Mind & Body Wellness and the Fertility Journey

Click on the links below to find wellness resources:

Mental Health:

• Professional counseling
• Support organizations
• Sexual and Couple Counseling

Wellness treatments:

• Nutrition & Weight Management
• Acupuncture & Fertility
• Wellness Massage

Self-Nurturing Tips for Your Fertility Journey

• 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. Rachel Eshel, PsyD is available to see patients at our clinic for their convenience as well as via telehealth.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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: