Books
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'Making Babies' by Jill Blakeway and Sami S. David
Starting by identifying "fertility types," they cover everything from recognizing the causes of fertility problems to making lifestyle choices that enhance fertility to trying surprising strategies such as taking cough medicine, decreasing doses of fertility drugs, or getting acupuncture along with IVF.
Making Babies is a must-have for every woman trying to conceive, whether naturally or through medical intervention. Dr. David and Blakeway are revolutionizing the fertility field, one baby at a time.
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Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
In 2015, Sheryl Sandberg's husband, Dave Goldberg, died suddenly at the age of forty-eight. Sandberg and her two young children were devastated, and she was certain that their lives would never have real joy or meaning again. Just weeks later, Sandberg was talking with a friend about the first father-child activity without a father. They came up with a plan for someone to fill in. But I want Dave, she cried. Her friend put his arm around her and said, Option A is not available. So let's just kick the shit out of Option B. Everyone experiences some form of Option B. We all deal with loss: jobs lost, loves lost, lives lost. The question is not whether these things will happen but how we face them when they do.
Podcasts
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The Worst Girl Gang Ever
We are determined to improve the education our future generations receive in fertility & loss. We’re on a mission to open the dialogue surrounding these topics, so that as they enter their ‘baby making’ years, if they stumble into difficulty, they have managed expectations and are armed with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate their way through.
This is a great way to get some emotional support that whatever you’ve experienced, you’re not alone. While there is some good information about different tests, procedures and diagnosis, this podcast is located in the UK so terminology and health insurance is completely different then the US.
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See Beneath Your Beautiful
In this episode Emma Woolley shares about her journey of infertility. See Beneath Your Beautiful is a podcast hosted by Hara Allison where guests share stories of adversity and perseverance which inspire, encourage and challenge us. Hara embraces these tough conversations, intimately exploring our loves, fears and hopes with a delicious combination of depth and lightness.
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As A Woman
Dr. Natalie Crawford is board certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and is Director of Patient Experience and Education and co-founder of Fora Fertility, a boutique fertility practice in Austin, Texas.
This podcast deals with all things related to being a woman. If you’re looking for the medical and sciency part of fertility this is the right podcast for you. Start with episode 007 The Menstrual cycle, Period.
Support Groups
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Spokane Courageous Mama
This is a online support group for any woman who is thinking of conceiving, trying to conceive, pregnant or parenting after a pregnancy, infant or child loss.
They also meet in person in the Spokane area 1-2 times per month
Make it stand out.
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Fertility helpful lubricant
Ew. I know. But studies have shown that most lubricants are harmful to fertility. They impact the pH balance of the woman’s insides and also can be harmful to sperm. Saliva can also be harmful as it’s full of bacteria. Pre-Seed is the recommended lubricant.
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Menstrual Cup
Gross. I know. It took me a LONG time to realize that my cycle was too light. No DR ever asked me if it was too light. This cup has lines on it for you to see exactly how much fluid there is each cycle. Make sure to get the size that’s right for you. I got a size 0 and then still had to trim it a bit.