How to Find Support When You’re Going Through IVF

Going through IVF is often an isolating process even when you are receiving support from your partner, friends, and family. Experiencing a wide range of emotions is common, but it is easy to believe you are the only one who feels this way. When you choose in vitro fertilization to help you start or grow a family, this is simply the first step in a lengthy process. Receiving a full range of support throughout your IVF treatment is essential to help you combat feelings of loneliness and isolation along the way. Numerous fertility resources are available, and it is important to know that you can always reach out and ask for help when you need it.

Receiving a full range of support throughout your IVF treatment is essential to help you combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Join a Support Group

When you are receiving a fertility treatment like IVF, it typically helps to speak with other women who are going through the same process. Online support groups provide you with a safe environment to discuss your emotions and medical procedures with women who understand your struggle and your desire to conceive. Communities such as TrulyMama are designed to support women who are entering motherhood for the first time. Filled with helpful advice, parenting tips, and product reviews, this type of community fosters a sense of acceptance. If you have questions about fertility care or what type of products to purchase before your baby arrives, these types of groups and communities are a great place to start.

Reach Out to a Professional

If you are struggling during IVF because you are unsure of exactly what your body is going through, or if you have developed new side effects, reach out to a fertility specialist in your area to gain some peace of mind. A simple online search for terms like fertility center of california can help you narrow down your options. If you only want to travel a short distance, narrow your search even further by adding specific regions such as “Southern California” or “bay area” to yield the best results. This step will help you find a fertility center within a reasonable distance so you can set up steady appointments if needed.

By speaking with a professional, you receive answers to your most pressing and complicated questions. Instead of struggling to find the answers by yourself, a fertility specialist directly addresses your concerns and helps you find the best solutions. This ensures that you are not adding stress and pressure on yourself during an already emotionally strenuous time.

Connect with Your Partner

As a woman, your body is bearing the brunt of the IVF treatments, which means you are dealing with both the emotional and physical effects of this process. It is important to remember though that your partner is struggling emotionally as well since they are equally committed to starting a family and have concerns about your health as well. Instead of pushing your partner away, take time once a week to connect with them about what you are jointly experiencing. Open up to them about your concerns regarding the process and the success rates you are realistically facing. Being honest helps you both address your stress and strengthens your bond throughout the treatment plan.

If you want to connect with your partner through a neutral setting, schedule a couples counseling session and have the counselor mediate the discussion for you. This ensures that you are both given the time, space, and comfort to discuss what you are most concerned about without worrying about whether it is going to spiral into an argument. Take time to listen to your partner and make sure they extend the same courtesy to you.