Did you know that there have been around 1.3 million IVF cycles since 1991 (HFEA* statistics to 2019) resulting in around 390,000 babies being born? Although there are no guarantees with IVF, it can at least give hope to those couples and individuals who are struggling for whatever reason to conceive naturally.
*Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
If you’re undergoing IVF treatment, it can be a very exciting time but it can also be quite stressful as you navigate your way through the physical treatment plan, the changes in your hormones and the continual investigations and unknown outcomes at each stage. This can result in many new thoughts, feelings and physical changes to deal with, sometimes on a daily basis.
You may have to face fears of the physical treatment or confront thoughts and feelings that you’ve kept buried for some time. The possible outcomes of the process can also leave you with feelings of uncertainty whilst putting pressure on your relationship. You may see increased stress financially which can leave you trying to manage your work pressures whilst trying to maintain privacy around what you’re going through. Your family life may also feel quite challenging if you don’t want to share your experience and it can feel like a juggling act to try and work out what and who you want to share this special journey with. All in all, the stress that goes with IVF can be overwhelming.
In a study by Levitas et al** in Israel in 2006, he found that hypnosis not only allows women to feel more relaxed during the process, it also helps to manage stress at a crucial part of the cycle; the embryo transfer into the womb. Using hypnosis not only made the procedure more manageable, it also doubled the positive outcome of implantation from 14.4% in the control cycles to 28% in the hypnosis group. ‘The study suggests that the use of hypnosis during IVF may significantly improve the IVF/ET (embryonic transfer) cycle outcome in terms of increased implantation and clinical pregnancy rates.’
**Levitas, E. et al, ‘Impact of hypnosis during embryo transfer on the outcome of in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer: a case-control study.’ Fertility and Sterility – Vol 85, Issue 5, (2006), 1404–1408
Hypnotherapy can help you to:
- Prepare for treatment
- Overcome fears relating to the physical process of IVF
- Manage the physical and mental challenges of IVF
- Help to manage your stress levels surrounding the process and during the various medical procedures
- Increase the chances of a successful outcome
IVF can be a lifeline for those who are struggling to have a baby. Sadly there are no guarantees, however, there are ways that you can help to prepare and give yourself the best possible chance of achieving your dream. If, sadly, the process is not successful, you can learn how to use your inner resources to cope and recover.
If you are planning to use IVF and would like to find out more about how I may be able to help you, please contact me to arrange a free, no-obligation chat and see if Hypnotherapy is the right way forward for you.