Overcoming Depression When You Can’t Get Pregnant

These tips for overcoming depression when you can’t get pregnant are from two infertility experts at Pulling Down the Moon, an organization that helps women with infertility.

“Issues of infertility currently affect 12% of the American population, equating to 7.3 million women,” say fertility experts and former fertility patients Tami Quinn and Beth Heller. “A recent study has shown that of these 7.3 million women, 40% are severely distressed and anxious by the time they seek help at a fertility clinic.”

Quinn and Heller wrote Fully Fertile: A Holistic 12 – Week Plan for Optimal Fertility – click on the book cover for more information. And, read on for their tips for overcoming depression when you can’t get pregnant.

Overcoming Depression When You Can’t Get Pregnant

Feelings of depression and hopelessness can negatively affect a woman’s chance of conceiving a baby, yet the fertility struggle is so draining that many women find it impossible to remain upbeat and relaxed! If you wonder if you’re depressed, read Signs of Depression When You Can’t Get Pregnant.

1. Seek outside support (other than family, friends and loved ones). Research has shown that women who seek support during fertility treatment have higher conception rates. There are plenty of places to get fertility support, such as local fertility clinics, fertility support groups, online communities and more.

2. Nurture yourself. To overcome depression when you’re coping with infertility, indulge in a day of self-healing.  Take a day off from work, book a massage, or lay on the couch with a good book.  Do the things you love for one day, without guilt and without apology.

3. Take a walk. Engaging the senses by walking in nature can change the momentum of your day.  In addition to being a “fertility friendly” exercise, walking also provides quiet time for you to spend with your thoughts allowing you to take in positive energy and getting rid of the negative. If you’re into yoga, read Fertility Yoga Tips for Couples Trying to Conceive.

4. Find inspiration. To overcome depression when you can’t get pregnant, find inspiration from other people who have also experienced difficulty.  Read biographies, attend lectures, listen to audio tapes or spend time researching to gain a better understanding of how others have survived their challenging times. You might like Mary Beth’s story in Getting Pregnant in Your 40s or 50s!

5. Learn to meditate. Meditation allows you to see your emotions as they come and go.  The more we practice this technique, the more we can step outside the mind and body and find more lasting peace in times of crisis, loss or disappointment. To overcome depression when you’re coping with infertility, try meditating – even if it’s just for a few minutes at a time.

6. Express gratitude. Focusing on the positives and reminding yourself of everything you have to be thankful for can be very therapeutic. To overcome depression, keep this list somewhere where you can see it, such as your refrigerator, your bathroom or in another location that will be a daily reminder of those things for which you have to be thankful. 

If you have any questions or thoughts on overcoming depression when you can’t get pregnant, please comment below…you might also find Dealing With the Disappointment of a Childfree Life helpful.

Pulling Down The Moon is an Integrative Care for Fertility (ICF) service that works in partnership with medical doctors to treat infertility, through individualized, holistic programs focused on fertility yoga, acupuncture, massage, and more.