Explore the science behind why being organised and reducing stress may benefit your TTC journey.
For many people, TTC (Trying To Conceive) can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. Not only do you have to navigate the physical and emotional changes that come with the process, but you also have to deal with the added pressure of ovulation tracking and timing intercourse. It's oh-so-sexy. Then, like a bolt of lightning, your period starts, and it's yet another slap in the face. Here we go again.
For people undergoing fertility treatments such as IVF, the emotions and overwhelm are significantly heightened.
When TTC via fertility treatments, many have already faced months, if not years, on a rollercoaster, often filled with heartache, grief and loss. Now we must navigate the added pressure of managing appointments, sticking ourselves with medications, constant dates with "Wanda", and undergoing medical procedures - not to mention the hormonal surges occurring in our bodies. It's no surprise that many people find themselves feeling anxious, stressed, overwhelmed and often, disorganised during this time.
In this blog post, we'll explore the science behind why being organised and reducing stress may benefit your TTC journey.
First, let's take a closer look at how stress can impact your body.
When we experience stress, our bodies release the hormone cortisol, which can disrupt our reproductive hormones, potentially making it harder to conceive. Research has clearly shown that infertility is a highly stressful experience. That's not in dispute. What is in dispute, however, is whether these high-stress levels affect treatment outcomes. The research is not clear-cut. Some researchers say yes, others say a big fat no, and some prefer to sit on the fence.
We think that even though the science doesn't completely back the "stress versus fertility treatment outcome" argument, the science does, in fact, demonstrate that a reduction in stress has positive impacts on the body's functions. So, correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't that also mean a positive impact on your reproductive health? Just sayin!
If the art of organisation is a proven method to help reduce stress, I have a few ideas to help:
Create a Routine
We know that the IVF and fertility treatment experience is mostly uncontrollable. We hand our hearts and bodies over to the baby-making gods. But there are some things you can do to feel a sense of control.
If possible, and in consultation with your medical practitioner, decide on the best time each day to take your medications. Once you commit to a certain medication schedule, it will be important to stick to it. So, pick a schedule that works for you. Creating a sense of structure in your life helps reduce stress and promotes a more positive mindset, which leads to the next point... keeping track of all the things.
Keeping Track of Medications, Appointments and Key Contacts
One of the most important aspects of fertility treatments is staying on track with medications and appointments.
By keeping a calendar and details of your key contacts, such as your Fertility Specialist and/or Fertility Nurse, you'll be super organised, ensuring that you never miss a dose or appointment and you have all the details you need at your disposal. Set your alarm 5 minutes prior to each dosage, and use this time to prepare your injections. Or use one of the many fertility APPS available.
Minimise Clutter
Cluttered and disorganised spaces can contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety, and once your boxes of fertility medications arrive, you may feel overwhelmed.
By taking the time to declutter your space and create a more organised environment, you may find that you feel more relaxed and at ease. This can translate into lower stress levels and improved overall well-being. But, don't worry, we can help you get prepared ahead of time.
At Ivy Dayz, we have created a variety of organisation solutions for the TTC community. Our Keep Them Cool Fridge Caddy is perfect for your fridge-bound fertility meds, and our Seriously Calming Caddy will have you feeling confident to take on the world of IVF.
Prioritise Self-Care
Taking care of yourself is essential during the TTC journey and even more so when enduring fertility treatments.
Self-care comes in many forms. You may like to implement relaxation techniques such as journaling, mindfulness, meditation, acupuncture, or yoga, which can all have a positive impact on your well-being.
Self-care also means getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and moving your body by engaging in regular exercise. But don't forget that engaging in social activities, such as outings with your loved ones, family and friends, also counts as self-care (so long as it's not a stressful or potentially triggering environment, such as navigating a baby shower or dealing with people who love to offer unhelpful comments and advice) #justrelax #nothanks
In my personal experience, when participating in self-care activities outside of the home, I experienced better mental health. It's one of the reasons that Ivy Dayz was created. I recognised that when I hid from the world and stayed at home, my mental health and well-being took a hit. We know that you may need to take your medications with you, and our On the Go Pouch can help.
While the relationship between infertility and stress on treatment outcomes remains controversial, studies have extensively shown the negative impact of infertility and subsequent fertility treatments on mental health. Nonetheless, it's clear that implementing strategies to alleviate stress during fertility treatments can be beneficial to overall well-being.
In conclusion, by prioritising self-care and wellness through any of its forms, you may experience a better quality of life, thus reducing stress, which has the potential to improve treatment outcomes. While there's no guarantee that being organised, meditating, or doing yoga will lead to a successful result, anything is certainly worth a try. So, take a deep breath, get organised, and remember that every step you take is a positive step towards your dream of parenthood.
Sending baby dust to you all x
Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and inspirational purposes, not medical advice. Please seek medical advice from your healthcare provider.
Article References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6016043/ Rooney KL, Domar AD. The relationship between stress and infertility. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2018 Mar;20(1):41-47. doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2018.20.1/klrooney. PMID: 29946210; PMCID: PMC6016043.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3553357/An Y, Sun Z, Li L, Zhang Y, Ji H. Relationship between psychological stress and reproductive outcome in women undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment: psychological and neurohormonal assessment. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2013 Jan;30(1):35-41. doi: 10.1007/s10815-012-9904-x. Epub 2012 Dec 5. PMID: 23212833; PMCID: PMC3553357.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579396/Yaribeygi H, Panahi Y, Sahraei H, Johnston TP, Sahebkar A. The impact of stress on body function: A review. EXCLI J. 2017 Jul 21;16:1057-1072. doi: 10.17179/excli2017-480. PMID: 28900385; PMCID: PMC5579396.
https://blog.swedish.org/swedish-blog/how-decluttering-can-improve-physical-and-mental-healthhttps://www.verywellmind.com/how-mental-health-and-cleaning-are-connected-5097496https://fertilitycenterofdallas.com/blog/practicing-self-care-ivf/https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/fertility-blog/2018/june/practice-selfcare-to-bolster-wellbeing-during-fertility-treatments
