The Fertile Foundation Powercircle is starting soon….

Join me!

Hi to all my dear friends,

If you are thinking how nice it would be to talk to people going through the same or similar things to you, and get some real support, then this is the place for you.

We will meet once a week on the phone, teleconference style, to talk as a group (limited to 6 people).   I am so looking forward to facilitating this type of meeting where we can be heard, speak authentically, and take small steps to creating our amazing future, with or without the end result we desire so much.  We will be there every step of the way.  We have a big one coming soon – the holidays… how do we handle family, and friends, and  gatherings with children/babies in tow?!  This is just one of many things we will get to discuss in our special group.  Lets take the opportunity to empower ourselves!

If you are interested and want to know more about this, please email me on louise@keystoclarity.com or respond to this post.    The group starts on the Monday the 3rd of November 2008 at 12noon Eastern Standard Time.  (GMT -5hrs)

lovingly yours,

Coach Louise

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PS  I know there are some wonderful women I have been blogging with on this special journey (you know who you are)  and I would be so happy for you to join me by participating in this unique experience!  Consider yourself invited!

Hello to fellow Baby Dancers!

Hi All,

Me hopefully! in 2009

I finally decided that I wanted to wait until next year 2009 to start the IVF treatment. (No 4)  I feel I need the space to focus on the building blocks of creating a baby, by first focusing on me.  Even I had been planning to in the last few months, I haven’t been able to give it my all because of other distractions, like overseas visitors and travel.  So now is the time.  I am really starting now on  general health, eating and exercising.  Both need improvement, although I am not doing too badly on the eating.  I was told that my cholesterol was very high 294 today, which is amazing because my diet is actually pretty good.  Although I believe it is a genetic problem in my family.   We  also need time to do the research so we know who we want to go with – RE -wise, when the time comes in January.  Yes, we will not be wasting any time once the new year hits!    We both have a couple of trips planned in October and November, and it is going to be crazy trying to physically plan an IVF around those.  So our decision has taken the pressure off!  And I do feel better for it.   Now I can devote my time to really focusing on making a nice fuzzy warm landing place for that little embie/s when the time comes.

So who is going to join me in the Fertility Foundation Powercircle?!  Whatever stage of the cycle or treatment you are in, feel free to join, to get the much needed support through this process.  We will make the journey lighter, and perhaps even have a little fun!   I really want that for myself in the upcoming preparation.  What do you want for yourself?       (See the post at the top of the site for info about the Powercircle)

Warmly,

Fellow BDer, Louise

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‘The Fertile Foundation Powercircle’ is born!

Hi to all of you out there!

I am revising this post, after a lot of thought,  having decided how very important it is for women facing infertility challenges to have their own specific group. A group dedicated to the action they are taking and the results they want specifically from a fertility perspective! A safe haven for support, resources, and friendship.So I introduce to you , The Fertile Foundation Powercircle.  The reason why I use the word ‘foundation’ , is because  we, the group, will ensure that all the groundwork is covered, to create a solid ‘foundation’ or process, to create successful results!  We will also be there to catch you if you fall, and if the results you get aren’t what you expected.  We will be there throughout!

What is a powercircle?  It is a small group of ndividuals that meet by phone or in person with the group to create action around their intentions/goals, and to support one another in doing that.

In this particular Powercircle, we will meet once a week by phone as a group. We will check on how you are doing with the goals and intentions you had set at the beginning. Each journey is different and will be honored accordingly.  We will clarify what that is for each of you are at the beginning in some detail.  This can be particularly helpful for those out there who are preparing for a cycle – to keep you on track, or those who are going through treatments, to keep you feeling supported and focused, and to keep you sane!   It really helps to have people supporting and rooting for you. There is also the ‘accountability factor’, knowing that each week we will be checking in with you to see how you are getting on, and holding your feet to the fire if that is what you want!  For example, one of your goals might be to give up coffee which might be a struggle. The group will hold you accountable and support you when you get stuck.  I will also coach anyone who is having difficulty or finding they are blocked in some way to getting where they want to go!  It will be fun, and the results will be tremendous!  This is a great way to experience coaching without the expense!- and an opportunity to meet with people who will support you unconditionally without leaving your house.

What are the benefits?   Working with an intimate group of people, who care about your success. Eliminating isolation.  Sharing ideas and possibilities. Staying on track.  Living day to day with purpose.  Support for those moments where things aren’t going so well.  Celebrating your successes, no matter how small!  The list goes on….

This group will start on Monday evenings from the first week in November 2008 at 6pm weekly.  It will be 1 hour in duration. The group will be no larger than 8.   Once the group is full, due to my commitment to confidentiality and creating a safe space, new members will not be admitted after the 1st 2 weeks, unless expressly requested or agreed upon, by the group.  I am happy to start a new group for new members if needed.  This will be an opportunity to get support and create strategies around managing through the holiday / festive season!

If you are interested, please email me at louise@keystoclarity.com, and we can discuss more details!  I offer a money back guarantee for the 1st month!  You have everything to gain, and nothing to lose!

I encourage you to take this opportunity to love yourself first, so you really can create the life and family that you want!   Don’t forget there are only 8 spaces, so act quickly.  Welcome to the Fertile Foundation Powercircle!

And don’t forget time-zones and geography don’t make any difference anymore.  Call in on Skype!

For anyone who has comments or feedback about this – please post!

Warmly,

Coach Louise

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PS  For anyone interested in the Super-Solopreneur 100 Day Challenge, for small business owners, particularly coaches and holistic practioners, please look on my other blog http://keystoclaritycoach.wordpress.com   for details.

The Rollercoaster Ride! and the Courage…

persevere…

I have been reading some of the blogs on WordPress, of women who are going through some experience of infertility – IVF treatments, IUI, super-ovulation, donor egg, and surrogacy and adoption.  Wow!  You all blow my mind.  You have such courage for some of the things you are doing and taking on.  One woman is carrying a baby for a couple, such a selfless act!  She has her own emotions and rollercoaster to ride.   Another couple are expecting twins through a surrogate.   One woman was asked if she was going to give both her babies to the same parents…!     What struck me is that we are such a unique band of women – really isolated from the world of parents who have had children through traditional means, and just have no clue of what it means to go through this journey.   Some of the comments I have read of what people say – even well-meaning people, really just emphasises how much they really don’t get what this experience is like.   I really encourage you if you are one of this courageous group, to make sure you have a buddy who know what you are enduring, who knows what to say and when.   Make sure its someone you trust, someone who can support you through this minefield, but most of all – don’t do it alone.  I have met some women who isolate themselves through this experience, and I see how lonely and shut off they are.  Join a support group.  Don’t let it get to the stage of emergency, when you really need help and emotional support, prepare for this at the beginning of the journey.  RESOLVE.org has lots of support groups around the countryside, or get a coach if you want anonymous support, but don’t do it alone.    My heart goes out to all of you on this journey – myself included.    Keep up the good work, and keep the stories coming.   The gift out of this painful experience for me, has created the passion I feel for women like you, and how I now can add value through the work I have chosen to do.    You amaze and inspire me.

Warm wishes,Coach Louise Crooks

PS  If any of you would like to share your story on my Radio Show, to reach out to  other women in similar situations to yours, please get in touch, through the Contact page in the right hand column.

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You’re not pregnant yet? What to do next!

Are you confused, nervous, and uncertain, or just don’t know what to think….?

When you first realise that there might be a problem…you’ve been trying to get pregnant, and its not

A miracle!

happening…or circumstances whatever they might be, have prevented it.. So what now!?….
The shock and realisation settling in  – that it isn’t going to be as easy as you thought.  Join us for this interesting discussion on what to do next!  We will discuss all the options and alternatives that you will be considering at this beginning stage.  This should help to negotiate through the ‘minefield’ of choices in an unknown world!   I am looking forward to sharing this information with you.

On my radio show KTC I will be discussing this topic at 4pm EST on 12th August.  If the time isn’t convenient then tune in, to listen to the archived podcast of the show when your able!    Just click on the KTC Radio link on the side of this page!

Feel free to call in with your questions, or post them here!   ‘See’ you on the air!

Coach Louise Crooks   ~  The KeystoClarity! Coach

PS:   If you are going through these choices, and want a support partner to embark on this journey with you, please call me to discuss the possibility of coaching together.  I have a couple of openings for new clients right now, so grab the opportunity.  We will be able to navigate the waters of this journey in a balanced and joyous way, to collaborate and negotiate the pitfalls!   Call me!   My contact details are on the Contact page on the right.

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Tired! Fatigued! Interview with Christine Clifton

Hi Everybody!

Well serendipity strikes!   I was reading through my last post, and surprised myself, when I realised that I had set up the next radio show today, on the very topic I mentioned before – managing energy – with Christine Clifton!  She and I had a wonderful afternoon getting to know one another as fellow coaches, and I asked her if she would like to be interviewed about this particular subject!  Fatigue, and feeling sluggish are symptoms women in fertility treatments face, as well as individuals suffering from chronic conditions or pain, which is the area Christine coaches – so we agreed this would be great topic to discuss on KTC Radio.  The interview will take place at 4pm EST  on the 2nd of September.   Click on the link on the side of the page, to take you there – either to listen live, or to download the archived podcast of the show after that date.  I am sure it will be very interesting and powerful for those in this unique position.  So often we can feel misunderstood and alone because of the isolation these conditions can cause, so knowing there are people like us out there to talk to, who understand  what you are going through can be very helpful.   I would love any comments on this post, and feel free to phone in with questions on the show, or post them here, and I will do my best to address any that come up, on the show!   Looking forward to ‘seeing’ you there.

love, light and ‘energy’

Louise

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The ‘ Perfect Patient’ Intro. and Tip No. 1

I am aware through my own processes with IVF etc that sometimes we don’t know how to interact with our clinic and reproductive endocrinologist to ensure that we are doing all we can to make the experience the best that it can be for all concerned – afterall we are all in it for the same outcome!   A little bundle of joy!  So we want to know how to be the ‘perfect patient’ .  RESOLVE (an organisation I am a big fan of) is the National Infertility Organisation and is not-for-profit. They support people like us throughout the USA and I highly recommend registering on their site and getting their info and support too.  However I will be sharing a lot of their info and articles here too, and this is one of them, written by Sharon N, Covington MSW and Linda Hammer Burns, PhD written for ‘Family Building’ Fall 2007.  At this point I would like to add, that of course there is no such thing as a ‘perfect’ patient (we want to lessen the stress, not add to it!), we are only perfect in being the best we can be in any situation, and that it the choice we have in what we strive to do!

Tip No. 1

The perfect patient communicates honestly, openly, directly and calmly with the physician and other caregivers.    The begins by abandoning the concept that the doctor has special god-like powers. communications should flow natureally and without reservation or intimidation. Patients often have difficulty stating problems or doing so in a clam manner. It’s fine to bring aides to your appointments such as a written list of issues or questions you wish to address. Focus on clearly stating the problem or complaint, your position and what you consider a satisfactory resolution of a problem (e.g. an apology or a different way of handling the problem in the future.  

Looking forward to sharing the Tip No. 2 with you soon!  Louise x

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