EAST COAST MIND & BODY
Fertility and the MIND/BODY connection
~ Bina Benisch, M.S., R.N.
At East Coast Fertility, we understand the emotional aspect that
accompanies infertility, and we believe it is equally important to
support our patients emotionally as well as physically. It is important
to understand fertility holistically. In addition to treating the
various physical etiologies of infertility, we must take into account
the effects of stress and anxiety. Your mind and body work together, not
separately. Therefore your thoughts have a direct effect on your
physiology. When you are experiencing stress, your brain releases stress
hormones. These stress hormones function in many ways. One of the stress
hormones, cortisol, has been documented to interfere with the release of
the reproductive hormones, GnRH (gonadatropin releasing hormone), LH
(luteinizing hormone), FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), estrogen, and
progesterone. In fact, severe enough stress can completely inhibit the
reproductive system. Cortisol levels have also been linked to very early
pregnancy loss. For this reason, it has been found extremely helpful
when treating infertility, to include mind/body methods and strategies
which help to alleviate the stress response that sets off a cascade of
hormonal responses which may inhibit fertility.
The mind/body work we teach here at East Coast Fertility includes
methods that allow the body to return to a calm and relaxed state,
thereby turning off the biochemical stress response and allowing our
hormonal physiology to function optimally.
Feelings of anxiety, depression, isolation, and anger are common themes
in infertility. Often, anger masks the feelings of loss experienced
month after month of trying to conceive without success. Infertility
impacts on one's marriage, self-esteem, sexual relationship, family,
friends, job, and financial security.
One study showed that women going through infertility experience as much
depression as women who have been diagnosed with life-threatening
illnesses such as metastatic cancer, heart disease, or HIV. When women
face these other illnesses, they are likely to seek out the support of
their friends and family. The sad aspect of infertility is that although
these women are as depressed as those facing life-threatening illnesses,
they are far less likely to seek out support from friends and family.
Often, thoughts of not living up to the expectation to become pregnant,
thoughts such as "why is this happening to me?!", and the intense
emotions of loss related to the thought that one may never have a child,
lead to feelings of isolation, anger, and depression.
Although there is a correlation between stress and infertility, the
relationship remains complex. However, the research does in fact suggest
that psychosocial factors such as depression and anxiety correlate with
lower pregnancy rates following IVF. In addition, of the women who
participated in Alice Domar's Mind/Body program at the Mind/Body
institute in Boston, 55% conceived pregnancies that resulted in the
birth of a full term baby compared with 20% of the control group.
~ Mind/Body Support Group at East Coast Fertility ~
In our Mind/Body support group, patients experience the opportunity to
share information, feelings, or their own personal stories. You may be
surprised to see how your support can help others or you may be relieved
to hear others experiencing the same type of thoughts and feelings as
you experience. Often, the supportive nature of this group, and the
connection that develops between members, fosters a healing process.
Feelings of isolation, anger, and stress are slowly relieved.
Our Mind/Body program focuses on symptom reduction and developing a
sense of control over one's life by utilizing Mind/Body strategies and
interventions which elicit the relaxation response. The relaxation
response is actually a physical state that counteracts the stress
response. You can think of it as the physiological opposite of the body'
s stress response. We cannot be stressed and relaxed at the same time.
Therefore when a person elicits the relaxation response, the body's
stress response is halted, stress hormones diminish. Stress responses
such as heart rate, metabolic rate, blood pressure, and shallow
breathing decrease. Breathing becomes slower and deeper, so we have more
oxygen being delivered to all the cells in the body. The way in which
you are taught to elicit the relaxation response is through methods such
as: breath focus, guided visual imagery, muscle Relaxation and learned
mindfulness, and meditation.
In Mind/Body work, we also work with "cognitive restructuring" which is
examining our negative thoughts, seeing where there is distortion, and
reframing our thoughts positively and realistically. Often, we have held
on to certain negative thoughts and feelings we may have developed years
ago. The thought pattern becomes so ingrained in us, that we take it for
truth, when in fact, it is a distortion. Cognitive restructuring will
help you examine your thoughts and see which are distorted, causing you
needless worry, anxiety, or depression. Once you understand how a
thought is distorted, you can change those thoughts and alleviate the
anxiety attached to them.
Awareness of the mind/body connection allows us to use our minds to make
changes in our physiology. This holistic treatment - combining
bio-medical science with mind/body medicine deals with the treatment of
the whole individual rather than looking only at the physical aspect.
The fact is, body and mind work together. We invite you to take
advantage of this unique area of support provided at East Coast
Fertility and join our Mind/Body group.
Designed to stimulate the nervous system to release certain chemicals in the muscles, brain, and spinal cord, promoting the body to heal and balance itself.
Yoga
Provides a nurturing environment to strengthen the mind-body connection. Classes focus on specific postures, stretches, and breathing techniques that promote relaxation, remove energy blockages, and more energy throughout the body.
Chiropractic Care
Approaches infertility from a neurological perspective identifying links between spinal misalignments affecting nerves and the reproductive system.
Massage
Offered as a therapeutic modality specializing in the gentle approach necessary for relaxation and promoting blood flow.
Counseling/Stress Management
Available for individuals and couples dealing with anxiety, depression, or other emotional issues affecting one's overall well being. Counseling can also help patients develop a sense of control during the course of their treatment when they are most likely to experience a loss of control.
Educational Seminars
Educational seminars are provided by licensed psychologists and are aimed at providing you with information that may impact on your fertility treatment. These seminars focus on all aspects of health, wellness and life style that affect emotions and mood states. These seminars will focus on issues such as effective coping skills, improving communications, managing emotions associated with fertility treatment, nutrition and much more.
