Embarking on an IVF journey can feel like setting sail on uncharted waters — full of hope yet beset by the unknown. It’s exciting and new, with the anticipation of possibility at every step. While this is a thrilling time, the IVF journey is infamous for being emotionally and physically taxing.
Some stressors are inevitable, but having a team of experts you trust on your side is invaluable. Our team from Gender Selection Australia are constantly adapting to new scientific developments to improve success rates for our Australian IVF patients. With the option of IVF gender selection, we offer customised approaches to parenthood, in partnership with world-renowned gender selection expert, Dr Potter based in Los Angeles.
Emotional Challenges in IVF
Hormones, financial outlay, and anticipation – IVF can be a perfect storm of stress. Life doesn’t just grind to a halt, either. Often, IVF patients are juggling work, life, and relationship stress in between blood tests, scans, and transfers.
Much IVF stress stems from the uncertainty of results. While statistics can be a helpful guide, the unpredictable nature of the human body makes it tricky to know what to expect. Every transfer is a brand new opportunity full of possibilities for a yearned-for baby boy or girl.
Anyone trying to conceive, especially through IVF, will tell you that the “two-week wait” can be excruciating. The TWW is the two weeks post-transfer when you just need to hang tight and wait for your beta test (blood pregnancy test). It can be easy to be swept up in symptom spotting in these fourteen days. Be aware that post-luteal medication, like progesterone pessaries, can mimic the early symptoms of pregnancy. While symptom spotting can be impossible to resist, it can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety.
During the two-week wait, it can also be tempting to reach for the HPTs (home pregnancy tests). If you’ve had a trigger medication in preparation for your transfer, this will cause you to test falsely positive for up to fourteen days due to the HCG in the medication. While home testing can make some patients feel more in control during their IVF journey, false positives and obsessive testing can cause more stress than they alleviate.
Finally, there is, of course, the stress of success or failure. IVF has opportunities for wins and losses at every stage. For example, you might have fewer eggs collected than you had hoped… but more embryos surviving to the blastocyst stage than you expected! The stress doesn’t stop with a positive test result, either. IVF patients are often hyper-aware of how their pregnancies are progressing and the potential risks along the way.
Everyday Stressors in IVF
Stress in the IVF process is wide-spanning, touching elements of your life you might not have considered at the beginning of your journey.
The financial burden of IVF is well-documented. Appointments, procedures, hospital fees, tests, and medication all add up. Whether you’re approaching IVF as a couple or an individual, it’s crucial to be aware of the financial outlay before you begin your journey. That’s why our team at Gender Selection Australia offers comprehensive packages that take you from consultation to embryo transfer. It’s all about operating with transparency. We know that everyone’s financial circumstances are different, so we also offer convenient payment plans.
From a physical perspective, the intensity and frequency of medical procedures can cause stress for the body and mind. IVF procedures are, by nature, vulnerable experiences. Finding a practitioner who makes you feel comfortable and safe during your procedures is vital. Thorough consulting is just one of the ways we do this at Gender Selection Australia.
During the IVF process, even the most stable relationships can experience turbulence. This strain isn’t just reserved for romantic relationships. Some patients feel the urge to retreat from their usual social calendars during this time. Including your loved ones in your plans can help them know how to best support you—even if that means giving you some space.
Self-Care
Maintaining your physical and mental health is crucial during the IVF process – and it looks different for everyone.
While vigorous exercise is not recommended immediately post-transfer, consistent and gentle movement is a great way to safeguard your health. Walking and yoga are fantastic low-impact exercise options that can also benefit your mental and emotional state. Speak with your doctor to ensure you choose an exercise medium suitable to your lifestyle and unique health situation.
IVF is a time when you should put yourself firmly first. Managing your nutrition and getting adequate sleep will do wonders for your physical health and stress levels. Some patients choose to take time off work to better support these goals.
Mindfulness and meditation can introduce a calm stillness to the whirlwind of treatment. Working with a mindfulness or meditation instructor can help you incorporate mind-settling techniques into your daily life.
Building Resilience
Community is vital in managing IVF stress. Surrounding yourself with friends, family, and your partner can help to keep stress in perspective and provide a distraction. Going for a walk with a good friend, spending quality time with a family member, or prioritising date night with your partner are all ways you can maintain a strong community during the IVF process. Try to give your loved ones insight into how much you are comfortable discussing and what they can do to help – that way, they’ll be more confident in respecting your boundaries.
While the support of loved ones is invaluable, there is no substitute for proper mental health support. Seeking the guidance of a mental health professional with infertility and IVF-specific experience will provide respite during stressful moments. If you’re feeling the need to talk to others who are on the same journey, joining a support group can reaffirm that you’re very much not alone. Sharing your experiences with others undergoing IVF can provide comfort and practical advice.
Surrounding yourself with an empathetic support network will help you share the load of your IVF journey. It also empowers the people around you to express their care best – IVF can also be stressful for your friends and family who want the best for you.
Celebrating Milestones
Celebrating every success and focusing on the positives are fantastic ways to deal with IVF stress. Whether it’s a successful transfer, a healthy embryo, or a fruitful egg collection, take the time to celebrate the wins. This could be as small as acknowledging the success with your partner, journaling your IVF achievements, or treating yourself to a nice dinner out with friends.
Acknowledging how far you’ve come is also important in managing tough times that arise in the IVF journey. Sometimes, it’s worthwhile to look down the mountain and appreciate the resilience it took to travel as far as you’ve come. This goes for acknowledging the strength of your other half if you’re embarking on an IVF journey with a partner.
Every stage of the IVF journey is an act of courage and persistence – regardless of the outcome.
While IVF stress is challenging, it can be reduced tenfold with the right team on your side. Our team passionately believes that IVF should be a positive and fulfilling experience. Approach your IVF journey with optimism – this is the exciting beginning of adding to your family.
We know just how challenging the stress of IVF in Australia can be. That’s why we’re here to support our patients every step to success, including IVF gender selection, which lets parents plan their families with more control and personal input. Our expert team is here to provide cutting-edge reproductive technology, tailored support, and 1:1 care.
We’re here to help you build the family you’ve dreamed of. Reach out today: We offer specialist advice and support from when you contact us.