Posts Tagged ‘Feelings’
Wednesday, October 26th, 2011
It’s no secret or surprise that stress can rear its head when it comes to couples and individuals facing fertility treatments. In fact, a recent report from the UK suggests that more than three quarters of those experiencing infertility or fertility issues rate their stress level as the highest they’ve ever had in their lives.
Again, this isn’t a shocking revelation; however, it does give pause as to how men and women going through fertility treatments can better cope with their situations.
Beyond the usual suggestions to relax, put the issue into perspective and eat well, we at the Reproductive Science Institute (located in Wyomissing and Chesterbrook, PA) have some other ideas as to how you can minimize the stress that can be attributed to dealing with fertility concerns:
1. Talk about your feelings with a trained professional. It’s never a good idea to hold in your emotions, especially when you’re undergoing a potentially life-changing experience. Whether you speak with a counselor, member of the clergy or a psychiatrist, it’s essential that you discuss what you’re feeling inside rather than allowing it to build.
2. Gather information and understand what’s happening… but try not to obsess. It’s always good to understand what’s about to happen; but sometimes, too much information can be a very bad thing for couples and individuals entering into fertility treatments. If you become too engulfed in data, you may unnecessarily increase your stress levels.
3. Be open and honest with your fertility specialist. Finally, it’s essential for you (and your partner, if applicable) to be honest with your fertility specialist. If something feels amiss or you have concerns, speak up. You’ll get your questions answered, and that will seriously help you automatically lower your stress levels.
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Tags: Chesterbrook Pa, Clergy, Counselor, Couples, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, emotions, Feelings, Fertility Concerns, Fertility Issues, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Infertility, Men And Women, Perspective, Philadelphia Area, Psychiatrist, Reproductive Science Institute, Shocking Revelation, Stress Level, Stress Levels, Stress Reduction, Three Quarters, Wyomissing Pa
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Wednesday, October 5th, 2011
It’s no secret that fertility treatments can elicit a host of emotional responses from the individuals and couples involved. That’s why it’s such a smart idea to really plan for the ways to deal with your feelings ahead of time.
Even if you are the most optimistic person in the world, it can be challenging to stay positive, especially if fertility treatments are proceeding slower than you’d like or if the options presented to you are not what you expected.
As you proceed with your investigation into the right fertility treatments for your situation, why not take the following factors into consideration?
1. Set up an appointment with a counselor.
Many therapists and counselors specialize in helping those who are undergoing fertility treatments. They can give you feedback on your (very normal) emotions as well as providing you with ways to get through difficult times.
2. Don’t define yourself by your infertility.
Many people fall into the emotional trap of thinking of themselves only in terms of their infertility. Remember that you are someone who has a lot to offer, and are not simply a man or woman who is having issues conceiving.
3. Be open about the way you feel.
Females and males who are undergoing fertility treatments can sometimes “shut down”, essentially pretending that their emotions aren’t happening or, alternatively, aren’t important. But they most certainly are!
4. Plan fun activities.
Don’t worry about fertility treatments 24/7! Start planning some fun activities to do alone and with your partner. Go out to eat, head for a hike in the woods, take a walk along the water… and reconnect with yourself and your relationship in a way that doesn’t have to do with pregnancy.
5. Stay on top of your emotions.
Finally, it’s critical to remain “on top” of your emotions. You may even want to start a journal so you can track how you’re feeling on a daily or weekly basis. This will help you achieve a stronger sense of confidence and poise throughout your fertility treatments.
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Tags: Appointment, Counselor, Counselors, Couples, Difficult Times, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Emotional Responses, emotions, Feelings, Females, Fertility Treatments, Fun Activities, Infertility, Many People, Optimistic Person, Partner, Philadelphia Infertility, Pregnancy, Reading PA Infertility, Relationship, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Smart Idea, Stay On Top, Worry, Wyomissing PA Infertility
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Wednesday, September 7th, 2011
For couples undergoing fertility treatments, stressors can sometimes seem quite overwhelming. On one hand, any change in a partnership can be challenging, but on the other, infertility shouldn’t lead to the dissolution of a relationship.
To help you keep your commitment strong throughout fertility treatments, we’ve come up with seven suggestions. Feel free to leave a comment if you have others that have worked for you!
1. Don’t make infertility the “center stage” of your relationship. If all you do is talk about not being able to conceive, it will overtake your time together.
2. Make plenty of time to be together as a couple. Go to the movies, take a walk in the park, stay overnight in a nice hotel… doing so will strengthen your bond and help rejuvenate you both.
3. Spend time apart with friends. Everyone needs and deserves some space. Making plans to hang out with people other than your significant other will help you recharge.
4. Talk about your emotions as you’re undergoing fertility treatments. It’s important not to make fertility treatments the “elephant in the room”. Be open about your feelings and you’ll reap the rewards.
5. Go to a counselor if the strain becomes too great. Don’t allow your relationship to simply become more and more strained. If it’s gotten to a serious point, seek out help. (Often, your fertility specialist can assist you in getting a referral.)
6. Eat well and exercise, even if you don’t feel like it. The healthier you are inside and out, the easier it will be to handle anything that comes your way. (And working out can be yet another “to do” item you can enjoy together!)
7. Take it day by day. When times are a bit challenging, it’s sometimes helpful to remember that “this too shall pass”. Each day is another opportunity to learn, grow and love.
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Tags: Center Stage, Counselor, Couples, Dissolution, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Elephant, emotions, Feelings, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Great Don, Infertility, Nice Hotel, Partnership, Philadelphia Infertility, Plenty Of Time, Reading PA Infertility, Referral, Relationship Help, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rewards, Rsi, Stressors, Walk In The Park, Wyomissing Infertility
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Friday, April 15th, 2011
“I felt like I wasn’t a ‘real’ woman.”
That type of comment is repeated over and over on fertility-related blogs around the Internet. Without a doubt, it illustrates just how much of a toll female infertility can take on a woman’s self-image.
Never mind the fact that women are talking more openly about the issue of their female infertility problems than ever before; there’s still a sense that a woman who wants to have a child should be able to without any issues.
It all can add up to incredible amounts of stress… which only perpetuates and amplifies the issue at hand.
In our experience, women with female infertility often come to our clinic with feelings of embarrassment, anger and/or shame. But what we try to get them to realize is that:
- It’s not their fault. Female infertility happens… and it can even happen among women who have already had a child. (In that case, it’s called secondary infertility.)
- It’s not “selfish” to ask for help. Some women feel concerned that asking for medical attention somehow is selfish, but it’s not. It’s actually reasonable, especially if the tests for female infertility uncover other conditions that need to be addressed (like endometriosis or an STD.)
- We are not here to pass judgment. As reproductive health specialists, we’re not looking at women as somehow “less than they should be” because of their infertility. Instead, we’re helping them solve a problem with care, understanding and expertise.
If you’ve been feeling depressed or ashamed because of your female infertility, we encourage you to come to RSI for a no-obligation consultation. You’ll find our clinic warm and inviting… and that just might be the catalyst for helping you move forward.
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Tags: Anger, Blogs, Catalyst, Doubt, Embarrassment, Endometriosis, Feelings, Female Infertility Problems, Infertility, Issue At Hand, Judgment, Medical Attention, Obligation Consultation, Psyche, Real Woman, Reproductive Health Specialists, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Secondary Infertility, Self Image, Shame, Stress
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Friday, July 16th, 2010
For good or bad, we live in a society that suggests we have to be “upbeat” all the time, putting on a “happy face” despite problems. When we’re asked, “How are you?”, we’re expected to say, “Fine, thank you!” No wonder so many people with infertility feel embarrassed because they go through periods of sadness and depression.
If you’re one of the many men or women dealing with infertility, it’s important to know that feeling unhappy or “down” is completely normal. It’s not a sign of weakness, nor is it something unusual. In fact, reputable reproductive science specialists will always consider your mental health throughout your fertility treatment journey.
But what can you do in the meantime if you’d rather not make a phone call every time you’re feeling blue? Why not try one of these methods of addressing your state of mind:
→ Acknowledge and accept your sadness.
→ Talk with someone who will listen without judging or trying to “solve” your emotions.
→ Do something that isn’t related to fertility issues, such as working out, going for a hike, taking a walk or reading a book.
→ Write down your feelings in a personal journal.
→ Ask yourself if you’re being too hard on yourself. (This is often the case.) Infertility isn’t something you can control.
Remember that infertility and unhappy moments can often go hand-in-hand. So allow yourself to have human moments of disappointment or even depression. And, of course, if your mental state turns into one you cannot easily control, please contact your physician to discuss other steps you can take.
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Tags: Control, Disappointment, emotions, Feelings, Fertility Issues, Fertility Treatment, Happy Face, Infertility, Journey, Many Men, Many People, Mental Health, Miracles, Periods, Personal Journal, Reading A Book, Reproductive Science, Rsi, Sadness And Depression, Science Specialists
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Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
Infertility can be physically uncomfortable, especially if it’s associated with conditions like endometriosis and PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). But it can be equally painful in a psychological way.
Below, we’ll look at some of the common causes of psychological pain as it is related to infertility as well as how to combat that pain.
Common Causes of Emotional Discomfort Regarding Infertility
- Feeling “guilty”.
- Being pressured to “just relax”.
- Being around people who are able to easily conceive.
- Being asked about having a child.
- Being treated differently by a spouse or loved one.
- Dealing with financial concerns about fertility treatments.
- Handling the loss of miscarriages.
Ways to Deal with Infertility from a Psychological Perspective
- Talk to a therapist or counselor about your problems.
- Join a support group of other women/men in similar situations.
- Don’t define your life by your ability to naturally conceive.
- Only talk about your infertility when YOU want to talk about it.
- Look into options as far as fertility treatments are concerned.
- Take antidepressants (if indicated by a physician.)
- Eat right and exercise regularly.
- Treat yourself well and not as a “victim”.
- Write about your experiences in a personal journal (or even an anonymous blog.)
- Read other women and men’s experiences with infertility.
Don’t ignore your feelings or they will well up and spill over. Instead, acknowledge your emotional responses to infertility and do everything in your power to manage those responses.
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Tags: Antidepressants, Counselor, Emotional Discomfort, Emotional Responses, Endometriosis, Experiences, Feelings, Fertility Treatments, Financial Concerns, Infertility, Miscarriages, Pcos Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Personal Journal, Psychological Pain, Psychological Perspective, Psychological Way, Support Group, Women And Men, Women Men
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Friday, January 8th, 2010
Miscarriages are often extremely difficult to accept, even when they occur relatively early (e.g., in the first few weeks of pregnancy) after conception. Depression, weight gain, hormonal imbalances, cramping, bleeding and other physical and psychological side effects can all be a part of a miscarriage.
If you’re dealing with miscarriage, though, it’s important to remember that you’re ultimately in control of how you deal with your situation.
Always remember that:
- The miscarriage isn’t your fault. It’s highly unlikely that you could have done anything to change it. You aren’t being “punished” for past sins.
- An early miscarriage isn’t anyone’s business. If you didn’t tell people you were pregnant, you are under no obligation to talk about the miscarriage with them.
- You can ask someone else to tell people if you have a miscarriage after you’ve announced your pregnancy. You don’t have to make phone calls yourself if you have a miscarriage and numerous people knew you were pregnant. A good friend or relative will probably be happy to take on this task for you.
- It’s okay to grieve. Even if you miscarry very early into your pregnancy, it’s all right to feel sad! Others might not understand your feelings, but they don’t have to — you have a right to feel grief.
- You don’t have to have sex again right away. Many times, people will try to encourage you by telling you to “have sex soon” and “get pregnant again“. Though they feel they are being helpful, they cannot force you to try again until you’re ready.
- Know that you’re not alone. If you do talk to friends about your miscarriage, you may be surprised to discover that they’ve had similar experiences. Miscarriages might not be generally discussed, but they are more common than you might think.
- It’s okay to move on with your life. Regardless of your miscarriage, it’s fine to laugh, to move on and to connect with people. Everyone’s reaction is different, not better or worse than another.
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Tags: Control, depression, Early Miscarriage, Early Pregnancy, Experiences, Feelings, First Few Weeks Of Pregnancy, Good Friend, Grief, Hormonal Imbalances, Miscarriages, Obligation, Pregnancy Conception, Pregnancy Depression, Pregnancy Weight, Psychological Side, Weeks Of Pregnancy, Weight Gain
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Monday, October 12th, 2009
In the October 12th edition of LA Times, Shari Roan writes about how stress or worrying can affect IVF success. The article states: ”A study in the October issue of the journal Fertility and Sterility found that women who “let go” of their worries about becoming pregnant during in vitro fertilization treatment were more likely to become pregnant.
The study examined 88 women as they went through IVF treatment. The women’s emotional coping strategies were measured. For example, researchers tried to determine how much the women thought about or worried about the outcome of their treatments and how much they felt they needed to persevere. “Letting go” was defined as being emotionally disengaged from the process and distracting oneself from the treatment.
Of the 88 women, 21 became pregnant. But those who had the highest scores reflecting a “letting go” attitude were 88% more likely to become pregnant compared with women who tended to worry and ruminate about the treatment.” You can read the entire article by clicking here.
It is estimated that one out of every six couples in the United States is coping with infertility issues. At RSI, we understand that the mere thought of not being able to have children can be emotionally taxing and may even make many people feel something is wrong with them.
That’s why we’ve developed this free report: Emotional Effects of Infertility. When you discover ways to cope with the emotional effects of infertility, you will reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. Download your copy of this report http://www.rsiinfertility.com/freereports.html
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Tags: anxiety, Attitude, Coping Strategies, Coping With Infertility, Couples, Emotional Effects, Fall Newsletter, Feelings, Fertility And Sterility, Infertility, Infertility Issues, La Times, Miracles, Pregnant, Pregnant Women, Reduce Stress, Rsi, Shari Roan, Stress, United States, Vitro Fertilization, Worries
Posted in female infertility, Fertility Issues In the News, Health and Nutrition, Stress | No Comments »
Saturday, June 20th, 2009
Both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day can be difficult for couples who are having difficulty conceiving.
Because it’s tough to completely avoid these holidays, it’s important for men and women (and those who love them) to take an understanding, realistic approach to dealing with the day.
Below are some suggestions for getting through family-centered holidays:
- Don’t ignore the fact that it’s Father’s Day. But try not to spend every waking hour thinking about it, either.
- Spend time with your own father or a father figure.
- Plan to do something special with your loved ones.
- If you need to talk about your feelings, do so. (If you’re religious, know that many clergy make themselves available during these particularly sensitive times.)
- It’s fine to feel angry, resentful or uncomfortable. Emotions are normal. Just don’t take them out on those about whom you care.
- If you already have children, spend time with them.
- Remind yourself that infertility does not have anything to do with self-worth.
- If you and/or your partner feel being around children will be difficult on this holiday, you may want to avoid going to places (such as restaurants, amusement parks, etc.) where fathers and children will likely gather.
- Try to remain positive throughout the day.
- Do something healthy for yourself. For instance, if you like to exercise, plan a hike in the woods or a long bike ride in the country.
What suggestions do you have for coping with holidays like Mother’s and Father’s Day for those who are struggling with fertility issues? Feel free to comment.
Tags: Amusement Parks, Bike Ride, Children Spend Time, Clergy, conception difficulties, coping with holidays, Couples, difficulty conceiving, Father Figure, Father S Day, Father's Day, Fathers And Children, Feelings, Fertility Issues, Holidays, holidays without kids, Infertility, kid-centered holidays, Men And Women, Mother Day, Mother S Day, Mother's Day, Realistic Approach, Restaurants, Self Worth, Tweet, Uncomfortable Emotions
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