Her Fertility
Infertility affects so much more than your body. Your fertility support should, too. Welcome to Her Fertility Podcast, the show for women navigating infertility who want thoughtful conversations about the whole fertility experience - not just another list of things to do to get pregnant. I'm Jess Tims, fertility support specialist, fertility doula and founder of Her Fertility Support. After experiencing unexplained infertility myself, I became fascinated by the parts of this journey that don't always fit neatly inside a doctor's appointment: the mental spirals, the emotional weight, the relationships, the decisions, the loss of self, the questions about your...
77. Is God Punishing Me With Infertility? Faith, Shame & Finding Your Voice
Is God Punishing Me With Infertility? Faith, Shame & Finding Your Voice
Episode Summary
Have you ever wondered if God is punishing you because you can't get pregnant? Or felt guilty that your prayers, faith, or manifestation practices haven't led to pregnancy?
In this episode of Dear Jess, Jess explores the often-overlooked relationship between infertility, religious beliefs, shame, and personal worth.
Drawing on her experience growing up in an evangelical Christian church and navigating infertility herself, Jess discusses why well-intentioned prayers and spiritual advice don't always feel supportive, how inherited...
76. When Should I See a Fertility Doctor? And When Should I Go Sooner?
When should you see a fertility doctor? And do you really have to wait 6 or 12 months? In this episode of the Her Fertility Podcast, Jess explains the general fertility-evaluation guidelines, when it may make sense to seek help sooner, what happens during a fertility evaluation, and why making an appointment doesn't mean you're committing to IVF. Pasted markdown
In this episode
01:28 When should you see a fertility doctor?
The 12-month guideline for women under 35; the 6-month guideline at 35 and older; why women over 40 may want a more immediate evaluation; and why these timelines are...
75. Why Don't I Trust My Body Anymore?
Why can infertility make it so difficult to trust your body? In this episode of the Her Fertility podcast, Jess explores how fertility tracking, testing, treatment, pregnancy loss, and uncertainty can change your relationship with your body, and why rebuilding body trust doesn't have to mean believing your body will get pregnant.
In This Episode
00:38 Why infertility can change your relationship with your body
When your body goes from simply being your body to something you're constantly analyzing How pregnancy loss, failed treatment, or a fertility diagnosis can deepen distrust Why your e...74. Your AMH is not your fertility score
What does AMH actually tell you about your fertility? In this episode of the Her Fertility Podcast, Jess breaks down what AMH measures, what ovarian reserve really means, how AMH is used during IVF, and what a low (or high) AMH can and cannot tell you about egg quality, natural conception, and your fertility future.Â
In This Episode
00:34 What is AMH?
What anti-MĂźllerian hormone is How AMH relates to the follicles in your ovaries Why AMH gives us an estimate rather than an exact egg count02:11 Ovarian reserve vs. fertility
...73. I'm terrified to do another embryo transfer. How do I know if I'm ready?
Terrified to do another embryo transfer after a failed transfer or pregnancy loss? In this episode of the Her Fertility Podcast, Jess explores what it actually means to be âreadyâ to try again, why fear doesn't automatically mean you're not ready, and how to consider your medical, practical, and emotional readiness before deciding what comes next.
In This Episode
[03:40] Does being afraid mean you're not ready?
Why another embryo transfer can feel completely different after a previous transfer or loss Wanting another chance while simultaneously feeling terrified Why fear isn't automatically a ânoâ[05:15] Are you...
72. How Can I Improve My Egg Quality? Start With This Question
Can you actually measure egg quality? And how do you know if poor egg quality is a problem for you? In this Dear Jess episode, Jess breaks down what fertility testing can and cannot tell you about egg quality, what may be learned during IVF, and what to consider before spending hundreds of dollars on supplements intended to improve it. Â Â
In This Episode
00:59 How do you know if you have poor egg quality?
Why âHow can I improve my egg quality?â may be starting one question too late Why there isn't currently a simple test t...71. I Can't Stop Researching. How Do I Know When I've Done Enough? | Dear Jess
When Have I Researched Enough? In this episode of the Her Fertility Podcast, I am answering your question around research. Researching isnât the problem, but it can shift from gathering helpful information into seeking certainty that infertility cannot provide.Â
00:38 Dear Jess Question
02:27 Research vs Certainty
04:55 Three Question Framework to Use Today
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08:32 Practical Next Step PlanÂ
Her Fertility Support:
Take the free quiz here - www.herfertility.support/quiz Get email updates - www.herfertility.support/newsletter Follow Jess - www.tiktok.com/@herfertility.support Dear Jess...70. Is stress affecting my fertility?
Dear Jess, âDoes stress really affect my fertility?â In this episode of the Her Fertility Podcast, I am answering your questions. Yes, research shows stress can impact fertility, but stress is complex, dynamic, and bidirectional because infertility itself is stressful, so being stressed is not the reason you are infertile. Together, we dive into how uncertainty drives the mind to seek control through endless researching, scrolling, and supplement buying, and offers a compass question: are you getting useful information or trying to create certainty where it isnât available?
support is about helping you through a hard experience, not ach...69. How do I know when I'm ovulating? Dear Jess
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Jess answers your question: how do you know when your ovulating. This episodes breaks down the three biological signs your body gives you for free to identify ovulation, and why understanding your own cycle is the most powerful foundation of your fertility journey.
In This Episode:
Why most women were never taught about ovulation, and why that's not your fault The #1 most important ovulation sign: cervical fluid, what it is, how it changes throughout your cycle, and what healthy versus concerning discharge looks like How to check your cervix at home and what the c...68. Why is secondary infertility on the rise? I Dear Jess
In this Dear Jess episode on the Her Fertility Podcast, Jess Tims, holistic fertility expert, answers your question about why so many parents seem to be struggling to conceive a second (or third) time. Jess breaks down the two major contributing factors behind secondary infertility, introduces her H.E.R. Fertility Method (body, mind, energy), and explains why you don't have to wait a full year to start gathering data about your body.
In this episode:
Why secondary infertility affects roughly 15% of couples, yet remains rarely discussed The link between parental load, stress, and the body's "n...67. What to Say to a Friend Going Through Infertility (And What to Avoid)
 In this Dear Jess episode, I answer one of the most common questions: what do you say to a friend going through infertility? I break down the one communication mistake most well-meaning friends and family make, why sharing your own similar story can unintentionally shift the focus away from the person who needs support, and the simple phrase that gives your friend agency in the conversation.
In this episode:
The most common mistake people make when trying to comfort someone with infertility Why "relating" can sometimes backfire â even with good intentions The exact phrases to use (and...66. Maybe this isn't meant for me. Why do I feel so defeated during infertility? I Dear Jess
 In this Dear Jess episode, I answer your question about feeling defeated during infertility. I break down how the subconscious mind works to protect us from repeated pain, why thoughts like "this isn't meant for me" aren't actually true reflections of what's possible, and I introduces the concept of the "fertility triangle"  the idea that conception involves three parties (you, your partner, and the soul you're calling in) and why releasing some control isn't the same as giving up.
In this episode:
Why the subconscious mind records painful experiences as "fact" and tries to protect you fr...65. How Do I Start Tracking My Cycle? I Dear Jess
Dear Jess, how do I start tracking my cycle?
Listen for the super speedy version of cycle tracking - ready, set go!
Quick tips:
How to Track Your Menstrual Cycle: Period, Follicular Phase, Ovulation, and Luteal Phase Day one as the first full day of bleeding Hydration supports cervical fluid while allergy and cold medicines can dry mucus Simply take your basal body temperature upon waking to see lower temperatures before ovulation and higher temperatures after Factors like alcohol and illness affecting readings Sustained higher temperatures can indicate pregnancy before a test (best hack...64. What Can I Do When I Feel Overwhelmed by Infertility? I Dear Jess
Dear Jess, what can I do if I feel overwhelmed by infertility?
Jess answers a question from the community: what can you do if you feel overwhelmed during infertility? Whether you are just starting to try to get pregnant, or you've been trying for years this episode will guide your next steps on your infertility journey.
00:46 Listener question: feeling overwhelmed and first steps
01:10 Hormone panel: timing and what to test (estrogen, progesterone)
03:18 Newer testing: sperm DNA fragmentation
04:24 Male factor infertility and why sperm testing matters
05:38 Importance of k...
63. Fertility Nurse Laura Weppler on IVF, Emotional Support & Why Your âFertility Villageâ Matters
Fertility Nurse Laura Weppler on IVF, Emotional Support & Why Your âFertility Villageâ Matters. On the Her Fertility Podcast, host Jess interviews Laura Weppler, a nurse with 12 years in fertility care and an alum of the Her Fertility Certification Program, about her dual perspective as a fertility clinic professional and IVF patient.
Laura shares her infertility journey including miscarriage, surgeries, a torn cervix, anxiety about carrying a pregnancy, and needing multiple embryo transfers before success. They discuss the critical gap in fertility care: education and emotional support, the importance of human connection (especially as people turn to Google and...
62. From Unexplained Infertility to Pregnancy: Kelseyâs IUI Journey + Mind-Body Support
"Player three is joining our family this summer, and Iâm sharing how my road to motherhood included blood draws, X-rays, pills, injections, endless ultrasounds, and negative test after negative testâwhile still getting painful questions about when weâd have kids. Unexplained infertility felt isolating and uncertain, like chasing an oasis that disappeared every month." - Kelsey
In this Her Fertility Podcast episode, I talk with Kelsey, a client I supported through unexplained infertility and multiple IUI cycles while trying to get pregnant. She shares how reaching outâdespite skepticism and keeping the journey privateâhelped her mental...
61. Integrative Fertility Nutrition with Jennifer Redmond: Food, Stress, and Bio-Individuality
In this Her Fertility podcast episode, I sit down with Jennifer Redmond, a certified integrative nutrition health coach and hormone health expert with 17+ years in the fertility space, to talk about a 360-degree approach to fertility, infertility, and trying to get pregnant.
Jennifer explains how her coaching (including her 12-week Empowered Fertility program) starts with nutrition but quickly expands into lifestyle factors like stress management, relationships, movement, spirituality, and work-life harmonyâbecause fertility doesnât exist in a silo. We dig into bio-individuality (what works for one body may not work for another), tracking patterns with a âfood...
60. Why the U.S. Doesn't Support Women Who Want to Get Pregnant - A Fertility Policy Expert Explains
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Did you know that most countries treat fertility support as a basic human right - but the United States government funds only one side of reproductive health?
In this episode of the Her Fertility Podcast, Jess sits down with Professor Leonard Lopoo, a leading expert in fertility and family policy and author of the new book Wanting Children. Together they unpack the history behind America's reproductive policy, why IVF and infertility support have been left out of government programs, and what it would look like if we actually built a system designed to help people w...
59. Heal to Conceive: Sophie Byfield on Infertility, Nervous System Support, and Whole-Body Fertility
Get my free masterclass: Come Back to Yourself: Navigating Infertility Without Losing Who You Are
CLICK HERE: www.herfertility.support/freeÂ
In this episode of the Her Fertility Podcast, I reconnect with fertility doula and coach Sophie Byfield, who shares her infertility storyâfour years of IVF, IUI, medicated cycles, and overwhelmâbefore stepping back to heal her body through sleep, stress support, simplifying supplements, and changing how she nourished herself, which led to getting pregnant within 12 weeks.
We talk about why fertility isnât a light switch, why your body prioritizes survival over re...
58. The Energetic Side of Endometriosis: Reclaiming Personal Power
 Dive into energy and infertility in my free masterclass: www.herfertility.support/free
In this Her Fertility Podcast episode, I explore endometriosis through an energetic lens while still encouraging you to work with your practitioner. I explain endo as endometrial tissue growing outside the uterus, contributing to inflammation, severe pain, cramping, fatigue, painful intercourse, and infertility when youâre trying to get pregnant.
I share why I created Her Fertility Support because infertility shouldnât be navigated alone, and I invite you into my free monthly Fertility Support Circle and a free masterclass on the subco...
57. The Energy Behind PMOS (PCOS) Nobody Is Talking About (And What Your Body Is Really Saying)
One in 10 women are diagnosed with PMOS (previously PCOS), and most are only getting half the picture. In this episode of the Her Fertility Podcast, fertility support specialist Jess Tims goes beyond hormones and cysts to explore the energetic root of PMOS: what your body is actually communicating, and what it might take to finally feel at home in yourself again.
You'll learn:
â What PMOS actually is and why it makes getting pregnant so confusing
â The energetic connection between your ovaries and your personal power center
â How people pleasing, identity confusion, and se...
56. What Nobody Tells You About Pregnancy Loss (And How to Actually Heal)
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One in four pregnancies ends in loss, and most women are navigating it completely alone.
In this episode of the Her Fertility Podcast, fertility support specialist Jess Tims explores what makes pregnancy loss categorically different from other grief, and why traditional therapy often isn't enough to fully heal it.
You'll learn:
â Why pregnancy loss lives in the body, not just the mind
â How the nervous system responds to loss (fight, flight, freeze & fawn)
â What your subconscious mind is really doing when you blame yourself
â A new, empo...
55. IVF Explained: How to Optimize Success & Protect Your Mental Health During Treatment
In this episode of the Her Fertility Podcast, host Jess Tims takes a deep dive into IVF (in vitro fertilization) â what it actually is, how the process works step by step, and most importantly, how to protect your nervous system and mindset so your body is as receptive as possible to treatment. Whether you're weighing your options, starting your first IVF cycle, or heading into another round, this episode gives you both the medical knowledge and the emotional tools you need.
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đ Key Topics Covered
The IVF Process, Step by Step
What IVF (in vit...54. Should I Use IUI to Get Pregnant?
Are you trying to get pregnant and it's just not happening? Your missing piece might be between the mind + the body. Learn more about this deep connection in my free masterclass: â www.herfertility.support/freeâ Â
If you've been wondering whether IUI (intrauterine insemination) is the right next step on your fertility journey â this episode was made for you. Host Jess Tims, certified fertility support practitioner and Reiki Master, walks through exactly how IUI works, who it's best suited for, what a typical monitored cycle looks like, and â crucially â the mindset reframe that can change everything about how you move th...
Come Back to Yourself: Navigating Infertility Without Losing Who You Are
Click here to join the Fertility Frequency Collective
Infertility can make you feel completely disconnected from yourself. And this isn't just in your mind - this is tied to biology as well. This masterclass dives deep into the exhaustion of infertility despite 'doing everything right'. Here you'll learn about the biological shift that happens during infertility: chronic stress keeps the nervous system in survival mode, deprioritizing reproduction, and âgiving upâ created a signal of safety that let the reproductive system come back online.
Listen to see how the subconscious mind (95% of brain activity) reinforces threat loops...
53. Diminished Ovarian Reserve + Low AMH
Diminished Ovarian Reserve Explained: What a DOR Diagnosis Really Means â and What You Can Still Control
Her Fertility Podcast | Fertility Journey Series
A diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) diagnosis can feel like the ground disappearing beneath you â sudden, shocking, and like you've lost control of your own fertility story. In this episode of the Her Fertility Podcast, Jess Tims walks you through exactly what DOR means, what it doesn't mean, and what you can actually do next. You'll leave this episode with clarity on your five real options, the tools to regulate your nervous system while making...
52. Advanced Fertility Testing Before IUI or IVF: Everything You Need to Know About Male and Female Fertility Tests
Advanced Fertility Testing Before IUI or IVF: Everything You Need to Know About Male and Female Fertility Tests
Episode 52 | Her Fertility Podcast | Fertility Journey Series
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Episode Overview
Before your doctor can recommend IUI or IVF, there's a set of advanced fertility tests that build the picture of what's actually happening in your body. In this episode of the Fertility Journey Series, Jess Tims walks through every test you're likely to encounter â for both the male and female partner â explaining what each one measures, how it's done, and what to make of the resul...
51. Infertility & Unexplained Infertility: What It Really Means, Why You're Not Getting Answers, and What to Do Next
Infertility & Unexplained Infertility: What It Really Means, Why You're Not Getting Answers, and What to Do Next
Her Fertility Podcast | Fertility Journey Series â Episode 1
 Episode Overview
This is the first episode of the Fertility Journey Series â a step-by-step guide through everything that can happen on the path to pregnancy, from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. In this opening episode, Jess Tims walks through what an infertility diagnosis actually means, why unexplained infertility is one of the most frustrating places to find yourself, and what to do when Western medicine doesn't have an answer. She sha...
50. The Fertility Journey Series: Natural Conception
Find fertility support at www.herfertility.support/free
Disclaimer: The Her Fertility podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding any symptoms or medical problems you are experiencing.
If you've ever asked:
What do I need to know to get pregnant quickly?
How do I get pregnant quickly?
How do I get pregnant naturally?
Or, you're at the start of your fertility journey - then this episode...
49. Secondary Infertility Hot Seat (part 2)
Find fertility support at www.herfertility.support/free
Disclaimer: The Her Fertility podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding any symptoms or medical problems you are experiencing.
Secondary Infertility - part 2
Join me in the hot seat as I answer questions about secondary infertility. In this second part of the conversation we discuss:
subtle cycle âred flags" signs of low progesterone how the subconscious mind sabotages your fertility journey and a fra...48. Secondary Infertility: Myths, Facts, and Hope (part 1)
Find fertility support at www.herfertility.support/free
Disclaimer: The Her Fertility podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding any symptoms or medical problems you are experiencing.
Secondary Infertility: What It Is, Why Itâs Happening, and What to Do First (Part 1)
In this episode of the Her Fertility Podcast, Iâm in the hot seat answering questions about secondary infertility. I am interviewed by Sami of Good Enough Matrescence (GEM), a supp...
47. Blood Sugar is the Secret to Fertility with Katie Chapmon
Find fertility support at www.herfertility.support/free
Disclaimer: The Her Fertility podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding any symptoms or medical problems you are experiencing.
Blood Sugar, Cortisol, Fertility: oh my! with Registered Dietitian Katie Chapmon
In this episode of the Her Fertility Podcast, Iâm joined by registered dietitian Katie Chapmon to talk about fertility nutrition through a whole-body lens, with a big focus on blood sugar regulation and sta...
46. Boosting Fertility at Home with Dr. Susan Fox
Find fertility support at www.herfertility.support/free
Disclaimer: The Her Fertility podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding any symptoms or medical problems you are experiencing.
In this episode of the Her Fertility Podcast we discuss Boosting Fertility at Home: Dr. Susan Fox on TEAS, Acupoints, and Whole-Body Support
Host Jess Tims welcomes Dr. Susan Fox, a doctor of Chinese medicine and acupuncture with 24 years in fertility care, to kick off 2026...
45. The Call I Wasnât Prepared For (And What It Taught Me About Fertility Support)
Find fertility support at www.herfertility.support/free
Disclaimer: The Her Fertility podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding any symptoms or medical problems you are experiencing.
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In this deeply vulnerable episode of the Her Fertility Podcast, Jess Tims shares a story she learned the hard way: one that shaped her entire approach to fertility support and ultimately led to the creation of the Her Fertility Doula Certification. Jess takes you back t...
44. Why I had to create a new fertility doula certification
In this episode of the Her Fertility Podcast, youâll hear directly from members of the first cohort about their experience inside the training.
đď¸ Graduate voices in this episode include:
⨠A fertility nurse and coach with over a decade of experience who joined to deepen her holistic support and left with greater confidence, practical tools, and a powerful professional community
⨠A birth and preconception doula who finally felt able to integrate fertility, cycle education, and birth work into one cohesive, aligned practice
⨠A womenâs health advocate and former Gates Foundation professional wh...
43. The Power of Being Supported Through Infertility
In this deeply moving episode of the Her Fertility Podcast, host Jess Tims, Certified Fertility Doula, shares what fertility support truly looks like: not in theory, but in real life. After years of supporting women and couples through fertility challenges, Jess reflects on why this work is so much more than a job.
Being a fertility doula is a calling rooted in presence, trust, and walking alongside people through some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Youâll hear candid excerpts from conversations with past clients, including:
⨠Heather, who experienced pregnancy loss and IVF...
42. Fertility Coach or Fertility Doula? Understanding the Difference
In this episode of Her Fertility, host Jess Tims clarifies the differences between a fertility doula and a fertility coach. Jess highlights the unique roles each professional plays in supporting women through their fertility journeys. Listen to the end for how to know which is for you.
Highlights
Fertility coaches are goal-oriented and provide strategic, action-based guidance with a focus on accountability and lifestyle changes.
Fertility doulas offer emotional support, holding space for clients to process their feelings and experiences without judgment.Â
Choose the right support professional for your fertility journey at...
41. What a Fertility Doula Is (And Why More Women Are Choosing This Support)
Want to learn more about what a fertility doula is? In this episode, we explore how doulas are equipped with the latest research on fertility, nutrition, supplements, and male fertility hormone function. Fertility doulas are knowledgeable about assisted reproductive technologies such as IUI and IVF, and can guide you through family planning options. The best part is that fertility doulas are specially trained in fertility support, how to navigate the rollercoaster of emotions, and how to hold space for your fertility journey... or at least they should be.
If you want to become a fertility doula, learn...
40. Your 2026 Fertility Roadmap: What You Need to Know to Get Pregnant in the New Year
Happy New Year! In this episode I share the five most important things to know if youâre planning to get pregnant in 2026. Drawing from personal experience and the latest changes in fertility care, we cover:
Insurance Coverage & Access to Care: Major changes are coming in 2026, especially in states like California. Check your insurance and understand what fertility services are available in your state. Egg Freezing: Advances in technology make egg freezing a valuable option for many. I explain why itâs worth considering freezing your eggs and how to find out if itâs covered by your insura...39. Unexplained Infertility? This Mindset Breakthrough Could Change Your Journey
 In this powerful episode of Her Fertility, we sit down with Sam, who is currently navigating unexplained infertility and all the emotional weight that comes with it. After years of trying to conceive, countless appointments, and feeling lost in the TTC process, Sam discovered the missing piece she didnât even know she needed: mindset support, emotional healing, and true fertility education that can only come from a fertility doula.Â
This episode is for anyone who feels frustrated, defeated, or disconnected from their body during infertility. Youâll learn the exact mindset tools, body awareness practices, and lifest...
