Your December survival guide when TTC or in IVF

25 November 2025

Amy

Trying to conceive during the Holidays can feel like a complicated mix of hope, worry, pressure and unpredictability. The season that is meant to be joyful often becomes full of questions you do not want to answer, events you do not feel ready for, and reminders of everything you wish you already had. Whether you’re TTC naturally or going through IVF, you’re not imagining how hard December can be. The emotional load is heavier. The conversations are trickier. The planning is more intense. And the pressure to act as if everything is fine can leave you feeling overwhelmed.

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This guide brings together all of our Holiday TTC support in one place. It includes practical advice, emotional reassurance, community insight and expert tips from our team. Think of it as your realistic plan for getting through the Holidays with less stress and more preparation, even when it feels like everyone else is moving at a different pace.

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Why the Holiday season feels different when you’re TTC or in IVF

Many people find December intense, but when you’re TTC or in fertility treatment, the entire season can feel magnified. You’re navigating appointments, medication schedules, two-week waits, physical symptoms and emotional ups and downs. You’re also dealing with family expectations, crowded calendars, questions about the future and social events that you may not feel ready for. Planning ahead will not fix everything, but it can make the Holidays easier to manage.

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Quick responses for awkward Holiday questions

If you’re TTC or going through IVF, it can feel like comments come from every direction. Someone will ask when you’re having a baby. Someone will mention your alcohol choices. Someone will give you advice you did not ask for. Preparing a few simple lines in advance helps you protect your space without explaining more than you want to.

• Here are some examples you can save in your Notes app. Short. Kind. Clear.
• We’re focusing on our health right now.
• We will share news when we’re ready.
• I am keeping some things private at the moment.
• I would love to talk about something else.
• Thank you for caring. We’re taking things one step at a time.

Nothing dramatic. Nothing confrontational. Just a way to keep the moment gentle and move the conversation on.

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A simple planning guide you can fill in before December

Planning ahead helps bring a sense of control back into a season that can feel unpredictable. Before everything begins, try mapping out a few things clearly.

• Events you want to say yes to
• Events you’re skipping without guilt
• Situations that may come up and how you will handle them
• One thing you will do just for yourself
• One thing you’re not doing this year

Saving your plan in your Notes app helps you come back to it whenever you feel overwhelmed. It is a small step that makes a big difference.

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Managing sex and timing when staying with family

There is a very specific type of chaos that happens when your fertile window lands during a family holiday. You’re surrounded by relatives and thin walls. Privacy is limited. Shared bathrooms are busy. It is awkward and stressful, but it is workable with some planning.

If you’re trying naturally, timing still matters. You do not need to turn it into a military operation. You just need a few practical choices that help you stay relaxed. Plan ahead for moments of privacy. Keep communication open with your partner. Try not to add pressure. Remember that intimacy can be messy and imperfect during the Holidays.

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When seeing babies and young children feels overwhelming

For many people, TTC, being around babies can be one of the hardest parts of the Holidays. If you have had a recent negative test or a failed cycle, the emotional impact can be huge. It might feel as if everyone else is moving forward while you’re stuck in place. It might feel like a physical punch when someone hands you a newborn. These feelings are not a sign of weakness. They’re a completely human reaction to grief, hope and uncertainty.

Protecting yourself is not selfish. It is necessary. You’re allowed to take breaks. You’re allowed to step outside. You’re allowed to choose not to attend certain events. You’re allowed to put your well-being first.

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A checklist for travelling with IVF medication

Travelling during IVF comes with its own level of stress. Travelling with medication, needles, sharps boxes and temperature-sensitive items while staying with family adds a whole extra layer. Our nursing team recommend the following checklist.

• Keep all medication in your hand luggage
• Store anything temperature-sensitive in a small cooler bag
• Ask to use a trusted fridge without explaining more than you want to
• Set alarms for medication times
• Travel with a copy of your protocol
• Pack one spare dose of anything essential

A bit of preparation makes everything feel more manageable. And if you need a refresher, our IVF medication videos over on YouTube will be helpful to make a note of.

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Navigating December on social media

Social media in December can feel like a highlight reel in full colour. Announcements. Milestones. Matching pyjamas. First Christmas photos. If you’re TTC or in IVF, this can hit harder than you expect.

Try curating your feed. Mute accounts temporarily. Limit scrolling before bed. Replace some of that time with something grounding, such as reading, walking or a gentle routine. Protecting your emotional space is important. You do not owe the algorithm your attention.

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Community tips for surviving the Holidays when TTC or in IVF

We asked our Instagram community for their best advice, and their replies were honest and incredibly helpful. These are the things that make a real difference in day-to-day life.

• Keep one small grounding routine
• Plan child-free time
• Step outside for a walk when you feel overwhelmed
• Save short replies for awkward questions
• Protect your mornings or evenings
• Take a social media break if you need it
• Say no without apologising

Sometimes the smallest decisions are the ones that change how the entire month feels.

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Handling Holiday announcements

December is peak season for announcements. Pregnancies. Babies. Engagements. Family news. It feels like it comes all at once. If this hits you harder than you expect, you’re far from alone. More than half of our community says announcements are their toughest trigger.

You cannot control when people share their news, but you can control how you protect your emotional space. You can choose not to open messages right away. You can choose how long you stay at events. You can choose who you share your feelings with. Give yourself permission to feel exactly how you feel.

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Managing small talk and unhelpful advice

There is always someone who thinks a weekend break, a holiday or a diet change can solve infertility. Short answers help. Changing the subject helps even more. And remembering that you do not have to absorb anyone’s opinion is most helpful.

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Balancing your well-being with Holiday celebrations

Trying to keep a healthy routine in December is its own challenge. One moment, you’re focusing on sleep and nutrition. The next time you’re handed champagne and a plate of food you didn’t ask for. It can quickly pull you off track.

The aim is not perfection. It is balance. Choose a couple of habits you want to protect. Enjoy the moments that matter. Let go of the pressure to control everything.

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Enjoying alcohol free options when you’re TTC or in IVF

If you’re avoiding alcohol this year, you’re in good company. More people than ever are choosing alcohol free drinks for health or personal preference. There are great options in shops and bars, from alcohol-free aperitif alternatives to low-alcohol beers and 0 per cent wines. Choosing alcohol free drinks can help you feel in control, protect your wellbeing and still enjoy the season.