Using natural therapies in combination with fertility treatment

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Naturopathy

Naturopathy takes a holistic approach to your wellbeing and focuses on treatments that support your body to heal itself. A naturopath may recommend a combination of therapies such as herbal remedies, nutritional supplements, and diet and lifestyle advice.

Some evidence suggests that a holistic, naturopathic approach to care can benefit aspects of reproductive health. For example, a study in overweight women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) compared the combined effects of herbal supplementation and lifestyle changes with lifestyle changes alone.1 While the combination was not shown to specifically increase conception rates, it did improve other markers of fertility like menstrual cycle regularity (which can support ovulation) and enhanced mental wellbeing scores for depression.1

Herbal remedies

Herbal remedies are commonly used in naturopathy and include plants or parts of a plant – such as roots, flowers, bark, seeds and stems – that are often made into pills, teas or ointments for convenient consumption.

Simple acts like drinking a mug of herbal tea or using moisturisers infused with flower essences can relieve stress and create a sense of inner peace. And specifically regarding gynaecological findings, some herbal therapies have shown benefits. For instance, a study assessing the use of clomiphene (a medication that supports ovulation) combined with black cohosh supplementation in women with subfertility demonstrated increased endometrial thickness and improved hormone profiles.2 Theoretically, this can improve the chances of conception by creating a more receptive uterine environment for embryo implantation.2 However, the study findings did not specifically show an increase in pregnancy rates.2 If you would like to try a herbal remedy, keep in mind that they can affect your fertility treatment medications, so it’s essential to check if a herb is safe with your fertility specialist first.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a Chinese medicine practice in which thin needles are inserted into the skin at select acupuncture points. These acupuncture points mark lines of energy flow (called meridians) within the body, and the insertion of acupuncture needles at these points is intended to stimulate this energy flow.

There is limited evidence showing that acupuncture enhances fertility. However, patients may find acupuncture beneficial for stress reduction3 and overall emotional wellbeing.4

Mind-body practices

Mind-body practices are centred on the belief that your mindset can influence your health. Some mind-body practices include mindfulness meditation, yoga, music therapy, hypnosis, art therapy, aromatherapy, guided imagery and cognitive behavioural therapy.

Mindfulness meditation

A female in casual clothes performing mindfulness meditation with her eyes closed while seated on a bed next to window.

Mindfulness meditation is a type of meditation that teaches you to become more aware of what you are thinking and feeling. Over time, mindfulness meditation can help you experience each moment with more compassion and less expectation – which may help ease the highs and lows of your fertility journey.

Research has linked mindfulness meditation with fewer difficult emotions, such as depression and stress, and less rumination, which can help you bounce back more easily from the highs and lows of your fertility journey.5

Yoga

Yoga is an ancient Indian mind-body practice that guides you through various postures and stretches. There are multiple styles of yoga, from gentle movements to more physically challenging practices. However, all yoga practices are a form of mindful movement.

The focus on flowing through physical motions and synchronising your movements with your breath can help you reconnect with your body and take a step back from the thoughts passing through your mind. This was evident in a six-week yoga program for women who were waiting for IVF treatment, where yoga was associated with fewer negative thoughts and feelings about fertility and an improved sense of wellbeing.6

Reflexology

Reflexology is a form of massage for the feet, hands and ears, where pressure is applied to select points that are believed to be linked to the function of broader body parts. By applying pressure to these points, reflexology aims to relieve stress and support healing in the body part each point is associated with.

A study comparing reflexology to gentle foot massage in women experiencing infertility found that reflexology did not improve ovulation or pregnancy rates. However, reflexology was associated with lower depression scores, which can help strengthen your resilience and overall fertility treatment experience.7

Take a balanced approach

Current medical research does not directly link complementary remedies to enhanced fertility. However, if such remedies benefit your emotional wellbeing and do not interfere with your current medical treatments, they could be a positive addition.

Always explore these options in consultation with your fertility specialist to ensure that these won’t interfere with your treatment.

There are also other changes you can make to maximise your chances of getting pregnant, such as:

  • Drinking caffeine in moderation
  • Incorporating regular movement into your routine
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Enjoying a balanced, nutritious diet
  • Taking the recommended supplements.

If you would like to learn more about lifestyle changes to improve your fertility, you can also read ‘What can I do differently in 2024 to fall pregnant?’ by Newlife IVF fertility specialist Dr Nicole Hope.

Still got questions?

To meet with one of our Newlife IVF fertility specialists and learn more about how you can improve your fertility, you can reach our team by calling (03) 8080 8933 or book online via our appointments page.

References

  1. Arentz S, Smith CA, Abbott J et al. Combined lifestyle and herbal medicine in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A randomized controlled trial. Phytother Res. 2017;31(9):1330-40. doi:10.1002/ptr.5858 ↩ ↩
  2. Clark N, Will M, Moravek M et al. A systematic review of the evidence for complementary and alternative medicine in infertility. Int J of Gynaecol Obstet. 2013;122(3):202-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2013.03.032
    HealthProfessional/#:~:text=Today%2C%20black%20cohosh%20is%20most,irritability%20%5B5%2C6%5D ↩ ↩ ↩
  3. Xi J, Chen H, Peng ZH et al. Effects of acupuncture on the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology: an overview of systematic reviews. Evid-Based Complement and Alternat Med. 2018;2018:7352735. doi: 10.1155/2018/7352735 ↩
  4. Hassanzadeh Bashtian M, Latifnejad Roudsari R, Sadeghi R. Effects of acupuncture on anxiety in infertile women: a systematic review of the literature. J Midwifery Reprod Health. 2017;5(1):842-8. doi: 10.22038/jmrh.2016.7949 ↩
  5. Patel A, Sharma PSVN, Kumar P. Application of Mindfulness-Based Psychological Interventions in Infertility. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2020;13(1):3-21. doi: 10.4103/jhrs.JHRS_51_19 ↩
  6. Oron G, Allnutt E, Lackman T et al. A prospective study using Hatha Yoga for stress reduction among women waiting for IVF treatment. Reprod Biomed Online. 2015;30(5):542-8. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.01.011 ↩
  7. Holt J, Lord J, Acharya U et al. The effectiveness of foot reflexology in inducing ovulation: a sham-controlled randomised trial. Fertil Steril. 2008;91(6):2514-19. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.04.016 ↩

Building resilience during IVF – how to cope with the highs and lows

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Building emotional resilience can help you manage these emotions, recover from setbacks and cope with life’s difficulties and uncertainties.

What is resilience?

‘Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress.’1

Being resilient does not mean avoiding feelings of stress or emotional pain – rather, it is adapting to difficult or unexpected circumstances and bouncing back from the experience.

Resilience improves your wellbeing

Concerning fertility, research has shown that higher levels of resilience among couples struggling with fertility are associated with enhanced quality of life and emotional stability, as well as lower fertility-related distress.2
Beyond helping you cope during fertility treatment, building resilience can have a positive impact on your overall health and wellbeing, leading to3:

  • Fewer depressive symptoms
  • Improved adaptation to stress
  • Enhanced ability to cope during distressing experiences
  • Improved physical health.

Practices to build your resilience

Like progressively strengthening a muscle, you can learn to become more resilient to life’s challenges over time. Here are some examples that may help.

Grow supportive connections Cropped shot of two young women embracing each other

Drawing on the support of those around you, including your partner (where applicable), family or friends, can help share the emotional load of your experience as you continue with your fertility treatment.4 Help is a two-way street – in addition to accepting help, supporting your loved ones through difficult moments can help you feel connected to others while giving you a sense of satisfaction, in turn strengthening your resilience. Small and simple gestures like checking in with a friend or lending an empathetic ear while others are dealing with stress can also distract you from an inward focus where you feel stuck in your own problems.

Manage uncertainty

During fertility counselling sessions, we often dive into how to navigate feelings of uncertainty and lack of control that can be experienced during fertility treatment. This is because learning how to accept uncertainty – not just during fertility treatment but throughout life in general – can help develop resilience.

But merely accepting the unpredictability and ‘unknowns’ of your fertility care is not an easy thing to do, which is why we recommend practising mindfulness. Instead of latching onto feelings of uncertainty when these thoughts arise, acknowledge their existence and try to move through these feelings. This is one of the hardest things to do, so be kind to yourself while you work on this.

Set small, achievable goals

The pride and sense of accomplishment you feel when achieving a goal is motivating and energising, helping you to feel more optimistic. Research has shown that breaking down your overarching goal into smaller short-term goals can help reframe your mindset while also relieving feelings of disappointment after a negative fertility treatment cycle.4

So ensuring that your goals are achievable is a great way to build resilience. In this instance, the importance is not the goal itself but the process of setting small goals and noticing your progress.

Break down each step in your fertility treatment cycle into mini-goals – this might include taking your hormone injections each day, completing your blood tests and scans, having your embryo transfer or intrauterine insemination procedure, or getting through each day of the two-week wait before finding out whether the treatment resulted in the outcome you were hoping for.

Sprinkle in some joy

There can be moments of sadness and loss when trying to conceive, which can make it harder to appreciate other joys in life, particularly if your fertility journey is regularly on your mind (as it’s very easy for treatment to become a sole focus).

Try to maintain some ‘normality’ in your life by engaging in activities that bring you joy.4 Humour is also effective in helping to develop a more resilient nature, so exploring activities that make you laugh while giving you a break from treatment can help you stay connected to day-to-day life.

Take the time to reflect

Think back on obstacles that you have previously overcome and recognise that you have already been developing resilience over the years, perhaps without knowing it. Reflect on past situations that have caused you stress, grief or trauma and ask yourself:

  • What worked in helping you to cope during these times?
  • What didn’t work well?
  • Who were the best people to help you at those times?

Take these learnings with you on your fertility journey and draw on them when working through any disappointing or unexpected outcomes.

Connect with our supportive counselling team

Our compassionate Newlife IVF counsellors are here to guide you through every step of your journey.

At Newlife IVF, we are committed to supporting our patients the best we can, which includes providing you with additional counselling sessions at no extra cost. To book an appointment with one of our counsellors, call (03) 8080 8933 or email us at [email protected]. And to make things easy for you, we are more than happy to consult with you over the phone so you don’t have to take time off work.

We also offer our TLC group support sessions to help you overcome feelings of isolation during treatment and improve your connection with others. Please email [email protected] for upcoming meetings.

Remember, you have made it through rough times before. You’ve got this.

References

  1. American Psychological Association. Building your resilience. American Psychological Association. 2020. Accessed 20249. https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience ↩
  2. Herrmann D, Scherg H, Verres R et al. Resilience in infertile couples acts as a protective factor against infertility-specific distress and impaired quality of life. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2011;28(11):1111–1117. doi:10.1007/s10815-011-9637-2 ↩
  3. Quyen G, Vandelanotte C, Cope K, et al. The association of resilience with depression, anxiety, stress and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Public Health. 2022;22. ↩
  4. Bailey A, Ellis-Caird H, Croft C. Living through unsuccessful conception attempts: a grounded theory of resilience among women undergoing fertility treatment. J Reprod Infant Psychol. 2017 Sep;35(4),324–333. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2017.1320366 ↩ ↩ ↩

Newlife IVF’s millenary milestone

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It’s a proud moment for us because when we established our clinic four years ago, we set out to provide patients with the highest standard of fertility care.

‘When starting Newlife IVF, I was very conscious of the people I surrounded myself with – I wanted to work alongside people who had been practising in their respective fields for many years and had significant experience, but who saw and wanted an opportunity to do things differently and injected our shared values into our work,’ said Dr Tiki Osianlis, Newlife IVF’s Managing Director and Scientific Director.

And we did just that! Our six founding doctors, including Dr Osianlis, Dr Chris Russell, Dr Nicole Hope, Dr Sameer Jatkar, Dr Hugo Fernandes and Associate Professor Martin Healey, already had a wealth of knowledge and experience at the time. So, they paired their expertise with a unique offering for the TTC (trying to conceive) community, centred around a more personalised, caring and supportive experience for couples and individuals wanting to begin or expand their families. Their intention was to create a service that enabled them to navigate the fertility journey alongside their patients.

Fertility specialists Dr Hugo Fernandes, Dr Sameer Jatkar and Dr Nicole Hope posing with a cake while celebrating the clinic's 1,000th baby milestone.

Staying true to this ethos has propelled Newlife IVF to where it is today – four years of scientific excellence accompanied by the gift of new life (1,000 new lives, to be exact!).

Helping others grow their families is what we do best

We’re pretty chuffed to have reached this momentous occasion. So, too, are the new parents of our 1,000th baby, Jess T and Luke.

‘We feel so privileged to be a part of this incredible milestone! It is amazing to think of how many families have been created thanks to Newlife IVF, and we will be forever thankful to count ourselves and our precious baby Liam among that number,’ said Jess T.

Like many parents-to-be, Jess T and Luke’s fertility journey came with challenges. ‘We had been trying to conceive for over a year without any success, including an early miscarriage. Friends of ours had also experienced infertility and recommended Dr Chris Russell and Newlife IVF. From our first consultation with Chris, we immediately felt like we were in good hands and that this would be our best chance to fulfil our dream of starting a family,’ she said.

It’s no secret that the path to parenthood is peppered with emotional highs and lows. For this reason, our team go above and beyond to help our patients feel supported, empowered, informed and in control throughout every step of their fertility journey.

‘Chris always made Luke and I feel like valued patients. He respected our input and preferences, and we always left our appointments feeling comfortable about the next course of action. Our counsellor also helped to put my mind at ease throughout my IVF journey. It was comforting knowing that I had extra support if I needed it,’ said Jess T.

Fertility treatment is more than just science

Fertility care hinges on more than just using the latest scientific tools and techniques (although we have those, too!). Rather, an exceptional fertility experience involves developing an empathetic and trustworthy relationship with your fertility provider. Just ask Jess S and Tim, who have recently conceived their third IVF baby with help from Dr Russell and the Newlife IVF team. In fact, they’ve been with us from the very beginning.

‘When we began our fertility journey with Chris, we didn’t know Newlife was only a month old. The care and support we received from the whole team was nothing short of exceptional. We always felt like we were in good hands’, said Jess S.

‘When we first saw Chris, we were so overwhelmed with grief and fear of potentially never being able to have a baby. We didn’t understand what was ahead of us. Chris was kind, gentle and understanding of all these emotions,’ she said.
The patient-doctor relationship grew from strength to strength, with Jess S and Tim returning to our clinic for babies two and three.

‘There was so much fear and anxiety when we first started the IVF process. But the staff at Newlife were so supportive and encouraging. The care and advocacy they provided was above and beyond. When we returned for our second and third transfers, we knew we would be looked after each time. And we were! Every time we’ve gone back to see Chris, it felt like we never left. He knew our journey, understood what we wanted for our family and supported us. I’m now halfway through my third pregnancy and feel like part of the furniture,’ said Jess S.

The Newlife IVF team celebrating the clinic's 1,000th baby milestone

Empathy lies at the heart of Newlife IVF

So it’s been four years of Newlife IVF, with 1,000 babies born, and many more to go. We feel extremely privileged to be part of our patients’ fertility journeys and are proud of all that we’ve achieved for them.

‘It’s immensely rewarding to help any patient achieve their dream family, but to help Jess and Tim have three babies in quick succession, and 1,000 babies in all over our first four years, really highlights the excellence that we are aiming for and achieving at Newlife IVF,’ said Dr Russell.

As we continue doing what we do best (building families and supporting our patients), we remain dedicated to offering you a more personalised, caring and supportive experience to bring you joy at the end of your journey with us.

So, here’s to the next thousand and all that follow thereafter!

Take the next step towards a new life

If you’re ready to begin your fertility journey, call us on (03) 8080 8933 or book online via our appointments page.

How to boost your immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic

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Assuming you are relatively healthy, your immune system is already capable of preventing you from getting an infection most of the time. Occasionally, however, bacteria or viruses do overwhelm our immune defences and we get sick. When faced with the possibility of coming into contact with a strong virus like COVID-19, the idea of boosting one’s immunity is even more attractive than usual, particularly if you are looking to fall pregnant. We all want a strong immune system that is well-primed to defend us from any harmful infections that may be lingering in the community. Unfortunately, research has not identified any single lifestyle strategy, supplement or food with the ability to strengthen the body’s immune defences. This means that if you are healthy, your immune system is probably already as ‘boosted’ as it’s going to get. That being said, if you shift your focus to giving your immune system everything it needs to ‘stay boosted’, there is still plenty you can do. Other than following the latest hygiene and social distancing recommendations, maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle will enable your immune system to function at its best.

What can I do to stay healthy?

You can support your overall health and give yourself the best chance of staying well by following these tips:

Diet

Although ‘comfort foods’ may tempt you during this time, maintaining a nutritious diet has never been more important. Deficiencies in nutrients such as zinc, iron, and vitamins C, A and E may impact your immune system’s ability to protect you. For this reason, foods that help ‘boost’ your immune system are simply those that allow you to get the nutrients you need. Enjoy a wide variety of vegetables, wholegrains, fruits and protein-rich foods such as lean meats, reduced fat dairy products, legumes, nuts and seeds. For more information on how to eat right, download the Australian Dietary Guidelines Healthy Eating brochures. While it is always best to try and improve your dietary habits first, if your day-to-day diet is lacking in micronutrients, a women’s multivitamin may be of benefit. Of course, if you are planning a pregnancy, you should already be taking a pregnancy supplement containing at least 400mcg of folate.

Vitamin D

For many of us, staying home has meant less time in the sun, leading to fewer opportunities to make vitamin D. Known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’, this important vitamin is produced when your skin is exposed to sunlight. As we head into the cooler months, deficiency becomes more common. In fact, approximately 50% of Australian women are deficient in vitamin D during winter.1 As vitamin D deficiency has been shown to increase the risk of respiratory infections2, correcting a deficiency may, in effect, ‘boost’ your immunity. If you aren’t able to consistently meet the sun exposure guidelines for adequate vitamin D, or you haven’t met them for a while, we suggest you speak to your GP about whether or not you meet the criteria for getting your vitamin D level checked.

Exercise

While Netflix is an appealing way to pass the time as you #stayhome, maintaining a regular exercise routine will promote your general health and support your immune system. Resist the pull of the couch and make sure you engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise 3-4 times a week. Go for a jog, bike ride or brisk walk in the park, or see if your local gym is currently offering online classes instead. Just make sure you observe social distancing recommendations if you’re exercising outside and stay at least 1.5 metres away from people who are not part of your household. For in-home exercise, you may like to try an app called Daily Yoga which is great for building strength, stretching and relaxation.

Stress management

It is common (and absolutely normal) to feel stressed and anxious at this time. Unfortunately, research does indicate that persistent stress may impair your immune system’s ability to defend you. In this case, the best way to help your immune system ‘stay boosted’ is to reduce the level of stress and anxiety you are feeling. Try these techniques to get you started, but if you are struggling and need additional support, know you’re not alone. As a Newlife patient, you are always welcome to reach out to Newlife’s team of specialist counsellors. A quick phone or Zoom chat may be all you need to unpack your ‘mental load’ and quell the frustrations that come with isolation.

Sleep

Studies indicate that inadequate sleep can increase your risk of getting sick if you are exposed to a virus such as the common cold (however, note that there is currently no evidence relating to COVID-19 and sleep). Aim for the recommended 7 to 9 hours per night, and use these tips to get a better night’s sleep. If you are having trouble sleeping because you are stressed, finding ways to actively reduce your stress level will naturally help improve your sleep and ‘boost’ your immunity.

When to get help

If you are feeling anxious and overwhelmed, or are worried about the implications of delaying or pausing your fertility treatment because of COVID-19, we are here for you. Get in touch with our team by calling (03) 8080 8933 or emailing [email protected]. We’ll be able to direct you to one of our fertility specialists, nurses or counsellors for further support as appropriate. In the meantime, here’s to staying safe and staying well.

Further reading

Your fertility treatment and COVID-19
Tips to optimise your fertility and prepare for pregnancy

References

  1.  Daly et al., 2012 ↩
  2. Hughes DA and Norton R, 2009 ↩

If not IVF, then what? Fertility treatments explained

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In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is the most widely known fertility treatment, but it is not the only option available to help couples with fertility issues. This is due to the fact that there are many different reasons why an individual or couple may be experiencing fertility problems and treatment should be tailored accordingly. Thus, fertility treatment actually encompasses quite a wide range of methods, each of which can help people to overcome specific challenges and ultimately, conceive. We explain the different options below, including when they might be suitable.

First-line treatments

Ovulation induction

Ovulation induction may be recommended for women who are not ovulating regularly or who are not ovulating at all, and is commonly used for those suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

As its name suggests, ovulation induction involves the woman taking medication to increase the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) that causes ovulation. These medications may be in the form of tablets (clomiphene or letrozole) or direct injections of FSH. This stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles (fluid-filled sacs containing an egg). Once the follicles are large enough, another hormone is then given to release the egg from the follicle. Couples are advised to have intercourse at this time to increase their chances of conceiving.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine insemination (also known as artificial insemination) may be considered when a couple has difficulty having intercourse. It may also be appropriate for women with scarring or defects of the cervix that prevent sperm penetration, and for men with mild reductions in either sperm count or sperm motility (i.e. sperm that don’t move properly) where concentrating the semen sample and placing it in the uterus is likely to be of benefit. IUI may be used in combination with medications that stimulate ovulation – this combination can increase the chance of pregnancy in some cases.

During a treatment cycle, patients are monitored closely with blood tests and ultrasounds. At the time of ovulation, sperm are placed directly through the woman’s cervix and into her uterus (womb) using a long, thin plastic tube that is similar to a straw (hence, the name artificial insemination).

Laboratory treatments

In vitro fertilisation (IVF)

IVF is a form of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in which eggs are retrieved from the body of a woman and combined with sperm outside the body to achieve fertilisation. If this is successful and the fertilised egg continues to develop into an embryo, it is transferred back into the uterus (womb) in the hope that it will implant and grow, thereby achieving a pregnancy.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

ICSI is a technique where a single sperm is directly injected into an egg to achieve fertilisation. This technique may be recommended when the male partner in a couple has been diagnosed with fertility issues such as low sperm count, abnormal sperm morphology (shape) or motility (movement), has had a previous vasectomy or an unsuccessful vasectomy reversal. The ‘best’ sperm – based on size, shape and movement – is selected for the ICSI procedure.

Sperm retrieval procedures

Some men have no sperm in their semen (a condition known as azoospermia) due to a sperm production problem or a blockage that prevents the sperm from getting into the semen. These men may need to have sperm taken directly from the testis or the epididymis (a coiled tube that stores sperm and transports it from the testis).

  • Testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) is done by inserting a needle into the testis and taking a small amount of material from the seminiferous tubules – a network of tiny tubes where sperm is produced. The procedure is done using local anaesthesia in an operating theatre.
  • Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) can be an option for men who have obstructive azoospermia from a previous vasectomy or infection. Under local anaesthesia, a small needle is inserted into the epididymis to extract sperm. PESA is also usually performed in an operating theatre.
  • Microdissection TESE (microTESE) may be used for men who have a sperm production problem. This procedure is done under general anaesthetic. The testis is first opened with a small incision, then an operating microscope is used to identify the seminiferous tubules most likely to contain sperm and take tissue samples from them.

Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT)

PGT is a way to reduce the risk of an individual or a couple passing on a specific genetic or chromosomal abnormality to their child. It may also be used to check for genetic problems in older women (e.g. over the age of 38 years), women who have experienced several miscarriages, or cases of repeated IVF failure.

In PGT, embryos are produced through the usual IVF process and then cells taken from the embryo are tested for genetic conditions. If the embryo is unaffected, it is then transferred to the woman’s uterus.

Egg or sperm freezing

There are two main reasons for freezing eggs. Some women need to freeze their eggs for medical reasons such as impaired ovarian function or impending chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer. Other women choose to freeze their eggs because they want to give themselves the option to have children in later years.

A man may be advised to freeze his sperm if he is about to undergo treatment for cancer, or if he has decided to have a vasectomy but may potentially want to have children later on. Men also can freeze sperm prior to either IUI or IVF if they cannot be present on the day scheduled for the respective ART procedure.

Donor treatments

Donor insemination

Donor insemination may be used as part of IVF for a single woman or for women in a same-sex relationship. The process is the same as artificial insemination, but the sperm used is from a donor rather than a male partner.

Donor insemination may be considered when the male partner does not produce sperm (or the sperm is abnormal) or when there is a high risk of the man passing on an illness or abnormality to a child.

Donor eggs

Donor eggs may be an option when a woman is unable to produce eggs or her eggs are of a low quality. This may be due to age or premature ovarian failure (a condition in which a woman stops producing eggs earlier than usual).

Donor eggs may also be appropriate in cases of recurrent miscarriage or if there is a high risk of the woman passing on an illness or abnormality.

Donor embryos

In some cases, some people choose to donate frozen embryos they no longer need. Treatment using these donated embryos may be suitable for a person or a couple who need both donor sperm and donor eggs.

What is the best option for you?

If you would like advice about the next steps to take on your fertility journey, you can make an appointment with one of our fertility specialists by calling Newlife IVF on (03) 8080 8933 or by booking online via our appointments page. We’ll complete a comprehensive assessment before explaining the options available to you and your partner.

“So, when are you having a baby?”

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If you’re finding yourself in this situation more and more, it can be helpful to think ahead about how you and your partner (if you have one) might respond. By considering what information you are willing to share with others and who you are happy to share this information with, you’re less likely to feel at sixes and sevens when people raise this topic with you.

And if you do find yourself put on the spot, humour can be a great form of defence. Along these lines, we did some asking around and here are some serious and not-so-serious responses our patients reported giving when they had been confronted with this question in the past:

  • “I don’t know, but I’m starting on my list of free babysitters now. Can I put your name down?”
  • “As soon as I figure out how. Have you got any suggestions?”
  • “I knew there was something I’d forgotten to do!”
  • “I have a cat/dog – that’s enough responsibility for now.”
  • “I don’t know but wouldn’t it be nice if it was sooner rather than later!”
  • “Oh, we’re trying. Every day and twice on Sundays, since you ask.”
  • “We’re focusing on our careers for the next little while, then we’ll think about kids.”
  • “We’d love to have a baby but for whatever reason, it’s not happening for us yet. In the meantime, I’d prefer if you didn’t keep asking me about it. But we’ll be sure to shout it from the rooftops as soon as we are.”
  • “I’m sorry but that’s quite a sensitive issue for me/us. I’d rather not talk about it if that’s okay.”

We also asked these patients what they had found most helpful in terms of dealing with the emotions that these kinds of conversations can trigger. Here are some of their suggestions:

Allow yourself 15 minutes to dwell, then let it go

A common strategy for dealing with any stressful event is to put a time limit on how long you allow yourself to dwell or perseverate on what has happened. So, if you find yourself in this situation, set the timer on your phone for 5, 10 or 15 minutes – whatever you think is reasonable. But when the alarm goes off, do a Taylor Swift and commit to ‘shake it off’. If it helps, give your brain a physical cue to move on and think about something else: push the thoughts away with your hands, vigorously shake your head free of its thoughts, brush the load off your shoulders, dance off the negative vibes around the kitchen bench – then get on with your day.

Use the art of distraction

Distraction is a wonderful way to quickly shift negative or unpleasant thoughts. Immerse yourself in a jigsaw puzzle, watch a movie, try a new recipe, read a book – the task can be joyful or meditative or intensely difficult. It just needs to take you out of the present and transport you to a different place for a little while. This will give you some time out from your thoughts and help you to focus your mind elsewhere.

Find an outlet

Physically, emotions can leave us feeling uptight and strung out. Exercising is a great way to release some of the physical tension and reboot your energy. It also has the additional benefit of stimulating the release of feel-good endorphins, helping to lift your mood in a healthy way.

Or you may prefer to seek comfort in a creative outlet instead. If you like writing, keeping a journal can be a great way to process your feelings and document the ups and downs of your fertility journey. You could also use a journal to keep a list of questions you want to ask your doctor – questions that come to mind in the heat of the moment but you then forget when your thoughts and feelings settle down.

Consider opening up

And last but not least, it can be helpful to remember that people who ask you about having a baby are likely to be well-meaning family or friends who have no intention of hurting your feelings. If you are comfortable doing so, you can use this opportunity to open up and talk to them about your experiences – whether it’s the pressure of trying to fall pregnant, the challenge of dealing with a miscarriage or the loneliness of going through the process by yourself. Talking about your journey and its emotional toll can give people a better understanding of what you are going through. As the old adage goes: a problem shared is a problem halved. Being asked this question might just be the best form of therapy.

Help to fall pregnant

If you are struggling to conceive and would like professional advice on the next best steps to take on your fertility journey, you can make an appointment with one of our fertility specialists by calling Newlife IVF on (03) 8080 8933. You can also book online via our appointments page.

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