The next Mind/Body programme will take place on Saturday 5th November 2011. Early booking is advised as places are limited.

Integrating cognitive, relaxation & healthy lifestyle techniques to positively manage stress & promote conception

The desire to have children is one of our most basic instincts and fundamental desires. Unanticipated difficulties conceiving can have a negative impact on everything from your outlook on life to your closest relationships. Patients often find that by the time they are diagnosed with infertility and are initiating treatment they are beset by an array of emotions and conflicting beliefs.

At the SIMS Clinic, we want to do our best to ensure that our clients are as prepared as possible for the experience of fertility treatment so that they find it significantly less stressful than they would otherwise. There are some very key reasons why we feel strongly about helping patients maintain the lowest distress level possible:

A recent study showed that women who were the most anxious and depressed prior to their IVF treatment cycle were 93% less likely to conceive than the least distressed women. Other research (Skillman, NJ Oct.19,2009), has shown that women who participated in a stress management programme prior to or during IVF treatment had a 52% greater pregnancy rate than women who did not participate in the programme (American Society of Reproductive Medicine’s 65th Annual Meeting). The pioneer of the Mind/Body Programme, Dr. Alice Domar PhD, of Harvard’s Mind/Body Institute in Boston explained, "This study shows that stress management may improve pregnancy rates, minimizing the stress of fertility management itself, improving the success rates of IVF procedures and ultimately, helping to alleviate the emotional burden for women who are facing challenges trying to conceive."

The SIMS Clinic’s Integrative Mind/Body Programme will benefit those who wish to reduce stress and increase well-being, before or during their treatment. Couples and individuals will attend on a weekly basis (6.30 – 8.30pm) over six weeks in a small group setting.

Why do the SIMS Integrative MIND/BODY Programme?

• To decrease any symptoms of stress, anxiety, low-mood and fatigue
• To establish self-supportive thinking patterns and acceptance beliefs in place of unhelpful ones (with CBT), e.g. from “It’s never going to happen for us” to “we are doing everything we can to support our chances of getting pregnant.”
• To integrate mindfulness based relaxation techniques.
• To increase your understanding of the role of nutrition in establishing optimal conditions for conception and implantation. Positive Nutrition will provide nutritional advice on rebalancing deficiencies and give practical steps on how to improve your diet and overall health.
• To support your physical health with complementary therapy e.g. Medical Acupuncture and Restorative Yoga.
• To enable you to reclaim your sense of self-confidence and feel more empowered in the treatment process.
• To learn effective coping skills.
• To give dedicated space and time to nurture and enhance your relationship.
• Each of the participants will also receive a “Relaxation Experience” CD by Dr. Alice Domar and Six Steps to Increased Fertility’ (Barbieri R.MD, Domar A PhD, Loughlin K. MD) by Harvard Medical School Publications.

Please click the button for further information and booking details.

Mind/Body Programme overview

Gráinne Murray - Quality Manager