“On Fertile Ground: Healing Infertility” by Helen Adrienne, L.C.S.W. – Review by Diana Palmentiero and Lenore Pranzo

Lenore and I were asked to write a review of On Fertile Ground: Healing Infertility by Helen Adrienne.  Since I read it first, here are my thoughts on it.  It is a book that should be read from cover to cover because of the vast amount of information and knowledge that Helen imparted.  From her profound dedication, “To all the babies who might not have been born … and their parents” to the Endnotes which explain everything from Follistim to hystosalpingogram and DES, it was a book that I wished I had had when I was going through my own fertility struggle.  She began the book with giving the reader an idea of how she found herself wanting to help women with infertility issues.   Later, she discussed the mind/body connection and most of her book gave techniques on how to overcome infertility with mind/body techniques which would continue to serve a person, even after she became a parent.  Again, something I could use right now as I begin to get upset with some of the silly things that kids do.

Thanks, Diana.  One of the things I took away from the book is Helen’s unique ability to reframe, reframe, reframe.  As a therapist, I know the power and impact of this.  I believe that Helen will help readers see things differently.  An example would be how you can take the roadblocks you encounter on your fertility path and make them building blocks.  Helen took the time to talk with former patients from her mind/body groups and also from individual therapy.  I believe these stories will resonant with readers.  You will find yourself in one or some of these accounts.  She also helps the reader learn self-hypnosis.  This is worth the price of the book alone!!!  I used some of the scripts and have been helping myself relax and fall asleep at night.  Then, if I wake up in the middle of the night, I use the techniques to fall back to sleep.  Thank you, Helen!!!  If you are looking for something fresh to read, on how to approach the chaos in your life due to infertility, give Helen’s book a try.  You will not regret it. Click here for Helen’s website.

Diana Palmentiero is a Certified Wellness Coach and a co-founder of Fertility Wellness Group.  Lenore Pranzo is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a co-founder of Fertility Wellness Group.  Their on-line fertility enhancing workshops help empower women to write about their own fertility struggles which will eventually lead to positive endings.  You can learn more about them at www.fertilitywellnessgroup.com

Should I take the summer off?

Written by Lenore Pranzo

A week into summer and, as I am starting to enjoy the idea of fewer scheduled activities, I remember what it was like to begin the summer during my fertility journey years.  It was always a dilemma.  “Should I slow down and relax?” or “Should I dive into another cycle, medication or natural?”  Knowing that feeling, that if I wasn’t doing something to try and get pregnant, then I would think it was a waste of time.  I wonder how many are considering taking the summer off, yet are so wrapped up in the timeline, they are worried they might miss an opportunity to start another cycle.

How can someone really embrace the power of the slow-paced summer or any time off, for that matter?  As I was discussing this with our on-line group recently, I realized it needs to be a goal.  Making it a goal, as part of the fertility journey and one that will enhance your chances, should make it more palatable.  So get out a piece of paper or your laptop and write down that goal.   Here is an example:

Goal: Take the summer off from trying to get pregnant.

Step 1: Discuss with partner that I am taking a break and discuss any disagreement with the notion that this will help our end goal.

Step 2: Make quick list of activities that I have been putting off for fertility.

Step 3: Schedule one activity in my calendar.

Step 4: Continue to schedule that activity for rest of “break” time frame, if it is enjoyable.

Step 5: Remember when thoughts come up about trying to get pregnant, tell myself that I am on a break and that this break is part of the process.

Making that break a part of your fertility plan might be the key to really enjoying yourself and your partner again.  This will give you time to reconnect with who you are and who you are in your relationship.  Use whatever you can to remind yourself that this break is important and is helping you obtain your goal of growing your family (examples: sticky notes everywhere, a new bracelet that anchors you to that or a nightly journal where you write it at the top of the page).  Here’s to a summer filled with new discoveries.

Lenore Pranzo is a CT Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and co-founder of Fertility Wellness Group.  Fertility Wellness Group offers on-line fertility enhancing workshops that will help empower women to write about their own fertility struggles which will lead to positive endings.  You can learn more about them at www.fertilitywellnessgroup.com.