REGAIN CONTROL DURING YOUR IVF JOURNEY - 5 TIPS FROM A FERTILITY DOCTOR

Oct 1

Regain Control During Your IVF Journey

by April Batcheller, MD | CCRM Minneapolis Reproductive Endocrinologist

The IVF journey is fraught with uncertainty and when paired with fluctuating hormones, it is not uncommon for patients to feel anxious and overwhelmed at various points during treatment. By focusing on concrete things that are within your control, it can help to rein in the anxiety that often stems from the powerlessness you may feel when you’re trying to conceive through fertility treatment.

Here are some tips and strategies that patients find useful to regain control and better cope with the fertility journey.

#1 - Empower Yourself Through Knowledge

Knowing what to expect during the various steps of your fertility journey can help to alleviate fears and concerns. Information is often the best antidote for anxiety. If you have questions, please ask your fertility care team – that’s what we’re here for! Some patients find that keeping a notebook handy (your phone/tablet works too!) to take notes is helpful to process and remember important details.

#2 - Simplify Other Areas of Your Life

Going through fertility treatment can feel like a full-time job and with its emotional and physical demands, you may not have a lot of energy left to spare for other commitments. Give yourself permission to put yourself first and turn down obligations that may drain your energy reserve and add additional stress in your life.

#3 - Join a Fertility Support Group

Going through fertility treatments can feel isolating and lonely, even at the best of times. Having a safe place to connect with other others in a non-judgmental, support atmosphere can be uplifting, reassuring and dealing during your fertility journey. RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association has several peer led and professionally led support groups (currently the groups are virtual during the pandemic) that are great way to connect with other women and couples.

4 - Integrate Holistic Treatments

Yoga, meditation, breathing techniques and other holistic practices, such as acupuncture, are all effective ways to reduce stress, and to improve your overall health and well-being. There are several studies that have shown that holistic therapies, in coordination with IVF, can help to improve success rates.

#5 - Anticipate and Prepare For Decisions

It is important to anticipate decisions that you may encounter during your journey and discuss your options ahead of time. How many cycles are you willing to do? Would you consider using donor eggs? What will you do if you have leftover embryos? Planning for these scenarios in advance will give you some control and provide information for future decision-making.

Remember that no one ever has complete control during their fertility journey, so regardless of your IVF cycle, treat yourself with compassion and kindness on this difficult journey. You should be proud of your courage and strength.

Guest Author

April Batcheller, MD is the co-founder of CCRM Minneapolis and is double board-certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility and obstetrics and gynecology. She graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, completed residency training at William Beaumont Hospital and her fellowship at the University of Cincinnati.