"Regardless of what you have been told about your fertility, your ability to conceive is profoundly influenced by the complex interaction among psychosocial, psychological and emotional factors, and that you can consciously work with this to enhance your ability to have a baby. " ~ Christiane Northrup

In life, millions of moments sadly pass unnoticed. Often we are not fully awake to our experiences while they are happening. We walk our path habitually, reinforcing our deeply entrenched beliefs about who we are and what is possible. We vacillate between trying desperately to control everything in our life, and completely abdicating to some outside authority. We are pulled outside ourselves for the answers we seek, rather than looking inward and trusting our own guidance.

  Every so often there are moments that cannot be ignored. Moments that have the power to wake us up, propel us in a new direction, help us to see our life and Self in a new light. Moments that challenge what we believe and change us forever. Sometimes they are found in a single instant of profound kindness or beauty. Often, they are hidden within our most challenging experiences. It is in these moments that we have the potential to discover the deeper messages and lessons of our life.

  Such is the path toward considering motherhood. For many women, the defining moment comes with the words “Congratulations, You’re pregnant!” For others, it can come when a woman suddenly realizes she may never hear those words. Contrary to any deeply held belief, even though she is now ready to start a family, the process simply does not flow as smoothly as she would have imagined. Nor does it inevitably end in the birth of a baby. Her birthright, her dream, eludes her. Couples that face such challenges may feel shattered, stressed and desperate for solutions.

  Fortunately, there are many current avenues for couples to increase the chances of conceiving and find their way toward parenthood. Assisted Reproduction (and its many advances) has been the choice for many struggling with fertility. This has been a blessing to many women who have a chance to realize their parenting dreams. However, many of those who have gone through several “failed” cycles or don’t even qualify for treatment because their “FSH is too high” or they are “too old,” begin to internalize these self-limiting opinions. These beliefs often become a catalyst for further feelings of depression, blame, jealousy and increased emotional stress, which, in turn, can diminish fertility by affecting hormones and reproductive organs. This results in a vicious cycle, with the resultant failure to conceive creating added stress, which culminates in further loss of fertility.

  But science is only one part of the magical equation. It does not define an individual or her intrinsic value. Rather, each woman must be compassionate with herself, recognize her mind-body-spirit connection, and embrace her power to consciously create the “life” she wants.

  As Dr. Christiane Northrup states, “Regardless of what you have been told about your fertility, you need to know that your ability to conceive is profoundly influenced by the complex interaction among psychosocial, psychological and emotional factors, and that you can consciously work with this to enhance your ability to have a baby.”

  It is vital for women wanting to conceive to incorporate A Whole Fertility Approach for balance in her body, mind, spirit…and life. This includes:

An Integrative Approach to Fertility

A woman wanting to follow a more natural path, create balance and healing in the body, and increase the chances of conceiving, may integrate holistic approaches such as acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, nutrition, yoga, meditation and other relaxation techniques into her life. Each can be used as a stand alone practice or a complementary technique to enhance success with western medicine treatments. Together these are a powerful approach.

Empowerment

Taking charge of fertility begins with becoming informed about options, turning inward for answers, and learning to identify and shift thoughts, beliefs and emotions that don’t support one’s process. It is key to recognize that the fertility journey impacts (and is impacted by) all areas of life. This in turn provides the insight needed to begin transforming any perceived limitations into rich, fertile ground to plant new seeds of possibility and enhance the ability of each woman to consciously create the “life” she wants.

Spirituality

Recognize that the universe plays an important role in creation of life and there is so much more to conception than the right physical union of sperm meets egg. Connect to the greater purpose and meaning of life, trust in the body’s wisdom, nurture spirit, and embrace creative limitless potential. Connect with others on a similar journey. The ultimate aim is to believe in, and achieve, new possibilities, with each person inspired to reach his/her fullest potential.

  It is important to recognize that not every journey ends in a successful pregnancy. However, the exploration of the soul has the power to lead to other beautiful outcomes if one remains open. What if, at the end of the day, a woman goes through the process of getting in touch with her inner spirit, lets go of control and takes steps to create balance in her body and life, yet it still doesn’t lead to a successful pregnancy? For example, what if it leads to adoption and that is the destiny of both parent and child? Or if it deepens a woman’s ability to find her own truth, and create new possibilities for her life…ones she hadn’t even imagined before she began this voyage? Isn’t that just as beautiful? It may not be what was expected or initially desired, but this process can invite every person to be more present to each moment and inspire new clarity about one’s life purpose. In the end, isn’t that what the soul journey is for? Could there be any moment more defining than that?

Nina Antolino is a certified Empowerment Life Coach, Yoga Instructor and Founder of Limitless Potential, a consulting and coaching practice designed to help individuals and organizations tap into their full creative potential. Through coaching and workshops, one main area of Nina’s focus is to educate, empower and encourage women to be conscious creators in each phase of the life-creating cycle: from conception, pregnancy, birth and beyond. For more information, visit Limitless-Potential.net or email [email protected].