Guest blog by Mara Sampson, a passionate writer and editor.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a costly and complex procedure that can take its toll on your mental and emotional health. Despite huge medical and technological advances in IVF treatment over the past decade, success rates still sit between 12% and 50%, depending on age and various other factors.
That means any couple who makes the brave decision to embark on their IVF journey understands there’s a chance it won’t be successful. Subsequently, this decision comes alongside the full spectrum of human emotion. Excitement, nervousness, hope, and anxiety are all completely natural.
For these reasons, it’s important to have support systems ready to help you and your partner manage any stress that arises and have the most positive experience possible. These tips can help you cope when TTC (trying to conceive).
Learn About The IVF Process
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already begun your IVF journey and have done the necessary research beforehand. However, continuing to gather information about the IVF experience can only help you feel more secure in your decision to move forward.
When it comes to any significant life decision or event, learning everything you can about what to expect can help soothe common doubts and make you feel more prepared for any outcome.
Anxiety can often make us want to bury our heads in the sand, but that usually only makes it harder to relax. The more you know about the IVF process, the easier it will be to rationalize each step of the way.
Work As A Team
Now is the time to lean on the people in your life. Whether you’re a couple or a single parent doing IVF with a surrogate, IVF is the kind of treatment that works best when those involved support one another.
Because TTC can be such a long and intense process, you and your partner will benefit greatly from working as a team to overcome each step of the way. Communication in all areas is vital, as is sharing the responsibilities involved with the typical IVF procedure.
This helps bond you to each other and lighten the load for an experience that is as smooth and supportive as possible.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a great way to keep calm and prevent anxiety from spiraling out of control. Simple, small acts like meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, and time in nature are all fantastic ways to stay grounded no matter what’s going on in your life.
Being mindful means being fully present with yourself in the moment. A kind of spacious, loving acceptance, practicing mindfulness means acknowledging the moment for what it is and focusing on the beautiful simplicity of the present.
Manage Your Sleep Schedule
Good sleep is fundamental to stress management. Throughout the night, your body undergoes a series of important hormonal and chemical processes, many of which play critical roles in regulating cortisol levels and promoting feel-good serotonin and dopamine.
Without a consistent sleep schedule, you may find yourself feeling fatigued, irritable, and stressed. But with 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, you’ll feel lighter, more cheerful, and more clear-headed.
This makes it much easier to cope with any ups and downs that may occur during the IVF process. If you struggle to sleep throughout the night, talk to your doctor about what medication you can take safely to get you back into a healthier sleep cycle.
Avoid Making Major Life Decisions
IVF procedures can take a while to hit their stride. During that time, it might be helpful to avoid making any major life decisions such as moving house or changing jobs. This will ensure that you put as little pressure on yourself as possible.
Allow yourself to move through life at your own pace and accept the fact that this may take some time.
Keep Active In Other Ways
While staying closely in the loop about any progress regarding your IVF journey, remember that it’s okay to relax and focus on other things. In fact, it may even help.
Giving yourself manageable yet stimulating tasks can give your mind a break from the IVF treatment and help regulate any stress levels surrounding it. Fun, creative, or physically active hobbies are just a few ideas to inspire you.
The activity itself doesn’t have to be anything in particular. What matters is keeping yourself healthily occupied with other aspects of your life. Any project or creative challenge that resonates with you can help to distract you from anxious thoughts and put you in a more productive mindset.
Talk To A Mental Health Professional
If you’re in a position to access professional mental health support, now is the time. Being able to discuss your journey in a safe space is one of the most beneficial things you could do at this point, and it will likely help you and your partner feel more at ease.
What’s great about therapy is that you can talk about absolutely anything that’s on your mind—be it worries for the future, excitement about how it might turn out, or something totally unrelated to TTC and IVF. Don’t bottle up your feelings; give them a supportive, controlled space to exist instead.
Join An IVF Support Group
Anxiety, stress, and uncertainty during the IVF process are completely natural. The process is a big deal for any couple, and talking to others going through the same journey can be hugely beneficial.
Being able to share your experiences with those in the same position as you can bring clarity, confidence, and a sense of community to the process overall. You may make new connections, learn more about IVF, and even make some friends along the way.
Be Proactive About Potential Changes
Emotional stress can have a myriad of different triggers. If you know what to expect on your IVF journey, you can take steps to limit their impact.
If you’re prone to weight gain or comfort eating, you can increase your exercise levels and watch your diet closely. Or, if you battle with bad skin, you can start using a pregnancy-safe acne and rosacea treatment that combats outbreaks. Taking control of these potential issues will help you feel less stressed and more confident.
Make Yourself The Main Priority
IVF can be an emotionally exhausting process. Remember to be patient, lean on loved ones for support, and keep moving forward. It’s a time to put yourself first and to ensure that you look after your body, mind, and soul.
Mara Sampson is a passionate writer and editor who specializes in writing lifestyle content, especially around parenting, DIY, and home renovation. When she’s not tapping away at her keyboard, you’ll find Mara answering expert-level crossword puzzles under the strict supervision of her Abyssinian cat, Munchkin.
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