fertility
Fertility Issues
For most people fertility isn’t an issue and having a child is an easy thing. For others, infertility can challenge how you feel about yourself, your relationship and your life. Infertility occurs in about 7.3 million women and their partners in the United States (Source: National Survey of Family Growth, CDC 2002). Infertility can be associated issues with the male partner (about 35%) the female partner (about 35%), both partners (about 13%) and finally due to unexplained causes (about 10%). Going through the process of fertility treatment, whether utilizing medical, complementary or a combination of approaches requires an individual to be diligent about maintaining their health in mind and body as the process can be exhausting. As I went through my personal journey of coping with infertility I found the most challenging thing was to find balance in my life and to maintain a sense of control and calmness. The amount of information and types of treatments that are available can be overwhelming and daunting. I received consultation from many people, including professionals and supportive non-professionals, but in the end, I found that my husband and I had to decide what was best for us. Thus, my goal in working with individuals who are struggling with issues of fertility is to teach you the skills to find your balance so that you can make the best choices for you and your family. Also, my goal is to help you maintain a sense of strength and personal well-being while coping with the difficulties and challenges along the way.
Fertility Hypnosis
Hypnosis for fertility can help to lower stress, relieve anxiety, lift depression, increase a sense of control and help reestablish homeostasis between mind and body. Overall, it is an effective coping tool for allowing conception to occur whether through natural means or medically assisted methods. Stress has been found to be a major contributor to long-term fertility issues. Overtime, the neurochemical changes that occur in the body as a result of the frustrations and difficulties with getting pregnant can result in increased difficulty in getting pregnant. Breaking this stress cycle is one way to allow pregnancy to occur. Recent research has shown hypnosis to be effective in supporting IVF treatment. Researchers found that the rates of implantation and clinical pregnancy rates increased with the use of hypnosis (Fertility and Sterility May 2006. Vol. 85, Issue 5, Pages 1404-1408). In addition, Dr. Alice Domar from the Mind Body Behavioural Medicine Fertility Program at Harvard reports that “Infertile women report elevated levels of psychological distress and this distress may reduce their chances of conceiving. Mind/body treatment has been shown to be effective in both significantly increasing pregnancy rates as well as reducing psychological stress” (http://www.conceivethepossibility.com/research/). Hypnosis is an effective tool for addressing the psychological components that are affecting the functioning of the body.
Value of Therapy and Clinical Hypnosis
- Benefits of Clinical Hypnosis
- Reduce stress and anxiety, lift depression, and increase a sense of control
- Rebalance and calm hormones associated with the “flight or fight” emergency response and increase the relaxation response during difficult procedures
- A Hypnotic protocol is designed to be used at each stage of your cycle and throughout IVF procedures.
- With Cognitive Behavioral techniques you will learn to understand ways to reduce stress and anxiety by changing your thoughts.
- Going through this process can be lonely and isolating. Receiving supportive help from a professional who understands and cares can reduce worry and anxiety.
Resources
Resolve: The National Infertilty Association: www.Resolve.orgAmerican
Society for Reproductive Medicine: www.ASRM.org
Books that discuss the use of hypnosis in the treatment of infertility
Eastburn, Lynn (2006).
It’s Conceivable!
Trafford Publishing: Victoria, BC, Canada. Hornyak, Lynne M. & Green, Joseph P. (2000) (Eds.).
Healing from within: The use of hypnosis in women’s health care.
Washington, D.C.: APA Press. Leclaire O’Neill, Michelle (2000).
Hypnofertility: The Leclaire Method.
Papyrus Press: Pacific Palisades, CA.
