The Fertility Warriors

We had a support call in our Fully Supported community (we have them weekly FYI - and Fully Supported is my membership program for folks who've completed The Reset and want more resources, support and community. You can learn more about The Reset here).

But on the call I always open up with a quote or something to ponder. Last week, I shared this quote:

Healing doesn't have to look magical or pretty. Real healing is hard, exhausting and draining. Let yourself go through it. Don't try to paint it as anything other than what it is. Be there for yourself without judgement.

And this really stood out to me because so many people expect that you can start the process of healing, and it's this instant process of feeling like you're walking through a candyland

Over the years I've had certain beliefs that have shifted.... That have been game changers for my mental health and moving forward. In today's podcast, I talk about right of these game changers and how these have benefitted my life (and how they can benefit yours too!).

It's a pretty broad spectrum... but once you can start making shifts in your mindset, it starts to filter down through to the decisions you make... and then the experiences that you have of life, how you weather the storms of life and generally the lens through which you view your life. Which flows through to your mental health.

Tune into the podcast and let me know what you think! On the podcast I also mentioned my Instagram - and yep! I share lots of additional trainings and resources over on Instagram, as well as a big Q+A sticker on Wednesday's and on Friday's (to lighten the mood) I share some funny memes I've come across (and almost always - they've got nothing to do with fertility or trying to conceive!). Come and follow me @robynbirkin

On this podcast I talk about what my journey to healing looked like and the secret to feeling better.... But it's not always what we think looking from the outside in....

On this podcast I talk about:

•The moment I started healing
•Why sometimes adding things to the to do list is not always helpful in feeling better
•Why exhaustion is one of the hallmarks of not coping
•The easier way to feel better and what the secret to that really is.
•3 pillars I teach.

Links in this podcast:
Join The Reset - my signature program
Watch my free masterclass

Today's podcast is all about being a powerful advocate for yourself at the fertility clinic. And... if things aren't going swimmingly, this is my plea, to please be the squeaky wheel.

Hope = believing it's possible + having energy

When you are in your lowest moments, it can feel like you've lost hope and the question I'm always asked is 'how can I find hope"

Perhaps you've noticed that hope and optimism is more abundant at certain times in your cycle - so around ovulation, but then it feels in the leadup to your period like it's gone. Or... obviously right after you get your period and you feel like you're crashing down.

On today's podcast I'm talking about:

•Some of the thoughts you may experience when it feels like you're drowning under the weight of it all
•What hope really is (and why you do, always have hope - it's not gone - it's just hiding)
•What you should be looking for instead of hope, and what struggling to find hope really is a symptom of
•What this could be telling you (or not telling you) about what you should do next

This podcast is inspired by the MANY MANY people reach out to me on my Instagram Stories each week who are in this exact position.

So every Monday/Tuesday I release a Q+A sticker on my Instagram asking for what you need help with, and I have this question multiple times each week, phrased in many ways.

The question is basically: it is looking like I'll need donor [insert thing here - egg, sperm, embryo] and I just need to get my head around the concept that this is my reality to help me move forward.

So today on the podcast I'm talking about how to come to terms with needing a donor on your fertility journey - and primarily the mindset shifts that you might need to get you to a place of feeling like you can even just consider whether donor conception is the right next step for your family.

Tune in and let me know what you think... and do make sure you're following me on Instagram if you'd like to hear more from others who have questions (and what my answers are) or if you too have a question you'd like to submit.

You can find me on Instagram at @robynbirkin

Sometimes life just feels like one shitstorm to another and it can feel hard to come up for air - I get that!

So on today's podcast, I'm chatting through some first steps to help you feel like you can come up for air after it just feels like you're at rock bottom.

It's a combination of some practical steps (especially the last bit), some mindset shifts and some education/guidance around what you can be aware of in your mind and body when you're feeling like that.

If I can share with you one thing though before you listen: it's that... I get it and I've been there, and there's no shame (at all) in getting help or being where you're at.

Sending you so so much love.

Have you ever felt paralysed by what your next steps are and terrified that you'll make the wrong choice? And... just wanted to know what someone else (who gets it and who understands) would do in your situation?

Well, I have! And one of the things I absolutely love is knowing what others would do.

If you've had multiple cycles it can feel derailing... and it can feel like not wanting (at all) to repeat Groundhog day.

As someone who has now had nearly 1,000 clients navigating infertility, loss and trying to conceive, this is what I'd do if I'd had multiple cycles.

In this podcast episode, I share with you:

•The red flags to look out for (both for yourself and your fertility specialist)
•What to look for in your test results
•What I'd do to take stock and check in with myself on where I'm at (the easy activity)

I hope this episode helps.

While my superpower is in helping you navigate the complex emotions of infertility, loss and trying to conceive, you may also be interested to know that I do have a bundle of resources to help those who are looking for some practical 'get pregnant' next steps - based on the work I've done with so many clients, and the beautiful relationships I also have with other fertility practitioners.

It's called the Get Pregnant Pronto Pack and it's currently only $27. Click here to find out more and whether it might be able to help you.

So if you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that every Monday I do a Q+A sticker on my Instagram Stories (and I've started saving lots of the replies on my Instagram highlights too so you can come and find me, and make sure you tune in because there may be some answers that I share that will help you too) - but a great question came through a few weeks ago from an audience member who was feeling scared about an upcoming HSG.

We also asked the audience who shared GREAT feedback about what their experience was like as well as tips for others, but then at the end, I shared 8 things that can help if you're feeling nervous about fertility treatments - whether that's an HSG, a retrieval, injecting yourself - whatever it may be.

And many of these are concepts and strategies that have personally helped me too as I've navigated medical procedures since my fertility journey too.

Press play on this episode to learn more.

And you can follow me on Instagram here.

I remember thinking constantly whether it was time to quit trying to conceive for me...

Whether it just wasn't meant to be...
Whether the universe was sending me signs that this was not my path

If you're tuning into this episode I wonder whether you too have often wondered whether it's time to quit TTC too.

And on today's podcast (grab a journal and a pen) we explore how to get to the root of what's going on to help you come to an answer about what your next steps might look like, and full disclosure - there may be a few hard truths in there, a few aha moments and a few big reframes to get your head around to help you come to a place of feeling at peace with your decision on whether it's time to quit trying to conceive.

I hope you love this episode.

So you all said you wanted to know more about the BTS of Fertility Warriors HQ and what is going on with me and were also desperate to hear more about my fitness journey with my friend, Dr Sasha Hakman.

My question back to you is... what do you want to know specifically? Ask me on Instagram!

On today's podcast, I'm bringing you up to speed on what's been going on for me and the season of life I'm in currently.

I share my theme for the decade and this year
What my 30s were for me
Some of the big mindset lessons I've learnt over the last 10 years
Why I decided to work with Sasha
What my fitness goals are

I have NO idea whether this is interesting or not, but would love to hear from you if you'd like to know more!

Which is better and which should you focus on first? Diet or stress?

On today's podcast, I talk about my own journey and my learnings as I have navigated infertility, loss and trying to conceive, and then go on train as a Life Coach and Mind Body Practitioner. I've worked with hundreds of clients to support them and learn from them as they navigate their own journeys.

On this podcast I talk about:
What I used to think was the most important thing you could focus on.
How my clients changed what I thought.
Why focusing on the right area first can give you false results.
How to get everything working together in the right way to make it feel like it's all flowing (instead of feeling like you're rolling sh*t uphill).
The questions to ask yourself when embarking on making dietary changes (and other physical changes) whilst trying to conceive.

I think I mentioned it on the podcast about 12 times, but there's something about Vanessa Gillis-Phelps' energy that just gets me.

Vanessa and I worked closely together last year as colleagues and she is particularly well-known for her work in supporting LTBGQ+ couples navigating the fertility world, but her secret superpower actually lies in manifestation and communicating with your spirit baby.

Full disclosure - I've been in the 'fertility world' for nearly 10 years now (we started trying to conceive exactly 10 years ago!) but up until this interview, I didn't really know what the term Spirit Baby meant (turns out... I had been communicating with my Spirit Baby during my journey too - I just used different terminology).

On today's podcast, Vanessa shares some of the big myths about manifestation, a more realistic view of how we can include it as part of our fertility toolkit and how it can help us to feel better.

I loved chatting with Vanessa and I know you'll love it too.

You can find her on Instagram here (https://instagram.com/queerfertility.co) or visit her website here (queerfertility.co) and she also has a thriving Facebook Group for LGBTQ+ couples which you can find here (https://www.facebook.com/groups/282800326446182)

So..... I don't do 1:1 fertility coaching... but why? Because I do something that I believe is 100 times better: my membership (the Mind Body Fertility Reset). In today's podcast, I'm breaking down why a program like this can be EVEN MORE of a game-changer for women trying to conceive and navigating infertility and loss, and why 1:1 coaching is no longer in my client's interests.

In addition to having two degrees, I am a certified Holistic Life Coach and Certified Mind Body Practitioner, although I wouldn't necessarily call myself a Fertility Coach - but that's really going to depend on your definition of a fertility coach - as it's a REALLY broad term and industry.

If you're interested in why I take a different approach, today's episode is for you.

If you've ever had multiple failed cycles and reached a point where you need to figure out what to do next.... And one of those options is 'should I just quit' then this podcast is for you.

I remember well how I felt following our miscarriage. It was following our very first IVF cycle, but it was about our 5th fertility treatment all up and wondering whether I needed to just quit. At the time, I truly didn't know whether I had the emotional energy to continue and didn't know if I had the capacity to cope with another failed cycle.

And so I was stuck in this limbo of writing to work out what the next right step for us was.

The next right step turned out to be taking a break (although part of it was because my body needed to heal following our miscarriage too) but in today's podcast, I talk about LOTS of questions you might want to ask yourself as you move forward and how you might unravel some of the emotions and thoughts you may be having about what to do next.

•Some of the things I talked about in this podcast are:
•Why you can never make future decisions based on sunk costs
•Why it's ok to pivot (and why sometimes you should)
•The two things you need to ask yourself and break down in order to troubleshoot and work out your next steps
•What some of the options are if, like me, the reason why you're feeling stuck on what to do next is because of emotional exhaustion

I hope you find this episode helpful and please do reach out and let me know if it (or the podcast generally) has helped you in any way.

Ok... today's podcast is about 5 signs it's time for a second opinion on your infertility and IVF journey... after the many people I've recently told deserve a second opinion.

In reality, I've actually shared 7 signs.... With the first one being that if you're considering whether you should get a second opinion.... This podcast may be the sign you've been waiting for to give you permission to do so, and the second one being that your Specialist or Doctor should NOT mind if you seeking a second opinion... and if they do - that's possibly even more of a sign that you SHOULD get one because it means that they may not be open to being wrong and they may be fixed in their ways.

The stakes are high here - emotionally, physically, financially - so you deserve to be able to have the peace of mind (as a customer) that you're on the right track and that everything is being done to help you get pregnant.

Tune into today's episode to hear the other 5 signs it's time for a second opinion on your infertility and IVF journey.

Today on the podcast we're talking about the first three things that helped me feel better.

It was 10 years ago exactly that Ross and I started trying to conceive, which feels like a long time ago, but also feels like just yesterday - I still remember all of the real and raw emotions of trying to conceive.

And two years into our journey, after our first IVF cycle, I had a miscarriage. I thought I knew rock bottom prior but after our loss, it was like I now knew the molten lava in the centre of the earth.

I didn't want to share how we were feeling with anyone (I actually didn't feel like I could) and it wasn't so much a feeling of anger (even though I was angry) it was more a feeling of being broken and lost. I don't know if you can relate?

So, what changed, what helped after that moment for me... that's what we're talking about on today's podcast.

So often I have people ask me how to feel better and the answer is... unfortunately, not as simple as one, 5-minute exercise that people can do each day. In all honesty, there were a number of things that I did (but mostly mindset shifts) that helped me to radically shift the way I was feeling and coping on my journey.

But if you had to start somewhere, what would you do?

Here are the first 3 things I did that helped me feel better:

•Had a circuit breakerWe needed to get out and break our routine. I never quite understand the logistics of 'taking a break' because I was so acutely aware of when I was ovulating etc BUT, we got away on a last-minute trip to Lombok... and not a trip where we went out sightseeing or anything. A trip where there was pretty much nothing I could do but sit with my feelings and rest. I was... although I'd have never acknowledged it at the time... so so needed. And it got us away from work (where let's be honest I couldn't concentrate anyway) and everyone's constant questions. It gave me space to feel what I was feeling, and regain some energy.

•GratitudeThis one practice has been the thing that I've done that has had one of the biggest impacts on my life and that of my clients. Each night I began writing in a little journal, 3 things I was grateful for. Not just the big things - but mostly the little things.

As I understand more about our brains now that I'm qualified I know the mechanics of how this works in our brains and for a practice that takes literally less than five minutes per day - the rests can be profound.

•I made the decision to put myself first

I didn't 'do' anything in this regard but it was a massive shift and one that I don't think many women have made - even if they tell themselves that they put themselves first. It was a moment of saying that I was worthy of spending money on myself (especially if it was going to help me FEEL better), I was worthy of my time, and I was worthy of saying no to things that didn't serve me. So so many women will say that they put themselves first, but I'd argue, don't.

I used to feel guilty saying no to people.
I used to feel guilty spending money on myself (things like buying clothes, yes, but on my mindset and things that were more abstract - massively!)
I used to feel guilty taking sick days... when I was actually sick!

And so.... Things shifted for me when I decided that I was worthy.

I'd spend time and money investing in abstract things like my mindset and programs that would help my emotional health (knowing that my husband would think nothing of a night out with the boys, a carton of beer or even a new surfboard - my goodness - I could absolutely spend $297 on a course about creatin...

Since launching the Mind Body Fertility Reset, I've had a real and massive shift in the way I think about what I do.

When we launched the platform, it was a very holistic program that incorporated food, sleep, low tox living - and not in a 'this is your to-do list kind of way - more from a 'here are some ideas and inspiration and resources that will help' and all of those resources at this stage still exist in the Reset, and it's also my dream to expand on them BUT... the reason the majority of women TTC have joined the Reset, and the number 1 thing we now offer in the reset... is courses, programs, classes, live coaching, support and community.... For emotional wellness and mental health.

And over the past few months, I've become ever so conscious of the messaging both I've been using but increasingly conscious of the messaging that is within the wider community - the advertising, the events and more.

And... tell me if I'm wrong but.... There's so so much around - get more fertile, solve your infertility, *this* thing is the missing link, do XYZ, add this thing to your to-do list.

Like.... There's always this subline of 'do this thing and it will help you get pregnant'

Disclosure: there is nothing wrong with people and products that help you get pregnant. I have one too, and I think that it's important for us to know that some of the same things that can help us with our mental state of being (e.g. letting go of perfection) are the SAME things that can help us get pregnant.

But... I also feel that on some level, that messaging may also be contributing to this feeling of always needing to be doing more, and perhaps not doing enough.

And the number 1 thing I see women trying to conceive neglect... is themselves.

And there are a few types of people who join the Mind Body Fertility Reset (and all of these reasons are valid and worthy - you can literally join for any reason you like):
The ones who join because they want to leave no stone unturned and if this is going to help their fertility, they want to at least have given it a crack
The ones who are like 'i don't know what I need, but I know that I need something'
And the ones who are like 'you know what? I matter.

I think nothing of spending $150 on supplements, or an acupuncture appointment, or a fertility specialist appointment so if I can afford to spend that on all of this physical stuff. If I can afford (or scrape together) $20,000 for an IVF cycle - I can ABSOLUTELY afford to spend $150 for three months or $600 for an entire year's worth of support, live coaching, lessons etc..... For me. Just for me. Regardless of whether or not this will improve my fertility. Because I matter. My mental health matters. My joy matters. My life matters and I'm worthy of being my own best friend.

So as we begin the year, I want to ask you some questions to journal over to help you set a path, and maybe draw a line in the sand about how you want to move forward on your journey.

•Have you put your life and joy on pause in the pursuit of trying to conceive?
•Do you ever feel guilty for prioritizing or investing time, energy, money in yourself?
•Do you feel like your mental health and wellbeing filter into other areas of your life - such as your relationships, your career, your health goals and even your TTC journey?
•What would life look like if.... From today... from right now... you decided that YOU were your most important asset and that feeling better and looking after yourself was now your No 1 priority?

And so... over the last few weeks, I have been BUSY.

I've been busy chatting with all of the best of the best in the fertility wo...

Have you ever had an appointment at a Fertility Clinic (especially your first!) and felt like you wanted to ask questions but have NO idea what to ask? And like... this is REALLY important... but you don't know what you don't know!

Well, I've got you covered in this podcast, where I dive into 16 questions to ask your Fertility Specialist, as well as 6 things I want you to know about your Doctor and your experience at the clinic, that will hopefully help you feel calmer throughout.

When we feel really nervous, our brain starts to lose its executive functioning ability - that is... the ability to make rational decisions, problem solve etc - a place you don't want to be in, when you are in an office with a Specialist trying to make really impactful decisions about your life.

I hope you absolutely LOVE this podcast episode.

Here's a summary of the questions below for you to print out with you - but highly encourage you to listen to the episode where I explain everything in detail.

They're human beings too
Just because they wear a white coat, doesn't mean they have all the answers
They likely have a time limit for your appointment
They don't know everything (and all read different research)
Their personal beliefs may impact their recommendations
You can get a second opinion

•Do you offer grants or any financial support packages?
•Where do you sit on complementary therapies (acupuncture, naturopathy)
•Do you have or can you recommend any mental health services?
•Do you have any BMI limits?
•What supplements do you recommend?
•Are you able to please break down the general timeline/path for me?
•What lifestyle interventions do you recommend?
•What do we need to be doing at our end to improve our chances of conception?
•What are your views on diet and exercise?
•What's the game plan?
•Can you please write those names down for me?
•Can you give me a rough % success rate?
•Can you give me a printout of those results?
•How often do you repeat blood tests?
•Where can I find your success rates? (and check their accreditations too)
•Does your clinic work specifically with infertility patients? If not, what %?

For more support, mindset help and community - join the Mind Body Fertility Reset here

A few years ago I recorded a podcast called how to cope through Christmas when you're trying to conceive. I'm older and wiser (and more compassionate now! But I do remember it had some funny moments, and although there may be some recurrent themes and I'm now producing today an updated version, I thought you may still like to circle back and listen to it.

So click here to read/listen to my episode about how to how to survive Christmas when you're trying to conceive.

You may also want to circle back to how to create a special Christmas (despite infertility).

Christmas, Christmas Parties and Thanksgiving can feel like an especially trying time for anyone who is trying to conceive, right?

Together with drinking, family dynamics and the concept of Santa and presents for children, it can understandably be a really tough time when you're navigating infertility.

So first up, if that's you, please give yourself some grace.
Understand that it's ok for it to feel hard, and it's ok for it to feel messy and that you're allowed to feel hurt and upset by the people you love and in your family when and if they say the wrong thing.

In today's episode, I'll share with you some advice, reflection and guidance on how you can navigate the Holiday Season when you're navigating infertility.

Hope you enjoy it.

Abby and Kristyn from Fertility.Rescripted joined me on the podcast this week. Many of you will know Kristyn (who's been on the podcast before and who is a great friend) but we're joined on the podcast this week by Abby. Together these ladies have formed the company Fertility.Rescripted and they joined me this week for an honest conversation about so many things including Abby's story - a story of medications and miscarriage, what her experience looked like, how that pain led to her purpose and the start of her company - and an interesting take on how Kristyn and I did a similar thing - but that the things that impacted us each were so different.

We also talked about privilege and affordability, some stats on medications (including the giant amount of leftover meds), the things that made a big difference when we were each trying to conceive, what this new partnership has meant and how they are now supporting the community (with a sneak peek of what's to come).

Hope you like it!

Check out my previous episode with Kristyn here.

Part of the journey to falling apart through infertility for me began with a baby shower.... And it was when we'd only just started trying to conceive.

I'll never forget arriving at a baby shower (and sorry if you've heard this story before) and seeing that I was one of only three women who either weren't pregnant or had kids already.

One was Veronica, an acquaintance who declared that her life was too full for kids - between their travels and their foodie life and her role as a teacher, she just didn't have the capacity for kids. Then there was my other dear friend who I knew wanted kids but just hadn't met the right person yet. And me... who was trying to conceive but nobody knew about it. And at that time we just didn't know that the journey would be so much longer. But that was the start of feeling like an outsider and the start of feeling like I was no longer having much to contribute or receive from the conversation.

Just over a year later, I walked into the supermarket and felt completely ambushed when I saw her.... And then saw her turn around only to discover she was about 8 months pregnant.

I felt like the last person standing and that out of everyone at that baby shower, I was the last man standing.

I attended many more baby showers and first birthday parties (including organising at least one baby shower) while I was working through infertility, and together with my life coach hat - here are 9 things you can do to support yourself at baby showers through infertility.

(And I want to let you know that my advice might be a little different from others in this space!).

You'll also learn things that can help you before the baby shower and during the baby shower and I'll also discuss some things you might want to permit yourself for.

Every Monday I do a Q+A on my Instagram, and without a doubt, the biggest question I'm asked right now is what to expect and whether I have any tips for those who are about to go into their first IVF cycle.

Here are some previous posts with tips for those who are about to do IVF:
5 Tips for your next Egg Retrieval
5 tips for IVF Newbies
My OHSS Experience
Is IUI a waste of time? (In this post we dive also into IVF)
100 Affirmations and Mantras for Fertility (including some IVF specific ones)

But what should you expect on your first IVF cycle?

In this podcast I talk about:

•How your first IVF cycle might be different to any IUI's you've done before
•What you should be doing/focusing on at this point?
•What you can do to support your success
•What the timeline might look like (although this can be fairly variable)
•Where you might have some hiccups along the way (and how to overcome them)

Hope you enjoy!

I was scrolling through Instagram the other day and looking at some of the accounts in my feed.... And the overwhelming thought was 'wow this all feels very heavy' - and I started to think.... About my own account, about infertility and about our feelings in general.

Validation is SO important. It's important that we share with people the difficult emotions of infertility. The trauma, the divorce and PTSD - it's so important that we meet people where they're at.

But I also think it's SO important... that we show the other side. Because then it just stays heavy.

Almost like... I know what it feels like to be stuck in a well.... It's hard.

But also.... Let me help you get out of the well.
Let me help you cope whilst you're in the well
Let me help you find hope and positivity while you're in the well

I think those messages are also important.

And perhaps somewhere along the way, with cancel culture and the rise of the concept of toxic positivity... I wonder whether the message that it's ok to want to feel positive and uplifted.... Has had the volume turned down.

Staying positive all the time is exhausting and not necessarily a healthy strategy, however it's my true belief that it IS possible to feel better through infertility, and more positive and more hopeful - and I've seen it with the hundreds of clients who've engaged in my programs and left testimonials and reviews.

So, if you're feeling like it's all a little heavy and you'd like some strategies - some easy to implement and practical tips on how to feel a little more positive through infertility, this episode is for you.

The silent fear of almost all fertility warriors: Are you too old to get pregnant?

On today's podcast, I talk about

•Whether or not you might be too old to have a baby with your own eggs
•How we can be more fertile now than we were in our 20's
•Some of the alternatives and options you have out there
•How to go about making the decision to take the next steps (and what the next steps might be)
•The number 1 thing eggs need (and what is responsible for 80% of its depletion)

Tune in and let me know what you think.

One day I stopped in my tracks and had this moment of clarity as I realised that I had this frantic energy in - this anxiety-riddled energy flowing through my mindset - when I hit the pause button as I was listening to podcasts at 1.5 speed.

It was like I'd been rushing and pushing everywhere and creating this sense of dis-ease within my body and mindset.

And this podcast speed was a sort of metaphor for my wider life.

S L O W D O W N

Was the message that had been coming through loud and clear.

Personal development is never once and done. It's an ongoing process of consistently bringing ourselves back on track and practicing daily rituals to help ourselves thrive and every now and again, since that moment, I have needed to bring myself back out of the frantic energy and back into a calmer, and slower frame of being.

In this podcast, I talk about my recent experience and some of the mindset shifts I've had, but also the most important step in welcoming calmer energy - which is first having the awareness of when you're letting your mind race and consciously choosing another path.

Can't wait to hear what you think x

Today on the podcast I'm talking about how to exit decision torture, and the answer is that sometimes we need to practice leaning into trust.

It takes SO much energy to consistently check the checkers and sit in distrust and indecision that I want to share with you my experience of Olivia's birth and how trusting that things would pan out. This was the right decision based on the experience and knowledge at the time and ultimately (I feel) led me to a more positive outcome, alongside the other work that I've done over the years to cultivate a calmer mind.

Leaning into trust and surrender can be a powerful shift on our journeys as we let go of always having to be the expert, and put our faith in our team and humanity - it can help us release the burden of what's happening as we try to conceive too.

I hope you enjoy this short episode.

I'm sneaking this one into the end of September which is PCOS Awareness Month. I'm joined by Nutritionist Solaine Douglas and we break down the PCOS myths and misconceptions.

PCOS is an increasingly common condition and one that we see frequently affecting women trying to conceive.

On the podcast we talk about:

•The two different types of PCOS and what causes them
•How our body breaks down insulin
•How our body responds to stress
•Common roadblocks in the medical profession
•Busting common diet myths regarding PCOS

It was my absolute pleasure to welcome Solaine to the podcast.

Solaine is a nutritionist for women who want to create healthy hormones, guts and metabolisms.
Her world revolves around her business baby, fur baby, great food and my home.
Solaine is passionate about helping women to feel empowered about their health, to understand how to eat and create a lifestyle that makes them feel good. We all deserve that.
She studied a Bachelor of Human Nutrition at Griffith University, Australia and is a member of the Complementary Medicine Association (CMA). Her journey with nutrition began many moons ago, back in 2012 and a passion for spreading the real food message ensued.

You can find Solaine on Instagram here, or look further on her website here.

I have been inundated from all angles on how the COVID Vaccine might impact fertility rates, miscarriage rates and generally all the things from fertility warriors who are about to embark on IVF cycles or trying to conceive and wanting to do their due diligence in understanding how the COVID vaccine might impact them and their future baby.

I applaud you for asking questions and wanting to find out the answers.

So, I asked my good friend, Dr Sasha Hakman, Board Certified Fertility Specialist and incredible explainer and science nerd - to the podcast to answer all of your questions and explain everything COVID Vaccine with us in detail.

We talked about:
What is the general consensus around the COVID Vaccine and fertility/TTC?
Is one vaccine better than another?
How does each of the different vaccines work?
Is there any incentive for Doctors to be able to promote these vaccines?
Where have we gone wrong in disseminating information about this vaccine?
How long should you wait between getting the vaccine and embarking on a new cycle?
Does this affect cycles?
Natural immunity vs vaccine immunity?
Is there enough research and data to make these calls?
Why has the process been so quick in approving these vaccines for use?
... and so many more questions

This is actually the third podcast I've done with Sasha and the other two rank up there in my top 10 all-time podcasts!

Is IUI a waste of time?
Your infertility questions answered

You can also find Sasha below:
Sasha Hakman MD on Instagram
Sasha Hakman's Website (where she has a bunch of Nutrition, Lifestyle AND COVID resources for you to check out)

At the time of recording this podcast, it was R U Ok day, and each year I watch everyone flock to social media to post little messages about R U Ok... and it irks me for a number of reasons.

•Because I know, that the majority of people with infertility are NOT ok (and half the world is in lockdown.... Chances are, we're not ok)
•It puts the onus on the US to always be reaching out for help (how about everyone around us looks for signs and symptoms that we're not ok, and learns what to do when they notice that?!)
•When we are existing in a state of heightened stress and anxiety - certain areas of our brain shut down, and one of those is the Brocas Area - the area responsible for speech. That's why sometimes talk therapy doesn't work for everyone, and that's why sometimes it is SO hard for us to put into words the emotional toll of infertility and everything we are going through

In today's podcast, I also talk about the way in which men and women cope with infertility (and which of those are, and which aren't actually helpful in decreasing the stress related to infertility).

Listen to the episode below and let me know what you think.

I mentioned the Mind-Body Fertility Reset in this podcast and we'd love to invite you to join us - it's a supportive, healthy and holistic membership program for women navigating infertility and IVF - with support groups, workshops and more than $3,000 of tools, resources and live events.

Click here to learn more.

Today's podcast talks about things to avoid when trying to conceive - it's a mix of physical things that you can quit and some emotional wellbeing tips (simple but profound ones) that can help you on this journey.

It's really easy to get caught up in the internet and the to-do lists and the 'shoulds' without fully knowing or buying into the benefits of why you're doing something so that is what we're diving into today on the podcast.

7 things you quit to get pregnant - hopefully there are a few warriors out there who need this permission slip.

Today I want to let you know you're doing a great job of a really hard thing. Focus on these infertility quotes

If you're feeling
Sad,
Angry,
Tired,
Left out,
Disappointed.

Your feelings are completely valid and real.

You are not doing anything wrong and you are enough, right now, as you are.

Enough of a woman
Enough of a contributor to society
Enough of a friend, daughter, partner, colleague

You are beautiful
You are human

You are navigating this journey in the best damn way you know possible.

Yes, you'll have hard days.
Yes, you'll have setbacks.
Yes, the journey will probably take longer than you thought it would.

But that doesn't make you less human.

Having feelings and emotions... make you human.
Having bad days.... Make you human.
Not being perfect... that makes you human.

For some of us, the path to parenthood looks different and that's ok.
For some of us, we discover that having children is no longer part of our story and that's ok too.

You don't need to know what your story will look like just yet, but you do need to be committed to continuing to turn the page.

To continue to put one foot in front of the other.

To believe that you are enough, right now, as you are.

And you were born worthy, you are worthy now, and no matter what the future holds, you'll continue to be worthy.

You are valued and loved by so many people and have so much to give.

And you are worthy of happiness, love and joy.

Not when you reach the next step, whatever that is.

Right now.

And me, this podcast and this community - we get it, and we're here to support you and walk alongside you every step of the way.

We are here for you.

I hope that you'll listen to this podcast anytime you feel that you need a pickup, some love or a moment to tune into your feelings.

Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram @robynbirkin and let me know if this spoke to you today. And play it again anytime you need.

Urrggghhhh... weight and fertility is such a tricky and complex topic. It was my pleasure this week to welcome Sophia Pavia to the podcast. You may know her as ttc.nutritionist on Instagram and we connected recently over an Instagram story that touched on a topic I'm pretty passionate about: the sensitivity we need to show to women in bigger bodies around how we talk about weight loss - and particularly around not making assumptions based on size, and being conscious of making unhelpful statements (without providing support and guidance) like 'come back when you've lost weight' to women who may well have eating disorders or a history thereof.

Sophia is a Registered Dietician Nutritionist whose focus is on women who are trying to conceive and navigating infertility and joined us on the podcast to talk about her take on both sides of the argument.

I'd love to know what your experience has been like?

You can find Sophia at ttc.nutritionist or on her website here.

You may also wish to check out an interview I did with Nicola Salmon called Can you get pregnant if you're fat- where we talk about a lot of the stigma and misconceptions surrounding weight and fertility. Click here to listen (or watch).

Want more?
Join our monthly membership, the Mind Body Fertility Reset here (P.S. There is also another guest interview with Nicola there).
Make sure you're following me on Instagram here
Join our Free Facebook Support and Chat Group here.
Check out my programs and services here.