Mind & Body Wellness and the Fertility Journey

At Atlantic Reproductive Medicine, we know that infertility can be stressful for individuals and couples. The fertility journey can bring challenges and disappointments, and evoke a range of emotions, including frustration, anger, sadness, guilt, and anxiety.

The stress associated with infertility can affect various aspects of a person’s life, including their mental and emotional well-being, relationships, self-esteem, and overall quality of life.

We feel it is important for individuals and couples experiencing infertility to seek support, both emotionally and medically. We have developed professional partnerships to help our patients maintain optimal wellness.

Click on the links below to find wellness resources:

Mental Health:

Wellness treatments:

    Self-Nurturing Tips for Your Fertility Journey

    While you are on your fertility journey at Atlantic Reproductive Medicine, it is important to focus on optimizing your wellness, both physically and mentally:
    • Strive to get at least seven hours of sleep a night
    • Eat a healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables
    • Exercise daily for muscle tone, flexibility, and weight control
    • Avoid putting toxins in your body such as alcohol, cannabis, vapes, tobacco
    • Practice routine self-nurturing behaviors such as walking, meditation, listening to music

    Professional Counseling

    Atlantic Reproductive Medicine works closely with the following psychologists who have expertise in reproductive medicine:

    Ryan Blazei, Ph.D.

    Licensed Psychologist

    539 Keisler Dr., Suite 201
    Cary, NC 27518
    www.ryanwblazeiphd.com
    (919) 720-1452

    Toni Nicolsen, LMFT

    Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
    Member of American Society of Reproductive Medicine

    8313 Six Forks Road, Suite 211
    Raleigh, NC 27615
    www.seasonsoflifetherapyservices.com
    (919) 752-8629

    Christina Celeste Rush, Ph.D.

    Clinical Psychologist
    Member of American Society of Reproductive Medicine

    1002 North Church Street
    Greensboro, NC 27401
    christinarushphd.com
    christina@christinarushphd.com
    (919) 451-0570

    Julia Woodward, Ph.D.

    Clinical Psychologist
    Director of the Duke Fertility Center’s Psychological Services Program

    5601 Arringdon Park Drive, Suite 210
    Durham, NC 27560
    Website
    (919) 572-8853

    Support Groups

    Birds of a Feather Los Angeles – General Infertility Support Group

    The group is open to all people going through infertility (LGBTQ+ friendly and Transgender safe space) at any stage of their family building.

    Date & Time: Meets on the first Saturday of every month at 10:30 AM PT.
    Location: Virtual (Open to all, regardless of location)
    Sign Up

    Choice Moms Your Unique Path to Parenthood

    This group is for women that are thinking about becoming Choice Moms (Single Moms By Choice).

    Date & Time: Meets the fourth Monday of every month at 6:00 P.M. PST.
    Location: Virtual (Open to all, regardless of location)
    Sign Up

    Focused Virtual Support for Men

    This group is open to men seeking peer-to-peer support with infertility and family building.

    Date & Time: Meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 7:30 to 9:00 PM.
    Location: Virtual (Open to all, regardless of location)
    Sign Up

    Navigating Infertility, Treatments, and Loss with Grace Infertility Foundation

    This peer-led support group serves as a safe space for women who have been diagnosed with infertility and are navigating this journey without support.

    Date & Time: Meets the second Wednesday of every month from 6:30-8:00 PM.
    Location: Virtual (Open to all, regardless of location)
    Sign Up

    RESOLVE Tampa IVF Support Group

    This group is for women experiencing infertility and are pursuing IVF.

    Date & Time: Meets the 1st Thursday of the month from 6:30-8:00 PM ET.
    Location: Virtual (Open to all, regardless of location)
    Sign Up

    Candid Conversations Support Group

    This fertility group is a peer-to-peer support group for fertility-related candid conversations. 

    Date & Time: Meets the first Thursday of the month from 7:00-8:00 PM ET.
    Location: Virtual
    Sign Up

     

    Support Organizations

    Atlantic Reproductive Medicine recommends to our patients the resources and professionals at Resolve: The National Infertility Organization.

    Resolve offers peer-led and professionally-led support groups which are a safe space to meet others facing similar struggles with infertility and family building. ARMS patients can find a virtual or in-person support group in the Resolve directory.

    For more information on resolve, click here: resolve.org

    Sexual Health and Couple Counseling

    For our patients in need of sexual health and couple counseling, Atlantic Reproductive Medicine recommends Laurie Watson, PhD, MA, LMFT, LCMHC at Awakenings.

    Dr. Watson, the Director of Awakenings, is a certified sex therapist, Doctor of Sexology, certified EFT therapist, and a certified addictions specialist from IICS. She has thirty years of experience working with couples and individuals about love and sex. 

    Awakenings Counseling

    Learn more about Awakenings and Dr. Watson here: awakeningscenter.org

    Nutrition & Weight Management Counseling

    Atlantic Reproductive recommends our patients to the following online nutritional counselors.

    From trying to conceive through managing a healthy diet throughout pregnancy to establishing a healthy nutritionally balanced routine after having a baby, the nutrition experts below work to craft an evidence-based plan that actually works for your unique needs. Through regular check-ins and follow-up appointments, they track your progress and help you adjust your plan accordingly.

    LifeStyle Medical Center

    (onsite/virtual consultation)

    1520 Sunday Drive, Suite 209, Raleigh, NC 27607
    lifestylemedicalcenters.com
    (919) 354-7077

    Elemental Bloom
    Thursall Cellé, FNTP

    Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner
    elementalbloom.com
    info@elementalbloom.com
    (919) 249-8282

    Elemental Bloom

    A Healthier You
    Kimberly King, FNTP

    Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, MS Microbiology
    ahealthieryou.online
    info@elementalbloom.com
    (919) 249-8282

    A Healthier You Logo

    Acupuncture and Fertility

    Many of our patients at Atlantic Reproductive Medicine have found acupuncture to be a relaxing and helpful treatment during their fertility journey.

    We are proud to partner with Triangle Acupuncture Clinic and all their board-certified acupuncturists.

    Triangle Acupuncture Clinic has years of experience administering specialized acupuncture techniques that may help with irregular periods, and may enhance the fertility of both women and men.

    Triangle Acupuncture Clinic

    Triangle Acupuncture Clinic
    (919) 854-7311 (Raleigh)
    (919) 933-4480 (Chapel Hill)

    triangle acupuncture clinic logo

    Potential benefits of fertility acupuncture

    Women who undergo fertility acupuncture sessions can experience:

    •  An Increase in Ovarian Blood Flow.  Over the course of a woman’s life, the flow of blood to the ovaries slows down. Acupuncture may increase ovarian blood flow which in turn may help develop follicles.
    • A Regulated Menstrual Cycle. Irregular periods are an issue for many women, regardless of their health. Missed periods can make it challenging to determine your fertile window (the time when ovulation occurs and conception is most likely). Fertility acupuncture can help balance and regulate your menstrual cycle.
    • Stress Relief. The stress of dealing with reproductive issues can build up and potentially affect fertility. Stress can affect the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates hormone production. When stress is high for extended periods of time, the hypothalamus may suppress the release of certain hormones necessary for ovulation, thereby disrupting your menstrual cycle and making it more difficult to conceive.

    Stress can also reduce sex drive thereby reducing the frequency of sexual activity and the chances of conception.

    Men who undergo fertility acupuncture sessions may also benefit from acupuncture:

    • Stress Relief. Stress in men can affect sperm production, motility, and quality of sperm, potentially reducing fertility.

     On-site Acupuncture Treatments during Embryo Transfers

    As a special service to Atlantic Reproductive Medicine patients, Triangle Acupuncturists can come to our clinic on the day of our patients’ embryo transfers for an acupuncture treatment.

    Please contact Triangle Acupuncture Clinic directly if you are interested in setting up an onsite appointment during your embryo transfer.

    Wellness Massage

    Massage therapy is a unique blend of art and science that can relieve stress, clear the mind, and soothe the body during one’s fertility journey.

    Whether you are just exploring fertility treatments, feeling stress during your fertility journey, or experiencing back pain during, massage can be an important part of your wellness program.

    Atlantic Reproductive works closely with the following wholistic reproductive massage therapist: