| One of the key stages involving IVF treatment is the | | | | Practise deep breathing exercises. Find out through a |
| stimulation of the ovaries through the injection of a | | | | book or online what the best breathing exercises are |
| hormone called FSH. This is to cause the ovaries to | | | | for you. Count the seconds during a normal inhalation, |
| produce several eggs (as opposed to the usual one | | | | hold your breath for a few seconds and then count |
| egg per cycle) and thereby increase the chances of | | | | again while you exhale. Find what pattern of |
| success in your IVF treatment. | | | | breathing makes you feel the most relaxed. |
| After the eggs have been collected and two have | | | | Eliminate tension systematically by tensing and then |
| been fertilised and replaced in the uterus the patient | | | | relaxing each set of muscles in turn. Start with your |
| is usually administered progesterone in order to | | | | feet by alternately curling and then stretching your |
| maximise the chances of the IVF treatment being | | | | toes and ankles. After a few seconds relax them |
| successful. This is a hormone suppressant which | | | | completely. Move on to your legs by |
| diminishes the chances of the ovaries releasing an | | | | tensing-stretching them for several seconds and then |
| egg on the next cycle that would interfere with the | | | | relaxing them. And so on up your body - stomach, |
| IVF eggs. | | | | chest area, arms and hands, and neck. |
| So having first stimulated the ovaries, the treatment | | | | All this time it's essential to breathe properly. Take |
| switches to suppressing their natural functions, and, | | | | deep breaths, hold for a few seconds, and then |
| not surprisingly, this sometimes results in one or two | | | | breathe out, as rhythmically as you can. You'll soon |
| unwelcome side effects. Very occasionally you can | | | | find a rhythm that suits you. Doing this whole |
| suffer from Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome, | | | | exercise once a day will help you immensely. Doing it |
| which is potentially a serious condition for which there | | | | twice will be even better. |
| is specialist treatment and which is not covered in this | | | | In addition to this, your partner should be aware of |
| brief article. | | | | these possible side effects, so he can understand |
| More common side effects are mood swings, hot | | | | better what is causing any change in your behaviour. |
| flushes (or flashes), cold feet, high blood pressure, | | | | As to the more physical effects you may suffer - |
| anxiety, insomnia, headaches, and irritability. Is there | | | | the headaches, hot flushes, insomnia and anxiety, the |
| anything that can be done to overcome these | | | | acupressure (similar to acupuncture but without the |
| conditions? Fortunately there is, and a couple of | | | | needles) exercise here will help bring relief. |
| simple exercises are set out below. | | | | Locate the two hollows at the base of your skull |
| You should realise first that you are both going | | | | about two or three inches apart on either side of the |
| through a stressful, highly charged, situation in which | | | | back of your neck. With your thumbs, press gently |
| your emotions are being stretched. These side | | | | at first (firmer later) into these hollows for up to a |
| effects are only temporary and will probably not last | | | | minute, breathing deeply and relaxing. Doing this once |
| the full length of your pregnancy. So try and keep it | | | | or twice a day helps relieve hot flushes, irritability, |
| all in perspective and comfort yourself by keeping | | | | neck pains and stiffness, and headaches. |
| this in mind. Mood swings, irritability and insomnia are | | | | Hot flushes, breathing difficulties, anxiety and |
| best dealt with by taking time out every day to | | | | depression can be relieved by doing the same to the |
| relax. Whether you sit in a comfortable chair or | | | | two hollows at the top of your chest on either side |
| cross-legged on a rug doesn't matter, as long as you | | | | just below the collarbone and next to the |
| can release any pent-up emotions and stress. | | | | breastbone. |