There are times in life when we have to go through some very challenging moments and maybe we don’t know how to overcome those challenges. In this episode, Jodi talks with our guest Hadassah Hazan, who shares with us some of the processes she went through and how she dealt with many difficulties trying to conceive a baby. This enlightening episode can really help you or someone you know, to deal with those hard times and know that you are not alone.
About our Guest:
Hadassah Hazan is a coach and counselor, specializing in disordered eating, body image issues, addictions, and low self-esteem. Besides her private practice, she has worked for various organizations which support vulnerable and marginalized young people in both the UK and Israel. Hadassah lives in Jerusalem and is married with two children.
Show Notes:
6:01 Hadassa's Introduction
10:00 Hadassah's infertility process and early treatment
" I was told that I might have difficulty conceiving, naturally, but again when you're like 20 or 21. It feels very abstract, and I thought no, that's not going to happen... it's fine, I'm gonna take these pills for, like, a few months, my periods are gonna come back, it's fine. [...] and it just really didn't click that it was like an actual thing"
15:17 What caused her condition?
"My condition is described [...] as anomalous; there's no reason for it. So sometimes it can be brought on by different traumas, and different like other medical conditions, there was no real reason why in my teen years, my system just stopped..."
16:00 Discussing her condition with her husband
"I actually had an appointment. I had a checkup to check my hormone levels, and I felt like it was a good time to tell him, he was really great about it [...] he said to me, like, can I come with you to the appointment because then maybe I can ask the doctor questions."
18:44 What is IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)?
"So I was injecting medication into myself, and I think I had pills as well at that point, and you go for blood tests and ultrasound several times a week, and then when they see that your follicles are big enough, they will make you ovulate with another injection, and then with IUI, they will inject your partner's sperm into you."
20:38 Going through a miscarriage
"So I went home and was just very sad [...] and I still haven't miscarried and so I went back to the hospital, and I was like, You need to give me a DNC, and I spent a day in the hospital and then just sent home and then eventually like two days later they said I could come back and I had a DNC, which is where they, you know, they put you to sleep and they remove, you know, miscarriage."
24:27 Hadassah's advice for people going through infertility/miscarriage
"In those moments when you're in the hospital and you just need to get things done, I guess my advice would be to try to be as brave as you can be. Don't leave until you have what you want, and what you want might be to see a doctor and to be checked again..."
29:31 Supporting someone going through infertility/miscarriage
"Predominantly just say to them, something like, Wow, that must be so hard for you, [...] you know, I'm so sorry you went through that... your truth I mean that's what you're thinking well that's tough..."
Support Links:
https://iwassupposedtohaveababy.org/organizations
https://iwassupposedtohaveababy.org/resources
Credits:
Host: Jodi Fried
Guest: Hadassah Hazan
Editor: Orlando Diaz