IVF Cycle Cancelled due to COVID-19? What to do when IVF has been put on hold. Tips for staying proactive and promote fertility while you wait.
It’s been heartbreaking to watch as many people’s hopes and dreams have been put on hold, with uncertain timelines for the future due to COVID-19. Among these, are my patients and friends who have put months or years in to fertility treatments, spent thousands of dollars out of pocket, endured the discomfort of hormonal injections, and went through the emotional ups and downs of the process, only to be told right now that it all has to be put on hold, as new cycles will not resume until the pandemic nightmare is over. With all the unknowns that already come with IVF and IUI, adding this additional stressor has been devastating for many.
CNN Article:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/25/health/ivf-treatments-postponed-coronavirus-trnd-wellness/index.html
There is nothing worse than feeling disempowered, or that there is nothing that can be done. After months of planning, doctor’s appointments, labs tests, getting insurance approvals, injections, now just having to sit idly waiting can feel like coming up against a massive roadblock with no way around. Feeling disempowered, and being faced with a lot of unknowns triggers anxiety for many.
So what CAN you do right now to stay proactive? I’ve been recommending to my patients to make schedules for themselves every day so that they feel a sense of purpose and structure in their lives. This is so important for our mental and physical health. Stress reduction techniques are key for keeping our immune systems strong and our bodies healthy.
Instead of waiting for things to “go back to normal” (because honestly, a lot of things might change after this), maybe we can find ways to see this as an opportunity for pause, self-reflection, connection, improvement, and nourishment, so that we come out the other side better, healthier, more whole, and ready to embrace the life we only dared to dream of having before.
Tips for Staying Proactive with Your Health & Fertility:
- Diet: It can be tempting to stress eat and reach for high sugar foods, carbs and greasy, fried items. Sticking to an anti-inflammatory non-toxic diet may not only improve fertility, but will boost mood, general well-being and optimize our body’s ability to heal, rest and rejuvenate. Diet and exercise are especially important when dealing with infertility due to PCOS, however, I recommend an anti-inflammatory diet for all of my patients trying to conceive. https://www.rrc.com/anti-inflammatory-diets-may-help-fertility/
Also important to stay hydrated. - Relaxation Techniques: Whatever form you choose, these need to be applied every day, throughout your day so that you train your body and nervous system to “live” in this state. Fight or flight stress chemicals and hormones shut off important function in our bodies, including adequate sex hormone production necessary for optimal fertility, ovulation and menstrual cycles. A good place to begin would be meditation apps on your phone or computer. A plus if they include deep abdominal breathing exercises. We teach these in our individual programs. Don’t forget to stay connected to friends and family during this time too. Research has shown social connections keep us healthy.
- Exercise & Movement: Find ways to incorporate exercise and movement in to your daily life. As mentioned above, this is particularly important for those dealing with PCOS related fertility issues, however, movement in general keeps blood flowing, keeps the nervous system in check, and relaxes the brain. There are many options for home workouts and staying active while house bound.
- BBT Chart & Monitoring Ovulation: Especially for those who are cycling, keeping up with your charting can provide important information for your acupuncturist and other practitioners helping you with your fertility. In my practice, I want to know each menstrual cycle phases look like for my patients (eg. follicular, ovulation, luteal, period) for every cycle. If you’ve been having acupuncture treatments to help with your fertility, you know that we will ask you where you are in your cycle EVERY time we meet. NOTE: I have spoken to some patients who prefer to take a little time off from charting and focusing on fertility. This is completely understandable and a mental break can certainly take a lot of stress off the body. Trust your gut right now and do what’s right for you.
- Supportive Treatments: Many acupuncturists and other practitioners you may have been seeing for fertility support are now offering online or video sessions for continued support. Sticking with these programs can promote fertility by regulating ovulation, optimizing uterine blood flow, reduce stress hormones, positively affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, normalizing your menstrual cycle, or if you are waiting for your next IVF or IUI cycle, keeping your body primed and ready for when the time comes.
I am offering programs that include DIY acupuncture treatments from home, plus personalized nutrition and supplement protocols. Of course we are not using DIY needles, but we will teach you how to apply the correct acupressure to specific points on your body, combined with abdominal massage, breathing technique, visualizations and qi gong to enhance the movement of qi and flow in the body.
Again, I want to acknowledge that some patients have decided to take a mental break from all of this and put their efforts on pause for a bit. This is 100% a personal choice — trust your gut on this one. If implementing any of the above feels empowering and supportive, then it’s likely the right direction for you. If it feels exhausting just reading it, then a break may be right for now. Either way, I am happy to hear your thoughts and discuss what might be right for you.
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Email: Nicole@SageBostonAcupuncture.com
Brookline Acupuncture & Health Coaching
