Confronting Infertility with Hypnosis

According to the American Fertility Association (AFA), one in six couples have difficulty conceiving a child; and approximately 1.2 million couples visit fertility specialists annually.  The anticipation can wreak emotional havoc on a family, often leading the couple to look beyond conventional fertility treatments.  As a certified master clinical hypnotherapist, I incorporate hypnotic principles to not only help my clients remain patient and in control during ovulation, but to emotionally/physically prepare them to nourish a baby, as well as increase their intuitiveness about when they are becoming fertile. Couples often lose faith in the natural conception process and begin to rely heavily on ‘high tech’ medical interventions. The AFA has found that although most people associate fertility treatments with procedures such as IVF, only 5-10% of patients actually need these interventions.

Thousands of years ago, Chinese academicians observed that women who had difficulty conceiving often experienced underlying emotional issues which prevented conception.  Women who are depressed are twice as likely to have trouble conceiving as those who are not.  Recent studies have now confirmed emotional and psychological blocks can create infertility issues.  Negative attitudes can be associated with past events which result in conscious or unconscious blocks that can prevent conception.   There may be subconscious fears or negative thoughts related to one or more of  the following:

• Pregnancy
• Childbirth
• Menstruation
• Labor
• Hospitals
• Being too late to conceive
• Medical treatments
• Loss of independence or individuality
• Motherhood
• Unresolved dysfunctional patterns from childhood
• New baby may threaten relationship with spouse
• Spouse’s ability to be a good parent
• Feelings of inadequacy
• Feelings of guilt about a past termination or bad relationship

In a relaxed, therapeutic environment, a hypnotherapist works with the client to establish positive thoughts and beliefs conducive to childbirth and motherhood.  A study that was presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology Conference found that in a control group of 185 women, 28% of women who were hypnotized became pregnant, as compared with 14% of those who were not.  Mind/body research shows that our endocrine system, which controls our hormones, is intimately connected and influenced by every thought we think and every emotion we feel. Hypnotherapy can be a highly effective mind/body technique, often helping individuals identify and process subconscious blocks which may be interfering with conception.