Infertility and in vitro fertilization: the social worker's role.
The inability to have children may provoke a life crisis for a couple, and infertility treatment itself is usually stressful. After examining the psychosocial impact of infertility and the various options available to infertile couples, this article describes a hospital-based, in vitro fertilization program and the role of the social worker in supporting patients through the course of complicated and anxiety-producing medical procedures.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012949:Social Work, Psychiatric