The Mind/Body Wellness Program for Fertility meets for 10 weeks in a group setting of 10-15 participants. Each session is 2 1/2 hours long, incorporating various relaxation and coping techniques as well as an environment for support.

There is a required intake process in which there is a biopsychosocial history to be completed, as well as several profiles which give the facilitator a picture of the infertility problem the couple is experiencing. The focus of the group is on the woman in the couple because research shows that women experiencing infertility tend to have depression rates as high as women with cancer and HIV. The research also indicates that women tend to carry the emotional content for the infertility problem, no matter what the source of the difficulty. The husbands or partners are invited to participate in 4 of the 10 sessions.

The ten weekly sessions incorporate the following:

Elicitation of the relaxation response

The "relaxation response" is a physiological change in the body which is elicited by such techniques as yoga, meditation, centering prayer, or the repetition of a meaningful word or phrase. Elicitation of the relaxation response results in measurable physiological changes, including decreases in blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate and muscle tension, as well as a decrease in negative mood states and a decrease in health-risk behaviors such as overeating, drinking, and smoking. Two relaxation tapes are provided for home practice.

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Cognitive restructuring

Cognitive restructuring comes out of cognitive-behavioral therapy, and is essentially learning to think about how you think, and learning to reframe negative self-talk. Various small group exercises help participants learn ways to reframe negative self-defeating thoughts.

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"Invaluable
lesson
I can use
for a
lifetime."

S.G.

Support Group

Each week there is time for the participants to get to know each other and to understand they have all been through similar disheartening experiences. This part of the weekly session provides not only support, but also coping skills and stress management.

 

Nutrition and Exercise

Participants will learn about basic good nutrition as well as specific nutrition appropriate for pre-pregnancy.

It is recommended that all participants engage in a regular exercise program.