Dealing with infertility is
stressful enough, but adding fertility treatments to the situation only
increases a couple’s amount of stress. This is why
it is so important for couples to be aware of what to expect as a result of
receiving fertility treatments.
Fertility treatments may require
that women or men take hormones to treat hormonal infertility. Examples of hormonal imbalances that might
lead to infertility problems include hypothyroidism
(low thyroid function), luteal phase defect (low progesterone levels), and
hyperprolactinemia (high male hormone levels). Some of the injectable hormones used to treat
infertility include Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Human Chorionic
Gonadotropin (hCG), and Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG). Fertility treatments like these change
hormone levels to help improve the odds of couples getting pregnant.
While
hormone treatments may improve a couples chances of getting pregnant they also
make the receiving individuals feel crazy at times and drive the spouse crazy
other times. So it is always a good idea
to open up about the challenges you face while receiving fertility treatments.
Let
your spouse know how you are feeling, maybe even others that are close to you,
to create an understanding of why you might be snapping at them. It’s always easier to forgive someone if you
know that they are not necessarily in total control over their body and mind at
the time.
Ask
your doctor about what your chosen fertility treatment means for you. Find out what you will likely experience
during treatment. Knowing what treatment
cycles are typically like will prepare you for the road ahead of you. You will no longer have to wonder why you
agitated one moment, happy the next, and then feeling anxious a couple minutes
later. Maybe you’ve heard it before but
having knowledge truly is power and helps for peace of mind, especially when
your hormones are influencing your emotions.
Avoid
putting yourself in situations that might already push you to your limits. For example, don’t volunteer to have
Thanksgiving dinner at your house during treatment, if you know it stressed you
out last year when you weren’t receiving treatment. Concerning stressful meetings just ask to
postpone and reschedule them at a time when you are between or after treatment
cycles. This isn’t always possible, so
when you are unable to deal with these situations later remember to keep
breathing deeply to combat the stress.
Don’t
dwell on the negative thoughts and instead seek out support during these
times. You may feel happy one moment and
sad the next while receiving fertility treatments. This is normal and to be expected. What you’re dealing with is never your only
option, so keep in mind that there are always other options out there for
you. You might not be aware of them yet,
but if this route fails remember that there is another waiting for you.
Take
care. The stress levels will fluctuate
during treatment cycles. On the days
that stress levels are highest schedule some YOU time. Maybe go grab some frozen yogurt at your
favorite place or make an appointment for a relaxing massage after a procedure. Try to manage your stress with little breaks
away from your “to do list” for the day.
Take care of your emotional health during treatments and give yourself
the time you need to escape from your worries or enjoy something you like.
Seek
out ways to lower your anxiety and stress levels with a little help from
friends, your faith, counseling, online support groups, or your spouse. Lowering your stress levels will keep you
healthier and happier during this already stressful time in your life.
Don’t
allow your fertility problems as a couple stop you from date night. You will be main supports to one another
during this difficult process, so don’t forget your relationship. Do something fun together each week to
strengthen your bond and draw closer to one another. Life isn't meant to be all stress; it is
meant to be lived. Live a little and
recharge your batteries with a dose of miniature golf and dinner or whatever
you both enjoy. After all you want to
have a child with your spouse and not on your own. Remember to avoid neglecting your
relationship; instead continue to pay attention to your marriage as you
experience this path to parenthood together.
It may
become difficult to function at times during treatments, but you decide how you
will manage under all the stress.
- Watch the video below and then answer the questions below
with your spouse:
A story with a happy ending
Are you as focused on your marriage as you are on getting
pregnant? If not, what is one thing you
could do differently or start doing to help strengthen your marriage as you try
to get pregnant?
By Tawnya