IVF and stress

Does anyone know if a lot of stress can affect how your body responds to IVF meds?

My parents are going thru a lot of stuff right now dealing with my grandma, who lives with them. We live next door to them... not to mention that I'm basically my grandma's caregiver so it directly involves me. I'm constantly being dragged in the middle of the arguments b/t my parents and today I'm seriously wondering if they're going to give me an ulcer if this keeps up... which in turn is making me worry about our upcoming IVF cycle.

I see how stress has contributed to my mom not feeling well... and recently landing herself in the hospital for a short stay... and am doing all that I can to help them talk through this, whenever possible BUT it's driving me nuts!!! And now I'm worried that worrying/stress are going to affect our cycle... I Hate this.....

ETA: I haven't mentioned to my parents that we're approved for the grant yet--- my dad doesn't even know we're headed to IVF. He was so worried after our first IUI when I got OHSS that we haven't told him anything about trying since... he does't even know we did the protocol for a 2nd IUI or that we're w/ a new dr. now...

Message edited 5/27/2008 3:19:44 PM.

Re: IVF and stress

I've read it can really mess you up. Don't worry about it...do something about it.

It sounds like your parents and your grandma need a social worker in the house to help manage things.

It's very hard caring for someone. Get some help and alleviate the stress.

I know first hand..now we have some help and it's so much better. It will take the pressure off of all of you and your grandma may even be happier as well.

Re: IVF and stress

It would be best for you to focus on yourself during an IVF cycle. Stress levels should be minimized with whatever it takes (e.g., accupuncture, massage, reducing demands on yourself, etc.).

Re: IVF and stress

Re: IVF and stress

Thanks. We are in the process of getting all of the paperwork, etc... done for what needs to be. My poor grandma is so forgetful that she does't realize that she causes any problems at all... and it's not even her directly causing the problem (the whole situation is).
It SEEMS that my aunt and uncle (my mom's brother and sister) are hungry for their inheritance $$$ (someday down the line)... and would rather hoard her $$$ now rather than let her use it to live a good life for the rest of her life, which my parents and I all think is ridiculous.
My parents want to put a handicapped bathroom in their house downstairs next to her bedroom, where there's already a bathroom but now shower... so she doesn't have to walk up a flight of stairs each day to take a shower (which is getting to be VERY difficult for her).
My dad is watching how it's affecting my mom and arguing w/ her to stress what a priority it all is- but in the process is yelling at her.... and they're fighting- and my aunt and uncle live in queens and NJ so they don't fully grasp the whole situation... it's just all one big mess. A meeting has to happen- and unfortunately it sounds like i'm going to be involved in that meeting- which means me going up against my aunt and uncle- which is no picnic to me- b/c I'm not a confrontational person either..... which again leads me back to IVF and stress....

Message edited 5/27/2008 3:26:57 PM.

Re: IVF and stress

Message edited 5/27/2008 3:30:26 PM.

Re: IVF and stress

Posted by MrsMessina

Posted by MrsRbk

Posted by babyfaith

It would be best for you to focus on yourself during an IVF cycle. Stress levels should be minimized with whatever it takes (e.g., accupuncture, massage, reducing demands on yourself, etc.).

ITA w/ this. I had a ton of stuff going on before we started our first IVF cycle, but I knew that this was priority, and everything else had to wait. When you are going through IVF, it's perfectly justifiable to be a little selfish with your wants and needs.

Yeah, I wish this were the case, but I know it won't be true in my case. I can handle getting rid of extra stresses, and stressors, but not when it comes to family.... I know myself well enough to know that. It would be like turning my back on them, especially my mom, and it's not something I'm capable of, though at times I wish I were.
We're going to meet with a social worker tonight as part of IVF prep-- so I'm hoping maybe they have some good relaxation techniques or something.... some ideas...
Thanks guys!

Re: IVF and stress

Stress affects all aspects of your life. Whatever is going on try as much as possible to turn a blind eye to it!
XOXO
BOTB

Re: IVF and stress

Posted by MrsRbk

Posted by MrsMessina

Posted by MrsRbk

Posted by babyfaith

It would be best for you to focus on yourself during an IVF cycle. Stress levels should be minimized with whatever it takes (e.g., accupuncture, massage, reducing demands on yourself, etc.).

ITA w/ this. I had a ton of stuff going on before we started our first IVF cycle, but I knew that this was priority, and everything else had to wait. When you are going through IVF, it's perfectly justifiable to be a little selfish with your wants and needs.

Yeah, I wish this were the case, but I know it won't be true in my case. I can handle getting rid of extra stresses, and stressors, but not when it comes to family.... I know myself well enough to know that. It would be like turning my back on them, especially my mom, and it's not something I'm capable of, though at times I wish I were.
We're going to meet with a social worker tonight as part of IVF prep-- so I'm hoping maybe they have some good relaxation techniques or something.... some ideas...
Thanks guys!

I know it's tough when it's family, and everyones family dynamics are different. I'm extreamly close with my family, but once we started in this process, I had a long conversation with my father and explained to him I needed to limit certain expecations and I 100% needed to focus on trying to build my own family with my DH. I was terrified to have that conversation, but was happy I did and my family totally supported me and respected my decision. For me, I'm in what I call my zone.. I'm at the point in my IF journey that I'm going to do whatever it is that I need to do to get my BFP.

Re: IVF and stress

I have no advice. I just wanted to give you hugs