| Trying to conceive a child can be unbelievably difficult, | | | | 5. Try to "keep things real" and ground your |
| especially when you require costly medical assistance | | | | expectations when you're dealing with the |
| and demanding procedures to accomplish it. But | | | | unavoidable ups and downs of infertility. Know and |
| coping with infertility will eventually make you a | | | | appreciate your reality, both when it's positive and |
| stronger person whether you come away with a | | | | when it's not so great. |
| baby or not. That may seem easy for me to say, | | | | 6. As you're riding the infertility roller coaster, you'll |
| but I've been through it. | | | | encounter many opportunities. Be brave and take |
| My husband was diagnosed with a latent birth defect | | | | well-informed action, but only make choices (medical |
| that rendered us virtually infertile. After undergoing | | | | and otherwise) that feel right for you. |
| IVF (i.e., dealing with syringes, medications, embryo | | | | 7. To truly cope well with infertility, you have to |
| transfers, and medical bills), we learned so much | | | | embrace loving and supportive family members, |
| about coping with infertility. Though this article | | | | choose your friends and confidants wisely, and take |
| doesn't contain all the answers, it contains the twelve | | | | the very best physical and emotional care of yourself. |
| themes for coping with the challenges of infertility | | | | 8. A big part of coping with infertility involves good |
| that seemed constant during our baby-making quest. | | | | financial management. Think before you spend and |
| 1. When you're swamped with challenges (like trying | | | | remember that all monetary outlays and resulting |
| unsuccessfully to conceive a child), try to remember | | | | debt affect your quality of life in some way or |
| that you're gaining something from confronting each | | | | another. |
| obstacle. Infertility should not (and hopefully will not) | | | | 9. Take time to get perspective and find ways to |
| leave you forever broken. | | | | "step back" from the stress of infertility. Evaluate |
| 2. Trust (and follow) your instincts. Whether you're | | | | what's really happening to you, including what's |
| trying to get pregnant or are in the midst of infertility | | | | working and what isn't. |
| treatment, good instincts can highlight the right path. | | | | 10. Don't be scared of each new challenge and try |
| 3. When you're faced with an infertility diagnosis, | | | | not to doubt yourself. You can handle more than you |
| learn everything you can about your situation. | | | | think you can. |
| Knowledge truly is power. | | | | 11. Try to appreciate the idea that what you already |
| 4. Remember that first-hand experience is invaluable. | | | | have in your life, may be more (or equally) important |
| To cope effectively with infertility, appreciate the | | | | than what you want. |
| benefits of getting input about your medical situation | | | | 12. Have a strong sense that whatever will be will be, |
| from doctors, friends, or other patients, but be fully | | | | and that in the end, you will be better in some way |
| prepared to have your own completely singular | | | | from having coped with infertility. |
| experience. | | | | Copyright 2008 Kelley R. Taylor. |