Having worked in the reproductive health-care field since 2010, I can tell you firsthand that self-care during an IVF cycle can help grow your family for one very important reason – most people’s fertility journeys are longer and harder than they think they’ll be.
Earlier this year I saw an article about the best time for teachers to start the IVF process, and the article said Springtime was best because that allows time for testing and a workup, so that they can start the IVF cycle in summer with the intention of having their transfer before they go back to work in the fall. However, as may couples that have undergone IVF will tell you, there can be several surprises, hiccups, and delays. This isn’t the fault of your fertility clinic, your body’s fault, or even your fault for not starting earlier. This isn’t anyone’s fault (read that part again). It isn’t anyone’s fault, it just happens.
Just how there are delays and unexpected turns during our daily lives, there are hiccups and delays during fertility treatments. Since this is unavoidable, I want to talk about ways to help you not only get through your fertility treatments, but thrive as much as possible. Here are some tips:
- Self-care – Self-care is important for all of us, but even more so for those of us undergoing fertility treatments. There are days when you’re going to get bad news. There are days that your plan will get “rescheduled” by your fertility doctors. There are days during a fertility journey that just plain suck. So taking care of yourself along the way, and doing things that “fill your cup” is of vital importance. After all, if you don’t take care of yourself now, then you can’t take care of others (this includes those future children you’re currently trying to conceive).
- Do things that bring you joy – it’s sooooooo easy for us to forget ourselves in the process of trying to conceive. My colleague Dr. Natalie Crawford has a podcast episode where she discusses “The Contingent Life” (link to it here). I loved that title because it really puts into perspective the fertility journey for a lot of couples. We put off a lot of things like vacations, changing our job, or workout classes because we’re investing all our time and energy in trying to conceive. So make a list of 3 things that are really important to you, and schedule time for those. It can be a weekly phone call with your best friend or a family member, yoga classes, art classes, or taking your dog to the dog park. It doesn’t matter what it is, just that it’s something you enjoy and it leaves you feeling more balanced, refreshed, and/or energized afterward.
- Support System – this one is important too. You need a support system around you that will listen to you, as well as help you (if you need them to and if you ask!). This should be a combination of people and can include your best friend(s), a mental health professional, a support group from Resolve (link), massage therapist, or even your fertility acupuncturist. Whoever is on your fertility support team, they should be kind, supportive, and good listeners.
Life is busy, and self-care during an IVF cycle is extremely important. I hope there are some suggestions in this blog post that help you on your fertility journey.
If you find this information helpful, please share it with someone that is currently on their own fertility journey. And if you want more support like this during your fertility journey sign up for a FREE 20-minute Phone Consult during which we will:
- Briefly discuss your fertility history and your current family growing plan
- Discover how acupuncture and Chinese medicine may help you reach your health and fertility goals
