Interested in becoming a client of mine?
Please read this first. While I love working with people dealing with a wide range of fertility concerns, there are some basic requirements that will ensure you are a good candidate for my program. I want to make sure that you are getting the best care possible for your situation, and that we have enough time to actually implement the full program. Rushing through this will not work. Did you know that it takes at least 3 months for an immature dormant follicle to go through a maturation cycle to become an egg that is ready to released during ovulation? Same goes for sperm, though sperm are newly developed on a regular basis. This is human physiology, and nothing can change that. That means that if you start taking a supplement today to help with fertility in some way, it won’t have its full impact until at least 3 months from now. Hormones take time to get balanced and the effects of dietary changes take time to have a noticeable effect. If you want the full benefits, we need at least 4 to 6 months (during which you can still continue to try to conceive). If you are doing IVF or IUI, we need at least 4 months before your treatment cycle starts. Keep reading so you can understand more about my approach and why we need this time.
The Awaken Life Natural Fertility Method
My unique Natural Fertility Method was designed to help prepare your body for natural conception, or for assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF or IUI. My approach takes you through a step-by-step process, each phase building upon the previous one. Every part of the program is a key step and my experience shows that the full program, followed in the right order and timing, gives the best results. My goal is to help you bring a healthy baby into this world. I hope I can help you make that dream into a reality.
The Awaken Life Natural Fertility Method is based on the premise that your fertility is a reflection of your entire health. You cannot separate the reproductive system from your digestive system, your brain, your immune system, your musculoskeletal system, your skin, or even your emotions and spirit. It’s all connected. When we balance your body, we naturally improve fertility. This program aims to integrate all of the body’s systems so that they can begin to work in harmony, each system supporting and communicating with each other in a balanced way that can support conception and a healthy pregnancy.
I will help you:
- Discover the major systems in your body that are out of balance
- Uncover your hormonal imbalances (even if all your blood tests came back normal)
- Get the right lab tests to understand more about your health and hormones
- Optimize any nutrient deficiencies
- Identify and remove the foods that are causing inflammation in your body
- Put you on the right supplements for YOUR body
- Adopt an optimal fertility diet that nourishes your body and supports conception
- Reduce the negative impact of stress on your body
- Guide you on the right fertility mindset
- Get into the right vibrational alignment so that you can manifest great health and fertility
- Find joy & purpose while on the journey to motherhood
- Find answers for why you aren’t getting or staying pregnant
Here’s a walk through the Awaken Life Natural Fertility Program:
Phase 1: The Discovery Phase
Initial consultation ~ 2 hours
Your fertility program starts off a 2 hour initial consultation with me. During this session, you’ll get to share your story with me, and I will take you through a series of questions to help me understand what might be the imbalances leading to your fertility challenges. We’ll take a detailed look at your fertility history, review any lab tests that have already been done, and discuss options other lab testing that’ll help us uncover more information. We’ll go through details of some key areas of your health that will help me determine the underlying factors that may be contributing to sub-fertility; Some of these will include further investigation into the health of your digestive system, food sensitivities, nutrient status, immune function, exposure to environmental toxins, inflammation, signs of hormonal imbalance and adrenal dysfunction. You’ll be asked a lot of questions about your diet, lifestyle, stressors in your life, medications and supplements, family medical history, your medical history and a complete review of all of your body systems.
At the end of this session, you’ll get a better idea of the lifestyle factors that may be hindering your fertility, some introductory lifestyle recommendations and we’ll decide what further testing is needed to get a complete picture of your health status. You’ll also get a chance to ask questions and I will take the time to give you thorough answers and give you as much guidance as I can to help you make informed decisions about the future of your fertility journey. Many people come to me completely lost because they haven’t gained clear guidance after seeing fertility doctors, or even after several failed attempts at IVF, they just don’t know how to proceed forward. I will do my best to help you understand your options so that you feel more confident on your journey.
When needed, I’ll also make referrals to the other appropriate highly skilled practitioners in my network, at the right treatment phase, based on what we identify is most needed to help you. For example, if stress is overtaking your life and health, you may want to start seeing a counselor/therapist right away to deal with that. Some people may need more assistance with their diet so I can connect you to an amazing Nutritionist. Other treatments may come in more useful at different phases of the program.
First though, for any natural therapies to be successful, there are some foundational changes that need to be made to get the body working better. No amount of vitamins and herbs will help a body that is full of hormone-hindering habits. That’s where the Clean Up phase comes in.
Phase 2: The Clean Up Phase
The Clean Up Phase Planning Session ~ Second session (1.5 hours)
Clean up your body, clean up your diet, clean up your mind. This phase is like a “spring cleaning” for your body and mind. This phase is a critical first step before initiating specific treatments like herbs or supplements – in my experience, without a clean diet and a clean body, no amount of supplements will correct hormonal imbalances or restore fertility.
The Gentle Fertility Detox:
During this session, we’ll initiate The Gentle Fertility Detox. This 30-day plan is designed to do an overhaul on your diet to get on the most nutritious eating plan for fertility and enhance the liver’s natural ability to remove stored toxins, which will kickstart hormone balancing. This isn’t just a generic cleanse that you can find off of the internet. It’s a scientifically- based plan that works to set the stage for optimal fertility. Skipping this part would decrease the effectiveness of the subsequent treatment phase.
Benefits include:
- More energy
- Clearer skin
- Reduced inflammation
- Fewer cravings
- Weight loss
- Improved digestion
- Better mental clarity
- And more!
You’ll get a complete step-by-step guide to this process, diet recommendations, a meal plan, herbal and supplement recommendations that enhance liver function, and many tips on home therapies that will enhance the natural detoxification process.
I’ll talk you through what to expect, any side effects, how to safely implement this plan and how to get started.
The Clean Up Phase Mindset Session ~ Third session (1.5 hours)
Cleaning up your body will set the stage right for physical conception to take place, but conception is much more than just a physical act. Your mindset and deeper connections play a pivotal role in this process. In this session, we’re going to identify the Limiting Beliefs that are holding you back, and teach you a different way of being that flows with Ease and Joy. We’re going to discuss topics such as Manifestation, The Law of Attraction/Vibration, how to surrender and trust your journey, how to bring back joy and and purpose into your life now so that you can navigate this journey while becoming the best version of yourself.
Phase 3: The Treatment Phase – Replenish and Restore Balance
The 3-month clock starts ticking here… This is the path to optimal egg and sperm quality, restored hormones, adrenal gland restoration, and creating a fertile space in your body.
Remember, 3 months is the minimum, but we see the best results in 3-6 months. During this phase of “active treatment”, we will be gently guiding your body to produce hormones in a more balanced way, restoring health to any systems that have not been functioning optimally and transforming how your body’s systems interact with one another.
Hormone Balancing Implementation Session ~ Fourth Session (1.5 hours)
In this post-detox visit, we will review the results of any lab tests, and based on the combined information gained from these tests and our initial sessions, I will create a customized plan of herbs and supplements that are aimed at restoring hormone balance, correcting nutrient deficiencies and boosting nutrient status.
Progress Sessions ~ (1.5 hours each)
During this 3-month treatment phase, we’ll have follow-up sessions to ensure that we’re on the right path, monitor progress with the changes you’ve made, continue to address any problems areas that you’re having and delve deeper in the areas of health that still need to be optimized. We’ll also continue to reinforce how to live joyfully and without stress while you navigate this journey. Ideally follow-up sessions should be once a month.
Reset Sessions ~ (30-45 minutes each)
We all have setbacks and life happens. For most people, there are bound to be moments or situations that cause us to either go back to our old patterns or times when we feel overwhelmed and stressed out. This is especially true on the TTC journey, when each time we don’t get that positive pregnancy test, it can send us back to feeling like we made no progress or that things “aren’t working”. And you just need a little help to get you back on track or guidance to get you in the right direction. I’m here for you. These short sessions are meant to help you in between full progress sessions, to help reset your mindset, your motivation, help you to regain clarity and direction, regain your balance and get you back on track.
After 3 months, if you are trying to conceive naturally, or have a long wait before IVF/IUI, you move on to Phase 4A of the Natural Fertility Program. If you are proceeding directly to IVF or IUI, you move on to Phase 4B. Please note that for more complex health challenges, 3 months may not be enough to regain balance. It may take 6 months or even longer for some to move on to phase 4. Three months is a general time frame based on the fact that egg and sperm take 3 months to mature or develop. The time it takes for optimizing the body can vary widely from person to person.
Phase 4A: The Maintenance Phase for TTC naturally
Progress Sessions ~ Follow-ups every 6-8 weeks
This is the phase where natural conception is more likely to happen, though as you’ll learn in our Mindset session, you cannot control the timing. Your body by now has reached a new level of balance but we need to make sure to keep that going. I’ll continue to guide you throughout your “trying to conceive” journey to ensure that we maintain your balance and keep up with all the hard work that you’ve done so far. Follow-up appointments every 6-8 weeks will help keep you on track, prevent relapses to old habits, and maintain the health momentum that you achieved through the earlier phases.
For more complex cases of hormonal imbalances or infertility, we regularly re-assess and re-evaluate to ensure that we are seeing results. Sometimes that can mean re-testing or delving deeper to address or uncover other potential causes. You may remain in phase 3 for other concerns, yet progress to phase 4 for aspects of your health that have improved.
I want to help you reach your ultimate health goals. It’s not just about having a baby, but being able to reach your best state of health. I’m here for continued guidance and support, and to keep pushing you towards reaching your health goals.
Phase 4B: IVF Prep
Get ready for IVF/IUI: At the end of the 3 months of phase 3, you’re ready to start IVF or IUI if that’s what you were planning. We’ll adapt your plan to make sure everything you are taking is safe while starting any fertility medications. Read more about how I can support IVF or IUI here.
This program is right for you if:
You're ready to try something new and take control of your health & fertility
You know that the key to your fertility lies in your own health & balance
You're willing to make the commitment to change what you eat and elevate how you live
You recognize that getting healthy BEFORE getting pregnant is important
You have a respect and trust for doing things the natural way
You want to hand over the “thinking” about how to get pregnant over to an expert
You are willing to put a pause on obsessing over getting pregnant, and are ready to relinquish control over when it will happen, in order to first re-focus on becoming the best version of yourself
You are in a respectful partnership where both partners are willing to participate and make the necessary changes
This program is NOT for you if:
You are unwilling to make big changes to your diet, lifestyle, habits and routines
You're doing IVF or IUI in less than 3 months from the time of your first appointment
Are skeptical about the efficacy, safety or evidence behind natural forms of medicine
More Details
Though even with your skepticism, if you are willing to put in your all and make the changes, I know you’ll see benefits, so this program could still be for you. I don’t have time to show you research on everything that I recommend to you. I take a lot of time to carefully select and personalize my recommendations to you and ensure that they are safe. I regularly do the background research and stay up to date on current studies, so you’ll have to take my word or check out the references on my blog for the “evidence” behind my treatments. There’s lots of it!
Are going to do only what your fertility doctor tells you
More Details
Yes by all means follow what your doctor tells you when it comes to your IVF treatment or any medications or procedures they recommend; I fully encourage you to be honest with your doctors. Though when it comes to the use of natural supplements and health optimization, and nutrition medical doctors have very little (if any) training in these areas. Sadly many fertility doctors are still closed and grossly misinformed of what natural fertility therapies do and are unwilling to accept that this form of medicine can complement what they do. Your doctor might completely disagree with anything natural that you do or take, so if you’re going to just follow those suggestions, there is no point in starting with me. If you are willing to take control of your own health, then join me!
You are unwilling to take a short break on trying to conceive to focus instead on getting healthy
Are unwilling to take supplements
More Details
Food is the foundation of good health, but if you want to direct your hormones out of the imbalanced state that you’re in, supplements and herbs are an important part of your treatment plan. I only recommend the highest quality supplements and they are carefully selected to suit your individual needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is it going to cost?
Please refer to the fee schedule here.
How many visits are involved in the program?
The program is divide into 4 phases: The Discovery Phase, The Clean Up Phase, The Treatment Phase and The Maintenance Phase. Over a period of 4 months, we will have at least 7 visits, and plus additional follow-up sessions during maintenance phase. You can take a look above at the “walkthrough” of each phase and see how many sessions are recommended. If you really want to delve deep I recommend 10-12 sessions over a period of 6 months.
Do I have to take supplements?
Yes. Plant & nutritional based supplements are a powerful way to directing the body to work in better balance. While diet and lifestyle changes form the foundational pieces to better health, they simply are not powerful enough on their own to shift hormones back to balance in a relatively short time frame.
Do I have to do testing or can I just proceed without it?
Without lab testing it can be very difficult to accurately understand what is going on. If we want to identify specifically what to work on, we need some tests to guide us. That said, there are some situations that don’t lend themselves well to certain types of hormone testing (e.g. if your periods are completely irregular) and in those cases I would assess the best way of proceeding. In some cases I skip hormone tests and make my best educated guess about what is happening. There are other tests are really needed and would severely hinder the program’s success without that objective information.
Can I do this program if I’m doing IVF/IUI or is it just for those trying naturally?
Yes! The Awaken Life Natural Fertility Program was designed to help you conceive naturally or help to prepare you body for assisted reproductive treatments like IUI or IVF. I would just adapt the treatments as you start your actual medications to ensure that there are no negative interactions between the things that you are taking. See above for the timeline involved though. If you are doing IVF in anything less than 4 months, this program may not be for you.
What if I’m over 40?
Let’s talk. It really depends. For the most part yes, you are eligible for the program, but it would depend on certain factors like your hormones and ovarian reserve. I’ve worked with many women who are over 40 and successfully conceived, but because there’s less “time” to play with, it’s a great supportive program to boost your chances of success with IVF. Despite the scary stats and what many doctors claim, waiting 3-4 months to work on your health before embarking on IVF should not make a big difference in fertility. Quality of eggs after 40 is the biggest factor for pregnancy success, so it’s totally worth taking the time to prepare your body.
Can it just be me who does the program or does my partner have to also have a consultation?
Well, that really depends. Yes, you can be the one who does the program, but ultimately it takes both egg and sperm to make a baby. If your male partner has suboptimal sperm count, motility or morphology then no matter how much you change about your health it’s not the whole picture. I find that a lot of men are told that everything is good unless their values actually goes below the minimum ranges. But did you now that the minimum ranges for count, motility and morphology has DROPPED several times over the last few decades? A sperm count that’s considered “good” nowadays would have been considered infertile just less than a decade ago based on the World Health Organization lowering the standards for most semen analysis parameters.
Depending on your situation, we can do couples consults or just individual consults. I’ll often see the male partner for just a couple of visits to get them started on a solid plan for improving sperm health.
Can I see you for an In-Person Visit?
No – I ONLY offer online consults through a secure video platform. You can work with me from anywhere in the world.
How are you different than any other natural fertility practitioner?
I’ve been through what you’ve been through. I suffered like you suffered. I know what’s it’s like to not get pregnant for ages, and to get pregnant and lose it. I know all too well what the waiting feels like. I also turned it around and conceived 2 healthy children all NATURALLY without the need for IVF. My path led me to discover the Hidden Causes of Infertility which guided me to create the Awaken Life Natural Fertility Method. I have a science background and 10 years experience working as a (former) Naturopathic Doctor. I blend this with my in depth knowledge of natural treatments to create a personalized treatment plan for your needs.
Helping women and couples overcome infertility – This is my purpose and my mission. It fuels me to keep learning more and help people just like you to bring a healthy baby into the world.
Do you do IVF?
NO! This is not an IVF clinic. I am not a Reproductive Endocrinologist (i.e. Fertility Specialist/Fertility Doctor). I am a Health Coach, who has a special interest and exclusive practice focus on infertility. If you are looking for IVF or other assisted reproductive treatments, please go to a fertility clinic such as the Ottawa Fertility Centre if you are in Ottawa, or the several other fertility clinics in Toronto or other areas in Ontario, or wherever you are located in the world.
I've never been to a fertility Clinic before and I would like to get an assessment to see if there are any problems that would prevent us from conceiving. Can you help?
This is not a medical fertility clinic. I am not a Reproductive Endocrinologist (i.e. Fertility Specialist/Fertility Doctor). I am a Fertility Health Coach, who can guide you on optimizing your health and fertility, but I do not replace the need for having a Doctor who can medically assess your situation. In order to get a full fertility assessment, it’s important to get a referral to see a fertility specialist, as it’s important to get a traditional fertility assessment including things like ultrasounds, which I cannot recommend. For a traditional fertility assessment please go to a fertility clinic such as the Ottawa Fertility Centre if you are in Ottawa, or the several other fertility clinics in Toronto or other areas in Ontario, or wherever you are located in the world.
That said, there are still many things that I can help you with and assess with respect to your fertility, including uncovering the causes of infertility that are related to diet and lifestyle, and improving your overall health and balance which can optimize fertility.
If you are excited about the possibility of learning how the Awaken Life Natural Fertility Method can transform your fertility, now is the time to make a commitment to your health and your future baby.
Ready to take the next step? I would be thrilled to work with you to get you on the faster path to your baby. Book your initial session below and let’s get working together to discover what’s in your way of meeting your baby.
Not sure if this is the right program for you? Are you feeling lost and need some answers but are not yet ready to commit to the full program? I offer a standalone Discovery Fertility Strategy Session which is a 90 minute session with me to get direct guidance on your next steps, your options, and insights into what might be the underlying causes of your fertility struggles. Learn more about this session here.