IVF stress, impacting on IVF outcome?

[Maggie272]

Hi Everyone

This is my first IVF cycle and first time posting here! I am starting long IVF protocol - have done 21 days on the pill and am on day 4 of Buserelin. I've had 3 failed iuis

I never really have to take medication except a very occasional xanax when i have to give a presentation at work. I'm really lucky I never get sick. Am 36 and normal weight.

When I started the pill just over three weeks ago I thought I was going to lose my mind. I was having brutal panic attacks and sleepless nights, and my GP prescribed one week of low dose sleeping tabs and 4 days of low dose diazapam. I also had probably 5 glasses of wine over the course of that last weekend on the pill to help me calm down. I never binge drink, and my husband would agree that I'm a moderate 'sipper', going weeks often without drinking. I have been a meditating, health conscious vegan for 15 years with very healthy bloods, and I have no intention of drinking of taking sedatives for the rest of my cycle. I am fine reproductively (so far) speaking, the problem is DH side of things after a serious illness, and we need to use donor sperm.

I am feeling better now, day 4 of buserelin, and 4 days off the pill, but I wonder if any of you think I have ruined my chances of IVF working with all the stress and the alcohol consumption during my time on the pill. Is it worth going ahead it with it after drinking, sedatives and the panic attacks? The clinic were fine with sedatives in the short term, and have said the stress won't impact on anything.

I'm guessing that IVF is just unavoidably stressful, and so it's impossible to stay calm and clear everyday. Have any of you had an experience like mine but had a successful outcome.

Thank you so much for reading this

Much love

Maggie x

Stress has absolutely no impact. None.

However, it's not great for you. I found acupuncture helpful at relaxing during it all. The zeta west website has a list of 'recommended' practitioners.

Ivf is stressful. There's no getting around it. Be kind to yourself.

Good luck!!

Thank you! And I just spoke to the clinic and they said nothing about that weekend will have impacted on the cycle. So relieved xxx

Hi Maggie272 - sorry you're having bad wide effects from the pill. I got anxious and depressed feelings on the pill microgynon before our last IVF. I'm vegan too by the way (11 years). Anyhow I googled the same thing as you fairly recently (about stress impacting the outcome of IVF) - for us it wasn't necessarily the side effects of the pill that worried me as they are quite common and somewhat unavoidable. However it was my relationship issues with my husband that worried me. Do you have a good relationship with your partner? That's the main thing really. If he is understanding, you'll get through this. Fingers crossed you get pregnant this cycle. Our first IVF cycle was successful in 2017 but this past one may not pan out (fresh transfer failed and frozen embryo not amazing grade) so we're doing more treatment after this. Anyhow just thought I'd share my story with you x

Thank you! I'm sorry that you are in the same position, and that you have some worries with the relationship. I have a great relationship with my husband. He has a brain injury, which is why we can't conceive naturally. But he is still him. there are disabilities but we love each other deeply and he is there for me. Wouldn't want anyone else.

At the moment the stress is still quite high and my doctor has recommended taking some time off work. I would get half my salary while off, so money would not be an issue. I don't know...this morning i felt great but now I want to burst into tears with the anxiety...sorry for being a downer...! : )

Ah that's great you can count on your hubby :-) Love conquers all! If you're tearful maybe you'd be more productive at work after a short break. You can use it to start an emotional well-being routine (like waking up early, getting out for a walk and sunshine, then reading a good book or writing about how you feel in a journal, or going to places you've wanted to see, cooking healthy meals, catching up with friends you haven't seen in a while, watching cute animal videos, etc. Anyhow, I'm just trying to take one day at a time and enjoy hanging out with my 18 month old son. He keeps me motivated to stay on track...

Oh, you are lovely to write that. Yes, I think one day at a time. Luckily I can squeeze all my work into Mondays and Tuesdays and then relax at home. Sometimes work is good to get my mind focused. Other times I want out! I'm not going to make any hasty decisions in case it's just the hormones...
that's lovely you have a little one, I'm so happy to hear that!

No worries! Hope it helps to know you're not alone. Good luck :-) x