The drugs, shots, and doctors visits – they have been going on for months and still no pregnancy. You have hopes and dreams of starting and growing a family that seem to be lost in test tubes and syringes. The stress of waiting for good news is mounting and you are starting to lose hope. This is a very typical feeling for individuals going through infertility treatments.
The very first thing you need to do is take a deep breath. Our minds and emotional state are very connected to the physical part of our being. Take a moment to just let some fresh air in and blow the stress out.
Talk with your partner about what you are feeling. I can guarantee that he/she is feeling the same pressure and anxiety as you. The problem for most couples is that each individual tries to stay strong for the other while sometimes ignoring their own feelings. The more you approach this as a couple problem the less strain on your relationship the issue will cause. While infertility can be a great stressor, it can also bond you closer to your partner as you go through this process.
Get educated on the whys and options. You can feel quite empowered when armed with the information you need on how your reproductive system works, where and when problems occur and the myriad of reasons why infertility affects some couples and not others. Also, knowing what your options are – all of them, can give you hope during your treatments.
Talk with your doctor about options. There is a process doctors use to diagnose and treat infertility. They start with the most common methods of treatment such as injections and then move to more intensive measures such as IVF.
Relax: This is the hardest part because you so desperately want a baby. I understand that strain but research has shown that there is great power in reducing the stress in your life. You can try a few simple stress relievers such as yoga and mediatation or think about removing bigger stressors by taking a leave of absence from work if that is the cause of your stress.
When I work with my clients who are moving through infertility treatments we focus on taking care of self and your relationship as a priority. Many women feel they are at war with their bodies which is not functioning as they would like and they are distraught with feelings of biological betrayal. Reconnecting with yourself and your partner as you proceed can allow you to find peace, and hopefully a blue line on the stick in the very near future.