Emotional health, at every step

Support

Trying to conceive can be one of the most stressful things you go through. Support that understands it helps, at every step.

Anxiety and depression are common while trying to conceive: across studies, a quarter to more than half of people facing infertility report significant symptoms. Therapists trained in reproductive mental health, peer support groups and simple coping tools all help. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.

Two people sitting together, one with an arm around the other

What matters now

It is normal to struggle; it says nothing about your chances
Look for a therapist trained in infertility or perinatal mental health
Peer support groups are free and help many people
Plan for the hardest days: test days, periods, announcements

See a doctor sooner if

Thoughts of harming yourself: call or text 988 now
Low mood or anxiety most days for two weeks or more
Not sleeping, eating or working because of it

Emotional health

GuideSupport

How to Cope With the Two-Week Wait

The two-week wait is one of the hardest parts of trying to conceive. Why it is so stressful, when a test can work, and coping tools that research supports.

GuideSupport

Support After Pregnancy Loss

Support after miscarriage, chemical or ectopic pregnancy: free helplines and groups from Share, PSI and RESOLVE, and when to get urgent medical care.

You are not overreacting

A review of the research on stress and infertility found consistently high rates of distress: in one study, 40% of women seen for infertility had anxiety, depression or both, and reviews estimate that 25% to 60% of people facing infertility report psychiatric symptoms.¹ Feeling this way is common, and it is treatable.

Where to find support

Therapy. When you look at online therapy services, check whether you can reach clinicians who specialize in infertility and perinatal mental health, whether insurance is accepted, the price and the privacy policy. Perinatal anxiety and depression explains when to seek help.
Coping day to day. Coping with the two-week wait has practical tools for the most anxious part of each cycle.
After a loss. Pregnancy loss support lists organizations and helplines, and what to expect.
In pregnancy. Perinatal anxiety and depression covers screening and help during and after pregnancy.

If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 in the US, any time.²

This page is educational and is not medical advice. Talk to a clinician about your own situation, and seek urgent care for heavy bleeding, severe pain or fainting.

Sources

1The relationship between stress and infertility. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. Rooney KL, Domar AD, 2018. Review of psychological distress in infertility
2988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

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