Every person deciding to begin their journey of infertility treatment or already undergoing one is experiencing some levels of challenges. A lot of people think the challenges are only limited to physical stress that the body undergoes; however, that is not the case. Mental health and mental challenges that are often ignored during fertility treatments are equally important and can significantly affect the person’s treatment result.
Most of the time, mental well-being is unintentionally neglected; however, there are chances you might be running away from it. Instead of passing or ignoring this topic, we must talk about it. As a hospital providing IVF treatment in India, we are responsible for ensuring patients’ awareness of every aspect of their treatment. Thus, this blog.
Mental Well-Being and Fertility Treatment
Undergoing infertility treatment can prove to be challenging for a lot of patients. As a result, a lot of patients experience anxiety and stress.
Being there for yourself and taking care of your mental state is the best thing you can do throughout the journey. It is definite that both partners are there for each other in this phase, but it is also important to have an external or third-party support system that can offer you much-needed care and comfort in the journey. Let us get into some mental challenges or conditions you can experience.
Anxiety
When undergoing infertility treatments, especially after recurring miscarriages, can be emotionally unnerving. Anxiety is common among such patients, wherein they experience constant restlessness and worries.
Infertility procedures involve several stages, and the gap between the stages can trigger anxiety. It has been observed that patients are especially extremely nervous during the embryo transfer stage and before their pregnancy results. It is okay to be nervous, but it is also important to take utmost care of your mental health to avoid anxiety.
To avoid this situation, be around people who can shower you with all the care, love, and comfort. Also, make sure to choose your medical team wisely, as their behavior and quality of care can affect you.
Depression
Parenthood is a beautiful journey, but sometimes, the will or pressure to conceive can take a toll on your mental health. Some symptoms of depression during infertility treatments are irritation, low mood, lack of interest, sleep issues, appetite, and sluggish movement or thinking.
Another scenario that can cause extreme distress to patients is miscarriages or failures. Therefore, staying positive and surrounding yourself with positivity throughout and after the process is very important.
Grief
Couples often go into a grieving state after losing their unborn child or finding out about infertility issues that stop them from becoming parents. As a result, they seek help from fertility treatments and while most of the time it yields positive results, there are chances some complications might result in failures or miscarriages. This, again, can take a toll on mental health, and thus, staying positive or engaging in activities that improve your mental health during fertility treatment is of utmost importance.
Isolation
During the fertility journey, challenges are subjective; however, they can lead to negative emotions. As a result, some patients might feel disconnected and isolated because of a lack of care or affection. Therefore, it is crucial for everyone undergoing this to stay close to family and friends, which can help them overcome temporary yet strong emotions.
Please note that the mental health conditions discussed here are inclusive but not limited to the ones patients undergo. Now, let us discuss ways to improve mental well-being during fertility treatment.
Self-Care and Fertility Treatment
Self-care during fertility treatment is all about pampering and working yourself. It can be categorized into self-soothing and self-care. When stressed, engaging in your favorite pastime activities like watching TV, drawing, spending time in nature, reading, and more can give much-needed comfort and create a necessary room for distraction. Maintaining overall well-being by engaging in numerous activities falls under the self-soothing category.
On the contrary, self-care activities include engaging in activities that promote physical well-being, i.e., your health of today and tomorrow. A few such activities are exercising, eating well, and appropriate financial planning. Even though there are lots of challenges coming your way in fertility treatment and your life, self-care is something that you should take up and not ignore. They play a crucial role in maintaining your sanity and also help you grow as a person.
The list of self-soothing and self-care activities can differ from individual to individual, but all of them eventually focus on improving and protecting your mental health.
Several activities can benefit your fertility, including meditation, yoga, blogging, and other creative pursuits. These activities help balance emotions and significantly reduce the risk of depression. People with infertility issues can also benefit considerably by undergoing one-on-one therapy or group therapy, which allows them to discuss their concerns and problems with a certified counselor. Last but not least, physical health also affects your mental health. Therefore, engage in appropriate, safe physical activities that make you feel better.
A Note from Sunflower Infertility & IVF Center - The Best IVF Center in India
Your journey to fertility will be beautiful but also emotional. There might be phases where negative emotions can overpower positivity; however, hold yourself and focus on all the positivity you receive. Remember, acceptance and your health are two important keys that significantly contribute to your cycle’s success.
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