Helping you make the best decisions with advice and support
Fertility treatment can sometimes feel like a roller coaster of emotional and physical ups and downs. At Hunter IVF, our fertility counsellor works with the medical and nursing team to support you throughout your journey.
Our comprehensive and confidential counselling service is provided to all patients undergoing infertility treatment, including those considering IVF and past patients who'd like further support.
Our fertility counsellor, Marlene Mina, is a social worker with specialised skills and experience in the field of infertility, reproductive grief and couples counselling. Marlene provides support to all Hunter IVF patients and recommends pre-treatment counselling to understand the normal effects of treatment so you are best prepared to manage the potential stress and emotional impact of dealing with fertility issues.
Individual and couple counselling is available to help overcome any difficulties you may be experiencing with your treatment, feelings or relationships. Marlene also facilitates several groups, connecting you with people who understand what you are going through, and who can listen and advise. She also hosts practical workshops regularly.
Hunter IVF’s supportive counselling could help with:
- Preparing for fertility treatment, and making decisions about your treatment,
- Impact on relationships,
- Coping with unsuccessful treatment cycles and/or pregnancy losses,
- Coping with emotions around other people’s pregnancies, births and children,
- Talking about how your family, friends and colleagues behave or react,
- Specific concerns related to donor treatment cycles, or feelings of anxiety or loss of control.
Genetic Counselling
Specialist support for genetic complications
You may visit us because you want up to date information about your individual or family hereditary conditions that may affect your future children rather than problems with fertility. For example, a genetic condition that you do not wish to pass onto your children, or that could compromise a healthy pregnancy.
We are able to provide reassurance through testing and counselling, to help you understand and adjust to a genetic diagnosis in your family. We can look at possible treatment options, including IVF using Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) to identify embryos carrying a particular condition, or the use of donor eggs or sperm to minimise the chance of passing on a genetic condition.
If you have any genetic concerns, please discuss these with your Hunter IVF fertility specialist during your first appointment.
