A Positive Attitude during Infertility Treatment

Infertility treatment is a precarious process intercepted with dramatic emotional swings knowing that there is nothing that can be done to guarantee that treatments will work. Since infertility is defined as a condition that sets in after trying to conceive for 12 months or more, those confronting it may already be drained emotionally. A sense of sadness coupled with shock sets in when recurrent pregnancy checks turn in negative. The anguish of putting up with continual cycle failures creates great aggravation. It is important however to ensure that infertility does not take over your life. Ensure that your self-esteem and outlook towards life remains positive while dealing with the emotional ups and downs of infertility treatment.

How do people manage to stay positive while facing fertility challenges? The answer lies in positive thought processes. You will feel miserable if you view your life as worthless without a child. But a positive frame of mind makes you feel that your life will be nicer once a baby enters your family sphere even if you have to undergo difficulties to conceive. It all boils down to the half-empty versus the half-full view of life.

Positive thinking decreases stress levels and the risk of depression, which in turn increases odds of becoming pregnant. Often, getting pregnant with IVF is just a matter of time. Just because you did not conceive in the first cycle does not mean you won’t conceive in the second cycle.

Feelings of anxiety and depression are common emotions experienced during infertility treatment. Letting go of negative feelings by talking to a close relative, friends or a support group will help in generating positive thoughts and feelings. Using positive affirmations and visualizations also help. Block out negative thoughts by repeating positive statements like “I can have a baby”, “I am doing everything I can to have a baby" or “I am a healthy, fertile woman.” Visualization involves picturing a happy outcome like the baby growing within you or how you will look with a big tummy. Finally, act on what you have control on, for instance your weight, giving up on cigarettes and alcohol. Don’t dwell too long on what is beyond your control.

Support groups foster positive feelings and inspire hope in those suffering from infertility or have endured pregnancy loss. On joining infertility support groups, members get support on issues such as adoption options, becoming foster parents and obtain up to date knowledge about the latest treatment options all of which propel them back into a positive frame of mind. Create a support network of those closest to you—and don’t be afraid to lean on them during this trying time.

Maintaining a positive frame of mind during infertility treatment is easier said than done. It requires tremendous courage and conviction not to give in to despair. However, if fertility treatment is the route you need to take to realize your dream of having a baby, go ahead with an open mind and a willingness to give it a try.

East Bay Fertility Center located in Dublin, California is well equipped with the latest technology and offers the most comprehensive consultation available in the field of Reproductive Endocrinology. The Center is headed by Dr. Ellen U. Snowden a Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist and offers a complete mind-body experience for couples with fertility issues. A former infertility patient herself, Dr. Snowden brings to her patients a rare and valuable firsthand empathy for the personal pain and emotional stress of dealing with infertility.