The Rise of Unexplained Infertility By Deborah Gilmour, B.S.N., R.N., C.C.H
ecently the media has become saturated with stories proclaim- ing the rise of “unexplained infertility” and our increasing “need” for medical intervention. It is now unfortunate but common belief that it’s just not easy to have a baby. According to infertility expert Sherman J. Sibier, M.D. of the infertility Center of St. Louis (St. Luke’s Hospital, Missouri), we are in the midst of a worldwide infertility epidemic. Studies show that not only can hypnosis double the success rates of in vitro fertiliza- tion (IVF), it is an efficacious and timesaving treatment for Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (FHA – missed menstrual periods), and is, among other things, effective for childbirth related issues such as pain control and shortening of labor. Specific hypnotic procedures complement both natural and medically assisted fertility and birth. Women may become preoccupied with becoming pregnant and prematurely rush in for medical testing. The stress brought on by this invasive protocol alone is enough to impede the natural process. At the present time women aged 35 and up are immediately considered “high risk.” Hearing these words is often enough to cause women devastating emotional upset and seriously increase their already soaring stress levels. Stress hormones simply do not contribute to an environment positive for conceiving.
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The Stress Cycle The hypothalamus – the neuro center located at the base of the
brain and linked to the pituitary gland, controls the flow of hormones in the body and is sensitive to stress and acts as a bridge between the emotional and physical, turning emotional messages into physical responses that impact hormone levels. When you think of a stressor whether it is conscious or subcon-
scious, your brain secretes corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) which in turn releases cortisol, the master stress hormone. When these hormone levels are high women are less likely to conceive and more likely to miscarry. In lay terms, if you are stressed trying to get pregnant, you increase the stress hormones; in turn the body protects you from getting pregnant. It’s giving the body a message that it is not the right time.
Almost everyone knows of a friend or acquaintance that had
tried for years to get pregnant with nothing but disappointment. Yet, as soon as they were successful in adopting a child they became pregnant. There is an obvious reason for this.
The Reduction of Stress
Whether a woman has a physiological impediment or has been diagnosed with “unexplained infertility,” fertility hypnosis may be the
38 Natural Nutmeg February 2012
missing link that will help them achieve conception. Many women are experiencing infertility due to physiological issues. Hypnosis can help with these issues in many ways including stress reduction and as a direct complement to medical procedures. Subconscious blocks are often shown to be the cause of infertility whether there is a physiological cause or not. Unresolved issues can interfere with conception.
Men often have subconscious blocks similar to those women experience. In other words the emotional strain and stress a couple endures during a year of infertility testing and medical procedures, appears to have serious impact. We often forget, that men may have unresolved issues involving previous pregnancy or abortion. There are many scenarios, which may have occurred causing his subcon- scious mind to put up a protective block, which can interfere with conception. Perhaps previous partners having an abortion when he really wanted a child have devastated him. He may be concerned with repeating abusive behavior stemming from his own childhood experience. In these cases, hypnotic resolution can effect concep- tion (low sperm count) just as it does when addressing issues of the female.
Hypnosis is an outstanding and proven method of reducing or eliminating stress. Fertility by hypnosis takes hypnosis a step further as it’s a program designed specifically for fertility.
How Can Hypnosis Help Unexplained Infertility?
Stress and lack of confidence tend to be the top culprits that must be addressed with hypnosis for “unexplained infertility.” Many couples have lost faith in the natural process of conception and maintain too strong a conviction in the need for medical assistance. And with more and more women in high stress jobs, it’s really no wonder that conception doesn’t always occur immediately (disas- trous in our want-it-right-now culture). Fertility by hypnosis literally applies powerful hypnotic tech- niques to enhance the mind/body connection which studies have shown to greatly enhance the success of both natural and medically assisted fertility. Hypnosis goes beyond simple relaxation methods and those who have experienced hypnosis for fertility can easily recognize the distinction. Hypnosis supports conception, pregnancy, birth and beyond, and has been utilized for various issues, including these for centuries.
Most of the clients who come in for hypnotherapy have already
seen a physician, often having received the “unexplained infertility” diagnosis. Many of these women are undergoing acupuncture, and, as you may be aware, acupuncture is widely accepted for the treat- ment of infertility. In fact, many reproductive endocrinologists will refer their patients to an acupuncturist to complement the IVF pro- cess. Hypnosis is a powerful adjunct to acupuncture, as well as any
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