Family Growing Pains: Part IV First Transfer to Pregnancy

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The First Transfer

Then came the transfer. Everything had led to this moment.

One of the three…placed inside me with precision, care… and hope.

It’s strange how something so microscopic…can carry so much weight.

This wasn’t numbers anymore.

This was possibility.

First they prep the uterus, they prevent any possibility of ovulation while mimicking a traditional cycle. Estrogen stickers on the abdomen to build a wall, egg preventer shots transcutaneously in the abdomen, then on day 14 (about ovulation), you begin injecting progresterone in oil into the lateral 1/3 area of your buttocks. The reason, at day 14 when the follicle erupts and frees an egg, it becomes a corpus luteum, the organ responsible for maintaining progesterone levels in the blood stream for the first 12 weeks. 

(Overtime my abdomen skin got irritated from the estrogen patches)… and the progesterone in oil created granulomas underneath the skin and just felt gross. Just saying. like everything clumped up. 

Then is the day of the transfer. Spouse allowed in the room. No anesthesia. Just a little valium to relax the uterus. 

I’m in a room of women ALSO getting ready to receive their embryo… and it had to be done with a full bladder because it creates better positioning in the uterus for implantation. So, they gave us liquid to fill our bladders and the urge was the painful kind when you wait too long and your entire back hurts and then your entire body hurts. I was allowed to empty a little, but had to stay full (which was tracked with transpelvic ultrasound). That’s not easy to stop a flow. Painful experience. 

The transfer happened. I got some McDonald’s French Fries, and old wive’s tale about how they make the uterus extra sticky. 

Here’s the google search!

The Waiting… The Test… The Excitement

And then came the waiting. Every sensation meant something. Every thought… every feeling…You analyze everything. Am I nauseaus (even though I knew it would be too early)

And then… the first test 10 days later. Counted down… Every day!

After peeing on so many pregnancy sticks…going cross-eyed trying to see those faint, faded pink lines…

questioning every shadow…holding it up to the light…tilting it… rechecking it…wondering, “Is that something… or is that nothing?”

Then finally…

a real positive.

Clear. Undeniable Happy Face!

I remember how exciting that felt. Not loud excitement… not over-the-top…but this deep, internal moment of:

“It actually worked.”

The Magnificent Morning Sickness

Then the nausea confirmed the pregnancy for me.  It was terrible.Relentless. Consuming.

But I didn’t hate it, Because it meant something. I was nausea for a purpose. Not nauseous for no reason.

It was a positive indicator I was still pregnant.

Every wave of nausea…was reassurance. So I held onto it.

The First Ultrasound 

The first ultrasound, which was scheduled when the HCG reached a certain limit, and it showed the amniotic sac.

The Second Ultrasound 

The second ultrasound revealed the amniotic sac with a flickering light. The heart has formed. I couldn’t wait another two weeks till I could start listening with one of those dopplers I found on amazon. Sounds like it could have been a magical moment for me. Before I left, I asked for the ultrasound picture. The doctor looked at me and said that he doesn’t give it out at the 6 week visit because a woman had a bad experience, and yadda yadda. He thought it was bad luck, so he didn’t give it to me. I was hopeful I was going to get another ultrasound picture, so I let it go. 

The Final Ultrasound, earlier than expected

5 days before my next scheduled ultrasound… It was a Sunday. My brother in law was in town. The nausea was very intense. We were so excited to break the news to him because the entire family was waiting for years for this. This would make his parents grandparents for the first time. This made him a first time uncle. This made me just thrilled as I now was going to be a mom. He saw how nauseous I was, but we were prepared to have a nice evening.

I got dressed up to go to dinner with my husband and brother in law. I was in the back of the car, when suddenly, the nausea instantly stopped. Gone. Zero Suffering. I didn’t know what it meant. Maybe the low dose zofran worked. We are walking and it feels like i need to urinate. It was heavy. It felt like I was going to urinate A LOT. I told them I needed to go to the bathroom. So, I ran in right to the bathroom. I sat down quick. Released. Looked down… and BLOOD! Just lots and lots of blood.  

The Bathroom

There was a LOT of blood. So much blood. More than I could process in that moment.

It was shocking. Overwhelming.

And somehow…embarrassing.

I wasn’t logical. I wasn’t thinking practically.

I wasn’t thinking, “I need help.”

I was thinking…“I need to clean this up.”

I was wiping everything—myself… the floor… the toilet…because the way it looked…

it looked like a murder scene.

And I couldn’t leave that for someone else to find.

Holding It Together

I couldn’t panic. Not because I wasn’t scared…but because I knew my husband would be.

If I lost it, he would spiral.

So I stayed calm.

I called him and said:

“I need you to take a breath.
I need you to go get me paper towels… I’m bleeding a lot.”

Within minutes, I could hear him—
paper towels coming under the door. Fast. Urgent. His panic… without even seeing him.

And there I was…bleeding… cleaning…holding it together.

“Bring the car around.
I’ll get in, and you’ll take me to my mom’s house.”

That “Twilight Zone” kind of night

Every thirty minutes, like purging blood.

I scheduled an emergency appointment for the next day.But that night…was endless. Praying. Hoping.

Trying to convince myself it could be something else…blood pockets…something harmless…anything, but what I knew it was.

Because deep down…I knew.

The First Goodbye – A Miscarraige

This did not make sense. I prayed. I meditated… and this was the visualization I had when I had my miscarriage: 

On a beautiful winter morning, a husband and wife went fishing for life potential. They had 16 mir-eggles. Of those miracles, God had chosen three. Three that were so perfect, beautiful and strong that they could whether and storm.

For 8 months, they prepared this house with everything that this precious being would need for their 40 week stay. They painted the house a deep brilliant ruby red draped with shiny red satin weaves. On 10/25, the first was selected from her siblings to begin the journey of life. She was excited as no one likes to be froze, or stuck, in their life process. (And she was stuck at blatocyst).

On week 8, she suddenly stopped in her tracks. 

God asked, “What’s wrong My child?”

At that moment she realized she really wasnt ready for life. She replied, “I don’t think i’nm ready for this. I’m not ready to begin my life here on Earth”

God asked, “Are you sure this is what you want? I chose you. This couple chose you. They will be heartbroken. There is no turning back”

She looked down and shed a tear. She said, “I’m not ready”. At that moment, God cut the tie. She let go and fell to the surfix. She lied there lifeless, she watched her beautiful fuby red home cromble down and get sucked through the hole in the ground. 

As the last bit fell through, she looked through the hole and saw a glimmer of light and walked towards it….

 

Family Growing Pains: Part 3: Contracts, First Retrieval, Septate Surgery, First Transfer

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This is the part no one really prepares you for.

Not just the medications or the procedures…but the way your life slowly becomes measured in numbers, timelines, and outcomes. 

On paper, it sounded safe.

Three retrievals.
Unlimited transfers.
A healthy baby… or your money back.

It felt like security. Like no matter what happened, there was an endpoint that guaranteed something whole.

The Fine Print Unexplained

But what they did not explain. In fact… They left it completely out of the conversation.

 That a clock started & it came with a 3 year timeframe, and that that clock started the moment I signed.

They also left out that the timeframe was THREE YEARS  OR ends abruptly 38 years of age. 

And just like that, my three years became two. (I was 36 at that time)

(I didn’t even realize it….until I was down to six months left.)

And the process itself? It wasn’t something you could move through freely.

You couldn’t just do all three retrievals, create embryos, and then decide what felt right. (This is called Stacking/Banking)

No. It was structured. Step by step.

You had to work your way through it: One retrieval, transfer each embryo, after ALL embryos transfered failed,

THEN you were allowed to move onto the next retrieval, transfer each embryo, after ALL embryos transfered failed,

THEN, one last time, the FINAL retrieval, transfer each embryo. GAME OVER! 

So there was no real pause. No space to step back to breathe and recovery. 

You were always in it. IF I had known this, I would have opted to bank my embryos. 

I was lied to. I didn’t make an informed decision. I lost a gamble they knew I would lose. 

-My FIRST Retrieval-

Every cycle started the same way.

Birth control… to shut everything down.

Then hormone injections…day after day…timed, measured, controlled.

Followed by constant monitoring—Vaginal ultrasounds, Bloodwork, Watching your follicles develop and grow….until the day came when the follicles measured to the point of a “healthy egg” size. At that point,  you prepare to take an HCG shot to mimic ovulation, which makes the extraction easier. 

The retrieval consisted of waking up early and going to their inpatient surgical site where they do the extractions. I disrobed, my vital signs were taken, and then I was taken back where I was given twilight anesthesia… which is, the best sleep ever. The doctor goes in vaginally, and carefully extracts the eggs from both ovaries…

….And when you wake up—we feel crappy and sore in that area.

I did read what to expect. They say some women go back to work the next day. Resume normal life.

I want to meet those women, because it was a crippling experience.

My body felt injured. My netherlands was so sore and painful. It felt cramping… mixed with a UTI-type burning pain. You know, that deep, internal discomfort you can’t escape. But more than that—I felt like everything was falling out. There was this heaviness… this pressure…like my body couldn’t hold itself the way it normally does. Even going to the bathroom wasn’t simple. I remember sitting there… and the only way I could get any kind of relief… was to physically lift my abdomen up. Just to take the pressure off. That’s how intense the pain was.

And the only thing that helped? Not ice. Not anything on top of my abdomen. It was a heating pad…placed in between my legs. Up close. Direct. The combination of heat and pressure— that was the only thing that gave me even a moment of relief. That’s the part no one really explains. What it actually feels like and then giving some sort of suggestions to help you along in the healing process. 

I’m telling my IVF warrior women, that was a saving grace for me. Make sure you get a heating pad… with vibration is a plus! … And thats where you place it. Not on top, in between. Give yourself time to heal and rest. 

Emotionally? It’s like your body just went to war…and you’re expected to move on.

But I couldn’t. This was the first time I started to slow down… and actually listen to my body instead of pushing it.

This is where craniosacral therapy became essential for me.

Not forcing. Not fixing. Just creating space for my body to come out of survival mode…and feel safe again.

The countdown:

You’re given a number. 16 eggs retrieved!!!!!! 

And for a moment… You feel hopeful.

But then the waiting begins.

Twenty-four hours later—11 matured !!!!

Then—9 fertilized !!!

We went in with fresh, moving sperm. The doctor did not have to force the sperm inside. IT worked! Fertilization was successful.

Then—7 make it to blastocyst !!

(You can see what happens over a week. We start out really enthusiastic! The enthusiasm fades as the probability decreases)

Genetic testing….Waiting…..Praying.

(Watching numbers that once felt abundant slowly narrow into something fragile.)

Ten days later—The final number –> 3 viable embryos, genetically normal.

And you feel it. All things at once –> Pain from the retrieval, sadness for the ones that didn’t make it to this stage, gratitude because four is something. Four is hope. F

our is Cautiously optimistic.

Between hope and fear.

Between numbers and meaning.

Between trusting the process… and not!

Septate Surgery 

This is done in a hospital setting. I was going to go under anesthesia and have that nonvasculature wall obliterated. The doctor implants a balloon catheter to keep the cavity patent. You know when a cut is healing, sometimes it could create a sticky wall which would cause the uterus to collapse. So, that was the reason for this. Leave it in for 7-10 days at which point I would go and get the catheter removed.  There was no pain after that surgery.

10 days later, in the fertility doc’s office, we are just talking small talk, in the same awkward position… While he is preparing to remove the catheter… then… without warning, he yanks on the string… RIGHT THROUGH THE CERVIX! It felt like, if I were a man, kicked in the balls, that’s THAT feeling. Eyes went crosseyed… I went high pitched in the middle of the sentence… that incredible pain!

Everything healed nicely, as shown on another saline infuse ultrasound, and NOW! I was ready to go! Ready to accept my first embryo transfer! 

Another thing couples take for granted, tell me if I’m wrong, is the gender mystery, is it a girl? Is it a boy?  It’s God’s surprise! Or a Reveal! Exciting moment in the journey. I got to “select”. I was going to choose my First born. Knowing him or her, stregnthened the attachment, in my experience. 

My First Transfer 

This is what I’ll leave you with. In Craniosacral, I learned that the spiritual realm speaks to us in images… and when I put an image to the somatoemotional feelings I felt, it felt like this, which became a drawing which expressed these intense feelings. All of that led to this moment. This drawing shows the struggle. All the prying and probing, we had a achieved 4 viable embryos. The purpose of a uterus is to be a womb, that is a womb’s purpose. So, when I stepped into my uterus’s shoes, … even closer, I became my uterus. I felt what it felt like to hold something this precious. Our hard work paid off. We were proud, hopeful, bittersweet, grateful. 

 

Part IV: What happened next. 

I talk about the transfer process and the hopefulness that presented. 

🌿Family Growing Pains, Part 2

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“Second to cancer, the worst thing a human being can suffer mentally is infertility.” ~Charlie Kirk

This is where everything started to feel real. 

Up until this point, I was exhausted trying to understand my body.

Trying to track it.
Trying to work with it.
Trying to make sense of why things weren’t happening. 

But walking into that first IVF appointment… Our Last Chance.

It started with bloodwork. A lot of it. Vial after vial.

And I remember sitting there, arm out, not watching them take what they needed—

I just wanted to conceive a baby. That was it. So, I let it happen.

And waited for whatever came next.

The genetic testing. 

That’s when I found out I had two genes for non-classic adrenal hyperplasia. 

And honestly… I just felt annoyed at this point. Every time I went in, they kept finding things “wrong with me”. 

Time after time, septate, PCOS, non classic adrenal hyperplasia. 

It did explain why I had certain challenges in my teenage woman years… always had high testosterone, chin hair, the hunger. 

Now there was WAS an explanation. 

They explained that my body was missing an enzyme needed to properly convert testosterone into estrogen.

Ok. So what does this mean?  It means every single offspring would carry this gene. Not deadly, but frustrating. 

What does this mean? It means I wasnt your average PCOS girl who was affected by edible hormones and chemicals. 

Without a genetic test, knowing what I know now, I would tell other women who have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), to ask their physician to test for hydroxyprogesterone and androstenedione as those are positive markers found with this nonclassic adrenal hyperplasia, and it should be handled a completely different way. Everyone I saw treated me exactly the same – overactive ovaries and a cold uterus. 

What does this mean? It also meant if I was carrying a girl embryo, I would have to be on a low dose Prednisone during pregnancy, so too many male hormones wouldn’t be circulating while her reproductive system was forming. 

The focus of treatment is a low dose prednisone. The prednisone, a steroid, is to just reduce the amount of these hormones within the bloodstream. It would not make me more fertile and had no other benefits. 

In fact, long term, possibly forever, prednisone usage causes osteoporosis to set in quicker. 

Then we looked at my husband’s results. He didn’t carry what I had, but he was a carrier for other things—cystic fibrosis, Cohen’s disease, Gaucher’s.

I got a bachelors in biology, and I knew the punnet square. I mastered the punnet square. If I had carried any of those genes, there would be a 25% chance of having a child with those diseases. I studied the pathogenesis of these diseases in my studies and understood what that may have meant. Hypothetical scenarios, by the way. And that’s where the weight of it really landed.

Just for a moment, thinking of what that decision would look like if that were the case. If I carried any of those…that wouldn’t just be information. That would be a decision. A real one. Something that would test everything—your values, your beliefs, your spirituality.

And I remember feeling relieved that I wasn’t put in that position.

Because that’s a different kind of weight. We dodged that BULLET!

This was GOOD NEWS! 

*What I was left with was this: I had a condition, that wasn’t life-threatening.

When it came to creating embryos… no shared mutations, no decisions waiting on the other side. We were safe, A sigh of relief. 

The Hysterosalpingogram.

I had never even heard of it before. The doctor injects a dye (vaginally) and fills the uterine cavity to to see if the uterine cavity and fallopian are open.

You’re tummy up, legs open, speculum, catheter into the cervix, dye filling. Then they remove the spec and cath. And they take an X ray. 

Trying to stay calm while everything is physically uncomfortable and emotionally nervewracking.

I remember the pressure. The cramping. That uncomfortable, unfamiliar feeling.

And I remember staying there… why? 

because that’s what you do when you want to have a baby.

The Findings: After that, they saw A T-shaped uterus… You can imagine my next though.

Then came more testing, they performed a saline-infused ultrasound. That’s when they insert a saline solution with a catheter into your uterus.

The saline fluid would inflate the uterus to expand so they can figure out what to do next. 

That test showed that the wall that made my uterus look like a T, was dead tissue. It needed to be removed to improve the chances of pregnancy with embryo transfer. 

Something I didn’t know was there.

Something that would interfere with implantation.Something that had to be removed…before anything could move forward.

 

And just like that—there was another step. A Surgery. Under anesthesia.

Before I even had the chance to try.

That’s when it really hit me. This wasn’t simple.

This wasn’t quick. And this wasn’t guaranteed.

I found Craniosacral in 2018. Another story for another blog. It was the one place I wasn’t being tested, measured, or evaluated.

My CranioSacral therapist didn’t ask for numbers. He didn’t need results. He just held space for me, so I can process what I have been through up to this point. Interesting… you think… that I chose a man for this type of support. The truth is ANY “really good craniosacral therapist”, no matter the gender, should be able to support you the way you need to be supported. I chose an ADVANCED therapist who’s been practicing for over 30 years… because that’s what I needed. I needed that trust that someone else was meeting me at the same level I am at. 

My right median cubital vein was constantly bruised from being stabbed with needles. Who cares? My craniosacral therapist did!

Sometimes, the ultrasound tech was a little aggressive with the wand. Some techs will allow you to guide the wand, which is nice when they do. It’s not a very comfortable feeling when it’s done without “your” guidance. I should have spoken up. I’m telling my fellow women, “Have the ultrasound tech hand the wand to you and then you guide it. Put yourself back in control”... even if it’s just for this one moment. Who cares? I DO! And that’s one of the most powerful tools craniosacral therapy gave me. 

Craniosacral Visionary: One of the most powerful aspects of craniosacral therapy is to be able to connect with any part of your body and speak on its behalf. In one of my sessions, I had a visualization of me and my cervix just chilling on a lazy river. We were just floating and enjoying the current and also the just that sun’s warmth (not the same as a South Florida HEAT!… a warmth.). After having that visualization, I would use them for these visits. I would go on the table, spread the eagle, and then go to that dream moment of me and my cervix just riding the lazy river wave. It helped me relax. This sounds a LOT like hypnosis, RIGHT?! 

(This is what got my mind thinking about pursuing hypnotherapy to add to my skillset, because I saw that when I would work on my patients, and also me having these deep experiences, it dawned on me that ALL my patients are in a state of hypnosis while I am working on them, and that I can really be maximizing their benefits from treatment if I knew how to leverage this.)

Part 3: The Contracts

In part 3 we talk about the Contracts prior to egg retrieval. In order to move forward with the septate surgery, we needed some viable embryos. We will talk about the contracts. The deception I felt. Talk about some of the limiting beliefs I created and affirmations I spoke, decisions I had made that changed the way I perceived life. 

🌿 Family Growing Pains, Part One

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The Years Before IVF

There is a version of this story that sounds simple.

My husband and I got married (2014)
We wanted a family.
We tried.
It didn’t happen.

But living it was nothing like that.

It was years…

Years of hoping.
Years of tracking.
Years of watching everyone else be successful while my life felt frozen in time.

A Body That Didn’t Follow the Rules

I never had a period.

And for a long time, people framed that as lucky.

“No cramps.”
“No inconvenience.”
“No monthly disruption.”

And yes… I saved money on pads and tampons.

But that “blessing” came with something no one talked about.

Because a cycle isn’t just about a period.

It’s about rhythm.
It’s about signaling.
It’s about knowing your body is moving through the phases it’s meant to.

And I didn’t have that.

I didn’t have a rhythm to follow.
I didn’t have a pattern to trust.
I didn’t have the reassurance that my body was doing what it was designed to do.

So while it may have looked easier from the outside…on the inside, it felt like I was missing something essential.

And that disconnect is something I slowly began to recognize— especially in the moments where I allowed myself to slow down…
to listen…and be with my body instead of trying to force it.

A Reproductive System Without a Rhythm

THIS point of my life, where my dream was always to have a family as big as my own (one of seven siblings)… THIS alone created so much frustration.

When people talk about trying to get pregnant, it often sounds straightforward.

Track your cycle.
Time everything right.
Relax. Be patient.

But what if you don’t have a cycle to track?

What if your body doesn’t give you the signals everyone says to look for?

What if every month feels like guessing?

That was my reality.

This wasn’t a “just relax and it will happen” situation.

That’s something I wish more people understood, because when you’re in something this intimate, this complex, this layered…

advice can feel overwhelming, ESPECIALLY when it comes from people who don’t fully understand your body, your diagnosis, or your experience.

What helps more than anything…is presence.

Someone who listens.
Someone who holds space.
Someone who doesn’t try to fix it or simplify it.

For me, that person was my CranioSacral Therapist. He didn’t try to give me answers. He didn’t rush me. He met me exactly where I was—and allowed my body to be exactly as it was…And that kind of support gave me my first experience of what it felt like to not be “problem-solving” my body—but simply being in it.

Four Years of Trying

After we got married, we tried for four years.

Not casually.
Not passively.

We were active and intentional.

I used a glass mercury thermometer—because my mom, who’s a doctor, always said those never lied.

Every morning, same routine. Same hope.

Looking for some kind of pattern…
Looking for that “fertility window”…
Looking for that ovulation moment!

When that didn’t give me clarity, I moved on to the OvuSense device.

And that was a whole different level of commitment.

OvuSense is a vaginal temperature tracking device that I inserted inside my vagina at night and slept with. It continuously records your core body temperature while you sleep and then charts it over time—giving you a more complete picture than a single morning reading.

In my professional and clinical experience, It is more accurate—because it captures the average of your body’s internal temperature fluctuations throughout the night.

In reality… The device looked like a gigantic sperm.

Imagine sleeping with a temperature tracker inside of you. Night after night.

And then there were the moments no one talks about—like going to the bathroom and it falling into the toilet…and having to fish it out. Embarrassing. 

These moments stayed with me…because this wasn’t just data collection.

This was my life, this was my experience, And the truth is…

I didn’t want any of that.

I didn’t want to become someone constantly tracking, measuring, analyzing.

All I wanted…

was to conceive a baby.

The Weight of Not Knowing

There is a specific kind of exhaustion that comes from trying so hard without a clear path.

This lives in your body.

Not just in your thoughts.

It’s confusion of life purpose. As a woman born with TWO ovaries and a fully functional uterus, this was my biological right!

A quiet, constant questioning: The WHY ME moments.

Am I missing something?
Did I do something wrong? Am I not worthy?
Is my life going to be kidless and joyless as I broke down and cried after every pregnancy announcement I heard.

And what I began to understand—through the stillness I experienced in my CranioSacral sessions—was that my body wasn’t just experiencing this physically, I was holding onto this mentally, emotionally and spiritually…

The pressure.
The uncertainty.
The emotional weight of trying for so long.

Trying to Make My Body Respond & The Chiropractic Perspective I couldn’t ignore. 

Then came three rounds of Clomid. Three attempts to create a cycle my body wasn’t naturally giving me.

And for the first time…something happened, I actually had a cycle.

A real one, and there was a part of me that felt hopeful in a different way—like maybe my body just needed a little push. Like maybe this was the missing piece.

HOWEVER, After the third round of trying and failing—we scheduled our first IVF consult.

I was now placing my body into a system that would now attempt to manipulate it with  more medications, more hormones, more interventions….trying to stimulate, control, and direct a body that may already be overwhelmed.

Because when you want a baby…

WE WII try ANYTHING and EVERYTHING… including inserting a tampon filled with essential oils.

We don’t hesitate.
WE don’t question as much as you normally would.
WE move forward with hope leading the way.

The Reality I Wish I Had Been Given

By then, I was 38.

I struggled with PCOS. I found out I had a rare diagnosis – adrenal hyperplasia – causing it….And my husband was also dealing with issues involving sperm quantity and quality.

Looking back, what I wish I would have known is this:

I was not walking into that consult with the odds they were presenting. I was walking in with a very different reality. We were told there was an 80% success rate. And when we were sitting there—hopeful, vulnerable, wanting to believe—we don’t question it the way we should. We hold onto it.

But after the fact, I “found” the CDC IVF Success Estimator. 

I saw something very different. That tool is based on real data—real women, real outcomes.

And for someone in my category—

Again: 38 years old, PCOS, adrenal hyperplasia, plus male factor infertility—

…the numbers were not anywhere near what I had been told.

And I’m not saying I wouldn’t have still done it.

I probably would have.

What I’m saying is…

I wish I had known the truth.

Because the truth wouldn’t have taken away my hope—it would have grounded it.

It would have helped me prepare differently. emotionally. mentally and physically.

It would have allowed me to walk into that process with realistic expectations…instead of holding onto numbers that didn’t fully reflect my situation.

Because when you’re in that space, numbers don’t feel like statistics. They feel like promises.

What I Also Came to Understand

Another thing I didn’t realize at the time is that success rates are not dramatically different from one clinic to another. They are all working with the same biology. The same realities. Stats are Stats!

And so, my heartfelt message to women, and couples, who are struggling with infertility and opting for IVF,  pick a doctor who cares about you. They all have the same gadgets, they all the same skillset, but not ALL of them have compassion or empathy. Thats what you want. You want a doctor who does more than just stick it in. 

 

Closing Reflection

This was the beginning of my family growing pains.Not just physically, but emotionally…and somatically.

 

Part Two is where everything becomes more physical.
More invasive. More intense. A belief system that I wound up creating that needed to be undone. 

As we move forward, on a deeper level, I will share my insights and lessons I learned which helped me find my earthly purpose and find fulfillment in this life. 

Protecting Your Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul

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The Hidden Layers of Intimacy — and Why They Matter for Your Future

By: Dr. Mary Nochimson

Physical intimacy is often discussed in terms of chemistry, attraction, and consent. And those things matter….But there is a deeper conversation most people were never taught to have — even with themselves.

Because sex is not just physical.

It is neurological.
It is emotional.
It is energetic.
It is subconscious.

And even when intimacy is mutual, respectful, and consensual… it still creates imprints in your body and mind.

Understanding those imprints isn’t about fear.
It’s about awareness.
It’s about protecting the parts of you that continue living long after the moment ends.

Let’s talk about what actually happens — through the lens of the nervous system, subconscious mind, and energetic body.

The Nervous System Remembers What the Mind Minimizes

During intimacy, your nervous system shifts into a powerful state of openness and receptivity.

Hormones such as oxytocin, dopamine, and vasopressin increase bonding, emotional encoding, “SUBCONSCOUS Sexual Consent” by Dr. Mary Nochimson that reads like a brutally honest mental contract for sex. It lists real-world risks people often ignore — emotional fallout, being talked about afterward, no guaranteed pleasure, possible STDs, pregnancy, no relationship, and possible ghosting. The document ends with a signature line, framing sex as a conscious decision with physical, emotional, and psychological consequences.and memory consolidation. This is not accidental — the human body is biologically designed to form connection through intimacy.

Even if your logical mind says:
“This is casual.”
“This doesn’t mean anything.”
“I’m fine.”

Your nervous system may still register:
Attachment
Vulnerability
Safety or unsafety
Acceptance or rejection

This is why people sometimes feel lingering emotional responses that seem confusing or disproportionate. The body is not confused — it is recording.

From a craniosacral perspective, moments of heightened emotional or physical intensity can create subtle tension patterns in the fascia, fluid rhythm, and nervous system regulation. These patterns can remain stored until the body feels safe enough to release them.

Your body is not “being dramatic.” It is integrating experience.

Craniosacral Therapy and Somatic Imprints of Intimacy

Craniosacral therapy teaches us that the body holds experience in layered ways — not just through conscious memory, but through tissue memory, fluid motion, and nervous system tone.

Intimate experiences — especially those involving vulnerability, anticipation, emotional hope, or disappointment — can create subtle protective responses such as:

• holding tension patterns in the pelvis or diaphragm
• shifts in breath rhythm
• guarded in her heart or verbal expression
• nervous system hyper-alertness or withdrawal

Even when the experience is positive, the body still integrates the emotional meaning attached to it.

Some individuals notice after relationships or sexual experiences:

• difficulty relaxing in future intimacy
• emotional numbness or over-attachment
• repetitive dating patterns
• subconscious guarding or hyper-vigilance
• feeling “closed off” or “over-open”

These are not personality flaws.
They are adaptive responses stored in the subconscious software and the nervous system hardware.

Craniosacral work helps the body safely release held tension, reorganize fluid rhythm, and restore a sense of internal safety — allowing past experiences to settle rather than silently shaping future ones.

The Subconscious Mind: Hypnotherapy and Emotional Encoding

Your subconscious mind does not evaluate intimacy the way your conscious mind does.

It encodes:
How you felt
What you expected
What happened afterward
What meaning you assigned

If intimacy is followed by rejection, confusion, or emotional disconnection, the subconscious may form protective beliefs such as:

“I shouldn’t trust easily.”
“I have to perform to be valued.”
“Connection doesn’t last.”
“I must give more to receive love.”

These beliefs don’t announce themselves.
They quietly shape attraction, choice of partners, boundaries, and relationship expectations.

Hypnotherapy helps identify and reframe these subconscious associations. It allows the mind to release outdated emotional programming and restore alignment between what you consciously want and what you subconsciously expect.

Without that alignment, people often repeat relational patterns — not because they choose them, but because their nervous system recognizes them.

Familiarity can feel like chemistry.

The Energetic Dimension: Chakras and Intimate Exchange

Across many healing traditions, intimacy is understood as an energetic exchange — not just a physical interaction.

Whether you view chakras symbolically, psychologically, or energetically, they offer a meaningful framework for understanding how intimacy affects different layers of self.

Sacral Chakra — Connection and Emotional Flow

Intimacy activates the center associated with bonding, pleasure, and relational exchange. Repeated emotional merging without clarity can lead to emotional overwhelm, dependency, or disconnection from personal needs.

Heart Chakra — Attachment and Vulnerability

Opening physically often opens emotionally. If the heart repeatedly opens without safety or reciprocity, people may begin to guard, numb, or over-attach in future relationships.

Solar Plexus — Self-Worth and Boundaries

When intimacy happens without full inner alignment, individuals may override personal intuition or values. Over time, this can weaken self-trust or create confusion about personal desires.

Root Chakra — Safety and Security

The body’s foundation of safety is deeply involved in physical closeness. Experiences that feel uncertain, pressured, or emotionally unstable can subtly shift the nervous system’s sense of grounding.

Even when an experience is mutual, kind, and respectful — energy still moves. Openness still occurs. Connection still imprints.

That is simply how humans are designed.

How This Shapes the Cycle of Dating

Every intimate experience becomes part of your internal relational blueprint.

This influences:

• what feels attractive
• what feels familiar
• what feels safe
• what feels uncomfortable
• what you tolerate
• what you believe you deserve

If previous intimacy involved emotional unpredictability, your nervous system may unconsciously expect unpredictability again.

If previous intimacy involved deep connection followed by distance, your subconscious may prepare for loss before closeness even forms.

People often think they are choosing partners based on preference.

But frequently, they are choosing based on nervous system recognition.

Healing and awareness allow you to choose from clarity instead of pattern.

Protecting Your Whole Self Moving Forward

Protecting your heart, mind, body, and soul does not mean avoiding intimacy.

It means approaching intimacy with integration.

Before physical closeness, ask:

Am I calm or seeking validation?
Am I aligned with my deeper values?
Is my heart open from safety or longing?
Is my body relaxed or overriding hesitation?
Am I choosing connection — or relief from loneliness?

After intimacy, notice:

Do I feel grounded or unsettled?
Do I feel nourished or depleted?
Do I feel more like myself — or less?

Your body always communicates truth before the mind explains it.

Healing and Realignment Are Always Possible

If past experiences feel heavy, confusing, or unfinished — that does not mean something is wrong with you.

It means your system is asking for integration.

Gentle, supportive approaches that help restore internal balance include:

• Craniosacral therapy to release somatic holding patterns
• Hypnotherapy to reframe subconscious relational beliefs
• Emotional awareness practices to restore self-trust
• Energy or chakra balancing to re-center personal boundaries
• Mind-body work that reconnects you to internal safety

Healing does not erase experience.
It reorganizes it so you can move forward freely.

A Compassionate Truth

Intimacy is powerful because humans are designed for connection.

Your body bonds.
Your mind encodes.
Your energy responds.

Nothing about that is weakness.

It is biology, psychology, and human design working exactly as intended.

Protecting yourself does not mean closing your heart.
It means honoring the depth of what opens when you share yourself.

And when you honor that depth, your future relationships are no longer driven by unconscious pattern — but by conscious choice.

Dr. Mary’s Gentle Reflection

Before giving your body, listen to your nervous system.
Before opening your heart, honor your intuition.
Before merging energy, know your own center.

The most meaningful relationships begin when you bring your whole, regulated, aligned self into connection — not when you hope intimacy will create that alignment for you.

Your heart, mind, body, and soul deserve to move together.

Warmth & Light, 

Dr. Mary

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A classical-style biblical oil painting showing Abraham standing between Sarah and Hagar in a desert landscape. Abraham is an elderly bearded man wearing traditional robes and a head covering, holding a staff and looking thoughtfully toward Hagar. Sarah, dressed in modest earth-toned garments and a light headscarf, stands beside him with a calm but observant expression. Hagar, a young woman in a blue dress and brown shawl, gently cradles her visibly pregnant belly as she looks downward. In the background are desert hills, a tent, and distant animals under warm golden light, evoking an ancient Middle Eastern setting.

Traditional Surrogacy: An Ancient Practice with Modern Relevance & Something to think about

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By: Dr. Mary Nochimson

Surrogacy often feels like a modern medical innovation — something made possible by advanced fertility science and reproductive technology. Yet the concept of one woman carrying a child for another is far older than many realize.

Traditional surrogacy — where the surrogate uses her own egg and becomes pregnant for intended parents — has roots that reach back thousands of years. In fact, it appears multiple times in biblical narratives, reflecting how deeply human the desire to grow a family has always been.

Let’s explore traditional surrogacy from historical, biological, and practical perspectives — including its presence in scripture, potential health considerations for surrogates, genetic awareness for families, and the biological differences between sperm and egg contribution.

Traditional Surrogacy in the Bible: 4 Historical Examples

In ancient times, when infertility prevented a couple from conceiving, a culturally accepted solution in some communities was for another woman — often a servant — to bear a child on their behalf. The child was then considered part of the intended family.

Four well-known biblical examples reflect this practice:

1. Sarah and Hagar (Genesis 16)

Sarah, unable to conceive with Abraham, gave her servant Hagar to Abraham.
Hagar bore Ishmael, who was raised within Abraham’s family.

2. Rachel and Bilhah (Genesis 30:1–8)

Rachel struggled with infertility and asked her maid Bilhah to conceive with Jacob.
Bilhah gave birth to Dan and Naphtali, considered Rachel’s children.

3. Leah and Zilpah (Genesis 30:9–13)

Leah later followed the same custom, offering her maid Zilpah to Jacob.
Zilpah bore Gad and Asher, counted among Jacob’s sons.

4. The Continuing Lineage Through These Arrangements

The children born through these surrogate arrangements became part of the tribal foundations of Israel. These births were not treated as marginal — they shaped lineage, inheritance, and identity.

This demonstrates that surrogate childbearing was not viewed as unusual in that cultural context, but rather as a meaningful path to family continuity.

Genetic Insight: A Major Advantage of Traditional Surrogacy

One unique aspect of traditional surrogacy is genetic transparency.

Because the surrogate provides the egg, her family medical history is directly relevant to the child’s biology. When the surrogate is known or well-screened, this can provide valuable health insight.

Benefits of known genetic lineage may include:

Early Awareness of Heritable Conditions

Families can understand predispositions to:

  • Cardiovascular disease

  • Metabolic conditions

  • Neurological disorders

  • Autoimmune patterns

This knowledge allows:

  • Early screening

  • Preventive lifestyle planning

  • Proactive pediatric care

Key Benefits of IUI in a Traditional Surrogacy

1. More Natural Fertilization Process

The egg and sperm meet inside the body, mimicking natural conception. Many families appreciate this physiologic approach because it supports the body’s own timing and environment.

2. Minimal Medical Intervention

  • No egg retrieval procedure

  • Usually no anesthesia

  • Often minimal or no hormone stimulation

  • IUI (Intra-Uterine Insemination) physically gentler for the surrogate.

3. Lower Cost

IUI is significantly less expensive than IVF. This makes surrogacy more financially accessible for many families.

4. Simpler and Less Invasive

The procedure itself takes only minutes and feels similar to a routine gynecological exam. Recovery time is essentially none.

5. Lower Medication Exposure

Some cycles use mild ovulation support, but many do not require intensive hormone regimens.

6. Supports Traditional Surrogacy Specifically

Because the surrogate provides the egg in traditional surrogacy, IUI is often the most straightforward method of conception.

The Gray Area with Traditional Surrogacy Using IUI

Traditional surrogacy with IUI is considered a legal gray area because the surrogate is both:

  • the woman who carries the pregnancy, and

  • the genetic (biological) mother of the baby.

When sperm is placed in her uterus during an IUI procedure and pregnancy occurs, many laws automatically recognize the woman who gives birth as the legal mother, regardless of any agreements made beforehand.

Because of this, lawyers and fertility clinics worry about situations where:

  • the surrogate changes her mind, or

  • the intended parents change their mind.

These situations can lead to complex custody disputes, which is why many professionals prefer gestational surrogacy through IVF, where the surrogate has no genetic connection to the baby.

——————————————-HOWEVER————————————————-

Where Genetics Can Change the Picture

Genetics makes the situation feel different from a biological perspective.

If the sperm used for the IUI comes from:

  • the intended mother’s husband, or

  • another close relative within the intended family,

then half of the child’s DNA still comes from the intended family line.

Biologically speaking, a child always receives:

  • 50% of their DNA from the egg, and

  • 50% from the sperm.

But it’s important to understand that genetic connection and legal parenthood are not always the same thing. Maybe they should be. Laws in many places still prioritize who gives birth, which is why professionals describe traditional IUI surrogacy as a gray area.

WHY can’t legal agreements be drawn AND laws created to support the intended parents in this process? 

I leave you with that note. 

 

 

Digital illustration showing a glowing brain symbolizing the power of the mind influencing prosperity, with hands exchanging coins that grow into a plant, surrounded by icons of opportunity, luck, and growth.

Prosperity Is Not Just What You Have — It’s How You Relate to Having

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By: Mary Nochimson

Most people think prosperity is about numbers.

Income. Savings. Opportunity. Assets.

But in real life, two people can earn the same amount of money and have completely different experiences of prosperity.

One feels secure and capable…
The other feels stressed, pressured, or never “there” yet.

The difference isn’t the amount.

It’s the relationship.

Prosperity is not only financial.
It is psychological and physiological.

It’s how safe, stable, and confident you feel interacting with money — earning it, holding it, using it, and receiving more of it.

Your Financial Behavior Is Driven by Emotional Patterns

Money decisions are rarely purely logical.

They are emotional first — then justified with logic afterward.

People overspend when stressed.
Avoid checking accounts when anxious.
Hesitate to invest when uncertain.
Undercharge when uncomfortable receiving.
Self-sabotage when success increases pressure.

These patterns don’t happen because people are careless or unmotivated.

They happen because money activates learned emotional responses.

If your nervous system associates money with stress, responsibility, conflict, or fear of loss, your behavior will reflect that — often automatically.

This is why information alone doesn’t fix financial patterns.

Your system has to feel stable enough to handle change.

Prosperity Is a Relationship Skill

Think of money less like an object and more like an ongoing interaction.

You engage with it constantly:

  • earning

  • saving

  • spending

  • planning

  • receiving

  • evaluating risk

  • making decisions under uncertainty

Like any relationship, this interaction can become:

• Avoidant
• Fear-based
• Controlling
• Reactive
• Stable and cooperative

A functional relationship with money includes the ability to:

✔ Save without constant fear
✔ Spend without guilt or impulsivity
✔ Earn without burnout or resentment
✔ Receive without discomfort or self-doubt
✔ Make decisions without panic

When these capacities improve, prosperity becomes more sustainable — regardless of income level.

The Role of “Luck” — VS Feeling Blessed

Have you noticed that some people consistently describe themselves as lucky… or blessed?

They say opportunities appear, timing works out, or things fall into place.

Others with similar circumstances feel the opposite — that things are harder or stacked against them.

What’s different?

Often, it’s not the events.
It’s the interpretation of the events.

Feeling lucky  is strongly influenced by perception, expectation, and emotional stability.

When you are feeling blessed When your nervous system is regulated and your attention is not dominated by threat or scarcity, your brain becomes better at:

✔ noticing opportunities
✔ acting when openings appear
✔ tolerating uncertainty
✔ recovering quickly from setbacks
✔ interpreting neutral events positively
✔ expecting good outcomes

Psychology calls this positive expectancy and opportunity detection.

Your brain scans for what it expects to find.

Expect difficulty → notice problems.
Expect possibility → notice openings.

Over time, this shapes lived experience.

Start turning a state of “luck” into a state of “blessed”, because when people say they feel “blessed,” they are often describing an internal state that includes:

• trust that things can work out
• openness to receiving
• emotional resilience
• willingness to engage with opportunity

Feeling fortunate is not just chance.

It is often a byproduct of a stable, receptive internal environment… And that environment can be developed.

Self-Reflection: Your Relationship With Money

Awareness is the starting point for change. TAKE OUT a pencil!

Write quickly and honestly — no filtering. Be Blunt. Be HONEST to YOURSELF.

  1. Money is __________
  2. Rich people are __________
  3. If I got very rich, then people would _____________.
  4. Rich people make me feel ___________
  5. G0d and money __________.
  6. Growing up, I learned that worthiness and money ____________.
  7. The real reason I don’t have the wealth I desire is _________

You’ve HIT the JACKPOT: Prosperity Consciousness Workshop

I’m hosting a small Prosperity Consciousness Workshop focused on the subconscious  side of this work:

• identifying emotional triggers around money
• recognizing automatic financial behavior patterns
• improving regulation around earning and receiving
• building a healthier relationship with expansion

Complimentary Seats to you and your friend

(To The first 5 people who):

  1. Share this article with a friend!

  2. Email me at NochimsonDC@gmail.com & include who you shared with

  3. Receive a Follow-Up email…

Because prosperity grows when it’s shared.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Dr. Mary

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Discover How Dr. Mary Can Be the Perfect Fit for Your Chiropractic Care Needs

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If you caught last week’s blog, you will remember we explored what to look for in chiropractic care and shared a few key questions to ask when reaching out to different chiropractic offices. 

This week, we are taking things a step further. We sat down with Dr. Mary to ask her a series of insightful questions so you can get to know her approach, philosophy, and how she might be the right fit for your wellness journey. 

Whether you are new to chiropractic care or looking for a provider who truly aligns with your needs, Dr. Mary’s answers may help guide your decision. Let’s dive in. 

Understanding Dr. Mary’s Approach to Personalized Chiropractic Care

Q. What inspired you to pursue a career in chiropractic care, and how does that passion influence your practice today?

A. “I’ve always wanted to pursue a career in the health field as young as I can remember. As a daughter of medical doctors, I was able to witness the profound positive impact on patients’ lives. I wanted to have the same impact. 

Due to Divine intervention, God led me down the holistic path. What does that mean? It means that I was always a question short on the SATs getting into the dual admin program for a medical school at NSU and falling a point short going into dental school.  I wound up TAing for a year at my Alma mater high school, tutoring kids in math and chemistry, which I found very rewarding. Still, I wanted to be in the health field.

I ended up going to aesthetician school, where I realized beauty IS health. I continued on to massage school, where I saw the benefits of relaxation. From there, I went to chiropractic school. I constantly try to learn new things that may be beneficial in my patients’ healing journey.”

Q. Can you tell us more about your book, A Chiropractic Story, and how it helps children feel more comfortable with chiropractic care?

A. “While taking courses at the Upledger Institute in Palm Beach Gardens, it came to my realization that kids as young as infants contain memories and intelligence. They are smarter than you realize. They remember you getting ready to take them out on an outing they were looking forward to, which then turned into a medical procedure. It’s worth explaining to your kids about what’s going to happen at the dentist, and even the chiropractor, will  have more positive results than bad, and their bodies will respond favorably to the modality, or procedure.” 

Q. Can you describe your approach to chiropractic care and how you tailor your treatments to each patient?

A. “I learned in chiropractic school at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Port Orange, Florida. That subluxations are due to thoughts, traumas, and toxins. After graduating, I dove into the physical aspects of chiropractic. My craniosacral journey led me down the road of emotions, feelings, and thoughts, where I really understood what DD Palmer was talking about. I continued to hypnotherapy school, where I delved into the mind even more on its impact on health and wellness. 

Every patient has a different health journey, including identical twins. The order they are born in for example IS a different experience, and so no one’s treatment plan should be exactly the same.” 

Q. How do you assess a patient’s needs when they first come to see you? What steps do you take to develop a personalized treatment plan?

A. “People find me for a reason. I am not your typical chiropractor. I see my career as a soul worker. First, I release the physical restrictions, then the energetic restrictions in the chakras and meridians. Then we do craniosacral therapy, a 10 step protocol with mouthwork, continue to dialoguing, and have a real conversation. I don’t guide, I provide a neutral space filled with unconditional love and acceptance.” 

Q. What types of conditions or symptoms do you most commonly treat, and how have your treatments helped patients find relief?

A. “I have seen pains disappear….. physical, and emotional. I have seen relationships heal – mother/ daughter, etc. It depends on the source of the pain. Suppose it’s a sprain/strain injury. In that case, I do physical therapy modalities such as heat/ice therapies, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, manual therapy, neuromuscular reeducation, cupping, and Gua sha soft tissue therapies. I find electric shockwaves and warm lasers to be a game changer when it comes to healing from acute injuries (such as those sustained in car accidents, trips, and falls, for example).”

Q. How do you measure success in your practice, and what do you find most rewarding about helping patients through chiropractic care?

A. “Testimonials; private and public. Being a witness to the healing. Witnessing Chiropractic and Craniosacral care during childbirth. Definitely revelating, humbling and rewarding.”

Chiropractic Care with Dr. Mary

Hopefully this Q&A with Dr. Mary gave you a clearer picture of her compassionate approach to chiropractic care. From her gentle techniques to her thoughtful book designed to ease kids into the experience, Dr. Mary is committed to making chiropractic care accessible, safe, and effective for families. If you are looking for a chiropractor who truly understands the unique needs of children, and partners with parents every step of the way, Dr. Mary just might be the perfect fit.

Summer Reading That Nurtures Mind, Body, and Spirit: Introducing Dr. Mary’s Books

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As the school year wraps up, students everywhere are gearing up to dive into their summer reading lists. What better time to explore stories that not only entertain but also empower your children with knowledge about their health and wellness?

Dr. Mary’s books are crafted with care to help kids, and their parents, understand important concepts about their bodies, health, and minds in a gentle, engaging way. From demystifying chiropractic care and craniosacral therapy to inspiring imagination and positive self-belief through hypnotherapy bedtime stories, these books serve as a bridge between science and comfort for young readers.

Whether you are looking to ease your child’s worries about alternative health treatments or simply wanting to nurture their mind with positive messages this summer, Dr. Mary’s series offers a unique blend of education, reassurance, and inspiration.

Let’s take a closer look at each book and discover how they can support your child’s wellness journey, making this summer’s reading list not just enjoyable, but truly transformational.

Add Dr. Mary’s Books to Your Child’s Summer Reading List

Dr. Mary’s comprehensive resource, Pediatric Wellness is a guide that helps parents uncover the truth about common health concerns like spinal curvatures, fevers, and the vital role of the nervous system in overall wellness. This book explains how chiropractic care and functional medicine can support your child’s health in so many ways, often beyond just relieving pain. If you are curious about new health insights that can transform your family’s well-being, this is the perfect book to add to your summer reading list.

Many children can feel uncertain or scared about visiting healthcare providers. A Craniosacral Story gently introduces young readers to craniosacral therapy, helping them understand what happens during a session. Told through charming rhymes and colorful illustrations, this story follows John as he shares his own experience.  A Craniosacral Story is the perfect addition to your summer reading list to put children’s minds at ease and prepare them with positivity before their next appointment.

Chiropractic care is often misunderstood as being just for back pain, but it’s so much more. In A Chiropractic Story, Dr. Mary explains to kids, and their parents, how chiropractic care supports various body systems including immune, digestive, and respiratory functions. Dr. Mary’s book is a valuable summer read for families curious about natural health approaches, making it easier to talk about and embrace chiropractic care together.

Bedtime is a magical time for children, especially when stories nurture their imagination and self-esteem. A Hypnotherapy Bedtime Story encourages kids to dream big and feel confident about who they truly are. Because young children absorb ideas deeply before age 7, this book helps plant seeds of positivity and self-love in their minds as they drift off to sleep. In a world full of confusing messages, this story provides a calming, inspiring reminder that every child is a unique essence of joy and love.

In a recent review, an 11-year-old girl who struggled with bedwetting listened to the audio version of A Hypnotherapy Bedtime Story on her HypnoNappzzz, and after just one listen, she successfully avoided wetting the bed. 

What does this mean in terms of our children and bedwetting? Urinating is a parasympathetic function that helps reduce physical stress. The words in A Hypnotherapy Bedtime Story offer a way to reduce physical stress and foster a sense of safety that could help alleviate children who consistently wet the bed, related to an element of fear. 

Create a sense of safety at bedtime and decrease bedwetting days. You can listen to A Hypnotherapy Bedtime Story using the Hypnonappzzz app, or you can purchase the physical book.

Why Choose Dr. Mary’s Books This Summer?

Dr. Mary’s books do more than entertain, they educate, empower, and soothe. These books help parents develop a healthy relationship with their children. Children will build a healthy relationship with their bodies and minds. Both sides will have increasing confidence in healthcare treatments, trust in the healing process, and build a foundation of positive thinking to ultimately achieve optimal health. 

For parents, Dr. Mary’s books offer conversation starters and tools to introduce alternative health care in a reassuring way. This summer, as your child checks off their reading list, consider adding Dr. Mary’s books to the mix. These books are perfect for nurturing wellness, curiosity, and confidence, one page at a time. Additionally, Dr. Mary would love to hear from you and discuss your holistic health care needs.

Honoring Fathers Through a Holistic Lens: Love, Presence & Healing

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As Father’s Day approaches, we are invited to pause, not just to shop for ties or fire up the grill, but to honor the profound impact of fatherhood in all its beautiful, complex, and transformative forms. 

This week, we are celebrating dads through a holistic lens: honoring their love, remembering their legacy, and reflecting on the unique roles they play in our healing journeys. At the heart of this celebration is the emotional connection, the willingness to show up with presence, and the power of healing that can ripple through generations.

While our individual experiences with fathers may differ, one thing remains true: the presence of a loving father, or father figure, has the power to shape our sense of safety, confidence, and connection in this world.

The Role of Fathers in Emotional Wellness

Fatherhood is not defined by biology alone. It shows up as a mentor who encourages us, adoptive and  step-fathers who choose us, grandfathers who steady us, and spiritual guides who lift us through faith. 

A bedtime story can be so much more than a bedtime story. It can be a whole experience. Dr. Mary’s books help parents create simple and powerful ways for fathers to nurture their connection with their children.When a father sits down to read with his child, he’s not just reading words on a page. He can have the intention of  modeling care, creating security, and fostering a healthy imagination. The most important part is the fatherly energy which resonates with unconditional love which is the ultimate healer! Take a moment to imagine, sense and feel, your son or daughter or maybe both, in your arms creating a bubble of safety, joy, and warmth. Feel the softness of their skin on your face. Use your senses and create a mental movie and breathe it in. 

Dr. Mary’s books are thoughtfully designed to support meaningful interaction. With themes that introduce children to gentle concepts of self-awareness, positive touch, emotional expression, and the power of the mind-body connection, these stories offer more than just entertainment, they are tools for heart-centered parenting.

When a father reads one of Dr. Mary’s books with his child, he strengthens his bond with his child and creates trust. Let’s face it: if our kids trusted us more, they would share what is on their mind more often. The secret to their sadness, the success of their joy, and what happened at school that day. When they do open up, listen, don’t react, and empathize. Let them be involved in problem solving.

Sharing Dr. Mary’s stories lay the groundwork for emotional intelligence, spiritual grounding, and physical body awareness. That quiet moment of shared laughter or reflection becomes a building block for lifelong connection – one rooted in love, presence, and holistic support.

Celebrate Fathers with Holistic Family Wellness

At the heart of holistic parenting is one powerful truth: children thrive when they feel safe, seen, and supported. Fathers play an essential role in creating that space – through steady presence, protective love, and calm leadership.

Whether it is a warm hug after a tough day, showing up to every game and recital, or sitting together during a doctor’s office visit, these everyday acts of connection help children develop confidence, emotional intelligence, and a deep sense of security.

Dr. Mary’s services are designed to support that safe space for children and parents alike. Her services include: 

Massage Therapy that helps ease muscle tightness and promote relaxation, allowing the body to process and release emotional stress. Sometimes, I get patients who tell me they can even notice a difference in their partner at home through the benefits of massage therapy. 

Craniosacral Therapy that supports the body’s innate healing rhythms, offering subtle yet profound relief for nervousness, overwhelm, and fatigue. This type of therapy gives dad an opportunity to relax and reflect on his joys as a father and help him process feelings and emotions that always trying to be a strong dad might not let him express at home. 

Fathers work hard, but when fathers work hard, that may mean less quality time with the kids. It’s a sacrifice our dads make so that we can have a better life than what he had. In return, we could give him the gift to unwind.

Acupuncture that restores energetic balance and relieves physical and emotional stagnation, promoting clarity, grounding, and resilience. A great post-work way to unwind before going home to your loved ones

When fathers prioritize holistic wellness, for themselves and their children, they model self-care, body awareness, and emotional regulation. When a father treats himself to self care, he becomes a better husband and a better father. And when a child walks into Dr. Mary’s care, they are met with compassion, comfort, and tools for lifelong healing.

A Compassionate Space for Those Navigating Father’s Day Tenderly

Father’s Day isn’t always easy. For some, it is a time of remembrance. A time to light a candle, revisit a cherished memory, or simply breathe deeply into the ache of absence. The love we once knew doesn’t vanish; it transforms. It lives on in the way we smile, the values we carry, and the strength we draw from our roots. For those grieving or navigating complicated relationships, you are not alone. There is grace in holding space for both gratitude and grief. If you are looking to navigate a tender season with grace, Dr. Mary’s services provide space to heal the body, mind, and spirit.

Holistic Family Wellness with Dr. Mary

As we celebrate Father’s Day, let us honor the steady hands and open hearts of the men who help shape our lives. Whether through storytime snuggles, quiet encouragement, or leading by example in self-care, fathers play a vital role in nurturing emotional wellness and family connection.

Looking for a meaningful way to support the dads, and kids, in your life? Schedule a session with Dr. Mary to experience the benefits of holistic care for your family. Explore Dr. Mary’s children’s books to create heart-centered storytime moments that build confidence, connection, and calm. Connect with Dr. Mary today to learn how her services can help your family thrive – this Father’s Day and beyond. Because when fathers feel supported, families flourish.