Pregnancy Loss & Infertility

For some of us, having a child means everything.

We plan and prepare every detail to receive them with open arms.  We envision them taking their first steps, growing up, and becoming their most authentic selves.  We want it all to be perfect, right from the start.  And while some may have a seamless family-building journey, others can encounter bumps along the way.

Facing pregnancy loss and/or fertility issues can be very challenging.  Feeling overwhelmed and emotional is natural, especially if you have been pursuing kids for a while now.  Eventually, some families find a way to heal and move forward.  Yet, others continue to experience difficulties that impair their ability to carry on.

You may suffer from high levels of anxiety and symptoms of depression.  You might have trouble focusing, completing tasks, or communicating, which can take a toll on your relationships.   Activities and people that used to motivate you may not seem appealing anymore.  And even when doing your best to hold on, you might feel angry, lost, and out of control

No matter how hard things have been, you don’t have to do this alone.

At Sequoia Psychology Associates, we provide therapy for pregnancy loss and infertility to help families in Redwood City, California, and neighboring areas.  This includes San Carlos, Belmont, San Mateo, Foster City, Burlingame, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, and Los Altos.

If you and your loved ones are struggling with pregnancy loss or fertility issues, we are here to support you.  Just as sequoia trees grow a strong network, we strive to share resources and protect each other for the benefit of our community.  

Ready to get started?  Contact us to book a consultation today.

Losing someone or something can cause tremendous physical and emotional pain.  Grief is our reaction to that painful experience.  It can vary depending upon our specific loss, situation, personality, and environment. 

When we suffer a fertility problem or pregnancy loss, we face a reproductive setback, the loss of a child, and the imagined future that came along with them.  We might feel challenged to say goodbye to the capacity to procreate and to our sense of purpose.

Additionally, we may feel like we are losing the opportunity to “do things right.”  This construct comes from our early childhood when we begin to form ideas about how we would do things differently as parents.  As we grow older and think about starting a family, these thoughts evolve and solidify.  Not having the chance to “correct our parents’ mistakes” or heal old wounds can severely impact our self-esteem and life vision.

How we see ourselves as parents, what our kids will be like, how and when we will bring them into the world, is all part of our reproductive story.  When the story doesn’t pan out the way we’ve envisioned it, it may seem like things are not how they were supposed to be.  We can feel a loss of our very own identity.

Navigating problems during your reproductive efforts is quite common and often manageable.  But, if these hurdles cause long-term distress and prevent you from living your life, you might need professional help.

Common symptoms addressed in therapy for pregnancy loss and infertility include:

• Anger
• Anxiety
• Avoiding people, things, or situations that remind you of your loss
• Changes in appetite, weight level, and sleep patterns
• Intense guilt and worthlessness
• Intrusive thoughts
• Lack of hope and motivation
• Relationship problems
• Reliving your loss over and over again
• Isolation or withdrawal from others

Yet, you don’t have to be in crisis to receive the many benefits of therapy.  A licensed therapist can help you and your family explore planning options, treatments, and other resources while you figure out the next steps in your journey.

Psychotherapy can help you grieve in a healthy way so you can regain hope and purpose.  While in therapy, you will work with a licensed counselor who will leverage their experience and evidence-backed knowledge to support you during this difficult time.

Suffering a pregnancy loss, a fertility problem, or being unable to have children can cause unresolved trauma and despair.  Therapy provides a safe environment to speak about your pain and recognize what you have lost. 

Your therapist will facilitate difficult conversations between you and your loved ones, allowing you to listen to each other’s perspectives and improving your communication.  You will all be able to reflect on your past, present, and future ideas about parenting and feel less alone in the process.  By unearthing your unique reproductive stories, you will peel off multiple layers of your loss and lay the foundation to grieve towards a common goal.

Therapy also broadens your horizon to other alternatives such as Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), surrogacy, adoption, among many others.  Learning about different options can help you see beyond your current reproductive setback and into the path ahead.

Above all, therapy empowers you with tools and coping skills such as mindfulness, breathwork, and grounding practices to manage this painful experience.

At Sequoia Psychology Associates, we are committed to supporting adults as they navigate life’s challenges. 

We provide individual and couple therapy for pregnancy loss and fertility issues, among other services.  We also run a pregnancy loss skills and support group.

Our team of psychologists has personal and professional experience in this field, combining approaches such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, and Mindfulness.

Our sessions are currently delivered online via telehealth.

If you and your loved ones are struggling to recover from pregnancy loss or infertility, we are right here. 

Together, we can rewrite your story.

To get started, book a consultation today.