Services
Supporting Your Fertility Journey
Navigating fertility challenges can be overwhelming. I offer a safe, compassionate space to explore your emotions, build resilience, and regain a sense of control throughout your unique path.
You’re Not Alone in This Journey
There are lots of paths in life that we never envision joining, and the path of infertility, or more often fertility struggles is one of these. We spend most of our lives trying not to get pregnant, or being told by others around us that it is not the right time. So when that moment of trying to start a family begins, and it doesn´t happen immediately, it can shatter our world into pieces. The longer it takes, the more downhearted we feel, and finding ways to manage the accompanying emotional and physical strain becomes harder.
Those around us tend to make insensitive comments or ask inappropriate questions like “just relax”. Maybe you´re struggling to get that positive test, you've experienced a loss or going through an Assisted Reproductive Technology (IUI or IVF cycle), the grief is very real. But it oftens feels unrecognised by the outside world, accompanied by our own sense of shame and guilt. It is hard coming to terms with things (maybe you never imagined a medical intervention), and feeling confused about who we are and feeling like our bodies have failed us.
Although no one can predict the length of your unique journey, or if you will reach your desired outcome, you could still experience moments of peace, empowerment and visions for the future, and prevent depression from taking over your life.
What I can offer support with
A Safe Space for Your Thoughts and Fears
A safe space to discuss anything that's on your mind. This could be telling me about your difficulties conceiving , your fears, dealing with others, treatment fears, discussing what happened and how you felt during a medical appointment or how you are feeling about some particular test results you had back. We could talk about what might be causing you anxiety, for example a particular procedure.
Understanding the Science Behind It All
Offering support in understanding scientific concepts and terminology through balanced strategies for accessing reliable information and resources.
Finding Emotional Balance Through the Journey
Support and understanding of your emotions during your journey or after a loss, and finding your unique coping resources, which could include mindfulness techniques, mantras, positive affirmations or visualisations. These coping resources could also help prepare your body for challenging stages of treatment by helping to lower anxiety, depresion or to equip you to deal with potential side-effects. Different things will work for different people. We can look at situations that evoke strong emotions such as anger and bitterness, and explore how to manage them when they arise. This might be inquisitive relatives asking unpleasant questions, or coping with pregnancy announcements.
Focusing on What You Can Control
Help recognising what we have control over and what you don´t. For example, you could control your diet, or how to handle an IVF cycle by taking the shots at the right time, but we can´t control how many eggs will get fertilised.
Identifying and Managing Stressors in Your Daily Life
Stressors could be anything from work difficulties, to communication with your partner. Depending on what is causing you stress in your life, we can look at what could work. CBT techniques such as cognitive restructuring, finding ways to be mindful/in the present moment, or just practical solutions might work.
Rebuilding Confidence and Identity
Help you maintain or redefine your identity and work to build your self confidence, so that you can get through those anxious moments.
Rebuilding Confidence and Identity
Focus on non-baby related goals for the future and keep alternative family building options in mind. I believe it is very important to always have other positive ambitions along the journey. Looking at alternative options for a baby doesn´t mean you have to act on them now, it's just to have the knowledge that it's there.
