Dr. Abayomi Ajayi
The decision to have a baby is most likely one of the most exciting times for many people, but if months pass without a positive result, the excitement starts to fade. When you are trying to conceive, stress is a factor you are bound to deal with.
It’s common to become stressed and anxious when pregnancy isn’t coming as quickly as planned. You might be trying for months or even years with no luck, or you conceived easily to have the first baby, hoping that the second one would be the same.
An important issue to examine is whether or not stress can affect fertility? The answer is yes and no. Stress could mean you are simply having intercourse less often and therefore decreasing your chances of conceiving. Already, there are studies that indicate that stress impacts on the hormones needed for sperm production in men and ovulation in women.
Stress has a negative impact on one’s emotional well-being, physical health and longevity, so it will be wise to reduce worry and pressure.
With no less than one in four couples having a problem getting or staying pregnant, it is difficult not to encounter worry and stress when you face negative test results month after month. It is common to feel disappointed, angry, guilty and stressed out.
You may feel like you are on an emotional roller coaster, and the stress may even tip off your hormones such that fertility test results show up negative. If you have had gynaecological issues in the past or you are trying to get pregnant after a miscarriage, stress could also be a major factor.
Reducing stress is important if you are trying to conceive. This is regardless of whether you have just started trying or are dealing with longstanding infertility issues. If you worry a lot, you are up to 20 per cent less likely to get pregnant or carry a full-term pregnancy.
It is a great idea that you attempt to reduce stress when trying to conceive, and there are a few things to note:
Communicate with your partner but don’t expect your partner to always feel the way you do. Women tend to be more affected by infertility as motherhood is one of the central female roles.
Get informed. By understanding the causes of infertility and available treatment options you will be able to make better decisions and feel more in charge. Know your options. You are less likely to be disappointed if you know you have other options for becoming a parent.
Keep doing the things you used to do. Get involved in something that makes you feel like you are contributing and gets your mind off trying to get pregnant (e.g. work, volunteering). Get out and do things that you enjoy that are fun and relaxing.
If trying to conceive is taking over your life, take a break. Practice relaxation techniques to help relieve tension. They reduce the production of stress hormones and can increase your chances of getting pregnant. Most importantly, find suitable support.
Advice from family and friends that might be well-meaning may end up leaving you feeling frustrated when your worry has to do with your inability to start a family. One of the best approaches is that you visit a fertility specialist for help.
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