Causes & Treatment
Looking After Your Mental Health Between IVF Cycles
Eloise Edington | 13 May 2022
Having fertility treatment can be a drain on your mental health and taking a break between cycles can be a good opportunity to reset. Yet for some, not taking a break feels more manageable – just ploughing on and having more time to rest later. Follow these links to read more about why taking a break can be a good idea and not such a good idea.
Whether you decide to take a break or not is completely up to you but do check in to your mental health and discuss your options with your fertility specialist.
For Mental Health Awareness Month in the U.S., Laurel Fertility Care share the team’s advice on looking after your mental health during fertility treatment. Based in the Bay Area in San Francisco, Laurel Fertility Care have the patient at the heart of fertility treatment, caring for you every step of the way. Visit their website to book an appointment.
Over to Laurel…
To Wait or Not to wait?
This is usually the question for someone who wants to resume treatment after a failed IVF cycle.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the U.S., and the team at Laurel Fertility Care strongly believes that the mind-body connection plays a crucial role in the journey to parenthood. We’re here to remind you that while your mental wellbeing cannot guarantee a pregnancy, that does not make it any less important.
Studies have shown that those who experience a failed IVF cycle are at a much greater risk of anxiety and depression in the months after. It is not uncommon to feel exhausted, overwhelmed, anxious or confused after failed fertility treatment, and sometimes it can be hard not to feel responsible for the outcome.
If you don’t think you can handle the emotional journey of another cycle, then a step back might be necessary. On the other hand, if you want to avoid feeling like you’ll be delaying the treatment process, then it’s best to talk to your fertility specialist about the next steps.
Each person’s situation is incredibly unique when it comes to mental and physical health, finances, age, and other factors. At the end of the day, whether or not you take a break in between IVF cycles or jump back in for another round is up to you and your fertility specialist. There is no one size fits all answer!
Looking After Yourself
If you’re in between cycles, connecting with others who have had similar experiences can help relieve some of the stress you might be feeling. A safe and supportive environment with like-minded individuals also gives you the opportunity to think about other treatment options or paths to parenthood you might not have considered before. Download the Fertility Squad app to connect with a fertility community going through similar experiences.
Some fertility clinics even offer emotional support resources for patients. At Laurel Fertility Care, we are proud to offer each patient access to Infertility Unfiltered’s virtual support series completely free of charge. These support groups are made for many different stages of the fertility journey and all different paths to parenthood.
Our patient care team is always here to help, and you will communicate closely with your patient navigator and nurse during treatment. Having these individuals on your side can make a huge difference! Ask questions about available resources and next steps – they are here to support you through every step of this journey!
You don’t have to go through fertility treatment alone – there is a great deal of help available in fertility communities. Your fertility specialists should be able to suggest places to find mental health support during this challenging yet exciting time.
Contact the team at Laurel Fertility Care to take the next step in your fertility journey with a team ready to guide you through every stage.
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