The In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) process can be a stressful time for many people trying to conceive. No matter how often you may try to tell yourself to "relax," it can often feel like the anxiety is beyond your control. It's no secret that stress can have a large impact on your mental, physical and psychological health, but it can also have an impact on your fertility. The state of your mind can affect how your body operates, which is why many couples undergoing IVF treatments seek out alternate therapies, such as mind body therapy. Integrative therapies have proven to increase fertility and have positive health effects on patients and couples during IVF treatments.
What is Integrative Therapy / Mind Body Therapy? How does it work with fertility/IVF?
Integrative therapies such as Mind-Body Therapy work in combination with treatments, such as IVF, to promote fertility, conception and successful pregnancy. Mind body therapy uses proven techniques to address the ways emotional, mental, social, spiritual, experiential, and behavioural factors directly affect health. The premise of this therapeutical method is the understanding that the brain interacts with the rest of the body, and has a substantial impact on our physical health, including fertility–this is why mind body therapy is highly recommended for women and couples undergoing IVF treatments.
What are the benefits of mind body therapy on fertility?
Increased Fertility and Pregnancy Rates
Mind body therapy has been proven to have many positive effects on fertility and overall health during the IVF process. A study conducted Dr. Alice D. Domar, PhD, researched the impact of mind/body intervention on pregnancy rates in IVF patients. The results of the study found that women who participate in a mind/body program for stress reduction while undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment have a significantly higher pregnancy rate than those who do not.
Healing for Conception
Mind Body Fertility Therapy focuses directly on using mind body techniques to promote mental, emotional and psychological healing in order to maximize fertility and overall health. To do this, we take the time to address any feelings, traumas and/or emotional injuries which can foster subconscious obstacles. These obstacles have the ability to prevent conception, even in a healthy functioning reproductive system. Focusing on healing through these obstacles allows for us to make room for conception and promote a successful IVF cycle and pregnancy.
Reduced Stress Levels
As mentioned earlier on in this article, stress plays a large role in conception, pregnancy and fertility. We often hear the advice to "keep stress levels low" during pregnancy, but that advice is just as important during conception trials and the IVF process. Many techniques used in Mind Body programs such as writing, meditation, guided imagery, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and more are known to decrease anxiety, depressive symptoms, and promote healing, fertility and improve quality of life.
More about Mind Body Therapy for Fertility
If you're interested in learning more about mind body fertility, check out my blogs and services pages or visit Moonstone Fertility for information on online workshops and more.
Kindly,
Val