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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
Harvesting Hope Event Recap
On October 24, 2024, we had the privilege of hosting our Harvesting Hope event at the beautiful Bass Family Farms, where attendees gathered for a memorable evening filled with connection, creativity, and community support to learn the art of charcuterie, led by The Hangry Lady. We were also able to raise over $1,500 for our 2025 Fertility Financial Grant Program—a cause close to the hearts of so many in our community. Below is our Harvesting Hope Event Recap: Sponsored by Corda Credit Union, Hosted by Bass Family Farms We are incredibly grateful to our sponsor, Corda Credit Union, for their generous support. Their commitment to making a positive impact
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
Egg Donor 101
At the age of 34 years old, I was diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency and told that I would need to use Donor Eggs through IVF in order to conceive. While I had friends who did IVF, I didn’t know anyone who had used donor eggs. I had no idea where to start. I did a lot of research and learned so much along the way. Egg Donor 101 shares some of the greatest lessons my husband and I learned during our journey. You may not find your “twin” At first, my biggest must-have was finding someone who looked like
Antioxidants for Infertility
Nutrition plays an important role in fertility, but it’s a vast topic that’s hard to cover all at once. One type of nutrient goes by the name “antioxidant." Antioxidants are always important, but they really shine when it comes to achieving and sustaining a healthy pregnancy. Antioxidants for infertility also have equal importance for both men and women. What do Antioxidants do? By definition, antioxidants help cancel out the damaging effects of free radicals or oxidative stress (anti-oxidative stress = antioxidants). Free radicals are constantly being formed in your body, but when they go unchecked, they damage sperm and egg
Infertility Support: The Power of Podcasts
Infertility can feel isolating, messy, and confusing, often leaving those experiencing it in a state of emotional and mental turmoil. While the support group from the Hopeful Mama Foundation has been an invaluable resource, I've also discovered that podcasts can be a fantastic source of knowledge, comfort, and solidarity. In this blog post, "Infertility Support: The Power of Podcasts," I want to share some of the podcasts that have been particularly helpful to me on this journey, providing insights and support when I've needed it the most. Emotional Challenges From First Period To Last Period (formerly Dear (In)Fertility) by Rescripted.
Hope to Spare: Empower the 1 in 4
Hopeful Mama Foundation raised over $8,100 for infertility grants at its inaugural fundraising event, “Hope to Spare: Empower the 1 in 4.” The event took place on Saturday, April 27 from 4 pm to 7 pm at SpareTime Cedar Rapids. Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Donor Egg Bank USA, and our supporting sponsors, SpareTime, McGrath Family of Dealerships, and Great Clips, all proceeds from Hope to Spare will go directly towards infertility grants in 2025. By easing the financial burden, these grants offer hope and support to those on their journey to parenthood. "Witnessing the community unite in such a
Strategies for Navigating Mother’s Day While Dealing with Infertility
Facing Mother's Day while navigating infertility can bring a whirlwind of emotions. For many, it's a difficult reminder of unfulfilled dreams and longing for a child. However, with mindful strategies and self-compassion, it's possible to navigate this day with resilience and grace. Hopeful Mama supports you on your journey and we encourage you to honor your own unique path towards parenthood. Here we offer 7 strategies for navigating Mother's Day while dealing with infertility: Acknowledge Your Feelings: It's okay to feel a mix of emotions on Mother's Day. Allow yourself to experience whatever comes up for you, whether it's sadness,
