You’ve tracked your cycle, cleaned up your diet, and tried every supplement TikTok and your fertility group could name.
And yet… month after month, nothing changes.
As a fertility dietitian & nutritionist, I see this every week – individuals & couples doing everything right, just not everything right for them.
Most preconception plans focus on surface-level actions rather than the cellular foundations that determine egg, sperm, and hormone health.
Nutrition isn’t the last thing you try; it’s the first thing that makes everything else work better.
1. Over-Restricting: When ‘Healthy Eating’ Becomes Hormonal Stress
I often see clients who’ve spent years dieting or “clean eating” to the point of depletion.
They’ve cut out carbs or dairy thinking it’ll help – but what they’ve really done is reduce the very nutrients that build progesterone, support ovulation, and stabilise energy.
Your body doesn’t prioritise reproduction when it feels under-fuelled or unsafe.
Fertility is a luxury physiology – it thrives on abundance, not restriction.
Try this: include a slow-release carbohydrate, quality protein, and healthy fat at every meal. Balanced meals build balanced hormones.
2. Over-Supplementing: More Isn’t Better
When couples first see me, it’s not unusual for them to bring in a bag of random supplements, teas, miracle products… the list goes on.
Each one promising better egg quality, but without a personalised plan, supplements can compete or overload the system.
Nutrition isn’t a guessing game. It’s a biochemical equation that changes from person to person.
If you haven’t reviewed your labs or your supplement stack with a qualified fertility dietitian, there’s a good chance you’re either doubling up or missing something critical.
3. Focusing Only on The Female Partner
Around half of all infertility cases involve male factors – yet men are rarely part of the fertility conversation.
I see female partners carry the burden, while their partners quietly assume they’re “fine.”
But sperm is exquisitely sensitive to oxidative stress, heat, poor sleep, diet quality and nutrient deficiencies.
The right nutrition and lifestyle shifts can transform sperm health within months, improving outcomes for natural and assisted conception alike.
Fertility isn’t a female issue. It’s a shared cellular process and nutrition is the one intervention that benefits both sides.
4. Treating Fertility Like a 4-Week Cycle
Eggs and sperm don’t appear overnight.
It takes roughly 90 days for an egg to mature.
During that time, every meal, every night of sleep, and every nutrient absorbed directly influences their DNA, structure, and function.
Yet most people start “eating better” the month they plan to conceive – when the opportunity to influence egg and sperm quality has already passed.
This is what I call the fertility window of opportunity… the 90-day period before conception where nutrition and lifestyle choices have the greatest power to influence outcomes.
5. The Missing Piece: Nutrition as the Foundation, Not the Accessory
Here’s what many fertility journeys get wrong: nutrition is often treated as optional… something to think about after seeing specialists or starting treatment.
But I see it differently.
Nutrition is the foundation on which all fertility treatments sit.
Without the right nutrients, hormones can’t communicate, eggs can’t mature properly, sperm can’t swim efficiently, and implantation may not occur.
I see people go through multiple IVF cycles without ever addressing these fundamentals – spending thousands on technology without first supporting biology!
Working on preconception health isn’t just about conception itself; it’s about giving your baby the best possible start to life.
6. What Actually Works
When individuals and couples come to me, they’re usually exhausted… physically, emotionally, and financially.
They’ve tried every supplement and every cleanse.
But when we slow down and look at their nutrition, labs, and lifestyle through a fertility lens, the picture becomes clear.
We identify silent nutrient gaps, metabolic mismatches, and habits that are unknowingly working against conception.
Then we rebuild… step by step – with evidence-based, culturally inclusive nutrition tailored to both partners.
This is the exact process I take my clients through inside my fertility nutrition coaching program: The PLANT Method™ – transforming ‘doing everything right’ into doing what’s right for you.”
Because when nutrition and biology are finally in sync, conception often stops feeling like a mystery and starts feeling like alignment.
(Learn more about personalised fertility nutrition at poweredbynutrition.au.)
7. The Takeaway
If you’ve been doing everything “right” but still feel stuck, it’s not your fault.
You’re simply following a plan that wasn’t designed for your body, your culture, or your biology.
Fertility is a reflection of nourishment: physical, emotional, and relational.
When we build those foundations properly, conception becomes less about control and more about readiness.
Written by Pooja Adhyaru | Powered By Nutrition™ © 2025.
Pooja Adhyaru, APD, Fertility & Pregnancy Dietitian and founder of Powered By Nutrition™.
🌐 poweredbynutrition.au | Instagram: @fertility.dietitian.australia
In my virtual practice, I’ve worked with many women living with endometriosis and navigating their fertility journey. While it’s not without its challenges, Naturopathy and nutritional medicine provide holistic options to optimise fertility outcomes and improve your chances of IVF success, alongside conventional treatment.
Endometriosis is a complex chronic condition, and while research is ongoing; hormonal, genetic, immune, environmental and lifestyle factors are involved. Up to 50% of infertile women have been found to have endometriosis, and a 2024 review found 44% of unexplained infertility cases were attributed to undiagnosed endometriosis.
Whether you’re trying to conceive naturally or with IVF, we have options to maximise your outcomes. In my clinical experience, these are four key areas I have found to benefit most:
1. Calming Inflammation (the fire)
Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition, and when your body is unable to keep inflammation in check, fertility and egg quality are affected. Think of inflammation like ‘a fire’, and our goal is calming the flames.
Here’s where to start:
• Follow an Anti-Inflammatory diet: A Mediterranean-style diet—full of vegetables, legumes, fish, olive oil, and nuts—is ideal
• Supplements: Quality fish oil (they’re not all the same!), herbal medicines and Palmitoylethanolamide (also known as ‘PEA’)
• Stress management: Ongoing stress adds fuel to the fire. Chronic stress is an accelerant for inflammatory processes in the body.
2. Nourish & Optimise Egg Quality
Endometriosis can reduce both egg quality and egg count, but while egg number can’t be changed, lifestyle and environmental factors can improve egg quality. The eggs developing now are influenced by your current habits, with diet, blood sugar balance, and toxin exposure all affecting outcomes alongside age.
Here’s where we can start:
• Increase Antioxidant-rich foods: Berries, leafy greens, colourful vegetables, nuts and seeds. These foods help counter oxidative stress which occur as a result of endo, and protects the DNA of your eggs.
• Evidence-based supplements: Research supports using Co enzyme Q10, NAD+ (a Vitamin B3 derivative), Omega-3 fats, Vitamin D, and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) to support egg health.
• Balanced blood sugar: Making sure your meals contain quality protein, fibre, and healthy fats, which helps stabilise blood sugar levels and support hormonal balance.
Your egg quality is a changeable factor within your control. Remember, if you’re trying to get pregnant with IVF, you need to start working on this well before your egg retrieval (minimum 90 days).
3. Gut health and the microbiome
Many women with endo experience untoward digestive symptoms, from loose stools to constipation, multiple food sensitivities and bloating (commonly referred to as endo belly). The research has shown potential links with disturbed gut microbiome in women with endometriosis. Your gut health and your immune system are intimately linked.
Here’s what we can do:
• Adequate dietary fibre: 20-30g is the recommended daily intake for women. Nourish your gut microbiome with prebiotic fibres from vegetables and fruits (especially onion, garlic, leek and artichoke) to encourage the growth of good gut bacteria.
• Track daily bowel symptoms: and refer for further testing. Rule out coaleic disease or gluten intolerance and consider gut microbiome testing.
• Diet diary: to identify individual food triggers
4. Support Hormonal Balance
Endometriosis lesions depend on oestrogen for growth, but this doesn’t always mean you have high levels — blood testing this hormone on day 2 of your cycle can confirm. In endometriosis, oestrogen and histamine can drive each other in a cycle, worsening symptoms. Histamine is a chemical in the body released after injury or allergic reaction.
The hormone progesterone helps by calming our mast cells (responsible for releasing histamine), and supporting its clearance. If histamine is a factor for you, you might notice allergic-like symptoms that vary throughout your cycle.
If oestrogen is high, we can:
• Improve oestrogen clearance via the liver and bowels. Oestrogen is processed via the liver first, and then requires adequate dietary fibre to remove it via the bowels.
• Optimise ovulation: which naturally promotes progesterone production (oestrogens natural ‘counter’ hormone)
• Reduce the body’s toxic load: say goodbye to plastics, and limit EDC’s (endocrine disrupting chemicals) in toiletries and personal care items as much as possible.
Gentle next steps
It’s important to remember that there is no “quick-fix” for endo, and surgery alone doesn’t address the whole picture. Optimising fertility with endo requires the support of a multi-modality health care team, and I am quietly confident that after working together to create a personalised plan, we can improve your fertility outcomes and overall quality of life. Book a free Fertility Clarity Call here and get started today.
Author:
Corinne Leach
The Gentle Naturopath
Please note: this blog does not replace medical advice, and you should always seek personalised care. The Gentle Naturopath is a collaborative naturopathic clinic and we work alongside medical professionals for the best patient care.
References
1. Pessoa de Farias Rodrigues, M., Lima Vilarino, F., de Souza Barbeiro Munhoz, A. et al. Clinical aspects and the quality of life among women with endometriosis and infertility: a cross-sectional study. BMC Women’s Health 20, 124 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-020-00987-7
2. Van Gestel, H., Bafort, C., Meuleman, C., Tomassetti, C., & Vanhie, A. (2024). The prevalence of endometriosis in unexplained infertility: a systematic review. Reproductive biomedicine online, 49(3), 103848. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2024.103848
If financial barriers are the primary obstacle preventing you from accessing fertility treatment, understanding your financial options and whether you meet the eligibility criteria for compassionate grounds release may open a meaningful pathway forward.
For many Australians pursuing fertility treatment, the financial aspect can feel as overwhelming as the fertility journey itself. While most people know that superannuation is designed for retirement, fewer understand that under specific circumstances, Australian legislation permits early access to these funds for medical treatments—including IVF, Obstetrics, IUI, donor programs, and related gynaecological procedures necessary for fertility treatment. This pathway exists not as a workaround, but as a legitimate compassionate grounds provision designed to support Australians when medical needs cannot wait.
How Access My Super Works: A Step-by-Step Guide
Applying for early release of superannuation on compassionate grounds involves meeting strict eligibility criteria set by the ATO. The process requires comprehensive documentation and approval before any funds can be released.
Step 1: Fee Estimates and Quotes (It’s best to begin the process after your initial consultation with your specialist)
To get started, you’ll need a fee estimate from your IVF clinic.
Step 2: Telehealth Psychiatrist Appointment
Access My Super arranges your psychiatrist appointment through our established network, typically within 24 hours. One part of the application process that often surprises people is the requirement for a psychiatrist’s report.
Understanding the Psychiatrist Requirement
It’s important to understand what this requirement means—and what it doesn’t mean.
This is purely an ATO regulatory requirement for accessing superannuation on compassionate grounds for IVF treatment. The psychiatrist consultation is:
• A one-off external assessment, not the beginning of ongoing psychiatric treatment
• Required to document that the financial barriers causing inability to access fertility treatment could impact mental health
• It’s not a reflection on anyone’s mental health status—it’s simply part of the legislative framework for all early release of super applications involving fertility treatment
Step 3: Telehealth GP Appointment Scheduled
We organise a GP consultation that provides supporting documentation that complements the specialist psychiatrist report, completing the medical evidence required by the ATO.
Step 4: Application Lodgement
Access My Super organises, prepares, and provides comprehensive administrative support for your entire application, ensuring:
• All documentation meets ATO compliance requirements before lodging
• The application addresses all eligibility criteria
• Nothing is missing that could delay processing
Timeline: 30-35 Business Days
From initial application submission to funds release, the typical timeline is 30-35 business days. This includes:
• Telehealth appointment scheduling
• ATO assessment and decision period
• Super fund processing and release of approved amount
Access My Super monitors your application throughout this period and ensures everything remains on track for timely processing.
Why don’t more people know about this option?
First, many people simply aren’t aware that the Australian Taxation Office permits early release of superannuation on compassionate grounds for fertility treatment specifically. Superannuation is often thought of as completely locked away until retirement, but the legislation recognises that some medical needs can’t wait decades.
Second, the application process involves quite a bit of administrative complexity—medical documentation, psychiatrist assessments, ATO applications—and many people find that overwhelming when they’re already managing the emotional demands of fertility treatment. That’s precisely why we established Access My Super: to provide specialised administrative support through the entire process.
The Financial Reality of Fertility Treatment in Australia
The costs are significant. A single IVF cycle in Australia typically ranges from $9,000 to $15,000, with many individuals requiring multiple cycles to achieve their goal of parenthood. When factoring in medications, additional procedures, and specialist consultations, the financial burden can quickly become unaffordable.
Research consistently shows that financial barriers are among the primary reasons people discontinue fertility treatment before achieving their goal. This is particularly difficult because time is such a critical factor—age-related fertility decline means that delays due to saving money can actually reduce chances of treatment success.
Early Release of Super for IVF on Compassionate Grounds
The framework acknowledges an important medical reality: that inability to access necessary fertility treatment due to financial reasons. We specialise in supporting individuals through the complex administrative process of early superannuation access specifically for fertility treatment.
By streamlining documentation, coordinating medical appointments with our established provider networks, and ensuring ATO compliance, we help remove the procedural barriers that can delay or prevent access to funds. This specialised support acknowledges that navigating government applications during an already stressful fertility journey can feel overwhelming.
What are some important things people should know before applying?
Several critical factors deserve careful consideration:
- Contact Your Super Fund First: Before applying, you must confirm your fund will release funds if approved, verify sufficient balance to cover treatment costs plus tax withholding and understand any fee or insurance implications.
- Seek Independent Financial Advice: This is a significant financial decision. Early withdrawal reduces your retirement savings and the compound interest those funds would generate. We strongly recommend independent financial advice to understand the long-term implications for your retirement planning.
- Approval Isn’t Guaranteed: Meeting documentation requirements doesn’t guarantee ATO approval. The ATO assesses each application against strict eligibility criteria. Applications may be declined if you have other means to pay for treatment or if medical documentation doesn’t meet their requirements.
That’s precisely why Access My Super operate on a ‘no approval, no fee’ basis— if the ATO rejects the application, we refund our entire service fee.
Are there any limitations on how much you can access or what it covers?
One of the key advantages for fertility treatment specifically is that there is no cap on the amount you can access.
You can also access your partner’s superannuation for your treatment in many circumstances. And importantly, accessing super for IVF doesn’t affect your Medicare rebate eligibility—you’ll still receive the full rebates your circumstances permit.
However, keep in mind that tax withholding applies to withdrawn funds, so you’ll need to account for that in your calculations.
Making an Informed Choice and Moving Forward With Clarity
Your fertility journey deserves to include all available options including Access My Super for IVF. If financial barriers are currently preventing you from accessing fertility treatment, understanding you have access to complete, accurate information to make the decision that’s right for your unique circumstances can make all the difference. Whether early release of super is appropriate depends on factors only you can evaluate: your age, fertility prognosis, financial situation, and personal priorities.
Access My Super is here to provide the administrative support and guidance through the process if you decide it’s the right path for you. Visit accessmysuper.com.au to learn more about eligibility and how we can help.
________________________________________
Important Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and should not be considered financial, medical, or legal advice. Seek independent professional advice before making decisions about early superannuation access. Consult with your fertility specialist about treatment options specific to your circumstances. Approval for early superannuation release is at the sole discretion of the Australian Taxation Office.
Visit Access My Super for more information or to connect with us
When planning for a family, many couples focus on diet and lifestyle changes once pregnancy is confirmed. But one crucial phase often gets overlooked: preconception care. This essential aspect of reproductive health can significantly influence the health of both parents and their future children, even before conception occurs.
Preconception care refers to the nutritional, lifestyle, overall health, environmental impacts, fertility and timing a person/couple undertakes before trying to become pregnant. It’s a proactive approach that optimizes health outcomes, identifies potential risks, and helps ensure a smooth and healthy journey into parenthood.
Laying the Foundation for a Healthy Pregnancy
The first few weeks of pregnancy are critical to fetal development—often before a woman even knows she’s pregnant. During this time, major organs begin to form, and the risk of birth defects is highest. Preconception care ensures that the body is ready to support a pregnancy from day one, helping to reduce risks such as neural tube defects, miscarriage, and low birth weight. Laying this foundation of health also has lifelong and intergenerational impacts.
Providing optimum nutrition during this time increases the chances of conceiving, supports the health of the mother during pregnancy, the growth and development of your baby and supports your recovery and the ongoing development of your child.
For a healthy pregnancy you need a healthy egg, healthy sperm, a healthy, luscious uterine lining for the fertilised egg to implant and a good supply of essential nutrients to nourish the growth of that embryo.
It takes up to 3½ months for sperm to generate and eggs to mature, so preconception care recommendations are best started 3-6 months before trying to conceive. This will allow maximum uptake of nutrients, detoxification and help you to physically and emotionally prepare for pregnancy and parenthood.
Managing Chronic Health Conditions
Many chronic conditions—like diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders, or autoimmune diseases—can complicate pregnancy if not properly managed. Preconception care involves reviewing and optimizing treatment plans to reduce risks to both the mother and the baby. For example, high blood sugar levels in the early weeks of pregnancy can increase the risk of birth defects and miscarriage. Managing these conditions before conception gives both mother and baby the best possible start.
Supplement and Medication Review
Certain medications that are safe under normal circumstances may pose risks during pregnancy. A preconception visit allows healthcare providers to review all prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements to ensure safety. Certain supplements are recommended both before and during pregnancy to support the growth and development of the egg, sperm and foetus and support the health of the mother. Ideally, this should begin at least 3 months before conception, even earlier if possible.
Addressing Lifestyle Factors
Preconception care provides a structured opportunity to evaluate lifestyle habits that could impact fertility and pregnancy. These may include:
• Smoking, caffeine and alcohol consumption, all of which can affect fertility and increase the risk of complications.
• Diet and nutrition, to ensure adequate intake of essential vitamins, omega 3’s and minerals.
• Exercise habits, maintaining a healthy weight and improving overall well-being.
• Underlying health issues, these can include gut issues and the gut and vaginal microbiome, thyroid imbalance, sleep disturbance, immune issues. These can lead to hormone imbalances, nutrient absorption issues, increased risk of implantation issues and higher miscarriage rates to name a few.
• Mental health, as stress, anxiety, and untreated depression can all influence reproductive health, hormone balance and parenting readiness.
Optimising and Improving Fertility Outcomes
For couples struggling with infertility, preconception care can identify underlying issues early. Hormonal imbalances, irregular cycles, or sexually transmitted infections can all affect the ability to conceive.
Partner Involvement
Preconception care isn’t just for women. Men’s health also plays a significant role in fertility and pregnancy outcomes. Poor diet, smoking, alcohol use, and exposure to environmental toxins can affect sperm quality. Including male partners in preconception health discussions ensures that both individuals are contributing to a healthy start for their child.
Personalised preconception care takes a holistic, individualised approach to preparing the body, mind, and spirit for conception. It recognizes that each person’s fertility journey is unique, shaped by their lifestyle, environment, emotional health, and physical constitution. Rather than simply addressing symptoms, naturopathic care seeks to uncover and treat the root causes of reproductive imbalances—whether they stem from hormonal disruptions, poor gut health, nutritional deficiencies, toxin exposure, or chronic stress. Through in-depth consultations, functional testing, and careful observation, a naturopathic practitioner develops a tailored plan that may include herbal medicine, therapeutic nutrition, detoxification support, lifestyle advice, advice about reducing exposure to environmental toxins and mind-body practices. This whole-person approach not only enhances fertility but also promotes long-term wellness, creating an optimal foundation for a healthy pregnancy and healthy child.
Want Personalised Support?
If you’re preparing for conception or IVF, Contact me – Nicole Haak | Naturopathy for fertility, hormone imbalance, gut and thyroid health for a free 15 minute discovery call to discover how I can support you to optimise your pregnancy success with personalised preconception care.
Preconception care is about more than just getting ready to have a baby—it’s about empowering individuals and couples to take control of their reproductive health, reduce preventable risks, and set the stage for a healthy family. A little preparation today can lead to a lifetime of benefits for both parents and children.
Author:
Nicole Haak
www.nicolehaak.com.au
No two fertility journeys are the same. Everyone arrives to their first appointment with a different set of circumstances, medical histories, emotional needs and personal goals. That’s why personalised care isn’t optional. It’s essential.
Fertility is complex, and so are you
Fertility treatment involves many variables including, hormone levels, egg quality, sperm health, medical conditions, past interventions, timing, lifestyle and more. These factors can interact in complex ways and look different for every person or couple.
Take, for example, a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Her treatment plan will likely be very different from someone with low ovarian reserve. Similarly, a same-sex couple exploring donor options will have their own unique considerations. There’s no standard route, and nor should there be.
Evidence and empathy working together
Personalisation isn’t just about adjusting hormone doses or choosing between IVF, ICSI or IUI. It’s also about taking the time to listen, to understand what matters most to you, such as your values, goals and emotional readiness.
Some prefer to start with the least invasive options. Others feel time is critical and want to move straight to more advanced treatment. Both approaches are valid. What matters is that your choices are respected and your care is guided by both clinical insight and genuine understanding.
Better outcomes through tailored pathways
Research consistently shows that tailoring fertility treatment to the individual leads to better outcomes. This could mean selecting a stimulation protocol that aligns with your egg reserve, recommending targeted tests to uncover hidden factors, or adjusting the timing of treatment to suit your life.
Fertility care shouldn’t take over your world, it should fit into it. It’s about getting the details right. The right treatment, at the right time, for the right person.
When every step is personalised, you get the best possible chance of success.
More than one path to parenthood
Many people assume fertility treatment means IVF. Personalisation starts with exploring all the options. For some, ovulation induction or IUI may be the most effective and least invasive place to start. For others, IVF, with or without genetic testing, might be the right path based on their specific circumstances. For single parents by choice and same-sex couples, donor eggs, sperm or embryos may be part of the journey.
Care that builds confidence
Fertility treatment can feel overwhelming. There are decisions to make, information to process and emotions to navigate. When you know your care has been designed specifically for you, it builds trust in the process and confidence in the plan.
Personalisation at Create Fertility
At Create Fertility, we bring together advanced reproductive science and deeply personalised care. We understand that no two patients are the same, which is why every treatment plan is designed around the individual, their medical profile, personal circumstances and emotional needs.
Whether that means starting with less invasive options like ovulation induction, or progressing to IVF with advanced genetic testing, we focus on what’s right for you. Because your fertility treatment isn’t just about science, it’s about you.
Author:
Dr Scott Pearce
Create Health
Create Fertility
IVF is often spoken about in medical terms protocols, embryos, transfers, statistics and doesn’t mention the emotional resilience which may be called upon during your IVF journey.
Behind every scan and every blood test is a human heart, carrying the weight of uncertainty, hope, grief, and longing.
Research shows that fertility treatment significantly increases stress, anxiety, and depression, with many women reporting higher emotional distress than in almost any other medical treatment.
That’s why resilience isn’t just a nice idea during IVF. It’s a survival skill. Resilience doesn’t mean forcing positivity or pretending everything is fine. True resilience is about having tools to return to when the rollercoaster feels overwhelming, so you can steady yourself and keep moving forward.
Why I Do This Work
I’m Adele O’Connor, a psychotherapist, clinical hypnotherapist, fertility coach, and podcast host. More importantly, I’ve walked the path of IVF and donor conception myself.
When I was going through treatment, I couldn’t find the emotional support I needed. The medical care was there, but the psychological toll felt invisible. That gap inspired me to retrain and create the kind of support I once longed for. Today, I combine evidence based counselling, hypnotherapy, and mind body practices to help women and families feel steadier, stronger, and more supported.
Clients often describe me as a steady light on a difficult path someone who brings clarity, compassion, and perspective when everything feels overwhelming.
1. Coping with Uncertainty
If there’s one word that defines IVF, it’s uncertainty. Waiting for fertilisation results, embryo grading, or pregnancy tests can feel endless. Research shows uncertainty is one of the biggest drivers of anxiety because the brain craves prediction and control.
Quick tool: Try the 3, 3, 3 grounding rule.
Name 3 things you can see, 3 sounds you can hear, and move 3 parts of your body.
This simple reset pulls your mind out of “what if” and into “what is.”
2. Managing Anxious Thoughts
IVF can amplify the inner critic: What if my body lets me down? What if I never become a parent? Left unchecked, these thoughts spiral.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) shows that writing down anxious thoughts and testing them against evidence helps break the cycle.
Quick tool: Write your thought, list the evidence against it, then create a balanced reframe. For example:
Thought: “If this transfer fails, I’m never going to get pregnant.”
Evidence against: “Many women need more than one transfer before success.”
Reframe: “This is one step, not my whole story.”
3. Reframing Setbacks
A failed cycle or cancelled transfer is devastating. But how you interpret that setback shapes your ability to keep going.
Neuro linguistic Programming (NLP) highlights the power of reframing: changing the meaning you give to an event shifts your emotional response.
Quick tool: Ask yourself: What’s the learning here? How might this experience help me adjust next time? This doesn’t erase grief, but it creates meaning alongside it.
4. Regulating Your Emotions
When the nervous system is on constant high alert, the body suffers. Sleep is disrupted, hormones are affected, and stress compounds.
Mind body practices like EFT tapping and breathwork have been shown to lower cortisol and reduce anxiety.
Quick tool: Place one hand on your heart, one on your stomach. Inhale for 4, hold for 2, exhale for 6. Repeat 5 times. This simple reset calms your body and helps you feel safer in the moment.
5. Self Compassion and Support
Many people in IVF pride themselves on being strong and independent. But isolation often makes the journey harder. Research shows self compassion is linked to lower anxiety and depression, especially during times of high stress.
Quick tool: Notice your self talk. If you wouldn’t say it to a friend, don’t say it to yourself. Replace “I’m failing at this” with “This is hard, and I’m doing my best.”
Support also matters. Counselling, peer groups, or even a trusted friend can make the load feel lighter.
Final Thoughts
Resilience during IVF doesn’t mean never crying, never doubting, or always staying upbeat. It means having tools to return to when things feel hard, so you can keep moving forward with steadiness and self compassion.
If you’re attending the Melbourne Fertility Expo on 8 November, come and connect with me.
I’ll be sharing more about how to build your own IVF Resilience Toolkit and offering practical strategies to help you navigate the emotional toll of treatment.
Free Resource: The Emotional Truth of IVF
If this blog resonated with you, I’ve created a free guide: The Emotional Truth of IVF, What nobody tells you about the thoughts and feelings you may face, and how to navigate them with more steadiness and self compassion.
Inside, you’ll find five journal prompts to help you calm your mind, process difficult emotions, and feel more supported. It’s the resource I wish I had during my own IVF journey, and I’d love to share it with you.
Head to my website www.ivfsupportspace.com to get your free download
