Healthy Mind Body Program
Background: Traditional medicine has focused on the IVF process with regard to improving outcomes by improvements in ovarian stimulation protocols, techniques of egg retrieval or embryo transfer and improving embryo culture systems. Of course there are additional factors that affect outcome:
- Psychological well being
- Stress levels
- Nutrition, exercise and physical well being
While on medical grounds we continue to strive to improve our stimulation protocols, techniques and embryology we MUST also focus on the general well being and take a holistic approach to the care of our patients.
Infertility and Stress
Infertility and stress often go hand in hand. While it is doubtful that stress causes infertility there is no doubt that the process of infertility - both investigations and treatment, is stressful. Studies have linked higher stress levels to poorer outcomes from IVF - from fewer numbers of eggs being produced to fewer embryos and most importantly lower chances of success.
It makes sense therefore, that reducing stress around the time of IVF is extremely beneficial and helps the medical treatment to be successful.
A large part of "complimentary treatment" in IVF, centers around stress reduction or improving a couples' ability to understand and cope with the stresses associated with infertility.
The Mind Body Approach
The mind body approach aims to work on the patient's mental and emotional state as a means to help improve physical functioning.
Psychological approach
- Relaxation based training
- Cognitive restructuring
Additional options:
- Acupuncture
- Reflexology
- Massage
General aspects of well being:
- Nutrition
- Exercise
- Support - groups, chat rooms / bulletin boards
For decades, techniques of teaching a person to elicit a relaxation reaction have been used by psychologists: these may include diaphragmatic breathing techniques, yoga, meditation etc. While different techniques may work better for different people the goal is the same to bring about relaxation, in so doing then to allow stress relief.
Physiologically the effect of relaxation and stress relief has been linked to reduced activated T Cells and natural killer cells.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture and reflexology both originate from an eastern culture where it is felt the body has channels of communication and energy flow which can be accessed via "needle points' for acupuncture or via the sole of the foot for reflexology.
While skeptics question the scientific basis of how these techniques work - studies have shown potential benefits to IVF outcome measures when the "alternative" techniques are used in conjunction with standard IVF protocols and there are many published studies available which show improved pregnancy rates.
Mind Body Programme at Barbados Fertility Centre
Approximately every 2 days the couple will receive a pre-booked and scheduled Mind/Body treatment to aid with the release of all their stress and pressures. During our program couples will experience, in the comfort of their own hotel room, two one hour sessions of reflexology treatment, two one hour sessions of acupuncture treatments and two couples massages by one of Barbados' top massage therapists.
Included in this program is the meeting with our psychologist who has been specially trained in this area. She will train couples to alleviate the negative emotions and stress associated with infertility by teaching them new coping skills and methods to restore their sense of control over anxiety and physical tension.
Throughout their stay on the island, the couple will be in contact with the Patient Liaison Manager or Medical Team for any questions or queries via the provided cell phone. The Patient Liaison Manager is in control of all Healthy Mind/Body appointments. She guides them through every step of their holiday and is her aim to ease them through every transition from the moment of arrival through the final departure from our island.
We at Barbados Fertility Centre have taken this approach a step further than many other IVF units, by identifying the need for this type of program and carrying out the treatment during a "low stress / relaxed time' in a holiday environment. Patients have the option of adding further massage / acupuncture / reflexology and Psychological counseling during this time to further optimize outcome.
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