10 Week Mind/Body Fertility Program

[Program Benefits | The Stress Effect]

The Mind/Body Program for Fertility is a complementary medical program for women distressed about their fertility. In practice since 1987, this comprehensive behavioral treatment addresses stress and the mind/body connection. This life changing program, created by Dr. Alice Domar of Harvard Medical School, is designed to help you regain control of your life, learn new coping skills and enhance your fertility.

A comprehensive 10-week fertility program dedicated to the physical and emotional needs of women experiencing infertility, pregnancy loss, depression and anxiety related to infertility. Extensive research on infertility overwhelmingly proves that women who participate in mind/body programs have a 55% take home baby rate, conceiving within 6 months of completing the program, whereas participants in control groups have 20% success. Participants also experience an overall increase in psychological health and well-being.

The Mind/Body Program for Fertility is a scientific treatment modality proven to reduce the stress-related physical and psychological symptoms that accompany the challenges of infertility. In this structured program you will learn relaxation strategies, stress management techniques, self-nurturing and cognitive restructuring skills, as well as nutritional and lifestyle approaches to best support conception, while in the compassionate company of other women.

Program Benefits 

[Program Description | The Stress Effect]

• Decreased isolation surrounding infertility

• Reduced physical symptoms of stress, such as headaches, fatigue, and insomnia

• Develop new lifestyle behaviors, like nutrition and yoga, to enhance fertility

• Learn a variety of relaxation methods and cognitive behavioral strategies to help you regain control of your life

• Determine the safety and efficacy of alternative medicine approaches

• Learn the art of self-nurturance and effective communication

• Restructure negative thoughts and manage feelings of anger, loss and grief

• Create a circle of support with other women experiencing similar issues

Discover emotional and physical wellness by tapping into the mind/body connection. Our program includes:

• 9 group counseling sessions (2 1/2 hours each)

• 1 group retreat day with lunch for you and your partner

• 2 individual counseling sessions (one of which is optional)

• Phone access to a group leader during the 10 weeks

• 150 page patient manual

• The book "Healing Mind/Healthy Woman" by Dr. Alice Domar

• Guided relaxation, meditation & breathing CDs

• A copy of the DVD Infertility Explained is available for viewing

Individual and couple’s counseling is also available.

The Stress Effect

[Program Description | Program Benefits]

Laboratory testing conclusively demonstrates that stress applied during various parts of the menstrual cycle suppresses or inhibits conception. The complicated link between psychological distress and pregnancy rates prove that women who experience stress related to fertility are less likely to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term.

Depression can interfere with conception. Egg quality as well as delays in egg release have been attributed to depression.

Research shows that women who are highly stressed by their fertility take three IVF treatment cycles to conceive, versus two cycles for women who do not report the same stressors. In addition, couples with infertility related stress may quit treatment prematurely.

See the "classes" page (link at the top-left) for the next available program.