Hypnosis And Ivf

Whilst the applications of hypnosis are extensive and varied, there are four main ways in which we can use hypnosis to help people going through IVF.
• Clients can be taught how to achieve a deep state of relaxation using hypnosis which will help to significantly reduce levels of stress.
• Hypnosis can be used to ensure that they have access to the skills and inner resources needed to cope better and handle an unsuccessful outcome more easily.
• Hypnosis can be used to help people prepare mentally, emotionally and physically for IVF. This preparation can range from positive lifestyle changes, changing limiting beliefs to eliminating a needle phobia.
• Hypnosis can help to increase the chances of a successful outcome.
According to a study presented to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology conference in Berlin in July of 2004: hypnosis can effectively double the success of IVF treatments. The study was conducted by Professor Eliahu Levitas and his team at Soroka Hospital in Israel to determine if hypnosis could improve the success of the embryo transfers stage of IVF. The study of 185 woman found that 28% of the women who were hypnotized for the IVF treatment became pregnant, compared to 14% of the women in the control group. (Levitas, 2006) Professor Levitas studied the effects of hypnosis for the IVF treatment and embryo transfer only, because prior studies that demonstrated the stress of the procedure created small contractions of the uterus that prevented the successful implantation of the fertilized egg. The professor indicated that tranquilizers had been used in prior studies, but nothing worked as well as hypnosis. "Performing embryo transfer under hypnosis may significantly contribute to an increased clinical pregnancy rate," Professor Levitas told the conference in Berlin.

Many of the women, with whom I have worked, have used hypnosis during embryo transfer and reported that overall they have felt much calmer, more relaxed and at ease with the experience. If only for this reason alone, every woman going through embryo transfer should be equipped with the aid of hypnosis.

Hypnosis is a powerful state for facilitating emotional and physiological change, and if used in conjunction with effective counselling skills, could significantly benefit men and woman undergoing fertility treatment. I feel very passionate about the benefits of hypnotherapy becoming available to more people with fertility problems and would love to see it offered as a standard part of IVF treatment.