There is a lot to manage when you are trying to get pregnant and dealing with infertility issues. Especially difficult can be the emotional ups and downs inherent in the process.
The emotional roller coaster is usually tied to things like hope — you want to have it. But when pregnancy doesn’t happen, hope turns to hurt.
People around you can be insensitive in their comments. Social situations, like a baby shower or seeing moms with babies, are acutely painful. Many women feel betrayed by their body and the unfairness of the whole thing.
There are no easy answers for the emotional crisis that occurs with infertility and though you may feel alone, or alone together, there is help and support available. Especially helpful are mind/body techniques that teach you to have a positive influence on your body and enhance the likelihood of pregnancy.
In the 2009 issue of the Journal of American Society of Reproductive Medicine, Fertility and Sterility, an article entitled “Letting-go coping is associated with successful IVF treatment,” reported that emotion-focused coping showed merit in uncontrollable situations like IVF treatments.
Letting-go coping is any activity that helps you disengage or distract from the difficult feelings that go with infertility. Some letting-go activities that are particularly powerful and highly recommended include progressive relaxation, guided imagery, meditation, and self-hypnosis. These skills have in common the ability to use the mind to have a direct influence on responses in the body and to create the healthy mental, emotional, and physical environment necessary for pregnancy.
Studies also show that women (and couples) who seek support of family and friends cope better than those who hide it, so share your story with people who care about you. Then give the following list of suggestions to these folks to help them be more sensitive to your emotional needs. Some of these suggestions are taken from the Healthy Woman website.
2. It could be worse.
3. Haven’t you done enough?
4. Think of all the fun things you can do without children.
5. How much is this costing?
6. You can always adopt.
Finally, infertility is a challenge that requires personal change in order to meet the demands of the process.
about the group, please call Healing Horizons at 907-256-8449.