The task of parenthood is a sacred one and begins long before any physical intimations. It is messy and requires work. And it encompasses so much more than the joy that is often elicited by the thought of bringing children into this world. It speaks to a commitment towards the healing of humanity and the Earth.

 
 

s l o w c o n c e p t i o n

allow it to take as long as is needed

I work with couples and families at least a year prior to physical conception, guiding both partners into and through a more intentional journey of conception. I support both partners in calling their child in, communicating through actions, thoughts, and words their intent to provide a home that is safe, loving, and accepting.

This program is, ideally, a year-long commitment wherein the focus would be to prepare the bodies of both the mother and father for optimal fertility and beyond. It is of the utmost importance that the father is actively engaged in cleansing and strengthening his body during the initial stages of conception. Often, it is not taken into consideration strongly enough that the health of the father correlates directly with the health, strength, and resilience of his sperm. Moreover, the science of epigentics informs us that our genetic expression is constantly adapting to our environment. Thus, it is important to support healthy and optimal genetic expression of the combined DNA of the mother and father. In all circumstances, the physiology and biochemistry of a person must be taken into consideration in order for healing on all other levels to unfold in the most profound ways. According to Dr. Kelly Brogan, “it is the simplest and most important place to start.”

Functional nutrition is the foundation upon which we work towards vitality, strength, and resilience of the mind, body, soul, and spirit. Learn more about functional nutrition here.

“Any effort to ensure optimal nutrition of your baby must begin long before he or she is conceived. The wisdom of primitive peoples is vastly superior to our own in this regard, in that a common practice among isolated groups is the feeding of special foods to both men and women for a period of time before conception occurs.”

Sally Fallon, Nourishing Traditions

 
 

The journey towards meeting conception involves an intentionality that is much more all-encompassing than is often spoken of. It requires a preparation of the mind, body, soul, and spirit that may be years long, and yet, every decision we make is one that brings us farther along the path of parenthood.

Robin Lim says: “you were pregnant for nine months; you’ll be postpartum for the rest of your life. This is good news.” Additionally, we are told that a marathon is a foot-race of approximately 26 miles, for which people will spend many months preparing. I would argue that pregnancy, birth, and life-long postpartum, collectively, have farther-reaching implications than a 26-mile foot race, warranting much forethought, time, patience, and care.

Stepping into parenthood in this way carries a certain quality of responsibility and intentionality that asks one to more carefully consider the person one is. And in this space, one is impelled to take ownership of one’s Earthly experience and to discover truth.

 
Danica-Donnelly_Colorado-Springs-Photographer-600.jpg

If you wish to become mother & father one day, or perhaps to another child, consider taking some time. Consider the family dynamic and quality of life your child will enter into. Consider how you feel in your body now and whether you will realistically have the capacity to meet your child with steadiness and ease. Consider your values and the belief systems that scaffold your life. Consider the quality of support (of both seen and unseen forces) available to you, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Consider slowing down and connecting with the Earth.

 
Danica-Donnelly_Colorado-Springs-Photographer-6803-2.jpg

“Infertility” is an indication of imbalance

Most couples who experience infertility are told that the woman’s body is permanently incapable of natural conception and are presented with the less-than-ideal “alternatives” of assisted reproductive technology, surrogacy, and adoption. I believe that most couples are not “infertile,” but rather that their bodies are likely unbalanced and in need of guidance and support.

It is important to understand the root cause(s) of “infertility” in a partnership, both of the woman and the man. Studies show that in up to 50 percent of infertility cases, male factor infertility is the sole or a contributing cause. While this reality has been confirmed and acknowledged widely within the medical community, our modern society continues to expect the woman to bear the entirety of the burden. (This is in stark contrast to the obvious continuity of health and well-being shared between baby, mother, and father, honored and uplifted in indigenous culture—see the quote by Sally Fallon above).

I believe most couples—those of which have been speciously consigned to a medicalized or externalized conception, pregnancy, and birth—can conceive naturally, and can further go on to have a healthy, normal, and physiological pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

When parents are able to spend time prior to conception cultivating balance in their bodies (rather than masking symptoms—infertility being one of them), the further unfolding of parenthood becomes more easeful on all levels. This has a widespread and long-lasting impact on the trajectory of humanity and the Earth. Peace on Earth begins before birth.