FCP E139. Reclaiming Intimacy During the Fertility Journey with Vanessa and Xander Marin

In this week’s episode I sit down with attorney Daphne Delvaux and discuss the intersection of motherhood and career, focusing on the rights of women undergoing fertility treatments in the workplace. We cover the importance of understanding legal protections, communicating effectively with employers, and negotiating accommodations to support both career ambitions and family planning. As well as preparing for parental leave and navigating job transitions while seeking fertility benefits. You can find more about Daphne over on her Instragram @themamattorney or her website https://www.themamattorney.com/ and if you need support in understanding policy and law in your area, check out her membership The Liberated Mother.   Topics Covered: Understanding your rights in the workplace How to communicate with employers The importance of documentation and your legal protections Negotiating accommodations on you fertility journey Preparing for parental leave Navigating different leave policies and employer expectations Navigating leave after miscarriage Mental health accommodations in the workplace    Grab 20% off your order of Needed supplements over at thisisneeded.com with the code DRKELSEY.

This week’s episode is a replay of a popular 2022 episode! We chat about what things to consider if you’re confused by having a regular cycle and still not getting pregnant, how there’s more to fertility than just getting a properly timed period, and what tests to start advocating for regardless of where you are in your journey.   Thank you to our Podcast Sponsor, Needed! Enjoy 20% off Needed supplements over at thisisneeded.com using the coded DRKELSEY. Ready to take control of your fertility journey and use our Whole Couple Approach? Grab our Conceive Together Challenge for just $9 to get 7 days of fertility info and tips for both you and your spouse to optimize your chances of conceiving. ttc.kelseyduncan.com/ctchallenge

This week’s episode we cover how to track your cycle (with way less stress) if you have PCOS or long, irregular cycles. I go over a common complaint / mistake that women with irregular cycles are making when it comes to tracking their cycle, and how to properly time intercourse.   Check out Episode 105 and 55 for more cycle tracking information.   Use the code KELSEYTD to save 15% off your TempDrop to help make cycle tracking and confirming ovulation a breeze. www.tempdrop.com  Grab our Conceive Together Challenge for just $9 and get 7 days of audios for you and your partner to come together on your fertility journey, learn about the foundational habits that boost fertility rates, and build out your fertility care plan together. Join at ttc.kelseyduncan.com/ctchallenge

This week’s episode covers an important topic entering December: how to thrive during the holiday season while navigating the challenges of fertility. We chat about some of the practical tips on managing travel, nutrition, and family dynamics, emphasizing the importance of self-care and setting boundaries, that I share with our Fertility Confidence Method Clients.   Topics Covered: How to plan ahead when it comes to the holiday season Travelling with your supplements Taking a break  Navigating conversations with family Setting boundaries   Check out one of my favourite prenatal vitamins from Needed over at thisisneeded.com and use the code DRKELSEY for 20% off your first order. Our Conceive Together challenge will help you and your spouse set the foundational groundwork to optimize your fertility through sharing the research and helping you lessen the burden of figuring it all out on your own. Grab this impactful 7 day challenge over at ttc.kelseyduncan.com/ctchallenge

I got a chance to sit down with Dr. Mark Ratner, Chief Science Officer of Therologix and retired urologist focused in male fertility. We talked about the super popular GLP-1 craze in the health space currently, how we should approach these medications in the fertility space and the power of Berberine or Inositol as supportive products. Dr. Ratner also shared his expertise on supplement safety, and how to ensure you’re taking something that is not only safe but also effective and properly labelled, the danger of proprietary blends and the importance of education for consumers. Theralogix, a Washington, DC based company is founded by a team of physicians and scientists committed to developing evidence-based, independently certified nutritional supplements. Find out what Theralogix has to offer on their site https://theralogix.com/ Our next free Fertility Confidence Bootcamp is starting December 2nd - start building out your fertility care plan with me live over 5 days by joining ttc.kelseyduncan.com/bootcamp

In this week’s episode, I’m answering a common question I get in my DMs: will painting my nails impact my fertility? In this short and sweet listen I go through why this is an important question to ask and how we can realistically look at the toxic burden when it comes to the fertility journey.   Topics Covered: My personal journey with toxic burden What to consider when looking at toxic burden and fertility Should you paint your nails, or dye your hair when TTC   Check out the high quality fertility supplements crafted by Needed over at thisisneeded.com and use the code DRKELSEY for 20% off your first order! There’s still time to join our Conceive Together Challenge! For just $9 get 7 days of bite sized but impactful audios for both you and your spouse to come together and improve your fertility outcomes (and your relationship!). Join here.

In this episode of the Fertility Confidence Podcast, I sit down with intimacy experts Vanessa and Xander Marin to talk about the unique challenges that couples face with intimacy while navigating fertility struggles. Vanessa and Xander are known for their candid advice and practical strategies, and together, we explore ways to help you and your partner reconnect and overcome the pressures that fertility can put on your relationship. Here’s what we cover: The “Fairy Tale” expectations around sex and how they create unnecessary stress Why sex can start to feel like just another “checkbox” and how to bring back the connection How to break out of routine and rediscover passion during your fertility journey Understanding responsive vs. spontaneous desire so each of you can feel supported Tools and rituals to help maintain intimacy and reduce performance pressure Tips for managing the “mental load” of trying to conceive and communicating about it Resources We Mentioned: Vanessa and Xander’s Foreplay Guides and Courses – These are fantastic, shame-free resources for bringing more excitement and understanding to your sex life Follow Vanessa and Xander on Instagram for candid, relatable content: @vanessaandxander If you’re ready to embrace a stronger connection and create a partnership-focused approach to intimacy, tune in and discover new ways to feel closer and more in sync with your partner. Don’t forget to subscribe for more expert insights to help you move forward on your fertility journey with confidence!  

In this week’s episode I’m sharing an inspiring client success story that highlights the complexity of Unexplained Infertility and the need for a care team to dig deeper with you. We chat about the importance of comprehensive testing, support on your fertility journey, and our signature Whole Couple Approach. Listen on to hear how this client got pregnant in just 3 months after trying for 2 years with no success and being told IVF was her next option.   Topics Covered: Unexplained Infertility Hashimoto’s Hypothyroid and Fertility Whole Couple Approach Comprehensive Fertility Testing How Nutrition and Lifestyle Play a Role in Fertility Care Fertility Support   Enjoy 20% off your first order of Needed products with the code DRKELSEY over at thisisneeded.com Curious what a full fertility lab list looks like? Grab Fertility Labs 101 for our complete work up, explinations, and optimal lab values for both you and your partner over at ttc.kelseyduncan.com/fertility-labs

In this week’s episode I got to sit down with licensed mental health professional, clinic owner, and podcast host Beth Gulotta to chat about fertility expectations, mindset shifts and navigating the cycle of grief that comes with a fertility journey. She shares with us her amazing concept of how we can quiet the clock on our fertility journey.   Topics Covered: How we can Quiet the Clock and the importance of including men in the conversation Redefining our family planning expectations Navigating grief in the fertility journey The value and importance of your fertility support system The importance of self advocacy on your fertility journey   You can check out Beth’s podcast, Quiet the Clock on all major platforms or over on her website, https://quiettheclock.com/, and find her on IG @quicktheclockpod  Start building your fertility confidence with our free on demand webinar. Get your copy at kelseyduncan.com/ondemand

In this week’s episode I got to sit down with chef, author, and Feed Me Phoebe founder, Phoebe Lapine to chat all things thyroid, nutrition and fertility potential. Her latest book, Carbivore, changes the narrative around carbs and how to include them in a healthy and fertility-supportive nutrition plan.   Topics covered: Phoebe’s personal journey being diagnosed with autoimmune disease How carbs are an important part of a well-rounded fertility diet Finding the Goldilocks spot when it comes to your fertility nutrition Impactful ways to manage your blood sugar and still enjoy your fave foods The importance of starting off your day on the right foot nutrition wise The role stress plays when it comes to blood sugar, gut health, and you fertility   You can check out Phoebe’s blog, Feed me Phoebe, and find her over on instagram @phoebelapine. Make sure to check out her latest book, Carbivore, over at www.carbivorecookbook.com    Ready to understand exactly what labs to advocate for to discover the root cause of why you likely aren’t getting pregnant AND understand how to interpret them? Check out Fertility Labs 101 to get your hands on everything you need to know to advocate for yourself and your partner when it comes to digging deeper on your fertility journey.    https://ttc.kelseyduncan.com/fertility-labs