This week’s article from Draíocht Healing focuses on the Holistic approach to Fertility.
Fertility usually isn’t something we think about until the day comes when we decide we are ready to have a baby. For most people, this approach works out in their favour. But unfortunately, there are many people who only realise it might not be that simple when an issue presents itself. I am one of those people. I never, ever imagined myself in the situation I am currently in. The more openly I speak about it, the more women come forward to talk to me about their losses or their fertility journeys, and I am now learning how many people are impacted by this. I also am now in a position to empathise with women in particular who are dealing with this fertility issues or pregnancy loss.
There are many situations when it comes to fertility in which medical intervention is needed. I am so grateful for medical intervention as it saved my life last August when I had a ruptured fallopian tube from an ectopic pregnancy. I am also grateful that there are amazing treatment options available to me if it gets to the point where I may need it, such as IVF. However, since being on this journey, I realise the importance of looking after myself physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually. We are very quick to assume that what we need to focus on is the physical, and although yes, it is very important, if you are on a fertility journey; patience, ease, rest & self-compassion are absolutely vital also. And these things come when we focus on the mental, emotional & spiritual.
So how do we mind ourselves emotionally and mentally during this process? I find that as long as I know I am doing everything that is in my control to look after myself holistically, then I can let go just a little bit and feel some element of peace. Lets not forget the impact stress can have on our physical bodies. And how it is proven fear creates physical tension, which is not an ideal environment for conecption to occur. Don’t get me wrong, this situation is stressful. Stress is absolutely normal and warranted. And there is nothing worse than when someone tells me to “just relax and it will happen”. I feel I can safely say on behalf of anyone struggling to conceive that this is the most unhelpful thing you can say! You cannot help that this is a stressful situtaion, and that you feel stress, but what can you do to counteract it? That’s the key.
There are a number of things I have been finding helpful and that my clients are benefitting from. To cover the mental aspect, I have regulary been seeing a Psychotherapist. Having a space that is free of all judgement, and feels neutral, has helped me process a lot of difficult emotions.
Emotionally and spiritually, I find that holistic therapies have been extremely helpful. I regularly receive fertility reflexology from Anne at Talamh Holistics. This is targeting your reproductive and endocrine systems, so it is physically aiding your fertility, but also holding space and time for you to rest which is of huge benefit in allowing your body to heal and be in a state of calm for all its natural processes to occur. It also gives me time to switch off from my thoughts. I receive monthly acupuncture from Hannah O’Connell, which I know is aiding the process and bringing down inflammation since my surgery last year when I had the ectopic pregnancy, and increasing blood flow to my reproductive organs.
One of the most helpful people I met was a Reiki practitioner who had also been through a similar situation. Her ability to empathise with me and hold the space for me was such a gift. In my opinion, Reiki can really help with the emotional and spiritual side of infertility. And being in this situation and seeing how much other practitioners have helped me, I aim to hold a safe space for women who are going through fertility issues or pregnancy loss. I want to make them feel heard, understood, validated and to just provide a listening ear. This can be so much easier knowing that the person holding the space can empathise and knows what you are going through. The Reiki itself can provide emotional release, release any energy blocks that may be blocking conception, provide a state of ease and rest for your physical body, connect you with your spirituality to help you feel a sense of hope, and so much more.
I hope anyone reading this going through anything similar can feel it is safe to reach out to me to book a session and that I aim to help you move through this period in your life in the gentlest way possible. And most importantly, it can feel like you are completely alone, but you’re not. Let’s try to help each other and support each other as best we can and remove any discomfort around discussing this topic. There is healing in sharing.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me on 0833629532 or go to my website www.draiochthealing.ie to find out more about my services.
