Updated June 22, 2023
Infertility is a complex, emotionally daunting, and often lonely experience. Unfortunately, it’s also common. According to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) research, anestimated 19%of married women in the United States have difficulty conceiving within 1 year of trying.It’s normal to feel like nobody understands what you’re going through as you navigate this time, but part of learning how to deal with infertility includes recognizing that others in your situation can relate to and help you. With proper emotional support, itispossible to manage the sorrows of infertility.Given the emotional strain infertility can cause, seeking help from anonline therapistcan be hugely beneficial as you search for coping strategies and emotional support. No matter what stage you’re at, if you’re struggling with infertility, talking about your feelings might help you process them more effectively and offer comfort during this difficult time.Couples Therapy OnlineStrengthen your relationship through couples therapy you can participate in together or apart, at your convenience.Learn moreFinding ways to manage your emotions and move towards acceptance is possible — here are 10 tips for coping with infertility:Check in with Yourself OftenPractice Self CareStay PresentTalk to PeoplePractice the Pep TalkStay Focused on WorkBe Aware of Infertility DepressionUse Cognitive RestructuringDon’t Blame YourselfJoin an Infertility Support Group
Infertility is a complex, emotionally daunting, and often lonely experience. Unfortunately, it’s also common. According to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) research, anestimated 19%of married women in the United States have difficulty conceiving within 1 year of trying.
It’s normal to feel like nobody understands what you’re going through as you navigate this time, but part of learning how to deal with infertility includes recognizing that others in your situation can relate to and help you. With proper emotional support, itispossible to manage the sorrows of infertility.
Given the emotional strain infertility can cause, seeking help from anonline therapistcan be hugely beneficial as you search for coping strategies and emotional support. No matter what stage you’re at, if you’re struggling with infertility, talking about your feelings might help you process them more effectively and offer comfort during this difficult time.
Couples Therapy OnlineStrengthen your relationship through couples therapy you can participate in together or apart, at your convenience.Learn more
Couples Therapy OnlineStrengthen your relationship through couples therapy you can participate in together or apart, at your convenience.
Couples Therapy Online
Strengthen your relationship through couples therapy you can participate in together or apart, at your convenience.
Learn more
Finding ways to manage your emotions and move towards acceptance is possible — here are 10 tips for coping with infertility:
1. Check in with Yourself Often
Can a relationship survive infertility?
Yes, relationships can survive infertility but suffer greatly along the way. You’ll both need to process the feelings oflosing a childyou had wanted as you come to terms with being unable to start a family how you envisioned. When you check in with yourself, be sure that your partner is part of the process. Don’t forget that they’re experiencing this too.
2. Practice Self Care
3. Stay Present
“We can’t change the past, and we don’t have control over the future. It is best to keep your attention in the present. That way, you can truly choose to act in a way that will help you cope with stress and anxiety.”
Being in the present helps us concentrate on those elements we can influence rather than fretting about things beyond our reach. Try practicingmindfulness meditationto help you avoid living in the past or worrying about the future.
4. Talk to People
- Practice the Pep TalkIt’s essential to remember that life will continue despite any challenges encountered during a fertility journey. Reframing your mindset and giving yourself a pep talk regularly can help you stay focused on what you can control.How do you deal with infertility when everyone is pregnant?When you can’t get pregnant, but it seems everyone around you is making a pregnancy announcement, it can devastate your psyche. Use your pep talks to remind yourself that you can survive this. If you know you’ll be seeing someone pregnant, practice how to deal with the situation so you’re not caught off-guard when it happens.
5. Practice the Pep Talk
It’s essential to remember that life will continue despite any challenges encountered during a fertility journey. Reframing your mindset and giving yourself a pep talk regularly can help you stay focused on what you can control.
How do you deal with infertility when everyone is pregnant?
When you can’t get pregnant, but it seems everyone around you is making a pregnancy announcement, it can devastate your psyche. Use your pep talks to remind yourself that you can survive this. If you know you’ll be seeing someone pregnant, practice how to deal with the situation so you’re not caught off-guard when it happens.
- Stay Focused on WorkTry not to let your struggles with fertility dominate every aspect of life, including work. This will be key to maintaining a sense of normalcy. A routine structure for daily activities — for example, working — provides stability and can improve productivity and overall well-being.
6. Stay Focused on Work
Try not to let your struggles with fertility dominate every aspect of life, including work. This will be key to maintaining a sense of normalcy. A routine structure for daily activities — for example, working — provides stability and can improve productivity and overall well-being.
- Be Aware of Infertility-Caused DepressionThe relationship betweenmental health and fertilityneeds to be more widely discussed. An infertility diagnosis can affect mental health in many ways, often resulting in depression that can further complicate matters if left unchecked. Knowing the signs andsymptoms of depressionand when to seek help is imperative so you don’t spiral out of control or fall into a deeper state of despair and hopelessness.“Infertility has been linked to an increase in stress, depression, and anxiety in both men and women, according to numerous studies.”–Talkspace therapist Bisma Anwar, LPC, LMHC
7. Be Aware of Infertility-Caused Depression
The relationship betweenmental health and fertilityneeds to be more widely discussed. An infertility diagnosis can affect mental health in many ways, often resulting in depression that can further complicate matters if left unchecked. Knowing the signs andsymptoms of depressionand when to seek help is imperative so you don’t spiral out of control or fall into a deeper state of despair and hopelessness.
“Infertility has been linked to an increase in stress, depression, and anxiety in both men and women, according to numerous studies.”
8. Use Cognitive Restructuring
When negative thought patterns emerge, addressing them quickly can keep unhealthy thoughts and behaviors from snowballing into a more severe issue. Recognizing and replacing unhelpful views with more reasonable, positive ones is known as cognitive restructuring.
How do I stop being angry about infertility?
- Don’t Blame YourselfOne common mistake many people make when dealing with an infertility diagnosis is blaming themself. However, no one is responsible for your infertility. Both partners must recognize the importance of focusing on solutions rather than pointing fingers. In time, and with the right emotional support, you can learn to grow in the relationship together and move forward positively.
9. Don’t Blame Yourself
One common mistake many people make when dealing with an infertility diagnosis is blaming themself. However, no one is responsible for your infertility. Both partners must recognize the importance of focusing on solutions rather than pointing fingers. In time, and with the right emotional support, you can learn to grow in the relationship together and move forward positively.
- Join an Infertility Support GroupJoining a group where others share similar struggles can bring a sense of belonging and comfort, knowing you’re not alone on this journey. Support groups can be found online, via social media apps, and in specialized clinics and centers that support any couple facing fertility problems.How do I accept my infertility?An infertility support group can help you get to a place of acceptance. It won’t always be easy, but the solidarity you find in a group can help. You can also speak with licensed professionals trained to handle infertility issues. They can offer personalized counseling sessions — whatever your circumstances are.
10. Join an Infertility Support Group
Joining a group where others share similar struggles can bring a sense of belonging and comfort, knowing you’re not alone on this journey. Support groups can be found online, via social media apps, and in specialized clinics and centers that support any couple facing fertility problems.
How do I accept my infertility?
An infertility support group can help you get to a place of acceptance. It won’t always be easy, but the solidarity you find in a group can help. You can also speak with licensed professionals trained to handle infertility issues. They can offer personalized counseling sessions — whatever your circumstances are.
Cope with Infertility Grief with TalkspaceFertility struggles can be complicated and emotionally draining. If you’re dealing with infertility, taking care of yourself and finding a coping strategy is important. Fortunately, Talkspace is an excellent resource for those seeking help dealing with infertility. With the guidance of professional therapists, you can gain control over your feelings and get helpful knowledge on how to move forward with your life.Coping with infertility is possible when you reach out for help. With expert guidance, you can find ways to manage the grief and emotional stress of infertility and find hope for the future. Know that there is no timeline forhow long grief lasts, but youcanwork towards healing from infertility grief with Talkspace.Learnhow to deal with grieffrom infertility today.
Cope with Infertility Grief with Talkspace
Fertility struggles can be complicated and emotionally draining. If you’re dealing with infertility, taking care of yourself and finding a coping strategy is important. Fortunately, Talkspace is an excellent resource for those seeking help dealing with infertility. With the guidance of professional therapists, you can gain control over your feelings and get helpful knowledge on how to move forward with your life.
Coping with infertility is possible when you reach out for help. With expert guidance, you can find ways to manage the grief and emotional stress of infertility and find hope for the future. Know that there is no timeline forhow long grief lasts, but youcanwork towards healing from infertility grief with Talkspace.
Learnhow to deal with grieffrom infertility today.
Sources:
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