[circle+bloom]

By way of quick introduction, I am no longer TTC but am still consumed by the question of "trying" (and stress) and the effects on our fertility. I have PCOS and had a hell of a time with my second child getting pregnant. The depression and stress of the process was enormous - it really just consumed me. This all-consuming negative-ness from my inability to conceive - I am sure does not come as any surprise to my fellow friends on this forum.

Anyway, when a good friend of mine started going through the same process about a year later...I needed to help her. Knowing how stressed of a life she led, I first started doing research on the stress and infertility connection. It was also around the time when I rediscovered the mind/body connection and how we could tap into it to enhance fertility. The most startling discovery for me was the fact that the hypothalamus - which is the size of an almond - is the regulator of BOTH stress and fertility. How can they NOT be connected?

More or less connecting the dots, my thought was if we could both enter a state of deep relaxation AND tap into the mindbody connection on a daily basis to improve fertility, why wouldn't we?

For me, it was words and music to help me do a progressive body scan and then visualizing what is happening (or should be happening) in my body during that part of the cycle - utilizing the cerebral cortex to heal the body (see Dr. Weil on this!)....I also took up journaling to record my thoughts in a stream of consciousness.. I am about to start yoga and I think that is also a terrific way to relax.

What are some other ways that people use to remove stress from the equation? Or do you think that stress plays a role? What about the mind/body connection?

[bistro]

Hello!

I am one of those people who refuses to believe that stress actually plays a role in infertility, but I do believe it is important to manage stress during the process in order to stay sane. The reason I don't believe that stress plays a part is because all of the success stories about getting pregnant "on a break" or "after adopting" are anecdotal. There is no statistical backing that I can tell.

That said, I do think that I have read that rates are higher with yoga and a few other typical stress relievers. I even read one study where clowns were brought in and rates were improved. I do not believe that is because stress levels are lower, I think there is something else about these processes that helps. For example, I do a lot of yoga. If and when I get pregnant, I think the yoga will have helped me become more fit, more centered, and get more oxygen into me. I think certain parts of my body will be more open. While I am less stressed while doing the yoga, Lord knows I am still stressed in general.

[anhtquest0524]

Hello!

After reading several articles that say there is no connections with stress and fertility, I have several friends that have fallen pregnant after they stopped trying and just began BD'ing whenever they wanted to. It seems as if you take your mind off of the thoughts of not being able to achieve something that you really want, it suddenly happens. I have had no luck, but hopeful everyone will get their and we will no longer stress about this difficult situation.

[bistro]

anhtquest0524 - I really feel like those type of stories are anectodal, like the adoption ones. Statistically speaking, people "on a break" are not more likely to conceive. If that were the case, I would have taken a break a long time ago! We all would have!

Now if someone can find me some stats on taking a break. . . I will HAPPILY take one!

[wallace1]

Finding lots of quiet time to just breathe and meditate has helped me a lot. I also listen to self-hypnosis type cd's with headphones on. I actually started doing this when I was ttc. I do believe that it was a factor in my success. At the very least it made me feel better!