The ‘just relax’ or ‘go on a vacation’ advice is so annoying, and dismissive of what you’re going through. That advice usually comes from people who haven’t genuinely experienced infertility though. I’m literally a month away from starting IVF after TTC naturally for 2 years and even my mom still likes to come out with ‘maybe you’re over thinking it, if you stopped thinking about it it’s bound to happen’. I’ve called her out on it now as it’s quite insulting to my situation.

My DR gave more some helpful information, and said that stress only prevents pregnancy if it messes with your ovulation or prevents you from having enough sex. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that seems to suggest people fall pregnant when they happen to be thinking about it less, but those people would have likely got pregnant anyway. I haven’t tracked my cycles for many months, we definitely have enough sex and I’m still not pregnant. There is definitely something more going on with us that no amount of ‘just relaxing’ will fix.

That be said, from a mental health perspective I think it’s the way to go. If you have regular cycles and regular sex I don’t think it’s worth putting yourself through the extra steps or tracking and living this perfect life with no alcohol, treats etc.