You guys, I am so glad that I met up with the RESOLVE
meeting facilitator last night. Without
knowing one single thing about the woman, other than her name, we talked for
over two hours (finally realizing that it was 10:15 and we both had to get
home!). We both described our
infertility journeys, what I could expect out of a group meeting, and just
learning about each other. It was REALLY
NICE to talk to someone face to face that could understand what I was going
through. I am definitely looking forward
to my first meeting (hopefully I can go next month).
She even recommended a book that was really helpful to her
around her 2nd year of infertility:
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| Photo from Amazon |
I downloaded it onto my Nook this morning and started
reading it on the train ride into work today.
I’m hoping that the book doesn’t make me want to cry because that might
be embarrassing in public, but I’m only 50 pages in and already I’m nodding my head along.
A big section of the book is devoted to depression because
Dr. Domar is convinced that depression plays a part in infertility. She even cites a study that women with
female-factor infertility who had increased depressive symptoms on day three of
their IVF cycle experienced significantly lower pregnancy rates then the women
who were not depressed. She advocates
for infertile women to practice some form of relaxation for 20 minutes a day
through mind/body exercises, yoga, meditation, relaxation tapes, etc.
I don’t think that I am depressed (maybe just minor
depression?) because I don’t have many of the factors, but my stress levels
have definitely been higher due to infertility.
So I could see how some sort of relaxation tape or maybe even an App on
my iPhone could help. Does anyone have
one that they would recommend?
I'll let you guys know my review of the book when I am done with it, but I can imagine that I am going to like it a lot. Are there any other books you think that I should be reading (they can be about infertility or whatever fiction/non-fiction book you are currently reading and enjoying)?
I'll let you guys know my review of the book when I am done with it, but I can imagine that I am going to like it a lot. Are there any other books you think that I should be reading (they can be about infertility or whatever fiction/non-fiction book you are currently reading and enjoying)?
9 comments:
I definitely get the non-scientific side to the connection between depression and infertility. Even people who aren't experiencing infertility or depression can put a lot of pressure on themselves to get pregnant and I think that also plays a role in your body's ability to conceive. It'd be really great if you were able to relax a bit during this process - at the very least, your (hypothetical) blood pressure might go down and you might sleep better at night.
So glad last night when well- although I knew it would. :) I feel closer to my Resolve friends than I do with most others- for the sole reason that they just get it. I don't have any books to suggest but am interested in what others suggest.
I've always hated hearing any kind of data suggesting correlations between depression/anxiety with IF, because then it's your fault. Know what I mean? You need to calm down, you need to get happy. It makes you even more stressed out.
FWIW, although I really respect Domar and love that book, my IF therapist does not think there's strong data linking depression/anxiety and IF. Or maybe she was just telling us that to make us feel better.
Anyway, so glad your meeting was helpful! I've found this meditation CD to be so therapeutic, and my IF therapist makes her group therapy patients get it: http://www.amazon.com/Health-Journeys-Guided-Meditations-Fertility/dp/1881405656/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350062665&sr=8-1&keywords=belleruth+naparstek+fertility
My therapist just lent me the Bellaruth CD recommended previously. I just listened to the Fertilization track yesterday. I also have the Circle + Bloom PCOS series. Circle + Bloom is very specific to your cycle. They have tracks for CD 1 & 2, CD 3 & 4, etc. The Bellaruth CD has 5 tracks including some affirmations and the tracks seem to be more generalized and focused on mood.
As for books, a fellow blogger recommended a book just published this year. The blogger noted that the author used a lot of academic research to support her points. I swore I wrote down the title, but I can't find it or the blogger. Anyone out there know the book? Boo!
Please please keep us posted on how you like the rest of the book! I may have to get it. :)
I also am interested in if you like the book when you're done...let us know please!
I adore this 21 minute guided meditation called "The Secret Garden" I used to play it for clients when I did eating disorders work after meals and I also loved it for my own personal relaxing. http://www.meditainment.com/free-guided-meditation/
It's wonderful that your meeting with the coordinator went so well - it's rare to find somebody with whom it's possible to speak freely of such sensitive subjects, and I'm glad you did.
I use the Circle + Bloom IVF series, but I like the pre-treatment tracks a lot, which were not cycle-specific. It might be worth looking into to see if there's a series that would apply to your current situation. Glad you are liking the book!
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