Shelbee Asked…About IVF

I have been blessed with two beautiful sons, both naturally conceived within a few months of deciding we wanted to conceive. For this, I feel fortunate and very grateful.  I have never had a struggle or experienced any fertility issues whatsoever, but I have many friends who have.  And as I listened to their stories and observed their journeys, I definitely gained an even greater appreciation for the blessings in my life.  Motherhood is the most challenging thing I have ever done in my life and I have done it willingly giving every ounce of my being to it.  I entered the state of motherhood energized and excited.  And now 7 1/2 years into it, I will admit that I am exhausted.  So I cannot imagine the emotional turmoil that parents must feel when they have to struggle just to get to the point of conception…beginning their parenthood journey already stressed and tired.  I admire these parents, both mothers and fathers, who have traveled this road to becoming parents.  I know many who have conceived and have given birth to beautiful children through IVF.  I have known others who only experienced failure through IVF.  Some of them have gone on to adopt amazing children while others remain childless.  And I know some who are currently traveling this road to conception.  I wish them the best of everything and hope all of their dreams come true. I have been wanting to write a post on this topic for some time, but as I have no experience at all with IVF, I asked my friends at BetterHelp if they would address the topic. I invite you to share any comments or personal experiences below. 

About IVF 

By Marie Miguel

The Psychological Effects of IVF for Women 

In vitro fertilization can be the solution needed for infertile women who want to have children. It involves fertilizing an egg outside of the womb and then transferring it into the client’s uterus so that they are pregnant with the embryo. Embryos, or indeed eggs, can also be frozen, using equipment from companies such as SciQuip, and stored for use at a later date. This process is called Embryo cryopreservation. For women who are unable to have children on their own and want to have something as close to natural childbirth as possible, this is the ideal solution. 

With that being said, there are some psychological effects of IVF that you should look out for if you want to go this route. 

It Can Be Stressful 

When you are about to receive IFV treatments, you may feel a good amount of stress as you prepare. What if it doesn’t work? What if something happens to prevent me from receiving IVF? It is natural to be anxious before any medical treatment and you should always relieve your stress in a healthy manner. Luckily, studies have shown that being stressed does not decrease your chances of a failed IVF.

Failed IVF Can Hurt You Emotionally 

Even though IVF can allow an infertile mother to give birth, there is still a chance that the IVF can fail. The emotional impact this can have on you can be just as painful as a miscarriage and you may experience depression as a result. While you should be optimistic when receiving your IVF, you need to prepare for the worst as well.

IVF Can Cause Financial Anxiety 

Many insurance companies will not cover IVF and it can be quite costly. Prices may vary, but you may be investing thousands of dollars just for the chance to have a baby. Even if you have the money, spending that much can be stressful and you should make sure you have enough and that you are prepared for any outcome. 

Of course, children in general cost money, but conceiving them is usually free.

Some IVF Medications Can Have Side Effects 

With any medication, there is always a risk of side effects. Some medications may cause you to feel irritable and experience other types of mood swings. Always talk to your doctor before receiving your medication. Fortunately, the side effects tend to be temporary but you still should be prepared for them. 

Mothers Who Went Through IVF Are More Emotionally Attached to Their Children

We have spent this post talking about the negative effects IVF can have on the mother so let’s move onto the positive effects of IVF. Compared to natural conception, studies have found that mothers who conceived their children through IVF tend to be more attached their child and have a bigger emotional involvement. One reason for this is the fact that a mother who is going through IVF wants to have a baby more than anything in the world. For some mothers whose natural conceptions may have been unintentional or unplanned, it may be difficult to form a strong emotional attachment for the mother.  

Also, when a child is conceived through IVF, the pregnancy and childbirth feel like a much bigger achievement. If a woman has been struggling to conceive a child for years, being able to conceive feels much more rewarding because of the heartfelt struggle involved in reaching the goal of pregnancy.

Seek Counseling 

When considering IVF, you should seek counseling from a professional who will be able to explain the risks of IVF, what to expect, and how you may feel afterwards. Of course, the results will vary for each individual. IVF may trigger  a roller coaster of emotions or it may be a calm and pleasant process. It depends on the person, the situation, and a multitude of other factors. 

Being infertile and wanting children is frustrating, but thanks to IVF and other fertility treatments, parents can have the chance to have the child that they want. 

* I hope you have found this information helpful in understanding a little bit about the process that some parents go through in order to have children. 

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

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This post was written by Marie Miguel.

Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health-related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.

*All photos (except author photo) c/o Unsplash.