EP47 - Is this the new way to beat infertility?

enJuly 29, 2020

Your Fertility Hub

About this Episode

Dr Ali Domar is a world-renowned Harvard scientist and scholar who has devoted her career to helping couples live through infertility in a better way and ‘lots of pregnancies are the happy result’ she says.

In this episode, we find out what mind and body means, how it can help you get pregnant and hear many stories about couples who’ve conceived despite all the odds after going through her mind body programs for infertility.

We chat to her about how she started out in this field and how over the years she has created a wealth of experience and scientific studies into the impact of mind body programs on infertility patients.

Dr Domar was fundamental in setting up the Domar Centre for Mind Body Health and is the director of Mind Body programs at Boston IVF.

We delve into what ‘mind body programs for infertility’ comprise, what makes them successful and how you can apply some of these techniques in your own lives.

We talk about the complex relationship between stress and infertility and why relaxation is a central component of the mind body programs for infertility patients.

Dr Domar shares the complexities of natural pregnancy and IVF success rates but how over the years, her research has consistently demonstrated a doubling of these rates when mind body programs are employed.

Together we champion how everyone going through infertility should have access to these programs and how clinics should be taking their part in offering these.

Karenna also alludes to the new digital program she is launching soon - Your Fertility Toolbox - which is based on the excellent work and studies Dr Domar has undertaken over the last 30 years.

In this episode:

Dr Domar - how she started out working in infertility
How the mind body program was born (from women uncontrollably crying when she told them they couldn’t participate in her study)
What she has learned about the mind body connection and how this impacts pregnancy rates
Stories from women and couples who have gone through the mind body programs for infertility patients in Boston
The future of mind body programs - the apps she developed (Ferti Calm and Ferti Strong) and the new Your Fertility Toolbox app being launched by Your Fertility Hub

Links mentioned in the podcast:

The Domar Center, Boston - https://www.domarcenter.com/
Ferti Calm App (US only) - http://www.ferticalmapp.com/
Ferti Strong App (US only) - http://fertistrong.com/
Journal of Fertility and Sterility - The relationship between stress and infertility: We need to stop arguing about whether or not stress causes infertility and focus on what really matters: patient-centered care- https://www.fertstertdialog.com/posts/64455-domar-consider-this?room_id=101-consider-this
PLOS One Journal - An internet-based mind/body intervention to mitigate distress in women experiencing infertility: A randomized pilot trial - An internet-based mind/body intervention to mitigate distress in women experiencing infertility: A randomized pilot trial
Your Fertility Toolbox - Join our beautiful private community and access hundreds of amazing MIND+BODY resources specifically for fertility. Join for free or as a VIP member and for as little as a dollar a day to get supported through direct message fertility coaching, regular events and full access to our Toolbox anytime through our innovative app - https://yourfertilityhub.com/toolbox/

Connect with us on social media:

Join us on social media for our regular inspiration and information and so much more!

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/yourfertilityhub
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yourfertilityhub/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com.au/yourfertilityhub/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEG761nvI3WNT9J3j0IYw

For more insight, subscribe to the show for regular episodes and please leave a review on i-tunes so we can share the message and help more women find their way through and out of infertility. https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/your-fertility-hub/id1281991003?mt=2

Recent Episodes from Your Fertility Hub

EP62 - Multiple Pathways & Perspectives

Exclusively letting you in on one of our Toolbox favourites - our monthly mindset moments! Each month in our infertility support app (Your Fertility Toolbox), we release a new audio challenging your mindset or a new meditation/relaxation track. These are one of the most popular items in our Toolbox!

This month we’re sharing this with you on the podcast!! Today we’re challenging you to open up to multiple pathways and perspectives on your fertility journey. Even when you can’t change a situation, you can change how you think and respond to it.

Listen in for some examples, practical ways to go about it and to learn how to be curious and allow new ideas, ways of thinking and solutions to come to you.

enSeptember 23, 2021

EP61 - Building resilience during infertility - 3 simple ways

Resilience isn’t just about getting naturally stronger as you endure the horrendous ups and downs of infertility. That’s just endurance! Here are 3 practical ways you can build yourself up to feel stronger and better able to cope with the fertility storm!

Learn from international fertility coach, Karenna Wood, about 3 simple ways you can become more resilient and also happier and more positive too!

Find more tools, community and support in the Your Fertility Toolbox app - get supported and let us help you find your way through and out of infertility! https://yourfertilityhub.com/toolbox/

enAugust 19, 2021

EP60 - Fertility Yoga - The basics

Fertility yoga combines the mind and body. It can help you truly relax in a way that other techniques just can't - helping you move emotions and thoughts by moving your body. Bringing you that calm, peaceful mind you crave.

Meet Deb, our new resident yoga teacher at Your Fertility Hub, who brings us new classes every month into our wellness support app - Your Fertility Toolbox.

We talk about how to get started, what gear you need and what you can expect from our classes.

Get excited and join us with a 30-day free trial of the Your Fertility Toolbox app. Find out more at https://yourfertilityhub.com/toolbox/

enJuly 08, 2021

EP59 - "I was a lost cause!" Bethany's story

Born with a crippling uterine birth defect (nonvascular uterine septum) and severe endometriosis. After seven miscarriages, eight surgeries, a false Asherman's Syndrome diagnosis, failed frozen IVF, experimental endometrial lining therapy and deep mental health struggles, Bethany finally conceived and delivered her daughter in 2016.

Now she shares her story of feeling like a lost cause to inspire others. Despite the uterine septum and many other significant challenges, she conceived against all the odds.

Tune in for hope, inspiration and one hell of a story!

“I literally delivered my fully-formed baby dead in a bedpan by myself.”

In this episode:

Uterine Septum

The realities of miscarriage

The deep impact of miscarriage

Asherman Syndrome - nearly

Failed Frozen IVF (FET)

Endometrial lining therapy

The mental health and relationship struggles caused by infertility

Links mentioned in the podcast:

Your Fertility Toolbox - Free resources, tools and exclusive community for emotional support during infertility - https://yourfertilityhub.com/toolbox/

Connect with us on social media:

Join us on social media for our regular inspiration and information and so much more!

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/yourfertilityhub

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yourfertilityhub/

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com.au/yourfertilityhub/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEG761nvI3WNT9J3j0IYw

enJune 10, 2021

EP58 - Finding balance during infertility

Find out about the incredible benefits of acupuncture and chinese medicine during infertility with Michelle Oravitz from the Wholesome Lotus.

Today’s guest is the wonderful Michelle Oravitzfrom the Wholesome Lotus in Miami, Florida. We chat about the amazing benefits of acupuncture she personally experienced through TCM and how she changed her career and now helps others improve their health.

We talk specifically about her specialist area of fertility and how she beneficial acupuncture has been for so many of her clients.

Balance is tricky to achieve during infertility, however acupuncture is always seeking to return you to overall balance - it aids you in supporting both your mind and body to work towards this.

In this episode:

Meet Michelle Oravitz and hear her story of how acupuncture radically changed her gynaecological health
How acupuncture works for fertility
Does acupuncture work for fertility?
Finding balance during infertility
The amazing benefits of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine
Ways to achieve balance

Links mentioned in the podcast:

Your Fertility Toolbox - Free resources, tools and exclusive community for emotional support during infertility - https://yourfertilityhub.com/toolbox/
The Wholesome Lotus, Miami Florida - https://www.thewholesomelotusfertility.com/
The Wholesome Lotus Podcast - https://www.thewholesomelotusfertility.com/thewholesomefertilitypodcast

Connect with us on social media:

Join us on social media for our regular inspiration and information and so much more!

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/yourfertilityhub
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yourfertilityhub/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com.au/yourfertilityhub/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEG761nvI3WNT9J3j0IYw

For more insight, subscribe to the show for regular episodes and please leave a review on i-tunes so we can share the message and help more women find their way through and out of infertility.

enMay 06, 2021

EP57 - Corinne's live fertility coaching call

We’re excited to be able to share with you a live fertility coaching call with one of our spotlight members - Corinne.

Normally these, like everything in our Toolbox app, are kept private to members only. However, kindly Corinne has allowed us to share her call to inspire and help others.

Each month in the Your Fertility Toolbox app, we feature a member in a spotlight member call. We know how important hearing other people’s stories are so we showcase these in various ways. The spotlight member call is really special as you get to listen in to the recommendations and suggested tools given to each member and apply them to yourself!

Fertility coaching is action-orientated which differs from fertility counselling. It means we get specific and are forward-facing rather than mostly looking backwards.

It’s incredibly successful in helping women improve their mindset, hope and positivity during infertility.

The 'Your Fertility Toolbox' app is a coaching-orientated wellness space for women going through infertility. Access hundreds of mind and body tools, regular events and dedicated support from fertility coaches, experts and mentors.

This month, you can join as a VIP member for free using the discount code ‘MARCHMADNESS’ - giving you your first month free (normally $19 per month). Learn more and join us here.

In this episode:

Corinne shares her highly-relatable story of waiting to have kids then realising it wasn’t going to be easy to conceive
Hear her journey through IVF and where she is at now
Corinne talks of her struggles with comparisons to others and we discuss specific strategies she can use to support herself
We talk about planning for results and how she will communicate with her partner around it
Find out about her ‘optimistic boots!’

Links mentioned in the podcast:

Your Fertility Toolbox - Free resources, tools and exclusive community for emotional support during infertility. Use code ‘MARCHMADNESS’ to get your first month of VIP membership for free.

Connect with us on social media:

Join us on social media for our regular inspiration and information and so much more!
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/yourfertilityhub

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yourfertilityhub/

Pinterest -https://www.pinterest.com.au/yourfertilityhub/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEG761nvI3WNT9J3j0IYw

For more insight, subscribe to the show for regular episodes and please leave a review on i-tunes so we can share the message and help more women find their way through and out of infertility.

enMarch 09, 2021

EP56 - Dealing with pregnancy announcements during infertility

Pregnancy announcements can be so debilitating when you’re trying to conceive. It feels like everyone around you is getting pregnant (easily!) and you are the only one.

They can send you spiralling into days of sadness and tears and worst of all they can be sprung on you at any moment seemingly from all directions.

It’s time to take back control. Yes, we can’t control others getting pregnant but we can set some boundaries, learn more compassion for ourselves and use some mindset tools to help cope in a better way.

Listen in as Karenna chats you through her top tips to help you deal with pregnancy announcements during infertility or read our blog on the topic too!

In this episode:

Setting boundaries
Developing a ‘how to tell me’ plan
The pain of avoiding friends and social situations
Validating your feelings
Being compassionate with yourself and others
Practical tools to help you cope better

Links mentioned in the podcast:

EP8 - Gratitude - https://yourfertilityhub.com/podcast-8-gratitude-can-dramatically-improve-feel-today/
EP9 - Saying ‘No!’ - https://yourfertilityhub.com/podcast-9-saying-no-whilst-ttc/
EP15 - Changing negative thoughts to improve your natural fertility - https://yourfertilityhub.com/podcast-15-changing-negative-thoughts-to-improve-your-natural-fertility/
EP51 - Interview with Sam Payne about miscarriage - https://yourfertilityhub.com/podcast-51-miscarriage-support/
Your Fertility Toolbox - Free resources, tools and exclusive community for emotional support during infertility - https://yourfertilityhub.com/join-toolbox/

Connect with us on social media:

Join us on social media for our regular inspiration and information and so much more!

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/yourfertilityhub
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yourfertilityhub/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com.au/yourfertilityhub/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEG761nvI3WNT9J3j0IYw

enFebruary 10, 2021

pregnancyannouncements

infertilitystories

fertilitystories

infertilitysupport

EP55 - Just the inspiration you need - FREE motivational audio for infertility

In the first episode of 2021, we’re here to inspire and motivate you for your fertility journey.

Some days are hard and so dark. Don’t give up.

Infertility is temporary, you will get through this.

Listen to this motivational audio when it all feels too much.

In this episode:

A motivational audio for infertility

Links mentioned in the podcast:

Your Fertility Toolbox - Free resources, tools and exclusive community for emotional support during infertility - https://yourfertilityhub.com/join-toolbox/

Connect with us on social media:

Join us on social media for our regular inspiration and information and so much more!

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/yourfertilityhub
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yourfertilityhub/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com.au/yourfertilityhub/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEG761nvI3WNT9J3j0IYw

enJanuary 20, 2021

EP54 - Coping with lack of control during infertility

Infertility = a total lack of control!

It can often be the first time you’ve felt in a complete tailspin but how do you cope. In this episode, we talk through some top tips for coping better with the feelings of lack of control.

Karenna talks through alternative ways you can find solidity and security, dealing with overwhelm, the power of movement, mindfulness and gratitude and lastly why relinquishing some control can be good for the soul!

Karenna shares a story of one VIP member in the Toolbox (our amazing emotional support and wellbeing app) where she went through an IVF cycle doing all the right things - she gave up foods, she took the right supplements, didn’t over-exercise etc and she still got a negative. Afterwards, she felt so out of control - like nothing she did could impact the result.

After joining the Toolbox and learning some practical tools through our unique IVF Thrive materials - she experienced her next cycle very differently. She focused on life outside IVF, enjoyment and nurturing herself and relationships and guess what - this cycle was successful.

Learning to live differently is key. Listen in for tips on how you can live differently through infertility and how this can help you find your way out!

In this episode:

How to cope with lack of control during infertility
The importance of validating what you feel
Dealing with overwhelm
Relinquishing some control
Finding solace in others
The power of mindfulness, gratitude and movement
A story of hope when control was relinquished

Links mentioned in the podcast:

EP26 - Coping with jealousy during infertility - https://yourfertilityhub.com/podcast-26-jealousy-infertility/
EP8 - Gratitude - https://yourfertilityhub.com/podcast-8-gratitude-can-dramatically-improve-feel-today/
EP24 - Mindfulness - your secret weapon during infertility - https://yourfertilityhub.com/mindfulness-secret-weapon-fertility/
Your Fertility Toolbox - Free resources, tools and exclusive community for emotional support during infertility - https://yourfertilityhub.com/join-toolbox/

Connect with us on social media:

Join us on social media for our regular inspiration and information and so much more!

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/yourfertilityhub
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yourfertilityhub/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com.au/yourfertilityhub/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEG761nvI3WNT9J3j0IYw

enDecember 08, 2020

EP53 - A story of love, loss and IVF

Listen to Monica’s heartbreaking journey through 5 IVF cycles, miscarriage and stillbirth. We talk about love, loss and how you can make IVF a better experience through planning and key tools.

We love sharing fertility stories and are excited to share Monica’s journey through successful IVF cycles and sadly how 2 cycles ended in loss.

We talk openly about baby loss and how this affected Monica and her relationship.

As an IVF Support Coach following her experiences, Monica shares her tips to journey through IVF in a better way.

In this episode:

Monica’s fertility story
Multiple IVF cycles
Stillbirth
Early miscarriage
The effect of grief on relationships
Tips to weather the storm of IVF
2WW tips
Colouring Mandalas for IVF

Links mentioned in the podcast:

The IVF Planner - A Personal Journal to Organize Your Journey Through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) With Love and Positivity - https://amzn.to/35Vs6We
EP37 - Bianca’s strategies for surviving IVF and surrogacy - https://yourfertilityhub.com/podcast-37-bianca-surrogacy/
EP4 - Interview with Priya on getting a second opinion - https://yourfertilityhub.com/podcast-4-interview-priya-seeking-second-opinion-fertility/
Your Fertility Toolbox - Free resources, tools and exclusive community for emotional support during infertility - https://yourfertilityhub.com/join-toolbox/