How do you cope?

[alphabetllama]

I am finding this so hard. I know a lot of other people have it worse or harder than me but I'm really struggling after 18 months TTC and 3 chemical pregnancies. We have had tests which are all normal. I am so jealous of friends and colleagues who are pregnant. It is all I can think about. I know statistically we are likely to conceive naturally but I find each month so hard and I am really struggling to keep going. How do you cope?

@alphabetllama firstly I'm so sorry you're feeling awful. I ask myself the same question about how I'm going to keep on with this often.

I often feel like there's nothing more to me than someone TTC. It's completely all encompassing.

Covid has definitely made things worse. If we could travel and do the things that people with children can't, you would at least be distracted and be grateful for other experiences you get to have.

To answer your question. Personally I self referred for CBT through the NHS. There are some good things I've picked up from it to help with the anxiety and low mood, but for me it hasn't been a cure all.

I have recently reached out to a counsellor on the British Infertility Counselling Association (BICA) to get some extra support.

It's so hard. Recognising when you might need some extra help is really important I think x

I find it very difficult and it makes me sad. But generally it tends to be people I love so I'm also happy for them. It's a mixed bag of feelings!