Ever wonder why some couples grow closer through infertility while others grow apart? In this episode, I'm diving into one of the most important (and least talked about) sides of the fertility journey: the impact of infertility on relationships, and what you can do to stay connected as a couple if you're both hurting or stressed by the journey.
My guest is Dr. Clay Brigance, a licensed counselor, author, podcaster, and relationship researcher who studies the mental health and relationship impacts of infertility and reproductive loss. After experiencing infertility himself - including male factor, IUI, IVF, pregnancy complications, and a life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage and emergency hysterectomy - Clay set out to answer one question: why do some couples come together through infertility while others fall apart? His research with over 1,000 couples led to his Four Pillars of Connection, a framework that helps couples navigate emotional attunement, conflict, disrupted dreams of parenthood, and intimacy.
In this episode, we cover:
Resources:
Read the full show notes on my website.