Mind Body Baby

Hospital visits, calendar watching, disheartening test results and scheduled sex can make trying for a baby a stressful experience, and the strain it puts on couples and individuals struggling with infertility can impact hugely on the likelihood of successful conception.

With an approach that puts wellbeing at the heart of fertility, this easy-to-follow guide by top fertility specialist Ann Bracken offers a proven successful alternative to formal counselling. Her comprehensive and supportive book gives help and guidance on how to enhance and improve the outcome.

With a focus on mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques, which have been scientifically proven to help overcome the stress and anxiety associated with fertility problems, the author examines the emotional issues around fertility and conception and offers step-by-step exercises to help readers improve their chances of conceiving. With a whole chapter on nutrition by renowned nutritionist Dr Marilyn Glenville, the integrated mind/body approach in this book offers a plan for the best possible chance of getting pregnant.

Offering the perfect blend of emotional support and practical advice on lifestyle changes for infertility this is a must-have book for every couple hoping to get pregnant, written by an expert author with years of experience as a Fertility Counsellor and Mindfulness-Based Therapist.

'After 20 years of supporting fertility patients I am convinced that an integrated mind-body approach delivers the best outcome. Ann Bracken has a practical and compassionate approach, as demonstrated in her brilliant new book. It is a much-needed antidote to the all-too-often stressful and soul-searching path to parenthood. I will be recommending it to my fertility patients'

Emma Cannon, integrated fertility and pregnancy expert, acupuncturist and author of The Baby-Making Bible

'All too often the management of reproductive health is seen through the narrow prism of a particular clinician or clinic. This book provides the perfect balance outlining the integrative mind and body approach and provides an essential complement to the medical aspects of the fertility journey'

Dr James Nicopoullos, Consultant Gynaecologist & Subspecialist in Reproductive Medicine, The Lister Clinic, Lister Hospital, Chelsea, London

'Ann Bracken expertly shows readers how to weave mindfulness into their lives to help them take care of their wellbeing as they live through a challenging process. Her book includes a great deal else besides, but I was impressed by how she makes mindfulness so readily accessible.'

Padraig O'Morain, mindfulness teacher and psychotherapist, author of Mindfulness on the Go, Mindfulness for Worriers

Ann Bracken is currently a Fertility Counsellor & Psychotherapist at world-renowned London fertility clinic, The Lister Fertility Clinic, which is part of The Lister Hospital. She previously worked as a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and Fertility Counsellor in SIMS IVF (2011-14), Ireland's largest fertility clinic, and has had many years' experience working within national health settings (UK and Ireland) as a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Therapist. Ann qualified at Harvard University in Mind/Body Programme Training (specific to fertility support) under world-renowned psychologist and Mind/Body Programme pioneer, Dr Alice Domar, who is Director of Mind/Body Services at Boston IVF, and is contributing a foreword to this book. In addition, nutritionist and women's health expert Marilyn Glenville is contributing a chapter on nutrition and will give the book support on her website www.marilynglenville.com

Ann also runs an international online Fertility Counselling and Psychotherapy service at www.fertilitycounsellingonline.com