Natural Fertility Therapy and Counselling
NATURAL FERTILITY THERAPY
Did you know a study conducted by the University of Surrey showed that couples with a history of infertility who made changes in their lifestyle, diet and took nutritional supplements had an 80 percent success rate! Therefore to improve the chances of a successful conception it is imperative to look at natural ways to enhance fertility. Natural Fertility Therapy can be used for anyone having trouble conceiving. It can be used alongside high-tech care such as IVF or alone, the combination of complementary and conventional care can work well, but more importantly, may increase the chances of success.
Stress occurs when our body reacts to a certain situation which puts us into defence mode to trigger the fight-or-flight response. In turn, this stimulates the adrenal glands to produce adrenaline and cortisol, increases heart rate and blood pressure, constricts non-essential blood vessels, and releases blood sugar which gives us the extra energy needed to fight or run for our lives. Many of the stresses we deal with today don’t involve life-threatening situations – but a lot of us find ourselves in continuous stressful situations, for instance, dealing with rush hour traffic, work difficulties, long working hours, financial worries, relationship problems, etc, etc. Our bodies are unable to switch off the fight-or-flight response so we interpret more and more things as being stressful, and eventually find ourselves in a permanent state of stress, which over a long period of time will lead to exhaustion and hormonal imbalances. Once we are at this stage, most of our body’s energy is spent on survival, maintenance and essential repairs and non-essential things like reproduction take a back seat until the body is back to a balanced state. Prolonged stress can have a profound effect on fertility in both women and men. The processes of ovulation and healthy sperm production depend on a complex balance of hormones and their interactions to be successful, and any disruption in these processes can hinder chances of conceiving. Doctors are now more looking to the idea that stress and sometimes "trying too hard" -- may actually play a role in up to 30% of all infertility problems. Well meaning friends will tell you to "relax" and "forget about it" all this type of advice is very stressful!! What you actually need is someone to give you strategies to use to reduce your stress levels.
Lifestyle changes can also have a huge impact on fertility, for example a study of 1,558 Danish men found that having a low or high Body Mass Index (BMI) was associated with a reduction in sperm concentration and total sperm count. A woman’s weight can affect her fertility too. In fact, weight issues account for about 12% of all infertility, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Studies have shown that pregnancy rates are approximately 30% lower in obese women undergoing IVF compared to women of normal weight. There has also recently (Jan 2009) been some new research that shows how testosterone-blocking chemicals are finding their way into waterways, this strengthens the link between water pollution and increasing male fertility problems, changing to bottled water can be a very simple but effective lifestyle change. There are many more lifestyle issues that effect fertility.
Diet is a very similar area, small changes can have a dramatic effect. For example in a new study cited in OBGYN News, a group of Harvard researchers found that 79% of infertile couples had a lower-than-average intake of foods high in antioxidants -- like fruits and vegetables. A healthy diet for fertility is most certainly different than one for general health and needs to be addressed individually and carefully. Including supplements in your diet can be a good way of balancing, detoxifying and supporting your body. Very often minor mineral deficiencies or high levels of toxins can have a major effect on fertility. The effect of toxic activity can be the development of endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage and unexplained infertility. The good news is "Yes, there are damaging and deadly toxins out there, but cleansing your body makes a world of difference,It really does help to implement twenty-first century solutions for twenty-first century problems." as said by Dr Jesse Hanley. With this in mind hair analysis can be a very effective tool. It can help by giving us clues when infertility is unexplained.
Natural Fertility Enhancement works well with conditions such as Unexplained Infertility, PCOS, Endometriosis, Male Factor Problems and Hormonal Problems. It is a superb way of supporting your body and maximising your fertility. There is a very fine balance between a positive and negative pregnancy test, it is vital to do everything possible to tip this balance. Natural Fertility Therapy is a way of looking at ones whole self in relation to fertility and not to look at each area in isolation.
COUNSELLING
The importance attached to counselling in infertility has increased a great deal over the past few years. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority states that counselling is a key element in the provision of infertility services. Everyone who works in the infertility field is aware of the intense emotional feelings experienced by the infertile couple, and the reactions to the stresses and strains of the treatment itself. Counselling is a process which helps patients explore, understand and gain insight into their feelings about what is happening to them in relation to their infertility. It is a place that offers support, empathy and acceptance of painful feelings in a non-judgmental and non-directive manner. The diagnosis of infertility can often feel like a life crisis, and may be very difficult to come to terms with. Many patients and couples experience feelings of distress, loss, anxiety, sadness, isolation and frustration - all feelings that can be overwhelming and difficult to deal with. These feelings may affect all relationships - with a partner, relatives, friends and colleagues at work. They may also affect self-esteem and sexual relationships. Counselling is vital to give time and support, and to provide therapy to patients who experience these feelings and want help in dealing with them. Fertility counselling can often be a great stress reliever. During counselling strategies can be put in place to cope with a treatment cycle including the infamous two week wait. As a fertility counsellor I have observed that often men and women often deal with fertility issues very differently, women often feel very isolated and have a great need to talk about "things" again and again. It’s a way of coming to terms with what is happening and a way of processing information. Counselling can provide the support to enable this to happen. Men on the other hand like to talk about something briefly and find it hard to understand why this rather painful "thing" needs to be discussed again and again. Counselling can be a way of coping differently - it can be away of acknowledging you have different needs. I think counselling can be seen as a scary word - for some I think it implies you can’t cope - I much prefer to think of it as support at a very difficult time.
The Natural Fertility and Counselling Clinic is based in Peasmarsh, on the border of East Sussex and Kent, Victoria is also based at the South East Fertility Clinic in Tunbridge Wells where she is their nominated Counsellor and Fertility Advisor. Both of the clinics are easily accessible from Tunbridge Wells, Hastings, Ashford, Rye and Tenterden. Telephone consultations may be possible.
Stress occurs when our body reacts to a certain situation which puts us into defence mode to trigger the fight-or-flight response. In turn, this stimulates the adrenal glands to produce adrenaline and cortisol, increases heart rate and blood pressure, constricts non-essential blood vessels, and releases blood sugar which gives us the extra energy needed to fight or run for our lives. Many of the stresses we deal with today don’t involve life-threatening situations – but a lot of us find ourselves in continuous stressful situations, for instance, dealing with rush hour traffic, work difficulties, long working hours, financial worries, relationship problems, etc, etc. Our bodies are unable to switch off the fight-or-flight response so we interpret more and more things as being stressful, and eventually find ourselves in a permanent state of stress, which over a long period of time will lead to exhaustion and hormonal imbalances. Once we are at this stage, most of our body’s energy is spent on survival, maintenance and essential repairs and non-essential things like reproduction take a back seat until the body is back to a balanced state. Prolonged stress can have a profound effect on fertility in both women and men. The processes of ovulation and healthy sperm production depend on a complex balance of hormones and their interactions to be successful, and any disruption in these processes can hinder chances of conceiving. Doctors are now more looking to the idea that stress and sometimes "trying too hard" -- may actually play a role in up to 30% of all infertility problems. Well meaning friends will tell you to "relax" and "forget about it" all this type of advice is very stressful!! What you actually need is someone to give you strategies to use to reduce your stress levels.
Lifestyle changes can also have a huge impact on fertility, for example a study of 1,558 Danish men found that having a low or high Body Mass Index (BMI) was associated with a reduction in sperm concentration and total sperm count. A woman’s weight can affect her fertility too. In fact, weight issues account for about 12% of all infertility, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Studies have shown that pregnancy rates are approximately 30% lower in obese women undergoing IVF compared to women of normal weight. There has also recently (Jan 2009) been some new research that shows how testosterone-blocking chemicals are finding their way into waterways, this strengthens the link between water pollution and increasing male fertility problems, changing to bottled water can be a very simple but effective lifestyle change. There are many more lifestyle issues that effect fertility.
Diet is a very similar area, small changes can have a dramatic effect. For example in a new study cited in OBGYN News, a group of Harvard researchers found that 79% of infertile couples had a lower-than-average intake of foods high in antioxidants -- like fruits and vegetables. A healthy diet for fertility is most certainly different than one for general health and needs to be addressed individually and carefully. Including supplements in your diet can be a good way of balancing, detoxifying and supporting your body. Very often minor mineral deficiencies or high levels of toxins can have a major effect on fertility. The effect of toxic activity can be the development of endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage and unexplained infertility. The good news is "Yes, there are damaging and deadly toxins out there, but cleansing your body makes a world of difference,It really does help to implement twenty-first century solutions for twenty-first century problems." as said by Dr Jesse Hanley. With this in mind hair analysis can be a very effective tool. It can help by giving us clues when infertility is unexplained.
Natural Fertility Enhancement works well with conditions such as Unexplained Infertility, PCOS, Endometriosis, Male Factor Problems and Hormonal Problems. It is a superb way of supporting your body and maximising your fertility. There is a very fine balance between a positive and negative pregnancy test, it is vital to do everything possible to tip this balance. Natural Fertility Therapy is a way of looking at ones whole self in relation to fertility and not to look at each area in isolation.
COUNSELLING
The importance attached to counselling in infertility has increased a great deal over the past few years. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority states that counselling is a key element in the provision of infertility services. Everyone who works in the infertility field is aware of the intense emotional feelings experienced by the infertile couple, and the reactions to the stresses and strains of the treatment itself. Counselling is a process which helps patients explore, understand and gain insight into their feelings about what is happening to them in relation to their infertility. It is a place that offers support, empathy and acceptance of painful feelings in a non-judgmental and non-directive manner. The diagnosis of infertility can often feel like a life crisis, and may be very difficult to come to terms with. Many patients and couples experience feelings of distress, loss, anxiety, sadness, isolation and frustration - all feelings that can be overwhelming and difficult to deal with. These feelings may affect all relationships - with a partner, relatives, friends and colleagues at work. They may also affect self-esteem and sexual relationships. Counselling is vital to give time and support, and to provide therapy to patients who experience these feelings and want help in dealing with them. Fertility counselling can often be a great stress reliever. During counselling strategies can be put in place to cope with a treatment cycle including the infamous two week wait. As a fertility counsellor I have observed that often men and women often deal with fertility issues very differently, women often feel very isolated and have a great need to talk about "things" again and again. It’s a way of coming to terms with what is happening and a way of processing information. Counselling can provide the support to enable this to happen. Men on the other hand like to talk about something briefly and find it hard to understand why this rather painful "thing" needs to be discussed again and again. Counselling can be a way of coping differently - it can be away of acknowledging you have different needs. I think counselling can be seen as a scary word - for some I think it implies you can’t cope - I much prefer to think of it as support at a very difficult time.
The Natural Fertility and Counselling Clinic is based in Peasmarsh, on the border of East Sussex and Kent, Victoria is also based at the South East Fertility Clinic in Tunbridge Wells where she is their nominated Counsellor and Fertility Advisor. Both of the clinics are easily accessible from Tunbridge Wells, Hastings, Ashford, Rye and Tenterden. Telephone consultations may be possible.
