Fertil Steril. 2011 Jun;95(7):2269-73. Epub 2011 Apr 15.Impact of a group mind/body intervention on pregnancy rates in IVF patients.Domar AD, Rooney KL, Wiegand B, Orav EJ, Alper MM, Berger BM, Nikolovski J.SourceBoston IVF, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, USA. [email protected]

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine if women who were randomized to a mind/body program before starting their first IVF cycle would have higher pregnancy rates than control subjects.

DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, prospective study.

SETTING: Private academically affiliated infertility center.

PATIENT(S): A total of 143 women aged≤40 years who were about to begin their first IVF cycle.

INTERVENTION(S): Subjects were randomized to a ten-session mind/body program (MB) or a control group and followed for two IVF cycles.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical pregnancy rate.

RESULT(S): Only 9% of the MB participants had attended at least one-half of their sessions at cycle 1 start. Pregnancy rates for cycle 1 were 43% for all subjects; 76% of the MB subjects had attended at least one-half of their sessions at cycle 2 start. Pregnancy rates for cycle 2 were 52% for MB and 20% for control.

CONCLUSION(S): MB participation was associated with increased pregnancy rates for cycle 2, prior to which most subjects had attended at least half of their sessions.

Copyright © 2011 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

PMID:21496800 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The challenges of fertility can be daunting. When the sight of your monthly cycle instills grief and fear rather than the hope, knowledge and understanding that here are the building blocks to conception, it is time to consider options beyond candlelight and a sexy negligee. And when discussions of fertility doctors, insemination, IVF and even egg donation become part of your personal lexicon, your life can seem unrecognizable.

But you should know a few things before you decide you are less than or life is out to get you. Your outlook can effect your ability to conceive. Yes, you may need outside assistance in order to get pregnant. Is that actually the end of the world? You may have needed tutoring in calculus at one time. Was that the end of the world? No. It meant there were things to be learned, lessons to be understood and new neuropathways to be carved out in your brain so that the formulas necessary for your success were clear. But it also means getting the stress out of the way so critical thinking, among other body functions like reproduction and digestion, can occur unimpeded.

A Mind/Body approach to fertility helps you reframe your view on the road to conception. Yes, add a little optimism in the mix, but with a healthy helping of cognitive therapy and ancient healing techniques clinically proven to reduce stress. Clinical studies show Mind/Body Techniques increase the rate of fertility in patients undergoing assisted reproductive treatments—by close to 50%.  So, for starters, breathe in, hold for 5 seconds and release. Do it again. Yes, that's right, relax. The first steps of conception (as in orgasms for women) lie in the mind.