[edit] We are logging off at 4pm CST today. Thank you for all of your questions, comments and engagement! We will be checking back in sporadically to the post so feel free to keep adding questions and comments!
We are psychologists that specialize in helping people cope with the emotional roller coaster of infertility, pregnancy loss and fertility treatment. We want to share insider knowledge about how fertility clinics work so you know how to navigate them more easily. We are here to answer all of your questions about fertility and mental health!
Dr. Amelia Swanson here, I am a licensed psychologist and Health System Clinician at Northwestern University and previously worked in an academic fertility clinic. I know that infertility and pregnancy loss are often isolating and can strain your relationships with your partner, friends, family and consume all of your time, attention and energy. People often feel lost as just a number in a large fertility clinic and I love to help people better advocate for themselves.
View Dr. Amelia Swanson’s proof photo here: [proof](https://imgur.com/7SPHleh)
You can read more about Dr. Swanson [here](https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/faculty-profiles/az/profile.html?xid=42465)
I am joined by my fellow reproductive health psychologist Dr. Angela Lawson for this IAm/AMA, from 11am-1pm CST today.
Dr. Angela Lawson here! I am a licensed psychologist and Professor at Northwestern University. During my 15+ years working at Northwestern’s fertility clinic I have talked to thousands of people struggling to grow their families. I know that infertility and pregnancy loss put people on an emotional rollercoaster that feels difficult to cope with at times. I also am passionate about debunking all of the myths that we have been told about fertility that make us feel worse and more anxious as we try to have children. As an insider in a fertility clinic, I am also motivated to help people better understand how fertility treatment works and how to get their needs met.
Dr. Angela Lawson’s proof photo: [proof](https://imgur.com/11s8Qcs)
You can read more about Dr. Lawson [here](https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/faculty-profiles/az/profile.html?xid=18213)
Here are some examples of the types of questions we can answer:
Everyone is telling me to relax, go on vacation, and stop worrying about getting pregnant and then it will happen. Is that really true!?!?
What feelings are normal after a miscarriage?
Why don’t I ever talk to my fertility doctor - I almost always talk to my nurse through messages sent on the patient portal.
How do I handle my best friend’s baby shower in a month? I want to support her but feel so jealous and cry even thinking about it.
My partner and I are coping with a miscarriage in different ways and we don’t understand each other. How can we better communicate and support each other?
While we can’t provide therapy over Reddit, we are happy to answer questions about coping with the many stressors related to infertility, pregnancy loss and fertility treatment!
Disclaimer: This post is for educational and informational purposes only and not therapy or a substitute for therapy. If you're experiencing thoughts or impulses that put you or anyone else in danger, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Line at 988 or go to your local emergency room.
