Struggling with depression during IVF can be incredibly challenging, and I understand how overwhelming it can feel. The emotional ups and downs, the uncertainty, and the pressure can really take a toll on your mental well-being. I’ve been through this journey myself, and I want to share some strategies that have helped me cope during those tough times.
Don’t Bottle Up Your Feelings: It’s crucial to acknowledge your emotions and express them in a healthy way. Talk to your partner, a trusted friend, or a therapist about what you’re going through. Sometimes just letting it all out can provide immense relief.
I may not be in the same situation as you in terms of age and fertility results, but I understand the struggles of dealing with depression and facing challenges alone. I’m 29 and had success with 6 euploids from my second retrieval, but I’ve also experienced 4 miscarriages, a difficult decision to terminate a pregnancy, and 3 failed FETs. I’m not trying to compare our hardships, just want you to know that I empathize with you. Some days it feels like the tears won’t stop, but I’ve learned that life does go on. My doctor advised me to focus on finding happiness outside of the clinic and on what I can control. It’s not always easy, but some days it helps to talk and cry it out. Feel free to reach out if you need someone to chat with!
Don’t forget, you’re going through a tough time mentally after ER and the drop in hormones. It’s normal to feel more sad than usual due to the increased hormone levels. Just know that things will balance out eventually, so don’t be hard on yourself for not feeling great. Journaling really helped me during IVF, so I highly recommend it. My IVF journal was a great outlet for all my crazy thoughts.
I believe that many people experience depression during IVF, regardless of the outcome. It’s tough to see others with better results or worse situations. The struggle is real, no matter how many attempts or embryos. It’s easy to blame ourselves, even though we can’t control everything. I find comfort in God, my faith, and my loved ones, especially my supportive husband. Taking a break from Reddit helps, as much as I’m addicted to seeking answers that it can’t provide.
IVF can be a real emotional ride. I’m 38 and had no embryos in the first round, but got one euploid in the second round and two in the third round (out of 10 eggs retrieved). It can take multiple retrievals, so don’t lose hope. Best of luck with your blast and PGT-A results!
I’m struggling with depression too. I have embryos but can’t maintain a pregnancy. It’s tough seeing others succeed while I’ve only had 1 living child out of 7 pregnancies. We all face infertility differently, but I try to cope through prayer. Just like Elizabeth, who thought she was infertile until John the Baptist was born, I believe in “right baby, right time”. God has a plan for us, even if we don’t understand it. Stay strong.
I’ve isolated myself from my loved ones and rarely leave the house except for doctor appointments. Seeing pregnant women triggers me after my ectopic pregnancy last year, so I avoid going out in fear of running into them. I cry every day as my way of coping with the pain. It’s just really tough.
After 40 years old and more than 3 years of trying to conceive, I decided to seek help from a reproductive psychiatrist and fertility-focused therapy. Despite the tough situation, having someone knowledgeable about fertility and being on appropriate medication has greatly alleviated my depression and anxiety. I used to struggle to even talk about my struggles without crying, but now I can think more clearly again. Just as I’m using science to pursue my family dreams, I’m also using it to improve my mental health. Thankfully, it’s working for me at the moment. Science FTW!
Many of us tend to compare our stats to others and feel like we’re not meeting expectations. I did that a lot. The waiting between each stage was tough for me. Getting 4 fertilized out of 6 mature isn’t bad at all. Fingers crossed for your blast report on Saturday!
I can relate to your situation. I had my tubes removed due to stage 4 endometriosis and adenomyosis, and have experienced chemical pregnancies. My doctor confirmed that surrogacy is the only option for me. I am trying to stay positive and remind myself that there is more to life than this struggle. Seeing children brings me back to a happy place, but it’s still difficult when people talk about their kids and schools. I am still trying to figure out how to overcome this trauma.
Many times, we tend to compare our outcomes with the most successful stories online, losing sight of the bigger picture. Personally, having 9 retrieved, 6 mature, and 4 fertilized doesn’t seem as disheartening as your anxiety may be making it seem. I understand that waiting for blast results can be incredibly challenging.
I’m 28 years old and I retrieved 7 eggs from my cycle, with 4 being mature and resulting in 2 embryos. It’s tough not to compare myself to others, but we are all unique in our own ways. If you ever need to chat, I understand the struggle with inner thoughts and I’m here for you.
I attempted to manage the situation either on my own or with my husband. I had my egg retrieval two days ago. They retrieved 30 eggs, but only 3 fertilized because of bacteria found in the sperm/follicular fluid. It’s still being looked into, and I’m waiting until Monday to see if those 3 eggs turn into embryos. I had high hopes because of the number of eggs retrieved, so I was disappointed with the outcome. I will be discussing with the reproductive endocrinologist to figure out what went wrong. I’m 39 years old with an AMH of 1.71, and this is my first IVF cycle. My mood hasn’t changed significantly yet.
I definitely felt helpless and out of control during my IVF journey. I found solace in picking up new hobbies, watching TV and movies, painting, reaching out to friends, cooking elaborate meals, and spending time outdoors. Distractions were a godsend, but also important to trust that your doctors have everything under control. It’s crucial to remember that much of it is out of your hands.
I wish I could offer some advice on feeling better, but right now I’m struggling too. Just had my first retrieval yesterday, got 8 retrieved and 6 fertilized. I’ll find out my final numbers on Saturday.
