If you are considering or have begun a medically assisted procreation, you can benefit from professional support to help you face the emotional and physical challenges of this experience. Find out how I can help you through this difficult time and achieve your goal of starting a family.
My personal AHR journey
First, I want to tell you a little about my personal journey.
I suffer from stage 4 endometriosis, which was detected quite late. In front of my infertility,
I went to see a specialized gynecologist in Nice, who prescribed an ultrasound and an MRI. The conclusion was that I was suffering from adenomyosis and endometriosis. Then, with my partner, we started the AHR process, hoping that it would work on the first attempt.
Unfortunately, it didn't work out the way we wanted. Despite the heavy doses of injections and all the hormonal treatments I was taking, the ovarian stimulations did not work satisfactorily. Afterwards, we did manage to do an IVF, with a single embryo transfer, which did not work.
This was a very painfuII period in my life. At the time, I was working as a head of department in an NGO helping asylum seekers and refugees in Nice. I was in charge of a team, in a rather difficult working environment, since it involved taking care, from an administrative and legal point of view, of people in a very precarious material and human situation. It was very difficult for me to fulfill my professional responsibilities while at the same time complying with the fertility treatments, which sometimes involved an unplanned visit to the medical laboratory. On one occasion, I was due for an ultrasound appointment while I was in a meeting with my department head, who had traveled from Lyon to spend time with my team.
Needless to say, my situation had a very negative impact on my work. Indeed, I was spending all my time just trying not to fall asleep at the office, not to mention the very emotional and a bit depressed side that these heavy treatments could generate.
In the end, the gynaecologist decided that we could not continue the treatments with my own eggs and that we had to consider a donation. Of course, I was extremely upset by this diagnosis. But at the same time, I was relieved because I was suffering a lot from all those treatments, which were clearly not working. I must say that I found the doctor often lacked empathy and diplomacy in his communication with me. I would have liked to have been accompanied by a good therapist at that time who was familiar with all these reproductive techniques.
Finally, we were referred to a clinic in Spain. Despite two attempts at IVF with egg donation, the treatments did not work. We then turned to a second Spanish clinic, again without success.
Finally, my husband suggested an attempt in the Czech Republic, where it worked on the first try. This allowed me to finally give birth to my daughter, who is now eight years old.
If you want to hear about my entire journey, I invite you to listen to the podcast of Jey Chemla, founder and director of Belle Maternity.
Afterwards, I decided to change careers to dedicate myself to sophrology and obtained my Master in Caycedian Sophrology in 2018 with Sofrocay after studies with Sofronicia in Nice. At the same time, I also studied psy-digitopuncture, which allows to easily release emotional blockages that hinder us. It is then quite naturally that I decided to focus my attention more particularly on women undergoing MAP, to bring them the support, the listening and the accompaniment that I lacked so much during my own journey.
It is my experience and my kindness that I put at your service. For five years now, I have been regularly accompanying couples and women who want to have a child. I know their difficulties well because I have often undergone the same treatments as them, met the same gynaecologists and visited the same clinics.
I will now explain in more detail how it can be useful for you to be accompanied by a therapist specialized in the MAP process in Nice or by videoconference.
Understanding the different AHR options available and how the system works in France
When considering assisted reproduction in France, it is important to understand the different options available. For this, you can refer to your gynaecologist, who will be best able to perform all the necessary tests and guide you through the process.
However you may not be familiar with the French system and I can guide you through it. I can help you to understand this process, which can sometimes be destabilizing, especially on an emotional and psychological level. I can also help you find the best healthcare professionals for your situation and navigate the sometimes complex healthcare system, especially if you are considering a procedure with a foreign clinic (outside of France). Besides language may sometimes be an issue for you if you are not fluent in French.
Receive emotional support during the process
The AHR process can be emotionally challenging for couples. My coaching can provide emotional support throughout the process, helping you manage the stress, anxiety and emotions that may arise. It can also help strengthen communication within the couple and maintain a healthy relationship during this difficult time.
Learn stress management, sophrology and mindfulness techniques for fertility and pregnancy
One of the key benefits of my coaching during a AHR is learning stress management techniques. Couples can experience high levels of stress and anxiety throughout the process, which can have a negative impact on your mental and physical health. I can help you learn relaxation and breathing techniques to better manage stress and anxiety.
These techniques can also be helpful in improving sleep quality, which impacts your fertility, and reducing physical symptoms associated with stress.
What is Sophrology?
Sophrology is a practice that originated in 1960in Spain and combines elements of Eastern meditation, Western relaxation techniques, and hypnosis. It aims to help individuals achieve a state of deep relaxation and inner harmony by focusing on the body and mind connection. Sophrology involves a series of exercises that include breathing techniques, visualization, and gentle movements. The practice is often used to reduce stress, anxiety, and improve overall mental wellbeing. Just like mindfulness, it's a practice that aims to improve mental wellbeing by focusing on the present moment and developing a deeper awareness of one's thoughts and emotions. It encourages individuals to let go of negative thoughts and emotions.
Better cope with the possible side effects of treatments
Un autre avantage de mon accompagnement pendant une PMA à Nice est de mieux vivre les effets secondaires possibles des traitements. Les traitements de PMA peuvent avoir des effets secondaires physiques et émotionnels importants, tels que des douleurs abdominales, des saignements, des nausées, de la fatigue et de l'anxiété. Par la sophrologie et la psy-digitopuncture, je peux vous aider à trouver des moyens de les gérer.
Benefit from a personalized follow-up with a professional who is familiar with your background
Another benefit of my support during AHR is to better cope with the possible side effects of treatments. AHR treatments can have significant physical and emotional side effects, such as abdominal pain, bleeding, nausea, fatigue and anxiety. Through sophrology and psy-digitopuncture, I can help you find ways to manage them.
My message if you are undergoing AHR
Because we are on the journey, we only see the end goal which is to get pregnant at all costs. Once we finally hold our baby in our arms (I hope you will!), we then realize how difficult and exhausting the treatments have been for both our body and mind. For me, I felt as if my whole being was directed towards this one goal.
I strongly advise you during your AHR treatment in France be assisted by a therapist with whom you feel a connection of empathy and sympathy and who will be able to put you at ease. There are many methods you can use to improve your chances of getting pregnant naturally. I work in a network with other therapists specialized in alternative medicine and I will be able to direct you to the most appropriate persons, according to your problem and your preferences.
However, I would like to warn you against dream merchants. To my knowledge, sophrology and the methods I propose will not allow you to get pregnant directly. Fertility is nowadays a real business in which people make you believe in miracles. In the end, I think that natural methods can help your fertility, but it is above all a better-being that you should look for and this is not at all negligible.
In the end, you must of course trust your doctor and the medical profession. Aren't we very lucky to be in 2023 and to be able to benefit from so many scientific advances that allow us to become mothers when nature would have prevented it 50 years ago?
I am at your disposal for any question and I wish you the best for you and your family. And for you, how is the AHR process going? Are you doing well? Feel free to share your story in the comments or ask me any questions you may have. You can also make an appointment for a free 15-minute phone call, during which you can tell me about your difficulties in becoming a parent.