Infertility can be very difficult to deal with, but it doesn’t have to be. With a supportive community, a positive attitude, and a good fertility doctor/ fertility nurse, approaching the challenges of fertility can be far less painful than it first seems.
Here are ten tips for surviving infertility:
1. Build a supportive network
Infertility is not something that is easily faced alone. Whether your personal network includes a supportive partner, family, friends, or other parents struggling with infertility, it’s important to have. Communicating with and learning from your network will help make your process easier.
2. Try yoga/ massage/ acupuncture for stress reduction
At best, will improve your physical health and possibly even help you become more likely to conceive. At the very least, it will help keep your stress levels in check – which is also very important when you’re struggling with infertility.
3. Eat healthy
Eating healthy should be a priority for everyone, whether you’re struggling with infertility or not. But a number of causes of infertility can be mitigated with a healthy diet that supports immune function. A well-balanced, high protein, low carbohydrate diet has been shown to improve infertility, such as the “Fertility Diet”.
4. Join a support group
You aren’t the only person struggling with infertility. There are online and in-person support groups that can help you find community where family or friends may fall short. Support groups are full of people who understand what you’re dealing with and can offer a friendly ear or helpful advice.
5. Get regular exercise
As with eating healthy and trying yoga, regular exercise is important to your physical health. When you’re struggling with infertility, exercise can also help mitigate the effects of related conditions. And regular exercise also helps reduce stress.
6. Keep a journal
Whether it’s a formal journal or just a private place where you can process your thoughts and feelings, writing is a helpful way to process the journey of struggling with infertility. Your journal can also remind you of the progress you’ve made when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
7. Keep the faith
This simply means keeping whatever faith is most meaningful to you. Wherever you find emotional or spiritual solace, remember to return to that place regularly and remind yourself of your goals and the steps you’re taking to realize them.
8. Cry when it hurts
It’s important to physically acknowledge the emotional pain associated with struggling with infertility. Allow yourself to cry instead of keeping it all in. You’ll feel better, and your long-term health will benefit, too.
9. Be honest
This one isn’t easy, but it’s very important. Be honest with yourself and with the network around you: if they don’t know what you’re going through, they can’t offer help and support. You may be surprised to find other people who are also struggling with infertility.
10. Keep your sense of humor
Sometimes, when it seems like all else is failing, keeping your sense of humor is the only way to stay sane. Remember to laugh at setbacks as often as you can, and find the humor in the embarrassing, awkward, and yes, even the painful moments of your journey.
