Recommendations of the Polish Psychiatric Association for treatment of affective disorders in women of childbearing age. Part III: Approach to pregnancy loss and unsuccessful in vitro treatment of infertility.

This article presents recommendations of the Polish Psychiatric Association regarding approach to pregnancy loss and unsuccessful in vitro treatment of infertility. From the psychological perspective pregnancy loss and perinatal death are amongst the most stressful events in human life - carrying increased risk of developing affective, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorders. Psychologists, physicians and the rest of the medical staff should provide integrated and individualized care which should be based on respect, empathy and expertise. The necessary phases of support for women experiencing pregnancy loss are: (1) physician providing exhaustive informational support regarding state of health, potential causes of fetal death, further approach and phases of induced labor of the fetus/pregnancy termination/procedure, (2) facilitating psychological consultation at any time and (3) providing exhaustive information on current legal standing (health insurance and labor law). Experiencing recurrent in vitro fertilization failures may result in the emotional consequences similar to those observed in miscarriages. The prolonged frustration may favor developing depressive symptoms and escalate pathological anxiety. We present basic recommendations for psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy in pregnancy loss and unsuccessful in vitro infertility treatment.