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Managing Infertility Stress


It has been researched and shown that women undergoing infertility treatment report the same level of stress, anxiety, and depression as women who have cancer, HIV, or heart disease. Chronic stress can lead to depression and lower resistance to disease. Acute stressors cause increased heart rate, sweating, and rapid breathing — the “fight or flight” response. Internal stressors are harder to control than external ones. For example you can’t “make” a cycle work, but you can change doctors or clinics if you are unhappy with the medical care you are receiving.
Research has shown that chronic stress causes the hormone cortisol to rise and blood flow to the uterus may be decreased, which could impact implantation of a fertilized embryo

Why Is Infertility Stressful?
  • Infertility is a loss of control of your body
  • Infertility is a loss of your life plan
  • Infertility lowers self esteem
  • Infertility can feel like a roller coaster ride; the on-going effects can cause stress and exhaustion
  • Infertility tests and treatments are expensive and in most countries not covered by insurance. In vitro fertilization can cost up to R55,000 a cycle
  • Treatments are not always successful. IVF has approximately a 30 percent live birth rate per cycle
  • Hormone treatments can cause mood swings
  • Undergoing infertility treatment feels like a full-time job. It often involves scheduling tests, treatments, and appointments around other obligations
  • While undergoing infertility treatment, the rest of your life and your goals may be put on hold, sometimes for months or years


Ways to Reduce Stress
  • Recognize that infertility is a life crisis, and get support from others.
  • Reduce other stressors in your life while undergoing infertility treatment. Learn to say “no” if you are overwhelmed.
  • Consider practicing yoga, meditating, or having acupuncture or massage
  • Make a list of all the things you have put on hold while you’ve been waiting to have a baby. Select a few that you will start working on now.
  • If you feel depressed, consider seeing a therapist or counselor
  • Take control where you can. Become an informed consumer. Understand your medical situation and learn how to communicate well with your medical team.

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Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 16, 2013 at 7:16 PM

    It really hurts when you want to have a child, yet find that you are unable to conceive. IVF is an option, however, many couples cannot afford the high costs of IVF. Here are some options I have found, that you may not know of that would greatly help with the costs of IVF treatment.

    IVF Cost

    ReplyDelete

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