Fertility holidays the latest hot trend to catch on in Ireland

ALTERNATIVE RETREATS: THE FERTILITY HOLIDAY is the latest trend for women who want children but have had difficulty becoming pregnant.

After five years of treating and counselling Irishwomen with fertility problems, Deborah Corradino has created a new travel product, "the fertility retreat".

The first one, named Fertile Ground, will be held between October 17th and 19th at Temple Country Retreat and Spa, in Moate, Co Westmeath.

A pregnancy cannot be guaranteed, of course, but, after some success with her own clients, Corradino is convinced that learning to fully relax through yoga and eastern therapies such as acupuncture, meditation, nutrition and Chinese medicine - plus some old-fashioned pampering - can improve women's chances.

"Fertile Ground offers women access to alternative perspectives to the standard western medical approach to infertility treatment.

"Whether you are trying to conceive naturally or undergoing assisted-reproduction methods, we offer workshops and retreats that will help to empower women to enhance their own fertility," says Corradino, a licensed acupuncturist who also has a master's degree in public-health medicine.

"Dealing with infertility can be lonely and isolating. Women may not even discuss the issue with their own families, so spending time sharing with other women will be one aspect of the experience.

"A lot of the women I see are going for fertility treatment at various clinics. What they really need is to relax a bit. Doctors tell them to relax, but they don't offer them a mode of doing so."

The weekend will cost €500 if booked by September 15th and €550 thereafter, with a single-room supplement of €50.

The cost includes two nights' accommodation, healthy and organic breakfasts and evening meals, all classes and lectures, two acupuncture treatments and unlimited use of the Vitality spa. In the US male partners participate fully at such retreats, however, while men are welcome to stay at the spa with their partners, Corradino says that, as yet, men won't be taking part in the yoga and therapies.

www.templespa.ie,

www.deborahcorradino.com

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times