{"id":57066,"date":"2019-12-23T09:00:27","date_gmt":"2019-12-23T07:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/?p=57066"},"modified":"2022-12-19T18:59:25","modified_gmt":"2022-12-19T16:59:25","slug":"coping-with-infertility-at-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/coping-with-infertility-at-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"Coping with infertility at Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Coping with infertility at Christmas can be tough: anyone who is struggling to conceive, going through fertility treatment or has experienced an unsuccessful treatment will know this all too well. Another year has gone past, and your family is not yet complete. Christmas is a time of year closely tied to children. Therefore, it can be a painful reminder for many couples of what they long for but still do not have. With businesses advertising Christmas earlier and earlier each year, adverts with children, toys and families, it can feel like there is no getting away from it.<\/p>\n<p>It is important to recognise that these feelings are completely normal, and valid. Sadness and isolation are common emotions when dealing with infertility, but you are not alone.<\/p>\n<p>You may feel like packing up and going away until January, when it\u2019s all blown over. However, if that is not possible, there are several useful ways to prepare for the challenging few weeks ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Everyone at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/clinics\/london\/\">IVI London<\/a> is here for you and understands how tough the journey can be. We&#8217;ve pulled together some valuable tips to help you through the festive period.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/coping-with-infertility-at-christmas\/#Remember_its_okay_to_not_be_okay\" title=\"Remember it\u2019s okay to not be okay\">Remember it\u2019s okay to not be okay<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/coping-with-infertility-at-christmas\/#Set_boundaries_with_family\" title=\"Set boundaries with family\">Set boundaries with family<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/coping-with-infertility-at-christmas\/#Prepare_responses_in_advance\" title=\"Prepare responses in advance\">Prepare responses in advance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/coping-with-infertility-at-christmas\/#Break_those_old_traditions_and_make_new_ones\" title=\"Break those old traditions and make new ones\">Break those old traditions and make new ones<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/coping-with-infertility-at-christmas\/#Self-care\" title=\"Self-care\">Self-care<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/coping-with-infertility-at-christmas\/#Look_after_your_health_and_well-being\" title=\"Look after your health and well-being\">Look after your health and well-being<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/coping-with-infertility-at-christmas\/#Visit_your_counsellor\" title=\"Visit your counsellor\">Visit your counsellor<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Remember_its_okay_to_not_be_okay\"><\/span><strong>Remember it\u2019s okay to not be okay<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/\">World Health Organisation (WHO)<\/a> defines <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/infertility\">infertility as a disease<\/a>, and it is a disease with a huge emotional impact. The distress you feel is likely to be significant. The best thing you can do is be honest about how you feel. Put yourself first, speak to those around you and help them understand why you\u2019re struggling to get into the Christmas spirit this year.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Set_boundaries_with_family\"><\/span><strong>Set boundaries with family<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Christmas is a time for family, so if you find comfort in being around relatives, you should embrace this and try to take strength from this period of respite. However, you are allowed to say &#8216;no&#8217; if you feel unready. Be clear with your loved ones about what you can manage, and try not to feel guilty for missing a few gatherings. It&#8217;s okay to catch up with your family at different times, and there is no shame in taking a step back this year.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prepare_responses_in_advance\"><\/span>Prepare responses in advance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Christmas can cause family pressures at the best of times. Catching up with relatives you see once a year, listening to that uncle you\u2019ve never really liked. But when you are struggling to conceive, those pressures are only heightened in anticipation of the subject of children. Although usually well-meant, unsolicited questions like, \u2018When are you having a baby?\u2019 can feel rude, invasive and, at worst, triggering. Preparing some responses in advance is a good idea so you can divert the conversation if you need to.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re a friend or relative of someone who is trying to conceive, take a read of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/sharing-experience\/language-of-fertility\/\">Language of Fertility<\/a> guide for some conversational &#8220;do&#8217;s and don&#8217;ts&#8221;, plus sensitive ways to support your loved one through this experience.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Break_those_old_traditions_and_make_new_ones\"><\/span><strong>Break those old traditions and make new ones<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Christmas doesn\u2019t need to be traditional this year. Make new traditions, like going away somewhere warm for Christmas or having an adults-only day for you and your partner. Use this time as an opportunity to relax, recharge and prepare yourself for the next step of your journey in the new year.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Self-care\"><\/span><strong>Self-care<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When you are going through a tough time, it is sometimes easy to forget about yourself and your own wellbeing. This Christmas, take some time off, plan some activities that make you happy, catch up with loved ones who understand your situation and plan some \u2018you\u2019 time. Remember to do what feels right for you and your partner. Know your limits and don\u2019t agree to do anything that might make it harder for you. This includes unplugging from social media, too.<\/p>\n<p>It is going to be tough, but so are you!<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Look_after_your_health_and_well-being\"><\/span>Look after your health and well-being<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>On a fertility journey, it&#8217;s important to keep as healthy as possible \u2013 mentally<em> and<\/em> physically. With weeks of Christmas parties and festive drinks, it can be challenging to stay on track. Drinking <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/preconception-care-tobacco-alcohol-caffeine\/\">too much alcohol can significantly hamper your efforts to conceive<\/a>, contributing to irregular menstrual cycles in women and reduced sperm quality in men. Try to reduce alcohol consumption by opting for mocktails or offering to be the designated driver. Make sure you&#8217;re meeting your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/live-well\/eat-well\/5-a-day\/5-a-day-what-counts\/\">5-a-day of fresh, canned or frozen fruit and vegetables<\/a> and keeping your diet balanced with healthy fats, like raw almonds, and whole grains, like brown rice. Try to schedule 30 to 1 hour of gentle exercise everyday, whether that&#8217;s a walk or a jog, to stay active in between curling up to watch Christmas movies.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Visit_your_counsellor\"><\/span><strong>Visit your counsellor <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>IVI have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/faqs\/psychological-support\/\">in-house counsellors<\/a> to support you on every step of your fertility journey. If you are struggling to cope with infertility at Christmas, we are here for you. We can book you in for a virtual session, or feel free to come into the clinic \u2013 we&#8217;ll be open to welcome you throughout the festive season minus public holidays.<\/p>\n<p>Whatever you decide to do this Christmas, everyone at IVI wishes you a lovely day and a fresh start for the New Year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Coping with infertility at Christmas can be tough: anyone who is struggling to conceive, going through fertility treatment or has experienced an unsuccessful treatment will know this all too well. Another year has gone past, and your family is not yet complete. Christmas is a time of year closely tied to children. Therefore, it can&#8230; <a class=\"view-article\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/coping-with-infertility-at-christmas\/\">View Article<\/a>","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":105206,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Coping with infertility at Christmas - IVI UK<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Anyone going through fertility treatment will know all too well that this time of year can be tough. 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