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The Facts to Relax
How to Cope With the Stress of Infertility
By Gwen Morrison
With more than five million U.S. citizens of childbearing age experiencing infertility problems, it is likely that you know someone battling the issue. It is also likely that you have heard of couples finally conceiving after they just "relaxed." According to RESOLVE (The National Fertility Association), this is why most infertility specialists will not treat a couple until they have tried to conceive for at least one full year.
"As anyone who has experienced infertility can attest, what happens to our bodies directly affects our sense of well-being, security and optimism," says Barbara Blitzer, LCSW-C, M.Ed., a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist who developed a program for women using stress reduction, psychotherapy and mind/body techniques to relax. "It's also true that the last thing that an infertile couple wants to hear is 'Just relax.' There is often a medical problem and a personal crisis occurring that must be taken seriously."
Blitzer, who works with groups, individuals and couples in the Washington, D.C. area, combines fertility-focused psychotherapy and instruction in mind/body techniques including imagery, breathing techniques, meditative practices, drawing, journaling and energy therapies.
"We are working to alleviate emotional conflict which not only causes discomfort, but can create additional physiological consequences," says Blitzer. "There are a variety of approaches, and part of the process is to identify what will work in any given individual's lifestyle."
Emily North of Takoma Park, Md., says she truly has no idea how or why she became pregnant. Having resolved herself to the idea that she would never give birth to her own child, she decided in September of 2000 that she would adopt. "I got pregnant in January of 2002," she says. "I think finding ways to relax helps with the stress of trying to get pregnant. I used several techniques when working with Barbara Blitzer and WomanWise. Barbara used a lot of guided imagery to look at the issues of infertility. This addressed the psychological issues. I was also seeing an acupuncturist and found that to be extremely relaxing physically."
