Stress Free vs Income

[OrchidLilly14]

Hello,

I'm new to Mumsnet ... signed up today in fact. I've researched a lot of pregnancy/mum related blogs and feel that Mumsnet is the best for support and advice, so I'm really hoping someone can help.

My partner and I have been TTC for around 8 months now. We haven't had any luck as of yet but are still trying to remain positive. However, over the last 10 months or so I have been under severe stress due to a very demanding job and I'm worried that this may have been having an impact on our chances to conceive.

I suffer from anxiety, which is normally under control, but when stress affects me the anxiety always creeps out in one way or another. This causes heart palpitations, endless nights of little or no sleep, food intake is reduced and I generally feel unwell and unhappy. I usually take part in exercise and have a nice bath with a glass (or two) of wine to calm myself down but I worry that any stress is stopping my partner and I from successfully conceiving.

Does anyone know how much of an impact stress can have on the ability to conceive? Is it likely this could be a factor in why we haven't conceived as of yet? As mentioned above I am trying many different things like baths, walks, exercise etc trying to reduce the amount of stress I am feeling however I am wondering if there any other ways/natural remedies that you could recommend to help.

Am I allowed to take things like Calms/Dr Stewarts whilst TTC? How much wine is 'too much wine?'

And lastly....I am currently looking for a new job (decided to leave said company due to stress) I am dreading going back to work in a couple of weeks as I am worried about my stress levels again. Are there any Mums on here who are currently working from home whilst TTC/raising babies? If yes, does this work for you?

I'm sorry to have bombarded you all with so many questions. As you may be able to tell I feel like I'm a bit of a wreck at the moment. My partner and I are desperate for a baby and I want to make sure that I am healthy and happy for when that day hopefully/finally arrives.

I really hope you can help and look forward to meeting you all :)

Hello!

I'm on cycle 8 TTC (AF due today but no sign yet).

I quit my job which was my dream job. I loved my job and never dreaded Mondays but it was so stressful (which I loved at the time because I could get this impossible workload finished each day) and one day I fainted at work (overworked, never time to take a lunch break) and I realised that although I may be crazy walking out on a job I love, I would love being a mummy more and that that amount of stress was not going to help.

I've been working part-time now in a pretty easy stress free job in a shop for three months and still no BFP but I am a lot less stressed (although I do miss my old job I would have quit once I'd had a baby anyway).

My weight is now healthier (I've always struggled with low weight and low blood pressure) and my blood pressure is better too. My doctor said my overall health has improved (and she doesn't know about job situation). I used to have heart palpitations too which I no longer get so hopefully no more ECG's!

Not sure how much wine is too much - I try not to drink at all and possibly have one or two glasses of wine a month if I'm out for a meal and AF is visiting.

I've just read Taking Charge of Your Fertility and whilst stress is never good, it has more of an impact prior to ovulation in that if you're too stressed your body will delay ovulation or prevent it altogether - that's what I took from it anyway.

Good luck!

I haven't had the stress levels that you are experiencing as such, but I do work from home with a 7 year old and while ttc. Running my own business can be very stressful and the money worries can only make this worse, but I am the only person who puts stress on myself. I'm not sure how it will pan out being self employed with a baby as I don't know how I will feel during pregnancy or afterwards and I may have a laid back baby who I can work around or a demanding baby that means I can't work at all. We have had to save as much as we can (and continue to do so) to make sure we have enough to cover my missing wage as I will get 9 months maternity allowance (similar to maternity pay but I don't have an employer to give me any extra for the first x number of weeks) and then that's it. We've also made sure that we have no monthly commitments apart from the mortgage and bills.
Stress can have a major impact on not conceiving. So can tiredness, not eating properly and just being generally unhealthy. It can play havoc with your ovulation cycle and can stop you ovulating full stop. Stress is one of the major causes of missed periods.
Ultimately the decision is yours. I worked for a big company and gave them my all. An accident left me on sick leave and they shafted me. Since being self employed (for nearly 4 years) I've not looked back and wouldn't change it for the world. I see so much more of my ds now and I can be as flexible as I need to me. The hours I work can be very long but the reward is worth it.
Good luck in whatever you decide. X

Hi Orchid

Stress/anxiety can have an enormous impact on TTC. I can't advise much on how much wine is too much, generally I would try to limit it and ensure you're well within the NHS guidelines. Try to trust your instincts- if you feel it's too much then it probably is.
I would really recommend trying to practice Mindfulness at the moment. It can really help with stress and anxiety. If you're not familiar with it, there is a great book called Mindfulness: A practical guide... (It's the first one that comes up on a google search). I tried this when I was in a similar situation and found it very helpful before I was pregnant and while I was pregnant.
Good luck!! X