An infertility journey can put you on a rollercoaster of emotions. There are highs and lows, frustrations and achievements, and everything in between. Whether you are just starting fertility treatment or you have been on it for weeks, months, or even years, there is no denying it can take a toll on your well-being, your finances, and potentially your relationship.

It is important to have a strong plan in place during fertility treatment. Sticking to that plan will make it easier to keep moving forward, even when you experience the low points.

It might not always seem easy to keep going. However, having practical strategies in place to stick to your plan will make navigating the unique challenges of the fertility journey more realistic. We will cover some of those strategies you and your partner can put into practice.

Set Realistic Goals

You have a major goal in mind when you start fertility treatment. You want to have a baby. But, getting to that point can take a long time, with many steps and procedures along the way. One of the best ways to keep yourself on track, even when things get frustrating, is to set smaller SMART goals. SMART goals are:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-bound

So, what are your specific goals for the first month of your journey? What do you want to see over six months? Creating these goals as a framework for your journey will help you stay motivated and upbeat along the way. Each time you reach a smaller SMART goal, you’ll feel empowered and hopeful to keep going. Below is a sample of a SMART goal for a fertility cycle:

• Have a consultation with a fertility specialist
• Have additional testing done
• Review test results with your provider
• Make a treatment plan
• Monitoring, sonograms, check-ins with the nursing team
• End of cycle pregnancy test

Setting goals is also a great way to make sure you and your partner are on the same page. You are on this journey together. You should be setting goals together, too.

Practice Self-Care During Fertility Treatment

The fertility journey can often be a stressful one. Unfortunately, stress can wreak havoc on more than just your mind. Research has shown that stress and infertility are often connected. While stress does not cause infertility, it can make the fertility journey more difficult to deal with.

While it might not be possible to eliminate stress from your life, there are things you can do to manage it. That starts with prioritizing self-care. Things like getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and light exercise can all improve your physical well-being, but they will also help with stress reduction. If you are not sure which route to take, consider working with a professional.

For example, a nutritionist might be able to create a diet plan that provides the nutrients you need to have more energy and less stress. If you tend to struggle with your weight, it could also be impacting your fertility journey. Women who are significantly overweight are at a greater risk of developing gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. On the other hand, if you are extremely underweight, you might have a harder time conceiving because your menstrual cycles are not regular. A nutritionist can help you healthily shed pounds or gain weight the right way using healthy fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.

Your lifestyle choices can make a big difference in your ability to get pregnant. Prioritizing your mental and physical health will not guarantee that your fertility treatment is successful quickly. But, it will benefit you in a variety of ways and can make the journey easier.

Mindfulness, meditation, and journaling are also great ways to manage stress on your own. But, remember that you are in this with your partner. Do not be afraid to have fun and find unique ways to take care of yourself as a couple. Plan unique date nights. Take a trip somewhere. Do little things to take your mind off the stress of your fertility issues, even if it is only for a short time.

Staying Resilient Through Setbacks

Setbacks will happen. A procedure might cost more than you initially anticipated. A treatment will not “take” the way you hoped it would. You did not conceive – again.

There will likely be times when you and your partner feel defeated. Even if you have stuck to your plan, things can feel completely derailed in a split second. One of the most important parts of the fertility journey is resilience.

It’s easy to feel like you have somehow failed when you hit one of these setbacks. It can bring up a hurricane of emotions and sometimes make you feel like you are back at square one. That is rarely the case. Important information can be learned through a failed cycle. Being able to cope with failure will be one of your greatest assets as you go through this journey.

Lean on your partner for support. Both of you are in a unique situation, so you can be completely open and honest about your feelings. If you are still struggling, consider reaching out to a mental health professional who can help you work through your setbacks and keep moving forward. Infertility support groups can also be incredibly helpful as you can talk with others going through many of the same challenges. Knowing you are truly not alone can be incredibly therapeutic.

Finally, develop a healthy, close relationship with your doctors and fertility team. While you may want to only work with your doctor, fertility treatment is a team effort. Each part of the team is specialized in their piece of the puzzle. You many find friendly compassion from the tech that does your sonogram in the wee hours of the morning. Or take comfort in the friendly voice from the nurse relaying the doctors’ decisions for the next step. Your fertility team has many understanding professionals who can provide support during any bumps in the road.

Sticking to a fertility plan can be easier said than done when things do not always go smoothly. By having strong strategies in place, you will be more likely to stay the course and enjoy the world’s best payoff.