Balancing work, life and IVF: Managing expectations and responsibilities

Infertility is a growing problem affecting an estimated 48 million couples worldwide, and its prevalence is increasing in India, where around 15% of couples have difficulty conceiving. This growth is driven by a range of factors, including social unrest, lifestyle changes and entertainment. For many people, the journey to parenthood through IVF is fraught with emotional, physical and financial challenges that can affect every aspect of their lives.

In addition to the medical treatment involved in IVF, a lack of understanding of the complexities of IVF can often lead to despair:
Many couples may enter the process without fully understanding the demands it will place on their personal, professional and emotional lives. Research shows that the most common reasons for discontinuing regular treatment include psychological distress, high costs, work disruption, social distress, and the added burden of long commutes for special care.

Adhering to these conditions while managing daily life and responsibilities requires protection, open communication, and a deep understanding of both parties’ needs.

Challenges of IVF
The stress of IVF is often compared to other life challenges, such as the death of a loved one or divorce. Because the treatment process is physically demanding, including hormone injections, egg collection, fertilization, and embryo transfer, women experience significant stress.

Balancing work, life, and IVF: Managing expectations and responsibilities
Engaging in shared activities or simple relaxation can help strengthen the bond between the two partners and remind them that their relationship goes beyond having children. Engaging in shared activities or simply relaxing together can help strengthen the bond between the two partners and remind them that their relationship goes beyond having children.

Reviewed by: Dr. Sheetal Jindal, MBBS, MD OBG, EPHM (IIM Kolkata), Senior Consultant and Medical Director, Jindal IVF Chandigarh

Written by: Tavishi Dogra

Infertility is a growing problem affecting an estimated 48 million couples worldwide and is increasingly prevalent in India, where nearly 15% of couples face difficulty conceiving. There are many factors behind this growth, including social unrest, lifestyle changes, entertainment, etc. For many people, the journey to becoming parents through IVF is fraught with emotional, physical, and financial challenges that can impact every aspect of life.

In addition to the medical treatment applied to IVF, a lack of understanding of the complexities of IVF can often lead to despair:

Many couples may enter the process without fully understanding the demands it will place on their personal, professional and emotional lives. Studies show that the most common reasons for discontinuing regular treatment are psychological distress, high costs, work disruption, strained relationships, loss of quality, and the added difficulty of traveling long distances to receive specialized care.

Adhering to these conditions while managing daily life and responsibilities requires protection, open communication, and a deep understanding of the needs of both parties.
Challenges of IVF Treatment
The stress of IVF treatment is often compared to other life challenges, such as the death of a loved one or divorce. Because it is a physically demanding treatment process that includes hormone injections, egg collection, fertilization, and embryo transfer, women experience psychological stress.

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However, many couples go into the process expecting one or two cycles of IVF to be enough, without realising that complex cases often require multiple tests and treatments. more:

This discrepancy between expectations and reality can lead to anxiety and depression, especially when hormonal changes cause mood swings and mood swings.
Constant care and frequent doctor visits can disrupt daily life and make it difficult for people to focus on their work, personal commitments or relationships.
If treatment is not successful, the pressure to succeed at every step can create a sense of failure and lead to negative feelings on both sides.
Acknowledging and addressing these emotional issues can help reduce the burden and foster supportive relationships for couples.

Manage life’s responsibilities
For many couples, balancing the physical and emotional demands of IVF with the demands of work can be challenging. Medical appointments often require flexible working hours, which can significantly impact work life. Contrary to popular belief, IVF surgery does not require a recovery period. There are many prescription medications on the market, but fortunately, they are quite safe and have few side effects. Some people may need to take time off work or reduce their hours, which can be financially stressful, especially when considering the costs of fertility treatments.

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