Explore some ways to feel
more involved in the journey

Open lines of communication
Make sure you talk to each other. The fertility process is not easy, and you will both benefit by having each other to lean on.
You may be experiencing a range of emotions that your partner may not be noticing. Try speaking to them about it or talk to friends, family, or even a healthcare professional if needed.
Open lines of communication
Make sure you talk to each other. The fertility process is not easy, and you will both benefit by having each other to lean on.
You may be experiencing a range of emotions that your partner may not be noticing. Try speaking to them about it or talk to friends, family, or even a healthcare professional if needed.
Listen (and be heard)
Listening goes both ways. Try to understand each other’s communication style and see if you can come to a middle ground, from the beginning.
Be there (whatever that means for you both as a couple)
Agree on what is needed for your partner to be supported, whether that means helping more around the house or being more involved in the fertility process (i.e. helping to administer medications or joining for appointments).
Act as the guardian of ‘normal’ life
Be the gentle push to continue with activities that you both enjoy. It’s easy for couples to get lost in the fertility process, so try instating a ‘date night’ to make sure fertility treatments aren’t taking over your lives.
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- Centre of Perinatal Excellence. When becoming pregnant isn’t easy. Available at: https://www.cope.org.au/planning-a-family/happening. Accessed January 2024.
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- Uhler M (host). 20 fertility myths: true or false[ audio podcast episode ]. September 2020. Doctor Podcasting. Available at: https://radiomd.com/audio-player/fcionlineg/item/42997-20-fertility-myths-true-or-false. Accessed October 2022.
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- Rodgers A (host). How to boost your fertility naturally[ audio podcast episode ]. June 2020. Doctor Podcasting. Available at: https://radiomd.com/audio-player/fcionlineg/item/41891-how-to-boost-your-fertility-naturally. Accessed October 2022.
- Your Fertility. Thinking about having a baby? Available at: https://www.yourfertility.org.au/sites/default/files/2019-03/Thinking_about_having_a_baby_resource.pdf. Accessed October 2022.
- Healthline. How does sperm morphology affect fertility? Reviewed August 2017. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/sperm-morphology. Accessed October 2022.
- The Fertility Society of Australia, Pre-Conception Health Special Interest Group. The effects of environmental chemicals on fertility and fecundity. April 2021. Available at: https://www.yourfertility.org.au/sites/default/files/2021-04/FSA%20The%20effects%20of%20environmental%20chemicals%20on%20fertility%20and%20fecundity%20April%202021.pdf. Accessed March 2023.
- Quit. Smoking and fertility. Available at: https://www.quit. org.au/articles/smoking-and-fertility. Accessed October 2022.
- Zhang LJ, et al. BC Med J 2020; 62(9): 323–27.
- Ricci E, et al. Reprod Biomed Online 2017; 34(1): 38–47.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and pregnancy. Reviewed June 2020. Available at: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/tobacco-alcohol-drugs-and-pregnancy. Accessed November 2021.