Maintaining and Strengthening Relationships During Infertility Treatment
By Melissa Kelleher, LCSW
infertility, going through treatment can be one of the most stress- ful periods of their relationship. Based on a review of the literature on the psychological aspects of in vitro fertilization (IVF), IVF is physically and emotionally stressful for women and their partners; depression and anxiety are the most common psychological reac- tions to treatment (Eugster and Vingerhoets, 1999).
A
Dealing with the Emotional Toll The stress of infertility affects the dynamic of any couple’s rela- tionship, and it can also affect a couple’s ability to stay in treatment until they are able to start a family. The leading cause of couples terminating fertility treatment is the emotional toll it takes. Several studies have indicated that a signifi cant number of patients drop out of infertility treatment programs voluntarily, not for fi nancial reasons or on the advice of their doctors. Many patients seeking help with infertility drop out due to the “emotional cost” (Gleicher N, et al. 1996).
As a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), I meet with patients to help them develop stress management skills that will assist them on their path to starting a family, as well as to maintain a healthy relationship. To counter the psychological effects of infertili- ty treatment, I encourage my patients to maintain open communica- tion and to fi nd tools that minimize stress. This can be accomplished by learning about the mind-body connection, and by eliciting the relaxation response, which is capable of counteracting the physical toll of stress on the body. It also gives patients a way to feel more in control during their treatment.
Mind-Body Connection When a person is under pressure, the body experiences a physi-
ological or ‘fi ght or fl ight response.’ During this period, the brain is unable to tell the difference between physical danger and psycho- logical stress and causes the body’s functions to speed up, tense and become very alert. The average American has approximately 50 responses a day to stress. In the short-term, this stress can lead to insomnia, headaches, back pain, stomach issues, and an increase in premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. In the long-term, exces- sive stress has a cumulative effect and will lead to high blood pres-
20 Natural Nutmeg - May/June 2015
s the saying goes, marriage takes work. In fact, all relation- ships are work, but in truth it is the external factors that test our most precious ties. For couples who are struggling with
sure, suppression of the immune system, anxiety, depression, and anger-management issues.
Patients can utilize mind-body techniques to reverse the af- fects of stress on the body. By training their minds to be more ‘fi t,’ patients experience an immediate sense of relief. This effect deepens over time. Patients who practice mind-body exercises every day for about 15 to 20 minutes achieve long-term improvements in how their bodies handle stress. This is called the ‘carryover effect.’ In a review of literature on psychosocial interventions for infertility, educational groups that emphasized knowledge and skills training (i.e. relaxation training) within a supportive group environment were found to be most effective (Boivin 2003).
There are several different kinds of mind-body exercises, and I
encourage my patients to fi nd what works best for them. Every per- son has an individual preference, much like having a wide selection of ice creams to choose from. Some exercises can be done individu- ally, while others can be done as a couple. I see the strongest results in patients who practice a combination of individual and couple exercises.
Mind-Body for the Individual I like to think of utilizing mind-body techniques as a form of mental maintenance. For fertility patients, incorporating these tech- niques into their daily life can improve their treatment experience and the results. A review of psychological interventions to reduce stress related to IVF have concluded that they are generally effective, and that there is ample preliminary evidence that psychological dis- tress can impact fertility, and thus IVF outcome (Campagne, 2006).
Breathing techniques, body scans and self-guided meditation are examples of ways to elicit the relaxation response. They take only minutes yet they have an immediate physiological effect on the body, its stress hormone production and long-term effects of stress by-products, such as high blood pressure. There are several smart- phone applications that can assist in mind-body practices; one that I recommend to patients is “Headspace.”
In addition to these exercises, there has been a lot of recent discussion in the media about practicing Mindfulness. This is less about an exercise with a defi nitive start and end point, and more
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44