Anyone had counselling through FA?

I've been to counselling twice at FAW. It's included in an IVF cycle. I found it useful to talk things through.

It's free one session per cycle. Sounds like it might be worth getting a session now. Just if it's a while to go for your cycle, they may want you to pay for it. Circumstances can change for people

Thanks for your post in regard to that I really feel like I need it. Some days I'm good strong as iron other days I'm a bit fragile it comes and goes. Have been trying to get some counselling organised but nothing here in Invercargill all in Dunedin which is 3 hours away not having much joy really.

Seems there is tons of support out there for teenage pregnancy but not much else quite common here it seems... this (IVF etc) is a bit of a rarity down here in Southland not being a Southlander myself it's all new to me.

I did call Health & disability Avocates found them useless woman fully admitted to having 6 children of her own non planned and not having a maternal bone in her body??!! So yes probably NOT the best person to be talking to me about the whole IVF thing really then...

Rattled on to discuss adoption etc told her I was atleast 2 years down the track from that consideration and I would rather have no children than bring up a trashy drug addicts / smoker heavy drinkers baby who is likely to have a whole series of health problems because they didn't want a baby and did everything they shouldn't while pregnant because they didn't care. Then told her very bluntly as I was beginningto get a bit fed up by this stage that the whole point of this is to have my own biological baby.

To be honest I found the whole entire conversation just upset me even more wasn't a good experience for me at all... I found her to be rather insensitive and inexperienced on the issue towards then end of the conversation she told me she was a qualified teacher and an accountant not a social worker when I had asked to speak to a social worker / counsellor and have them call me back very strange indeed. Certainly told me nothing I hadn't already been told repeatedly by friends family etc for the last 3 years anyway.... was all quite hmmm thanks but NO THANKS I've already heard all this been down this road considered this option I don't really need to hear about that and can do without hearing all that again thank you.... found myself saying "That's Nice" (Mrs Browns Boys)alot and almost said "How Bloody Dare You Say Such A Thing" and almost put the phone down on her at one point as she kept talking round and round in circles saying quite insensitive things and making it quite obvious she wasn't comfortable with the topic of conversation.... and they are up on the FA message board as contact people??!! Good lord!!

Edited by Hopeful75116590 - 27 May 2013 at 2:18am

Thanks for your post babycrazy. I didn't realise they could also do phone counselling hmmm.

Hopeful - it sounds like you really need someone to talk to that 'gets it'. This journey can open up a whole can of anger and frustration some days and, like you, I can be really strong most of the time and then it just all gets overwhelming sometimes. It is not easy to have your 'brave face' on all the time.

Take care

Thanks
Will check it out. Feeling quite good at the moment but it can get a bit much at times. Will see how I get on

Just new to oh baby but thought I'd share our story and it might help you red dahlia.
My wife and I were hoping to do IUI with donor sperm but then they found I had an ovarian tumour, turned out to be benign luckily. Lost an ovary and Fallopian tube, qualified for public IVF because of this. Had first round in march 2011 and 2 more that failed. Last one I had a miscarriage at 7 weeks. Throughout this the counsellor at FA Waikato has been amazing, supportive and helpful.
I can honestly say without her we wouldn't be now expecting our first baby on our 4th round, my wife is 12.5 weeks pregnant now and all going well.
She can be hard to get an appointment with but persevere as it is totally worth it, you get 2 free appointments with IVF but if you can have more (this may cost) I would recommend it. We miss our catch ups with her now!

Thanks baby crazy, it's nice to be one the other side of treatment now. Was a long 3 years but counselling helped make it bearable
Love the horse shoe idea

Good luck baby crazy, fingers crossed for you.

Yep the marathon starts tomorrow which is good cos I don't have to panic about getting back to work after them until Monday and then hopefully Wednesday will be insem day (based on prior mths).
Trying to stay in a good frame of mind keep telling myself the odds are better the more we try.
Going to miss my cycle buddy though....don't be stranger during your "sabbatical".

These forums do provide good support and all the stories are so helpful as you realise others have a hard time conceiving too.
Glad you are feeling better, just don't forget counselling is very useful to talk through questions too and helps you feel l,e all those feelings of doubt are normal. IVF is stressful so it is really useful