Egg quality pilot program
Fertility from the Soul: A Mind/Body Program to Boost Egg Quality and Overall Fertility
UPDATE: 9/28/16 - This program is full. If you would like to be considered for future programs, please sign up for the newsletter to be notified of opportunities.
I am recruiting participants for a trial program to improve egg quality. My goal is to guide women through a 3-month program of healthy living and natural fertility-enhancing interventions to see if we can improve egg quality. The program will incorporate concepts and techniques I used for myself prior to my last healthy pregnancy (read about me and my approach to improving egg quality). I would love to package and disseminate my program to help others, but first I need more evidence of its efficacy than just my own success story. This is not an official clinical trial by any means. I am one woman who has been through fertility challenges and who happens to have a background in psychology, research, behavior change, and the mind-body connection. I also believe in the body's capacity to heal, to regenerate, and to perform beyond common expectations.
Participant requirements:
The program is based on the premise that our eggs will be healthiest when our bodies have optimal energy to support their development in the three months prior to ovulation. Optimal energy is derived from maintaining a physically and emotionally healthy lifestyle. Our system is most robust when we are engaged in life in a positive way, when we let go of negative energy, when we clear away emotional stuckness, when our bodies are physically active, and when we have an overall positive flow of energy within ourselves and in our relationships.
Daily practices might include sleeping well, eating healthfully (emphasizing good nutrition and the joy of eating, without uptight restrictiveness), eliminating or reducing harmful substances (e.g., alcohol, processed sugar, caffeine), physical exercise, relaxation, play, nurturing positive relationships, gratitude, generosity, and self-attunement (reflective practices like meditation or journaling, processing emotions). There are infinite possibilities for how we might cultivate optimal fertile energy, and the program will be customized to each participant depending on individual characteristics.
Philosophical foundation - The attitudes that are woven into the fabric of this program reflect a blend of Eastern and Western psychological principles. From the East we draw on acceptance of what is, and from the West we strive for change to reach our goals. We practice blending the two together artfully. You will sense from me a deep sense of acceptance that we cannot control everything in our lives, not our fertility, not our mortality...yet at the same time, I will dig deep to draw upon all my strength, to pull all the power of the universe toward fulfilling my vision. (When I did my 90-day egg quality quest, my motivating goal was the baby who was waiting for me to make a strong egg. Every day I would ask myself, "is this choice I'm going to make going to help or harm my eggs?" I kept striving toward my dream while also practicing acceptance that I may have to let go of that dream.) Also underlying this work are attitudes of nonjudgment and compassion. When did we learn to be so hard on ourselves? Bringing kindness and softness toward ourselves, and those around us, lifts incredible weight off our shoulders and fosters much better internal wellbeing.
Supplements and nutrition - While supplements and nutrition seem to be the primary focus of many fertility programs, this program does not place a strong emphasis on these areas. There are a few general recommendations I will offer, and I will suggest resources for further exploration if that's your interest. I do encourage adhering to some general principles of healthy eating, but I actually am somewhat more concerned with our relationship with food than the specific foods we are eating. As with the rest of this program, the priority is to bring our whole system into a kind of harmony that is conducive to a sense of wellness and inner peace.
Intuition - one of the core features of this program is related to developing your ability to listen to your inner wise guide. There is a part of you that knows what you need and what works for you. We will explore ways to help you develop your own listening ear so that you can tap your deepest intuition.
Format of the program
Cost of the program - There will be no charge for the program. Because the program is in the experimental stages and I'm still in the process of developing a lot of the materials, I am just asking for your patience as some parts might not be completely slick and organized. I don't know exactly how much time I will be able to devote from one day to the next. i am currently taking time off from my primary job to be a stay-at-home mom to my 5 yr old and my 7 month old baby. I do my best to work on this after 9 pm and during baby's naps. I have felt an urgency to get this program moving as I see so many women going through what I went through, and I know that time is of the essence. If I wait until my baby starts kindergarten, the window will have closed for many. I believe there is a way through this that is different than what the medical providers are offering. I found a path that worked for me and I am hoping it can work for you too. If, at the end of the program, you feel you gained something valuable, and you would like to contribute something monetarily to help with future program development, that would be completely up to you. Right now though, my priority is to find women who want to give their own eggs another chance, and who will really put good heartfelt energy into this mission for the next three months.
Risks to consider - It's important that you are making your choices with eyes wide open. One of the risks you take in following this program are that you could stop TTC for three months and potentially miss an opportunity to conceive with a healthy egg. Another risk is that after working on egg quality, you could still get pregnant with a chromosomally abnormal egg. There are no guarantees with this approach and only you can decide what risks you are willing to take. For myself, I decided that I would roll the dice one more time, but that I would do everything I could think of to stack the odds in favor of making a good egg. For some women who have decided they cannot weather another loss, they find IVF with genetic testing to be an appealing option. Others have opted to use donor eggs.
If you feel this is your time to give your own eggs your best nurturing energy, and you would like to be a part of this first round of program beta testers, please contact me promptly. Let me know your story and how you think this program would benefit you. Feel free to ask any questions to help you decide if this is the right path for you.
To be considered, please email me responses to the following questions.
UPDATE: 9/28/16 - This program is full. If you would like to be considered for future programs, please sign up for the newsletter to be notified of opportunities.
UPDATE: 9/28/16 - This program is full. If you would like to be considered for future programs, please sign up for the newsletter to be notified of opportunities.
I am recruiting participants for a trial program to improve egg quality. My goal is to guide women through a 3-month program of healthy living and natural fertility-enhancing interventions to see if we can improve egg quality. The program will incorporate concepts and techniques I used for myself prior to my last healthy pregnancy (read about me and my approach to improving egg quality). I would love to package and disseminate my program to help others, but first I need more evidence of its efficacy than just my own success story. This is not an official clinical trial by any means. I am one woman who has been through fertility challenges and who happens to have a background in psychology, research, behavior change, and the mind-body connection. I also believe in the body's capacity to heal, to regenerate, and to perform beyond common expectations.
Participant requirements:
- Age 40 or greater (That's right, AMA ladies, this is your gig!). I may also consider participants in their later 30s, depending on the response.
- Evidence of poor egg quality - Two cases: (1) Recent prior miscarriage(s) due to chromosomal abnormalities. Even if you didn't have your miscarriages tested, if you are over 40, the most likely cause of miscarriage in the first trimester is chromosomal abnormalities. (If there is uncertainty about the cause of your loss(es), it's a good idea to have testing done to rule out other possible causes.) (2) Cancelled IVF due to not having any normal embryos to transfer.
- Strong desire to nurture a child and make space in your life for this child. It can be easy to get caught up in the energy of wanting to get pregnant and have a baby (especially after losses), but let's not forget this is truly about a lifetime commitment to another human being. Be honest about whether you wish to make space for all that parenting entails. If during the process of the program you discover that pursuing pregnancy is no longer in alignment with your purpose, then of course that is the choice that should be honored. However, I would like to begin the program with participants who are starting with a strong desire to direct their energy toward creating and nurturing a new life.
- Willingness to prioritize self-care and make heathy lifestyle improvements. Much of this program involves reducing the stress on our systems. Are you willing to make space for sleep, exercise, relaxation, and fun? You don't have to be a master at having a balanced life; the program is designed to help you make these changes. But if you want to "do it all", as in hold onto 2 full-time jobs and an and online degree program while relying on caffeine to keep you going, this is not the program for you. If you're willing to take an honest look at patterns that keep you from being your healthiest self and open yourself to the possibilities of shedding old habits that hold you back, this may be the program for you.
- Willingness to put active TTC aside for three months. To optimize your egg quality you'll get the most out of the program if you wait at least 3 months before TTC again. Furthermore, the emotional roller coaster of actively trying every single month is what we need to put on pause because it's very stressful. (You know what I'm talking about--POAS multiple times a day before O and before AF, stalking your partner during your fertile window, binging on all vices every 4 weeks after AF arrives.) Sing with me...."Let it go, let it go...." If you wish to continue "casual TTC" during the egg quality project, that is your choice, as you need to be the chooser of these things. However, during the first 90 days I will not be encouraging focus on active TTC as I feel it is distracting from getting optimal self care established.
- Interest in natural approaches to overall health. This program is based on optimizing and strengthening your whole mind-body-soul to enhance on what your body can do naturally. I am not opposed to medical interventions to assist fertility, but this is not my area of knowledge, so at this time I cannot offer skillful guidance along those paths. (If you are planning to do IVF with PGD/PGS testing and would like to work on your egg quality in preparation for that process, I would be willing to consider inclusion in the program, as long as you can do this program for three months before your procedures.)
The program is based on the premise that our eggs will be healthiest when our bodies have optimal energy to support their development in the three months prior to ovulation. Optimal energy is derived from maintaining a physically and emotionally healthy lifestyle. Our system is most robust when we are engaged in life in a positive way, when we let go of negative energy, when we clear away emotional stuckness, when our bodies are physically active, and when we have an overall positive flow of energy within ourselves and in our relationships.
Daily practices might include sleeping well, eating healthfully (emphasizing good nutrition and the joy of eating, without uptight restrictiveness), eliminating or reducing harmful substances (e.g., alcohol, processed sugar, caffeine), physical exercise, relaxation, play, nurturing positive relationships, gratitude, generosity, and self-attunement (reflective practices like meditation or journaling, processing emotions). There are infinite possibilities for how we might cultivate optimal fertile energy, and the program will be customized to each participant depending on individual characteristics.
Philosophical foundation - The attitudes that are woven into the fabric of this program reflect a blend of Eastern and Western psychological principles. From the East we draw on acceptance of what is, and from the West we strive for change to reach our goals. We practice blending the two together artfully. You will sense from me a deep sense of acceptance that we cannot control everything in our lives, not our fertility, not our mortality...yet at the same time, I will dig deep to draw upon all my strength, to pull all the power of the universe toward fulfilling my vision. (When I did my 90-day egg quality quest, my motivating goal was the baby who was waiting for me to make a strong egg. Every day I would ask myself, "is this choice I'm going to make going to help or harm my eggs?" I kept striving toward my dream while also practicing acceptance that I may have to let go of that dream.) Also underlying this work are attitudes of nonjudgment and compassion. When did we learn to be so hard on ourselves? Bringing kindness and softness toward ourselves, and those around us, lifts incredible weight off our shoulders and fosters much better internal wellbeing.
Supplements and nutrition - While supplements and nutrition seem to be the primary focus of many fertility programs, this program does not place a strong emphasis on these areas. There are a few general recommendations I will offer, and I will suggest resources for further exploration if that's your interest. I do encourage adhering to some general principles of healthy eating, but I actually am somewhat more concerned with our relationship with food than the specific foods we are eating. As with the rest of this program, the priority is to bring our whole system into a kind of harmony that is conducive to a sense of wellness and inner peace.
Intuition - one of the core features of this program is related to developing your ability to listen to your inner wise guide. There is a part of you that knows what you need and what works for you. We will explore ways to help you develop your own listening ear so that you can tap your deepest intuition.
Format of the program
- online readings - much of the content of the program will be available on a website or it will be emailed to you.
- online tools - I will be creating affirmations, meditations, imagery exercises as the program evolves to help with various aspects of what I see participants needing to continue progressing
- record keeping - participants will be asked to keep a daily log of various markers. This log should not take more than 5 minutes per day to complete.
- individual coaching - I will offer individualized feedback via email, and possibly by phone as time permits.
- group discussions - there will be an online forum for all participants to share their progress, support each other and get feedback. Group support is incredibly helpful in a venture like this. Participants are not required to interact in the group forum.
- customization - each participant's program will be customized to her particular needs and lifestyle.
- Assessment - A detailed review of many areas that may impact your fertility and egg quality.
- Education - Learning about ways to optimize your health, learning about tools for self-care improvement.
- Program Development - Laying out plans for how to incorporate egg-nurturing activities into your life.
- Program Implementation - Doing our best to stay with our program, making adjustments along the way, keeping it realistic and being patient with our own process of creating new habits and attitudes. (Assessment, education, development and implementation are not discrete segments; they will be woven together in whatever way evolves naturally.)
- TTC - after 3 months of nurturing your eggs, it's time to fertiilze! The challenge here is to stay on the wagon with all the healthy living you've been doing. Each cycle you are continuing to nurture eggs for the next cycles, so it's important to stay with your program.
- BFP and beyond - once you get your positive pregnancy test, we wait the awesome 8 weeks to get results of genetic testing while you hang in there through your first trimester.
Cost of the program - There will be no charge for the program. Because the program is in the experimental stages and I'm still in the process of developing a lot of the materials, I am just asking for your patience as some parts might not be completely slick and organized. I don't know exactly how much time I will be able to devote from one day to the next. i am currently taking time off from my primary job to be a stay-at-home mom to my 5 yr old and my 7 month old baby. I do my best to work on this after 9 pm and during baby's naps. I have felt an urgency to get this program moving as I see so many women going through what I went through, and I know that time is of the essence. If I wait until my baby starts kindergarten, the window will have closed for many. I believe there is a way through this that is different than what the medical providers are offering. I found a path that worked for me and I am hoping it can work for you too. If, at the end of the program, you feel you gained something valuable, and you would like to contribute something monetarily to help with future program development, that would be completely up to you. Right now though, my priority is to find women who want to give their own eggs another chance, and who will really put good heartfelt energy into this mission for the next three months.
Risks to consider - It's important that you are making your choices with eyes wide open. One of the risks you take in following this program are that you could stop TTC for three months and potentially miss an opportunity to conceive with a healthy egg. Another risk is that after working on egg quality, you could still get pregnant with a chromosomally abnormal egg. There are no guarantees with this approach and only you can decide what risks you are willing to take. For myself, I decided that I would roll the dice one more time, but that I would do everything I could think of to stack the odds in favor of making a good egg. For some women who have decided they cannot weather another loss, they find IVF with genetic testing to be an appealing option. Others have opted to use donor eggs.
If you feel this is your time to give your own eggs your best nurturing energy, and you would like to be a part of this first round of program beta testers, please contact me promptly. Let me know your story and how you think this program would benefit you. Feel free to ask any questions to help you decide if this is the right path for you.
To be considered, please email me responses to the following questions.
- Name:
- Age and date of birth:
- Please briefly describe your fertility history (pregnancies, losses, interventions, lab testing, length of time TTC…).
- Are there any health issues you’re aware of that might be impacting your fertility?
- What factors do you think might be affecting your fertility or egg quality
- How important is it to you at this time to achieve a healthy pregnancy?
- What are your top reasons for wanting to have a baby at this time?
- How much and what kind support do you have in your TTC quest?
- If you consult your own intuition, what do you sense might help you manifest a healthy pregnancy?
- How willing are you to make self-care a top priority for the next several months?
- Do you think you have the ability to make space in your life for self care and potentially learning new strategies?
- From what you know about the program so far, what aspects do you think would be most helpful to you?
- Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself?
- Do you have any questions about this program?
UPDATE: 9/28/16 - This program is full. If you would like to be considered for future programs, please sign up for the newsletter to be notified of opportunities.
