Is Your Anxiety About Conceiving Stopping You Getting Pregnant?

When we make the decision to bring a baby into the world, we often think that within two or three months of trying, the miracle of conception will occur. But this is often not the case. There are different factors that can affect your fertility – and anxiety about conceiving could be one obstacle to getting pregnant.

When we want to get pregnant, and have been trying now for a few months, we may start to experience that unpleasant sensation known as anxiety.

Anxiety can cause extreme discomfort. It feeds on the false belief that the worst will happen, and it can lead to a lot of stress, as well as feelings of hopelessness and distress.

Recognizing the problem: the first step to resolving it

To control our anxiety about conceiving, we must first understand that there is a problem. If we don’t admit it, it will be almost impossible to change our state of mind for the better.

Once we have recognized what this unpleasant sensation is, we should analyze and understand it. Why are we afraid? What is the reason behind our distress and fear? Why do we feel this way about something that should be cause for hope and joy?

We should also realize that, if we don’t get over this type of negative emotions, we could put at risk what we most desire: to get pregnant.

Stress and anxiety: a deadly combination for pregnancy

Everyone knows that stress can cause physical damage to our bodies. Similarly, going through intense episodes of anxiety can set off a chain of symptoms.

Stress is the way our body reacts to a challenge. Stressful events activate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to a fight-or-flight response.

Stress can affect our bodies in multiple ways. One thing that can suffer is the sex drive, and in men, stress can even cause impotency.

Specialized studies have identified how anxiety negatively affects the process of conception. It is therefore critical to take action to fend off this fearsome enemy.

Tips to free yourself from anxiety about conceiving

With this in mind, we will now look at some tips that you can apply. These can help you to get over your anxiety, improving your likelihood of conceiving naturally and bringing you one step closer to your goal.

• Look to your loved ones, including both family and friends, for support
• Try to make time for activities you enjoy. These will get your mind off the problem and make you feel better.
• See a therapist who can help you with relaxation exercises, or try meditation.
• Daily walks or other physical activity can help you feel tired so that you can sleep properly.

There have been dozens of cases in which couples have given up trying to conceive. They change their approach, looking to adoption, for example, to have the child they always wanted. And then, as soon as the anxiety goes away, the magic of conception happens.

When to go to an infertility specialist

Don’t rush it. In normal conditions, the average time that 85% of women take to get pregnant can be up to a year. Once a year has gone by, if you have not been able to conceive naturally, it’s time to go as a couple for a routine, general check up.

By the second year of trying, if you still haven’t been able to conceive, you may want to go for more detailed tests. These will determine whether there is a hormonal imbalance at play, or any other factor that might be influencing your or your partner’s fertility.

The specialist will do all the necessary examinations, and may be able to prescribe corrective measures. After a period of time and depending on the findings of the exams, you and your doctor may decide for assisted fertilization treatment in order to finally conceive and have the child you long for.