How to Emotionally Survive the Stress of IVF

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Why is IVF emotionally stressful?

How can I stay stress-free during IVF?

If your fertility specialist recommends IVF (IVF) it is likely that you’ve been through years of anxiety and stress that usually are associated with infertility. The anxiety and stress can be magnified when you undergo IVF.

What is the reason IVF emotional stressing:

In vitro fertilization is physically, mentally and financially exhausting process. In reality, IVF patients have rated the process of IVF as being more stressful than, or even the same as a significant life-altering event, for example, the death of a family member or divorce as per the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology.

Drug-related side effects, financial anxiety and uncertain results can all add to the stress.

Recognizing the potential stresses that you might encounter during your journey to IVF and knowing how to deal with them could help you get through the bumps and valleys

Preparing for IVF

The side effects of medication can make you feel anxious and can make stress, depression, and anxiety even more intense. Tests and office visits may interfere with work, family and social interactions. The decision-making process regarding embryos that are not used can cause stress to the family.

Bouncing Between Optimism and Pessimism

It’s perfectly normal to oscillate between being excited and nervous. Be sure to remind yourself, especially when you’re in the dark and depressing phase, that it’s only one cycle. Even if it’s the third or even fourth IVF cycle, remember that it’s just one cycle.

Sometimes, we don’t realize that it’s normal for patients to go through several treatment cycles before we achieve success, and we do not realize that other treatment options are waiting for us. We may think that we’ve reached the end of the road, however there are many other options we don’t even know about at the moment.

Even if everything goes wrong, and you are unable to get the result as you had hoped, it will be and still is a normal day. It’s going to be very difficult initially. It will be very, very difficult. But with time and counseling, you can get through this. Your life won’t end with the completion of the fertility treatment process. Remember this whenever you’re stressed, particularly during the wait of two weeks.

How can I stay stress-free during IVF

As you prepare physically for with your IVF cycle, be sure to emotionally prepare yourself as well by following these suggestions:

  • Find out details. One of the most effective remedies for anxiety is knowledge and information.
  • Prepare for decision-making. Make sure you are prepared for any decisions that have to be made during IVF, such as the number of embryos that need to be transferred or what should be done with additional embryos.
  • Make sure you’re in a positive emotional state, and you’re sound prior to beginning the IVF cycle.
  • Talk ahead of time with your partner about what you hope and expectations for each other throughout the course of the cycle.
  • You might want to consider becoming a member of an IVF support group.
  • Your life should be as simple as possible. Avoid big choices, life-altering changes or stressful work and family circumstances.
  • Plan out how you can unwind. Think about meditation with mindfulness, meditation with guided imagery, or yoga.

Waiting for Pregnancy News

The waiting to hear “the news” about your IVF cycle is stressful. It’s normal to keep an eye on your body every day to look for signs of pregnancy in  the two-week waiting. It is possible to manage your anxiety by preparing yourself with these guidelines:

  • Give yourself a treat. Make sure you do things that you love.
  • Deep, slow breaths when you’re anxious.
  • Change your negative thinking. Believing in the worst makes the wait seem more long.
  • Find out what your partner, and you, are experiencing as stressors and coping strategies.
  • Be aware of the things you can control and also what you aren’t.
  • Be aware that there is a chance to fail at each step of the process.