Photo by Fabiola Peñalba on Unsplash
When infertility becomes a part of your conception journey, it can feel as though your entire life is spiraling out of control. From trying to save money for treatment to monitoring your ovulation like a hawk, it may seem like your life is no longer your own.
It’s time to regain control and make infertility treatment fit into your life and schedule — not the other way around.
With the right infertility support and planning, you can retake the reins and enjoy all the things you used to while taking the next step towards your dream goal – a family.
Here’s how you can successfully fit fertility treatment into your schedule – without compromise.
1. Establish a Schedule That’s Right for You
One way undergoing infertility treatment can make you feel as though you’ve lost control of your life is when date nights, social events, and gym sessions are sacrificed in place of fertility appointments.
However, with some clever planning, prioritizing, and rescheduling, you can continue enjoying the activities you love. All you need to do is plan ahead so you can balance everything you want and need to do. Be sure to include time where you can be flexible to allow for any unexpected changes.
Once you receive your fertility treatment schedule, write your appointments into your planner as far in advance as possible. Then, look where you can fit in your usual commitments and leisure activities while still allowing for time to relax and unwind (see point two about not over-committing yourself!)
Finally, review which type of treatment you’re undergoing and the schedule it needs. For example, fresh donor egg cycles require multiple trips to your clinic and can take months to complete. In contrast, a frozen donor egg cycle can be completed in as few as four weeks!
Whatever fertility treatment you choose, knowing exactly what’s involved and how long it may take allows you to plan accordingly.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Say No
Even when you manage to take control of your life while juggling fertility treatment, it’s important to realize treatment can take a huge toll on you physically and mentally.
Feel too tired to meet up with your friends? Want to cancel that lunchtime meeting so you can catch up on work?
Do it.
Don’t be afraid to say no or reschedule your other commitments. Feeling like you don’t need to say yes to everything is imperative to retaining a feeling of control and helps keep your stress levels in check (a crucial element when undergoing fertility treatment).
3. Enjoy Time to Yourself as Often as You Need It
Keep your life as normal as possible when undergoing your fertility treatment. Don’t sacrifice self-care in the process!
If you need to fall short on some commitments, so be it.
Your wellbeing is incredibly important to the success of your fertility treatment, so looking after number one (you!) should be your top priority. However, if you find it hard to say no or impossible to cancel pre-planned appointments, make sure you schedule some free ‘me’ time every week.
While you may not feel as though you need it at the time, when you get to the end of the week those few hours to yourself may be just what the doctor ordered.
Taking Control of Your Life, Body, and Fertility Treatment
These are three remarkably simple – yet effective – ways you can regain a feeling of control in your life.
Whether you need a written schedule to help you manage your time or you need to learn to say no, don’t be afraid to do what works best for you.
Juggling fertility treatments and life commitments inevitably leads to making the odd sacrifice or two. But by being on top of your planning – and prioritizing yourself and your health – you can enjoy a feeling of control throughout your fertility treatment and beyond.
After all, these tips won’t just prepare you for your fertility treatment but for your pregnancy, maternity leave, and motherhood!
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