19 Your Guide For A Child t July 2022 My mom was always my punching bag, the only person to whom I could vent out all my frustration. The fertility journey is not only physically and financially draining but also emotionally. Your com- ments and hoe did you cope with it? It was physically draining because of the hormone injections and its side effects. I wouldnt say it was really fi- nancially draining in our case because somehow we could manage the expenses. Yes, if Was so happy that we had gone in for assisted treatments it would finally I was like have been difficult. But it was our conscious deci- sion that we would go in for such expensive treat- any other lady. The ments only after all the conventional treatments elevation of status failed and after I crossed 30 years of age. Probably from infertile to the reason for this could have been the high cost of IVF treatments with a very low success rate mother was really those days. overwhelming. It was definitely emotionally draining and was dif- ficult for me too in the initial phase after my dia- gnosis. But eventually I did come out of it quite well. Accepting the reality was the first step of coping. Once acceptance came then things started falling in place. I was able to think better and in a prac- tical manner. I stopped feeling guilty and helpless. Started being more open to people about my situation. Stopped comparing myself with others. Started loving and taking care of myself. Kept myself occupied with many activities, I never allowed myself time to brood over things and most of all I started enjoying the present. I realized people were intruding into my life when I was vulnerable. Being strong was the need of the hour and the only way forward. These coping strategies helped me stay strong and tide over my life in a better way. How did it impact you as a person individually? During the initial phase I was in a state of disbelief and denial which made me feel really insecure. My self esteem was very low. I started thinking that everyone was after my life. Never wanted to speak to