Helpful Articles for Your Reproductive Health and Parenting Journey

From helpless to helpful.
From hopeless to hopeful.

Wherever you are on your journey, your pain is real, your trauma is real, and your needs are real.

Jessica Katz, LICSW, PMH-C, CCFP Jessica Katz, LICSW, PMH-C, CCFP

Stop Being Afraid of Oversharing About Your Fertility Journey

It's normal to feel disconnected from your friends and loved ones, and sometimes that distance can make you feel like you're walking a tightrope between sharing your emotional struggles and worrying about overburdening others.

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Jessica Katz, LICSW, PMH-C, CCFP Jessica Katz, LICSW, PMH-C, CCFP

Do you worry your choices in high school caused your infertility? Read this

It's common for women struggling with infertility to experience a deep sense of self-blame. You might find yourself questioning if something you did—or didn’t do—contributed to your current fertility challenges. Did the choices you made in your past, whether in terms of lifestyle, diet, or even emotional stress, somehow affect your ability to conceive? Or, on the other hand, are you grappling with guilt over what might feel like "missed opportunities" for care in the past?

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Jessica Katz, LICSW, PMH-C, CCFP Jessica Katz, LICSW, PMH-C, CCFP

How to stay sane when your most called contacts are your Infertility Clinic, Pharmacy, and Insurance

For many women struggling with infertility, the journey to becoming a mother can feel like an emotional rollercoaster, and unfortunately, delays and waiting are often part of the ride. If you're trying to move forward with an IVF cycle but are caught in the frustrating loop of needing insurance approvals—whether for a retrieval or transfer cycle—you are not alone. It’s completely natural to feel a sense of anger, loss of control, or even helplessness as you wait for the green light from insurance companies and clinics.

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Jessica Katz, LICSW, PMH-C, CCFP Jessica Katz, LICSW, PMH-C, CCFP

Does Grandchild Birth Order Matter? Do you need to be the first to have a baby?

Infertility is a deeply personal journey, one that can feel isolating and filled with uncertainty. But what happens when your path to parenthood intersects with the journey of a sibling who is experiencing pregnancy or planning for their own family? How do you navigate the complicated emotions of wanting to celebrate your sibling’s joy while grappling with your own grief, envy, and feelings of inadequacy?

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Jessica Katz, LICSW, PMH-C, CCFP Jessica Katz, LICSW, PMH-C, CCFP

When to Stop IUI and Move to IVF

If you’ve been struggling with infertility, you might be asking yourself: When is it time to stop trying IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) and move on to IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)? It’s a question that comes with so much weight—emotional, financial, and physical. And it’s perfectly normal to feel confused, frustrated, or even defeated by this decision.

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Jessica Katz, LICSW, PMH-C, CCFP Jessica Katz, LICSW, PMH-C, CCFP

Understanding Endometriosis: A Guide for Women Navigating IVF

Are you navigating the challenges of IVF and wondering if endometriosis could be affecting your journey? Many women experience silent endometriosis—where symptoms may be mild or absent—yet it can significantly impact fertility.

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Jessica Katz, LICSW, PMH-C, CCFP Jessica Katz, LICSW, PMH-C, CCFP

How to Know When It’s Time to Switch IVF Clinics

Choosing the right IVF clinic is a pivotal decision in your fertility journey. It can make all the difference in how you feel supported, informed, and empowered. If you're questioning your current clinic, here are some signs that it might be time to consider making a change.

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Jessica Katz, LICSW, PMH-C, CCFP Jessica Katz, LICSW, PMH-C, CCFP

Surviving the Waiting Periods of IVF with Mindfulness

Infertility treatment can often feel like an endless series of waiting periods—each step, from IUI to IVF, comes with its own set of waiting times and uncertainties. It’s completely natural to feel overwhelmed or impatient as you navigate this challenging journey. One mindfulness technique that can be particularly soothing...

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Jessica Katz Jessica Katz

Is My Baby Kicking Enough?

Imagine the thrill of feeling your baby’s first flutters and kicks—it's a milestone many expectant parents eagerly anticipate. Yet, this excitement can sometimes be overshadowed by anxiety, especially if you’re worried about whether your baby is moving enough or on schedule.

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Jessica Katz, LICSW, PMH-C, CCFP Jessica Katz, LICSW, PMH-C, CCFP

I Have Zero Regrets about PGT-A Testing Our Embryos

Navigating the path to parenthood through IVF is a deeply personal journey, filled with hopes, challenges, and tough decisions. For me, one of those significant decisions was whether to invest in Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A). Reflecting on my experience, I want to share why this choice, despite its cost, proved to be right for me.

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Jessica Katz, LICSW, PMH-C, CCFP Jessica Katz, LICSW, PMH-C, CCFP

Is PGT-A Testing Worth the Cost?

Starting or growing a family can be a journey filled with hope, excitement, and often, tough decisions. One of these decisions involves Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A). If you're considering this option, you might be weighing its potential benefits against the financial investment and the ethical questions it raises. Let’s break down what PGT-A is, its potential advantages, and how to balance these with the cost and ethical considerations.

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