The journey through infertility can be challenging, often leading to a pressure cooker of emotions month after month, sometimes year after year. This blog post aims to offer support and practical tips on how to safeguard your emotional wellbeing whilst navigating the complexities of infertility.
Acknowledge Your Emotions
It’s natural to experience a range of emotions during infertility, including grief, anger, resentment and anxiety. It’s also very common for those experiencing infertility to push down and ignore their emotions in the hope that they will soon enough become pregnant and when they do those feelings will disappear. Holding onto emotions long term can have a compounding negative impact on mental and physical health so… allow yourself to feel and truly acknowledge all the feelings that come up with compassion.
Communicate Openly
Fertility struggles can put a strain on relationships so it’s important to keep open, honest, judgement free communication with your partner and or support network. Encourage heart to hearts regularly by checking in and asking questions about each others fears, hopes and experience. Don’t be afraid to seek professional support in this area if it’s an area you struggle with.
Self-Care Rituals
Write a list of activities, people and places that enable you to feel joyful and at peace. Make space for these in your calendar regularly whilst also knowing what you can turn to when you are feeling particularly triggered.
Seek Professional Support
Research has shown that those experiencing infertility have global anxiety and depression scores equivalent to cancer, cardiac rehabilitation and hypertension patients. It’s ok to need some extra support, to have a safe space to express yourself, to learn coping strategies, gain valuable insights and access tailored unique guidance.
Educate Yourself
Making informed decisions is an important part of becoming empowered on the journey. Prepare questions and notes you want to pass on to your care provider/s before appointments, request copies of all tests carried out and ask for the pros, cons, side effects and success rates of suggested medications and procedures. Always ensure you take time to make decisions that feel right for you. This is likely to help alleviate anxiety and give you a sense of control.
Lean on Your Support Network
Surround yourself with understanding and supportive individuals for whom you feel trust and safety with. Stay connected, share the ups and downs, your fears and hopes and don’t be afraid let them know how they can best support you when things get tough.
Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation
Mindfulness activities have been shown to have a positive impact on the fertility experience and success rates – they can help you to relax, manage stress and promote emotional wellbeing. Some examples are; breathing practice, journaling, hypnosis, meditation and acupuncture.
Set Boundaries
It’s essential to set boundaries to protect your emotional wellbeing. Don’t feel pressured to attend events like baby showers that might be emotionally overwhelming for you. Instead, focus on high quality activities that nurture your soul and bring you peace.
Embrace Your Feelings of Hope
Amidst the challenges, hold onto hope. Fertility testing, treatments and support continue to advance, and many individuals and couples find their path to parenthood through various means, such as adoption or surrogacy. Allow yourself to dream and believe in the possibility of a positive outcome with an open mind.
Be Kind to Yourself
Infertility is extremely challenging, you didn’t choose this, it isn’t your fault, and it certainly does not define your worth. Be gentle and compassionate with yourself. Celebrate your strength and resilience, choose to notice things you can be grateful for in your life whilst you step forward on your journey with a hopeful heart.
Getting Support on Your Journey Starts Here:
If this blog post resonates with you and you’re seeking personalised guidance and support, Our Fertility Doula & Mind + Body Therapist, Kate Walton is available in clinic and online. Some of what you can expect;
- A safe and confidential space to share your feelings and concerns
- Personalised insights, guidance and education
- Coping strategies and techniques tailored to your situation
- Advocacy for quality medical testing and care
- Help to thrive and enjoy life whilst on the path
How to Schedule Your Discovery Call:
Your emotional well-being matters, and taking this step can be a significant turning point in your journey. To schedule your discovery call, click [here] or email Kate direct at kate@nbip.com.au to make your appointment.
