Infertility support with Reflexology & Counselling
I’m Karen, your fertility reflexologist at Essential Feeling. I’ve been giving my clients infertility support for the best part of ten years now. I work with clients day in and day out who are struggling to conceive and provide you with a safe place to vent whilst receiving some of the best reflexology for infertility there is. I’m also a trained counsellor as well as MAR reflexologist and my specialism is fertility reflexology.
Karen Botha MAR
Your Association of Reflexologist’s Therapist
fertility reflexology
Questions & Answers
The Emotional Journey of Infertility
The emotional journey of infertility is complex, marked by highs and lows that can profoundly impact one’s mental health. Feelings of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem are common, as many individuals struggle in silence. The importance of emotional support cannot be overstated, with experts like Eve C. Feinberg, MD, advocating for open-ended conversations and a non-judgmental space for expression. Stress management techniques, including meditation, reading, and exercise, can also play a crucial role in maintaining emotional equilibrium. By addressing the emotional aspects of infertility, individuals and couples can find solace and strength.
Understanding Infertility: Facts and Figures
Infertility affects many, with one in eight couples having trouble conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term. Despite 7.4 million women receiving infertility treatment, the journey remains shrouded in silence for many. The emotional toll of infertility can lead to feelings of shame, depression, and isolation. However, support from counselors, friends, and loved one’s plays a pivotal role in navigating this challenging path. Virtual peer-led support groups have emerged as a vital resource, offering a sense of community regardless of geographical constraints. Understanding these key facts and figures can demystify infertility, encouraging more open discussions and reducing stigma.
Navigating Treatment and Support Options
Navigating the myriad of infertility treatment and support options can be overwhelming. From medical interventions like IVF to alternative therapies and counseling, each journey is unique. Karen’s approach is holistic, considering both the physical and emotional needs of those she supports. She emphasizes the value of informed decision-making, guiding individuals and couples through their options and connecting them with resources like RESOLVE for community support. By exploring all avenues, Karen helps demystify the process, making the path to parenthood less daunting.
The Essential Feeling infertility support is your safe place
There is nothing that you can say that she won’t have heard before, that will offend her or shock her. She has spent years helping clients facing similar infertility challenges and understands where others fail just how allconsuming your fertility path can be.
When you come for an hour’s fertility reflexology with Karen, you’re coming for some you time. You can speak in total privacy to someone who understands what you’re going through and to whom you can speak about things that no-one else seems to understand.
Your time to ask questions and get informed answers from an expert
This isn’t an infertility support group, it’s a one-on-one fertility reflexology session with someone who understands all about struggling with fertility. She’ll advise you on the details around infertility such as tips on how to make adjustments to your nutrition and diet to get the best results from your quest to have a child. She’s used to speaking to other people who are in the same boat as yourself, and are dealing with infertility.
Karen provides you a personal space. This isn’t where you have to be supportive of others, in this time, for that one hour a week you can be totally selfish about your needs, jealousy’s and your most inner thoughts about how you’re struggling with infertility.
Qualified counsellor
Karen has also acted on numerous occasions as a counsellor for mothers who have had (often multiple) losses such as miscarriages or stillbirths. And, being so experienced combined with being a certified counsellor, she’s not afraid to discuss this with you. Infertility can be a lonely journey and so getting the support systems in place that you need will help, sometimes online support just isn’t enough. And while you may have support from friends, unless they’ve been through your journey, it’s difficult for them to put themselves on the receiving end of your pain and grief.
Karen will work with couples who are trying to get pregnant and have a baby or with you as an individual seeking a place of solace or to try ‘anything’ to get pregnant. Whatever works best for your infertility support is fine with her. Women find it tough, but sometimes men do too as they struggle to be strong and be the support within their family unit. If you want to come alone, then this will remain confidential as will anything that we discuss during your treatment.
reflexology
Infertility support after diagnosisGetting an infertility diagnosis is never easy and Karen knows about conditions such as PCOS and endometriosis, being an endo sufferer herself. She’ll advise you on how best to deal with these to minimise their effect on your fertility journey whilst communicating your pain and suffering to those closest who often don’t always understand. Even though they may want to. This in turn will help you get a broader support network whilst you’re still experiencing infertility.
One of the more frustrating things that actually receiving a diagnosis is not getting a reason for your infertility. Unexplained infertility is ultra confusing because you don’t have anything to deal with. But, here’s the thing. Unexplained infertility, and even secondary infertility are often easy fixes with fertility reflexology because they are often in some way linked to stress. By working with Karen to get to the bottom of what is causing your general infertility, you can make changes that will improve your infertility journey.
Open-Ended Conversations: Karen encourages open-ended conversations about infertility, providing a safe space for individuals and couples to express their feelings and experiences.
How does this work?
You come along for fertility reflexology and then Karen will use any number of additional skills to help you resolve your reproductive issues as she works on your feet. She’ll chat, be a sounding board, advise on nutrition information and you’ll no longer feel like you’re isolating yourself as you’ll have a safe place to ‘be’. You’ll feel more able to cope.
This can improve your health and wellbeing in itself as you experience a freedom to be yourself that you’ve, until this point, tried to ignore. It may be that what you need is some quiet time to grieve alone. She can do that too and may even provide you meditation resources. Every session is as unique as you and the emotional path that is your life.
Emotional Health: Maintaining your emotional health is crucial during this journey. Karen offers strategies for stress management and emotional support.
Coping Strategies: Exploring various coping strategies with Karen can help you navigate the emotional ups and downs of infertility.
Open-Ended Conversations: Karen encourages open-ended conversations about infertility, providing a safe space for individuals and couples to express their feelings and experiences.
Can I have this alongside IVF?
Yes you can and you can read more about that here. Karen is used to adapting your treatment plan to your IVF cycle and will happily communicate with your medical practitioners if you would like.
Virtual Peer-Led Support Groups: Karen understands the importance of community, which is why she recommends virtual peer-led support groups for those who might not have access to local support. Ask her about these in your sessions.
reflexology romford
How many treatments will it take?
This has to be the most common question that we are asked. However, it’s the most difficult to answer. As with all medical conditions, it depends on a number of moving parts:
*How you react to the therapy
*How much of Karen’s advise you take on board
*The stressors and other factors that you are dealing with in your life
It can take only weeks, down to several months. We always recommend that you start ahead of time. You allow a year of weekly sessions. You may not need them, but we don’t want you to lose your desire to succeed because we’ve misled you about just how long it takes. Think about how long a woman’s egg takes to mature. It’s a full twelve months compared to men’s sperm which is only three. It could take a long time. It depends what is going on. But, we’ll be there for you throughout your process so that your journey becomes an emotionally uplifting time, rather than being truly exhausting.
Infertility Treatment: While discussing infertility treatment options, Karen emphasizes the importance of understanding each individual’s unique path.
Community Support: Karen highlights the significance of community support, pointing to resources like RESOLVE for additional assistance and connection.
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