Infertility is a major life event for nearly all couples who experience it. As the months slip by without a baby, the disappointment is devastating. The six years my husband and I spent trying to conceive our first baby remains the most stressful period of my entire life.
In most cases, stress does not cause infertility or make it worse. Your mother, friends and grandmother keep telling you to relax and you’ll get pregnant. Although this is meant to be helpful, it can make you feel more stressed and even blame yourself. This is not productive and not true. If there is a medical problem causing your infertility, simply relaxing will not solve the problem.
Although stress may not be a direct cause of infertility, it can make the problem worse in some extreme cases. If the stress you are feeling causes feelings of depression, it can interfere with intimacy, sleep and eating patterns. It goes without saying that intimacy is an important factor in getting pregnant. Getting enough rest and eating a healthy diet are important too.
The financial burden of infertility treatments add to the stress for many couples. Insurance may not cover all, or any, of your treatments. The best way to combat this type of stress is to plan and budget prior to going into the treatments. When you know how much you can afford, you can plan your treatment to use the budget most efficiently.
When the stress gets too intense, seek a way to relieve the stress. Keep in mind that relaxing may increase your chances for conception. Even if it doesn’t increase your odds, you will feel better if you can relax.
The bottom line is that stress will not cause infertility, but can interfere with your relationship and general health. This is no good for you, and if you get pregnant, it’s not good for your baby either. Engage in stress relieving activities to help manage the feelings. Reducing stress will keep your mind clear and help you make better decisions regarding your treatment options.
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When to Seek Help Getting Pregnant
Paying for Infertility Treatments