New Year, New Beginnings: Your Guide to Planning Your Fertility Journey in 2024
Posted on January 18th, 2024
Planning to embark on a fertility journey can be an exciting goal for the New Year. Starting on this path can bring much anticipation, but preparing for a few obstacles is essential. The fertility journey often comes with some highs and lows throughout the process. Here’s how you can navigate your incredible journey in 2024.
A Guide to Fertility Planning
Each aspiring parent’s fertility journey may differ, but many planning considerations are the same for everyone.
Set Goals and Priorities
Family planning goals and priorities often involve consideration of several important factors, such as:
- The right timing to start your family
- Establishing and maintaining a support system
- Keeping a close relationship between you and your partner
- Considering treatment options
- Addressing financial goals and any other concerns
- Balancing work/life priorities during fertility treatment
Educate Yourself
Start your journey on the right foot by educating yourself about reproductive health, fertility issues, and the different treatment options available. You can learn about infertility and factors that impact the ability to conceive on websites such as the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.
Find a Fertility Clinic
Tips for finding the right fertility clinic include:
- Create a shortlist of potential clinics.
- Ensure the clinic you are considering is a Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) member.
- Interview each fertility clinic you are considering,
- Ask questions during the initial consultation, such as which fertility treatments are offered and the facility's success rate.
Consider the Legalities
It’s essential to understand the legal implications of fertility treatments, particularly if third-party reproduction (use of an egg/sperm donor and/or surrogate) is part of your fertility plan. Consult a legal professional who specializes in reproductive and fertility law to discuss important issues such as parental rights and responsibilities. If this is the path that you choose, your fertility clinic will help guide you through each step of the way.
Engage in Healthy Lifestyle Changes
Even if you’re not ready right away to start the process of trying to conceive, getting a head start by leading a healthier lifestyle can help improve your chances later on. Making healthy lifestyle changes and avoiding harmful habits is an integral part of most fertility plans; these changes include:
- Eating healthy foods high in nutrients
- Avoiding unhealthy foods that are highly processed or high in sugar and saturated fats
- Taking fertility-forward supplements, such as NutraBloom
- Engaging in a regular exercise routine
- Managing your stress levels
- Avoiding harmful substances such as tobacco and excessive alcohol or drug use
Celebrate Milestones
Fertility treatment can be very emotionally and physically demanding. To stay motivated during the process, consider celebrating the small and large milestones (e.g., completing a treatment cycle, reaching a specific goal, or attaining significant steps in your journey). Take breaks when needed to rest and recharge your batteries.
Maintain Emotional Well-being
Recognizing and prioritizing your emotional well-being throughout the fertility process is essential. If you have unresolved emotional difficulties, consider seeking professional counseling or attending infertility support groups.
Start Your Fertility Journey
If you're having difficulty conceiving and wondering if fertility treatment, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), is the best option for you, contact us today at Aspire Fertility. Our experienced fertility specialists will answer your questions, perform a thorough fertility evaluation, tell you about your treatment options, and discuss any potential risks and benefits so you can make an informed choice in starting your family planning journey.
