaustion. Men, too, face unique struggles—often feeling overlooked, guilty, or pressured to be the “strong one.”
Supporting Patients at Every Step
The ASRM session emphasized that every stage of treatment—from the first consultation to post-treatment follow-up—carries distinct emotional challenges. Patients often describe the experience as an emotional rollercoaster: moments of hope, anxiety, grief, and sometimes, renewed courage.
To truly improve patient care, clinics and agencies must listen deeply, empathize genuinely, and validate openly. Here are a few takeaways that particularly resonated with us:
- Communication is care. Patients crave clarity and consistency. Timely updates, transparent information, and approachable language make a world of difference.
- Emotional support boosts outcomes. Research shows that when patients feel emotionally supported, stress levels drop, adherence improves, and success rates increase.
- Follow-up matters. After a failed IVF cycle, 70% of patients said they wanted a check-in from their clinic—but only 17% received one. That small gesture can help transform despair into resilience.
- Inclusion builds trust. Families come in many forms—single parents, same-sex couples, international intended parents, and surrogates. Each deserves tailored care and recognition.
At Be Parent, we are committed to these principles. Every journey we support—whether through surrogacy, egg donation, or embryo transfer—is guided by personalized care and emotional understanding.
Building Compassionate, Inclusive Fertility Care
One of the most powerful lessons from the seminar was the reminder that language, tone, and empathy can shape a patient’s entire experience. Simple things—like remembering a patient’s story, choosing sensitive words, or maintaining warm body language—communicate that they are not just another case file.
Moreover, the discussion highlighted the importance of mental health resources—from counselling and support groups to stress management and partner-inclusive care. Patients thrive when they feel seen, heard, and supported as whole people.
For those pursuing family building through surrogacy or assisted reproduction, this approach is particularly vital. These journeys often involve multiple layers of emotional complexity—legal, logistical, and personal. As advocates for both intended parents and surrogates, Be Parent believes that empathy and transparency must guide every interaction.
A Shared Commitment to Better Care
Walking away from the ASRM conference, our team felt both inspired and affirmed. The insights shared by global fertility leaders echo the values Be Parent has upheld since day one:
- Every story is unique.
- Every emotion is valid.
- Every family deserves compassionate care.
As the field of reproductive medicine continues to evolve, so must our approaches to patient support. Science can help create families—but it is empathy that sustains them.
At Be Parent, we will continue to champion emotionally aware, inclusive, and patientcentered care in every partnership and every journey we guide.
