The pregnancy journey can be emotionally, physically, and financially taxing. You are sure to run into stressors and strains and may develop depression or anxiety. This is echoed by research conducted at the University of Middlesex, which found that 90% of people facing fertility challenges develop depression.

However, you need not struggle alone. There are dozens of support services dedicated to improving your health and well-being. These services can ease your financial burdens and empower you to solve other issues you may face.

Types of Fertility Support

Simply learning how to access support can relieve stress, too. Knowing that you can reach out to a trusted therapist or financial aid can make a world of difference when you are feeling overwhelmed and overstressed during your fertility treatment journey.

Financial Support

Fertility treatments are an investment in your family’s future. They are high-tech, resource-heavy treatments, too. This means they are, unfortunately, expensive — particularly if your insurance does not cover the cost of treatment.

Fortunately, most insurance plans cover all, or at least part, of the cost of fertility treatment.

Depending on your insurance, you may still be responsible for copays, deductibles and co-insurance. To alleviate your worry about affording infertility care, it is worth looking into alternative sources for financial support. Research philanthropic efforts in your state and get in contact with groups like:

• DragonFly Fund
• The Gateway Family Fertility Fund
• The Fertility Foundation
• Fertility Demonstration Project

These organizations exist to help you find funding for fertility treatment. They are experts in the field and will be able to connect you with other supportive services, too. This is key if you are starting to feel the strain during your fertility treatment journey and want to find someone who can improve your mental health.

Mental Health

A single cycle of IVF usually takes between 4 and 6 weeks. While some patients are fortunate enough to become pregnant during the first cycle, many must repeat treatment multiple times. This can put a real strain on your mental health if you are looking forward to starting your family and are frustrated by the lack of progress.

Make the journey that much easier by reaching out to a reproductive psychiatrist. Reproductive psychiatrists are trained mental health professionals. They understand the stresses and anxious thoughts you face during treatment. Additionally, they can work with you on other issues related to reproduction and will support you from menstruation to menopause.

Many reproductive psychiatrists can act as an emotional guide throughout the process, too. This is key, as it is easy to feel alone if you do not know anyone else with the same struggles. They have a great understanding of your options and can help you navigate setbacks. This can help you see your journey with a fresh perspective. This shift can significantly improve your mental health, reduce the stress you are under, and help you work on your physical well-being to support your fertility treatment journey.

You can find reproductive psychiatrists and infertility counselors through groups like:

• RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
• The Mental Health Professional Group

These groups provide dedicated support for fertility needs. You can rest easier in the knowledge that you are doing all you can.

Holistic Health

Understanding your body during fertility treatment is crucial. Being in good physical health makes treatment that much easier. Other behavioral changes that increase the effectiveness of IVF include:

• Eating a balanced diet.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Avoiding substances like alcohol and tobacco.

However, you don’t need to become an Olympian to become pregnant. Taking a holistic approach to health is a small step with big gains. Healthcare providers who are trained to improve holistic health will listen to your worries and develop a treatment plan with your overall needs in mind. They will actively listen to you in consultation, help you overcome conflict, and find exercise programs that suit your needs.

A holistic plan helps you improve your physical well-being while taking care of your emotional and social health, too. This can be transformative if you experience stressful conflict and struggle to find time for exercise. By taking a holistic approach, you can account for potential stressors and learn to understand your own behavior more fully. This can be powerful during your treatment, as you will need to become more resilient during your fertility journey. A holistic plan gives you tools to fight stress and build support networks.

Take the next steps

Finding support during the fertility treatment journey can minimize your stress, improve your physical health, and help you access the best care possible. Infertility counselors can address myths surrounding fertility treatments and help you find the best route forward, too. Be sure to reach out to fundraising groups and financial services, too, as these groups have grants available to alleviate any financial pressure you face during your fertility treatment journey.