Relaxation training improves IVF conception rates

In a study of 63 women about to undergo an IVF treatment cycle, those who chose to attend a 2 weeks worth of sessions on relaxation training were significantly more likely to conceive on their first IVF attempt.

(Farrar, Holbert, and Drabman 1990)

Reduction in stress and depression can improve conception rates

Women with unexplained infertility who went through an 8 week program of relaxation training, cognitive restructuring and self instructional management were significantly more likely to conceive than a control group who receive no training. Within the 2 month study period, 4 out of 7 experimental subjects conceived, whereas non of the 7 control subjects conceived.

(Rodriguez et al., 1983)

Behaviorally induced reproductive compromise in women and men

Psychosocial problems can affect the central GnRH-LH/FSH drive and cause ovarian compromise…. Attitudes, moods, and behaviors can have endocrine consequences and cause definable reproductive disorders….Misattributions, negative images of self and others, unrealistic expectations and emotional disharmony can cause neuroendocrine havoc.

(1997 Semin Reprod Endocrinal 15;1:47-53 Berga, S.L.)

Mothers who used hypnosis for anxiety and stress management had fetuses who moved in a much more active manner than a control group.

(Zimmer, Peretz, Eyal and Fuchs, 1988)

As mind/body programs are effective for reducing negative emotion that may impair IVF success, patients should be offered such a program in conjunction with IVF.

(Fertility and Sterility Journal 1998 vol 69)

Women with depression, when treated showed a 60% viable pregnancy rate within six months, contrasting with 24% when depression went untreated.

(Journal of American Medical Women’s Association 1999 vol 54)

Hypnosis based on imagery and a relaxation strategy was successful in facilitating pregnancy. The treatment was considered to have resulted in beneficial modification of attitude, optimism, and mind-body interaction.

(The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis (Volume 38, Issue 1, 1995, 22-26): Hypnosis in the Treatment of Functional Infertility)

Hypnosis beneficial to IVF porcedures

Hypnosis as an adjunct to IVF procedures could be beneficial to those who are unable to conceive naturally.

(Australian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (Vol. 31, No2, 2003, 121-127) Recipe for a Miracle: Determination, Optimism, Medical Technology, and Hypnosis in IVF)

Infertile women utilizing mind/body techniques such as hypnosis have a 42 – 55% conception rate as compared to 20% with in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

(The Journal of the American Medical Women’s Association 1999 and The Journal of Fertility and Sterility 2000.)

Hypnosis based on imagery and a relaxation strategy was successful in facilitating pregnancy. The treatment was considered to have resulted in beneficial modification of attitude, optimism, and mind-body interaction.

(The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis. (Volume 38, Issue 1, 1995, 22-6): Hypnosis in the Treatment of Functional Infertility.)

Anxiety impacts egg production and quality

Women undergoing IVF who were ‘worried’ about the medical aspects of the treatment had 20% fewer eggs retrieved and 19% fewer eggs fertilized.

(Klonoff-cohen and Natarajan 2004)

High levels of anxiety impact IUI success rates and miscarriage rates

In a study with women undergoing donor sperm insemination, those with higher levels of anxiety prior to undergoing insemination took significantly longer to conceive and were also significantly more likely to miscarry than those with lover levels of anxiety.

(Demyttenaere, Nijs, Steeno, and Koninckx 1988)

Relaxation training improves IVF conception rates

In a study of 63 women about to undergo an IVF treatment cycle, those who chose to attend a 2 weeks worth of sessions on relaxation training were significantly more likely to conceive on their first IVF attempt.

(Farrar, Holbert, and Drabman 1990)

Reduction in stress and depression can improve conception rates

Women with unexplained infertility who went through an 8 week program of relaxation training, cognitive restructuring and self instructional management were significantly more likely to conceive than a control group who receive no training. Within the 2 month study period, 4 out of 7 experimental subjects conceived, whereas non of the 7 control subjects conceived.

(Rodriguez et al., 1983)

Behaviorally induced reproductive compromise in women and men

Psychosocial problems can affect the central GnRH-LH/FSH drive and cause ovarian compromise…. Attitudes, moods, and behaviors can have endocrine consequences and cause definable reproductive disorders….Misattributions, negative images of self and others, unrealistic expectations and emotional disharmony can cause neuroendocrine havoc.

(1997 Semin Reprod Endocrinal 15;1:47-53 Berga, S.L.)

Anxiety impacts egg production and quality

Women undergoing IVF who were ‘worried’ about the medical aspects of the treatment had 20% fewer eggs retrieved and 19% fewer eggs fertilized

(Klonoff-cohen and Natarajan 2004)

High levels of anxiety impact IUI success rates and miscarriage rates

In a study with women undergoing donor sperm insemination, those with higher levels of anxiety prior to undergoing insemination took significantly longer to conceive and were also significantly more likely to miscarry than those with lover levels of anxiety

(Demyttenaere, Nijs, Steeno, and Koninckx 1988)

One hundred pregnant women whose foetuses were in breech position at 37-40 weeks’ gestation and a matched control group. 81% of breech babies were successful conversions to a vertex position compared with 48% in the control group. The success was thought to be down to psychophysiological factors which may influence the breech position.

(Mehl, 1994)

100 women trained with hypnosis had a shorter first stage of labour for 100 (by 3.23 hours) compared to a control group of 88 women.

Abramson and Heron (1950) & Gallagher (2001)

Forty-five Hypnosis for Childbirth clients (first time mothers) had an average of 4.5 hours for the active labour, a significant reduction compared to the usual 9 hours.

(Harmon, Hynan and Tyre, 1990)

In a British study, 55% of 45 patients (first and second time mothers) required no medication for pain relief. In the other non-hypnosis groups, only 22% of 90 women required no medication.

(Harmon, Hynan and Tyre, 1990)

“A woman’s ‘self-efficacy for labour’ or confidence in her ability to cope has a powerful relationship to decreased pain perception and decreased medication/analgesia during labour. Anxiety is commonly associated with increased pain during labour, and may modify labour pain through psychological and physiologic mechanisms. “Fear of pain may be one component of labour related anxiety, and has a huge correlation with pain levels reported during first stage labour.”

(Lowe, N. 2002)

Thirty-eight out of forty-five Hypnosis for Childbirth mums, delivered spontaneously without the use of caesarean, forceps or venteuse. This rate of 84% is higher than the average rate of normal birth for the general population of first time mothers.

(Harmon, Hynan and Tyre, 1990)

Using hypnosis can reduce the length of active labour by 3 hours from the usual 9 hours.

(Jenkins and Pritchard 1993)

Hypnosis can be used to promote and to suppress lactation.

(August 1961; Cheek & LeCron, 1968; Kroger, 1977)