5 Ways to Reduce Anxiety During IVF
Going through infertility and IVF is stressful, and feelings of anxiety are common.
Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to help manage the stress, difficult emotions and reduce anxiety during IVF.
During this time, anxiety can stem from:
- Infertility
- Testing
- Procedures
- Meeting benchmarks such as the number of mature eggs retrieved, the numbers of healthy embryos, and pregnancy outcomes.
- Pregnancy loss
- Financial burden
How can you reduce anxiety during IVF?
1. Get Enough Rest
Getting enough rest is a combination of getting enough sleep, and thoughtful scheduling. Plan your bedtime so that you can be in bed for at least 8 hours every night. If you are struggling with insomnia, there are several things you can do to get better rest, see our blog here.
Throughout fertility treatments, allow yourself more unscheduled time so you have more opportunities to relax and rejuvenate.
2. Eat Well
Start by eating regularly, including three meals a day plus snacks. Next, cut out any junk food and added sugar, which are not actually nourishing you.
If you’ve got more energy to devote to healthy eating, consider eating an anti-inflammatory diet.
3. Have a Good Support System
Often, women going through infertility feel alone and isolated. Start by maintaining good lines of communication with your partner. Seek out your close friends that you trust to share this journey with you. Work with a therapist and/or find a support group.
4. Pamper Yourself a Little
Take time for yourself on a regular basis.
Do the little things that you especially enjoy, whether it is watching a movie, getting a massage, or taking a walk in nature.
5. Get Acupuncture
Acupuncture has many benefits for your fertility and quality of life, including:
- Reducing feelings of stress and anxiety
- Improving feelings of well-being
- Decreasing adverse side effects of IVF treatments.
- Increasing live birth outcomes.
In addition to acupuncture, there are many other ways our clinic provides care to our patients:
Emotional Support: We are a part of your emotional support network. We know the challenges of going through infertility and are here for you every step of the way.
Q&A: Every appointment allows for plenty of time to talk with your clinician, ask questions and get answers. Going through infertility can be overwhelming, and we can help make decisions about what to do and when to do it.
Lab Testing: We can explain what your lab values mean, and if needed, we can order labs for you.
Nutritional Support: We talk to patients about their eating habits, what foods might best support their fertility, and what supplements to take.
Sleep Improvement: If you are having difficulty with sleep, we can help you address insomnia and get better rest.
Lifestyle Coaching: There are countless “do’s” and “don’ts” when it comes to improving your fertility. We can help you focus on what’s most important for you.
Reduce Side Effects of Fertility Treatments & Health Challenges: Fertility treatments may come with side effects, and sometimes infertility is not your only health challenge. We work with you as a whole person to address any number of other concerns.
Going through IVF can be stressful. Use these fives ways to reduce anxiety during IVF. Reducing anxiety is a major factor in increasing your overall quality of life. Get the support you need to make this journey easier on you.
If you live in the Bay Area and would like to work with us:
- Visit our website and book an appointment online.
- If you have questions, book a discovery session.
- If you are ready to get started, book a new patient visit.
We’ll work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan for having a baby and building your family.
Leslie Oldershaw L.Ac, FABORM
Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist
Fellow, Acupuncture Board of Reproductive Medicine
Leslie Oldershaw brings over 30 years of leadership and expertise blending Eastern and Western medicine to support women’s health. Since founding The Oldershaw Clinic in 1995, she has helped women navigate fertility, hormonal transitions, perimenopause, menopause, and healthy aging with integrative, personalized care focused on vitality and lifelong wellness.
