I'm often reminded of the Meatloaf song. I'll do anything for love, but I won't do that. Will we do anything in blind faith and is that wise?  What's actually needed is more thorough education of what we can do.  And the first step is becoming your own fertility detective, in a controlled and structured way, often with support to interpret your findings.   So what can you look into, well if you've heard me talk before, first off luteal phase and sperm, follicular phase, strength of ovulation and lets focus in on egg and sperm health and pelvic health..  I discuss ways to monitor progesterone and share some discount codes  (FERTILITYREWIRE)  for MIRA fertility Analyzer and Medichecks home testing

I'm often reminded of the Meatloaf song. I'll do anything for love, but I won't do that. Will we do anything in blind faith and is that wise?  What's actually needed is more thorough education of what we can do.  And the first step is becoming your own fertility detective, in a controlled and structured way, often with support to interpret your findings. So what can you look into, well if you've heard me talk before, first off luteal phase and sperm, follicular phase, strength of ovulation and lets focus in on egg and sperm health and pelvic health.. I discuss ways to monitor progesterone and share some discount codes  (FERTILITYREWIRE)  for <a href="https://www.miracare.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MIRA fertility</a> Analyzer and <a href="https://medichecks.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Medichecks home testing</a>

When you’ll do anything to get pregnant (but not that)

Do you feel you should be happy? Or are you made to feel that by society or specifically the fertility space on special media?   I have had a few clients whose Dr has actually suggested that they should be happy with one.  But having another child has such a huge emotional difference doesn’t it? It's not about having a child, it's about having a sibling, and guilt can be an overriding emotion in this and lack of community and support.   I’m excited to share that I am launching a group programme for people trying to extend their families and I’m running a Beat version, which means that you can join at a hugely discounted price as I will develop it further based on your feedback.  Drop me a line at kat@fertilityrewire.com with which I'm in and I’ll send you more details, or head over to the website and pick up some free resources and join the mailing list.

Do you feel you should be happy? Or are you made to feel that by society or specifically the fertility space on special media? I have had a few clients whose Dr has actually suggested that they should be happy with one.  But having another child has such a huge emotional difference doesn’t it? It's not about having a child, it's about having a sibling, and guilt can be an overriding emotion in this and lack of community and support. I’m excited to share that I am launching a group programme for people trying to extend their families and I’m running a Beat version, which means that you can join at a hugely discounted price as I will develop it further based on your feedback. Drop me a line at <a href="mailto:kat@fertilityrewire.com">kat@fertilityrewire.com</a> with which I'm in and I’ll send you more details, or head over to the website and pick up some free resources and join the mailing list.

Should you be happy with 1 child?

Experiencing a miscarriage is devastating, and when we do, we are not necessarily treated as we perhaps should be by the medical profession and society really.   When faced with someone else’s grief and sadness, as humans we offer platitudes, or try to offer our own experience, perhaps as some sort of support? But it’s not helpful to hear always is it?   Something needs to be done, but what? Do we need education about miscarriage, about dealing with someone else grief and how to support, how to avoid invalidating their pain?   You will know if you’ve heard me talk before, how passionate I am about education and further investigation and this stands true to this subject. There are many reasons for miscarriage, but some, and I reiterate SOME, I do believe can be prevented. With knowledge we can explore our options.   If you want to know more about your results and how I can specifically help you, why not get in touch and book a free clarity call.   Want to watch me and listen? check out the episode on you tube   Want to be the first to hear about episode releases, behind the scenes news, updates and offers? Our mailing list is the place to be for that.   For free resources, visit our webpage

Experiencing a miscarriage is devastating, and when we do, we are not necessarily treated as we perhaps should be by the medical profession and society really. When faced with someone else’s grief and sadness, as humans we offer platitudes, or try to offer our own experience, perhaps as some sort of support? But it’s not helpful to hear always is it? Something needs to be done, but what? Do we need education about miscarriage, about dealing with someone else grief and how to support, how to avoid invalidating their pain? You will know if you’ve heard me talk before, how passionate I am about education and further investigation and this stands true to this subject. There are many reasons for miscarriage, but some, and I reiterate SOME, I do believe can be prevented. With knowledge we can explore our options. If you want to know more about your results and how I can specifically help you, why not get in touch and <a href="https://calendly.com/kat-stevens/free15-minute-clarity-call" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">book a free clarity call.</a> Want to watch me and listen? check out the episode on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChBQZAx98au5A6yyhyne_MQ" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">you tube</a> Want to be the first to hear about episode releases, behind the scenes news, updates and offers? <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/free-resources/join-the-fertility-rewire-email-list/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Our mailing list is the place to be for that.</a> <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/free-resources/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">For free resources, visit our webpage</a>

Miscarriage: What should we be doing to help?

When it comes to not getting pregnant, we want to know why, we want to know the cause.   Even if you are given a cause, its important to know that it may not be the only factor affecting things.   A blocked fallopian tube or tubes of course is a huge factor in preventing pregnancy but bypassing tis with IVF will not guarantee success because they may indeed be more than 1 thing, there could be multiple factors affecting fertility. 2 partners each with a number of things affecting perhaps.   In this episode I encourage you to revisit your tests, as I discussed last week in episode 51, and also to try as best you can to step out of what is wrong, and step into what can I do to fully optimise our fertility.   I accept that for many who have tried everything that this could be triggering, and I invite you to ot lose sight of the emotional impact and the clever design of our bodies to keep us safe and that when unsafe, our body is not putting conceiving at the top of its agenda, in fact it can stop it.   If you want to know more about your results and how I can specifically help you, why not get in touch and  book a free clarity call.   Want to watch me and listen?  check out the episode on  you tube   Want to be the first to hear about episode releases, behind the scenes news, updates and offers?  Our mailing list is the place to be for that.   For free resources, visit our webpage

When it comes to not getting pregnant, we want to know why, we want to know the cause.   Even if you are given a cause, its important to know that it may not be the only factor affecting things. A blocked fallopian tube or tubes of course is a huge factor in preventing pregnancy but bypassing tis with IVF will not guarantee success because they may indeed be more than 1 thing, there could be multiple factors affecting fertility. 2 partners each with a number of things affecting perhaps. In this episode I encourage you to revisit your tests, as I discussed last week in episode 51, and also to try as best you can to step out of what is wrong, and step into what can I do to fully optimise our fertility. I accept that for many who have tried everything that this could be triggering, and I invite you to ot lose sight of the emotional impact and the clever design of our bodies to keep us safe and that when unsafe, our body is not putting conceiving at the top of its agenda, in fact it can stop it. If you want to know more about your results and how I can specifically help you, why not get in touch and <a href="https://calendly.com/kat-stevens/free15-minute-clarity-call" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> book a free clarity call.</a> Want to watch me and listen?  check out the episode on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChBQZAx98au5A6yyhyne_MQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> you tube</a> Want to be the first to hear about episode releases, behind the scenes news, updates and offers? <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/free-resources/join-the-fertility-rewire-email-list/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Our mailing list is the place to be for that.</a> <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/free-resources/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">For free resources, visit our webpage</a>

There could be more than 1 thing stopping you from getting pregnant

I discuss why your fertility tests may not be ‘normal’ after all.  Have you been told that your results are ‘normal’? That there is nothing to be done? That your fertility issues are unexplained? What we have to realise first of all is that our medical model deals with ill health, that test results outside of the wide range represent ill health, but that those within it do not necessarily represent healthy. When trying to conceive you want to be at your healthiest surely?  In this episode I discuss Thyroid Stimulating hormone and Ferritin specifically. I look at how the levels accepted for your thyroid in the first trimester of pregnancy are significantly lower than those accepted when trying to conceive and how considering these 2 states merge, how can that be? I urge you to get a copy of your results and look where you are in the range. If you want to know more about your results and how I can specifically help you, why not get in touch and  book a free clarity call. Want to watch me and listen?  check out the episode on  you tube Want to be the first to hear about episode releases, behind the scenes news, updates and offers?  Our mailing list is the place to be for that. For free resources, visit our webpage

I discuss why your fertility tests may not be ‘normal’ after all.  Have you been told that your results are ‘normal’? That there is nothing to be done? That your fertility issues are unexplained? What we have to realise first of all is that our medical model deals with ill health, that test results outside of the wide range represent ill health, but that those within it do not necessarily represent healthy. When trying to conceive you want to be at your healthiest surely?  In this episode I discuss Thyroid Stimulating hormone and Ferritin specifically. I look at how the levels accepted for your thyroid in the first trimester of pregnancy are significantly lower than those accepted when trying to conceive and how considering these 2 states merge, how can that be? I urge you to get a copy of your results and look where you are in the range. If you want to know more about your results and how I can specifically help you, why not get in touch and <a href="https://calendly.com/kat-stevens/free15-minute-clarity-call" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> book a free clarity call.</a> Want to watch me and listen?  check out the episode on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChBQZAx98au5A6yyhyne_MQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> you tube</a> Want to be the first to hear about episode releases, behind the scenes news, updates and offers? <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/free-resources/join-the-fertility-rewire-email-list/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Our mailing list is the place to be for that.</a> <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/free-resources/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">For free resources, visit our webpage</a>

Why your Fertility Tests may not be ‘Normal’

In this episode I chatted with Professor Geeta Nargund, an inspiring woman putting women first Medical Director at Creative Fertility about Natural and Mild IVF and getting the same success as conventional IVF with reduced treatment Burden, reduced complications and improved outcomes for babies. Before I started chatting with her, I wanted to let her know that I've been interested in what Create Fertility has been doing for a long time. It makes such a lot of sense to work with the body, to give a little nudge rather than the pressure physically and emotionally of the numbers game in IVF. You may not know about Mild/Natural IVF, along with so much so many don’t know about fertility generally. Mild/Natural IVF produces the SAME success rates as conventional IVF, while reducing the treatment burden, side effect, complications, injections and costs.  So its a win win and hard to understand why its not the norm in more clinics. We chatted about the benefits, research based evidence and this may open more opportunity for fertility for so many listeners. Professor Narunds passion for women’s choices, rights and the desire to gain gender equality in fertility treatments is clear and inspiring. Ensuring the safety and welfare of the women is as important as success with informed choice, which as you may know is a key part of what i speak about. If you want any more information, see where you’re at or would like to find out how working with me on the Fertility Rewire Method may help you, then you can arrange  Free call Free resources are available including what your bleed can tell you about your fertility and a free visualisation. If you want to keep up to date on information, news, client progress updates, offers and podcast episodes, the best way is to  receive my emails . Click here more information about the group programme ‘Conceivable’

In this episode I chatted with Professor Geeta Nargund, an inspiring woman putting women first Medical Director at Creative Fertility about Natural and Mild IVF and getting the same success as conventional IVF with reduced treatment Burden, reduced complications and improved outcomes for babies. Before I started chatting with her, I wanted to let her know that I've been interested in what Create Fertility has been doing for a long time. It makes such a lot of sense to work with the body, to give a little nudge rather than the pressure physically and emotionally of the numbers game in IVF. You may not know about Mild/Natural IVF, along with so much so many don’t know about fertility generally. Mild/Natural IVF produces the SAME success rates as conventional IVF, while reducing the treatment burden, side effect, complications, injections and costs.  So its a win win and hard to understand why its not the norm in more clinics. We chatted about the benefits, research based evidence and this may open more opportunity for fertility for so many listeners. Professor Narunds passion for women’s choices, rights and the desire to gain gender equality in fertility treatments is clear and inspiring. Ensuring the safety and welfare of the women is as important as success with informed choice, which as you may know is a key part of what i speak about. If you want any more information, see where you’re at or would like to find out how working with me on the Fertility Rewire Method may help you, then you can arrange <a href="https://calendly.com/kat-stevens/free-20-minute-chat?month=2020-11" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Free call</a> <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/free-resources/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Free resources</a> are available including what your bleed can tell you about your fertility and a free visualisation. If you want to keep up to date on information, news, client progress updates, offers and podcast episodes, the best way is to <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/free-resources/join-the-fertility-rewire-email-list/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> receive my emails</a> . <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/group-training/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here more information about the group programme ‘Conceivable’</a>

Mild and Natural IVF - A woman Centred Approach

In this episode I talk about the 2 week wait, which is generally the wait from ovulation to the end of your cycle or from embryo transfer to when you can do a pregnancy test. But before I even get into the general advice for how you can survive this I acknowledge the fact that you are pretty much waiting throughout your whole cycle, so 2 weeks is in itself a misnomer. In fact when you add up how long you've been trying, the wait so far could be months or years I also discuss how the 2 week wait after ovulation may not actually be 2 weeks and that this information can give us so many clues and answers about how your cycle is affecting your fertility. Before recording this episode, I googled surviving the 2 week wait and I look into the common advice found across various sites and how this may not work for you, why not and how I help my clients through it. Why you can't Just **@! relax, and how can you not obsess about symptoms, how its not so easy to talk to someone when you haven't really told anyone what you're going through I really hope you enjoy the episode and I ask you to share with me how you survive the 2 week wait, or what unhelpful advice you've been given.  Drop me a comment on your platform you're using to listen  or email me kat@fertilityrewire.com For free resources or to find out more about how you can work with me visit https://fertilityrewire

In this episode I talk about the 2 week wait, which is generally the wait from ovulation to the end of your cycle or from embryo transfer to when you can do a pregnancy test. But before I even get into the general advice for how you can survive this I acknowledge the fact that you are pretty much waiting throughout your whole cycle, so 2 weeks is in itself a misnomer. In fact when you add up how long you've been trying, the wait so far could be months or years I also discuss how the 2 week wait after ovulation may not actually be 2 weeks and that this information can give us so many clues and answers about how your cycle is affecting your fertility. Before recording this episode, I googled surviving the 2 week wait and I look into the common advice found across various sites and how this may not work for you, why not and how I help my clients through it. Why you can't Just **@! relax, and how can you not obsess about symptoms, how its not so easy to talk to someone when you haven't really told anyone what you're going through I really hope you enjoy the episode and I ask you to share with me how you survive the 2 week wait, or what unhelpful advice you've been given.  Drop me a comment on your platform you're using to listen  or email me <a href="mailto:kat@fertilityrewire.com">kat@fertilityrewire.com</a> For free resources or to find out more about how you can work with me visit https://fertilityrewire

How to survive the 2 week wait

Well, hello, it's been a while hasn't hit?   For those of you that have listened to this podcast from the very beginning, it's been quite a gap. I'm sure for those of us that have caught up later. It may still be a gap and for that, I apologise.   What happened was I decided to take a break between season one and season two and that break was going to be about a month or maybe two months. That was April 2021. It was also around tht time that the UK was to some extent re opening.   I was able to open my clinic doors and see my clients on a face to face,  increase my online clients as house became empty at times again.  I  always had the intention of starting up again but in terms and work life balance, something had to give and it was, I'm afraid the podcast.    I've had lots of lovely messages from people asking where I am and if I'm okay and if I'm still working and yes, I am. I had just taken on a little bit too much.   But I'm back and I'm very excited. I've got great plans for lots of new episodes. So I hope you'll stay with me.    So in this episode, what I thought I'd do is catch you up on what's been happening  with clients and a couple of case studies. As I'm sure you're aware, I say  it's a game of two halves. Fertility issues are 50% female and  50% Male, I know the burden is  generally on the females but I had two clients that started seeing me around the same time and both had come and said that there was reasons they weren't getting pregnant. One had  irregular periods, with physical and emotional symptoms pre menstrually. One had a diagnosis of endometriosis.    What I did with both of these clients, as I always do, is in order  to get the full picture, took a full history and lifestyle of both partners and suggested that they got a sperm analysis for both male partners, which they did.  Within about a week of each other these tests came back and they were incredibly similar.  If you've listened to the podcast, you'll perhaps of heard me share that the WHO ( World World Health Organisation) guidelines for sperm analysis is that anything at or above 15 million is considered fertile. Anything below is considered to have some fertility issue. You'll also know from listening to me that I think we should be going well above that.    If you listened to Dr Sheryl Homa speak on the podcast you'll have heard her say that 15 million is not really optimal.   So,, both of them had sperm results that 0.03 million, significantly lower.  We discussed lifestyle factors and changes including antioxidants, we looked at supplementation, specific fertility supplementation and reducing inflammation but also his partner told me that he had really hot baths, which he had mentioned  at fertility consultations. And had been told that it wouldn't explain this this  very, very low result. And the only option was ICSI.   So we worked together and I said just for three months lets drop the hot baths. While taking the supplement he stopped them, but what proved difficult was the opinion of family and friends   things like your 'dad had hot baths and we had you, We've always had hot baths and it's not an issue for us. Getting together with friends and going to a spa he didn't get in the  hot tub, but friends said, it'll be OK.    So it brings to light this aspect doesn't it about people not being supportive of things both in the medical profession and also your social  circle. But anyway, they stuck to this and he didn't have hot baths for three months and he stuck to his supplement regime.  There was some hand reflexology moves that I'd provided by video in their coaching support, which  were being regularly every month that he was doing, or his partner was doing and after three months he has his semen tested and it went from  0.03 million to 30 million,  30 million! From  being told that he would have no chance of conceiving a child naturally, making these small lifestyle changes to having absolute optimal result. And that is just incredible. But it's not surprising, not surprising to me at all. Because I've told you before I've discussed it before that this male factor is grossly overlooked, and if we could just look into this a little bit more, if we could just pay a little bit more attention to the quality and the quantity of sperm, then we will be making incredible changes to Fertility.   The second couple that I worked with, had the same result of 0.03 million,  they had a child already. So something had happened.  When we started to look into more detailed history, if you refer back to the Sheryl Homa episode where she spoke condition called a Varicocele, it was something that just struck in my mind when we had a chat because he was getting this kind of a ache that he'd had for a while and he just put it down to something else. He assumed that it might be related to his job or related to the fact that lifting weights and it was something that he put up with. To give you more background, the doctor in this case, I have to say , his bedside manner and communication skills were horrendous. I think he said something along the lines of well you're never going to happen with a child with a result like that. And because they already had a child, the only option available was IVF, which would need to be self funded . Many questions arose such as, Would that be possible financially? Would it work?  Anyway, as well as similar supplementation and hand reflexology input, I encouraged him to request or ultrasound of the testes. If it was just about fertility I'm sure the answer would have been no, but because he had a symptom, because he had this is kind of low level ache he pushed and he pushed and he pushed and he got an ultrasound. He also came to see me because he was a face to face client for a reflexology treatment and the reflex area that represents the testes on the side with the pain did feel different and now we don't diagnose with reflexology, but it did have some characteristics that had alerted me . So he had the ultrasound and yes, he had a Varicocele and he's pushed and pushed for the surgery and he has had it.  When they went to do the surgery, to remind a  Varicocele is a varicose vein that is supplying the testes. If you think about  the heat that is generated there is going to pretty much kill the sperm, but also the blood supply is affected as well. It's not getting through this vein that was completely blocked when they did the surgery and they've had to put six stents into it. Now, we don't know what effect that's going to have. We certainly hope that the pain is going to go away. It also, as many of you, I'm sure are thinking actually provided a potential answer to the years and of trying for a second child unsuccessfully. So I think my point is that, as I've said many times and  as I say to my clients, we can't just accept that this is unexplained. Or we can't just accept that if you've got a low sperm count the only option is ICSI.   There is a lot that can be done to improve sperm counts. There is a lot that can be done to improve sperm quality. And again, not necessarily with everybody but unless we try unless we look into this, unless we are prepared to be that detective to look to travel upstream and get the answers we won’t get answers.   It just made me reflect on so many couples over the years, even before IVF came into the world that haven't become parents and I am so incredibly passionate about this. Fertility really has to be investigated further.   As a woman, you have your hormonal levels checked. You have ultrasound of uterus, and you have the potency of the fallopian tubes tested, as a man a very basic semen analysis which tells us little, purely for signposting to fertility Treatment.  I've said that before and Dr Sheryl Homa said the same. It is not about identifying a cause of your fertility issues, It's about identifying which fertility treatment is going to be better.    Interestingly, IVF was developed for women with missing or damaged fallopian tubes initially,  a way to bypass that and now it is used much much more readily. Again, I'm not anti IVF , I’m very pro it when it's needed. I just feel we can investigate this a little bit further and also if you are having IVF taking steps that actually improve the quality of the sperm is going to be hugely beneficial.   So the sperm count is an example that I've talked about but it goes a lot further. Remember I've said things will remain unexplained If we're not looking in the right places, and if we're looking in the right places, we might just be able to get an explanation.   So I wanted to just bring that to your attention in this first episode in the second season. I've got exciting plans ahead, we have an interview that I've done already, that we're just editing at the moment, but I wanted to let you know that the podcast is back.   I work with people one to one  face to face in Nottingham or online all over the world, One to one is not always the right option for everyone whether that's a financial option or not, but what I am working on right developing a group programme.   In it you will be able to access me and to the coaching material on a group level and al have people with you in that group. Now you can get as involved in that group as suits you and discussions and support as you want. But that is something that's coming so I will open a waiting list for that and if its something that you are interested in you will be able to find details of that on the website.   If you want to get in touch you can get in touch with me at Kat at fertility rewired.com. The podcast is also on YouTube. And you can access that you can subscribe to the channel fertility rewire where you can have you can pop comments in there to me directly. You can contact me by email kat@fertilityrewire.com or you could find me on social media which I've been not been very present again, but will be popping in.   Well thanks for your patience. I'm excited to bring  more information to you in the future. Take care now. Relevant podcast links Dr Sheryl Homa   https://fertilityrewire.com/podcast/male-fertility-factors-with-prof-sheryl-homa/ Sperm - more than just a number   https://fertilityrewire.com/podcast/sperm-just-a-number/ Male factors in fertility  https://fertilityrewire.com/podcast/14-2/

Well, hello, it's been a while hasn't hit? For those of you that have listened to this podcast from the very beginning, it's been quite a gap. I'm sure for those of us that have caught up later. It may still be a gap and for that, I apologise. What happened was I decided to take a break between season one and season two and that break was going to be about a month or maybe two months. That was April 2021. It was also around tht time that the UK was to some extent re opening. I was able to open my clinic doors and see my clients on a face to face,  increase my online clients as house became empty at times again.  I  always had the intention of starting up again but in terms and work life balance, something had to give and it was, I'm afraid the podcast.  I've had lots of lovely messages from people asking where I am and if I'm okay and if I'm still working and yes, I am. I had just taken on a little bit too much. But I'm back and I'm very excited. I've got great plans for lots of new episodes. So I hope you'll stay with me.  So in this episode, what I thought I'd do is catch you up on what's been happening  with clients and a couple of case studies. As I'm sure you're aware, I say  it's a game of two halves. Fertility issues are 50% female and  50% Male, I know the burden is  generally on the females but I had two clients that started seeing me around the same time and both had come and said that there was reasons they weren't getting pregnant. One had  irregular periods, with physical and emotional symptoms pre menstrually. One had a diagnosis of endometriosis.  What I did with both of these clients, as I always do, is in order  to get the full picture, took a full history and lifestyle of both partners and suggested that they got a sperm analysis for both male partners, which they did.  Within about a week of each other these tests came back and they were incredibly similar.  If you've listened to the podcast, you'll perhaps of heard me share that the WHO ( World World Health Organisation) guidelines for sperm analysis is that anything at or above 15 million is considered fertile. Anything below is considered to have some fertility issue. You'll also know from listening to me that I think we should be going well above that.  If you listened to Dr Sheryl Homa speak on the podcast you'll have heard her say that 15 million is not really optimal. So,, both of them had sperm results that 0.03 million, significantly lower.  We discussed lifestyle factors and changes including antioxidants, we looked at supplementation, specific fertility supplementation and reducing inflammation but also his partner told me that he had really hot baths, which he had mentioned  at fertility consultations. And had been told that it wouldn't explain this this  very, very low result. And the only option was ICSI. So we worked together and I said just for three months lets drop the hot baths. While taking the supplement he stopped them, but what proved difficult was the opinion of family and friends things like your 'dad had hot baths and we had you, We've always had hot baths and it's not an issue for us. Getting together with friends and going to a spa he didn't get in the  hot tub, but friends said, it'll be OK.  So it brings to light this aspect doesn't it about people not being supportive of things both in the medical profession and also your social  circle. But anyway, they stuck to this and he didn't have hot baths for three months and he stuck to his supplement regime.  There was some hand reflexology moves that I'd provided by video in their coaching support, which  were being regularly every month that he was doing, or his partner was doing and after three months he has his semen tested and it went from  0.03 million to 30 million,  30 million! From  being told that he would have no chance of conceiving a child naturally, making these small lifestyle changes to having absolute optimal result. And that is just incredible. But it's not surprising, not surprising to me at all. Because I've told you before I've discussed it before that this male factor is grossly overlooked, and if we could just look into this a little bit more, if we could just pay a little bit more attention to the quality and the quantity of sperm, then we will be making incredible changes to Fertility. The second couple that I worked with, had the same result of 0.03 million,  they had a child already. So something had happened.  When we started to look into more detailed history, if you refer back to the Sheryl Homa episode where she spoke condition called a Varicocele, it was something that just struck in my mind when we had a chat because he was getting this kind of a ache that he'd had for a while and he just put it down to something else. He assumed that it might be related to his job or related to the fact that lifting weights and it was something that he put up with. To give you more background, the doctor in this case, I have to say , his bedside manner and communication skills were horrendous. I think he said something along the lines of well you're never going to happen with a child with a result like that. And because they already had a child, the only option available was IVF, which would need to be self funded . Many questions arose such as, Would that be possible financially? Would it work?  Anyway, as well as similar supplementation and hand reflexology input, I encouraged him to request or ultrasound of the testes. If it was just about fertility I'm sure the answer would have been no, but because he had a symptom, because he had this is kind of low level ache he pushed and he pushed and he pushed and he got an ultrasound. He also came to see me because he was a face to face client for a reflexology treatment and the reflex area that represents the testes on the side with the pain did feel different and now we don't diagnose with reflexology, but it did have some characteristics that had alerted me . So he had the ultrasound and yes, he had a Varicocele and he's pushed and pushed for the surgery and he has had it.  When they went to do the surgery, to remind a  Varicocele is a varicose vein that is supplying the testes. If you think about  the heat that is generated there is going to pretty much kill the sperm, but also the blood supply is affected as well. It's not getting through this vein that was completely blocked when they did the surgery and they've had to put six stents into it. Now, we don't know what effect that's going to have. We certainly hope that the pain is going to go away. It also, as many of you, I'm sure are thinking actually provided a potential answer to the years and of trying for a second child unsuccessfully. So I think my point is that, as I've said many times and  as I say to my clients, we can't just accept that this is unexplained. Or we can't just accept that if you've got a low sperm count the only option is ICSI. There is a lot that can be done to improve sperm counts. There is a lot that can be done to improve sperm quality. And again, not necessarily with everybody but unless we try unless we look into this, unless we are prepared to be that detective to look to travel upstream and get the answers we won’t get answers. It just made me reflect on so many couples over the years, even before IVF came into the world that haven't become parents and I am so incredibly passionate about this. Fertility really has to be investigated further. As a woman, you have your hormonal levels checked. You have ultrasound of uterus, and you have the potency of the fallopian tubes tested, as a man a very basic semen analysis which tells us little, purely for signposting to fertility Treatment.  I've said that before and Dr Sheryl Homa said the same. It is not about identifying a cause of your fertility issues, It's about identifying which fertility treatment is going to be better.  Interestingly, IVF was developed for women with missing or damaged fallopian tubes initially,  a way to bypass that and now it is used much much more readily. Again, I'm not anti IVF , I’m very pro it when it's needed. I just feel we can investigate this a little bit further and also if you are having IVF taking steps that actually improve the quality of the sperm is going to be hugely beneficial. So the sperm count is an example that I've talked about but it goes a lot further. Remember I've said things will remain unexplained If we're not looking in the right places, and if we're looking in the right places, we might just be able to get an explanation. So I wanted to just bring that to your attention in this first episode in the second season. I've got exciting plans ahead, we have an interview that I've done already, that we're just editing at the moment, but I wanted to let you know that the podcast is back. I work with people one to one  face to face in Nottingham or online all over the world, One to one is not always the right option for everyone whether that's a financial option or not, but what I am working on right developing a group programme. In it you will be able to access me and to the coaching material on a group level and al have people with you in that group. Now you can get as involved in that group as suits you and discussions and support as you want. But that is something that's coming so I will open a waiting list for that and if its something that you are interested in you will be able to find <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/group-training/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">details of that on the website.</a> If you want to get in touch you can get in touch with me at Kat at fertility <a href="http://rewired.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">rewired.com</a>. The podcast is also on YouTube. And you can access that you can subscribe to the channel fertility rewire where you can have you can pop comments in there to me directly. You can contact me by email kat@fertilityrewire.com or you could find me on social media which I've been not been very present again, but will be popping in. Well thanks for your patience. I'm excited to bring  more information to you in the future. Take care now. Relevant podcast links Dr Sheryl Homa  <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/podcast/male-fertility-factors-with-prof-sheryl-homa/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://fertilityrewire.com/podcast/male-fertility-factors-with-prof-sheryl-homa/</a> Sperm - more than just a number  <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/podcast/sperm-just-a-number/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://fertilityrewire.com/podcast/sperm-just-a-number/</a> Male factors in fertility  <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/podcast/14-2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://fertilityrewire.com/podcast/14-2/</a>

Low Sperm Count

How fantastic would it be to be able to run laboratory tests to identify your hormone levels and give you accurate data on when you are ovulating? In the US, more testing and more often is available, here in the UK, not so much, and certainly not after initial investigations. Well you can, Sylvia Kang, CEO and co founder of the Mira Fertility tracker explains in this episode how Mira can support you. This marvellous hand held device is basically working to the same technology as laboratory equipment, but shrunk down to the fir on the palm of your hand.  I’ve been working with data from clients who are using the Mira App for some time now and I have been incredibly impressed. Analysing a urine sample shows the Oestrogen and lutenizing hormone and develops a bespoke picture for an individual.  I’ve seen great insights in clients with PCOs specifically.  As with this condition there may appear to be a number of ‘attempts’ before ovulation actually takes place. Sylvia ran me through her background, which is impressive and why she was driven to develop Mira. Mira as it stands is an exciting piece of equipment but there is more excitement to come with the inclusion of progesterone testing included.  This will be incredible for all users but for those with PCOS it will give a definitive indication that ovulation occurred.  For many in my client base this will support those who have a lower progesterone, and also will show us the affects our work is having on raising this, which is a huge part of the work with many clients at the moment. An what’s more the ability to test Beta HCG, the pregnancy hormone is also coming I’ll let Sylvia explain it to you. If want to follow Mira on Instagram you can do so @mirafertility  They have a you tube channel with some great webinars, one from myself on reducing stress when ttc.  If you want to get the Mira starter kit, head over to  https://www.miracare.com/mira-shop/fertility-plus-starter-kit/ and use the code FERTILITY REWIRE to get a $25/£25 discount, and what’s more as a Mira user you get a 20% discount off my services. If you want any more information, see where you’re at or would like to find out how working with me on the Fertility Rewire Method may help you, then you can arrange  Free call Free resources are available including what your bleed can tell you about your fertility and a free visualisation. If you want to keep up to date on information, news, client progress updates, offers and podcast episodes, the best way is to  receive my emails .

How fantastic would it be to be able to run laboratory tests to identify your hormone levels and give you accurate data on when you are ovulating? In the US, more testing and more often is available, here in the UK, not so much, and certainly not after initial investigations. Well you can, Sylvia Kang, CEO and co founder of the Mira Fertility tracker explains in this episode how Mira can support you. This marvellous hand held device is basically working to the same technology as laboratory equipment, but shrunk down to the fir on the palm of your hand.  I’ve been working with data from clients who are using the Mira App for some time now and I have been incredibly impressed. Analysing a urine sample shows the Oestrogen and lutenizing hormone and develops a bespoke picture for an individual.  I’ve seen great insights in clients with PCOs specifically.  As with this condition there may appear to be a number of ‘attempts’ before ovulation actually takes place. Sylvia ran me through her background, which is impressive and why she was driven to develop Mira. Mira as it stands is an exciting piece of equipment but there is more excitement to come with the inclusion of progesterone testing included.  This will be incredible for all users but for those with PCOS it will give a definitive indication that ovulation occurred.  For many in my client base this will support those who have a lower progesterone, and also will show us the affects our work is having on raising this, which is a huge part of the work with many clients at the moment. An what’s more the ability to test Beta HCG, the pregnancy hormone is also coming I’ll let Sylvia explain it to you. If want to follow Mira on Instagram you can do so <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mirafertility/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@mirafertility </a> They have a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS5Z-P55EpyB-eAnwZsvOdg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">you tube channel</a> with some great webinars, one from myself on <a href="https://youtu.be/lqtXmkfqLps" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">reducing stress when ttc. </a> If you want to get the Mira starter kit, head over to  <a href="https://www.miracare.com/mira-shop/fertility-plus-starter-kit/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.miracare.com/mira-shop/fertility-plus-starter-kit/</a> and use the code FERTILITY REWIRE to get a $25/£25 discount, and what’s more as a Mira user you get a 20% discount off my services. If you want any more information, see where you’re at or would like to find out how working with me on the Fertility Rewire Method may help you, then you can arrange <a href="https://calendly.com/kat-stevens/free-20-minute-chat?month=2020-11" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Free call</a> <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/free-resources/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Free resources</a> are available including what your bleed can tell you about your fertility and a free visualisation. If you want to keep up to date on information, news, client progress updates, offers and podcast episodes, the best way is to <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/free-resources/join-the-fertility-rewire-email-list/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> receive my emails</a> .

Analysing Fertility Hormones at Home

What is ovulation pain telling you? You may have been told or read that Ovulation pain or mittelschmerz (German for Middle Pain) is normal, maybe even that it is a good sign for fertility.  But actually it can be far from that.  It can in some case ne an indication of something that may actually be negatively affecting your fertility. It could be a mild cramp, a dull ache, stabbing or even debilitating pain, which may last seconds, minutes or hours.  If you are waiting for ovulation pain as a sign of ovulation , when trying to conceive, ttc, you may of course be leaving it too late.  The egg as we know lives for up to 24 hours and the sperm has to travel, so if waiting it could be too late. But when we look at the pain itself, this may be due to factors other than ovulation alone, such as cysts, endometriosis, bacterial infection and more, or it may as I have seen with many of my clients show us that it may in fact also be an indicator of pelvic congestion, and/or inflammation. When we work together one of our first progress indicators is the removal of ovulation pain and I talk about some such cases. Other relevant episodes Tuning into ovulation  Pelvic congestion  Endometriosis case study  If you want any more information, see where you’re at or would like to find out how working with me on the Fertility Rewire Method may help you, then you can arrange  Free call Free resources are available including what your bleed can tell you about your fertility and a free visualisation. If you want to keep up to date on information, news, client progress updates, offers and podcast episodes, the best way is to  receive my emails .

What is ovulation pain telling you? You may have been told or read that Ovulation pain or mittelschmerz (German for Middle Pain) is normal, maybe even that it is a good sign for fertility.  But actually it can be far from that.  It can in some case ne an indication of something that may actually be negatively affecting your fertility. It could be a mild cramp, a dull ache, stabbing or even debilitating pain, which may last seconds, minutes or hours.  If you are waiting for ovulation pain as a sign of ovulation , when trying to conceive, ttc, you may of course be leaving it too late.  The egg as we know lives for up to 24 hours and the sperm has to travel, so if waiting it could be too late. But when we look at the pain itself, this may be due to factors other than ovulation alone, such as cysts, endometriosis, bacterial infection and more, or it may as I have seen with many of my clients show us that it may in fact also be an indicator of pelvic congestion, and/or inflammation. When we work together one of our first progress indicators is the removal of ovulation pain and I talk about some such cases. Other relevant episodes <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/podcast/tuning-into-ovulation/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tuning into ovulation</a> <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/podcast/9-2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pelvic congestion</a> <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/podcast/10-endometriosis-a-case-study/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Endometriosis case study</a> If you want any more information, see where you’re at or would like to find out how working with me on the Fertility Rewire Method may help you, then you can arrange <a href="https://calendly.com/kat-stevens/free-20-minute-chat?month=2020-11" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Free call</a> <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/free-resources/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Free resources</a> are available including what your bleed can tell you about your fertility and a free visualisation. If you want to keep up to date on information, news, client progress updates, offers and podcast episodes, the best way is to <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/free-resources/join-the-fertility-rewire-email-list/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> receive my emails</a> .

What is ovulation pain might be telling you about your fertility.

Kat Stevens is the host of the Fertility Rewire Podcast, She is a mind and body coach specialising in Fertility.  This show is a place for information and discussion around topics relevant to Fertility, to break through the overwhelm of information and to look specifically at the instrinsic design of fertility and how it often fails to adapt in todays world.

Kat Stevens is the host of the Fertility Rewire Podcast, She is a mind and body coach specialising in Fertility. This show is a place for information and discussion around topics relevant to Fertility, to break through the overwhelm of information and to look specifically at the instrinsic design of fertility and how it often fails to adapt in todays world.

Fertility Rewire Podcast

In this episode I have the great pleasure of chatting with Claire Mockridge, A Restorative Exercise Specialist and founder of 'Your Pelvic Matters'. This is a programme aimed at those with pelvic dysfunction, which you may not know you have, to be honest! She works with all ranges of clients including those experiencing Fertility issues. Claire and I met over 11 years ago when I attended her Pregnancy fitness class in a very cold scout hut! We are firm friend and share the same interest in returning to the original fertility design, without necessarily returning to the cave! We talk about how the lack of room in your pelvis can affect fertility, and how the original design of the pelvis has been affected in our modern world and lifestyle.

In this episode I have the great pleasure of chatting with Claire Mockridge, A Restorative Exercise Specialist and founder of 'Your Pelvic Matters'. This is a programme aimed at those with pelvic dysfunction, which you may not know you have, to be honest! She works with all ranges of clients including those experiencing Fertility issues. Claire and I met over 11 years ago when I attended her Pregnancy fitness class in a very cold scout hut! We are firm friend and share the same interest in returning to the original fertility design, without necessarily returning to the cave! We talk about how the lack of room in your pelvis can affect fertility, and how the original design of the pelvis has been affected in our modern world and lifestyle.

Pelvic Congestion and Fertility

Have you been told that you just need to relax?  That is, if you just relax and stop thinking about it, you’ll get pregnant? That if you stop “trying”: you’ll get pregnant...  I wanted to put some science behind this, to discuss how it fits in with our instrinsic primal fertility design I mentioned in the last episode, which looked at whether IVF clinics are exploiting women over 40, following an emotive headline in the news. The science Let's consider our original fertility design, which is there in order to reproduce, and ensure survival of the species. The 3 elements that are needed in order to ensure this are,  safety as in no life threatening tigers are present kind of safe so a basic level of you yourself surviving, but also that you are not living in fear sustenance , i.e. to obtain nourishment and ths can be considered nutritional, hydration at its basic level, but the impact this has on all body systems and their reaction procreation, if the environment is safe, and we are nourished then mating can take place. And hopefully continuation of the species as a result    I touched upon it in the last episode, when I discussed how people get pregnant accidentally and how the instinctive fertility design aids that.  But, I wanted to break down further this area of Safety and how this affects fertility.  The Triune Brain  Through evolution our brain has developed with 3 parts, and it is referred to as the triune brain, made up of the reptile, mammal and human brains  The reptile brain, known as the survival instinct brain, is responsible for fight or flight and automatic pilot, The mammal brain, referred to as the emotional brain, is responsible for emotions, memories and habits, and helps us with decision making at a basic level The Human brain, referred to as the Thinking brain is responsible for language, abstract thought, imagination and consciousness, as in that functioning in our conscious mind, and this is what allows us to reason and rationalise So this whole system of survival is under the primary control of our reptile brain, and is there to ensure continuance of species, based on absolute instinctive behaviour. The issue we have as humans, of course, is that our chattering brain within our neo cortex, the area of logic and reason, enables self awareness and questioning, and as a result things can seem less instinctive. This is the part of the brain that asks why we're not getting pregnant, what are we doing wrong? the area with self awareness that compares us to other people. Other people getting pregnant, why can they and not me? The area that looks for reasons and causes And this affects the emotional brain, fear, upset, worry that then triggers the reptile brain to go into fight or flight.   So for reproduction to happen the species needs to be safe, and more importantly is to feel safe.   Your Tigers You're perhaps not under threat from life endangering tigers, Or are you? I refer to our modern day fertility specific Tigers that elicit the stress response of fight or flight And these tigers can be many things. And the one thing that we need to be really clear on is, you may think that the worries that you're facing are not the same as your life being endangered by a tiger. But your body doesn't know that. Your body responds to the chemicals that are produced as a result of your thoughts, from the emotional brain. So let's take it back to real, life endagering tigers for a moment. The fact The fact is that there is a tiger. You won't consider the tiger itself as necessarily dangerous. Unless you know that tigers are dangerous. So you could be a small child who has never seen a tiger before and a tiger comes into your path. and you think, Wow, what a big fluffy thing, until it roars perhaps? The thought Because you know that tigers are dangerous, because you know, that being in the presence of a tiger out in the wild, is a dangerous situation. You will have a though such as, Oh, my goodness (insert alternatives here) that’s a tiger, with me here and life is in danger which leads to..   The emotion(s) The emotions of fear, and terror, and fear and terror signal the fight or flight response Lets think of situations daily that cause this same response even on a smaller level, The Result As a result adrenaline is produced, heart rate increases, blood is pumped to the arms and legs so that you can fight or flight. Your Actions You run to safety   Where are your tigers? It may not be fertility related, it can be small or large stress inducing thoughts, You may have work deadlines, you may have worries about career progression, family issues, being busy, being late.. it goes on. These in themselves affect your bodies perception of safety  It may be that you have anxiety, general, or specific anxiety relating to something else entirely. It may be a feeling of a lack of control,  Add in fertility worries, you may feel you will never get pregnant, t There may be financial worries, because you're not getting pregnant. And you're thinking oh no, this means that we're going to have to have assisted methods, That if the first round doesn't work on the funded cycle, if you have access to a funded cycle, Then we're going to need to pay for fertility treatment. And that's really expensive. This one thought, rolls and gathers speed and size as it moves  You might have the pressures upon you of conceiving, due to age, it may be a worry that you've only got a short window, you haven't got the time for this not to be happening, And at this point, it's not safe to reproduce. The human brain which controls logic, thinking and reasoning, when fight or flight is at play, cannot step in, there's no time for logic, this is survival. These tigers are everywhere, You might not think that you're particularly stressed. And so that's not going to have an impact on your fertility. But Stress doesn’t have to be a huge big thing, as I said earlier it could be big or small stresses, these small stresses can be lots of little hits throughout your day. In this instance your body responds as though you are in constant danger. So how soon after you wake do you check your phone?, and there might be something there that creates a small dose of stress response. As you get ready, throughout the morning, on your journey to work, reading an email, a conversation with a family member, the to do list all of these individually might create a small stress response. So they're short, sharp, but they're consistent. And when we are consistently producing adrenaline, then our body starts to produce cortisol, which is an anti inflammatory. Hormone steals and diversions Cortisol’s function is to reduce the inflammation in the body, the inflammation that's been caused by stress. And here's the thing with stress. If cortisol is being produced, then the production of progesterone is affected. Progesterone is one of your female reproductive hormones. For the body to make cortisol, it has to use a basic ingredient first. And this basic ingredient is a hormone builder, if you like, and this is called pregnanalone. Now, what's key here is that in order to make cortisol, the body needs needs to use The same hormone builder,. Now here's the thing, which is going to win who's going to get the pregnanalone? Well, your life is in danger, so reproduction is really not a vital system right now. So it is going to be used to make the cortisol. These tiny stresses in continued doses, or the big continual stresses, or the stresses about fertility, or about your work or about your life, are going to affect the production of your hormones.  Hormones are chemical signals that cause the body to do something. They are situated in glands around the bod, all with separtae function, but are all controlled by the Hypothalamus and Pituatory Glands They work together looking over everything and making decisions on potential diversions, So hormones can be increased, decreased, and diverted, Stress, whether it be big, little, intermittent or consistent can have an impact on your fertility You can look into ways to reduce stress, maybe make some fundamental changes to work life balance, maybe implement measure that help you relax after a stressful day, signal the body to go into rest and digest mode  It's really important to know your tigers. Recognising and managing your thoughts is a key part of the work that I do personally and with clients Its what I have used to manage my own health challenges both physically and emotionally. What if I told you that you were in control of the tigers, its you who released them? The tigers, they are your thoughts, your scary negative thoughts So we just have to stop thinking them? If only things were that simple? Controlling your tigers What we needs to do is recognise them as thoughts. In order to recognise thoughts, you have to be able to notice them and one of the best ways to be able to tune into this is by being present, to be able to get to the point of saying, here is the thought that…  But thoughts seem so real, when you think of something sad, you cry. Your brain does not know the difference between what is real or imagined. It will react to the emotion. This as well as being a potential downfall in emotion health is also incredibly powerful, your brain works with the information you give it, so when we look at visualisations, this is huge Lets go back to the negative are thoughts, thoughts that you have made yourself, from memories, fears, past experience, via the sub conscious, so in many ways you are not consciously in control of them, but you can get control in their management and your responses Being able to recognise and manage thoughts can change things hugely. The process is, there is a situation, this leads to a thought, which leads to an emotion, which leads to chemical reaction in the body, which can lead to a physical change, and could also lead to a behavior Recognising thoughts can mean the reactions change and over time, this can lead to physical changes within the brain One of the key things we realise when we are able to recognise thoughts is that we are in control of them, when experiencing fertility issues, we don’t feel in control, but we can be in control of ourselves, our actions and our thoughts and in doing so, we take control What can we do? Well as I said earlier we can look at supporting out bodies to relax, to reduce the cortisol. I have a free relaxation audio available to you that you can access in the show notes, or by visiting fertilityrewire.com  But perhaps for those of us who experience these significant stresses, anxiety, depression or continued negative thoughts patterns, a system to recognise and manage thoughts is needed. By being present, by noticing.. If you wanted to learn more, about how thought management within Fertility rewire can help, then jump on a call with me, get in touch

Have you been told that you just need to relax?  That is, if you just relax and stop thinking about it, you’ll get pregnant? That if you stop “trying”: you’ll get pregnant...  I wanted to put some science behind this, to discuss how it fits in with our instrinsic primal fertility design I mentioned in the last episode, which looked at whether IVF clinics are exploiting women over 40, following an emotive headline in the news. The science Let's consider our original fertility design, which is there in order to reproduce, and ensure survival of the species. The 3 elements that are needed in order to ensure this are, <ul> <li>safety as in no life threatening tigers are present kind of safe so a basic level of you yourself surviving, but also that you are not living in fear</li> <li>sustenance , i.e. to obtain nourishment and ths can be considered nutritional, hydration at its basic level, but the impact this has on all body systems and their reaction</li> <li>procreation, if the environment is safe, and we are nourished then mating can take place. And hopefully continuation of the species as a result</li> </ul> I touched upon it in the last episode, when I discussed how people get pregnant accidentally and how the instinctive fertility design aids that.  But, I wanted to break down further this area of Safety and how this affects fertility.  The Triune Brain  Through evolution our brain has developed with 3 parts, and it is referred to as the triune brain, made up of the reptile, mammal and human brains  The reptile brain, known as the survival instinct brain, is responsible for fight or flight and automatic pilot, The mammal brain, referred to as the emotional brain, is responsible for emotions, memories and habits, and helps us with decision making at a basic level The Human brain, referred to as the Thinking brain is responsible for language, abstract thought, imagination and consciousness, as in that functioning in our conscious mind, and this is what allows us to reason and rationalise So this whole system of survival is under the primary control of our reptile brain, and is there to ensure continuance of species, based on absolute instinctive behaviour. The issue we have as humans, of course, is that our chattering brain within our neo cortex, the area of logic and reason, enables self awareness and questioning, and as a result things can seem less instinctive. This is the part of the brain that asks why we're not getting pregnant, what are we doing wrong? the area with self awareness that compares us to other people. Other people getting pregnant, why can they and not me? The area that looks for reasons and causes And this affects the emotional brain, fear, upset, worry that then triggers the reptile brain to go into fight or flight. So for reproduction to happen the species needs to be safe, and more importantly is to feel safe. Your Tigers You're perhaps not under threat from life endangering tigers, Or are you? I refer to our modern day fertility specific Tigers that elicit the stress response of fight or flight And these tigers can be many things. And the one thing that we need to be really clear on is, you may think that the worries that you're facing are not the same as your life being endangered by a tiger. But your body doesn't know that. Your body responds to the chemicals that are produced as a result of your thoughts, from the emotional brain. So let's take it back to real, life endagering tigers for a moment. The fact The fact is that there is a tiger. You won't consider the tiger itself as necessarily dangerous. Unless you know that tigers are dangerous. So you could be a small child who has never seen a tiger before and a tiger comes into your path. and you think, Wow, what a big fluffy thing, until it roars perhaps? The thought Because you know that tigers are dangerous, because you know, that being in the presence of a tiger out in the wild, is a dangerous situation. You will have a though such as, Oh, my goodness (insert alternatives here) that’s a tiger, with me here and life is in danger which leads to.. The emotion(s) The emotions of fear, and terror, and fear and terror signal the fight or flight response Lets think of situations daily that cause this same response even on a smaller level, The Result As a result adrenaline is produced, heart rate increases, blood is pumped to the arms and legs so that you can fight or flight. Your Actions You run to safety Where are your tigers? It may not be fertility related, it can be small or large stress inducing thoughts, You may have work deadlines, you may have worries about career progression, family issues, being busy, being late.. it goes on. These in themselves affect your bodies perception of safety  It may be that you have anxiety, general, or specific anxiety relating to something else entirely. It may be a feeling of a lack of control,  Add in fertility worries, you may feel you will never get pregnant, t There may be financial worries, because you're not getting pregnant. And you're thinking oh no, this means that we're going to have to have assisted methods, That if the first round doesn't work on the funded cycle, if you have access to a funded cycle, Then we're going to need to pay for fertility treatment. And that's really expensive. This one thought, rolls and gathers speed and size as it moves  You might have the pressures upon you of conceiving, due to age, it may be a worry that you've only got a short window, you haven't got the time for this not to be happening, And at this point, it's not safe to reproduce. The human brain which controls logic, thinking and reasoning, when fight or flight is at play, cannot step in, there's no time for logic, this is survival. These tigers are everywhere, You might not think that you're particularly stressed. And so that's not going to have an impact on your fertility. But Stress doesn’t have to be a huge big thing, as I said earlier it could be big or small stresses, these small stresses can be lots of little hits throughout your day. In this instance your body responds as though you are in constant danger. So how soon after you wake do you check your phone?, and there might be something there that creates a small dose of stress response. As you get ready, throughout the morning, on your journey to work, reading an email, a conversation with a family member, the to do list all of these individually might create a small stress response. So they're short, sharp, but they're consistent. And when we are consistently producing adrenaline, then our body starts to produce cortisol, which is an anti inflammatory. Hormone steals and diversions Cortisol’s function is to reduce the inflammation in the body, the inflammation that's been caused by stress. And here's the thing with stress. If cortisol is being produced, then the production of progesterone is affected. Progesterone is one of your female reproductive hormones. For the body to make cortisol, it has to use a basic ingredient first. And this basic ingredient is a hormone builder, if you like, and this is called pregnanalone. Now, what's key here is that in order to make cortisol, the body needs needs to use The same hormone builder,. Now here's the thing, which is going to win who's going to get the pregnanalone? Well, your life is in danger, so reproduction is really not a vital system right now. So it is going to be used to make the cortisol. These tiny stresses in continued doses, or the big continual stresses, or the stresses about fertility, or about your work or about your life, are going to affect the production of your hormones.  Hormones are chemical signals that cause the body to do something. They are situated in glands around the bod, all with separtae function, but are all controlled by the Hypothalamus and Pituatory Glands They work together looking over everything and making decisions on potential diversions, So hormones can be increased, decreased, and diverted, Stress, whether it be big, little, intermittent or consistent can have an impact on your fertility You can look into ways to reduce stress, maybe make some fundamental changes to work life balance, maybe implement measure that help you relax after a stressful day, signal the body to go into rest and digest mode  It's really important to know your tigers. Recognising and managing your thoughts is a key part of the work that I do personally and with clients Its what I have used to manage my own health challenges both physically and emotionally. What if I told you that you were in control of the tigers, its you who released them? The tigers, they are your thoughts, your scary negative thoughts So we just have to stop thinking them? If only things were that simple? Controlling your tigers What we needs to do is recognise them as thoughts. In order to recognise thoughts, you have to be able to notice them and one of the best ways to be able to tune into this is by being present, to be able to get to the point of saying, here is the thought that…  But thoughts seem so real, when you think of something sad, you cry. Your brain does not know the difference between what is real or imagined. It will react to the emotion. This as well as being a potential downfall in emotion health is also incredibly powerful, your brain works with the information you give it, so when we look at visualisations, this is huge Lets go back to the negative are thoughts, thoughts that you have made yourself, from memories, fears, past experience, via the sub conscious, so in many ways you are not consciously in control of them, but you can get control in their management and your responses Being able to recognise and manage thoughts can change things hugely. The process is, there is a situation, this leads to a thought, which leads to an emotion, which leads to chemical reaction in the body, which can lead to a physical change, and could also lead to a behavior Recognising thoughts can mean the reactions change and over time, this can lead to physical changes within the brain One of the key things we realise when we are able to recognise thoughts is that we are in control of them, when experiencing fertility issues, we don’t feel in control, but we can be in control of ourselves, our actions and our thoughts and in doing so, we take control What can we do? Well as I said earlier we can look at supporting out bodies to relax, to reduce the cortisol. I have a free relaxation audio available to you that you can access in the show notes, or by visiting <a href="http://fertilityrewire.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">fertilityrewire.com</a> But perhaps for those of us who experience these significant stresses, anxiety, depression or continued negative thoughts patterns, a system to recognise and manage thoughts is needed. By being present, by noticing.. If you wanted to learn more, about how thought management within Fertility rewire can help, then jump on a call with me, get in touch

How Stress affects Fertility

In todays episode I talk about positive and negative thinking.  Its hard to be positive when tings aren’t going how we hoped.  So I wanted to unpick a little how these thought patterns may affect your emotions and behaviours around anything, but that we can relate to fertility.    I mention thoughts a lot, it’s a huge part of the work Ive dome on myself and with my clients.   We get so many thoughts throughout the day, some researchers report 60-80000 day, another reports 12,000 - 60,000 a day, either way it’s a lot . Interestingly the majority of them are the same thoughts you had the previous day   And Most sources agree that about 80% of them are negative, but that doesn’t make everyone have a negative outlook does it, as I will continually mention its how we then react to the thought that is key.    Some people have a really positive outlook don’t they? Others the complete opposite, believe that certain things wont happen for them.  Some of course sit in the middle, but is it the fear of either that keeps them there or are they just open to what may be?   Is it a fear of getting our hopes up, a fear of being disappointed, after all a pessimist is never disappointed, which takes my mind instantly back to the song by the Audience, see how thoughts just ping in and grab previous random long gong memories. That song was released I 1998, 21 years ago and with that memory came all sort, wow. The brain is so incredible,   I think its quite British, to not get our hopes up and in many ways to look with suspicion to those who seem to be happy all the time.     There is so much evidence available to support the effects of a positive mindset and equally a negative one has on many aspects of our life including health .  Ghandi put it well when he said   “A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.” —    If we think for a moment about how powerful thoughts are, when you think back to a time that you were embarrassed, you recall the event and the experience and you may feel the same and even blush.  When we think back to happy times we feel happy, maybe even smile. Facebook memories are great for this, those little gems pop into your feed and evoke emotion.  Equally when you think back to a sad event, its possible you will feel sad, and even cry or if you imagine the possibility of something bad happening you can feel that emotion as though it really is.    This is something I used to do a lot, after losing my dad at 16 and my mum at 22, I would catastrophise massively, and in no time if someone was late, in no time a fleeting thought could take a whole disastrous life of itself.   and here’s the thing your brain doesn’t know the difference between whats real and imagined, which is why visualisation can be so incredibly effective, this is a big part of what  I did myself when trying to conceive, and now with my clients and, which I will return to in a later episode in more detail as it needs more time.   So can we just change our thoughts, think positively all the time and hope in the end well start to believe it?   Well it depends, because are you really thinking positively? If so then absolutely, but if you are trying to think it but thinking something else, in contradiction, almost a conversation, or it evokes unpleasant feeling tah intuitively don’t sit right then chances are it wont.    So we can look at creating new thought s and well thought out affirmations that sit well and spark the right emotions can do this.     This is a big thing with affirmations and When working with clients, when looking at affirmations, its important that its something that they can feel comfortably about, we are developing beliefs, we are working on making changes via neuroplastisity within the brain, so it has to ease in in a way.    Perhaps a big bold “I will get pregnant” is a step to far, for many, so we need to tweak what the beliefs are we are trying to develop. We work with word like I trust, I feel etc.     But what about changing thought patterns.  It’s hard to shift a negative thought into a positive, and often during your time trying to conceive and experiencing disappointment it hard to be positive. It seems so false and almost a false hope, a hope you daren’t allow yourself to feel.     But, There is a difference between being positive and not being negative.  Sometime when we look to reframing our thoughts we can bring in a bridging thought.  So when we use words like can’t shouldn’t wont, if it doesn’t sit right to change that to will, shall and can ,sometimes a simple reframe to I don’t know how to , but I will insert action to get you closer, it brings in a sense of openness I guess.  Part of the work I do with thought management, is to encourage this sense of openness to the negative thoughts and ultimately a sense of letting go   Language is so key and a huge part of many talking therapies and studies, reframing and affirmations are incredibly effective. but its not always so easy to do that on your own, you may need some guidance through therapy or coaching.   One great play with language is the changing of the word yet in a sentence, It can completely redirect a thought process towards change.  In a coaching session, someone may say, “no I  haven’t done that yet”,  the coach /therapist can rather than allowing the sentence to end there may add “you are open to it”.   “No I haven’t done that, yet I am open to it” a great tool to learn for yourself. I haven’t started yoga, yet I am open to the idea.     It can  hard to believe a new thought, or even be open to it.  This may be that there is a strong core belief.   A core belief is the essence of how we see ourselves, other people, the world and the future.   They develop over time, usually from childhood, believed to be by the age of 7 and many report them being through the experience of significant life events.  But what is significant.  We now know that they develop from messages received from your parents, siblings, teachers and peers.  And these messages taught you something about yourself. So in this case whether you are shy, awkward or likeable, gave you a sense of who you are.   It can even be an overheard conversation relating that develops the belief.  In terms of fertility, a young child may have set the belief that she will never have children after over hearing a conversation about  a birth experience, when playing with your dolls, a throw away comment about being a rubbish mum when you dropped the doll on its head, a belief that its just not worth trying something, a belief that good things only happen to other people And they can become activated in different situations   There’s no need to over analyse this here and now, I just want you to understand where these core beliefs may come from and how they can be shaping things, just develop a sense of openness to the thoughts   I have to say when I did my hypnotherapy and mind coaching training, I spent a lot of time thinking of how my children were going to need help as adults.  A simple comment can have such impact. In fact my son now 11 had some anxiety and low confidence issues for quite some time between the ages of 6 and 10. Prior to 6 he was the most confident of boys   I could work with him to support but you cant work with someone that close professionally, and also he’s a child. So we saw a child psychologist and she got uncovered that the loveliest, kindest, mild mannered teacher, completely out of character had one day raised her voice when he dropped a pencil and everyone looked at him and he was it turns out filled with shame and believed everyone thought he was stupid.  Heart breaking to hear, but we know what we were working with     Your core beliefs about others, well, did your childhood teach you that its safe to trust people, that its good to help others or that people aren’t kind and not to be trusted?   What really interesting about core beliefs is that they play a part in self for-filling prophecies, back to the quote from Ghandi   “A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.” —      Because we believe something to be true, what we do is for evidence that supports it. This evidence serves to support the belief, as it reinforces it So for example, I’m not clever enough to go to university," you'll view each difficult question or low mark as proof of this And if you do well on a test paper, you may be quite dismissive of it and put it don to luck, or the teacher being favourable As a result your beliefs affect your behaviour: If you believe you aren't that clever, you perhaps won't put as much effort into your studies, and as a result you won't perform well. The good news is that these limiting beliefs can be unlearned, it’s another example of the need to rewire.   --------

In todays episode I talk about positive and negative thinking.  Its hard to be positive when tings aren’t going how we hoped.  So I wanted to unpick a little how these thought patterns may affect your emotions and behaviours around anything, but that we can relate to fertility.  I mention thoughts a lot, it’s a huge part of the work Ive dome on myself and with my clients. We get so many thoughts throughout the day, some researchers report 60-80000 day, another reports 12,000 - 60,000 a day, either way it’s a lot . Interestingly the majority of them are the same thoughts you had the previous day And Most sources agree that about 80% of them are negative, but that doesn’t make everyone have a negative outlook does it, as I will continually mention its how we then react to the thought that is key.  Some people have a really positive outlook don’t they? Others the complete opposite, believe that certain things wont happen for them.  Some of course sit in the middle, but is it the fear of either that keeps them there or are they just open to what may be? Is it a fear of getting our hopes up, a fear of being disappointed, after all a pessimist is never disappointed, which takes my mind instantly back to the song by the Audience, see how thoughts just ping in and grab previous random long gong memories. That song was released I 1998, 21 years ago and with that memory came all sort, wow. The brain is so incredible, I think its quite British, to not get our hopes up and in many ways to look with suspicion to those who seem to be happy all the time. There is so much evidence available to support the effects of a positive mindset and equally a negative one has on many aspects of our life including health .  Ghandi put it well when he said “A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.” —  If we think for a moment about how powerful thoughts are, when you think back to a time that you were embarrassed, you recall the event and the experience and you may feel the same and even blush.  When we think back to happy times we feel happy, maybe even smile. Facebook memories are great for this, those little gems pop into your feed and evoke emotion.  Equally when you think back to a sad event, its possible you will feel sad, and even cry or if you imagine the possibility of something bad happening you can feel that emotion as though it really is.  This is something I used to do a lot, after losing my dad at 16 and my mum at 22, I would catastrophise massively, and in no time if someone was late, in no time a fleeting thought could take a whole disastrous life of itself. and here’s the thing your brain doesn’t know the difference between whats real and imagined, which is why visualisation can be so incredibly effective, this is a big part of what  I did myself when trying to conceive, and now with my clients and, which I will return to in a later episode in more detail as it needs more time. So can we just change our thoughts, think positively all the time and hope in the end well start to believe it? Well it depends, because are you really thinking positively? If so then absolutely, but if you are trying to think it but thinking something else, in contradiction, almost a conversation, or it evokes unpleasant feeling tah intuitively don’t sit right then chances are it wont.  So we can look at creating new thought s and well thought out affirmations that sit well and spark the right emotions can do this. This is a big thing with affirmations and When working with clients, when looking at affirmations, its important that its something that they can feel comfortably about, we are developing beliefs, we are working on making changes via neuroplastisity within the brain, so it has to ease in in a way.  Perhaps a big bold “I will get pregnant” is a step to far, for many, so we need to tweak what the beliefs are we are trying to develop. We work with word like I trust, I feel etc. But what about changing thought patterns.  It’s hard to shift a negative thought into a positive, and often during your time trying to conceive and experiencing disappointment it hard to be positive. It seems so false and almost a false hope, a hope you daren’t allow yourself to feel. But, There is a difference between being positive and not being negative.  Sometime when we look to reframing our thoughts we can bring in a bridging thought.  So when we use words like can’t shouldn’t wont, if it doesn’t sit right to change that to will, shall and can ,sometimes a simple reframe to I don’t know how to , but I will insert action to get you closer, it brings in a sense of openness I guess.  Part of the work I do with thought management, is to encourage this sense of openness to the negative thoughts and ultimately a sense of letting go Language is so key and a huge part of many talking therapies and studies, reframing and affirmations are incredibly effective. but its not always so easy to do that on your own, you may need some guidance through therapy or coaching. One great play with language is the changing of the word yet in a sentence, It can completely redirect a thought process towards change.  In a coaching session, someone may say, “no I  haven’t done that yet”,  the coach /therapist can rather than allowing the sentence to end there may add “you are open to it”. “No I haven’t done that, yet I am open to it” a great tool to learn for yourself. I haven’t started yoga, yet I am open to the idea. It can  hard to believe a new thought, or even be open to it.  This may be that there is a strong core belief. A core belief is the essence of how we see ourselves, other people, the world and the future. They develop over time, usually from childhood, believed to be by the age of 7 and many report them being through the experience of significant life events.  But what is significant.  We now know that they develop from messages received from your parents, siblings, teachers and peers.  And these messages taught you something about yourself. So in this case whether you are shy, awkward or likeable, gave you a sense of who you are. It can even be an overheard conversation relating that develops the belief.  In terms of fertility, a young child may have set the belief that she will never have children after over hearing a conversation about  a birth experience, when playing with your dolls, a throw away comment about being a rubbish mum when you dropped the doll on its head, a belief that its just not worth trying something, a belief that good things only happen to other people And they can become activated in different situations There’s no need to over analyse this here and now, I just want you to understand where these core beliefs may come from and how they can be shaping things, just develop a sense of openness to the thoughts I have to say when I did my hypnotherapy and mind coaching training, I spent a lot of time thinking of how my children were going to need help as adults.  A simple comment can have such impact. In fact my son now 11 had some anxiety and low confidence issues for quite some time between the ages of 6 and 10. Prior to 6 he was the most confident of boys I could work with him to support but you cant work with someone that close professionally, and also he’s a child. So we saw a child psychologist and she got uncovered that the loveliest, kindest, mild mannered teacher, completely out of character had one day raised her voice when he dropped a pencil and everyone looked at him and he was it turns out filled with shame and believed everyone thought he was stupid.  Heart breaking to hear, but we know what we were working with Your core beliefs about others, well, did your childhood teach you that its safe to trust people, that its good to help others or that people aren’t kind and not to be trusted? What really interesting about core beliefs is that they play a part in self for-filling prophecies, back to the quote from Ghandi “A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.” —  Because we believe something to be true, what we do is for evidence that supports it. This evidence serves to support the belief, as it reinforces it So for example, I’m not clever enough to go to university," you'll view each difficult question or low mark as proof of this And if you do well on a test paper, you may be quite dismissive of it and put it don to luck, or the teacher being favourable As a result your beliefs affect your behaviour: If you believe you aren't that clever, you perhaps won't put as much effort into your studies, and as a result you won't perform well. The good news is that these limiting beliefs can be unlearned, it’s another example of the need to rewire. --------

Should you be Positive?

I was thrilled to chat with Barbara Scott, Founder of Reproflexology, and the Association if Reproductive Reflexologists . Perhaps you've wondered about reflexology or perhaps even discounted it?  I chat to Barbara about the science and the data that supports its efficacy. Links to finding a practitioner appear in the show notes at https://fertilityrewire.com/fertility-reflexology-the-science-and-the-data

I was thrilled to chat with Barbara Scott, Founder of Reproflexology, and the Association if Reproductive Reflexologists . Perhaps you've wondered about reflexology or perhaps even discounted it?  I chat to Barbara about the science and the data that supports its efficacy. Links to finding a practitioner appear in the show notes at <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/?page_id=737" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://fertilityrewire.com/fertility-reflexology-the-science-and-the-data</a>

Fertility Reflexology with Barbara Scott

When it comes to the gestation of a baby, we should look at it in terms of 12 months not 9.  That is because the it takes 3 months to make sure the ingredients are correct!. Addressing issues up stream in a rivers formation will massively affect the health of the river and the same applies here.  Even with the advances in medicine, we still need the same basic ingredients after all.

When it comes to the gestation of a baby, we should look at it in terms of 12 months not 9.  That is because the it takes 3 months to make sure the ingredients are correct!. Addressing issues up stream in a rivers formation will massively affect the health of the river and the same applies here.  Even with the advances in medicine, we still need the same basic ingredients after all.

12 Months to Grow a Baby

In this weeks episode I discuss how sleep or more importantly lack of it might be affecting fertility. A lack of sleep has an impact on may health issues, but dod you know how it can affect fertility for both men and women, well apart from the obvious i.e. being too tired to try!

In this weeks episode I discuss how sleep or more importantly lack of it might be affecting fertility. A lack of sleep has an impact on may health issues, but dod you know how it can affect fertility for both men and women, well apart from the obvious i.e. being too tired to try!

How Sleep Affects Fertility

I Absolutely thrilled to chat with Barbara Scott, founder of Reproflexology, a specific fertility reflexology protocol.  We covered so much, I would take a seat, and really absorb this.  We chatted about Male factor issues in fertility and the sadly overlooked impact in todays fertility model.  The podcast relating to the sperm decline can be found here We chatted about the decline in sperm numbers and normal from. Sperm morphology relates to how well the sperm are formed.  In the 1960's this was 80% normal forms, today 4% is considered the norm.  So 96% of sperm are not of healthy form.  So 4% of 30 million is perhaps OK, but 4% of 3 million, 15million,  or even 100 million is not so great. DNA fragmentation is not routinely tested.  DNA fragmentation s a huge huge issue. The video regarding Made in Chelsea Actor, Ollie Locke who underwent the sperm comet test and was surprised at how poor the results are can be found here Andrology is the study of sperm and detailed testing can be undertaken at Sheryl Homers clinic, Andrology Solutions, also  Brian Woodward at X and Y Fertility The examen clinic details regarding the DNA Frgamentaion can be found here Research looked at 239 couples experiencing Unexplained fertility found that 80% had sperm DNA fragmentation, and this is not something tested unless you specifically seek it.  Additional testing, and more specific lifestyle changes are imperitive and should be taken on board.  You can support for this: A reproductive refloxologist can be found here if you want to get in touch with Barbara or attend her clinic in Wales, you can find her here WE mentioned fertilise and Proceed.  There is an issue with availabliliy with Fertilix currently, but If you want to check out the DNA fragmentation risk factors, Fertilix do have a questionnaire you can fill in. We also discussed how men are treated within the Fertility system and mentioned Fertility Fest, you can check it out here Fertility Rewire Website If you would like to work with me, let's arrange a free 20 minute discovery call.   Fertility Rewire Facebook Fertility Rewire Instagram We mentioned fertilise and Proceed.  There is an issue with availabliliy with Fertilix currently, but If you want to check out the DNA fragmentation risk factors, Fertilix do have a questionnaire you can fill in. We also discussed how men are treated within the Fertility system and mentioned Fertility Fest, you can check it out here

I Absolutely thrilled to chat with Barbara Scott, founder of Reproflexology, a specific fertility reflexology protocol.  We covered so much, I would take a seat, and really absorb this.  We chatted about Male factor issues in fertility and the sadly overlooked impact in todays fertility model.  The podcast relating to the sperm decline can be found <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/podcast/sperm-just-a-number/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> We chatted about the decline in sperm numbers and normal from. Sperm morphology relates to how well the sperm are formed.  In the 1960's this was 80% normal forms, today 4% is considered the norm.  So 96% of sperm are not of healthy form.  So 4% of 30 million is perhaps OK, but 4% of 3 million, 15million,  or even 100 million is not so great. DNA fragmentation is not routinely tested.  DNA fragmentation s a huge huge issue. The video regarding Made in Chelsea Actor, Ollie Locke who underwent the sperm comet test and was surprised at how poor the results are can be found <a href="http://sperm%20comet%20made%20in%20chelsea%20actor" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> Andrology is the study of sperm and detailed testing can be undertaken at Sheryl Homers clinic, <a href="https://www.andrologysolutions.co.uk/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Andrology Solutions</a>, also  Brian Woodward at <a href="http://www.xyfertility.co.uk/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">X and Y Fertility</a> The examen clinic details regarding the DNA Frgamentaion can be found <a href="https://examenlab.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> <a href="https://examenlab.com/healthcare-professionals/sperm-dna-fragmentation/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Research</a> looked at 239 couples experiencing Unexplained fertility found that 80% had sperm DNA fragmentation, and this is not something tested unless you specifically seek it.  Additional testing, and more specific lifestyle changes are imperitive and should be taken on board.  You can support for this: A reproductive refloxologist can be found <a href="https://reproductivereflexologists.org/find-a-reflexologist/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> if you want to get in touch with Barbara or attend her clinic in Wales, you can find her <a href="https://www.serennaturalfertility.co.uk/reproflexology-training/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> WE mentioned fertilise and Proceed.  There is an issue with availabliliy with Fertilix currently, but If you want to check out the DNA fragmentation risk factors, <a href="https://www.fertilix.co.uk/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Fertilix</a> do have a questionnaire you can fill in. We also discussed how men are treated within the Fertility system and mentioned Fertility Fest, you can check it out <a href="https://www.fertilityfest.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fertility Rewire Website</a> If you would like to work with me, let's arrange a <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/work-with-me/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">free 20 minute discovery call</a>. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mindandbodyfertility/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fertility Rewire Facebook</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fertilityrewire/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fertility Rewire Instagram</a> We mentioned fertilise and Proceed.  There is an issue with availabliliy with Fertilix currently, but If you want to check out the DNA fragmentation risk factors, <a href="https://www.fertilix.co.uk/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Fertilix</a> do have a questionnaire you can fill in. We also discussed how men are treated within the Fertility system and mentioned Fertility Fest, you can check it out <a href="https://www.fertilityfest.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>

Male Factors in Fertility- more than a number

In this episode I share my own experience of overwhelm, how that correlates with experiencing fertility issues.  The wealth of information is huge, it can be misleading, conflicting and how do we know where to start. I discuss what unexplained infertility is and actually how it could be explained if only we looked deeper. Your thoughts are key and also your mindset, how can you use these to your advantage? Fertility Rewire Website If you would like to work with me, let's arrange a free 20 minute discovery call. Fertility Rewire Facebook Fertility Rewire Instagram

In this episode I share my own experience of overwhelm, how that correlates with experiencing fertility issues.  The wealth of information is huge, it can be misleading, conflicting and how do we know where to start. I discuss what unexplained infertility is and actually how it could be explained if only we looked deeper. Your thoughts are key and also your mindset, how can you use these to your advantage? <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fertility Rewire Website</a> If you would like to work with me, let's arrange a <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/work-with-me/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">free 20 minute discovery call</a>. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mindandbodyfertility/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fertility Rewire Facebook</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fertilityrewire/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fertility Rewire Instagram</a>

Overwhelm, the Unexplained, Thoughts and Mindset

In this episode I discuss a case study of a client with Endometriosis.  I discuss what her symptoms were, what the medical management had been and how we approached her care. It can be hard tomato changes, especially if the results are not guaranteed, but this case study shows how diligence supported this clients progress with fantastic results.

In this episode I discuss a case study of a client with Endometriosis.  I discuss what her symptoms were, what the medical management had been and how we approached her care. It can be hard tomato changes, especially if the results are not guaranteed, but this case study shows how diligence supported this clients progress with fantastic results.

Endometriosis - A Case Study

It seems such a cruel irony that the products we use to enhance our beauty and give us that healthy glow are actually affecting our fertility.  Affecting the fertility in past generations and future ones. Do you know what's in your beauty, hygiene and cleaning products and why this may matter to your health and that of future generations? In this episode I start to unpick a little of this vast subject.

It seems such a cruel irony that the products we use to enhance our beauty and give us that healthy glow are actually affecting our fertility.  Affecting the fertility in past generations and future ones. Do you know what's in your beauty, hygiene and cleaning products and why this may matter to your health and that of future generations? In this episode I start to unpick a little of this vast subject.

Beauty Products & Fertility

We often hear about work life balance, but getting a balance with life and a life affecting issues is key.  This potential imbalance can lead us to the control itself.  When  you look at how something is affecting your life, you tend to look at it as a whole. This then becomes really hard to consider how you could possibly change anything, its just too big and we cam have a feeling of it being beyond our control. In this weeks episode I discuss a tool that is used in life coaching called the wheel of life.  I look at how the different areas of our life are represented within this wheel, how we may have an imbalance or a possible lacking in some areas and perhaps our current or past fertility experiences may be affecting it.  This is a well used tool an score overall levels of satisfaction and dis satisfaction that may be being affected by many things  But I start to unpick what the impact of fertility itself is on these areas both positive and negative and how this can lead us toward change, perhaps even to a point of gaining some control.

We often hear about work life balance, but getting a balance with life and a life affecting issues is key.  This potential imbalance can lead us to the control itself.  When  you look at how something is affecting your life, you tend to look at it as a whole. This then becomes really hard to consider how you could possibly change anything, its just too big and we cam have a feeling of it being beyond our control. In this weeks episode I discuss a tool that is used in life coaching called the wheel of life.  I look at how the different areas of our life are represented within this wheel, how we may have an imbalance or a possible lacking in some areas and perhaps our current or past fertility experiences may be affecting it.  This is a well used tool an score overall levels of satisfaction and dis satisfaction that may be being affected by many things  But I start to unpick what the impact of fertility itself is on these areas both positive and negative and how this can lead us toward change, perhaps even to a point of gaining some control.

Fertility and Life Balance

In todays episode I tell you all that I'm ovulating! I tell you how I know, what the signs are and how I know that right here in this moment.  It doesn't involve charting my temperature and I haven't inspected my cervical mucous. I explore what the body is doing emotionally, what intrinsic design features are there to make you want to reproduce and how we can lose sight of these when trying to conceive, because it can become less natural and less lead by desire.  How ovulation can be a time of anxiety, a time of stress and how this confuses the body in to thinking ovulation isn't actually safe. I also share some tips to just recheck in, get in tune or back in tune, its time to rewire!

In todays episode I tell you all that I'm ovulating! I tell you how I know, what the signs are and how I know that right here in this moment.  It doesn't involve charting my temperature and I haven't inspected my cervical mucous. I explore what the body is doing emotionally, what intrinsic design features are there to make you want to reproduce and how we can lose sight of these when trying to conceive, because it can become less natural and less lead by desire.  How ovulation can be a time of anxiety, a time of stress and how this confuses the body in to thinking ovulation isn't actually safe. I also share some tips to just recheck in, get in tune or back in tune, its time to rewire!

Tuning into Ovulation

In todays episode, I discuss the significance of sperm, beyond the count and motility. How according to some reference sources if sperm continues to decline at its current rate, we will be extinct. That when we look into the start of the decline, we can gain some relevant factors and how these apply not only to fertility but to the health of your future child and of you as a father.  That perhaps a reframe and move away from the test as a count is necessary. We have to remember that any sperm test is a snap shot of a moment in time and that this can change, as we change.

In todays episode, I discuss the significance of sperm, beyond the count and motility. How according to some reference sources if sperm continues to decline at its current rate, we will be extinct. That when we look into the start of the decline, we can gain some relevant factors and how these apply not only to fertility but to the health of your future child and of you as a father.  That perhaps a reframe and move away from the test as a count is necessary. We have to remember that any sperm test is a snap shot of a moment in time and that this can change, as we change.

Sperm: Just a number?

Sarah Clark

Can Unexplained Fertility be explained is a big question many if you are asking and Unexplained Fertility is the 'diagnosis' given to many couples, but is it really unexplained? If you follow what I write and say you'll know that I truly believe if we look beyond the limitations of the standard tests (whose purpose is to signpost you to the relevant fertility treatment), we can find answers. This is something I work with my clients with in my own coaching programmes, what clues is the body giving us and what effects is our own internal fertility reference system causing, and how can we find and clear this, and we find that the answers may in fact lead us to the solution. With some of my clients, the physical clues lead us to a need for deeper answers We've talked on the podcast before about sensitivities ,  gut health and inflammation before, but I wanted to dig a little deeper into testing etc.  ABOUT SARAH CLARK When Sarah Clark was 28 years old, she received a diagnosis of premature ovarian failure. She accepted the diagnosis and had both her children through in vitro fertilization. Years later she realized the root cause of her infertility was a food sensitivity and later a gut infection.  She is a certified life coach with accreditation from the International Coaches Federation and a health coach with training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.   She is the author of Fabulously Fertile - Supercharge your Fertility Naturally. Her fertility coaching program, which includes functional lab testing, supports couples to make diet and lifestyle changes that dramatically improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy and baby!   On her Get Pregnant Naturally Podcast she shares that with functional medicine and natural fertility solutions we can eventually reverse infertility.   A CONVERSATION WITH SARAH CLARK We chat about yeast infections, food sensitivities, testing, elimination diets, auto immune, motivation, emotional blocks, self care and more. So settle down, grab some paper, there's a lot of information... If you want to read the full transcript, you can see that here. FINDING SARAH Sarah can be found at https://fabfertile.com  Her Get Pregnant Naturally Podcast is available on iTunes and Spotify 

Can Unexplained Fertility be explained is a big question many if you are asking and Unexplained Fertility is the 'diagnosis' given to many couples, but is it really unexplained? If you follow what I write and say you'll know that I truly believe if we look beyond the limitations of the standard tests (whose purpose is to signpost you to the relevant fertility treatment), we can find answers. This is something I work with my clients with in my own coaching programmes, what clues is the body giving us and what effects is our own internal fertility reference system causing, and how can we find and clear this, and we find that the answers may in fact lead us to the solution. With some of my clients, the physical clues lead us to a need for deeper answers We've talked on the podcast before about sensitivities ,  <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/podcast/18-3/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">gut health</a> and <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/podcast/17-how-does-inflammation-affect-health-and-fertility-with-joanna-plant/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">inflammation</a> before, but I wanted to dig a little deeper into testing etc.  ABOUT SARAH CLARK When Sarah Clark was 28 years old, she received a diagnosis of premature ovarian failure. She accepted the diagnosis and had both her children through in vitro fertilization. Years later she realized the root cause of her infertility was a food sensitivity and later a gut infection.  She is a certified life coach with accreditation from the International Coaches Federation and a health coach with training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.   She is the author of Fabulously Fertile - Supercharge your Fertility Naturally. Her fertility coaching program, which includes functional lab testing, supports couples to make diet and lifestyle changes that dramatically improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy and baby!   On her Get Pregnant Naturally Podcast she shares that with functional medicine and natural fertility solutions we can eventually reverse infertility.   A CONVERSATION WITH SARAH CLARK We chat about yeast infections, food sensitivities, testing, elimination diets, auto immune, motivation, emotional blocks, self care and more. So settle down, grab some paper, there's a lot of information... If you want to read the full transcript, you can see that <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/?page_id=1009" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. FINDING SARAH Sarah can be found at <a href="https://fabfertile.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://fabfertile.com</a>  Her Get Pregnant Naturally Podcast is available on iTunes and Spotify

Explaining unexplained Fertility with Sarah Clark

In this episode I start to explain how your brain is acting as a filter for information, and is giving you what it thinks you need to support your current thinking, beliefs and to exactly what your current focus is. I explain how and why on journeys, I notice every yellow car that I and my children see. Do we have an obsession with yellow cars, do we particular like yellow cars, well no, we don't, but due to a game played by my children we notice even single one! We have  engaged something called our Reticular Activating system which is the filter, or algorithm if you like, just like a social media feed suggestion of what you may like or the google search bar. Think back to the last time you bought a car, and before you did, perhaps you looked into it, you researched it and decided on your preferred make and model or make a models and maybe even a preferred colour. When you went out after that on the roads, how many did you see?  Suddenly everyone has one, but they were always there, Hello Reticular Activating System. It's got quite a few functions, but one of them is filtering. It's filtering the same way that online searches and social media platforms do. Your conscious brain processes about 40 pieces of information a second, on a conscious level, and your subconscious brain processes around 11 million pieces, 11 million pieces of information a second. You may see different figures reported, I've seen much higher.  The point I'm making is the difference between the two figures and whatever figures you look at the difference is huge. So how does your brain decide what stays in the subconscious? And don't forget that's stored for future reference? And how does it decide what is directed to that valued space in the conscious. All of the images, colours, sounds, tastes, feels around you retaken in. There is so much information that it only lets through, and what it allows in is what it thinks is important to you. How does it decide? it filters based on what you are focusing on. its as though you are being given tings to support your current situation, thoughts and beliefs. If we look at this specifically with regard to fertility, if you believe you won't get pregnant, does that mean you won't get pregnant? Well, not necessarily. But you will be shown information to support that, you will see the negative supporting information. What changes after that is your reaction to that information. And we know how the emotions can trigger a reaction that changes our fertility. So we know that if we exposed a group of people within different circumstances to the same situation or fact they would respond differently. What are you focusing on? What is yourconscious mind giving attention to, for a large part of your day? What negative self talk and labelling is going on? If anything, I'm not good at this. This won't happen. And you're in this circle of self talk,  proof,  belief. The belief leads to more self talk, you're given  more proof, your belief gets stronger. And we know that the negative emotions that result or can result from this negative spiral fuel our stress system, adrenaline and cortisol are within the body, which will negatively, can negatively impact your fertility and you've heard me talk about this before. Because if you are surrounded by Tigers continually or at really regular intervals, and there are no or insufficient safety windows for your body to reset, your fertility will be affected. It is the emotional response that is key and this powered the RAS, the strength of your focus, the regularity of your focus. You may see a pregnancy announcement and think, when will it ever happen to me, it's not fair. And these emotions can then rollercoaster onwards and they can lead to feelings of anger and jealousy. this is then often followed by guilt for actually feeling that way.  Others might think that will be me soon and actually start to plan how they will announce theirs.  why, well we come back to events that shaped core belief, past emotional triggers or just a different disposition, but we can work with it. It's the biological design of the body to shut down non essential systems and focus on your survival. And you might not think your negative self talk is a tiger. But your body doesn't say oh, well we'll do this amount of adrenaline because this is a real danger. We won't do as much adrenaline because she's thinking about it. Your body cannot tell the difference between what is real and what is imagined. And your stress response will happen to thoughts and emotions. So we can reset the reticular activating system to look for the positive. I'm losing weight. I'm great at this but you've got Believe it, it's got to ring true. So you're not just going to say something that you don't believe. And let's look at that a bit more. So the things that affect the RAS  are:  opening your awareness, reframing gratitude and affirmations around some of them  and, and stick with me here. If you think I'm going a little bit Woo. Remember, there's science behind everything. So, opening your awareness is demonstrated by the yellow car.  Perhaps looking at positive fertility stories, or refocusing and reframing away from infertility and failed fertility, to more positive aspects. Now, what we've got to consider here, again, it's your reaction to the stories that's key. So if you're looking at positive fertility stories and thinking well that's never going to happen to me, you RAS will give you info to support it.  Can you just become positive? Maybe you can think more positively about the stories, or perhaps you can't. Maybe finding where that fear, worry or lack control comes from is necessary, and it's something I work with many clients with at a deeper level. Establishing appropriate affirmations is key. That's another thing we can look at. Because some affirmations aren't right for some individuals and they can trigger past emotions. And some they just don't believe, you have to mean and believe what you are saying. And you also have to want to do it. So it's not any affirmations you know, you could chant them off.  They might not fit right with you. So I would always say if you're looking at set affirmations read them. and feel what you feel in response to it? If it feels good, then go with it. If it just doesn't feel right, it's not the right one for you. And you can dig deeper and find out the why or you could just not use that one. So, for example, I know what my body needs to work effectively. And in doing that you've come away from the word fertility. So you're using some reframing there as well. You've come away from that word, it's not that whole focus, or perhaps I choose to eat to support my fertility or I choose to eat to support my body work for you. It in these emotions that come up, that we start to notice common emotional triggers that occur in a lot of people. And the big ones are, "why should I have to?" "other people don't have to and they get pregnant". That's triggering something from a long time ago, This is something that I work with my clients on that we can find that trigger relatively easily and in a quick time, and it can change that whole emotional response to just relating to fertility to to many aspects of life. Gratitude At some point towards the end of the day, most days, I list 10 things that I was thankful for in that day. And they're not huge things. Im not talking about manifesting money, a bughouse or a super car, although you could do that too I gues. It's not health, family, a roof over my head. They're small things specific to that day, and it's something I encourage my clients and I'm going to encourage you to do this too. Sometimes I write them down. Sometimes I just list them off in my head. You may find it really really hard at first, so do stick with it. I searched and searched initially.  So they can be things like, I got a perfect parking space today. I was on time for school pick up. The supermarket had my favourite snack on special offer. I had an extra hour today when my one o'clock appointment had to cancel, there is a little bit of reframing in that one, as well. And after some time, your reticular activating system starts to show you things clearly that you can be thankful for. And you start to think, Oh, that's great. That's great. I've got this and you feel better, like things are going your way, more positive. When we are being negative, we are being shown information to support that belief. So we can't suddenly become positive. But if you change the filter, if you change the algorithm if you like, then you'll start to reframe, you'll start to just see more positive things. Reframing One of the things that is, is really, really key on on an individual's fertility journey is when you hear about other people getting pregnant. Now, I am NOT trying to tell you here that you HAVE to be positive. But I am suggesting that some simple reframes could be of benefit and if as I said earlier, you're triggered. It may be that that Past trigger whatever it is, may need some work. So, you will have heard me talk before about stepping out of the fertility focus, to refrain to use health as a goal to take the pressure off to turn around the control aspect or this feeling of lack of control. But for some, we need to find the triggers have a go at some of this, you know, go out and play yellow car nip nip and see how many there are, unless of course, you yourself have a yellow car, because chances are your filters already set for you to spot them  regularly because they're not the most common colour that you would see try it with orange cars or a different colour car. If you're not a driver,if you're out and about so here in the UK at the moment, it's quite common. If you're looking in the garden you might see a Robin that you'll see more if you look for them. And you'll see more if you notice them if you say out loud I don't know if you'dsay Robin Robin nip nip no return but you know just just see what sits well for you. What I wanted to do with this is to just raise your awareness towards how this system can work for you. And if you want any further information or you want to chat about any help with this at all, then just drop me a line at Kat@fertilityrewire.com  or put something in the comments and, it'd be great to hear just how many other cars you're seeing.   n

In this episode I start to explain how your brain is acting as a filter for information, and is giving you what it thinks you need to support your current thinking, beliefs and to exactly what your current focus is. I explain how and why on journeys, I notice every yellow car that I and my children see. Do we have an obsession with yellow cars, do we particular like yellow cars, well no, we don't, but due to a game played by my children we notice even single one! We have  engaged something called our Reticular Activating system which is the filter, or algorithm if you like, just like a social media feed suggestion of what you may like or the google search bar. Think back to the last time you bought a car, and before you did, perhaps you looked into it, you researched it and decided on your preferred make and model or make a models and maybe even a preferred colour. When you went out after that on the roads, how many did you see?  Suddenly everyone has one, but they were always there, Hello Reticular Activating System. It's got quite a few functions, but one of them is filtering. It's filtering the same way that online searches and social media platforms do. Your conscious brain processes about 40 pieces of information a second, on a conscious level, and your subconscious brain processes around 11 million pieces, 11 million pieces of information a second. You may see different figures reported, I've seen much higher.  The point I'm making is the difference between the two figures and whatever figures you look at the difference is huge. So how does your brain decide what stays in the subconscious? And don't forget that's stored for future reference? And how does it decide what is directed to that valued space in the conscious. All of the images, colours, sounds, tastes, feels around you retaken in. There is so much information that it only lets through, and what it allows in is what it thinks is important to you. How does it decide? it filters based on what you are focusing on. its as though you are being given tings to support your current situation, thoughts and beliefs. If we look at this specifically with regard to fertility, if you believe you won't get pregnant, does that mean you won't get pregnant? Well, not necessarily. But you will be shown information to support that, you will see the negative supporting information. What changes after that is your reaction to that information. And we know how the emotions can trigger a reaction that changes our fertility. So we know that if we exposed a group of people within different circumstances to the same situation or fact they would respond differently. What are you focusing on? What is yourconscious mind giving attention to, for a large part of your day? What negative self talk and labelling is going on? If anything, I'm not good at this. This won't happen. And you're in this circle of self talk,  proof,  belief. The belief leads to more self talk, you're given  more proof, your belief gets stronger. And we know that the negative emotions that result or can result from this negative spiral fuel our stress system, adrenaline and cortisol are within the body, which will negatively, can negatively impact your fertility and you've heard me talk about this before. Because if you are surrounded by Tigers continually or at really regular intervals, and there are no or insufficient safety windows for your body to reset, your fertility will be affected. It is the emotional response that is key and this powered the RAS, the strength of your focus, the regularity of your focus. You may see a pregnancy announcement and think, when will it ever happen to me, it's not fair. And these emotions can then rollercoaster onwards and they can lead to feelings of anger and jealousy. this is then often followed by guilt for actually feeling that way.  Others might think that will be me soon and actually start to plan how they will announce theirs.  why, well we come back to events that shaped core belief, past emotional triggers or just a different disposition, but we can work with it. It's the biological design of the body to shut down non essential systems and focus on your survival. And you might not think your negative self talk is a tiger. But your body doesn't say oh, well we'll do this amount of adrenaline because this is a real danger. We won't do as much adrenaline because she's thinking about it. Your body cannot tell the difference between what is real and what is imagined. And your stress response will happen to thoughts and emotions. So we can reset the reticular activating system to look for the positive. I'm losing weight. I'm great at this but you've got Believe it, it's got to ring true. So you're not just going to say something that you don't believe. And let's look at that a bit more. So the things that affect the RAS  are: <ul> <li>opening your awareness,</li> <li>reframing</li> <li>gratitude and</li> <li>affirmations around some of them</li> </ul> and, and stick with me here. If you think I'm going a little bit Woo. Remember, there's science behind everything. So, opening your awareness is demonstrated by the yellow car.  Perhaps looking at positive fertility stories, or refocusing and reframing away from infertility and failed fertility, to more positive aspects. Now, what we've got to consider here, again, it's your reaction to the stories that's key. So if you're looking at positive fertility stories and thinking well that's never going to happen to me, you RAS will give you info to support it.  Can you just become positive? Maybe you can think more positively about the stories, or perhaps you can't. Maybe finding where that fear, worry or lack control comes from is necessary, and it's something I work with many clients with at a deeper level. Establishing appropriate affirmations is key. That's another thing we can look at. Because some affirmations aren't right for some individuals and they can trigger past emotions. And some they just don't believe, you have to mean and believe what you are saying. And you also have to want to do it. So it's not any affirmations you know, you could chant them off.  They might not fit right with you. So I would always say if you're looking at set affirmations read them. and feel what you feel in response to it? If it feels good, then go with it. If it just doesn't feel right, it's not the right one for you. And you can dig deeper and find out the why or you could just not use that one. So, for example, I know what my body needs to work effectively. And in doing that you've come away from the word fertility. So you're using some reframing there as well. You've come away from that word, it's not that whole focus, or perhaps I choose to eat to support my fertility or I choose to eat to support my body work for you. It in these emotions that come up, that we start to notice common emotional triggers that occur in a lot of people. And the big ones are, "why should I have to?" "other people don't have to and they get pregnant". That's triggering something from a long time ago, This is something that I work with my clients on that we can find that trigger relatively easily and in a quick time, and it can change that whole emotional response to just relating to fertility to to many aspects of life. Gratitude At some point towards the end of the day, most days, I list 10 things that I was thankful for in that day. And they're not huge things. Im not talking about manifesting money, a bughouse or a super car, although you could do that too I gues. It's not health, family, a roof over my head. They're small things specific to that day, and it's something I encourage my clients and I'm going to encourage you to do this too. Sometimes I write them down. Sometimes I just list them off in my head. You may find it really really hard at first, so do stick with it. I searched and searched initially.  So they can be things like, I got a perfect parking space today. I was on time for school pick up. The supermarket had my favourite snack on special offer. I had an extra hour today when my one o'clock appointment had to cancel, there is a little bit of reframing in that one, as well. And after some time, your reticular activating system starts to show you things clearly that you can be thankful for. And you start to think, Oh, that's great. That's great. I've got this and you feel better, like things are going your way, more positive. When we are being negative, we are being shown information to support that belief. So we can't suddenly become positive. But if you change the filter, if you change the algorithm if you like, then you'll start to reframe, you'll start to just see more positive things. Reframing One of the things that is, is really, really key on on an individual's fertility journey is when you hear about other people getting pregnant. Now, I am NOT trying to tell you here that you HAVE to be positive. But I am suggesting that some simple reframes could be of benefit and if as I said earlier, you're triggered. It may be that that Past trigger whatever it is, may need some work. So, you will have heard me talk before about stepping out of the fertility focus, to refrain to use health as a goal to take the pressure off to turn around the control aspect or this feeling of lack of control. But for some, we need to find the triggers have a go at some of this, you know, go out and play yellow car nip nip and see how many there are, unless of course, you yourself have a yellow car, because chances are your filters already set for you to spot them  regularly because they're not the most common colour that you would see try it with orange cars or a different colour car. If you're not a driver,if you're out and about so here in the UK at the moment, it's quite common. If you're looking in the garden you might see a Robin that you'll see more if you look for them. And you'll see more if you notice them if you say out loud I don't know if you'dsay Robin Robin nip nip no return but you know just just see what sits well for you. What I wanted to do with this is to just raise your awareness towards how this system can work for you. And if you want any further information or you want to chat about any help with this at all, then just drop me a line at Kat@fertilityrewire.com  or put something in the comments and, it'd be great to hear just how many other cars you're seeing. n

How your Brain gives you what it THINKS you need

In the second part of the chat I had with Sue, we explore Massive mistakes 6-10, in women who are busting a gut to be invincible.  If you haven't caught part 1, mistakes 1-5, then check it out, its Episode 19. Lets continue 6. If you want something doing ....you know the rest This can be related to control, perfectionism and  appreciation.  Will delegating this to someone else actually take longer and maybe wont be as good as you could have done it yourself and probably in less time? I raise the point could it also be about someone else getting the praise and recognition for your idea?  the issue of control is huge in many aspects of life and its need for can be deep rooted, but it is a huge factor with many of the fertility clients I see, so this was of particular interest to me.  is this something you recognise in yourself? As with all the mistakes we discussed, the issue here is is it creating a negative response, could you be living your life better and fuller?  What is it from your past that triggers this, what is the root cause?  it links into many of the other mistakes, but especially 10. 7.  My body will somehow keep going regardless Sue discusses how having a slipped disc and supposedly  for 6 weeks didn't mean that she was actually off work, just not in the office physically.  She explains how this was detrimental to her recovery and how he feels this was linked to control and again perfectionism. We discuss how for both of us having an auto immune disease was a huge wake up call, and that looking back we could recall the gentle and not so gentle nudges our body gave us, until ultimately we were in effect thrown to the ground. What signs is your body giving you about your health and more specifically your fertility?  What is bleed telling you.  You'd be surprised just how much this can tell you.  If you haven't seen it already you can get my free download here. 8. List make the world go around Are you a list maker? I am, but a much more productive list maker now.  Sue raised the point of people adding some thing that they had already done to their list just so they can tick it off.  I had to put my hand up and admit to doing that! what is that about? achievemnet, evidence of how ell you are doing, or does it shoe you at he end of the day that you havent achieved what you had wanted.  then what does tha evok? Oh well, tomorrow is another day, that means I'm behind, Ive fgot so much more to do, or perhaps a sense of failure. Our dear friends control and perfectionism rear their heads, appreciation, recognition, they are there too. We both discussed our list strategies and Sue explained how she makes 2 lists, one for her and one for the universe, which is something I too do now, but I also link my planning to my monthly menstrual cycle.  Something else I'll discuss in more detail soon. If this isn't something that sits comfortably with you, I can give you the science in a later episode. A taster is the Reticular Activating system in your brain, its a super algorithm basically that gives you information relative to what you are thinking about! a bit like, pages you may like on Facebook based on what you like already, or programmes you may like on Netflix, a suggested for you if you like. 9. I can't trust my own judgement this brings up self doubt, self trust and I suggested that this may be affected by your monthly cycle, particular periods of stress, overwhelm or reactions to events, or it could be a constant. Sue also discusses how this may include comparing yourself to others and this is something key in fertility.  These days 12 week scan pictures just appear on your social media feed, pregnant women and pregnant women stories are everywhere.  This again links back the reticular activating system, but also as Sue has raised, aspects of your life, childhood, relationships and the associated emotional triggers. Does this resonate? Can you link this back to your childhood or relationships? S elf labelling is key too. Im no good at...... Something you may have been told as a child, and quite unintentionally, not with malice. 10. if I ask for help, and I'm a failure We discuss how if a friend were to ask you for help, you would, you'd be happy to, and you don't consider them a failure do you?  That maybe you should treat yourself as you would a friend.  letting someone help makes them feel good, so perhaps you can view it as doing good for someone else in asking? It also comes back to something we said earlier in that you are not a mind reader, so are you considering yourself a failure? Sue gave the analogy of us seeing ourselves as an incredible mountainthat just can do everything and is invincible.   It will just go on somehow just taking more and more on load it, But the reality is we can't and perhaps we're actually punishing ourselves. We also discussed the communication barrier between logoc and emotion lead thinking. rather than wanting someone to understand and guess what we need, we have to ask specifically for it. I talked about a conversation I overheard with my son and two of his friends ( they are 11 years old) I heard one of the boys say  women are so complicated! My ears pricked up. And he said, so when they say they're fine, they don't mean that. They are not Fine. Fine doesn't mean fine, but you don't know what they mean, A broad generalisation, but he's 11, it relates to the logic and emotion though. I asked sue about how she works with people, and she explains how she works intuitively towards healing, past events, experiences that have shaped us today. Sue explained  " I'd rather help people make the changes now before they get to a crisis point with their health. So that they can they can start making those changes before they get to the real low point of everything falling apart and collapsing. Because if you continue to live life this way,  it's not a case of IF you'll get sick, it's a case of WHEN,  it is inevitable. And, you know, we need to live life to the full every day because life can be good and fun and brilliant, and why shouldn't it be ? " if you wouldlike to know more about Sue, you can find her at www.sue-ritchie.com

In the second part of the chat I had with Sue, we explore Massive mistakes 6-10, in women who are busting a gut to be invincible.  If you haven't caught part 1, mistakes 1-5, then check it out, its <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/podcast/19-2/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 19</a>. Lets continue 6. If you want something doing ....you know the rest This can be related to control, perfectionism and  appreciation.  Will delegating this to someone else actually take longer and maybe wont be as good as you could have done it yourself and probably in less time? I raise the point could it also be about someone else getting the praise and recognition for your idea?  the issue of control is huge in many aspects of life and its need for can be deep rooted, but it is a huge factor with many of the fertility clients I see, so this was of particular interest to me.  is this something you recognise in yourself? As with all the mistakes we discussed, the issue here is is it creating a negative response, could you be living your life better and fuller?  What is it from your past that triggers this, what is the root cause?  it links into many of the other mistakes, but especially 10. 7.  My body will somehow keep going regardless Sue discusses how having a slipped disc and supposedly  for 6 weeks didn't mean that she was actually off work, just not in the office physically.  She explains how this was detrimental to her recovery and how he feels this was linked to control and again perfectionism. We discuss how for both of us having an auto immune disease was a huge wake up call, and that looking back we could recall the gentle and not so gentle nudges our body gave us, until ultimately we were in effect thrown to the ground. What signs is your body giving you about your health and more specifically your fertility?  What is bleed telling you.  You'd be surprised just how much this can tell you.  If you haven't seen it already you can get my <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/lm-bleed/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">free download here.</a> 8. List make the world go around Are you a list maker? I am, but a much more productive list maker now.  Sue raised the point of people adding some thing that they had already done to their list just so they can tick it off.  I had to put my hand up and admit to doing that! what is that about? achievemnet, evidence of how ell you are doing, or does it shoe you at he end of the day that you havent achieved what you had wanted.  then what does tha evok? Oh well, tomorrow is another day, that means I'm behind, Ive fgot so much more to do, or perhaps a sense of failure. Our dear friends control and perfectionism rear their heads, appreciation, recognition, they are there too. We both discussed our list strategies and Sue explained how she makes 2 lists, one for her and one for the universe, which is something I too do now, but I also link my planning to my monthly menstrual cycle.  Something else I'll discuss in more detail soon. If this isn't something that sits comfortably with you, I can give you the science in a later episode. A taster is the Reticular Activating system in your brain, its a super algorithm basically that gives you information relative to what you are thinking about! a bit like, pages you may like on Facebook based on what you like already, or programmes you may like on Netflix, a suggested for you if you like. 9. I can't trust my own judgement this brings up self doubt, self trust and I suggested that this may be affected by your monthly cycle, particular periods of stress, overwhelm or reactions to events, or it could be a constant. Sue also discusses how this may include comparing yourself to others and this is something key in fertility.  These days 12 week scan pictures just appear on your social media feed, pregnant women and pregnant women stories are everywhere.  This again links back the reticular activating system, but also as Sue has raised, aspects of your life, childhood, relationships and the associated emotional triggers. Does this resonate? Can you link this back to your childhood or relationships? S elf labelling is key too. Im no good at...... Something you may have been told as a child, and quite unintentionally, not with malice. 10. if I ask for help, and I'm a failure We discuss how if a friend were to ask you for help, you would, you'd be happy to, and you don't consider them a failure do you?  That maybe you should treat yourself as you would a friend.  letting someone help makes them feel good, so perhaps you can view it as doing good for someone else in asking? It also comes back to something we said earlier in that you are not a mind reader, so are you considering yourself a failure? Sue gave the analogy of us seeing ourselves as an incredible mountainthat just can do everything and is invincible.   It will just go on somehow just taking more and more on load it, But the reality is we can't and perhaps we're actually punishing ourselves. We also discussed the communication barrier between logoc and emotion lead thinking. rather than wanting someone to understand and guess what we need, we have to ask specifically for it. I talked about a conversation I overheard with my son and two of his friends ( they are 11 years old) I heard one of the boys say  women are so complicated! My ears pricked up. And he said, so when they say they're fine, they don't mean that. They are not Fine. Fine doesn't mean fine, but you don't know what they mean, A broad generalisation, but he's 11, it relates to the logic and emotion though. I asked sue about how she works with people, and she explains how she works intuitively towards healing, past events, experiences that have shaped us today. Sue explained  " I'd rather help people make the changes now before they get to a crisis point with their health. So that they can they can start making those changes before they get to the real low point of everything falling apart and collapsing. Because if you continue to live life this way,  it's not a case of IF you'll get sick, it's a case of WHEN,  it is inevitable. And, you know, we need to live life to the full every day because life can be good and fun and brilliant, and why shouldn't it be ? " if you wouldlike to know more about Sue, you can find her at <a href="https://www.sue-ritchie.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.sue-ritchie.com</a>

Are you being Invincible, Part 2

In the second interview with Joanna, we dig deeper into the effects of your gut health on your general health and of course your fertility. We hear a lot about good and bbad bacteria, and the message gets a bit confusing, for example, did you know that taking a probiotic isn't always the best thing to do? I love chatting all things Fertility but as ever this is about taking a step back, looking upstream and actually looking at your overall health. We hear a lot about gut health, how taking some good bacteria can be helpful.  But it can be a mistake to take probiotics if you don't first address the issues of potential damage in you gut Joanna Plant talks with me in this episode about the importance of addressing your gut health, in terms of your genral health and obviously more specifically your fertility, or to be honest any body sytsme taht you are experiencing imbalance within.  If your gut is in poor health, or perhaps you have leaky gut, then we know as ever that the body is dealing with something big and may be in survival mode so your safety is affected. If you are not absorbing nutrients as a result than your body is not receiving the necessary sustenance especiall for normal functioning and yes for reproduction. We are more prone to auto immune with increased permeability in the git.  It was a fascinating conversation and if you prefer to read about it, you can do so here. Joanna explains how healing your gut is a process and requires a specific approach, putting in the good bacteria as many people focus on, is not the first step. If you prefer to read the transcript, you can find it here Joanna can be contacted via linked in or at Jonna@joannaplant.com.

In the second interview with Joanna, we dig deeper into the effects of your gut health on your general health and of course your fertility. We hear a lot about good and bbad bacteria, and the message gets a bit confusing, for example, did you know that taking a probiotic isn't always the best thing to do? I love chatting all things Fertility but as ever this is about taking a step back, looking upstream and actually looking at your overall health. We hear a lot about gut health, how taking some good bacteria can be helpful.  But it can be a mistake to take probiotics if you don't first address the issues of potential damage in you gut Joanna Plant talks with me in this episode about the importance of addressing your gut health, in terms of your genral health and obviously more specifically your fertility, or to be honest any body sytsme taht you are experiencing imbalance within.  If your gut is in poor health, or perhaps you have leaky gut, then we know as ever that the body is dealing with something big and may be in survival mode so your safety is affected. If you are not absorbing nutrients as a result than your body is not receiving the necessary sustenance especiall for normal functioning and yes for reproduction. We are more prone to auto immune with increased permeability in the git.  It was a fascinating conversation and if you prefer to read about it, you can do so here. Joanna explains how healing your gut is a process and requires a specific approach, putting in the good bacteria as many people focus on, is not the first step. If you prefer to read the transcript, you can find it <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/?page_id=882" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> Joanna can be contacted via linked in or at Jonna@joannaplant.com.

How you Gut Affects Health and fertility

What is inflammation, and how does it affect Health and Fertility specifically? I had great pleasure in discussing this with Joanna Plant, Nutritionist and Functional Medicine Practitioner. What does a Functional Medicine practitioner do?   Well, they uses advanced clinical testing and personalised nutrition to prevent, diagnose and treat health conditions and illnesses. So rather than suppressing symptoms, which is quite often what you'll get if you go and see a GP, you'll be given some sort of medication, which tends to be to treat the symptoms that you're getting, rather than addressing the cause. Joanna came to this line of work after healing herself from depression which she was diagnosed with at the age of 16, and recovery from significant digestive issues. As with many therapists, this journey of self discovery lead to to a pasion to learnmore and help others. Yes, Inflammation can be a factor that negatively impacts fertility, but its much bigger than and as ever we travel up stream to improve the whole body and general health and wellbeing. Joanna gave an excellent analogy of likening our immune system to an army of soldiers, but these soldiers are overworked and rent being equipped with the right equipment.  As a result resources are drawn from other areas and these areas  are being shut down, Reproduction being one of them. We discussed how its important to add to the diet first of all, rather than looking at removing things, which for anyone who has  tried to make changes Im sure youll agree will be an easier option. As we know getting pregnant isn't always as straight forward as it should be, and when this leads to restriction, it can make our Fertility journey all too consuming. One of my take homes was thinking about the army of soldiers, how I can support them to do their job and adding chia seeds to everything! It adds some texture and crunch and doesn't taste of anything, but a great way to add more omega 3's. If you want to read the transcript, its available here You can find more about Joanna via Linkedin Her website is being updated currently or you can contact her at joanna@joannaplant.co.uk

What is inflammation, and how does it affect Health and Fertility specifically? I had great pleasure in discussing this with Joanna Plant, Nutritionist and Functional Medicine Practitioner. What does a Functional Medicine practitioner do?   Well, they uses advanced clinical testing and personalised nutrition to prevent, diagnose and treat health conditions and illnesses. So rather than suppressing symptoms, which is quite often what you'll get if you go and see a GP, you'll be given some sort of medication, which tends to be to treat the symptoms that you're getting, rather than addressing the cause. Joanna came to this line of work after healing herself from depression which she was diagnosed with at the age of 16, and recovery from significant digestive issues. As with many therapists, this journey of self discovery lead to to a pasion to learnmore and help others. Yes, Inflammation can be a factor that negatively impacts fertility, but its much bigger than and as ever we travel up stream to improve the whole body and general health and wellbeing. Joanna gave an excellent analogy of likening our immune system to an army of soldiers, but these soldiers are overworked and rent being equipped with the right equipment.  As a result resources are drawn from other areas and these areas  are being shut down, Reproduction being one of them. We discussed how its important to add to the diet first of all, rather than looking at removing things, which for anyone who has  tried to make changes Im sure youll agree will be an easier option. As we know getting pregnant isn't always as straight forward as it should be, and when this leads to restriction, it can make our Fertility journey all too consuming. One of my take homes was thinking about the army of soldiers, how I can support them to do their job and adding chia seeds to everything! It adds some texture and crunch and doesn't taste of anything, but a great way to add more omega 3's. If you want to read the transcript, its available <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com/17-transcript/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> You can find more about Joanna via <a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/joanna-plant-nutritionist" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Linkedin</a> Her website is being updated currently or you can contact her at joanna@joannaplant.co.uk

Inflammation, Health and Fertility

Such a great pleasure to chat with Alexia Leachman about the emotional aspects in Fertility, relationships and life itself which may impact Fertility. As I've discussed many times, the intrinsic fertility design of the body can only work effectively if you feel safe.  The negative emotions that we experience feed into a fight or flight response and therefore can reduce or even halt fertility until the danger perceived is passed.  Alexia specialises in helping people to overcome their fears and achieve what’s on the other side, whether that’s a great business, life or having a calm, fear-free birth. At the heart of her work is a new emotional clearance technique that she’s simplified so that creating head space is something we can all do whenever and wherever we want. Alexia helps people to get the best results from using the Head Trash Clearance Method through her online courses, group programs, live events and private sessions.  She is also a speaker, trainer and coach who works with business leaders, TV personalities, creatives and entrepreneurs. Links   Find Alexia on Twitter Fear Free Childbirth Web twitter Facebook Instagram Head Trash  Web Facebook Instagram   Fertility Rewire webpage Fertility Rewire Facebook Fertility Rewire Instagram

Such a great pleasure to chat with Alexia Leachman about the emotional aspects in Fertility, relationships and life itself which may impact Fertility. As I've discussed many times, the intrinsic fertility design of the body can only work effectively if you feel safe.  The negative emotions that we experience feed into a fight or flight response and therefore can reduce or even halt fertility until the danger perceived is passed. Alexia specialises in helping people to overcome their fears and achieve what’s on the other side, whether that’s a great business, life or having a calm, fear-free birth. At the heart of her work is a new emotional clearance technique that she’s simplified so that creating head space is something we can all do whenever and wherever we want. Alexia helps people to get the best results from using the Head Trash Clearance Method through her online courses, group programs, live events and private sessions. She is also a speaker, trainer and coach who works with business leaders, TV personalities, creatives and entrepreneurs. Links <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexiaL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Find Alexia on Twitter</a> Fear Free Childbirth <a href="http://www.fearfreechildbirth.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Web</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/afearlessbirth" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">twitter</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fearfreechildbirth/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <a href="http://www.instagram.com/fearfreechildbirth/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> Head Trash  <a href="http://www.headtrash.co.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Web</a> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/headtrash" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a> Instagram <a href="https://fertilityrewire.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fertility Rewire webpage</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mindandbodyfertility/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fertility Rewire Facebook</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fertilityrewire/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fertility Rewire Instagram</a>

Tackling your Fertility Head Trash

In the news yesterday we saw claims that IVF clinics are exploiting older women by trading on hope.  The news report was in response to figures published by the  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) that women age 40-42 have a 9% chance of IVF success and if over 44, a 2% chance.  Sally Cheshire, Chair of the HFEA has urged clinics to be honest and transparent.   But are women being mislead, The only way I can see they are is if the results represented within clinics aren't true.  The success rates after all speak for themselves, don't they? This is an incredibly sensitive and emotional time.  Even with such low odds, if you believe that this is the only way that you can potentially have a baby, what if you were the in the 9% or the 2%?  What if it could work? wouldn't you give it a go? The thought may be that it is your ONLY option, and increasingly, I am finding that this is what we are lead to believe? So as I watched the news coverage ,   yet again it amazed me that only IVF was discussed.  Ok, so the item was about the success if clinics, but surely the discussion could have spread a little broader to pregnancies in your 40's full stop? At no point in any of the coverage I saw or read, was an alternative suggested, such as  any information about natural fertility.  It was as though IVF was the only option open to you when you "couldn't get pregnant" CAN YOU GET PREGNANT WITHOUT IVF OVER 40? Do you know how many women over the age of 40 fall accidentally pregnant? Well its more than the fertility rates for women over 40 suggest. Why are they falling pregnant accidentally?   They are still producing eggs, and yes we know as we get older they are of lower quality.  But if someone is looking after themselves, can these eggs be a higher quality than someone who doesn't? Just a thought. They may be falling pregnant accidentally because  they are not "trying". I know there are a variety of situations but let's look at those who were wanting to have sex.  They felt aroused, they are following their bodies natural procreation instincts when they were fertile.  perhaps it was just the once in the month, but biologically lead to the right time? This can become a rarity when you are 'trying' , baby sex can lose its lustre. Often precautions aren't taken because everybody knows it's near impossible to get pregnant at their age, don't they? Or because they are caught in the heat of the moment, and in the heat of the moment, oxytocin is present, cortisol is not, conditions are perfect. SO, CAN IT BE THE "TRYING" THAT AFFECTS FERTILITY? Absolutely, we know that chemicals are diverted when we feel unsafe, when our thoughts leads to emotions,   chemicals are produced that act as signals for body responses.  This instrinsic design is to put safety first and if we are not safe, fertility can slow or shut down.   Evolutionary this safety referred to physical safety, tigers near your dwelling perhaps.  But todays tigers as I often discuss, are the anxieties and stresses and fears we face, that create the same chemical response. It is common for some couples to fall pregnant when they are waiting for IVF, the pressure is off for some. Also when they have had a family via assisted methods and have assumed they cant get pregnant,  suddenly there is an addition to the family. THE FERTILITY HEALTH MODEL Our health model in the UK is that if you are under 35, you need a try to conceive for a year, if over 35, 6 months.   If you fail to conceive in this time, you undergo a hormone profile blood test for the female and a basic sperm count and morphology for the male. From this point you are in the fertility health system and the female will undergo a tube dye test to check patency of tubes, and an ultrasound.  If a potential cause of not conceiving  is identified,  appropriate treatment, and/or  assisted fertility will be suggested.  If there is no cause identified from these limited tests,  assisted fertility will more often be suggested. It is extremely rare, that at any point a discussion of natural fertility, health, intercourse timing, causes of hormonal imbalance, or pelvic congestion will be discussed, because you are in the system.  Don't get me wrong, it can happen and some areas are doing better at this. Please do not misread this and think that I am against IVF, because I absolutely am not. There are thousands of parents who perhaps otherwise would not be, many of them my clients.  But, I am against it as an only option, and often seen as the last resort.  It saddens me that vital fertility design information is not given. HOW SUCCESSFUL IS IVF? Based on figures from the HFEA, during 2014-2016, IVF success rates were as follows:  29% for those under 35, 23% for those 35-37 15% for those 38-39, and as already discussed 9% for those 40-42   2% for those over 44 There are so many variables at play here, specific conditions, genetics, diet, lifestyle, egg and sperm DNA, and so much more.   NATURAL FERTILITY BEING SEEN AS  AN ALTERNATIVE THERAPY? I truly believe that due to the lack of understanding of how  our bodies work, their intrinsic design, and how todays lifestyle affects this, we are missing a trick. Within our health care model we look outwardly before we look inwardly. We treat symptoms, not the cause.  Also, we fail to look at the mind and body connection all too often.  With limitations to access to treatment and increasing costs, it cannot be shown as the only option. The fear that people will need IVF, the funds, the physical and emotional strain may in fact be a contributing factor to their lack of fertility.  Because as I said earlier when the body is in danger, the chemicals produced say, fertility is not vital. In fact  it's down right reckless and the body will shut it down. It is incredible how many people people are unaware of the fundamentals of fertility.  And I'm not just  talking about sex. I don't know about you but I swear that I was told that when I started my periods, that was it, I could get pregnant, and all I had to do was make sure I didn't, until I wanted to!   SO ARE COUPLES BEING EXPLOITED?  Absolutely.  Not necessarily by false hope, but by a lack of knowledge, understanding and the tools to address.  Quite simply,  they they are not informed about their fertility.  About the intricacies of the body, the endocrine system, how hormones are diverted, how DNA in egg and sperm can become fragmented ,the effects of inflammation, how their posture (not during sex) can affect things, how nutrition affects things, what Vitamin D does, how their mindset can affect things, and so much more. They are being exploited by the lack of information they are provided with, right from the get go, from that period talk and beyond. They are being exploited in thinking that IVF may be their only way, and that it will be OK.  They are even not given the full information during IVF, because that whole list of stuff we are not told about, might affect the success of IVF too.  Its not deliberate, its the health care model, we need to look inwardly This is our health model, we treat symptoms because we have the technology.  In doing this we lose the whole picture.  We are not addressing the cause, because the cause is not being looked for beyond the standard tests.  We are being taught that we can access cutting edge health care interventions, so we have stopped looking inwardly. It doesn't have to be either or, but it's time for an integrative approach.  Inform, explore and implement. It's time for a Rewire..

In the news yesterday we saw claims that IVF clinics are exploiting older women by trading on hope.  The news report was in response to figures published by the  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) that women age 40-42 have a 9% chance of IVF success and if over 44, a 2% chance.  Sally Cheshire, Chair of the HFEA has urged clinics to be honest and transparent.   But are women being mislead, The only way I can see they are is if the results represented within clinics aren't true.  The success rates after all speak for themselves, don't they? This is an incredibly sensitive and emotional time.  Even with such low odds, if you believe that this is the only way that you can potentially have a baby, what if you were the in the 9% or the 2%?  What if it could work? wouldn't you give it a go? The thought may be that it is your ONLY option, and increasingly, I am finding that this is what we are lead to believe? So as I watched the news coverage ,   yet again it amazed me that only IVF was discussed.  Ok, so the item was about the success if clinics, but surely the discussion could have spread a little broader to pregnancies in your 40's full stop? At no point in any of the coverage I saw or read, was an alternative suggested, such as  any information about natural fertility.  It was as though IVF was the only option open to you when you "couldn't get pregnant" CAN YOU GET PREGNANT WITHOUT IVF OVER 40? Do you know how many women over the age of 40 fall accidentally pregnant? Well its more than the fertility rates for women over 40 suggest. Why are they falling pregnant accidentally?   They are still producing eggs, and yes we know as we get older they are of lower quality.  But if someone is looking after themselves, can these eggs be a higher quality than someone who doesn't? Just a thought. They may be falling pregnant accidentally because  they are not "trying". I know there are a variety of situations but let's look at those who were wanting to have sex.  They felt aroused, they are following their bodies natural procreation instincts when they were fertile.  perhaps it was just the once in the month, but biologically lead to the right time? This can become a rarity when you are 'trying' , baby sex can lose its lustre. Often precautions aren't taken because everybody knows it's near impossible to get pregnant at their age, don't they? Or because they are caught in the heat of the moment, and in the heat of the moment, oxytocin is present, cortisol is not, conditions are perfect. SO, CAN IT BE THE "TRYING" THAT AFFECTS FERTILITY? Absolutely, we know that chemicals are diverted when we feel unsafe, when our thoughts leads to emotions,   chemicals are produced that act as signals for body responses.  This instrinsic design is to put safety first and if we are not safe, fertility can slow or shut down.   Evolutionary this safety referred to physical safety, tigers near your dwelling perhaps.  But todays tigers as I often discuss, are the anxieties and stresses and fears we face, that create the same chemical response. It is common for some couples to fall pregnant when they are waiting for IVF, the pressure is off for some. Also when they have had a family via assisted methods and have assumed they cant get pregnant,  suddenly there is an addition to the family. THE FERTILITY HEALTH MODEL Our health model in the UK is that if you are under 35, you need a try to conceive for a year, if over 35, 6 months.   If you fail to conceive in this time, you undergo a hormone profile blood test for the female and a basic sperm count and morphology for the male. From this point you are in the fertility health system and the female will undergo a tube dye test to check patency of tubes, and an ultrasound.  If a potential cause of not conceiving  is identified,  appropriate treatment, and/or  assisted fertility will be suggested.  If there is no cause identified from these limited tests,  assisted fertility will more often be suggested. It is extremely rare, that at any point a discussion of natural fertility, health, intercourse timing, causes of hormonal imbalance, or pelvic congestion will be discussed, because you are in the system.  Don't get me wrong, it can happen and some areas are doing better at this. Please do not misread this and think that I am against IVF, because I absolutely am not. There are thousands of parents who perhaps otherwise would not be, many of them my clients.  But, I am against it as an only option, and often seen as the last resort.  It saddens me that vital fertility design information is not given. HOW SUCCESSFUL IS IVF? Based on figures from the HFEA, during 2014-2016, IVF success rates were as follows:  29% for those under 35, 23% for those 35-37 15% for those 38-39, and as already discussed 9% for those 40-42   2% for those over 44 There are so many variables at play here, specific conditions, genetics, diet, lifestyle, egg and sperm DNA, and so much more.   NATURAL FERTILITY BEING SEEN AS  AN ALTERNATIVE THERAPY? I truly believe that due to the lack of understanding of how  our bodies work, their intrinsic design, and how todays lifestyle affects this, we are missing a trick. Within our health care model we look outwardly before we look inwardly. We treat symptoms, not the cause.  Also, we fail to look at the mind and body connection all too often.  With limitations to access to treatment and increasing costs, it cannot be shown as the only option. The fear that people will need IVF, the funds, the physical and emotional strain may in fact be a contributing factor to their lack of fertility.  Because as I said earlier when the body is in danger, the chemicals produced say, fertility is not vital. In fact  it's down right reckless and the body will shut it down. It is incredible how many people people are unaware of the fundamentals of fertility.  And I'm not just  talking about sex. I don't know about you but I swear that I was told that when I started my periods, that was it, I could get pregnant, and all I had to do was make sure I didn't, until I wanted to!   SO ARE COUPLES BEING EXPLOITED?  Absolutely.  Not necessarily by false hope, but by a lack of knowledge, understanding and the tools to address.  Quite simply,  they they are not informed about their fertility.  About the intricacies of the body, the endocrine system, how hormones are diverted, how DNA in egg and sperm can become fragmented ,the effects of inflammation, how their posture (not during sex) can affect things, how nutrition affects things, what Vitamin D does, how their mindset can affect things, and so much more. They are being exploited by the lack of information they are provided with, right from the get go, from that period talk and beyond. They are being exploited in thinking that IVF may be their only way, and that it will be OK.  They are even not given the full information during IVF, because that whole list of stuff we are not told about, might affect the success of IVF too.  Its not deliberate, its the health care model, we need to look inwardly This is our health model, we treat symptoms because we have the technology.  In doing this we lose the whole picture.  We are not addressing the cause, because the cause is not being looked for beyond the standard tests.  We are being taught that we can access cutting edge health care interventions, so we have stopped looking inwardly. It doesn't have to be either or, but it's time for an integrative approach.  Inform, explore and implement. It's time for a Rewire..

Are IVF clinics exploiting women over 40?

The best podcast episodes on non-current politics. Covering topics such as universal basic income, democracy, poverty & justice and more. For anyone interested in learning more about politics that affect that world, not just now, but in the longer term. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Non-Current Politics Podcasts

The best podcasts on investing. For anyone interested in the stories in the investing industry, whether it's an interview with Ray Dalio or Ed Thorp to the writer of The Big Short. This topic includes the most fascinating stories from all the best investors. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!