Ten Steps to Adopt a "Float Through Life" Mindset for Fertility Patients

Read the full notes and transcript at Dr. Aimee's website.
After 20 years of practicing medicine, I’ve learned that not everything is sunshine and rainbows. To help myself and my fertility patients, I’ve adopted a “float through life” mindset—emphasizing mindfulness, calmness, adaptability, and acceptance. Whether you’re going through IVF or simply exploring your fertility options, cultivating a positive mindset can help you feel more grounded and supported in the process.

In this episode, I share how mindfulness and a flexible mindset can be powerful tools for fertility patients. Instead of being consumed by stress or uncertainty, you’ll learn how to approach IVF and your fertility journey with more ease, presence, and hope. This shift toward a positive mindset doesn’t mean ignoring challenges—it means embracing tools that allow you to move through them with greater strength and grace.

In this episode, we cover:

• How to embrace situations as they come without spiraling when plans change
• The power of mindfulness and accepting impermanence in difficult times
• Ways to stay flexible, cultivate gratitude, and detach from rigid outcomes
• Why humor, lightheartedness, and community support matter in tough moments
• Practical steps for prioritizing self-care, limiting overthinking, and trusting the journey

Would you like to learn more about IVF?
Click here to join Dr. Aimee for The IVF Class.

The next live class call is on Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 4pm PST, where Dr. Aimee will explain IVF and there will be time to ask her your questions live on Zoom.

 

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Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh is one of America’s most well known fertility doctors. Her success rate at baby-making is what gives future parents hope when all hope is lost. She pioneered the TUSHY Method and BALLS Method to decrease your time to pregnancy. Learn more about the TUSHY Method and find a wealth of fertility resources at www.draimee.org.

Episode Transcript

(00:15):
After 20 years of practicing medicine,you can imagine that not everything
I do is sunshine and rainbows.
adopted a ‘float through life’ mindsetthat helps me, and I want to share how
you can, too, as a fertility patient.
This approach emphasizes calmness,adaptability, and acceptance.

(00:35):
Think of your fertilityjourney as a trip down a river.
It’s easier to float with thecurrent than to fight against it.
I’m going to share 10 steps thatI share with my own patients that
can help you adopt this mentality.
Go with the flow.
Embrace situations as theycome without excessive worry.

(00:58):
For example, if you go in for yourbaseline IVF ultrasound and discover a
cyst, your plans will change last minute.
Instead of getting upsetand spiraling, adapt.
Think of this as an opportunityto continue taking good care of
yourself until your next check.
Of course, it’s upsetting, but having ago with the flow mindset helps you avoid

(01:19):
spiraling into negative behaviors likeself-harm or unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Practice mindfulness.
Focus on the presentmoment without judgment.
take deep breaths
and center your thoughtson the here and now.

(01:40):
Letting go of anxiety isabout the past or future.
A common stressor is a failed transfer.
Mindfulness helps you avoid thoughtslike, “This will never work,” and focus
on learning from the experience tocreate the best plan with your doctor.
Remember, a failed transfer doesn’tmean something is wrong with you.

(02:02):
It means this attempt didn’t work.
Accept impermanence.
Understand that everything is temporaryand change is a natural part of life.
During difficult times, remindyourself that they won’t last forever.
For example, experiencing and livingthrough an abnormal pregnancy is

(02:24):
incredibly sad, but this feeling ofimmense sadness won’t last forever.
Better times will come andyou will feel joy again.
Embrace flexibility.
Be open to change and new experiences.
Fertility patients often face situationsrequiring flexibility, like a canceled

(02:44):
IVF cycle or a change in treatment plans.
Take a moment to explore newopportunities, even if they
weren’t part of your original plan.
Cultivate gratitude.
Regularly appreciate thepositives in your life.
This isn’t toxic positivitythat I’m talking about.

(03:05):
This could be gratitude for sciencethat enables fertility treatments or
for the support of family and friends.
Some patients find it helpful to keepa gratitude journal, noting three
things they’re thankful for each day.
Detach
and let go from outcomes.
Focus on the process and effort ratherthan fixating on the end result.

(03:29):
Detach from timelines.
Don’t stress about having a baby by acertain month so the due date can be a
certain time so your maternity can be acertain time or you’ll be a certain age.
Enjoy the journey and thelearning experiences it brings.
Remember, if things aren’t okay, it
isn’t the end.

(03:49):
Maintain a lighthearted perspective.
Find humor and lightness, evenin challenging situations.
If you’re my patient, you know I’mvery funny, especially on Fridays.
That’s when all my great jokes come out.
Connect with friends going through similarexperiences and share laughs together.
If you’re hanging out with someonethat isn’t giving you supportive
advice or being helpful, maybe putthat friendship on pause for a while.

(04:13):
When things don’t go as planned,try to see the funny side or
find a lesson in the mishap.
Trust the journey.
Have faith that lifewill unfold as it should.
Trust in your ability tohandle whatever comes.
When facing uncertainty, remindyourself of past challenges

(04:34):
you’ve successfully navigated.
You’re here.
You’ve done it.
Be proud of yourself.
You keep making steps to getyou to your success story.
Limit overthinking.
Avoid dwelling on the what-ifsand unnecessary worries.
Easier said than done.
If you catch yourself overthinking,practice techniques like meditation

(04:56):
or find distractions to breakthe cycle of negative thoughts.
Just remember my mantra; floatthrough life, go with the flow.
Prioritize self-care.
Take care of your mental and physicalwell-being to maintain balance.
Incorporate activities like exercise,hobbies, and social time into your routine

(05:19):
to ensure you’re nurturing yourself.
Have fun and find joy.
Don’t allow being a fertility patient todestroy your mental and physical health.
By following these steps, you canembrace a float through life mentality,
making your fertility journey abit smoother and more manageable.

Repeat after me (05:38):
I’m going to float through life and have a go with the flow
mentality during my fertility journey.
Be sure to subscribe to my YouTubechannel for more fertility tips and
visit DrAimee.org for additionalresources to support your journey and
to join me during my next IVF class.
Until next time, stay informed,stay empowered, and keep believing

(06:01):
in your path to parenthood.
Go with the flow.
See you soon.