How to Cope with Infertility

Infertility can be an extremely stressful condition to have to deal with, both physically and emotionally. However, there are a number of steps that you can take to help deal with the feelings and thoughts that occur during fertility diagnosis and treatment. It is important that you take the time, both as an individual and with your partner, to address all of your concerns.

In particular, it is important to educate yourself on infertility and fertility treatments and to identify those aspects that are of particular anxiety to you. By setting realistic goals, identifying your emotional needs, and discussing your feelings often, you and your partner can learn to cope with a diagnosis of infertility.

Discussing Your Feelings about Infertility

Infertility is often accompanied by a plethora of confusing emotions and feelings. It is important to be able to give a voice to these feelings in order to work through your infertility treatments and options. Friends and family often provide open ears when it comes to sharing your concerns. However, friends and family can sometimes find it difficult to truly understand infertility and may not know what to say or how to act. Here are some tips when it comes to sharing your feelings with those around you:

  • Try to identify your feelings using specific words and phrases. This can help to clarify things for yourself and for your friends and family members.
  • Share reading material about infertility and fertility treatments with those closest to you, to encourage understanding. These fertility guides will improve overall knowledge and acceptance of your infertility.
  • Put down your feelings in writing. This can often help to reduce anxiety or embarrassment when it comes to discussing personal emotions.
  • Identify what you need from those around you. Determine if these expectations are realistic or unrealistic. If friends and family can’t meet your expectations, you may need to revise them or share your feelings with someone else.
  • Join an infertility support group. These groups are made up of couples who are experiencing similar emotions and concerns.

Sharing Couple Time

When you are undergoing fertility treatment, it can often be hard to connect with your partner on any other level. You may find that you and your partner no longer spend time together outside of fertility appointments, or you might discover that most of your discussions now center around fertility issues. It is important to take time to discuss infertility with your partner, but it is also a good idea to devote time to just being a couple. Here are a few suggestions when it comes to being with your partner:

  • Discussions about infertility can often go on forever. And because it is such an emotional topic, it can be hard to make progress during these conversations. Try to limit your discussion of infertility with your partner to 40 minutes every night. Each partner has twenty minutes to present feelings, emotions, or ideas, while the other partner listens openly. This kind of discussion forum will help you to make better progress in your infertility discussions, and will help to prevent infertility from dominating all of your time.
  • Devote some time everyday for you and your partner to reconnect in some way. Go for a walk around the neighborhood or rent a movie from the local video store. Avoid discussing infertility or treatment options. The time you spend together should be a chance for you to laugh, talk, and just enjoy being in one another’s company.
Table of Contents
1. Coping With Infertility
2. Regaining Control
 
 
Login to comment
(0 Comments)

Post a comment