Hypnosis for What???

Fertility hypnosis. 

Apart from the usual (and eye rollingly annoying) “Ooooh, don’t look in my eyes” when I tell people what I do for a living, there are also many predefined ideas of what people seek hypnotherapy for. 

Quitting smoking?  Yes. 

Fear of flying? Sure.

Boosting self-confidence and self-esteem? Absolutely!

Browse around any hypnotherapists website (yes, even mine) and you’ll soon notice that the range of issues hypnosis can treat is both wide and eclectic.  

But Hypnotherapy for Fertility?  Really?

Let’s explore this a little more...

It’s no secret that, for some people, the journey towards conception, pregnancy and eventual parenthood can be a consuming one both emotionally and physically. 

Some people who have been trying to conceive (or  abbreviated as TTC in many online forums)  often describe their journey as an obsession. Many of these couples are driven towards and choose choose IVF, which is a journey in and of itself. 

An Obsession....  of course it is - and why wouldn't it be?  It is a journey which is underpinned by a deep biological yearning to be a parent – really... no more needs to be said.

As a means to support this journey, hypnotherapy is a gentle & flexible therapy which can be tailored to support women and couples at whatever stage they are in their journey towards pregnancy and parenthood.

So, how exactly can hypnosis increase the chances of Pregnancy?

1.   Reduce Stress and Anxiety

  1. The potential for stress and anxiety when conception is taking longer than expected or medical intervention is involved is huge.  The attachment to the outcome of becoming a parent can be enormous, and so it is normal to feel such a response, however, finding ways to manage this stress can be hugely beneficial.

    Studies have shown that stress can actually have a detrimental effect on a couples chances of conception.  The exact reasons why stress and anxiety affect fertility so much are still unclear – it could be an evolutionary response, or stress could affect the balance of hormones in the body. 

    Whatever the cause, it is important that stress and anxiety levels are managed and decreased to improve your chances of achieving pregnancy.

2.  Change Behaviours which Impede Chances of Conception

  1. Some behaviours and lifestyle choices can greatly affect chances of conception.  Some examples include food choices/diet, tobacco use, alcohol or even the regularity (or irregularity) of sex for whatever reason. 

    Now, I say lifestyle choices, but if a person is continuing with a behaviour which they consciously know is impeding their ability achieve something they desire with their entire being - to have a baby - then that behaviour isn’t really a choice after all is it. 

    The chances are that this behaviour is rooted in something deeper and needs some unconscious processing in order to be unravelled, dissolved and replaced with new and more useful behaviours.   Hypnotherapy is an excellent tool for rewiring behaviours that we haven’t been able to change with conscious effort alone, and engaging new and useful behaviours to support you on your fertility journey.

3.  Facilitate the Mind/Body Connection

  1. Well, I say the mind/body connection, but in actuality it is all part of the same system.  Our unconscious processes mean that our heart beats, our temperature is maintained and our breathing regulates itself without a single conscious thought from you. 

    It is this same unconscious system which regulates our fertility cycles, balances our hormones and prepares our bodies for the possibility of conception. 

    During hypnotherapy, it’s possible to tap into these unconscious processes, to have a gentle word with our unconscious.  To thank it for everything it has done so far and, at the same time, make suggestions for new and more useful behaviours it can adopt.  In terms of fertility this can relate to hormonal balance in the body, for example, the healthy thickening of the lining of the uterus in readiness for conception or the regulation of fertility cycles. 

    In terms of hypnotherapy, this concept is nothing new.  hypnosis has been proved to reduce the sensation of pain, ease muscular spasms, strengthen immunity, reduce histamine reactions and is also used to increase essential hormones for birthing mothers.  These are all very physical things and the premise of these same techniques can be harnessed to develop the best environment possible for you in which pregnancy can occur.

4.  Eliminate Fears

  1. In the same way that stress and anxiety can be major contributing factors when it comes to fertility, fears can also have the same effect.  One specific fear is ‘tokophobia’ –the fear of pregnancy and, specifically, birth.  Of course any fears, whether to do with pregnancy, birth or parenthood... these reside in our unconscious and have the potential to reduce chances of conception.

    You see, your unconscious mind, and the physical processes it takes care of, are constantly working towards what it thinks is best for you.  So imagine this - A woman may feel deeply that a part of her wants to have a baby. At the same time, another part of her is holding onto a deep fear which could become a reality if a pregnancy was achieved.  However, once a fear or phobia has been resolved, there is no longer conflict, therefore clearing the emotional field for greater fertility success.

Finding the Right Hypnotherapist - Where to Begin.

  • Make sure that any hypnotherapist you choose is a member of a registered body such as the General Hypnotherapy Register.  This way, you know that they have undertaken extensive training and are committed to their own professional development.
  • Find someone who works specifically within the field of fertility as a specialism.  This way you can be confident that your hypnotherapist holds a sound understanding of the challenges you are experiencing.
  • If you can get a recommendation from someone, then do.  Ask around if you can - local forums and social media groups are a good way to do this.
  • Finally, have a conversation with any potential Hypnotherapist first.  This way you can gauge if they are the right person to help support you on your fertility journey - a sound relationship based on trust and respect really is the thing that will help you, and your body, to make all the right shifts.

Ruth Olayinka is a clinical hypnotherapist specialising in birth preparation, fertility support & resolving birth trauma, working with women and families throughout Tyne & Wear, Northumberland and County Durham.