Undergoing fertility procedures can be similar to trying to walk in quicksand. You can see your savings account, hopes, and dreams sinking into the ground, and the more you struggle, the faster they seem to sink.

Setting boundaries is crucial before starting fertility procedures. When you are desperate to become a parent, it is easy to fall into the trap of saying, "Whatever it takes." The problem is that there are no guarantees with fertility treatments. It breaks my heart to hear about people who invest their life savings on the dream of becoming pregnant, only to empty their bank accounts and still have no child.

Set a Limit on Cost

Fertility procedures are expensive, especially if you pursue more high tech options like in vitro fertilization. Unless you have a money tree growing in your backyard, your resources are probably limited, so set a cap on how much money you are willing to spend on fertility treatments before you get started. It is very easy for the costs to add up, so set a budget before you get started.

If adoption is an option that you might be willing to consider, I suggest earmarking funds for an adoption just in case fertility procedures are not successful. I have heard too many stories from people who were not able to adopt because they already spent all of their savings on fertility procedures. Unless you adopt through the foster care system (which is free), an adoption can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000. So, you will need to save some money toward an adoption if it is something you might eventually consider.

Set a Limit on Time

As someone who underwent 22+ unsuccessful intrauterine inseminations (IUIs), I know how out of control fertility procedures can become. I also know that undergoing a large number of procedures is no guarantee of success. When you do not set boundaries ahead of time, it is easy to get caught up in the mindset of "just one more time and this will work." Instead, decide ahead of time how many cycles you are willing to try for any procedure, and stick to your plan.

Protect Your Heart and Your Wallet

By setting boundaries before you get started, you are better able to protect your heart and your wallet. You will be very emotional during fertility procedures, so it is easy to make decisions with your heart and leave your logic behind. Setting boundaries ahead of time enables you to protect yourself from losing your money and dreams.

I hope that every person reading this blog will become successful in conceiving. Unfortunately, some of you, like me, will not be successful. It is hard enough to grieve the dream: Don't add grieving the loss of your financial security to the mix.

Related Topics:

• Common Costs of Infertility
• Financing Infertility: Creative Funding Sources