{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","title":"Mental Health and Pregnancy (For Men AND Women!)","description":"This Mental Health Awareness Month we welcomed Dr. Kathy Raju on the show. Dr. Raju is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 27 years of experience and she came on the show to discuss the intersection of mental health and infertility.\n\nSo let’s start by just taking a look at stress:\n\nUnderstanding the Layers of Stress\nInfertility treatments can introduce unique types of chronic stress that can take a heavy toll on individuals and couples. These are:\n\nEmotional Stress: This often stems from the intense longing for a child and the self-imposed expectations patients place on themselves throughout the process.\nRelationship Stress: The process can lead to feelings of guilt, misunderstandings between partners, and a sense of being \"less than\".\nFinancial Stress: For many, treatments are not fully covered by insurance, leading patients to take out second loans to afford laboratory work, appointments, and procedures.\nWorkplace Stress: Approximately 84% of Americans report work stress, which is often compounded by the need to miss work for frequent medical appointments.\n\nA particularly grueling period is the 10-to-14-day \"waiting period\" between an embryo transfer and a pregnancy test, which many patients describe as the most stressful phase of treatment. It may surprise you to hear that studies have shown that the stress levels of women undergoing fertility treatments are comparable to those undergoing treatment for cancer or cardiac rehabilitation.\n\nWhile stress is common, it is vital to recognize when it evolves into clinical anxiety or depression. Statistics show that 80% of infertile women report symptoms of depression or anxiety, yet less than 7% of those experiencing suicidal thoughts seek treatment.\n\nMedical professionals use specific criteria to identify these conditions:\nGeneralized Anxiety Disorder: Excessive daily worry occurring for at least six months that impacts daily functioning and causes physical symptoms like muscle tension, headaches, or changes in sleep and appetite.\nMajor Depression: Often identified by the mnemonic SIGECAPS:\nSadness or melancholy.\nInterest loss (anhedonia).\nGuilt or worthlessness.\nEnergy (typically low energy).\nConcentration difficulties.\nAppetite or weight changes.\nPsychomotor agitation (restlessness) or retardation (feeling slowed down).\nSuicidality.\nCoping Strategies and Support\n\nManaging the psychological impact of infertility requires a holistic and self-compassionate approach. There are a number of ways as discussed by Dr. Raju:\n\nSetting Boundaries: It is healthy to decline invitations to events that may be triggering, such as baby showers or holiday parties where questions about family planning are likely.\nPracticing Responses: Having rehearsed phrases for intrusive questions can help couples feel more in control during social interactions.\nSelf-Care and Connection: Focusing on mindfulness, yoga, healthy living, and finding small \"victories\" or joys can help maintain a sense of gratitude.\nSeeking Professional Help: It is crucial to maintain an open dialogue with medical providers regarding emotional health and to seek professional psychiatric or counseling support when symptoms impact daily life.\nThe challenges of reproductive health are considered \"reproductive trauma,\" and acknowledging the accompanying grief is an essential step toward healing. Whether the path leads to spontaneous pregnancy, successful IVF, or other forms of parenthood like adoption, prioritizing mental health remains a vital component of the process, and something I recommend to all my patients.\n\nAs always, I want to remind you: you’re not alone.\n\nIf you're navigating your own fertility journey and would like a private consultation from Dr. Noorhasan, you can email her at themodernparenthoodpodcast@gmail.com.\n\nFOLLOW DR. NOORHASAN:\nIG:   www.instagram.com/dorettemd\nTikTok:   www.tiktok.com/dorettemd\nYoutube:    www.youtube.com/fertilitydoctordorettenoor5273\nFacebook:   www.facebook.com/dorettemd\nX: www.x.com/DoretteMD\n\nWORK WITH DR. NOORHASAN:\nthemodernparenthoodpodcast@gmail.com\nthemodernparenthoodpodcast.com\n\n#IVF #FertilityMyths #EmbryoTransfer #IVFMyths #OldWivesTales #FertilityDoctor #ReproductiveHealth #IVFJourney #FertilityTips #OvarianHyperstimulation","author_name":"Modern Parenthood with Dr. Dorette Noorhasan","author_url":"https://audioboom.com/channels/5166978-modern-parenthood-with-dr-dorette-noorhasan","provider_name":"Audioboom","provider_url":"https://audioboom.com","width":480,"height":95,"thumbnail_url":"https://audioboom.com/i/43449699/600x600/c","thumbnail_width":600,"thumbnail_height":600,"html":""}