by Corey Whelan
It's no surprise to anyone that infertility is stressful. Wondering if this will finally be the time that your fifth IUI, or third IVF will work is highly anxiety producing. Couple that with concerns about the people in your life, and grappling with decisions about treatment, or even donor disclosure to everyone from your boss to your in laws, is an awful lot to deal with day by day, and unfortunately for many, month by month.
Stress is clearly inherent in the diagnosis, in the waiting, and in the toll that this will take on many relationships. An additional layer of stress is also created by the unending parade of treatment protocols, tests, and medical bills that need to be kept track of. Juggling insurance claims and FSH numbers can become overwhelming, as the daily rigors of the trying to conceive lifestyle collide with the already high demands of job, family, and life.
There is now support, in the form of a simple carry along loose leaf kit, to manage the daily details of your treatment.
"I created the IVF Companion as a personal coping mechanism and decided to publish it so others can experience its benefits. My hope is that it will be a positive tool that helps to reduce stress and empower women to advocate for themselves while preparing for and going through In Vitro Fertilization, third party reproduction, and other ART treatments" says Stephanie Fry, originator of the kit.
At 34 years of age, Fry is currently pregnant with her first baby. After undergoing infertility treatment for close to five years that included five IUI's, 4 IVF's, and one ovarian surgery, she understands the effect of disorganization on already high stress levels. Her kit contains removable pages that allow women to keep track of clinic instructions and contacts, insurance claims and budgets, cycle instructions and more. Recognizing that it might be psychologically difficult for some women to buy more than one month's kit at a time, refills for additional treatment cycles are also available.
"Control of your treatment does not equal control of your cycle" cautions Fry, "nor will the IVF Companion take the place of a good friend or cycle buddy". But freeing your mind from the unending daily details may go a long way towards calming your nerves. And with any luck, years from now, you will find your dusty copy of the IVF Companion in the back of your little one's closet.
To learn more about the IVF Companion, click here.
To learn more about stress reducers like yoga for infertility, click here.
Reprinted from February 28th edition, Examiner.com with permission
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