Looking After Myself Before IVF Really Began

During the early stages of IVF, I assumed most of my focus would be on the medical side of things — the appointments, injections, test results, and the waiting.

But even in the early stages — before any medication had started — I noticed something else beginning to take shape.

Between donor decisions and waiting for genetic results, there was a constant mental load. Not overwhelming, but present. Something that sat in the background and was hard to switch off.

I also noticed a quiet pressure — mostly internal — to handle it well, to stay on top of everything, and to just keep moving through it. But even at this stage, it was clear that IVF was going to ask a lot.

That’s when I realised that managing that mental load would need to be part of my IVF preparation, not something separate from it.

Not in a structured or overthought way — just in small, practical moments that became a form of IVF support for me. Stepping away when things felt like too much. Going for a walk. Writing things down when my thoughts felt crowded. Journalling, in particular, became something I came back to consistently. Giving myself permission to pause without feeling like I needed to justify it.

At that point, IVF hadn’t fully begun.

But I had a sense that how I approached it — beyond the medical side — would matter just as much as any other part of my IVF preparation.

📖 If you missed it, you can read my previous post about Prenatal Supplements.
💬 Next, I’ll be sharing more about IVF Treatment and Process — what to expect during the medication phase.