IVF This

Description: Are you tired of spending so much of your time and energy thinking about what other people say and do? Join me today as I explain how other people's choices are not personal and how you can start to create space between your emotional reactions and there people's choices. 

Embryo Transfers tend to be one of the most stressful periods of the IVF experience. Join me today as I explain what to expect, how to set realistic expectations for the experience and yourself, and an implantation visualization I have used for my transfers and that I share with my clients. 

How often do you spend time worrying about the future? The next transfer? The next cycle? A future with or without children?⁠ ⁠ Uncertainty is a constant in our lives, and yet we deeply fear it. ⁠ ⁠ Join me today as I unpack uncertainty- what it is, what it isn't, and how to navigate it during your journey. ⁠

Do you fear your future if IVF does not work? Join me and my friend, Lana, a coach that specializes in helping you build a life after IVF fails. We talk about the common themes for women rebuilding after IVF doesn't work and how thinking about the worst-case scenario is actually a form of self-care.  

The holiday season can be one of the most challenging for someone experiencing infertility. Today I explain two ways that we make the holidays harder on ourselves, and share two ways we can make the holidays easier for ourselves. 

Today we are talking about perfectionism. What it is, what it isn't and a couple of strategies to tame your perfectionism. 

Today we are celebrating TWO years of The IVF This Podcast. Today, I am sharing the 4 most important takeaways from the last two years. Think of this as the Cliff's Notes version of IVF This.

Do you feel overwhelmed throughout your IVF experience? So many of us do! Today I am breaking down what overwhelm is, what it isn't, and sharing three strategies to overcome your overwhelm. 

Do you feel like you're constantly grasping at straws during IVF? Trying anything and everything but still telling yourself that it's not enough. Join me today, and I will discuss how this is another aspect of perfectionism and how consciously deciding where you want your focus to go is an act of self-love, a gift you give yourself.

Join me and my husband as he shares his experience through our infertility journey. He shares: What it was like watching me go through IVF, his biggest struggles, and what partners can do to support the IVF process. 

Join me today for a greatest hits episode on Infertility trauma. What it is, what it looks like, and why it's a thing. I introduce a concept called “Compounded Trauma” to help listeners understand the context of infertility trauma and that understanding it is the first step towards healing.

Join me today as I cover all things fear. Infertility fears are widespread yet rarely discussed; when discussed, they are often minimized. Today I am reviewing several common fears, discussing what fear is and what fear is not, and sharing a letter to fear that anyone can use.

Join me this week as we talk all things people pleasing. What it is, why we do it, and I share a few journal prompts for you to begin unpacking your people pleasing tendencies in order to better support yourself during IVF. 

Do you feel overwhelmed trying to make decisions, big or small? Join me today as I break down why we struggle with making decisions, how we can make the process in ourselves, and a concept that I use, personally and professionally, when making decisions.

Trigger warning: Miscarriage and recurrent pregnancy loss Tune into this week's episode of IVF This. ⁠ ⁠ Join me today as I talk with one of my clients, Gina. ⁠ ⁠ She shares her infertility journey so far and her journey to find her light following multiple miscarriages. She also shares how she has been able to feel grounded and calmer during her recent transfer cycle. 

Today I am introducing a new concept called "Coping Ahead." I utilize this with every one of my clients, with resounding success. The idea is to help create a blueprint for how you want to handle potentially stressful situations. I will discuss what coping ahead is, what it is not, and the framework I use to help develop a coping ahead plan. Follow along with with this Coping Worksheet. The Link is below.  https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e683920f93ed601fa2a346

Today I am talking about all things gender reveal and baby showers. These events can be difficult for us to navigate. So I will share a quick framework to help you decide if and how you show up to these events- and, above all, how you can take care of yourself during these times.

Do you ever tell yourself that you're supposed to feel grateful if you're sad? Or that you're doing infertility wrong because you don't feel very hopeful or optimistic? Join me today as I explain why accepting whatever emotion your'e feeling, in the moment you're feeling it, is a gift of freedom that you can give to yourself.

Do you ever feel like you stack worry, on top of worry, on top of worry until everything comes crashing down? Join me today as I explain what worry stacking is, and why we do it, and I share four ways to help stop the stack before it topples over.  

There is a tipping point during infertility that some people reach quickly, while others never reach it. Most of us feel sad, lonely, or disheartened when we think about our life. Those who reach the tipping point just aren't okay with staying there. The life you want is worth fighting for. Don't give up on that. This week, hear why crossing the tipping point matters and how embracing small changes can change everything.   

Do you ever wonder if your grief around your infertility or IVF experience is valid? This is an aspect of disenfranchised grief. Join me today as I explain this incredibly nuanced topic and provide you examples to help better understand the topic to provide more support to yourself and others.   

 Have you ever finished an IVF cycle, didn't get the outcome you hoped for or expected, and decided it was all for nothing? Join me today as I explain the Gap vs. Gain mentality and how to create a better experience, even in the face of disappointment.  

Today's podcast is all about creating and fostering a relationship with yourself. The key step is becoming your own champion. Join me on the podcast this week to discover how to be your own champion. I'm sharing three steps that you can take to become your own champion and show yourself some love and grace in every imperfect moment.  

Do you ever feel like hope is a dangerous thing to have during IVF? You want it, but it doesn't feel safe? Join me today as I talk about why we wage war on hope, why hope can feel so inaccessible to us, and what emotion we can lean into instead.  

Join me today as I sit down with my former client, Emily. Emily shares her journey through multiple failed cycles and her use of donor eggs, what her experience was like coaching with me, and , her advice for other IVF'ers.

How often would you say you experience overwhelm throughout your IVF cycle? Join me today as I talk all things overwhelm. Why and how it happens. And, most importantly, how to break free from it. 

I get asked all the time, “What's the one thing you would recommend to someone starting or going through IVF?” Today I answer that question. Join me as I share the one emotion I would give to each and every person going through IVF, if I could, and why. 

Do you think it's possible to give yourself everything you need to navigate the IVF experience? Today I share 3 tips for doing just that, through the lens of parenting yourself.

Do you feel like since you started your infertility journey, you walk around and all you see are pregnant people? Today I am going to share with you the part of our brain that is responsible for this; what it is, why it does what it does, and four ways to reprogram this part of your brain.

One of the most common questions that I get asked is, “How do I stay hopeful or positive throughout IVF?” Today I am tackling that question head-on! Im going to teach you about a concept called “equal air time” and show you how a balance of hope and fear is not only realistic but completely natural.   

IVF isn't fair! I screamed that from the rooftop for years. This is such a normal thought. Today I explain why we do it, and why it often causes more pain for us. 

My last IVF transfer was in July 2021. I wrote a poem the night before we had our beta. Today, I'm sharing this incredibly intimate writing with you all.

Do you often think of choices you have made in the past, that if you had made a different decision, you might not have to go through IVF? If you had sought help earlier, you might already have your family. These are called counterfactuals. Today, I explain what they are, why we do them, and three ways to manage counterfactual thinking.

Do you have a revolving catalog of "what if's" that you play on a constant loop in your head, but don't lead to anything useful? Join me today as I provide some examples of those IVF "what if's" and how you can make those more productive thoughts by switching them to "even ifs.”

Secondary Losses: It is 100% unequivocally devastating to want children and not be able to have them, to experience a failed cycle or transfer, or a miscarriage. That's your primary loss in grief. However, you might have also noticed the ripple effects of things you would not have otherwise lost throughout this journey.  These are called secondary losses. Join me this week to understand why we need to normalize secondary losses in infertility and IVF and learn three things you can do to support yourself when you notice one emerging for you.

We have so many negative thoughts in and around infertility, IVF, loss. We can spiral downward in them very quickly. Whether it's that you won't ever be happy, no one understands you, or that it's your fault; we often don't even see them as thoughts. We just believe them. Hear why your negative thoughts matter, and how to begin acknowledging them for what they are.

Most people have heard of fight or flight as trauma or stress responses. This week I talk about the four stress responses: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn; what they are, and specific examples for how they can show up in your life.   

Have you been on the IVF journey for a while, finally pregnant, and wondering how to continue to apply the IVF This approach? Join me today as I discuss some key concepts for embracing the good and the hard of pregnancy after IVF. 

After the blood, sweat, tears and money of IVF you finally have that baby home with you. Join me today as I discuss the five things that kept me sane during that newborn phase.   

The never ending announcements, reveals, and showers have so many thoughts and feelings attached to them. Today I offer you a mindset shift to help ease the pain and frustration during your IVF journey. Link to YouTube channel!  https://youtu.be/uRFGq01IwsU?si=aGn7ZxqAsN0gD7Rt

Have you ever grieved before something happened? Join me today and I discuss anticipatory grief; what it is, why we do it, and how to navigate it when it happens. 

Have you ever asked yourself, “Why is this so hard?” Today I break down the four main elements that make infertility and IVF so hard. I discuss what they are, why they are so challenging, and how to manage your mind while experiencing them. LINK TO YOUTUBE!

Do you ever question when enough will be enough for your infertility journey? Today I offer a four part framework to help you answer that question for yourself.  https://www.youtube.com/@ivfthispodcast https://www.ivfthiscoaching.com

Do you feel like all of the waiting associated with IVF is excruciating? Join me today as I share five ways to think about the wait differently. 

Have you ever wondered about how the coaching concepts I teach, could be applied in other areas of your life, not just IVF? Today I am joined by a former client, Adrian, who shares her journey as well as the other areas that coaching has helped her.   

Join me today to understand why you hold onto the painful parts of your infertility and IVs journey. I also share some journal prompts for you to begin releasing that pain.

Join me today as we dive deeper into perfectionism and how you can make it work for you and stop it from working against you. 

 Do you ever feel like your whole life revolves around IVF? Join me today as I outline the five areas of your life, I believe, are essential to cultivate community and self-support while on this journey. 

How often do you feel stuck in your IVF journey? I did all the time. Join me today as I talk about all things “stuck,” what it is, why we think we're stuck, and three ways to help you get unstuck. 

Do you ever feel like you're all alone in your IVF process? Join me today, as I explain why we feel so alone, and what we can do to feel more connected.

Do you feel like you're in an emotional rut? That's what we call emotional stagnation. Join me this week as I explain what that is, why we do it, and how to get yourself out.

Welcome to IVF This, episode 145- IVF and self-worth

Hi! I'm Emily, a bona fide control freak, or at least recovering control freak. Join me today as I talk about how big a factor control plays in our pain during IVF, how you can start to unclench, and spend your energy where it really counts- your personal power. 

Join me today as I take a deep dive into two aspects of healing, in order to have a more fulfilling and peaceful life, even in the midst of IVF.

Join me today as I discuss a specific area of boundary setting, the boundaries you have with and for yourself. I am going to explain what they are, why they're important, and how having boundaries for and with yourself, is one of the best ways to manage the emotional rollercoaster of IVF.   

Today I am sharing all the things I am done apologizing for, and I invite you to do the same!  

Join me today as I take a personal look at the phrase, “time heals all wounds.” I'll tell you why I think that phrase can be so damaging, share what time's role really is, and what healing actually looks like.

Join me today as I share how and why being present for someone going through IVF is the best way to support them. I will explain what the ministry of presence is, and some steps to help you become a better support for the IVF'er in your life.   

IVF & Learning to Receive

You've heard me talk about Infertility Grief many times before. Join me today as I discuss a relatively unknown condition called Prolonged grief disorder. I explain what it is, to help understand what might be happening for you on your infertility and IVF journey.

Fear is one of the most powerful emotions that we experience and one of the most common during infertility and IVF. Join me today as I discuss what fear is, how it's different from anxiety, and how you can begin to allow and process fear, without becoming overwhelmed by it.   

Join me today as I discuss the concept of arguing with reality; what it is, why we do it, and the one thing you can start doing to move towards acceptance, even during IVF.

Join me today as I share a powerful tool for emotional regulation and stress reduction during IVF called Progressive Muscle Relaxation. I will discuss history, its importance, and relevance to IVF and walk you through a guided exercise.

Join me today as I talk about some of the unwanted thoughts we have during IVF and how we can learn to manage them as they come.   

Join me today as I talk about finding purpose before, during, and after IVF.   

Join me today as I discuss IVF challenges specific to those with ADHD.   

Join me today as I discuss one of the most common questions we get during infertility and IVF, “Why don't you just adopt?”

Join me today as I talk about Emotional Tolerance- what it is, why it's so difficult, how we can develop the skill, and what role it plays during IVF.    

Join me today as I discuss realistic expectations during IVF; what they look like, and how to set them. Link to Website ivfthiscoaching.com

Join me today as I discuss the concept of The Window of Tolerance, which can help you during your IVF journey, to help you stay grounded and calm.   

We explore the role of judgment in the IVF journey, examining both the common judgments faced and those we may hold about others. We'll discuss how to recognize, unpack, and release these judgments to cultivate greater compassion for ourselves and those around us.

IVF This Podcast Episode 167: IVF and Openness

Join me today as I discuss the book “Do Nothing” by Celeste Headley. I enjoyed this book and share with you the items that resonated for me and the way I paralleled Headley's work and IVF and infertility.   

Join me today as I explain and explore the similarities and differences of perspective vs perception and how one can help you feel more grounded during IVF.   

Join me today as we explore how to stop waiting for happiness and recognize the power you already have.

Join me today as I tackle the topic of self-gaslighting. I'm going to cover what it is, why we do it, and how you can break the cycle to help support yourself through IVF.   

Join me today as I discuss how to navigate potential holiday triggers.   

In this episode of IVF This, we explore grief burnout—the emotional exhaustion from repeated losses and the relentless stress of infertility. Learn how to recognize it, navigate it, and find ways to heal while continuing your IVF journey.  

 Ever feel like certain thoughts just won't leave you alone? Those little mental whispers—I'm not doing enough, what if this never happens?—stick like Post-it notes in your brain. In this episode, we'll unpack why they're so persistent and how to finally unstick them.

Emotional muscle memory shapes how we react to infertility and IVF, often keeping us stuck in cycles of fear and disappointment. In this episode, we'll explore how it works, why it happens, and how you can retrain your emotional reflexes to work for you instead of against you.  

Doomscrolling during IVF can feel like a desperate search for control, but often, it only fuels anxiety and self-doubt. Join me as I break down why we do it, how it shows up (even with positive content), and practical ways to break the cycle and reclaim your peace.

Have you ever wondered what good could come out of your infertility/ IVF Journey? Join me today as I explore IVF as a potential pathway to a more intentional life—if and when you're ready to see it that way.