In this episode of the Pursuit of Wellness podcast, Mari candidly shares the emotional rollercoaster of her IVF journey. She reveals how IVF has become an all-consuming presence in her daily life, causing anxiety and stress that she manages through mindfulness routines, exercise, and her support system. Mari also discusses the pivotal role online communities and connections with other women undergoing IVF have played in helping her feel understood.
The episode delves into the ways IVF has prompted transformations in Mari's life, from shifting priorities and embracing self-care to dealing with travel challenges. Listeners gain insight into the profound mental and emotional toll of fertility treatments and the vital coping strategies employed by those walking this path.
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Mari says IVF is a constant presence in her daily thoughts and conversations. While she embraces holistic treatments like pomegranate juice and acupuncture, her doctor is skeptical of her "magical thinking," leading Mari to call these her "crunchy granola stuff."
Mari describes the emotional turbulence of IVF, alternating between positivity and intense anxiety. A single event can deeply impact her well-being, she says.
Connecting online, through TikTok and Facebook groups, has helped Mari feel understood by others on the IVF journey. She says the overwhelming response on TikTok makes her feel less isolated.
Mari credits her spiritual routine, starting with morning prayer and evening gratitude, for maintaining positivity. Exercise is also key for her mental well-being, she says.
Mari emphasizes not isolating herself, relying on friends and family for vital emotional support. Connecting with other women experiencing IVF has provided crucial comfort, she says.
Starting IVF prompted a slowdown in Mari's "fast-paced LA life," allowing more self-care. Activities like reading fantasy novels help her escape IVF anxieties, she notes.
While on a Colorado trip, Mari diligently maintained wellness routines to manage her mental health. Still, the anticipation of her upcoming embryo transfer triggered anxiety, leading her to seek support from her therapist and the TikTok IVF community, she says.
1-Page Summary
Mari’s current life chapter is deeply marked by her experiences with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), from her daily thoughts to the emotional upheavals brought about by the treatment process.
IVF dominates Mari’s daily life, continuously at the forefront of her thoughts and conversations. Mari discusses the disconnect between her holistic interests and her IVF doctor’s more conventional approach. When she mentions alternative treatments like pomegranate juice, red light therapy, acupuncture, and eating pineapple husks and Brazil nuts to her doctor, she is met with skepticism and the term "magical thinking." Despite this, Mari continues to embrace these practices; indulging in what she calls “crunchy granola stuff,” which she feels are beneficial to her wellness and prep for IVF.
Mari details the emotional turbulence that accompanies her IVF journey, marked by alternating positivity and intense anxiety. Her emotional state is precarious; some days she feels barely able to cope, while on others, she maintains a positive outlook. Mari is acutely aware of her fragile state, knowing that a single event can have a profound effect on her well-being. ...
Mari's Personal Journey and Emotional Experiences With IVF
Mari shares her personal strategies for coping with the emotional and mental challenges of undergoing IVF, highlighting the importance of routine, support networks, and open communication.
Since her return from Colorado, Mari finds that her dedication to spiritual practices plays a pivotal role in maintaining a positive mindset. She starts her mornings with a prayer, seeking strength and hope for the day ahead, and caps off her evenings by practicing gratitude. This routine is a chance to reflect on her health, home, husband, and life's blessings which counterbalances the challenges of IVF. Mari expresses a broad sense of gratitude for her life's foundation, which she sees as setting her up for success on her IVF journey.
Another pillar of Mari's routine is exercise, which she credits with keeping her mentally well during the process. She finds that a big workout in the morning has a positive impact on her mood and outlook, suggesting that staying physically active is critical for maintaining her mental balance through the stresses of IVF.
Mari emphasizes the importance of her support network, insisting on the value of not self-isolating during such a taxing time. She regularly reaches out to friends and family whose support becomes a ...
Coping Strategies and Support During IVF
Mari discusses the profound shifts in her day-to-day life prompted by the demands and stresses of in vitro fertilization (IVF), indicating how the process has necessitated changes in her work life and self-care practices.
Starting IVF, Mari has experienced a notable deceleration in the pace of her life as her work priorities shift, with heightened focus on self-care. This change has resulted in an identity shift, as she steps away from the fast-paced Los Angeles lifestyle to one that accommodates the demands of the IVF process.
Drawing on self-care practices becomes a cornerstone of her IVF journey. She shares that spending time with animals like chickens, dogs, and horses has been lifesaving. When discussing managing anxiety, especially at night, Mari emphasizes the importance of reading, particularly fantasy novels such as "Fourth ...
Lifestyle Changes due to Ivf Process
Mari sought a reprieve from the emotional weight of her IVF process through a carefully planned getaway to Colorado with her girlfriends and partner.
Mari’s Colorado adventure began with a fun-filled girls' trip to Vail, marking her first true girls' outing as she had never been on one before, including bachelorette parties. Her stay at her friend Nikki's family ski house featured playful dress-up sessions, après-ski drinks, and dining with her friends. These joyful distractions allowed Mari to temporarily escape her IVF journey.
In Aspen, with her partner Greg, Mari embraced the outdoors by snowshoeing to Pine Creek Cookhouse and skiing, despite Greg's business meeting obligations. These activities, alongside shopping and cafe hopping, were part of what Mari considered her last hurrah before her impending embryo transfer.
Mari’s time in Colorado wasn't without its mental challenges. Conscious of her tendency to slip into anxiety, she diligently maintained a routine to keep her mental health in check, evading lifestyle habits like alcohol that could exacerbate her stress.
Amidst the stunning Colorado backdrop, Mari grappled with her anxiety, particularly when alone. The silence left room for thoughts about her embryo transfer and its potential outcomes to spiral. To navigate these turbulent emotions, she leaned on her therapist for support and found solace ...
Mari's Experiences During Her Recent Trip to Colorado
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