Before your doctor suggested In Vitro fertilization (IVF), you probably have already gone through years of stress and worry about your infertility and how to cure it. Even the thought of going through an IVF may intensify your anxious emotions.
The process of IVF may be strength-draining in all aspects; emotionally, physically, and financially.
According to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, people have reported having IVF as more stressful than, or nearly as stressful as, any other significant life event, including the loss of a family member and divorce.
Uncertain results, financial concerns, and medication side effects all add to the worry.
How to handle the stress and pressure of IVF
IVF has dangers and emotional costs, but they are not permanent and do not have to be stressful. There are several things you may do to reduce the amount of stress you go through throughout the procedure.
You can go through the process while feeling at ease and optimistic, despite possibly being some challenging days. Here are some suggestions to help you get ready for an IVF cycle:
Obtain information and make plans.
Being knowledgeable about your body, the IVF procedure, and your clinic’s treatment plan can help you make wise decisions. IVF is an anxious process, but education and information are two of the biggest anxiety cures.
Before you begin, look for IVF-related articles and other reading material. Also, be sure to follow all the advice and apply the tools provided by your treatment facility,
You can also have conversations with people who have undergone IVF, and ask them if they have any insights to share with you.
Be prepared financially
IVF procedure is one of the most expensive treatment options out there. That’s why it’s important to be prepared financially. You can ask your insurance if there’s coverage for IVF. Better still, you can decide to find funds from family, friends, savings, bank loans, or wherever you think you can get resources.
No matter what happens, be cash prepared before you even think about starting IVF. That way, you’ll eliminate the burden that comes from not having enough money to proceed with a step in the cycle.
Be ready to make decisions.
It’s critical to review your choices in advance and prepare for decisions that may need to be made during IVF. You will sometimes need to think about and discuss these choices’ moral and religious consequences.
Together with your doctor, you will need to select how many embryos will be implanted, and whether to donate, freeze, or get rid of any surplus eggs or embryos.
It all boils down to the first point; obtaining adequate information about the procedure before you begin.
Take care of your mind and emotions
Long-term infertility struggles can harm how you feel about yourself, your marriage, and probably your relationships with others. These struggles can lead to misery and loneliness.
Before you begin an IVF cycle, you should be in a healthy emotional space and have a stable relationship.
Establish a time limit for discussing IVF with your partner. You can also talk about your aspirations and expectations for one another.
In case you notice that you or your spouse is sad, extremely tense, emotionally lost, or caught in a state of confusion, counseling can be quite beneficial. It’ll help you avoid or reduce complications in the IVF cycle.
Seek your support.
Your friends and family may be your finest source of support when you’re undergoing IVF. Choose who you will inform in advance about the procedure by deciding who will provide you with the most assistance you need.
Patients frequently regret telling so many people right away since it can sometimes increase the pressure. A friend or family member might be chosen to serve as your “spokesperson” and inform people about the situation when you are ready.
Additionally, look for people who understand other infertility problems outside of your regular support system. Consider attending an IVF support group or look into other infertility self-help groups if they are available in your area or are offered by your doctor’s office.
Through a variety of websites and chat groups, the internet offers a handy supply of information and support for those struggling with infertility and others who understand can be a valuable source of healing.
Learn how to control your stress
Recognizing the potential sources of your stress is one of the easiest ways to prevent them, especially when you visit the hospital.
Finding out what’s stressing you and working to cut them is helpful because everyone experiences stress in different ways.
It might be as simple as showing up at the clinic first thing in the morning for monitoring to avoid the crowd.
As you undergo IVF, you can greatly benefit from using yoga, meditation, mind-body therapies, breathing exercises, and massage to relieve stress and develop resilience. A rewarding activity might offer a nice break from life’s difficulties and IVF.
Exercise is also one of the greatest methods to reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. However, the intensity may need to be changed throughout treatment.
You can even make it a point to laugh more often. No matter how difficult things become, there is always humor to be found, and it is healthy to laugh at every given day.
Consider what is under your control and what is not.
Another helpful way to cope with stress is to identify what you can control and what you can do nothing about. What we’re trying to say is that don’t bother yourself too much about the unknown. Whether the procedure would succeed, how events would pan out, and whether the doctors would do their job well, is not something you should worry about. Simply focus on what you can do and have faith in the experts, knowing that whatever would be would be.
Also, try to avoid burdening yourself with other big decisions while you proceed with IVF. Making huge life decisions like moving or changing jobs, is not advised. You should also avoid significant projects at work that could put you under a lot of stress.
Remember, while the decisions you make every day do have some degree of power, how the treatment program develops is often out of your control.
Conclusion
The mental stress that infertility has on women and couples may be bad. Years might pass between disappointment and loss, and by the time you try reproductive therapy, your emotional reserves may be very intense.
Deciding to try IVF is a big life decision, and while it may be a difficult process for everyone involved, it can also bring with it a newfound feeling of promise and purpose.
Although it isn’t simple, it is important to control the pressure and emotional stress that come with reproductive therapy. Following these reminders would help reduce your stress and pressure. You can succeed on this journey with the proper self-care and support.
