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If reasonable goals are maintained and difficulties and limitations are kept in mind, stress can be minimized. If this is not the case, then a break from treatment, change in plans, or counselling for stress and marital issues may be good idea.
Sometimes, recording information on a worksheet can be helpful. Here is a sample worksheet for making medical decisions about treatment:
| Category | Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 | Option 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benefits | | | | |
| Success | | | | |
| Risks | | | | |
| Costs | | | | |
| Time | | | | |
| Decision | | | | |
You may want to take each of the options your doctor has suggested, gather the information you need, and go over the options in terms of:
Also keep in mind how much money and time are needed, what is available and how much you are willing to invest. As you go through this decision-making process, you will probably find that your answers change with time.
If you do not conceive after pursuing your initial plan of treatment for a set period of time, you may need to re-evaluate your goals and options. You may find that you want to discontinue medical intervention, or you may want to seek a different kind of treatment. Keep in mind that it is not at all unusual for partners to have differing views and feelings about infertility and its treatment. Open communication can help both of you to make the best decision.
An early step in the entire process is to try and prepare yourself . Ask yourself if it is worth the risk of pursuing treatment without a guarantee of success. Anticipating difficult situations and emotions may help you deal with them more easily.
Your doctor can provide you with information and can refer you to further sources. You can take steps to prepare yourself for what could be a long and frustrating process. But you may also find that as you and your partner work through the stages of infertility treatment, your relationship grows stronger.
Your physician, support groups, other couples who have made similar decisions, and counsellors can also provide support and guidance. Above all, remember that with patience, a positive attitude, and the appropriate treatment, most infertile couples can eventually become parents.
© Dr. Aniruddha Malpani and Dr. Anjali Malpani www.drmalpani.com
Credits: How to Have a Baby: Overcoming Infertility
