Infertility Is Hard and These 17 Strategies Can Make the Journey Easier
Becoming a parent is a dream for many, but it doesn’t always come easily. Finding out that you or your partner might be dealing with infertility can be really hard, especially if starting a family has always been part of your plan. It can feel stressful and overwhelming, affecting your emotions and well-being. During times like these, it’s important to find ways to manage stress so you can focus on exploring solutions together. Here are 17 simple and effective ways to cope with the stress of infertility and take care of yourself through this journey.
Note: The content of this article does not reflect the writer’s personal beliefs.
See A Therapist
Feeling angry and upset is normal at the beginning. However, if your feelings persist over prolonged periods of time, you may want to consider seeing a therapist. Make sure to also pay attention to how your partner responds and whether he may need to see a therapist, too.
Consider Adopting
As we mentioned earlier, infertility doesn’t mean you will never become a parent, even though it may be a bit more complicated from a bureaucratic perspective. Adopting is one of your options. See what alternatives are available and decide which ones work best for you and your partner. Some options include private adoption, foster care adoption, and international adoption.
Practice Gratitude
Whenever we receive bad news, we often tend to catastrophize and think that everything in our lives is a failure. On these occasions, it’s important to put everything into perspective. Practicing gratitude can be a great way to do so. Every day, take some time to think—or write—about what you are grateful for, such as your relatives and friends, but even tiny things, such as the smell of cut grass.
Join an Infertility Support Group
After a trauma, it’s easy to feel isolated. Never forget that plenty of people out there are now dealing with your same problems. Joining an infertility support group can help you share your emotions with people who are going through the same trauma while also supporting you in finding alternatives.
Stop the Blaming
Blaming ourselves is never a good idea, in particular when it comes to infertility. Remember that there are no faults here. Switch the dialogue in your head, change your narrative, and embrace kindness. How would you react if a friend of yours told you they suffered from infertility? You surely wouldn’t blame them, right?
Practice Self Care
Practicing self-care is fundamental, especially after receiving bad news. On these occasions, we often tend to be extremely harsh on ourselves, but this is the time when our bodies and minds need kindness and understanding. So, make sure to prioritize self-care.
Let Your Partner React
You are probably now feeling upset, angry, or frustrated. But don’t forget that your partner may be feeling the same way. Or he may have a completely different reaction, and that’s okay, too. Regardless of how you react, be respectful and supportive during this difficult period.
Don’t Lose Hope
It’s easy to lose hope whenever receiving the news that we are infertile. But there is no reason for it. Nowadays, there are plenty of options available, from adoptions to medical treatments and surgical operations. So don’t lose all hope. It may not go exactly as you originally planned, but this doesn’t mean you won’t become a parent.
Consider All Your Options
What are some of the options available apart from adoption? You can start by taking medicines that increase your chances of getting pregnant. Alternatively, you can opt for a surgical procedure, such as fallopian tube surgery. Last but not least, you decide on an assisted conception.
Give Yourself Permissions To Grieve
Having several options available doesn’t mean you should not allow yourself the time to grieve. Having a strong emotional reaction after receiving this news is normal, so make sure to give both yourself and your partner all the necessary time to deal with it before trying a new method of conception.
Maintain Open Communication With Your Partner
Some people tend to close themselves up when learning about their infertility. If you need solo time after receiving this news, it’s fine, but don’t cut communication with your partner. He’s probably suffering just as much as you are. Remember that he can be your greatest support.
Journal
Right now, your head may be full of thoughts: ‘What are our options now?’ ‘Why did this happen to us?’ ‘What did I do to deserve this?’ Shutting all the voices in your head down can be difficult, but it is fundamental for your mental well-being. Journaling can help you clear your thoughts by putting everything down on paper.
Meditate
Meditation can be a great way to bring positivity and clarity of mind back into your life. This may be challenging at first, but try to stick to your meditation practice for a whole week and see if you notice a difference in your emotional state. Even a quick five-minute practice can make a huge difference.
Talk To Friends
Our best friends are the people who know us best in the world. They will probably know a few tricks to cheer you up. While wanting to spend some time alone after receiving negative news is normal, keep in mind that friends have the power to bring a bit of happiness into your life, even in the darkest moments.
Stay Healthy
When learning about their infertility, some people choose to punish their bodies by letting go of their healthy habits. For instance, they may stop eating healthy or moving their bodies regularly. Unfortunately, this will be even more detrimental to your mental health, so try your best to maintain a healthy balance.
Engage in Art
Engaging in art is a highly effective way to release the emotional stress bottled due to infertility. Not only do you get to express your emotions through words or visuals but you can also avoid stressors that disturb you. Be it painting, writing or something else, allow yourself the freedom to truly let out what is within and you will feel much lighter.
Forget About It
Stress isn’t the primary contributing factor to infertility, but it can interfere with a person’s ability to conceive. This might sound harsh, but constantly fretting about the inability to conceive can worsen it, especially since infertility may not be permanent. It might not be easy, but try to avoid constantly thinking about it. Adopt the Out of Sight, Out of Mind approach, and you’ll cope better.
More For You
As we mentioned earlier, self-care is extremely important in this challenging time. Remember that just a quick five-minute skin routine can make a big difference.
This article was first published on the RB ITALIA Blog.
