10 Tips to Eliminate Pre-Conception Stress

When a couple decides to conceive a child, many factors can contribute to the amount of stress in that relationship. Environmental factors, emotional factors, and health issues can compound the stress associated with conception, and can, in fact, impede the conception process. If a couple has any medical difficulty with the conception of a child, the first thing that fertility experts will advise is a reduction in stress. I have included the ten best ways to ease the stress for a couple trying to have a baby.

1. Remember that you are in this together. The decision to conceive a child was made by both partners in a relationship, and it is important for both of you to be supportive of each other. Avoid blame and pressure.

2. Avoid the scheduled sex feeling. When a couple is determined to conceive a child, they may get so caught up in the process that they forget that sex is also an emotional experience. Timing, fertility drugs, and fertility testing can cause your sex life to become clinical. Both partners should remember to continue doing those "special things" that helped them to fall in love in the first place.

3. Don't become too results oriented. These things take time. While the conception process can become frustrating, try to think of this time as preparation. The more time that you have to prepare for the arrival of the baby, the more confident and ready you will feel. Most couples only have a few months to prepare, maybe you should consider yourselves lucky for having the extra prep time.

4. Schedule weekly vent times. Choose a time that you and your partner are both free. Use this time to express and discuss your frustrations, emotions, and anything else about the conception process that is on your mind. It is important for both partners to talk, as well as to listen. When both of you are finished, and everything is on the table, close by stating the reasons that you chose to conceive a child in the first place. This can help to solidify and renew your commitment to bringing a child into the world.

5. Go on dates. With each other. Many times couples tend to stick closer to home when they are trying to conceive a child. While this is a very personal experience for both of you, you can't forget that there is an entire world out there. A movie, a long walk, dancing, or even just throwing a few games of darts can help to relieve some of the preconception stress. It is all too common for a couple to be so wrapped up in the conception process that they forget who they were, and why they were together before trying to conceive.

6. Educate yourselves. Research the conception process. By knowing what you can expect, a great amount of uncertainty can be eliminated. Your doctor or fertility clinic can help you to obtain literature that is suitable to your particular situation. The library and the Internet are also valuable resources for researching the conception process and any issues associated with it. www.givf.com is another excellent information source for articles dealing with pre-conception, IVF, and fertility.

7. Join a support group. By talking with other couples that are trying to conceive, you and your partner will realize that you are not alone in your endeavor. In a group setting, couples discuss the preconception stress, frustration with procedures, and share in each others successes. In addition to sharing experiences you may learn other ways to deal with the preconception stress.

8. Be involved. It really does not matter who carries the child. It is important for both parents to be a part of the process, and not just in the donor/receptacle aspect of conception. This can include going to the doctor, choosing egg or sperm donors, preparing for the eventual arrival of your child, or anything related to the conception process. When the little one gets here, it is important to be able to present a united front.

9. Do things together that have nothing to do with the conception of your child. By sharing even the menial tasks like housework, no one is carrying the full burden. Another perk to this tip is laughter. Unless your partner is like the iguana (comfortable with, and great at housework), men in general doing anything domestic is funny. Laughter is the best thing to reduce stress in a relationship, (well, unless his pants are off), so break out the apron and the feather duster.

10. Most importantly, avoid the questions. While you may choose to let people know that you are trying to conceive, the curiosity can bring about huge amounts of stress. You, as well as your partner have already put pressure on yourselves to conceive a child. Friends and family can seriously increase that pressure. While they may be asking "Are you pregnant, yet?", you hear "What is taking you so long?". When telling people that you are trying to conceive a child, also explain that you know that it takes time, you are not on any set baby-having schedule, and that you appreciate their support and they will be the first to know when you do manage to conceive.