Dr. Katie Wood is a mother, Pharmacist, ecommerce entrepreneur and Integrative Fertility Health Coach. She is the founder of Pharm to Wellness LLC and brand Happy Nourished Motherhood.  Katie helps women over 30 to nourish their mind & body for optimal fertility health so they can confidently conceive with ease and experience a vibrant pregnancy. Katie has over 9 years of experience as a pharmacist and in alternative medicine. Katie is passionate about supporting and empowering women on their fertility and pregnancy transition into motherhood by taking a holistic approach focusing on nutrition, lifestyle, and energetic alignment.

In this episode, we discussed:

· Going down the Google rabbit hole when the doctor says you're healthy…keep trying.

· Alternative Therapy - acupuncture and Chinese medicine

· The unworthiness that comes with infertility

· How being born via C-section, not being breast fed or taking antibiotics as a child…can play a huge role in your health as an adult.

· Tracking your cycle with natural signals

“You hold the power for yourself … advocate for yourself. If something doesn’t feel right to you, try to separate yourself from the situation. You deserve to feel held, heard, and supported. I’m your biggest cheerleader…I’m here to support you.” – Katie Wood

Connect with Katie:

Instagram: @the_wellness_pharmacist 

Free Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nourishingfertilityandharmonizinghormones 

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/risingintomindfulmotherhood

Connect with Teresa:

EMAIL: teresa.livingaftergrief.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/.livingaftergrief/.

Instagram: @livingaftergrief

Website: www.livingaftergrief.com

click and schedule a free complementary time to talk: https://calendly.com/teresa-reiniger/podcast-discovery-call

Melody Fisher wanted children for 12 years and is now expecting her first after going through IVF. She waited six months to get in to see a new doctor and was ready to start IVF right away, when they said it was a 3-month process. Melody thought I have already waited so long, why do I have to wait again?

Melody shared about her IVF process and putting in 2 embryos and having to freeze the other 4. She shared about the hard decisions to make about the frozen embryos and all the consent forms that needed to be signed for every scenario that could possibly happen. She said, I was told, and I live by this philosophy, to never make a permanent decision based on a temporary feeling. WOW there were a lot of feelings and emotions surfacing while these decisions were being made.

Three great coping skills that Melody shared that she used while going through her infertility journey.

·  Deep Breathing: Step back and breathe no matter where you are.

·  Journaling: Sometimes I just wrote to my mom who died when I was 20.

·  Something to Honor myself and my mom: Putting attention into something other than the pain helped her physically and mentally.

Also, great suggestions and tips to navigate the emotional feelings, due to all the hormone changes

Melody’s encouragement and insight for you: I understand that the journey is long … I know it's hard … I know you are doubting yourself … being on the other side, it is worth it and you are worth it. Don’t lose faith and don’t give up on yourself. If you feel like it's affecting your day to day life, please talk to someone. You are not alone and you should not feel alone. There are so many that struggle with this. We shouldn’t be afraid to talk about something that is not our fault. It’s not something we are lacking. It doesn’t need to be a stigma and get swept under the rug because it's taboo. It is worth every shot, pill, and patch.

Connect with Teresa:

EMAIL: teresa.livingaftergrief.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/.livingaftergrief/.

Instagram: @livingaftergrief

Website: www.livingaftergrief.com

click and schedule a free complementary time to talk: https://calendly.com/teresa-reiniger/podcast-discovery-call

The holidays are the most difficult time for those that our struggling with infertility and those that have had a baby loss.  Christmas advertising and celebrating is everywhere, and it is hard to escape it. I gave some suggestions with reading bible verses, journaling and listen to music. 

Do you have your plan A, B & C ready? If not, it’s time to think about your expectations for yourself and what are others’ expectations for you?

A couple Bible verses I mentioned: Psalm 34:18 "The Lord in near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit" 

                                                               Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength"

A couple songs I mentioned that are helpful to me:

Gone to Soon, Daughtry  https://youtu.be/YvpoYxwI08M

I will carry you, Selah  https://youtu.be/61ncM07RU_U

Held, Natalie Grant   https://youtu.be/0UTiei4ftMc

Blessings, Alvaro Glez Fotografo https://youtu.be/24BZA5sldXw

Additional songs: Angel By Your Side, Francesca Batistelli   https://youtu.be/vvDBjNG_pws

To Where You Are, Josh Groban  https://youtu.be/fIAQCiMIEEQ

Sending you Comfort and Peace

Connect with Teresa if you need support:

EMAIL: teresa.livingaftergrief.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/.livingaftergrief/.

Instagram: @livingaftergrief

Website: www.livingaftergrief.com

click and schedule a free complementary time to talk: https://calendly.com/teresa-reiniger/podcast-discovery-call

Connie Houlihan is the mother of two children in Heaven, Hope Marie and Nicholas Jenkins. She shared on this episode many ways she honors her children as well as how she navigates her grief through the Holidays. She shared about lighting candles, purchasing ornaments, giving donations and more. Connie and I shared in-depth about navigating grief through a very difficult time of the year. 

A few of the key points we talked about:  

Surround yourself with others who have had a loss so you don't feel so alone 

Set boundaries and be gentle with yourself. Selfcare is critical.

Empathy towards yourself and for others if you can.

Pay attention to what your body is telling you and how the grief is physically being expressed - honoring and listening to grief helps to process and allow it to dissipate.

Connie is the founder of Own Your Life, LLC, a St. Louis, MO based training and coaching enterprise where she develops, facilitates and implements effective programs utilizing Brain Fitness, Quantum Frequencies, Neuro Linguistic Programming and Brain Boosting Supplements. Her company’s charitable program supports scholarships in memory of her son’s legacy.   

Contact with Connie:

https://www.facebook.com/OwnYourLifeLLC

Connect with Teresa:

EMAIL: teresa.livingaftergrief.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/.livingaftergrief/.

Instagram: @livingaftergrief

Website: www.livingaftergrief.com

click and schedule a free complementary time to talk: https://calendly.com/teresa-reiniger/podcast-discovery-call

Jeanna Smith is a faithful follower of Jesus, wife, mother, daughter, and friend who doesn’t have it all together and is learning to be confident in the chaos. Becoming pregnant in 2020 became a very traumatic experience for Jeanna. After beginning in and out of the hospital for 2 weeks of bleeding she had a miscarriage at 8 to 9 weeks pregnant. Jeanna talked about other health issues that surfaced from the traumatic miscarriage, which also triggered her past childhood trauma of sexual abuse. Jeanna continues to navigate the trauma in her life with a servant's heart and gratitude. She said doing things for other people makes her feel closest to God and the most joyful.

Jeanna shared how differently she is navigating through the holiday this year. She said in the past I didn't handle it well. She talked about selfcare, honoring her child and serving others who have helped her this year. Her servant heart has led her to have a woman from Nigari to live with them. She said watching her experiencing things for the first time in the U.S., is like a child experiencing things, which has brought her contentment.

Encouragement from Jeanna is to give yourself grace because you are not going to always get it right.

Connect with Teresa:

EMAIL: teresa.livingaftergrief.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/.livingaftergrief/.

Instagram: @livingaftergrief

Website: www.livingaftergrief.com

click and schedule a free complementary time to talk: https://calendly.com/teresa-reiniger/podcast-discovery-call

During this episode I talked about scheduling time daily to grieve. While setting aside this time to feel your feelings and allow the emotions to flow can be very healing for you. Journaling during this time is important and if journaling is not your cup of tea, recording on your phone is a good way to document your thoughts and feelings. There are many things that can surface during this time and you will want to capture your thoughts.

I talked about taking care of yourself with nutrition and hydration and having coping skills in place when grief bursts happen when you are triggered.  It is important to express your intentions and expectations for the holiday.  To have a plan A & B for the holidays ahead of time and be flexible with the plan. If opting out is the plan it is OK.  Find your compassionate and safe companion, whether family member or friend, to be there to support you through the holidays.

The holiday season is a time for healing if we plan well.  If your plan involves being with family, friends or strangers, share your story because we know it is healing for you.

Wishing you Peace through the holiday season and all year long.

Connect with Teresa:

EMAIL: teresa.livingaftergrief.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/.livingaftergrief/.

Instagram: @livingaftergrief

Website: www.livingaftergrief.com

click and schedule a free complementary time to talk: https://calendly.com/teresa-reiniger/podcast-discovery-call

Noelle Robinson is a Sound Therapist, and Health and Wellness Speaker. She shared with us her very traumatic miscarriage and that she felt she tucked away the grief and hurt from that experience so she could continue with everything else in her life.

Noelle talked about how all adults have experienced some sort of trauma in their life . And our nervous system and our brains have been overloaded and haven't had the capacity to deal with these traumas. Sound Therapy ultimately activates the parasympathetic nervous system to promote healing.

She also talked about how science continues to find the awful impact our current lifestyles are having on our bodies. Noelle encourages us to be aware of our auditory surroundings because of the huge impact it has on our nervous system.

Sound Therapy is Self-Care that STICKS WITH YOU.  That means that not only will you feel more relaxed after a session, but you will continue to feel the benefits for days, even months to come. By taking this time to relax and rejuvenate, you will not only increase your ability to be present for the ones you love, but you will also increase your mindfulness, your energy, and your capacity to do the things you enjoy most!

- Improved sleep and focus

Connect with Noelle:  www.TheSoundSpa.com   Get 50% off your First Session!  Enter Promo Code: FIRST50 at checkout.

References Noelle gave:  Research, Sound Healing, Sound Therapy and Sound Bath for locations in your area. 

Spotify: Binaural Beats

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6JQBjYzGitZexdaxngUCH7?si=cdx4K7qrRNCR48YbeO23xA is a good one.

Solfeggio Frequencies (SP)

https://www.bettersleep.com/blog/science-behind-solfeggio-frequencies/

Connect with Teresa:

EMAIL: teresa.livingaftergrief.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/.livingaftergrief/.

Instagram: @livingaftergrief

Website: www.livingaftergrief.com

click and schedule a free complementary time to talk: https://calendly.com/teresa-reiniger/podcast-discovery-call

Becca Ingersoll is a wife to her college sweetheart and mother to her twin five-year-old boys. Before becoming a stay at home mom, she was a Jr. High English teacher and school librarian. Life has handed her plenty of trials—5 years of infertility, having micro-preemie twins at 23+6 gestation, special needs parenting, having one of her twins get diagnosed with leukemia, etc. Even with support through her journey, she still felt very isolated around her community.

Through it all though, she's noticed that focusing on the blossoms instead of the thorns in life—being grateful for her blessings—is crucial to surviving the storms. There are MANY ways people can experience trauma and then suffer from PTSD. Living through infertility is one way. Help is available, though! Having children doesn't cure infertility or the trauma and PTSD.

She started her blog, mercy-rose.com, to help other mothers going through difficult times. She eagerly awaits the day when she can see her own published books on the shelves of bookshops.

In this episode, Becca & I also shared some helpful tips to navigate the holidays for you.

Encouragement from Becca: Know you are not alone, 1-8 women struggle with infertility. If you feel alone seek to find your tribe, find those that understand and open up to them even if it is uncomfortable at first. It will truly help you and others when you share your story. Know it is for a time and season and your worth is NOT defined by the number of children you have.

Connect with Becca: 

Becca's blog: mercy-rose.com Instagram: @blingersoll

Connect with Teresa:

EMAIL: teresa.livingaftergrief.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/.livingaftergrief/.

Instagram: @livingaftergrief

Website: www.livingaftergrief.com

click and schedule a free complementary time to talk: https://calendly.com/teresa-reiniger/podcast-discovery-call

Nicole Robinson shared about her struggle with infertility and her early pregnancy loss. She talked about the physical pain being terrible and that the emotional pain she wouldn't wish on anybody. Nicole's husband took her to the ER and they confirmed her loss. They were told there was no product of conception and on the paper work it said a spontaneous abortion. Nicole said I felt like an abortion is a choice and this was not the choice I made. We wanted this baby and the medical language was very harsh.

Nicole said I closed the bottle on the loss and didn't really deal with it for a while. She said all I thought was I can have another baby and that is what will make it better. She talked about in a couple months I was back to charting and watching for ovulation signs and becoming upset and depressed with every negative test or menstrual cycle that started for over a year.  Listen to how Nicole went on to be totally surprised with the news of her other pregnancies.

Nicole's words of encouragement for you:  Work hard on not getting tunnel vision. Be aware of yourself and when you are getting to only caring about a positive pregnancy test. You can miss beautiful things that are happening in your life. I think for so long maybe because of being from a big family, I thought that  my main purpose was to have a bunch of kids. God has different plans for everyone. They are unique and beautiful and wherever you are, you were born for this. There is a purpose for you whether children or not. There are so many things in life so don't let stress drag you down and you miss the beauty around you.

Connect with Teresa:

EMAIL: teresa.livingaftergrief.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/.livingaftergrief/.

Instagram: @livingaftergrief

Website: www.livingaftergrief.com

click and schedule a free complementary time to talk: https://calendly.com/teresa-reiniger/podcast-discovery-call

As a step-mother to three healthy and wonderful teens, Desirae never thought she’d have trouble conceiving with her husband. However, over the course of two plus years, she experienced what the frustrating diagnosis of unexplained infertility brings; the emotional rollercoaster of transformations in relationships, hormonal changes, failed IUIs, changing doctors, and devastating news that all of the embryos sent to PGS testing from round one of IVF were chromosomally abnormal. 

During this time, Desirae found herself feeling hopeless and isolated. Along with her doctors, Desirae headed into her second round of IVF with more knowledge, new medications and a new-found bravery. Now two embryos were deemed ideal for transfer, and in January of 2017 she transferred the last remaining embryo. In September 2017 she gave birth to a healthy little girl via cesarean after a 6 day induction and a complicated pregnancy.

Desirae's words of encouragement: 

Wherever you are in your journey, you really should stop and remind yourself that you are doing it and you are doing great. I often hear people say I can't do it and the reality is, they are doing it. Sometimes it doesn't matter how we do it, it doesn't matter if someone might perceive it as ugly or graceful. Sometimes we need to just get it done. However you are doing it, is what is right for you. Remind yourself you are doing it and if you can give yourself one gift, it should be, it would be to give yourself grace. 

Connect with Desirae:

https://www.harmonybirths.com/

Instagram @harmonybirths

Connect with Teresa:

EMAIL: teresa.livingaftergrief.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/.livingaftergrief/.

Instagram: @livingaftergrief

Website: www.livingaftergrief.com

click and schedule a free complementary time to talk: https://calendly.com/teresa-reiniger/podcast-discovery-call