The Fertility Bites

14. What's Your Reproductive Story?

We all have a reproductive story - a term described by Janet Jaffe - as the story we have created, envisaged and dreamed through our formative years. But what happens if that story does not go as anticipated? Our Reproductive Story can come with many challenges - loss, infertility, not having a partner, all which need to be grieved to move forward with what our reproductive story eventuates to be.  For more Information: Instagram: @seeds_for_hope Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeedsforHopePerinatal [https://www.facebook.com/SeedsforHopePerinatal] Website: seedsforhope.com.au Email: info@seedsforhope.com.au

13. The Rainbow Elephants on Parade

What on earth do coloured elephants have to do with anything in the world of thoughts? Do you fight with your thoughts? Do they seem to become more focused in your mind as you fight with them? What are the alternatives? How can we quieten our thoughts without feeling like we have done 10 rounds in the boxing ring? Listen in to identify some tools to help with reducing frustration with out thoughts.  For more information: Instagram: @seeds_for_hope Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seedsforhopeperinatalpsychology Website: seedsforhope.com.au Email: info@seedsforhope.com.au

12. Acknowledgement, Containment & Permission - Managing Anxiety

We all experience anxiety, from the day we first stood in front of our class for a presentation, to being alert to our surroundings to ensure we don't place ourselves in danger. Anxiety is a natural part of our existence, and is there to keep us safe, however, sometimes it can go a little haywire. Anxiety is often present when we are navigating reproductive challenges from trying to conceive, fertility treatment, pregnancy loss, and pregnancy after loss - and it is understandable, our experiences are a threat to what we desire for our lives now and into the future. Strategies can be variable for how to manage anxiety, and through this episode I discuss acknowledging anxiety, and returning at a later stage to reflect, contain and provide ourselves permission to work through and with our anxiety. For more information and content: Instagram: @seeds_for_hope Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seedsforhopeperinatalpsychology Website: seedsforhope.com.au Email: info@seedsforhope.com.au

11. Spirituality & Religion in Infertility and Pregnancy and Baby Loss

Spirituality and Religion are often downplayed within the Australian and other similar Westernised cultures and countries. But they play an important role in searching for meaning, understanding and purpose in out lives. Spirituality and Religion can support us through incredibly challenging times, and connect us to ourselves, others and out world in ways we did not expect, help to health and soothe out minds, hearts and bodies when navigate the incredibly challenging spaces of Infertility and loss. For More about The Fertility Bites and Seeds for Hope Perinatal Psychology: Instagram: @seeds_for_hope Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seedsforhopeperinatalpsychology Website: seedsforhope.com.au Email: info@seedsforhope.com.au

10. Endometriosis and International Women's Day

March is endometriosis awareness month, and 8th March is International Women's Day. While endometriosis doesn't only impact women, non-binary and transgender men can also be diagnosed, we continue to inequality in treatment and diagnosis of endometriosis due to limited understand of the illness in a male dominated medical and research model. We know endo is more than a physical illness, it impacts on our functioning and out mental health due to its physical impact, it is a whole person illness with far reaching implications. While not fool proof I discuss some mental health strategies which can be helpful for navigating management of endometriosis. Please keep yourself informed and continue to advocate more research and understanding of this awful disease. For more information please follow along at Instagram: @seeds_for_hope Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seedsforhopeperinatalpsychology Website: seedsforhope.com.au Email: info@seedsforhope.com.au