After a number of unsuccessful attempts, couples may need to decide to continue or discontinue fertility treatment. Stopping therapy will most likely cause feelings of sadness, exhaustion and emptiness. At times, the decision also brings relief.
With this decision, couples have time to redefine their priorities and set their next goals, including setting the stage for other ways to address their fertility and family planning issues. Some choose to take a break from treatment and try again in the future; others may decide to adopt or use a surrogate. Still, others make a conscious decision to live their lives without children.
Certainly, there are no right or wrong decisions at this stage. Each individual and couple should decide the best way to bring closure to this episode in their lives. If possible, think of this experience not as a failure, but rather as a stepping stone to a new chapter in life.