IVF is a powerful step towards building the family you’ve dreamed of—whether you’re the one undergoing treatment or, in dual-parent families, the supportive partner. At Gender Selection Australia, we proudly offer specialist IVF in Australia services tailored to couples (including IVF for same-sex couples) and single-parent families.
For men, the IVF journey can be both exciting and complex. It’s a chance to provide emotional and practical support for their partner while navigating the experience together.
In this article, we’ll explore meaningful ways men can actively contribute and stay engaged throughout the IVF journey. We’ve also included insights from men who have supported their partners through the process to offer real-life perspectives.
Supporting your partner
At Gender Selection Australia, we’ve designed our IVF services to be transparent and compassionate at every step. However, nothing can replace the love and care of a partner. You know your partner better than anyone—how they celebrate wins, how they face challenges, and what support they actually need. This unique insight makes your role in the process invaluable.
IVF is all about teamwork: from both partners and your medical team. While one partner undergoes treatment, both contribute to this exciting journey as a family. Here are some ways men can actively support and be involved:
Attend appointments. Attending appointments and keeping informed of the IVF steps can decrease the mental load on your partner. This can include managing the calendar of appointments, keeping track of medication dosages, and taking notes during appointments.
“Having my husband attend every appointment and our embryo transfer was very important to me. Even though there wasn’t anything for him to actually ‘do’ a lot of the time, having him there reminded me that we’re a team doing this together,” says one IVF mum.
Encourage open communication. To support your partner, start by understanding how they’re feeling and what they need. Open communication is key—try asking, “How are you feeling?” or “What can I do to help?” Taking the time to listen can make all the difference.
Create happy rituals. Facilitating traditions around the IVF process can help keep your partner undergoing treatment feeling positive.
“After appointments, I never forget to pick up fresh flowers and treats from my wife’s favourite bakery. It’s an easy way for me to celebrate the journey and acknowledge the physical demands of the treatment,” says an IVF dad.
Take on a more active role in the home. Whatever the usual split of domestic labour in your home may normally be, taking on a larger portion of the chores can help to lighten the physical strain of IVF treatments. This might look like taking on more of the child-rearing of your existing children or simply handling the cleaning for the home.
Making sure mum-to-be is well nourished. IVF is a physically and emotionally complex process. It’s important for the woman undergoing treatment to be in her best possible mental and physical health. Making sure your partner is well-hydrated and is eating delicious, nourishing meals regularly is a practical way men can help in the IVF journey.
Advocate for your partner. In fertility treatment, pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond, men can play an active role by advocating for their partner’s wishes. This might mean setting boundaries with family, supporting informed decision-making, or simply being a steady presence through each step of the journey.
Seeking support
Supporting your partner during the IVF journey can be emotionally and physically demanding. While offering practical and emotional support, it’s important to prioritise your own self-care and seek support from loved ones when needed.
For men, recognising the significance of this milestone—whether it’s growing your family or becoming a dad for the first time—can help you stay grounded and engaged throughout the process. After all, this is a huge life event!
“Since having our son through IVF, two of my mates have reached out to ask about the process. While the steps are often simpler than people initially expect, I’m glad I can share my experience and be a listening ear for friends going through this journey,” says an IVF dad.
If you begin to feel stressed, helpless or isolated, seeking professional support is vital. Practicing mindfulness and involving yourself with IVF support groups can also be fantastic tools to prevent burnout during the IVF journey.
Moments of hope
While IVF can be challenging, there are plenty of moments for celebration along the way–a successful egg collection, embryo fertilisation, and the excitement of transfer day to name just a few!
“I loved that (during the IVF journey) we always knew what the next step was. Unlike the uncertainty of our years dealing with infertility, we finally had a clear plan and path forward. Having supportive professionals around us also completely changed our perspective – we really felt like we had a team rallying behind us,” says an IVF dad.
“Finding out that my wife was pregnant was one of the best days of my life. The birth of our son has completely changed my life. He is the most wonderful little boy – and we’re very thankful to IVF that he exists.”
Celebrating small wins (as well as the big ones!) along the way is key to enjoying the journey of IVF. These moments of joy will bring you closer as a partnership and help to put more challenging days in perspective.
The male role in IVF
It’s easy to overlook the role men play in the IVF process. At GSA, our team sees firsthand how their support, involvement, and emotional resilience are crucial. By staying engaged and supportive, men can strengthen their partnership and embrace the transformative journey of building a family through IVF.
Are you and your partner looking to welcome a baby into your lives? Have you considered gender selection IVF to build a family reflective of your vision? Our friendly team at Gender Selection Australia is here to help. Reach out to us today.