Written by Bailey Rollins a NYC Fertility Doula
For many of us, needing to conceive via medical reproductive assistance was not our plan A. The truth is, it can be really overwhelming and hard to accept that you are having trouble or can’t conceive “naturally”. A commonly shared feeling amongst women and men with infertility challenges is one of isolation, shame, blame, defeat and just feeling defective. It takes a lot of bravery and courage to seek out fertility treatments and step into the unknown world of ART. You don’t know what will happen if it will be successful, or how many cycles it will take to reach the end goal of a healthy pregnancy and baby.
However, somehow through all the feelings of disappointment and anxiety, there is now hope! You are in good hands on your fertility journey and you have the right medical support you need to stay positive and stay the course. Just because you are conceiving through IUI or IVF doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate natural healing into your journey. In fact, taking a blended approach and including holistic practices can allow you to have the best of both worlds, bring more joy, enhance your overall experience, and potentially increase your chances of a successful outcome.
Here are 5 holistic fertility tips to consider on your fertility journey to promote overall wellness, aid your body, boost your self-esteem, and increase the chances of IVF success.
- Focus on Your Sleep
Good sleep hygiene is so important for a healthy body and plays a significant role in fertility. According to an American Society for Reproductive Medicine study, women with low-quality sleep had lower rates of fertility than those getting adequate rest. If you’re undergoing IVF, make sure to get 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night to give yourself your best chance of success.
- Consider Hiring a Fertility Doula
A fertility doula is a trained non-medical professional that provides educational, emotional, and holistic support to individuals and couples on their fertility journey. Going through fertility treatments can be challenging and overwhelming, but having a fertility doula on your side can help ease some of the stress and burden of knowing that you are not alone. Fertility doulas can help you take an east-meets-west approach to your overall health and fertility, bring more relaxation and calm to the experience and assist you in creating a balanced mind, body, and spirit.
- Manage Your Stress Levels With Breathing Techniques
Stress is an inevitable part of everyday life, but when going through the IVF process, stress levels can be at an all-time high. Managing your stress levels can help your nervous system be calm and help your body respond positively to your fertility treatments, it can assist in proper circulation and energy flow in your pelvis, and help balance your hormones. When you feel your stress levels rise, take a step back and take a few rounds of deep belly breaths. Breathing deeply is very nourishing to your body and allows you to stay in the parasympathetic (rest and digest) part of your nervous system. Your breath is a powerful tool available to you 24/7 to bring you back to the present moment and a calm state.
- Try Hypno Fertility
Hypno Fertility is a mind-body therapy that helps individuals use hypnosis and deep relaxation techniques to achieve a mindset that is positive, calm, and focused on achieving a healthy pregnancy. The mind is a very powerful tool and the body is always following the mind. While experiencing fertility challenges, setbacks, and disappointments, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and stress levels can be high. If you feel you are having trouble mentally and emotionally during this process you may want to consider working with a Hypno Fertility specialist. A study done at the Soroka Hospital in Israel of 185 women found that 28% of women in the group who use hypnosis became pregnant, compared with 14% of those who were not. The success rate literally doubled.
- Spend Time in Nature
This one is often overlooked and more of a challenge when you live in a city, especially during the winter months. However, finding ways to spend time in nature is a great way to feel balanced, reduce stress, and get some Vitamin D! Vitamin D has been shown to
play an important role in general health and fertility. A recent study found that women with higher vitamin D levels were significantly more likely to achieve pregnancy from IVF compared to women with lower levels of vitamin D. Something as simple as taking a daily nature walk in a park can do wonders for your overall health and wellness.
Bailey Rollins is a fertility doula, pregnancy coach, and birth and postpartum doula based in New York City. As a hypno fertility practitioner, she helps individuals leverage the mind-body connection to create optimal conditions for a successful IUI or IVF round and healthy pregnancy. She is honored to provide much-needed holistic support to women and their partners undergoing fertility treatments. To schedule a free initial consultation to see if fertility doula support is right for you, you can email her at fertilebliss.coaching@gmail.com.
Why New Hope?
New Hope Fertility Center is home to world-renowned fertility specialists. We custom-design fertility treatments for the individual to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. Our specialists believe in putting the patient first and being with them through every step of the fertility journey. Our team is well-versed in helping women of all ages reach their fertility goals and we are passionate about educating, and supporting our patients throughout their journey. If you want compassionate fertility care, New Hope is the right place for you. Call us at (347) 970-8479 or schedule your initial consultation today!