The Reproductive Technology Council (RTC) of WA changed their counseling requirements for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) patients in March 2007. Since then it has become a requirement that clinics ensure that all new ART patients meet with a counsellor for an information session before undertaking further treatment. This is important for the patient as it ensures they are aware of the psychosocial impact of the treatment before commencing. These information sessions can be carried out one to one or in a small group.
PIVET’s counsellors are available for one to one sessions on weekdays and Saturdays and small group sessions are held on weeknights. Telephone counselling can be offered to patients who are unable to come into the clinic due to personal circumstances: for example, country patients. Please contact the clinic to arrange an appointment.
Genetic counselling
(Consultant Geneticist Dr Jack Goldblatt)
Patients who may benefit from this service are those who:
- Have had an IVF/ICSI treatment proposed (no longer mandatory)
- Have had a previous pregnancy loss due to a genetic abnormality
- Have any diagnosed genetic disorder to assess the potential
- Effects on their children
- Have a child with a genetic abnormality
- Are considering PGD (Pre implantation Genetic Diagnosis).
Appointments are available at PIVET each Monday afternoon
Our counsellors are approved by the Reproductive Technology Council (RTC)and are available by appointment for individuals and couples undergoing treatment at the centre.
The counselling available at PIVET is concerned with the following:
- Pre-IVF counselling: prepares patients for treatment (eg coping strategies) and addresses issues patients may have in relation to treatment and decision making. The cost of one counselling session is included in the fee for each treatment cycle involving an egg collection
- Support Counselling: available at any phase of the treatment process to assist patients dealing with difficulties resulting from unsuccessful treatment. Patients may also wish to review stress management strategies,coping skills and self care strategies
- Crisis Counselling: assists the patient to deal with unexpected outcomes of treatment and pregnancy loss
- Therapuetic Counselling: addresses issues such as depression and anxiety, relationship difficulties, pre-natal anxiety and post-natal depression
- Donor Counselling: All participants in a donor program are required to meet with an RTC approved infertility counsellor. During this session they will need to discuss the legal, ethical,personal, familial and social implications of the donation and receipt of gametes (sperm and eggs) and embryos. Issues to be discussed will include expectations, disclosure and the telling of information and the implications from the perspectives of the other parties, including any potential offspring.
- Patient Support Group: meetings are held periodically and focus primarily on stress management and mutual support between participants. Patients interested in this group should contact PIVET reception for more information. Counselling is also available on Saturday mornings
- Follow up counselling: offered by telephone following an IVF / FET attempt
- Early pregnancy counselling: offered by senior nurse or midwife.