The effect of hypnofertility on fertility preparedness, stress and coping with stress in women undergoing in vitro fertilization

Aim: This research was conducted to determine the effect of hypnofertility on fertility preparedness, stress and coping with stress in women undergoing in vitro fertilization. Material and Method: This research was conducted with women applied to Malatya Gözde Academy Hospital between February 2019 and July 2020 for IVF treatment. Womens were assigned to groups by simple randomization. The sample size was calculated by performing power analysis to be of at least 100 infertile women (50 experiments, 50 controls). Relaxation, visualization, imagination and affirmation and techniques based on the hypnofertility philosophy were applied to women in the experimental group in four stages. Data were obtained through Personal İnformation Form, Fertility Preparedness Scale, The COMPI Fertility Problem Stress Scales and The COMPI Coping Strategy Scales. In statistical evaluation; descriptive statistics and ttest in dependent-independent groups analysis were used. Results: After the hypnofertility intervention the Fertility Preparedness Scale positive emotions and thoughts sub-dimension mean score was higher in women in the experimental group than in the control group (p<0.05). In addition, it was determined that the hypnofertility intervention applied during IVF treatment caused a significant decrease in the level of infertility stress in women in the experimental group, and the methods of active-confronting and passive-avoidance are more used among the experimental group than the control group (p <0.05). Conclusion: It has been determined that interventions based on the hypnofertility philosophy increase the level of preparedness to fertility, decrease the stress level and provide effective coping with stress in women who underwent IVF. Key Words: Coping with stress, fertility preparedness, in vitro fertilization, hypnofertility, midwifery, stress.