You and your partner want desperately to start a family; however, it’s not going as you’d hoped. You’ve got the green light from your primary doctors, adopted healthier lifestyle habits, and taken advantage of every opportunity to try and conceive, but nothing seems to work. One month turns into a year, and you begin to question everything from your health to past decisions as you strive to figure out what’s wrong. 

Trying to conceive (TTC) isn’t a straightforward process. Although some get pregnant after one encounter, these results aren’t the same across the board. Various factors contribute to a couple’s ability to get pregnant; however, stress is one of the leading (and overlooked) causes. When trying to conceive becomes a chore, one or both parties become overwhelmed. 

Reducing The Stress of TTC

As stress causes chemical imbalances that alter your body’s organs and systems and affects other areas of your life, the chances of getting pregnant decline. While TTC can be an emotional experience for couples, if stress is at the foundation of your journey, it complicates the process. How do you reduce the stress of TTC? Continue reading for advice. 

Take A Fertility Test

Several hormones affect a female’s fertility. When one or more of these hormones are out of balance, it reduces your chances of conceiving. However, most women assume that if they have a period, they should be able to get pregnant without an issue. So, every time you get a negative pregnancy test, it causes sadness, anxiety, and stress. 

You can relieve the stress of TTC by taking a fertility test for women. They evaluate estradiol levels, the luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and testosterone. Purchase an at-home fertility test, follow the instructions to collect a sample, mail the fertility test for women back to the lab, and receive digitized results in just a few days. 

A positive result would automatically ease your stress, because you’ll know that your body is producing enough hormones to conceive. An unfavorable outcome reduces your frustration by eliminating the guesswork and providing you with accurate information to discuss with a healthcare professional. 

Stop Charting, Tracking, And Scheduling

TTC quickly becomes a problem when you turn it into a project. When you become consumed with charting your menstrual and ovulation cycles, marking your calendar, and trying to ensure you and your partner are in the right place at the right time, it takes the excitement out of the experience. 

Although understanding your menstrual cycle and ovulation period can increase your chances of conceiving, don’t get overwhelmed by charting, tracking, and scheduling. Instead, write down the dates on a calendar or journal and only use it for informational purposes. Live in the moment, fall in love with your partner, enjoy your attempts to conceive, and let nature take its course. 

Find A Source Of Support

When the couples in your life get pregnant without an issue, it can make you feel alone. You start wondering whether there’s something wrong with you or your partner, which only adds to your stress. Instead of comparing yourself to other couples, look for a source of support. 

There are thousands of couples that had conception problems. Some stuck to their guns, got the treatment they needed, and eventually got pregnant; other couples had to turn to solutions like IUI, IVF, surrogacy, sperm donation, and adoption. Talking to those with similar experiences is beneficial. It reduces the feeling that you’re alone, gives you invaluable insight, and provides the emotional boost you need to continue your journey. 

Getting pregnant may seem simple, but it’s a complex, multi-faceted process that can take couples years to accomplish (if at all). Although it’s natural to feel stressed when TTC doesn’t go according to plan, emotional overwhelm will only complicate your journey. Don’t make the mistake of letting stress lead your experience. Taking fertility tests, consulting an expert, avoiding charting, and finding a support system can ease the stress of TTC for you and your partner.