IVF

In the UK the waiting time for NHS delivered IVF treatment can sometimes exceed 12 months, resulting in many couples considering other options. Of course there is usually a biological or medical reason behind infertility problems, which can only be treated with professional medical care. However, if a woman allows herself to become too stressed about her inability to conceive, this adds to the problem. In some infertility cases, no specific medical cause can be found so it is likely that the barrier to conception is probably psychological, or stress-related.

Many women have been helped to conceive by using deep relaxation, (hypnosis) just before or during their IVF treatment.

By using Hypnosis that promotes deep and natural levels of relaxation, coupled with visualisation techniques to completely eliminate stress and anxiety. (The negative effects of stress in relation to conception have been widely researched, as has the interaction between biological and psychological issues in pregnancy. It has been reported that women who suspect they are infertile can have anxiety and depression levels equal to that of women with conditions such as cancer.)

A relaxation technique

Imagine yourself surrounded from head to toe by a gentle, safe, warm light. Slowly and deeply, start breathing in the warm light which is filled with relaxation and take it to anywhere in your head that feels tense, then as you slowly breath out release all the tension in that part of your head. Do this six times, each time breathing in the warm light of relaxation and taking it to anywhere in your head that feels tense and then as you breath out slowly releasing all the tension.

Move down to your neck. Again breath in deeply and slowly, taking in the warm light of relaxation with each slow breath and then slowly exhale all the tension in your neck as you breath out. Do this six times, then move your attention to your back and do the same, followed by your chest and arms.

Then focus on your stomach and pelvic region, breathing in the warm light filled with relaxation and gently taking it to anywhere in that region that feels tense and release the tension as you breath out, then repeat six times.

Move to your buttocks next, and then to your legs and feet, again repeat this six times.

Then breathe in deeply and visualise the warm light of relaxation flowing out of the top of your head down the back of your body and repeat six times. Then do the same down the front of your body and repeat six times. Then breath in deeply and visualise the warm light of relaxation flowing through and around your whole body and repeat six times or for as long as you want.

Then open your eyes slowly and feel the relaxation flowing through you.

Hypnosis can double the success of IVF treatment.BBC webpage