Stress & Fertility Q&A | Stephanie Rodrigues, LICSW | NIAW 2025

In honor of National Infertility Awareness Week 2025, Boston IVF Wellness Center social worker Stephanie Rodrigues, LICSW answers your most pressing questions about stress, anxiety, and emotional health during fertility treatment.

From dealing with burnout during IVF cycles to managing family pressures, Stephanie shares expert advice on coping strategies, mental health support options, and how to stay resilient through the ups and downs of your family-building journey.

Whether you're navigating fertility treatment, supporting a partner, or looking for new ways to take care of your emotional well-being, this conversation offers compassionate, actionable guidance.

Originally streamed on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025.

Check out the rest of the Boston IVF Fertility Network's National Infertility Awareness Week 2025 events: https://www.bostonivf.com/resources/b...

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Do you have a question relating to infertility, fertility treatments, PCOS, endometriosis, increasing your pregnancy success rates, egg donation, or any other element related to fertility? Tune into our next live Fertility Q&A and submit your own questions! Follow us on Instagram @boston_ivf and/or on Facebook @BostonIVF to be alerted of upcoming live events.

TOPIC TIMESTAMPS
Meet Stephanie Rodrigues, LICSW 00:00-02:20
Stress & Fertility Overview 02:21-12:30
Q&A Begins 12:30-12:47
Coping with Emotional Highs & Lows 12:48-14:06
Communication with a Partner 14:07-15:30
Inequity Between Patient & Partner 15:31-17:04
Coverage for Extended Time-Off 17:05-18:31
Impacts on Self-Esteem & Identity 18:32-19:54
Stress & Insomnia 19:55-21:07
Balancing Hope with Reasonable Expectations 21:08-22:50
When to Seek Professional Mental Health 22:51-24:13
Well-Meaning but Insensitive Comments 24:14-27:12
Explaining "Just Relaxing" Doesn't Help 27:13-28:30
Family Building During the Holidays 28:31-32:36
Triggers on Social Media 32:37-35:15
Balancing IVF & Work 35:16-37:57
Establishing Boundaries & Preparing for Prying Questions 37:58-40:07
How to Support Your Partner 40:08-42:32
Recommended Books & Podcasts 42:33-46:35
Resentfulness & Jealousy 46:36- 49:18
How to Advocate for Yourself 49:19-50:38
Coping During the Two-Week Wait 50:39-52:30
How to Support Someone Going Through Fertility Treatment 52:31-55:07
Boston IVF Patient Advocate 55:08-55:57
Recommended Therapy Options 55:58-56:48
Conclusion & The Boston IVF Wellness Center Offerings 56:49-57:33

RESOURCES
Learn more about emotional support at The Wellness Center: https://www.bostonivf.com/wellness-ce...
Learn more about The Wellness Center: https://www.bostonivf.com/wellness-ce...
Sign up for a Fertility & Wellness Support Circle event: https://www.bostonivf.com/wellness-ce...
Contact Boston IVF: https://www.bostonivf.com/contact

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ABOUT BOSTON IVF
Boston IVF is one of the largest and most experienced fertility networks in the United States, with more than 150,000 babies born since 1986. Founded as one of the nation's first private practice IVF centers, the Boston IVF network has grown to include 40 reproductive endocrinologists across nearly 30 centers throughout Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, and Utah. A renowned innovator of reproductive technologies, advanced protocols, and cutting-edge research, Boston IVF has achieved numerous "firsts" in reproductive care. Its scientific and research arm continues to pave the way for breakthroughs in fertility care and its accredited REI Fellowship Program has graduated numerous reproductive endocrinologists as part of its mission to train the next generation of fertility experts. In 2024, Boston IVF joined the global IVI RMA Network, contributing to the network's management of more than 20+ labs and 60 satellites across North America.