What is a Fertility Doula? Navigating Infertility, Loss & IVF with Support (ft. Jess Timms)

We talk about birth doulas. We talk about postpartum doulas. But what about a fertility doula? If you're trying to conceive, navigating secondary infertility, processing miscarriage, or in the middle of IVF, you need to hear this conversation. In this episode, Dr. Danielle sits down with Jess Timms, certified fertility doula, Reiki master, founder of Her Fertility Support, host of Her Fertility Podcast, and peer advisor with Resolve. Jess is deeply passionate about helping women feel empowered during a season that often feels incredibly powerless. This conversation is honest, hopeful, and incredibly validating for anybody walking through this season. Because here's the truth: you don't have to carry this alone. In this episode, we cover: What a fertility doula actually does (and why you need one) How fertility doulas support you emotionally and practically Jess's journey through unexplained infertility and six assisted cycles The Her Fertility Method: hormones, heart, and mind Why your fertility is your vitality (and what that means) How the nervous system impacts your ability to conceive Dr. Danielle's unfiltered IVF journey and pregnancy loss Why taking action with IVF was the most empowering choice Navigating the guilt of not doing everything "perfectly" How to question the beliefs that don't serve you The identity and victim mindset that comes with infertility Manifesting your future family (and why it matters) Secondary infertility and the unique pressure it brings The energetic component of fertility nobody talks about Supporting your body through pregnancy loss How fear shows up after loss (and how to be bigger than it) What to say (and what NOT to say) to someone navigating fertility challenges The three needle-moving crunchy things for fertility support Why doing things that bring you joy is essential for conception Key Takeaways: ✨ Fertility doulas are trained non-medical support for your TTC journey ✨ Your nervous system governs your reproductive system (regulation matters) ✨ You can be crunchy AND use Western medicine (they complement each other) ✨ Your fertility is your vitality (the reproductive system shuts down first under stress) ✨ Unexplained infertility is often about matters of the soul ✨ Manifesting isn't woo, it's training your mind to see what's possible ✨ Secondary infertility is often about prioritizing yourself again as a mom ✨ Pregnancy loss is a lived-in-the-body experience (not just emotional) ✨ Fear after loss is protective, you have to meet it every day ✨ Ask questions instead of saying the "right" thing to someone navigating fertility ✨ Clean up what you put in your body, listen to your body, do what brings you joy Jess breaks down the holistic approach to fertility that considers your hormones, your heart, and your mind. Dr. Danielle gets vulnerable about her IVF journey, pregnancy loss, and why choosing medical intervention was the most empowering decision she made. Mentioned in this episode: Her Fertility Support (Jess's practice) Her Fertility Podcast Free monthly online fertility support circle The Her Fertility Method (hormones, heart, mind) Resolve (infertility advocacy organization) Clomid and medicated cycles IUI and IVF Sub-chorionic hematomas Reiki and energy work Nervous system regulation for fertility If you're navigating fertility challenges, feeling powerless, or carrying this journey alone, this episode will remind you that you don't have to do it by yourself.