How to Stay Hopeful During Your Fertility Journey

Collaborative post by another author. When you read the title, it sounds obvious right? There are plenty of fertility treatments out there; of course, you should be hopeful. But here’s the thing: sometimes, that idea of starting the path into parenthood isn’t going to be as easy as you might have expected it to be. For a lot of people, there’s a lot of frustration; there’s plenty of frustration, actually.

When things don’t go according to plan, it’s easy to feel weighed down, to feel hopeless. But here’s the thing—there are ways to keep your spirits up and avoid falling into hopelessness (and this stress isn’t good for you either). So while you’re on your fertility journey, you need to show a lot of compassion to yourself, plenty, it’s really the only way to navigate this and come out in a good mental space.

A woman looking at a pregnancy test, stock image from Canva Pro

The fertility journey can be a long and difficult one

Focus on What’s Within Your Control

We know the unpredictability of fertility can feel overwhelming. That’s why it helps to focus on what you can control. Maybe it’s small lifestyle tweaks like nourishing your body with the right foods, staying active or ensuring you get plenty of rest. While these things might not have immediate effects on the outcome, they give you a sense of agency over your journey. Overall, you just need to feel some control; that lack of control is where hopeless feelings come in.

But you can even look into fertility MOT to help you out, too. If you think about it, you have control there because you get to make the choice. You get to have control over what information you get from these series of tests rather than just sitting there and questioning what’s happening to you. Overall, just gives you some clarity on any potential fertility issues, giving you more information and options, which can be empowering when everything feels uncertain.

Build a Circle of Support

No one should go through a fertility journey alone. Yes, you have your partner to lean on, but sometimes it’s better to have others with you too like friends and family. They’ll be there to help you laugh on the good days and lift you up when things feel tough.

There are other options too, for example, support groups can be a lifeline. Just think about it, it’s all about connecting with people who get it, who are walking the same path, so it can be incredibly reassuring. Plus, hearing stories from others who’ve been through the same challenges can remind you that you’re not alone and that there’s always hope, even if it feels distant right now.

Keep Expectations Realistic

It’s really important to be honest with yourself here, fertility journeys often take unexpected detours. So that’s exactly why setting realistic expectations right from the start can help protect your heart from constant disappointment. It’s okay if things don’t happen straight away and setbacks don’t mean the end of the road.

Prioritise Self-Care

Alright, this one might be generic, but again, it’s about not feeling hopeless and making yourself number one is so important. In the midst of trying to conceive, it’s easy to get tunnel vision and lose track of your own needs.

But self-care is not selfish, it’s essential, especially during this phase of your life. So, just make sure you’re carving out time for activities that bring you joy, whether that’s indulging in a favourite hobby, catching up with friends, or just having a quiet moment with a cup of tea.