Infertility Trauma and Reproductive Health | Amelia Hopkin | #103

Today, Dr. Liz Hale and Dr. Dave Schramm talk with licensed clinical social worker Amelia Hopkin about the emotional and physical struggles associated with infertility. Amelia shares how fertility issues impact relationships, the role of family support, and the healing power of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy) for couples dealing with reproductive health trauma. She also provides guidance on navigating infertility treatments and offers valuable resources for those on this difficult journey.

Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction to infertility
03:00 - Prevalence and struggles of infertility
06:55 - Common struggles couples face
11:16 - The role of family support
14:15 - What family should or shouldn’t say
15:46 - When to seek help for infertility
18:04 - Treatments and lifestyle recommendations
20:47 - Importance of support groups
22:44 - Navigating disappointment and hope
25:15 - Men's emotional experience in infertility
29:33 - Infertility and trauma
30:40 - How EMDR helps with trauma
38:45 - Differences between EMDR and AR T
43:39 - Key to a stronger marriage connection
44:08 - Takeaway: You’re not alone in this

About Amelia Hopkin:

Amelia Hopkin has spent the last 23 years providing help and building relationships with medical providers, community organizations, researchers, educators and most importantly, families who experience one of the hardest kinds of experiences... Infant or pregnancy loss, infertility, unexpected birth experiences, various degrees and types of postpartum depression, NICU stays as well as sexual or health related trauma. She has been a speaker and trainer at both national and international conferences (ask her about speaking to the UN and her month at the HRC!), a published researcher, is certified in EMDR and trained in ART (the therapy kind, she's a horrible artist and needs to label her stick figures). As one of the only trained EMDR intensive providers in the state of Utah, she helps those who have limited time and significant trauma find deep and meaningful healing. Click on the EMDR tab for more info on that. When not in the office, Amelia may be getting in over her head on a DIY project, reading books, dreaming up a new travel adventure, finding nature, looking for ways to avoid doing laundry or trying out a new restaurant or recipe.

Insights:

Amelia: "...if you're experiencing fertility struggles, you are not alone, that number is one in six. There are some really fantastic resources."

Liz: "the thought of getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, right with whatever it is that is troubling us..."

Dave" "I think my takeaway the day really is the no shame, no blaming of yourself through this journey, I'm sure, so easily to turn inward and then to have those suffocating feelings that can feel overwhelming, that affect your marriage and your outlook, your life, your eating, sleeping every this will affect your life in so many ways. I hope people won't go there or stay there too long. Did you realize this is nothing you did you know anything so not that. Avoid that blame and shame game. Keep those eyes up and looking for resources and help."

Links:

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