It’s those moments when even though you’re surrounded by people who love and understand you, there are thoughts and feelings you want to share only with yourself. The process of IVF first requires inner mental balance; writing about it can act therapeutically. Even if you have a supportive family, friends who are there for you, there is always the fear of judgment when discussing your fertility battle or your decision to undergo IVF treatment. Writing has been shown to help reduce symptoms of anxiety during IVF treatment.

Let’s start with the more practical parts of this healing soul journey through writing:

• Find that place that will make you feel calm and pleasant
• Select your preferred writing method; by hand or type on a laptop
• Start with 10 to 15 minutes every day and additionally whenever you feel the need to
• Consider it as an exercise in accessing your emotions, your fears, your anxieties, your dreams and your hopes rather than an obligation or a chore

Let’s take a look at the therapeutic benefits of this habit:

Release your emotions without fear or judgment

You are alone with yourself. No one sees you, hears you, judges you, tries to guide you or even advise you. You are free to write whatever you feel. You can express your feelings and frustrations freely, productively and without judgment.

Priority feelings scale

When you put your emotions in order, it’s easier to figure out which one is dominant. It is in a way a confession and acceptance of your deepest feelings and a way to admit them, accept them and ultimately deal with them. Make an emotional scale. If the first feeling of the scale is negative it will help you deal with it, if it is positive you can recall it whenever you need it.

Emotional development

If you manage to write every day, it will be easier for you to track your emotional development. This will help you understand if you need the help of an expert or open your heart more to your partner or people you trust.

Write down the positives

Every day there will be one or more positive things. Simple things like a sunny day, a friend visiting, a movie you watched, a memory, a walk, something you read that made you smile. Write about them. Write about things, people you have in your life that you feel grateful for. From the simplest to the most important that you consider to be for you.

Dream your life with your baby

Envision by writing about the life you want to have with your baby. The decoration of the room, the feelings of love and anticipation waiting for your baby’s arrival, moments you want to share, for dear relatives and friends, places to go together.

Learn your body during IVF

By recording what is happening to your body, you will have a better understanding of fertility treatment. It will help you track the steps, stages, symptoms, changes and how you can better handle the whole process.

Reduce stress and anxiety

There will be many ups and downs. Some days will be better, some days will be difficult making you feel lonely or like no one understands you. By writing you give yourself the ability to reduce stress and lower stress levels increase your chances of conceiving or improve your mood if you are undergoing IVF treatment

Remember not to forget

Writing helps you remember details of your treatment, when to take medication, dates of your doctor’s appointment and generally all stages of IVF treatment. Even questions you want to ask your doctor and don’t want to forget.

Share your IVF journey

You are not the first, you are not the last woman in the world who is undergoing IVF. You can be a member of online communities sharing with other women your experience, your thoughts, your fears, your feelings. Follow IVF blogs and note down anything you think will help you.

Writing your own IVF treatment ‘’book’’ or journal is not only comforting and liberating, it makes you stronger, more aware to live, but most of all to feel the magical journey of becoming a mother.