There are a lot of negative feelings that can creep in during your fertility journey. And depending on the individual or couple, the severity and impact on overall mood can vary.
Many will describe the feeling of guilt or shame, while others will suffer from frustration and anger. Essentially, it’s all normal, but being able to identify and manage these feelings is important for the health and wellbeing of you and those around you.
Understanding How You Feel
To an extent, it all starts with understanding how you feel. Being infertile or overcoming fertility issues is an emotional journey for everyone, and it may sometimes be hard to know exactly how you feel.
The way your partner feels, or even another family member like your mum or dad, can also add to the confusion, as our outlooks are often shaped by those around us.
Taking a moment to identify exactly what you’re feeling is a good exercise. It might not seem like it’s leading to a resolution directly, but it’s a good place to start when taking the steps towards finding a solution. Only with a shared understanding of how you and your partner are feeling can you move forward in a positive way and explore the options in front of you.
Share the Experience
Don’t feel ashamed if you have some residual resentment or anger toward those around you who may not be suffering from infertility. You might even resent your partner for seemingly placing certain expectations on you. These feelings are completely normal.
What’s important is you don’t shut down and internalise the negativity. By expressing how you feel with your partner and people you trust, you can find a way through the challenges you face.
When you’re faced with many important decisions like how to finance fertility programs or adjust to a life that may not include a child, staying strong with your partner is essential.
Join a Group
Sharing your experience with others who are going through the exact same thing can be extremely empowering. It can be helpful to hear their insights and thoughts about their own journeys.
Also, by talking to those who are at different stages of the infertility journey, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, or, offer support to those who are going through what you’ve already experienced.
Work with a Professional
If you can’t talk to your partner, speaking with someone who is trained to help you through a situation like this can be incredibly powerful. There are many counsellors and specialists that actually specialise in fertility issues and they are a good resource for knowledge and support.
Your GP or doctor might also be able to share some valuable insights about the fertility journey, which are worth listening to if you need advice on how to cope with the various stages of your journey or practical information about your options.
At Acubody, we offer fertility acupuncture in London as well as a range of treatments and programs that might be able to support individuals and couples on their fertility journey. We also offer general advice and practical explanations for individuals who are finding it difficult to navigate the complex world of fertility treatments and reproductive technologies.
