Fertile Minds Radio | Anxiety About Trying to Conceive
Do I need more time to prepare my body before I start trying for a baby? Or am I running out of time and need to start trying ASAP? The answers to those questions are unique to each person thinking of starting a family, and today we discuss the factors we should consider when trying to answer those questions and how to do so without creating more anxiety for yourself & your partner.
We dive into conditioning around having a child and the importance of knowing your "why," when it comes to starting a family.
This is a must listen if you are at the beginning of thinking about starting a family or if you ahve been in the throws of infertility for some time and need to find your bearings.
Takeaways
[4:52] Anxiety is normal in human beings, but when our worries have started taking up too much mental real estate, then we are experiencing an abnormal amount of anxiety.
[7:20] Your brain doesn’t know the difference between past, present and future when you worry ahead of time. When we worry, we experience the same cascade of chemicals in our brain as if we were presently experiencing what we’re worrying about.
[7:53] Get down to the minute details of why you want to grow a family. Ask yourself how old you were when you first started wanting kids. Why do you want to be a parent now, at this point in your life? The answers to these questions will be your life raft when experiencing the challenges that come with starting a family.
[12:20] Do an audit of where your fertility thoughts come from. Are you feeling pressure from family members, or are stories of other couples having trouble conceiving started to worry you? Where is your anxiety about conceiving stemming from?
[14:38] If you’re at a crossroads on deciding the right time to start trying for a baby, speaking to a coach can help you put together a clear timeline free from bias. Genetic testing, bloodwork, and semen analysis will also help you determine any risk factors that may affect your timeline.
[16:24] Some of the best places to get tested are IVF clinics, but keep in mind that their specialty is IVF, which may or may not be the right option for you depending on your test results.
[19:37] Recent advances in at home genetic testing have made it immensely easier for couples to test themselves for any fertility related genetic issues. One company, Legacy, even offers the option to freeze sperm, which could be a great option for couples looking to delay their timeline due to instances like undergoing cancer treatment, military deployment, or possible future toxic exposures at work.
[22:53] Start looking at your toxic load and your nutrient densities. If you’re lacking in any vitamins that are needed for a healthy pregnancy, or if you’re carrying any heavy metals in your body, then you’ll want to determine that before you get pregnant.
[24:59] Learn how to regulate your nervous system. Even though our modern day world constantly provides stimuli that triggers our nervous system, we were not built to withstand the chronic stress we experience. Learning to regulate our nervous system through exercises like breathing is key to prevent being in a prolonged “fight or flight” state of mind.
References:
When are you having Kids? by Jordan Davidson
