Topic:  Infertility and Pregnancy Loss

This unit covers the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of emotional distress and psychiatric symptoms associated with infertility and reproductive loss.  There are two self-study segments, one on biological aspects of infertility and loss, and another on epidemiology and important co-morbidities.  Classroom activities include two separate case conferences, an integrative case focusing on infertility and its treatment, and a progressive case focusing on loss.  The media module covers stress and infertility.

The recommended order of modules is:

Self-Study: Biological Aspects of Infertility and Loss (including chart work-up exercise)
Self-Study: Epidemiology and Comorbidity
Classroom Activity: Integrative Case Conference
Classroom Activity: Progressive Case Conference
Media Module

Objectives

  • Identify the common pre-morbid and post-morbid psychiatric complications associated with perinatal loss and describe the epidemiology of early and late pregnancy loss.

  • Define infertility and identify psychiatric symptoms related to infertility and fertility treatments.

  • Learn how to differentiate a normal grief process versus complicated grief and other psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Self-Study

Classroom

This module examines a range of psychological experiences related to infertility and discusses the effects of infertility on interpersonal and family dynamics.

Launch Trainee

This module defines the various kinds of perinatal loss and examines psychological reactions and psychiatric disorders associated with perinatal loss. Learners will be able to differentiate between a normal grief process, complicated grief, depression, anxiety,  and PTSD.

Launch Trainee

This module explores the role the media plays in shaping attitudes toward and concerns about the relationship between stress and infertility.

Launch Trainee