Coping With The Stress Of an IVF Procedure

In vitro fertilization can average approximately $12,400 per cycle.

This expensive procedure can cause a great amount of stress to couples wanting to conceive. This is especially true of women who need to go through multiple cycles before becoming pregnant. Coping with the stress of IVF is faced by couples every day.  What are the mechanisms that can help couples who are about to undergo IVF?

The first thing you need to do is to develop a financial plan to determine if it is not only affordable, but is covered by your insurance plan.

Contact your HMO and find out exactly what it does and doesn't cover. If it covers some or all of your treatments, decide which one of you will negotiate with the insurance company. List your assets to ensure you have enough money to pay for the treatments. If you need assistance, ask for help from your family members or, if you own a home, decide if it is beneficial to take out a second mortgage. Check loan possibilities as well. 

Network with other couples who are also trying to cope with IVF to see if there is something you may have missed.  In addition, talking to others who are experiencing the same problems makes it much easier to cope with everything you have to deal with. Check online fertility forums; research the data; perhaps you may find solutions which you never thought possible.

If the stress is overpowering you, seek counseling.

A therapist who understands the IVF process could be of tremendous help in enabling you to cope more easily. Do not isolate yourself into a depression.  Keep the dialogue open; and encourage your partner to do the same. Try to keep a positive outlook. Remember, stress can cause problems which, in turn, will ultimately affect your overall health and that of your baby, in the event you do become pregnant.