Embrace Fertility

Episode 139: De-Hypnotising Fear, Fertility Beliefs & Subconscious Suggestions

Have you ever been hypnotised by your doctor?

As a fertility hypnotherapist, people often assume my job is to hypnotise you.

But in truth?

Much of my work is about de-hypnotising you.

De-hypnotising you from fear. From inherited beliefs. From “false evidence appearing real.”

Because fear is powerful. And when you’re trying to conceive — especially if you’ve been through IVF, loss, or medical trauma — it’s very easy to absorb suggestions that don’t actually belong to you.

In this episode, I explore:

• How subconscious beliefs shape fertility anxiety
  

• The subtle ways medical authority can influence decision-making
  

• Why not every thought you think is truly yours
  

• How hypnotherapy can gently untangle fear-based programming
  

I share stories of clients I’ve helped de-hypnotise from:

• Phobias of general anaesthetic
  

• Fear of needles and medical professionals
  

• And yes… even frogs
  

(Stay with me on that one.)

I also go off on a slightly unexpected tangent about MrBeast Games — and the fascinating psychology of suggestion when contestants are deciding how much prize money to keep versus leave for others.

Because suggestion is everywhere.

The real question is:

Are the decisions you’re making about your fertility based on your own grounded inner knowing… Or are they influenced by something a doctor, fertility expert or online authority once said — that may not actually be the best course of action for you?

This episode is an invitation to pause. To question. To gently reclaim your own voice.

Please note: I am not medically trained. The examples I share are intended to inspire reflection and help you explore your own thought patterns and beliefs. Always consult your doctor or qualified medical professional for personalised advice and guidance.

If you’re navigating fertility anxiety, IVF decisions or medical fear, this conversation will help you understand how powerful your subconscious mind really is — and how you can begin to work with it, rather than against it.

_____________________

When we start releasing the self preservative beliefs and subconscious barriers, their body feels safe enough to say yes to pregnancy.
Sign up for instant access to Release:
✨ Discover why your subconscious may be pressing pause on pregnancy - even while your heart longs for it.
✨ Learn the connection between nervous system safety and conception (and how grief, fear, or past disappointment can keep your body locked in protection mode).
✨ Get the 3 energetic shifts that move you from “not yet” into “I’m ready now” - through subconscious rewiring, nervous system regulation, and guided visualisation.
✨ Take part in a guided subconscious release exercise - so you leave not just knowing, but feeling the shift in your body.

Episode 138: When you’re trying to conceive, it can feel like everyone is convinced their approach is the answer. This podcast does the opposite. Instead of telling you what you should do, it creates space for you to gently explore whether mind-body techniques feel like the right support for you - right now. No pressure, no fixing - just an honest conversation to help you make choices that truly align with where you are on your journey.

The reasons in short:
1 - You wouldn’t benefit from being supported as you already feel resilient, in control and have a strong plan in place for supporting both your physical fertility and mental health over the coming 3 - 6 months.

2. - You could put together your own mind-body fertility course from free content on YouTube. There are so many amazing coaches sharing high-quality information on YouTube today so it would be completely feasible for you to sit down and cherry pick videos that could create an outline. However the content is endless and knowing what to watch when in what order and then having the accountability of actually practising is what makes doing a course so empowering.

3. - You have a strong support network of friends and family who completely understand how you feel and know just what to say to make you feel better.

You are lucky enough to have friends who are going through this at the moment you are experiencing very similar struggles to yourself and not only that, they have decided to put their own well-being and mental health at the forefront of their priorities so are tuned in with the mind-body techniques that could help you most at this time. 

Episode 137: We are only three days into the New Year and are completely swamped with ‘New Year New You’ messages and ‘Start the year strong’ basically the message to change everything about yourself and stop doing or start doing 28 billion new things all at the same time.

Adding so much additional pressure to a time that already feels tender.

We do things a little bit differently here at Embrace Fertility, listen along to find out how and what the subconscious mind has to do with it.

Episode 136: You’ve cleaned up your diet to within an inch of its life. You’ve tracked your cycle with NASA-level precision. You’ve taken every supplement, read every book, and done everything “right.”

And yet — pregnancy still isn’t happening.

In this episode, I invite you to pause and ask yourself one powerful question:

👉 What do you need to let go of in order to let in a pregnancy?

Sometimes the answer is loud and clear — a fear, a belief, a habit that’s keeping you tense and trying.

Other times, it’s buried deeper — in the subconscious, where your body quietly whispers, “not yet.”

I’m sharing what I see in my one-to-one sessions with women who’ve tried everything — years of TTC, IVF, loss, and endless hope followed by heartbreak — and how underneath all the effort, their bodies are often just trying to stay safe.

We were taught how not to get pregnant — never how to allow it.

In this woodland walk recording, I’ll walk you through how subconscious fears, nervous system stress, and emotional exhaustion can hold the body in survival mode — and how gently releasing them can open the door to possibility.

💛 This episode is for you if:

You’ve been trying to conceive and feel emotionally exhausted

You’ve been through IVF, miscarriage, or unexplained infertility

You’re ready to stop fighting your body and start listening to it

It’s time to soften, to let go, and to help your body feel safe enough to say yes.

✨ Join me for The Release Session — a free live experience on Tuesday 18th November — where I’ll guide you through the energetic and emotional shifts that prepare your body to receive pregnancy.

Episode 135 : So many women on the fertility journey believe the same thing:

“If I let myself really feel the heartbreak, I might never get back up again.”

So you keep going.

Keep pushing.

Keep holding it all together.

Because you think strength means not breaking.

But here’s the truth no one talks about:

✨ The pain you’re afraid to feel is the very thing your subconscious is holding onto.

✨ Suppressing it doesn’t make it disappear — it keeps your body in protection mode.

✨ And sometimes, finally letting yourself feel it is the exact breakthrough your body needs to feel safe, receptive, and ready for pregnancy.

In this episode, I share why “being strong” can actually keep you stuck, and how to release what’s been stored so you can step into calm, safety, and possibility again.

If you’ve been white-knuckling your way through TTC, this episode is your permission slip to put the weight down — and discover the shift that changes everything.

Release

The 3 energetic shifts that finally allow your body feel safe enough to get (and stay) pregnant, even if you’ve been trying to conceive for years

Without having to just relax or stay positive

Free Release Session - Instant Access

Episode 134: When I say “your subconscious wants to keep you safe, not happy” — what happens in your body?

Most women on the fertility journey feel a sting when they hear that. Because it can sound like betrayal — as if the very part of you that longs for a baby is the same part that’s holding it at arm’s length.

In this episode, I unpack what’s really going on.

Why your subconscious might be quietly pressing pause on pregnancy — even while your heart is saying “yes, please.”

How unexpressed fear, past trauma, or even the pressure to “just relax” can trigger protection mode.

And how to tell if this invisible tension is something you’re carrying right now.

This isn’t about forcing positivity or pretending you’re not scared. It’s about learning how to work with your emotions, your energy, and your subconscious — so your body feels safe enough to say: I’m ready now.

And if this resonates, I want to invite you deeper.

Join me for my free masterclass:

✨ When Your Subconscious Says ‘Not Yet’: How to Create the Safety Your Body Needs to Conceive

Wednesday 24th September 12pm PDT/3pm EDT/8pm BST

Together, we’ll release hidden blocks, reset your nervous system, and help you step into readiness for pregnancy — without toxic positivity, obsessive tracking, or silencing your fear.

Sign up at 👉 www.embracefertility.co.uk/free-class

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Free Masterclass

In just 60 minutes, you’ll discover:

⭐️Why your subconscious might be quietly pressing pause on pregnancy — even while your heart longs for it.

⭐️The link between nervous system safety and conception (and why stress, fear, or past trauma can keep your body in “protection mode”).

⭐️ Three simple steps to shift from ‘not yet’ to ‘I’m ready now’ — using subconscious rewiring techniques, nervous system regulation, and visualisation practices.

⭐️ A guided subconscious exercise so you leave not just knowing the theory, but actually feeling a shift in your body.

Episode 133: When I say you can be happy without a baby, what happens in your body?

It may seem like it’s a piece of wisdom, a piece of advice because yes, of course we know that it’s possible for women to live a joyful content life without children.

However when you are struggling to conceive and someone you turn to for advice and support says this to you it can feel like they have absolutely no idea what’s going on inside of you.

In this episode, I break down why this common advice backfires, how it keeps you stuck, and why owning your desire for a baby isn’t something you should try to minimise.

If you’re tired of being told to shrink your longing, this episode is your permission slip to feel, want, and be fully seen.

Episode 131: The second in the fertility expert interview series.

Naomi and Dr. Aimee discuss the importance of personalised care and direct communication in fertility treatments, debunking common myths and emphasising the need for comprehensive testing of both partners.

They also highlight the significance of emotional and mental support for patients undergoing IVF treatments, the value of a supportive team, and the benefits of adopting a positive mindset.

Lastly, they discussed the process of reaching out to Dr. Aimee for a fertility consultation, the benefits of a class for individuals considering or undergoing IVF treatment, and the importance of coping strategies and self-care during challenging situations.

Introducing Dr. Aimee

Dr Aimee is a full-time practicing fertility doctor and is beloved by patients and the media alike. Her focus is on finding the sweet spot where science and patient care meet, and empowering people to better understand their fertility.

She launched Egg Freezing Party in 2014 to help educate people about their fertility preservation options. Since then, she's launched The Egg Whisperer Show, to further the reach of how she educates people. It's broadcast to YouTube, IGTV, Facebook, Twitter, and as a podcast of the same name.

In addition, Dr. Aimee has simplified how people understand fertility by introducing the TUSHY Method, BALLS Method, and the Egg Whisperer DIET, as mnemonics to remind people about the basics of fertility diagnosis and care.

FIND DR. AIMEE ONLINE

Websites: Dr. Aimee: DrAimee.org

Egg Whisperer: eggwhisperer.com

Freeze and Share: freezeandshare.com

Egg Freezing Party: eggfreezingparty.com

Upcoming IVF Classes:

Monday, March 10, 2025 4pm PST
Monday, April 21, 2025 4pm PST
Monday, May 19, 2025 4pm PST

Episode 130: Naomi and Jennifer discussed their shared passion for supporting women during vulnerable times in their lives, particularly in the context of fertility and motherhood.

They emphasised the importance of self-acceptance, mindfulness, stress management, and habit-forming practices for mental and emotional well-being, particularly in relation to fertility.

They also shared their personal experiences with infertility, endometriosis, and the benefits of using yoga to support your fertility & nervous system when TTC.

Join Jen's FREE 3-Day Live Fertility Yoga Series from 28-30 January 

Episode 129: Did you know that trying to force yourself to stay positive or just relax can actually have a detrimental impact on your mental and physical wellbeing while trying to get pregnant!

I’m going to be talking about this in depth in my free master class tomorrow January 16th.

Episode 128: What would be different in your life if you felt fully supported on your journey through fertility, pregnancy, birth and into motherhood?

If you had someone on your side to advocate for you and guide you during this time?

Have you had someone to talk to who wouldn’t try to fix you or pacifying you?

Someone who understands not just infertility, treatments and pregnancy loss but who has experienced each of these personally.

In today’s episode, I talk about why I support women in the way I do and how it’s very different to what many fertility coaches and therapists are offering.

To apply for 30 minutes clarity coaching call with me to discuss working me me from now until the end of the year.

Episode 120: While waiting for your baby, does it feel like you're just spinning your wheels? Sometimes you are so overwhelmed and so scared that you can't even think straight, and so you're trying to make decisions and you're researching.

You're on Dr Google, you're on Instagram and everyone's shouting at you and everyone's saying you need to do this to get pregnant, or you need to look at this, or this is the new wonder supplemental. Have you tried this?

And you're like oh my word, like there's just so much out there. And then, on top of that, you're trying to stay positive, trying to stay in the vibe and it feels like this is impossible.

And so you end up planning out and thinking about not just what you're doing now, this cycle, but what your plan B is. And actually, let's just get real, it's not plan B, is it? By this point, those of you that are listening to the Embrace Fertility podcast it's probably like plan J. Plan J all the other plans, a onwards, have not worked.

We're now on plan J and then you're thinking about the plan after that and the plan after that and the plan after that, because that's what we're used to doing.

Listen now for more....

Episode 117: Podcast interview with Kevin the founder of The Man Cave a male infertility/mental health advocate. Today we are discussing male infertility and the importance of finding the right coping strategies and support.

Kevin set up The Man Cave to share his story, to reach out to other men going through a similar journey and to help raise awareness of male infertility and mental health.

In this episode:

- Kevin shares his own personal journey of being told he was infertile 10 years ago

- Micro-TESE, Sertoli cell-only Syndrome, donor sperm, IVF and ICSI

- How Kevin helps men who suffer in silence by spreading awareness.

Anxiety and depression

Episode 116: Have a listen and see if this resonates.

The reasons in short:

1 - You wouldn’t benefit from being supported by someone as you already feel resilient, in control and have a strong plan in place for supporting both your physical fertility and mental health in 2024.

2. - You could put together your own mind-body fertility course from free content on YouTube. There are so many amazing coaches sharing high-quality information on YouTube today so it would be completely feasible for you to sit down and cherry pick videos that could create an outline. However the content is endless and knowing what to watch when in what order and then having the accountability of actually practising is what makes doing a course so empowering.

3. - You have a strong support network of friends and family who completely understand how you feel and know just what to say to make you feel better.

You are lucky enough to have friends who are going through this at the moment you are experiencing very similar struggles to yourself and not only that, they have decided to put their own well-being and mental health at the forefront of their priorities so are tuned in with the mind-body techniques that could help you most at this time. 

Episode 115: This week's episode is an expert interview with with Sabrina Fletcher, The TFMR (Termination for medical reasons) Doula. The heartbreak of losing a wanted baby

Sabrina companions bereaved parents through the unique heartbreak of losing a wanted baby to TFMR pregnancy loss. Through support groups and holistic healing she walks alongside as her community members learn to live again from the deep deep love they have for their babies and themselves.  

We discuss three ways to live from the love you have for your baby and get through your underworld journey of such an intimate death and grief.

Connect with Sabrina

Helping bereaved parents in the aftermath of a poor prenatal/maternal/perinatal diagnosis and the heartbreaking decision to terminate a wanted pregnancy (TFMR).  

As your bereavement doula, I support you as you navigate grief after baby loss. So you can learn to honor your baby and your grief and move in the world from the love you have for your child.  

Episode 114: Walking and talking about the power of working with a therapist during this time in your life and the things you should expect from the person supporting you.

I then describe AMDR the trauma release technique I use. Here is some feedback that inspired this episode:

"The AMDR sessions just keep blowing my mind every time I experience one. I have tried lots of different mind shift techniques before like Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) which is powerful but AMDR is like Superman defeating Lex Luthor in one go!!! I can not express enough how powerful this technique is. Every time I have something that pops up which takes me back to a past experience/memory and I'm overly emotional about it or have experienced an emotional situation in the present where I wouldn't normally be, I reach out to the amazing Naomi for an AMDR session so I can move through it quicker than I would normally using EFT. If anybody is on the fence about an AMDR just give it a go, you have nothing to loose and you definitely will not regret it!"- Crystal

Episode 113: Are you dreading the weeks ahead? Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year.

You can't quite believe another ENTIRE year has gone by and you still don't have your baby. You're putting so much pressure on yourself to be pregnant by the end of 2023 you might actually implode. 

And you're not sure how you are going to get through the celebrations, the social gathers and the never ending cheer. 

I've got you. 

In this episode I talk about the four options you have for how you go into the holiday season. 

Also talk about the free class that I ran last year "Holiday Survival Guide for those trying to conceive" 

Episode 112: The final installation of my three part series on how to emotionally and energetically prepare for IVF. As I’ve said in previous episodes this is also suitable for anyone who is trying to get pregnant without the help of fertility treatment. Today I’m talking about how to align with pregnancy and parenthood and share the scientifically proven mind-body techniques to help you to do that. I also share a fertility visualisation to guide you to imagine stepping into your future when you have your child. Please only listen to this part of the podcast when it is safe to do so. By listening you agreed to take full responsibility for your own well-being. Do you let me know how it feels to visualise in this way. If you’d like to make fertility visualisation an ongoing part of your conception plan check out:

Visualisations and hypnosis for fertility and IVF

Deeply Relax and Visualise. These MP3s have been written and recorded to allow you to experience deep relaxation, enhance your fertility and guide you to connect deeply with your body, your future child and your inner strength.
Hypnosis and visualisations can enhance fertility and support success by:
🌟 Guiding the body into a state of deep relaxation
🌟 Releasing fears and negative beliefs
🌟 Giving the unconscious mind a clear goal to work towards

All my top MP3s in one powerful bundle

I've grouped all my top tracks so this digital bundle includes:
🍍Natural Cycle Hypnosis Package 
🍍Assisted Cycle Hypnosis Package (IVF/IUI/ICSI)
🍍Visualisations and Affirmations for Pregnancy
🍍Hypnosis for Pain Management

🍍The self soothers guidance video.
Worth £100 invest in yourself and your happiness for just £55.

Episode 111: Today I’m sharing how you can clear the way for pregnancy. As mentioned last week these techniques are also suitable if you are trying to conceive without the support of fertility treatments.

Resources mentioned:

Part one of this podcast series:

Episode 110: Part one of three. Today I’m taking about resilience, The Four D’s and how to raise your vibration in preparation for IVF. (This episode will also be beneficial for those trying without the support of treatment.)

Episode 109: You have probably heard of inflammation how does inflammation impact our fertility? In today’s fertility expert interview with Jaclyn Downs a Functional Nutrigenomics Consultant we will be discussing just that. 

Root causes of inflammation

We discuss common, but lesser-known root causes of inflammation that affect fertility and egg health.

What functional genomics is and how it can provide clarity on root causes and which protocols would be most effective (and why other protocols may not have worked).

Epigenetics, mold/mycotoxins, histamine, poor fatty acid utilization, iron dysregulation, addressing stress, antioxidants and detoxification pathways.

Episode 107: Using fiction as a way to educate, heal and connect

This is an interview on using fiction as a way to educate, heal and connect. I absolutely loved recording this episode and I hope you love the stories that Jolene shares with us. 

From Jolene: In my stories I’ve focused on the effects of fertility on women, the men who care for them, and small town culture around issues of fertility. In my stories, I’ve chosen to use specific and medical jargon and terms relating to, specifically, women’s health issues to bring awareness.

I’ve written stories about infertility, miscarriage, pregnancy, high-risk pregnancy, pre-term labor, endometriosis, mental health issues, PTSD, post-natal PTSD.

I’ve written at least one story (“You Four Are the One”) using a technique in therapy treatment for people with PTSD called RECON (reconsolidation therapy) by Courtney Armstrong.

I’m hoping our talk will inspire others to write their own fictional (or nonfiction) stories of fertility and women’s health issues. I’m hoping they’ll buy SIDLE CREEK and they’ll find they’re not alone.

Jolene McIlwain’s work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and appears in numerous online and print literary journals including West Branch, Florida Review, Cincinnati Review, CRAFT, Smokelong Quarterly, New Orleans Review, LITRO, and more.   Her work was included in 2019’s Best Small Fictions Anthology and named finalist for 2018’s Best of the Net, Glimmer Train’s and River Styx’s contests, and semifinalist in Nimrod’s Katherine Anne Porter Prize and two American Short Fictions contests. She’s received a Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council grant, the Georgia Court Chautauqua faculty scholarship, and Tinker Mountain’s merit scholarship.   

She’s taught literary theory/analysis at Duquesne and Chatham Universities, and she worked as a radiologic technologist before attending college (BS English, minor in sculpture, MA Literature). She was born, raised, and currently lives in a small town in the Appalachian plateau of Western Pennsylvania.   

Her debut, SIDLE CREEK, out with Melville House this spring, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and Shelf Awareness calls it a “riveting debut collection” and “a rare gem, a compelling blend of nature and humanity perfect for fans of Barbara Kingsolver's Prodigal Summer and Daisy Johnson's Fen."

Connect with Jolene and buy Sidle Creek

Episode 103: How any people have you told about your fertility journey? In today's episode we explore the role of a fertility doula and what support she an offer.

"I can't tell my family or friends I'm trying for a baby" - How a fertility doula can help

What is a Fertility Support Doula with Guest Alexie Reilly

Alexie Sara Reilly lives in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, with her husband, Tom and their three fur babies - Mason, Mocha and Murphy. They enjoy cooking, travelling, and watching reality television. 

Alexie is a Certified Fertility Support Doula. In addition she has certificates in Diverse Family, Complicated Birth, and Chestfeeding Support. She is currently certifying to become a Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Doula.

Her passion for all things fertility stems from her almost five-year journey of trying to conceive. When starting this journey back in 2018, she found herself incredibly confused, alone and scared. She had no idea what to expect and didn't know anyone that had or was experiencing what I was going through. 

However, by connecting with a community and finding support from a Fertility Support Practitioner - she discovered her true passion for supporting and helping others on this challenging path. She genuinely believes that no one has to do this alone! IG: @epicquest4babyreilly and @golden_stork

What is a Fertility Support Doula with Guest Alexie Reilly listen now. 

Connect with Alexie: 

https://www.instagram.com/the.infertility.doula/