Taking Control When Trying to Conceive: Empowering Your Journey

[00:00:00] Hi, I'm Sarah Banks and in this video I'm going to be talking about how you can take back control while you're going through infertility and fertility treatments. So unfortunately, infertility is a journey that can leave people feeling really out of control, whether that's the unpredictability of treatments, whether that's the rollercoaster of emotions that you're feeling, the constant waiting and feeling like you're [00:00:21] having to put your future in the hands of other people. There's not much you can do to improve your chances or to guarantee that you There's not much you can do to improve your chances or to guarantee that you will get pregnant so people feel very out of control. It can feel really overwhelming and disheartening because so much of the process is out of our [00:00:38] hands, especially on the medical side. And I know personally how important it is to feel like you can take some control during this journey. So hopefully the strategies that I share in this video will help you take back control and help bring a sense of calm and focus to you as well. So as I said, going through IVF, unfortunately you need to accept that the [00:00:56] So as I said, going through IVF, unfortunately you need to accept that the medical side of treatment is very much out of your control. You can, and as I'll go on to talk about, you can take control of parts of that process in terms of adhering to your treatment plans, but you have to accept that some of that control has to be given over to the professionals who are there to help you. [00:01:17] And it can feel really overwhelming and quite scary. You can make choices to help you cope through treatment and ensure that you're in the best state both physically and emotionally to start treatment. state both physically and emotionally to start treatment. And when you feel like you're lacking control going through this journey, have a think about the different areas of your life where you do have control over the choices [00:01:38] that you can make so that then you can start thinking about making the right choices to aid your journey. So as many people do, if you're feeling overwhelmed as you're about to start fertility treatment, a great way to identify the things that you're worrying about and things you're [00:01:55] feeling overwhelmed about is to write everything down. So is it the cost of paying for treatment if you're self-funding? So is it the cost of paying for treatment if you're self-funding? Is it how you can juggle work around treatment? Is it that you're just feeling overwhelmed and don't really understand the process of the treatment you've been advised to have? So you're concerned about that and that's making you feel overwhelmed or the [00:02:16] thought of having to injection yourself. So every time you find yourself worrying write down how you're feeling and what it is you're worrying about so you can start to address that. Because once you've got your list, you can start to think about how you can Because once you've got your list, you can start to think about how you can take action [00:02:30] and take control to make yourself feel better about some of those worries. So once you've got your list, other things that you could delegate to your partner, if you're the one that's going through the physical part of treatment, so could they do the research, could they take care of the finances? If there's something that you feel you don't fully understand, then where can you find [00:02:51] out more information? Who can you ask so that you start to feel more informed and comfortable with what you're about to go through? And what can you cross off your list? Because really it isn't important and I think we can all be guilty of adding Because really it isn't important and I think we can all be guilty of adding things to our [00:03:03] list that aren't necessarily important. And what can you cross off while you're going through this? There's just a certain point in your life. It'll help you feel more in control and better able to cope through treatment. So in terms of the ways you can take control, there are a few areas. So firstly, lifestyle. So think about your nutrition. So focus on a balanced nutrition rich diet that supports fertility. [00:03:28] So there's lots of information out there on what foods are good for fertility, So there's lots of information out there on what foods are good for fertility, such as foods that are rich in antioxidants, healthy fats and lean proteins. If you feel overwhelmed with this and you're not sure, then consider consulting with a nutritionist so that you can get specific advice for your situation. And there's lots of places online and lots of information that you can find. [00:03:51] Just make sure you're looking at reputable source for it. So have a think about how you can take control of your nutrition to be in the best state to go through treatment without letting it overtake your life, I would say, so to go through treatment without letting it overtake your life, I would say, so that you don't then create problems on an emotional mindset space because you're worrying that [00:04:10] you're not doing things right. So think about the exercise you can do. So gentle and regular exercise, such as walking, yoga, swimming, is great for reducing stress and boosting your overall health. This will change at different points through treatment. So speak to your consultant about what they'd advise at certain points. But exercise is a great way for looking after your physical and mental [00:04:29] But exercise is a great way for looking after your physical and mental wellbeing. Consider your lifestyle choices. So there are things that are proven to negatively impact on your fertility, such as smoking, caffeine, alcohol and drugs. So work on cutting down or ideally giving up the things that can negatively impact on [00:04:49] it. Again, if that feels overwhelming, think about how you can do it. Who could support you in making those changes? Take the recommended supplements and again, your clinic can advise you on this.