payne

I first heard about this book in 1997 under the title The Language of Fertility. At once I was impressed with the author's concepts and the sensitive approach towards fertility. The book has been re-released in paperback with the title The Whole Person Fertility Program. This book is very affirming, nurturing and positive. There are lots of suggestions for individual self-exploration providing the reader the freedom to pick and choose what seems most appropriate for them. The reader will find gentle and nurturing meditations and exercises adapted for women dealing with fertility. This is a mind-body program intended to help women and couples to discover and work through the emotional and psychological barriers to communication. The author suggests The Whole Person Fertility Program teaches methods of conscious conception that can work with or without the assistance of other fertility resources

The author also offers on tape two visualizations that can also be found in the book: Ode to Conception and Riding the Wings of the Butterfly. After an excellent explanation of how society views fertility, and some of the common concerns of women, the author introduces the discussion of the influence of childhood on fertility, and gives a description of her Whole Person Fertility Program, and what she calls The Healing Journey. The author then explores the Mind-Body interrelationship, and then provides some meaningful meditations and opportunities for reflections and self-exploration.

The author also includes a detailed and useful Ephistogram which becomes an emotional and physical family health map. This map provides insights into family relationships and dynamics.

A final section unites all of the previous information and self exploration to provide a framework for action. This section involves techniques to improve self-communication and understanding information previously obtained through self-exploration and the healing journey. Other chapters deal with common concerns of women seeking a pregnancy, and questioning why they haven't conceived.

The book concludes with an excellent reference list, Recommended Reading list, and resource list followed by a comprehensive index. This book provides an excellent resource for a woman dealing with fertility and sexuality issues. The approach is unique, positive and healing.

The Healing Journey

1. Creating Your Inner Sanctuary and Meeting Your Inner Guide, including a tension-releasing/relaxation exercise

2. Exploring Your Attitudes Toward Pregnancy and Childbirth

3. Photoanalysis: looking into the Windows of Your Past to Understand Your Present

4. Touring the Crowded Childhood Rooms of Your Mind

5. Pillow Talk

6. Reconnecting with Mother

7. Reprinting Your Inner Child

8. Grief Ceremony: Mourning Miscarriage, Abortion and Stillbirth

9. Nature's Ode to Conception [Available on Tape]

10. Circle of Light Ceremony

No Endings, Only New Beginnings

Self-exploration

Assessing Your Attitudes Toward Your Body

Assessing Your Attitudes Toward Your Body and Sexuality

Exploring Your Feelings and Perceptions About Age

Riding the Wings of the Butterfly [Available on Tape]

Communicating with Your Mind-Body

1. Developing a physiological/medical understanding of your symptoms

2. Determining how your personal history may be connected to your symptoms

3. Identifying and releasing emotions you may have suppressed that contributed to your symptoms.

4. Treating your body as your ally.

5. Tension-releasing/relaxation exercises

a. Keeping a Worry Diary

b. Externalizing and Transferring your Anger

c. Facing the old fears

d. Challenging Self-doubt: Learning self-love and self-approval

e. Re-welcoming Yourself into the world

f. Taking charge of your reproductive Procedures-A Guided Visualization

These exercises are very simple and helpful for identifying and reframing existing viewpoints and experiences.