If you’re here, there’s a good chance you’re somewhere on the IVF journey—or standing at the edge of it, wondering what it might be like. And first, let us just say: you are not alone. Whether you’re quietly carrying the weight of it all, shouting your story from the rooftops, or somewhere in between… we see you.
Did you know that 1 in 8 couples in the U.S. struggles with infertility? (Source: CDC)
That number alone tells us just how many women and couples are walking this road, even if they’re doing it silently. And if you’re one of them, we hope this post feels like a safe, supportive space to land.
The Emotional Rollercoaster (That No One Prepares You For)
Let’s be real: IVF is not just a medical process—it’s an emotional one. You’re juggling meds, appointments, two-week waits, and test results. And somewhere in between all that? You’re expected to go about your day, act “normal,” and maybe even answer well-meaning but totally exhausting questions like, “When are you having kids?”
It’s a lot.
In fact, over 50% of people undergoing IVF report significant levels of anxiety or depression. (Source: Fertility and Sterility Journal)
You might be hopeful one minute, discouraged the next. Sometimes you’re numb. Other times you feel everything all at once. You may even start to question your identity, your strength, and your body.
That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong—it means you’re human.
Strategies for Managing Stress + Expectations
We can’t take away the hard parts (we wish we could). But we can share some small shifts and support strategies that might help you breathe a little easier as you navigate this journey.
1. Build Your Circle of Safe People
Choose 2–3 people you can be real with—the ones who won’t try to fix it or offer clichés. Just listen. Just hold space. Those people are gold.
2. Set Boundaries With Love
If baby showers, pregnancy announcements, or casual bump conversations are too much right now, it’s okay to sit them out. Protecting your peace is not selfish—it’s self-preservation.
3. Find a “Non-TTC Outlet”
TTC = Trying to Conceive. A non-TTC outlet is anything that reminds you that you’re more than this journey. Try something that has absolutely nothing to do with fertility:
A pottery class, reading fiction, yoga, volunteering, cooking something new, or even binge-watching a show that makes you laugh.
Let it be light. Let it be yours.
4. Talk to a Therapist (Especially One Who Gets Fertility)
Sometimes the best gift you can give yourself is a safe, neutral space to feel everything you’re feeling without judgment. Many fertility clinics can recommend someone who specializes in this area.
5. Visualize the After (When You’re Ready)
There’s no right time, but if it feels good, try gently imagining the moment you hold your baby. Not as pressure. Just as hope. Soft, quiet, sacred hope.
IVF & The Path to Parenthood
Here’s the thing: IVF isn’t always a straight path. It often takes multiple rounds—sometimes more than you ever imagined.
- The average success rate is between 21%–45% per cycle, depending on age. (Source: Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology)
- It can also come with a big financial cost, with a single cycle averaging $12,000–$15,000, not including meds. (Source: American Society for Reproductive Medicine)
So it’s no wonder the emotional toll is real. This is one of the hardest journeys some women will ever take—and you’re doing it with so much strength, even if it doesn’t always feel that way.
At New Mom School, we’re here for the after, yes—but we’re also rooting for you in the before. Whether you’re days away from a transfer or still waiting to figure out your next step, you belong here. And when the time comes, we’ll be ready with open arms to walk the next chapter with you.
You’ve got this—and we’ve got you.
Special thanks to Antoinette, Life and leader Personal Coach, and owner of AbCoached for sharing their expertise and helping bring this article to life! Check her out and connect with her here!
👉 Catch the replay: Watch our IG Live with Alex Spitz (New Mom School) and Antoinette Beauchamp (AB Coached) on this topic for more info!.
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