Mind/Body Course

Emotional Health Education for Fertility Patients

Research studies have shown that the effects of stress can compromise one's fertility, as illustrated by the following findings:

• Psychological distress is capable of inhibiting the secretion of hormones necessary for reproduction. (Chrousos, G.P., et al)
   
• Women who were the most worried about certain aspects of the IVF experience were up to 30% less likely to achieve pregnancy. (Klonoff-Cohen, H., et al)
   
• Depressed women were significantly less likely to achieve pregnancy than their non-depressed counterparts. (Demyttenaere, K., et al)
   
• Women who completed a mind-body support class were less stressed, less depressed and achieved a much higher pregnancy rate than a wait-list control group. (Domar, A.D., et al)

Course utilizes guest speakers and exposure to a number of healing therapies and skills-building exercises, including: massage; meditation; medical qigong; eliciting the “relaxation response;” resilience; interpersonal communication; expressive arts; and inner peace.