Dealing with infertility is an incredibly stressful time in a couple’s life. Feelings of depression, anxiety, jealousy, and immense sadness are just some of the very typical feelings a woman may experience while she is living with infertility. In a stressful situation like infertility, it’s ok to feel stressed.
Focus on the Things you can Control
When we experience emotions like anxiety and depression, one of the first ideas to think about is focusing on the things you can control. You may be experiencing anxiety and depression coupled with isolation. It can be very easy to feel as though your life is spinning out of control. So, let’s focus on simple things we can control.
Focus on the present. Right here, right now. Yes, you are still struggling with infertility. But what is going on right now? Are you sitting at your desk? Are you at a party with friends? Maybe you’re watching a movie with your partner. Whatever you are doing, focus on that moment. Try to stay in the present as much as possible. It’s easy to spin into “what ifs”, and it’s usually more destructive than helpful. So, stay in the present as much as possible. You can control your present moment.
Infertility can feel very isolating. Don’t become an island. Talk to your friends, family and/or partner. Talk about anything you want!
While you can’t control your feelings, you can accept them. You are dealing with a very stressful situation. You are experiencing the same emotions as you’d experience with grief and loss. What you can control is the acceptance that it’s okay to feel the way you feel. You are not alone in how you feel. Infertility is incredibly stressful, and you’re living with that grief and loss every day.
Infertility Can Play Host to a Myriad of Emotions | Infertility is Stressful
The stress of infertility can bring up emotions you may never thought you were capable of feeling. But please know it’s all normal. You may feel jealous and sad when you hear of someone else’s pregnancy news. It’s normal. You may feel angry or resentful that your best friend is pregnant – – again. It’s normal. There is nothing wrong with you.
You don’t need to add blame to yourself for how you’re feeling. You are entitled to feel exactly how you feel. Self-blame is normal. We (women) are inherently skilled at blaming ourselves for things that are completely out of our control. While it’s normal to internally blame ourselves for infertility, we don’t have to hold that blame and shame.
Therapy for Infertility | Washington, PA
If there is 1 thing I want you take away from this post, it’s that in a stressful situation, it’s okay to be stressed. Sometimes just knowing that our feelings are completely normal can help to lighten that load.
Talking really does help. As a therapist and as a woman who struggled with infertility for years, I understand what you’re going through. Therapy is extremely helpful to process your feelings and help you feel empowered again.
If you’re experiencing grief and loss associated with infertility, please don’t hesitate to call. We can be reached at (724) 503-6670. You can also email us at admin@inthenowcounseling.org if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment. You can also reach us on Facebook and Instagram, too.
