How to Stay Sane While Going Through Infertility

Trying to conceive and not succeeding can be disheartening, to say the least. How can you continue to hold your head up high each month?

Here's how:

Become as knowledgeable as possible about conception and, if diagnosed, your cause of infertility. Knowledge is power and will help you feel in control.
Read, read, read about your infertility situation -- everything from the literature in your physician's office to online articles and recommended books.
Include completely unrelated reading materials in your life, such as humor, fiction, mystery, etc.
Talk to others who are going through what you are experiencing, whether in our Forum or in "real life". Compare notes with them on how they've weathered the journey.
Make sure you are seeing a bonafide specialist. See other How to's and Related Features to be sure.
Develop good communication with your specialist. Feel comfortable enough to share what you are learning and ask the simplest or most complex questions of your doctor.
Find at least one member of your family or one close friend with whom you can share your experiences, outside of your marital partner.
Keep a journal of your experiences.
Develop and nurture any creative tendencies that come naturally: writing, visual arts, music, home decorating, crafts, etc.
Invest in learning new ways to be creative.
Tend to your needs to nurture regularly in the following ways:
Spend time with the children of other family members or friends.
Volunteer or work in helping professions such as foster care, hospitals, childrens' museums.
Care for pets and plants.
If you are spiritual or religious, find comfort there.

Tips:

It may help to look at your infertility experience as a point of re-creation for yourself and your life.
Avoid self-pity. It will only make you feel worse.
Give some thought early on to how far you are willing to go for a baby, and revisit that thought periodically.

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