I'm a bit behind with my posting...last week the fertility group discussed stress and its effects on fertility.
I've always heard that stress can have adverse effects on the body, but I was surprised to learn about some of the effects it has on fertility. Some of the fertility-stress facts I learned are that stress:
- Is the most significant block to getting pregnant
- Disrupts hormone production
- Can hinder adequate blood-flow to the uterus
- Can lead to poor follicular quality
- Negatively effects the FSH test - can result in false results
- Create positive affirmations, and recite them daily
- Think positive
- Meditate
- Do deep breathing exercises
- Create a gratitude journal
So what does all of this mean for me? Well, infertility is extremely stressful in and of itself. And that stress causes more stress which, in turn, causes a chain reaction in my body. I really wish I could turn off the worry like a light switch, but I can't. But I WILL make a concerted effort to deal with my stress head on, rather than keeping it all bottled inside.