The Importance of Mental Health Support During Fertility Treatment

03 Mar 2023

Being in good mental health is essential for a happy and full life. Good mental health will help you to build and maintain relationships, perform to your best at work and at other tasks, and generally make life easier and more enjoyable. Good mental health is also important for good physical health, and poor mental health will even be a direct threat to the patient’s life in some cases. 

And while we should always be doing what we can to maintain and improve our mental health, there are times when doing so is especially important. One of those occasions is when you are undergoing treatment.

Excitement and Apprehension

Undergoing fertility treatment and, hopefully, starting a new family is one of the most exciting things that could happen to anybody. However, while there is a lot to look forward to, the process can also be very daunting. There are numerous issues to consider, such as whether or not the treatment will be successful and whether the baby will be healthy. These concerns and others can cause the patient’s mental health to decline. 

In addition to potential apprehension surrounding starting a family, the mother may also experience fluctuations in hormone levels. Such fluctuations can be caused by the medication, while they can also occur naturally when the patient becomes pregnant. These fluctuations can affect the patient’s mood but are not necessarily down to poor mental health. 

Common Mental Health Conditions

The vast majority of our patients will experience no mental health issues, although the treatment and pregnancy can affect your mood. Regardless, we also work with your safety in mind, including addressing mental health issues if you suffer from them. 

Those who do experience mental health problems are most likely to experience conditions like depression and anxiety. Both conditions and other mental health issues the patient is experiencing should be taken seriously for the mother’s sake as well as that of the baby. 

Why Mental Health is Important for FF Treatment

There is a chance that children born to mothers with depression will suffer from complications such as low birth weight. Poor mental health will also make it more likely the patient doesn’t take care of herself as much as they otherwise would, potentially having an impact on the overall health of the mother and baby.

It is also important for the mother to have good mental health after a successful pregnancy because bringing up a baby can be hard, frustrating, and tiring work. And many women will experience post-natal depression, which causes symptoms similar to standard depression and typically lasts for a couple of weeks or so. 

Regardless, it is essential that the baby is being thoroughly cared for as required, which can be very difficult for somebody who is suffering from mental illnesses. 

Checking Your Mental Health

It is possible that you already suffer from mental health conditions and these should ideally be addressed before going ahead with fertility treatment. And bear in mind that the treatment and pregnancy can exasperate mental health conditions. However, the good news is that mental health can be improved in many cases often requiring little more than a change in lifestyle. 

Some of the most effective ways of improving your mental health include the following:

• Get Plenty of Rest: Getting plenty of rest is one of the most effective ways of helping to combat mental illnesses. One of the most obvious factors regarding rest is how much sleep you get, but being thoroughly rested means more than just sleeping. It also means taking time out to do the things you enjoy doing such as spending quality time with friends and family.
• Eat Well: Our body depends on the various nutrients we get from our food, and it’s important we get a wide range of nutrients for our physical well-being. And not only can a healthy diet affect our physical health but it can also improve our mental health. It’s not usually necessary to stick to a strict diet and eating fresh foods rather than processed junk can make the difference.
• Be Active: Being active will help keep our body in good physical health, while it will also help improve your mental health in many cases. It’s not necessary to undergo a strict fitness regime and simply walking the dog for 20 minutes or so a day can help to make the difference. If you already keep yourself in good shape, it can be a good idea to speak with a professional regarding how much exercise is suitable.
• Medication: Some mental health conditions will require medication. Such medication will often have side effects that can affect how the patient feels. Certain medications might also interfere with fertility treatments and there’s a potential risk to the baby. Regardless, you should always tell the professional about any medication you are taking before choosing to start a family.

Your Partner

Fertility treatment, pregnancy, and raising a baby can be stressful and hard work. As such, most mothers will need support from their partners, making it good to ensure your partner is of sound mental health also. Otherwise, you might find yourself overwhelmed with a partner who struggles to be of assistance. 

Bear in mind that while the mother is doing the bulk of the work, fertility treatment and pregnancy can be a stressful period for the father also. For example, they can have concerns over the health of their partner and baby, while both parents can also have concerns over their future financial security. 

Summary

Much progress has been made regarding mental health in recent years. Much of the stigma involving mental health has been removed while our treatments are also becoming more effective. However, mental health remains a potentially very serious condition that can literally put the patient’s life at risk. 

Mental health is particularly important when undergoing fertility treatment and not just for the treatment itself, but also during and after pregnancy. As such, it’s a good idea for you and your partner to undergo a mental health evaluation before choosing to start a family.