 As a successful fertility coach – and former midwife – I welcome a new study urging doctors to recommend fertility coaching to women and men facing infertility and preparing for IVF. Â
What is Fertility Coaching?
My fertility coaching combines my clinical rôles of counselor, hypnotherapist, educator, researcher, patient advocate and supporter to enhance your natural fertility and boost IVF success. Tailored to your needs, I seek to restore your hope and confidence in your body, while reducing the anxiety caused by infertility.
Many of my clients are busy women and men. Infertility takes a huge toll on confidence, self-esteem and relationships. Standard fertility treatments provide no guarantee of pregnancy – or babies so it makes sense to make sure you’re in the best shape you can be, physically and mentally.
Time is precious and each month without a pregnancy adds to the fear of time running out.
Typically I see clients who’ve been trying to get pregnant for 3-10 years. That’s a lot of failed cycles and a huge build-up of disappointment and frustration. We work together in a few as 10 sessions to make important changes, reduce anxiety and deal with individual issues. No two people have the same story or need the same help.
Women trying to conceive can feel defeated and lose hope – and lose that sense of who they are. All kinds of unhelpful feelings arise. Being so focussed on trying to conceive and doing all the right things is isolates and creates tunnel vision. They feel they’ve failed, that their body is letting them down with the most important thing in life – having a baby. Infertility can make or break a relationship.
In my 10-session Fertility Coaching programme I combine hypnotherapy, EMDR counseling  and my expertise in helping couples conceive, often when all else has failed.
The plan is to get a new perspective on life, to feel more in control, break down problems into manageable chunks and remove any subconscious roadblocks to conceiving.
A new study in The Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, (Vol 36, Issue 2 31 March 2015) shows stress and events in childhood  impact a woman’s fertility later in Life. life. Fertility may be ‘switched off’ after a woman has a child. Fertility therapy seeks find the cause of this and kickstart your reproductive system.
Physically, when the chronic stress caused by infertility is reduced, the body re-activates hormonal balance in a whole new way.
I work with each person for a healthy, happy  pregnancy and birth  – and to live well while waiting.
Many couples use fertility coaching to prepare for IVF abroad, for donor egg and sperm IVF, surrogacy and adoption planning.
When plans fail
The reality is that conception, pregnancy and birth don’t always go to plan.
I help women recover from miscarriage and from traumatic birth, after c-section and forceps deliveries.
My fertility coaching goes way beyond the ‘bfp’ because I’m an experienced midwife, trained to care for women from first period right through to menopause. I trained as a coach at Dublin City University.
The positive pregnancy test is the beginning of a new chapter and comes with it’s own concerns and fears. Early pregnancy and new motherhood are wonderful and sometimes a bit daunting!
Too many women feel isolated and overwhelmed by their infertility journey. Male partners feel sidelined. It can take years to recover from the emotional impact of infertility. A recent Danish study discovered that  women who have babies after successful IVF are 5 times more likely to get post-natal depression.
You Are Not Alone
Results published in the journal ‘The Obstetrician and Gynaecologist’ reveal that ‘the psychological impact and private agony of infertility and treatment must be realized by doctors.’ It’s easy to get on with life and women often fail to realize the difference professional support makes.
There’s a danger of neglecting the huge emotional impact of infertility – Â by viewing it solely in medical terms. Women face incredible pressures to conceive as biological clocks tick towards declining fertility. Taboos around fertility treatment, cycle failures and miscarriage further isolate couples within families, at work and socially.
Fertility Coaching combines the rôles of counselor, patient advocate, educator, point-of-liaison, researcher and supporter to improve natural fertility and IVF success.
Free Treatment
How lovely to see Origin Fertility Care in Northern Ireland offers free fertility counseling to their patients. According to Dr Jolly, ‘It’s vital for clinicians focus on the ever-changing needs of their patients, if they are going to meet the needs of those affected by infertility doctors need to be aware of the extreme emotional costs of infertility.’
The Human Fertilisation & Embryology Act (1991) recommends that counseling support should be available to all patients before, during and after IVF treatment. Clients explore difficult thoughts and feelings, learning how to reduce stress and gain a fertility mindset.
Doctors turn to Fertility Coaching
The report continues, ‘ Counseling plays an important rôle in clarifying issues for patients around donor sperm, donor egg, embryo donation, surrogacy, adoption – ensuring they are well prepared in making decisions. ‘It should be regarded as a continuation of the medical process, integrating medical and psychological aspects of treatment. Fertility coaching  has a unique place in the evolving infertility landscape.
The Fertility Coach is a counselor, patient advocate, educator,  explains procedures, is a researcher and gives continuity of  support – beyond the end of fertility treatment.
If I only had a cent for every time I’m told: ‘I wish I’d met you sooner’ – so check it out and don’t delay!
Call me now to discuss how fertility coaching can help you.
Book your free 10-min Skype call 087-9962466
