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Tips for Managing Stress of IVF Treatment

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Many couples turn to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment after years of trying to conceive naturally. As the most common form of assisted reproductive technology, IVF also is the go-to conception method for many single women or same-sex couples who want to start a family.  

Although IVF has a relatively high success rate, the process itself isn’t always quick or easy. Here at California Center for Reproductive Health, we’ve helped countless families in the Los Angeles area become pregnant through IVF, so we understand the unique emotional and physical challenges that IVF patients face.

If IVF treatment has left you feeling anxious or frazzled, these strategies can help you manage your stress and stay calm each step of the way.  

Learn everything you can about IVF

IVF is a multi-step process that’s carefully planned and carried out within your monthly cycle.

Learning everything you can about each step of that process — the medication you take to boost egg production, the egg retrieval procedure, artificial insemination, embryo cultivation, and finally, embryo implantation — can help normalize your expectations and make the overall process less stressful.

Even if you’re well-informed as you head into the process, don’t be afraid to voice any questions or concerns you may have; your fertility team does whatever they can to alleviate your doubts and ease your anxiety.

Make daily self-care a priority

You already know that taking care of yourself boosts your odds of becoming pregnant and having a healthy baby, but good self-care goes beyond the basics of avoiding alcohol and quitting smoking.

You should make exercise a priority because it increases your strength and endurance, and because it helps you stay energized — even on days that are emotionally draining. Exercise also stimulates the release of endorphins, which can help you maintain a positive outlook. Good options include brisk walking, swimming, and yoga (but not hot yoga).

Getting regular exercise actually can help you sleep better at night, which is another major self-care priority when you’re going through IVF treatment. To minimize anxiety and give yourself the best chance for IVF success, it’s important to protect your bedtime and get the rest you need each and every night.

Embrace instant stress management techniques

When you’re going through something that’s as stressful as IVF treatment can be, it’s beneficial to discover and embrace a few stress management techniques that can instantly take the edge off and help you relax.

Simply learning how to press pause when feeling anxious or experiencing stress-inducing thoughts is a good way to start. Once you’re ready to take charge of your thoughts and feelings, taking deep, calming breaths can help slow you down so you can find your center once again.

While sitting or lying comfortably with one hand on your diaphragm, inhale evenly, slowly, and fully for a full count of four. Hold your breath for a count of one before you exhale for a count of four, using the same type of control.

In addition to alleviating stress and anxiety instantaneously, deep breathing also can help you find a more complete connection to your own body and the process it’s going through.   

Face your fear of failure

For many patients going through IVF treatment, the thought that it may not be successful is both realistic and a major cause of stress. This is only natural, of course, especially for couples who have struggled with infertility — IVF represents a real chance for the family they’ve dreamed of for years.

IVF does have a high rate of success because it bypasses many of the biological processes that lead to natural pregnancy, but worrying about whether or not you’ll become pregnant each IVF cycle won’t help you reach your goal.

In fact, a small 2010 study published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics found that women who are stressed or worried while undergoing IVF treatment were less likely to become pregnant than women who successfully managed their stress and anxiety.

Instead, try reframing your fear by viewing failure as another step on your journey toward the pregnancy you’re trying for. An unsuccessful IVF cycle allows your fertility team to better perfect your treatment protocol, ultimately increasing your chances of success.

And in the meantime, keep practicing good self-care and stress management techniques.  

Don’t go it alone

Going through IVF can make you feel isolated, especially when it seems like no one else in your circle of friends and family has struggled with fertility. Infertility actually is a common problem, however, and it’s important to allow others to support you in your IVF experience so that you don’t end up feeling like you’re alone.  

Lay the groundwork for honest and open communication with your partner if you have one, and seek out supportive family members and friends you can rely on. To minimize your stress and maximize your chances for success, give those you’re closest to a chance to understand how you’re feeling, to support you emotionally, and to help you through the experience.  

If you aren’t sure you want to lean on your partner, family, or friends, you may be able to get the same benefit from a counselor, therapist, or IVF support group.

See Dr. Mor’s Publications

Eliran Mor, MD

Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Santa Monica, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA
Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA Doctor Mor received his medical degree from Tel Aviv University-Sackler School of Medicine in Israel. He completed a four-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Subsequently, Dr. Mor completed a three-year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility […]
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FAQ

What does a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist do?

Reproductive endocrinology and Infertility is a sub-specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In addition to managing medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the female reproductive tract, reproductive endocrinologist and infertility (REI) specialists undergo additional years of training to provide fertility treatments using assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization.

Reproductive endocrinologists receive board certification by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

When should I see an REI specialist?

In general, patients should consider consulting with an REI specialist after one year of trying unsuccessfully to achieve pregnancy. The chance of conceiving every month is around 20%, therefore after a full year of trying approximately 15% of couples will still not have achieved a pregnancy.

However, if a woman is over the age of 35 it would be reasonable to see a fertility specialist earlier, typically after 6 months of trying.

Other candidates to seek earlier treatment are women who have irregular menses, endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), women who have had 2 or more miscarriages, or problems with the fallopian tubes (prior ectopic pregnancy).

What are the reasons we are having trouble conceiving?

Approximately 1/3 of the time cause for infertility is a female factor, 1/3 of the time a male factor, and the remaining 1/3 a couples’ factor.

At CCRH, we emphasize the importance of establishing a correct diagnosis. Both partners undergo a comprehensive evaluation including a medical history and physical exam.

Furthremore, the woman’s ovarian reserve is assessed with a pelvic ultrasound and a hormonal profile. A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) will confirm fallopian tube patency and the uterine cavity is free of intracavitary lesions. A semen analysis is also obtained to evaluate for concentration, motility, and morphology of the sperm.

Additional work up is then individualized to direct the best possible treatment option for each couple.

What is IVF? What is the process like?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the process that involves fertilization of an egg outside of a woman’s body.

The process starts with fertility drugs prescribed to help stimulate egg development. In your natural cycle, your body is only able to grow one dominant egg, but with stimulation medication we can recruit multiple eggs to continue to grow. After about 8-10 days of stimulation, the eggs are surgically retrieved and then fertilized with sperm in a specialized laboratory. Fertilized eggs are then cultured under a strictly controlled environment within specialized incubators in the IVF laboratory for 3-5 days while they develop as embryos. Finally, embryos (or an embryo) are transferred into the uterine cavity for implantation.

Should I have IVF?

Before deciding if IVF is the right choice, it’s important to sit down with an REI specialist to discuss available treatment options. For some people, other methods such as fertility drugs, intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be the best first choice treatment. At CCRH, we believe each individual couple is unique and not everyone needs IVF.

Is the IVF procedure painful?

While not painful, the fertility medications may some side effects including headaches, hot flashes, mood swings, and bloating. The injection sites may also bruise.

Will IVF guarantee a baby?

Unfortunately, no. Many people think once they start IVF it’s a matter of time that they will be pregnant and have a baby. But according to national statistics per the Society of Assisted Reproduction (SART), on average 40% of assisted reproduction cycles achieve live births in women under age 35. The chances of success then continue to decrease with advancing age.

At CCRH, we employ only evidence-based interventions to ensure patient safety and optimal outcome. While we cannot guarantee a baby, we guarantee that you will receive the best, most advanced, personalized care to help you maximize your chance of a baby.

What is the success rate for IVF?

The average IVF success rate (success measured in live birth rate) using one’s own eggs begins to drop around age 35 and then rapidly after age 40. This is due to the decline in egg quantity and egg quality as a woman ages.

Our clinic’s success rate consistently beats the national average year after year.

Do insurance plans cover infertility treatment? How much does IVF cost?

Individual insurance plans often do not have any coverage for infertility treatments. If you have a group plan, you can call members services to see if they have coverage for infertility (including consultation/workup and IVF).

After your consultation with our REI specialist, one of our dedicated account managers with sit with you to go over the cost of treatment.

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