How to Start a Fertility Journal

Journaling the Stress

Dr. Jurema says a journal is a great way to keep both a factual and a subjective record of attempts to conceive. "Women and their partners have various emotions, goals, and expectations as they attempt to start a family," he says. "Writing in a journal often helps a woman clarify her thoughts and emotions about these issues. Often it is difficult to talk to friends or even partners about these issues in a meaningful way. This may be particularly important if she eventually has to make difficult choices, such as using donor eggs or discontinuing treatment."

On the other hand, for some women, keeping a journal may make trying to conceive a chore and may increase stress levels. These women should be doing something to take their mind off the process, not obsess over it.

A fertility journal can take many forms. It can be a scrapbook of your emotional journey, a log of your tests, procedures and fertility signs, or an online blog or diary, detailing both your medical history and your emotional voyage. What form it takes depends on you and your individual needs, because this is one aspect of your frustrating and exciting journey toward parenthood that is entirely in your control.