Self Care - The Most Important Part - The Journey Through Infertility

Caring for yourself while going through infertility

When it comes to infertility so many emotions can take over. Emotions make you start to question so much about everything. The most important thing to do is figure out what you enjoy doing. Infertility and the loss of a child can take up so much room in our minds. How do we know when to try and do things for ourselves to release the stress? For me it really comes down to who I can trust to talk to and finding hobbies that put your mind at ease. What I do with my time will probably differ from what others may do. Here I hope to give others ideas about what what there is to do to try to release stress from their lives so that it will not take over their entire life, something that infertility is good at doing.

Set time for yourself

The hardest thing to do is setting time alone. One way I found was through my blogging. It may not be a lot, but it allows me to type out my feelings while not only helping myself but also helping others. This also allows me to feel what I need to feel. Sometimes I will write things down just to get things out of my mind, later on I can delete it if I feel the need. Setting times for yourself allows you to find your inner peace and learn about who you are and what makes you happy.

Another way to have time for yourself is to find a journal to write or draw. I have learned that getting coloring pages and working on those help me catch my breath and keep me calm. There can be so much on your plate but finding time to learn who you are is so important.

Gardening

Something I have found joy in doing last year being the first full summer as a homeowner. Getting my hands in the dirt gives me a type of feeling I’ve never had in my life. It is something that truly grounds me. After my first year of trying different fruits and veggies I found what grows well in Colorado and what doesn’t. Another satisfying part of gardening and growing fruits and veggies is the freshness you taste while you eat that food.

Getting the garden ready for the first time this year.

My favorite part about growing different foods is the taste you have and knowing you were the one who grew these foods from a seed. I know what I put on the food, the soil I use to grow these, and nutrients you give these plants. When I used to go to the grocery store I would want to get the biggest, most delicious looking food. The truth is that the food is probably given things to make them grow that big, which is not good for our bodies. So knowing where my fruits and veggies come from is really rewarding to our bodies.

Another part about how gardening is great for our self and mental health is watching the plant grow. Knowing that it is something that you’ve started grows to be healthy is such an amazing feeling. Every day I go outside and look at the plants to see all they have done. They continue to grow daily and start to produce what you want them too. Gardening is a great hobby to learn to do.

Our zucchini, squash, carrots, radishes, asparagus, and pepperoncini

Hiking

Being from Colorado I have always enjoyed what nature has to give. Whether it be an easy hike for a few hours or a day hike the beauty this state brings is something that will always bring me peace. How is hiking part of a routine? No matter what just being outside and letting the sun beam down on your face, or the smell of all the fresh air is how this helps me. Driving up to the mountains itself is such a calming experience. There is something about being in the mountains and being away from people that is refreshing.

Last summer John and I took the dogs to Boreas Pass where my family and I went to spend time with my grandpa who passed away. While I took him there to go to find the tree my family and I have special for my grandfather, we decided to continue the hike. As I have never done this hike all the way before something in me told me to keep going. The hike was not too hard, and the scene was breathtaking. When the world is quiet, and the view seems like a movie, your mind can relax. Anytime I can stop and look at how peaceful the world can be my heart becomes happy, and I can truly relax and be me.

John and I standing in front of my grandfathers tree

Another satisfying part about going on a hike is knowing that I am getting exercise for the day. Something that my doctors have told me is that I need to continue to exercise my body. While this is something I know I need to do, it is hard to find a workout that I enjoy. The part about getting outdoors in Colorado during the winter however can be a challenge.

Be in the Moment

Something that should be done more is to allow yourself to be in the actual moment. Social media has taken over our lives where sometimes we get so caught up in other peoples lives we forget about our own. One thing about social media is that it makes us feel a certain way. Social media and infertility is tough in many ways. Seeing other families add on to families becomes draining. Wanting to be excited for those adding to families, but then hurt if not being able to add to yours.

Every once and awhile, you just have to stop and take a breather. Sometimes social media gets in the way and we do not even realize it. We start to compare our lives to others. How is this healthy? So, another way to make time for myself and allow myself to find time for me, logging off social media is needed. Although I enjoy sharing my infertility, taking a step back to spend time with John and my dogs is much needed. The blog will continue, but the social aspect will need a short break.

Whats Next

As some know, John and I went in for our first consultation with a fertility doctor. We had extensive blood work done to check almost everything. Although I am in the normal range for my blood work at Kaiser some eye openers came up with my doctor. I have Vitamin D deficiency- vitamin D levels are correlated with sperm production and motility. Another eye opener was that my thyroid was a little high for her liking as well. At Kaiser the range is 0.320-5.500uIU/mL, as my levels are 2.595uIU/mL and the doctors wanted me at a 2.5uIU/mL or lower. Hyperthyroidism can lead to elevated levels of the protein SHBG and the hormone prolactin, which can prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs.

I am not taking medication for both in hopes that it starts to allow my body to work. In the meantime John and I continue to try for a family and wait for our next appointment in a few weeks.