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Kandi’s IVF Journey
When it comes to women's health, it's essential to be educated on the body's natural processes. But I would also like to recognize the real women who have first-hand experience with fertility complications and treatments. When brave women share their stories, it reminds us that we do not have to bear any burden alone. Kandi Matherne is a wife and mother who experienced fertility complications and has shared her story with us. I enjoyed gaining insight into Kandi's IVF journey and how it led to her beautiful family. Kandi's Story In 2006, Kandi found out that her fallopian tubes were
Fertility Labs: Learn More While “Waiting” for an Infertility Diagnosis
Have you experienced this frustrating road block? You’ve been trying to conceive with no luck, but technically you haven’t been trying long enough to warrant any extensive lab work to be ordered by your physician. This pickle can leave you stranded and stuck without information you could act on. If you’re halted in this strange in-between time, I wanted to provide you with a list of labs that you could request from a practitioner outside the traditional health care system. The good news: you can advocate for yourself. With telehealth on the rise, and a variety of growing practitioners involved
The Emotional Toll of Infertility: Managing Stress and Mental Health
Stress and infertility are deeply intertwined. The emotional toll infertility has on expectant parents is immensely draining. From hormonal imbalances to lifestyle factors, the impact of stress on reproductive health is complex and often underestimated. By understanding this connection, you can empower yourself to manage stress and improve both emotional resilience and the chances of getting pregnant. What is Stress? The World Health Organization defines stress as worrying caused by a difficult situation. Infertility is a complex process that branches into many possible stressors. Some may find it difficult to accept that they cannot conceive naturally. For women, it is
Insulin Resistance: A Silent Roadblock to Fertility
If you and your partner face challenges in your journey to conceive, it's important to know that you're not alone. A recent Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism study shows roughly 44% of young adults live with insulin resistance. Thus, the correlation between insulin resistance and infertility is worth recognizing. What is Insulin Resistance (IR)? The Cleveland Clinic defines insulin resistance as when the body's tissues do not react appropriately to insulin, causing high blood sugar levels. How your body utilizes glucose (sugar) can be explained like a lock and key. A lock symbolizes the cells that form your body,
Understanding Male Infertility
Many people question a woman’s reasons for not getting pregnant. However, the pressure of getting pregnant isn’t only on women. It takes two to tango when it comes to fertility. According to a recent study, males account for approximately 50 percent of all infertility diagnoses. What is a Male Infertility? The World Health Organization (WHO) describes male infertility as a man who has been unable to get a woman pregnant after a year of trying to conceive with frequent unprotected sex. To get a handle on male infertility, you first need to know how the male body works. The testicles
Old Wives’ Tales for Infertility
Ava rolled over in bed as she heard the familiar “ping, ping, ping.” It’s 1:00 am? Who’s texting me? She grabbed her phone off the nightstand to see her group chat light up. Emma B: Oh my gosh, so sorry for the late/early text but my brain’s going 100 miles an hour after my appointment today, and I know I’m not the only one here with insomnia. Anyway, has anyone heard of/tried acupuncture… Ava clicks the silence notifications button, darkens the screen, and sets the phone back down. Been there. Done that. After tossing and turning she gives up and
Advocating for Yourself on the Fertility Path
You don’t know what you don’t know. I share my story in hopes to help guide others in finding out what questions to ask from the start and throughout your journey. One bright thing I see as a glimmer in my journey thus far - there is no lack of learning. Sharing the power of questions and how advocating for yourself on the fertility path is important. Categories of Your Fertility Journey Our reproductive endocrinologist recently told us there are three main buckets that make up the fertility journey: Medical Emotional Financial When we started this journey, like many, we
Taking Care of Yourself After a Miscarriage
After I miscarried, the recurring thought in my head was “I messed up. I’m broken. I did something wrong.” Physically, I felt like I was in the wrong body, or at least in a body that wasn’t mine. At that moment, I saw no silver lining. There was no highlight or higher purpose of something dying inside of me. In retrospect, I find value in that experience because my heart hurts in a different way for women around me when we talk about their losses. Everyone’s miscarriage experience is different, but my empathy grew exponentially after losing a pregnancy. Taking
Navigating Infertility with Support from The Wellness Collective
Infertility can be one of life's most challenging journeys, bringing with it a range of emotions—from hope and anticipation to frustration and sorrow. At The Wellness Collective, we understand that this journey can be as emotionally demanding as it is physically taxing. Our dedicated team is here to provide the support, guidance, and resources you need to navigate this complex experience with compassion and understanding. Comprehensive Support for Your Infertility Journey Personalized Counseling Services Infertility affects every individual differently, and at The Wellness Collective, we recognize that your emotional and psychological needs are unique. Our experienced therapists specialize in working
Nutrition for Fertility
On August 1st, we had the pleasure of hosting the "Nutrition for Fertility" educational workshop, sponsored by Vytyl and presented by Elanie Welch, the Renegade Nutritionist. The workshop provided invaluable insights into the critical role nutrition plays in fertility and overall reproductive health. You can watch the entire presentation on our YouTube Channel @hopefulmamafoundation. Here’s a recap of the key points covered: 1. Input = Output: How Nutrition Impacts Fertility and Pregnancy Elanie kicked off the workshop with a fundamental principle: "Input = Output." She emphasized how what we consume directly influences our fertility and the ability to carry a
