Fertility Massage
This page is about how massage can support you while you are trying to conceive. You don't have to be defined as "infertile" to benefit....
What is infertility and how common is it?
Infertility as the inability to conceive despite trying for two years (NICE 2004). However, some authorities define infertility when trying to conceive for a year, or in women over 40, for six months. In a broader sense infertility can also include those who are not able to carry a pregnancy to term. It is estimated that one in seven UK couples has difficulty conceiving, approximately 3.5 million people (HFEA, 2006).
There are many biological causes of infertility, some which may be bypassed with medical intervention. In people going forward for IVF in the UK, roughly half of fertility problems with a diagnosed cause are due to problems with the man, and about half due to problems with the woman. However, about one in five cases of infertility have no clear diagnosed cause (HFEA).
Massage and bodywork
I am passionate about massage and bodywork, and I believe that massage has a lot to offer to you while you are trying to conceive. At this moment you may want to wait and see what happens, try fertility awareness, start on the route to IVF or are well into IVF - massage can help you on your journey. Obviously I can't promise that you'll have a baby a year later, but hopefully massage and bodywork will have supported you along the way. Massage can help you
- to relax, decreasing stress and tension
- to connect with your inner wisdom, getting in touch with your rhythm, being at home within yourself, and becoming clear about the next step
- to let go of blockages, emotional, mental and physical
- make time to let something new into your life
There are several possible ways massage can help you, below I'll outline a few:
Stress
Stress can be a major issue when you are trying to conceive, and women in this situation often have clinical depression rates similar to women who have heart disease or cancer (Domar, 1993). Also couples undertaking IVF face considerable stress (Beutel, 1999). This is where massage can be of great help. Regular massage can reduce stress levels considerably by not only relaxing you physically but also mentally and emotionally. It helps you to make space in your life, go inwards, relax and unwind - ready to face what is next – may it be conception, IVF, or letting go.
Belly massage
During the massage we can work on your abdomen. This may be gentle holding – sensing what is happening at this very instance, perhaps a letting go, allowing healing and connection to happen. Or it could be slow, deep work, inviting you release tension in your digestive system and other abdominal organs. Or it could be a combination of the two.... You are in control, you decide on the depth and speed of the massage – and obviously how far it is right for you at that very moment to let go – there is no right or wrong.
Work on the lymph system
We could work on the lymphatic system using Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) or Aromatherapy Lymphatic Massage. This will help you to be in great shape when you conceive.
Reflexology
Reflexology can support you before conception, during IVF and of course once you are pregnant. Apart from the relaxing effects of Reflexology, we can work on reflexes of organs associated with fertility, such as the pituitary gland (for the hormones) or the Fallopian tubes.
The best gift this gave me was to appreciate the one beautiful daughter I do have. Thanks so much for this."
Sandra, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Whether or not you decide to have massage or bodywork, I wish you the best. Maybe I'll see you later during pregnancy, or post-natally, or just for a bit of de-stressing.
Should you wish to contact me, you can phone me on 0115 845 7113 or contact me via the contact form.
I look forward to hearing from you.
With warm regards,
Regina
PS There are other local people who are keen to help. Nicky Grace from Wise Ways, offers Natural Fertility Awareness Tuition.
Women who are fertile experience a natural period of fertility before and during ovulation, and they are naturally infertile during the rest of the menstrual cycle. Fertility awareness methods are used to discern when these changes occur by tracking changes in cervical mucus or basal body temperature. She offers either individual tuition or classes in this method. She will also advise you about diet and other lifestyle issues which might maximize the likelihood of conception.
