Acerca de
Denise and Michael
Denise
Never in a million years did I think our journey would go the way it has. 4 rounds of IVF two egg retrievals, so many new issues along the years, thousands of daily injections, several hospital admission & surgeries, so many ups and downs and the heartbreak of losing our precious baby to a missed miscarriage when everything was perfect. It’s hard to put into short words the journey we have been on with IVF One thing is for sure, it completely takes over your life. You change everything and will do everything in your power to make sure you’re doing the best you can to have the best chance possible of having the family you have always dreamed of. And as the years go on that definitely gets harder emotionally, physically, mentally and financially.
When my friend Laura first started telling me about the plan for the retreat I felt an automatic sense of relief. Somewhere that like-minded people, going through the same heartache and struggle can all be together and connect. It was the most incredible idea and something that is massively missing. Michael and I went along to the first ever retreat and I can’t explain just how much we gained for that one day. To chat to others going through a similar journey and to feel so comfortable sharing your journey with like-minded people, sharing information, knowledge, and helping each other. It was just incredible.
From the moment we got there to the minute we left we enjoyed every single part of the day. We felt like we were in a different world and we could breathe. It really did help: if anyone is going through fertility problems I truly believe this will help you. It’s the most calming, safe and nurturing environment. Andy helps with the most incredible breathing techniques and cold water therapy and Jenny with calming yoga to switch off. As our IVF journey continues we have been back to the retreat three times in total and each time we gain something more from it. Thank you FAB you truly have helped so much and I recommend it to anyone going through fertility issues.
Michael
Me & Denise began our journey into IVF not envisioning it being the long journey it has been. The ups and downs just prove that, unfortunately, you can never take anything for granted. From a male perspective, it’s been tough to watch your partner go through the majority of the treatments and physically not being able to help, being there as the rock to support in any way possible and do anything you can to keep your partner going when the going gets tough (which it sadly does at times). There is a stigma for males not to open up about their journey and always say they are fine but trust me we are far from fine when going through it and it helps massively to be able to share things with other men.
She mentioned that her friend Laura was starting a Fertility related retreat as she felt the aftercare & support for anyone going through fertility was lacking severely. FAB was a wonderful idea of bringing together people going through similar issues into a relaxing space where they can open up and discuss their journey with people who are going through it themselves. The sense of relief at being able to share things with people who totally understand what you’re going through and sharing information, knowledge and giving any help possible to help each other get to the goal of having a family.
The day is set in a very picturesque and relaxing setting on the loch (it’s like switching off from reality for the day). The day begins by getting to know each other and then Andrew goes through some amazing breathing techniques that truly do help if you utilise them correctly, then you get to enjoy some lovely relaxing yoga and experience hot sauna & cold water therapy (a personal favourite). The work done on being able to switch your mind and control it is something i have implemented into everyday life and it has helped us massively.
Me & Denise have gained so much from the retreat and can’t recommend it enough for anyone who is going through a similar journey, it’s a must go. The benefits you will gain are something which can help make things that little bit easier on the bumpy road they call IVF.
Thank you FAB for being such an amazing community of like-minded people helping each other in any way possible to make this journey that
little bit easier.