Are you struggling to grow your family, while at the same time trying to grow your medical career and treat your own patients?
Have you been diagnosed with infertility and face becoming a patient yourself?
Are you looking for ways to support a friend, colleague, or loved one who’s navigating an infertility journey?
You’re in the right place.
My Story
During my subspecialty residency medical training, I decided the time was right for growing my family.
Only I hadn’t had a period in over a year.
I chalked it up to the stress of residency.
Other things were off, too… so I sought the help an infertility specialist. I was 35, after all, and I knew the clock was ticking.
What transpired over the next 1-2 years became the impetus for starting Practice Balance!
In the midst of my fertility workup, clouded by my experiences with stress and burnout and a general lack of self-awareness, I was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor. Everything made sense now, and while the diagnosis brought me a sense of relief, it also brought the physical challenge of recovery… and a sense of loss.
The removal of this (thankfully) benign tumor left me with permanent infertility.
I almost gave up my dreams of motherhood.
But once I was medically stabilized and had completed my subspecialty training to become a board certified anesthesiologist, I decided to give IVF a try.
And despite the long, winding path I took, I’m so glad I did.
Why me? Why now?
The infertility journey is a marathon that you feel like you want to sprint.
It can be overwhelming. And lonely.
It’s not for the faint of heart, but you’re resilient. You’re a physician! There might be parts that are physically invasive, but the mind games you must play are by far the most difficult part.
I’ve lived it and I’ve seen it.
After my having my own child through IVF in 2015, I became the lead anesthesiologist at my reproductive clinic, where I devised patient safety protocols and provided anesthesia for hundreds of women undergoing egg retrievals.
I’ve spoken at conferences and written numerous pieces on how infertility affects women physicians.
And I’ve coached women who are on their own journeys.
You are not alone. Let me help.
Mama Doc Journey Coaching
Through private 1:1 coaching on your timetable, I will give you tools for dealing with the emotions and challenges of infertility. We’ll delve into issues specific to women physicians facing infertility while working to grow their own careers and treat their own patients.
Go from feeling overwhelmed, angry, and alone to accepting, abundant, and equipped for the journey.
Schedule a consultation call with me here!
Resources for you
Here are some of my favorite resources for people navigating infertility and those who wish to support them.
Articles
I’ve written two popular articles about the unique challenges of being a woman physician with infertility. You can check them out here:
The Voices of Women Physicians with Infertility
The Hidden Costs of Physician Infertility
#WeCanAll Normalize Infertility
Here are a few other recent articles about infertility as it pertains to physician and professionals:
Physician Infertility: A Call to Action
A Medical Career, at a Cost: Infertility
Books
It Starts with the Egg: How the Science of Egg Quality Can Help You Get Pregnant Naturally, Prevent Miscarriage, and Improve Your Odds in IVF by Rebecca Fett
Be Fruitful: The Essential Guide to Maximizing Fertility and Giving Birth to a Healthy Child by Victoria Maizes MD
Am I the Reason I’m Not Getting Pregnant?: The Fearlessly Fertile™ Method for Clearing the Blocks Between You and Your Baby by Rosanne Austin
Websites
AMWA’s Physician (In)Fertility Initiative
Social Media
Favorite Instagram accounts: Fertility.Rescripted, Infertility School
Podcasts: Infertility Among Doctors (the WCI podcast), Beat Infertility, The Fertility Warriors, Infertility Mental Health
App: FertiCalm
Youtube videos: the fertility chakra meditation I used, a simple instructional video on EFT/tapping
Send me a message if you need to be added to the private Facebook groups for women physicians going through infertility or surrogacy!