Advice for IVF and Anxiety

[glt01]

Hello!

We are now finally on track to start our first cycle in the next week or so (as long as the clinic respond to their voicemails) and I'm wondering are there any ladies who can offer advice on how not to loose your shizzle through this process?

Me and my mental health have quite a bumpy history and I've been well the last few years however I can feel myself losing my grip on my anxiety the closer we get to start date. I dont want to go back to having panic attacks and not being able to function so any advice would be more than helpful please. I do a lot of exercise which helps but I know when I start stimming theres going to be a limit on how much exercise I will want to do with jingley ovaries. I already do the alphabet backwards in times of stress and tapping doesn't work for me. I've not mentioned anything to my husband as he would freak out and stress which would make things worse...

Any advice would be very much appreciated! Thank you!

[Hollibob]

During the process, take it a chunk at a time, down reg, stuns, scan one, scan two etc..don’t thibk too far ahead.

Ask your clinic if they can give you an example treatment plan for the protocol that you are going to be on, so that you can plan ahead where you need to..if you want to take any leave etc.

I don’t know if you work/live near to the clinic, but I always asked for the scans to be as early or as late as possible..

If you have questions, ask them, it doesn’t matter if you think they’ve heard them before, this is new to you.

Have you tried acupuncture or reflexology?

There are some zita west relaxation cds which I listened to before bed..

If you can’t talk to hubby about it, then there’s a lovely bunch of people on here to chat to x

[glt01 in reply to Hollibob]

Thank you, I've tried acupuncture for injuries before but with my work hours theres no way I would be able to commit to having it again.

The clinic is a good 60 minute journey away from home but I'm going to ask to have them as early as possible so I can go back to work without too much disruption in my shifts.

I'll have a look at the zita west CDs thank you for your help and advice x

[destiny121]

I totally understand how you feel and I also suffered with anxiety and panic which resulted in a few calls to 999 and sat in a&e thinking I was going to die all because of infertility and the worry id never have a child.

My advice is to take each day as it comes, try not to think too far ahead and also try not to over think the whole ivf process. Once you start you’ll realise that the actual process of doing the injections, egg collection etc isn’t too bad and it’s our minds and build up to it all happening that really gets to us.

Try to think more about why your actually doing this and envision good things happening. It may work first time, it may be the second so try not to worry as ivf can be learning process as to how your body reacts. I also remembered that aren’t we lucky there are things we can do to get pregnant because 40 years ago we didn’t even have the option. Stay positive, meditate if you can especially before sleep, eat well and just try your best to get your body in it’s best shape and focus on that. Wishing you luck..... coming from a lady that had her tube removed... 2 laparoscopys....4 years trying for baby... 2 cycles of ivf but I’m now 37 weeks so it can and does work and remember ivf can actually work... wishing you all the luck and peaceful mindfulness in the world xxx

[glt01 in reply to destiny121]

Thank you for your message, I'm so happy for you that you are now 37 weeks, its lovely to hear some positive from your story. I'm sorry you felt so unwell you had to go to A&E.

I'm going to take your advice and take it one day at a time, thank you for your reply xx

[Foodie23]

Hi glt01. I can totally relate to your story. I have a mental health condition too and anxiety is primarily what I’ve dealt with through the years. Infertility has by far been the most painful, stressful experience of my life. But, with the help of my coping strategies and the support I received from the amazing ladies on this forum, I made it through and was able to keep my anxiety under control.

The thing the helped me the most was IVF hypnotherapy. I have the CD from Helen McPherson. You can find free tracks online as well. I also did acupuncture weekly throughout the IVF process. Journaling was also quite cathartic.

My best advice is to take it one day, and one step at a time. Try not to have too many expectations and just ride the wave of the experience.

For me, I also did a lot of inner work on acceptance. I needed to accept and find contentment in my life as it was instead of feeling like I’d only be ok if we had a child. It took me a long time to get there, but I do believe this helped me let go of my hopes and expectations and be present.

I truly do hope this works for you. There are so many success stories on here. Remember to appreciate the things you have in your life right now. I wish you the best of luck. X

[glt01 in reply to Foodie23]

Thank you very much for your advice, I will definitely have a look at those hypnotherapy tracks.

Its lovely having people here who have been through it and understand and dont just think I'm loopy!

Thank you x

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi glt. Love the "jingly ovaries"! Yes, not too much exercise while going through a treatment cycle. Lots of ladies find that a couple of sessions of acupuncture calms them down, and more able to cope, so maybe worth a try?? I do have a list of questions I could email you in confidence, if you want. There maybe a few you could use when you next have an appointment. You would need to email me if you want them to [e-mail]

Good luck! Diane

[glt01 in reply to DianeArnold]

Thank you Diane!

I've spoken to my exercise rehab instructor and hes said I can continue as I would normally with exercise but to do very light stuff between days 9-15 as those are the crucial days in an IVF cycle... I've no idea, hes done some ivf and pregnant people course. I know everyones different and I'm very lucky I've got an ERI.

Feeling much better with all your support and the support on here too. Very kind and helpful. Thank you

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to glt01]

Hi glt. That's good to hear and you feel happier. Diane