After more than eight months of not having my period, it came back at the end of the year, and has been coming regularly.
Before working with Kendra, what were your symptoms? How were you feeling about your health/ fertility and body?
Before working with Kendra, I had been diagnosed with Diminished Ovarian Syndrome. I was 43 when we started our sessions, I am now 44. I had done a failed IUI/IVF procedure, and I was very disappointed with the results. Before doing the procedure, the doctor told us that it would be a 10% chance that these procedures would result in a baby. Nevertheless, we were disappointed when I did not become pregnant. After IUI/IVF, I had not had a period for months, and appeared to be heading towards menopause.
My feelings around my health were positive. However, my feelings regarding my body and my fertility were quite negative. I felt betrayed by my body. I had taken what I considered to be very good care of it over the years, and this was an unexpected hurdle. Women in my family had babies well into their 40s. I was surprised that I was the exception. I believe the wording I used during my first session with Kendra was that Moses parted the red sea, so I suppose I could get pregnant. After receiving the news that I was not pregnant, my feelings around my capacity to have a child were shattered.
Before working with Kendra, what had you tried/ what were you doing to manage your symptoms/ reach your goals?
Before working with Kendra, I had consultations with two fertility specialists in the US and one in Mexico. I had also had an appointment with a functional medicine doctor. I had given many blood samples, undergone genetic testing, attempted IVF, gone to many appointments, taken FMLA and had many disappointing calls with my insurance company. All of this happened in a period of about 2 years.
What was it like to work with Kendra?
I had never worked with a holistic dietician before, so I didn’t know what to expect. She has a client centered approach and principally helped me reframe my thinking regarding fertility. It was a calming, reflective experience. I especially enjoyed combining yoga with reflective journaling. I found her dietician expertise helpful and began to incorporate her suggestions into my diet. I now understand the importance of relaxation and releasing bottled up feelings to help with fertility, general health, and wellbeing. She allowed me to lead the sessions and guided my exploration of my inner world. She was always prompt and attentive.
Since working with Kendra, how have your feelings about your health and body changed? How have your symptoms changed? What goals have you reached?
My feelings around my health and body are more positive. I still have the diagnosis of diminished ovarian syndrome, however, at the end of 2023, after more than eight months of not having my period, it came back at the end of the year, and has been coming regularly. My sessions with Kendra started in July and ended in October. While my goal to become pregnant has not happened yet, my sessions with Kendra have improved my overall mental health and perspective on conception. I am now ready to receive a baby in whichever way it comes to me. I wouldn’t say I reached a goal. I would say I embarked on a self-discovery journey with tools that have already helped me on my fertility journey.
What would you say to anyone considering working with Kendra?
If you are considering working with Kendra, I would say do it. She has adroitly guided me on a journey to self-discovery that I would not have embarked on without her. Both her dietician and yoga services helped me cope with my infertility challenges in a healthier way.
— DLC
