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Infertility & Trauma: How to Deal with It?

Team AckoFeb 8, 2024

Infertility is the inability of a couple to conceive even after a year of trying. It becomes a devastating news for them when none of the treatments give the desired result. It affects their overall well-being and the experience can be traumatic.

Contents

1. Seek professional help
2. Acknowledge your feelings
3. Limit social media use
4. Try to find happiness in little things and celebrate them

They experience a range of emotions from feeling irritable, sad, angry, guilty, shame to lacking energy and sleeping issues. In addition to these symptoms, mental well-being takes a toll. Depression, anxiety and stress set in. They start questioning why their body is not functioning as others. This has a negative impact on their self-worth.

A major blow occurs in their relationship. Intimacy in the relationship decreases and they feel disconnected. Communication is less. The thought of not being able to have a baby engulfs their mind, drains their energy, and life suddenly seems hopeless. They may feel socially isolated as it is tough interacting with family, friends, and co-workers.

So, what are the coping mechanisms while going through this challenging phase in life? How to minimize the damage that infertility does on one’s physical, mental, emotional and social well being?

1. Seek professional help

During this challenging time, you want some person to hear you out. Friends and family may provide support to some extent. It will be more appropriate to speak how you feel and seek inputs and advice from a mental health professional. The therapist can talk about coping skills and counsel both of you to make this difficult phase bearable.

2. Acknowledge your feelings

You cannot run away from how you feel. Talk to your therapist who can guide you on how to bear and regulate emotions.

Social media provides a platform to make announcements about pregnancy and birth. Reading such news from relatives and friends, can remind you about not able to be a parent and make you experience the pain again. Seek help from your therapist on minimizing the negative feelings.

4. Try to find happiness in little things and celebrate them

Even during this challenging time, find reasons to celebrate life together. Pursue hobbies, travel or try new activities. Celebrate the moments of happiness and seek joy and meaning in life.

Not able to conceive is painful for a couple to deal with. However, it is not a hopeless situation. The good news is, with advancements in medicine, there are treatment options like invitro fertilization where results have been encouraging. The key is to be supportive to each other to make this challenging phase bearable.

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