A few tips before you start your next IVF cycle

So by now everyone has told you that fertility treatments can be very stressful on many levels because so much is at stake. Taking good care of yourself throughout the process is one of the best way to combat that stress.  By taking care of yourself, you ensure that you are in the best place you can possibly be, both physically and emotionally.

One of the most effective ways of managing stress and take control of the situation is to prepare yourself for what is to come. Here is a list of things you can do to help prepare your mind, your body, and your partner for the journey ahead:

• Logistics: The phone call from your treatment center will become a routine part of your day throughout the process. This is an important communication so we recommend that you decide ahead of time where and how you want to get news of your progress each day.  You will find out about your test results and get instructions on what medication to take that night and the next day.  This call can be tough if things haven’t gone well. For many women, it is helpful to have your partner with you at the time of the call or at least a short phone call away. Most important, ask the nurse to repeat the instruction regarding your medicine so you can be assured that you have written it correctly.

• Manage your relationship: All to often we hear that fertility treatments can take its toll on relationships.  We want to make sure that your relationship strengthens during and after your treatment, regardless of the outcome. Get to know your partner in a new and positive way. Realize that your partner is also experiencing tremendous stress, would love to solve this problem and is probably feeling a tremendous sense of powerlessness and frustration as a result. Acknowledge this and be supportive. Think about how you can work as a team during the process. After all, as parents you will be the most important team in your child’s life so you may as well start envisioning and practicing teamwork during your fertility journey. Remember the retrieval day is an important one for your partner – create a loving and caring atmosphere to make the process as stress-free as possible.
• Support and Inspiration: Ask for the support of a friend who has gone through the process before. Ask her to join you on those days that you feel may be more difficult than others. You may also choose to have a fertility coach to support you along the way to keep you inspired, hold your hand and remind you of your goal on those days difficult days.

• Rest: As you go about planning your cycle make sure to make time for rest. Rest is very important for your body and frame of mind.

Your body is experiencing hormonal fluctuations and you will feel the shift in your thoughts, feeling and behavior as a result. Giving yourself the space and time to rest will help you process these physical and mental changes

• The staff at your Doctor’s office is a resource: Get to know them by name. They are going to be there with you throughout the process, during the most stressful and most exciting hours. You will want to make sure you know them so you can feel comfortable  sharing your thoughts and feelings with them every step of the way.
• Be good to yourself: Do whatever it is you need to do to make this manageable for you. (Naps, backrubs, favorite foods, etc.) Be very good to yourself during this time , especially if you are someone who is in the habit of putting yourself last.
• Plan your food: It’s time to say goodbye to alcohol for a while and if possible, try to get rid of caffeine as well. There is a lot of evidence that caffeine may affect fertility.

Try to eat healthy, fresh vegetables and fruits, and try to avoid fried and processed foods as much as possible. Don’t skip your meals and make sure to drink lots of water.

• Meditation: Make time to relax and meditate; positive thinking is the first step toward positive results.

Remember your goals and make sure you remain accountable to your plan and inspired by the path you’ve chosen. A fertility coach can help you to create an internal and external environment that is motivating, supportive and always focused on the big picture – the one with the smiling babies.

To summarize, there is nothing more important than taking care of yourself during this difficult and exciting time. Manage your health and your stress levels by taking advantage of the knowledge and resources that are available to you. This will help to maintain a positive frame of mind which will lead you and your partner toward positive outcomes.