Struggling with fertility is a difficult and painful thing that many couples go through, but it is something that rarely gets mentioned. As many as 1 in 7 couples struggles to conceive a baby, which is why it is so important that couples are given the right support both for themselves and each other. One way to make the process of trying to conceive go more smoothly is to look after yourself wherever you can. Here are five ways to prioritise self care while struggling to conceive.

Enjoy sex any time of the month

The first thing that everybody tells you when you are struggling to conceive, is that it will happen as soon as you stop trying. And while it isn’t quite as simple as that, there is sound logic behind it: when you give your body a break and stop stressing about conception, sometimes it becomes better equipped for a baby. So don’t worry too much about having sex on a schedule, sticking to certain dates or rules in the bedroom. Try to just have fun with your partner for the sake of having fun, whenever you feel like it.

Keep dialogue open

One of the worst things about struggling with fertility is feeling isolated, so its really important to keep dialogue open so that this is something you and your partner can talk about at any time. If you and your partner feel comfortable you might want to discuss your issues with family and friends too, so that you can remove any taboo around the subject and feel free to talk whenever your heart is heavy. Talking about your feelings is such an important way of processing them, minimising the mental stress that you are going through which may have been taking a physical toll.

Stick to your usual routines

The two week wait can be difficult and emotional when you are trying to conceive, and you become hyper-sensitive to every change in your body, wondering if what you’re experiencing is a pregnancy symptom, a period symptom or the sign of a dodgy lunch. Try not to deviate from all of your usual routines during this time, so that you stay busy and don’t find yourself hyper-focussing on what will happen at the end of the two weeks.

Make time for enjoying yourself

As grown ups, we don’t get to have enough fun. There’s always a job to do, an errand to run or a chore to complete. So whether somebody is trying for a baby or not, I would always recommend carving time out of their schedule for – well, absolutely nothing! You could fill that time with some gaming, or crafts, reading a book or just laying on the couch and staring into space if that’s the urge you are getting. Just take time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and focus on what your body is saying it needs.

Make sure you are nourished

When you are consistently worrying about something, it can be difficult to remember to eat on a regular basis, and stay hydrated. Look into some vitamins that you could take to replenish anything that you are losing if you aren’t eating all of the right things – or just to give your health a little boost if you don’t tend to eat a lot of fruits and veggies. Do a bit of research or check with a doctor first that any vitamins you check are safe when trying for a baby – and if you can continue them if you were to become pregnant.

How do you make sure that you are looking after yourself when trying for a baby? Leave your advice in the comments below. 

Georgie

Georgie – twenty something content creator based in Yorkshire, writing about all things pretty in life