When It’s Time to Pause on the Fertility Journey

Written By Dr. Chelsea Dakers ND; Edited By Sena (AI).

If you’re in the midst of a conventional fertility journey and feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or disconnected—this is your invitation to pause.

There’s a quiet weight that builds over time: the back-to-back appointments, the invasive procedures, the physical discomfort, the emotional highs and lows. Disappointment layered on heartbreak. Resources poured into an approach that, at times, feels like it’s not offering root cause solutions. It’s a lot to carry.

Sometimes, the most radical thing you can do is rest.

To pause.
To breathe.
To integrate everything you’ve been through.
To gently reassess where you are, how you got here, and where your path might lead next.

In my practice, I’ve had women sit across from me and share that they were told they’d never conceive. Please hear this: that is one opinion. It comes from one worldview—one shaped by a specific set of tools and frameworks.

Within the biomedical model (which is the dominant approach in conventional medicine), their haunting prognosis may be true… There are gifts within that model— advanced diagnostics, decision making algorithms and life-saving interventions. But it isn’t the only way of providing care.

From where I stand, with a lens rooted in traditional knowledge systems and naturopathic care, I believe that wholeness holds more answers than fragmentation ever could.

The body is not separated into discrete systems.

Your womb is not defective.

And your path to conception may not fit a clinical diagnosis flowchart.

Seeing the whole picture— your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual terrain— and knowing what to do with that depth of insight is part of the healing process. This is the power of an integrated approach.

If medical advice has left you shut down or depleted, perhaps it’s time to explore your health from a different vantage point. One that honours the mystery and intelligence of your body. One that celebrates rest over rigor, awareness over management.

Because the truth is, the next leg of this journey— if you choose it— will also ask something of you. It will ask for devotion. For consistency. For the willingness to live differently. But it might also offer you more vitality, connection, and clarity than you’ve felt in a long time (or perhaps ever before).

Let this be the season of regeneration.

If the journey has been arduous, consider poly-vagal informed neurosensory practices to support your nervous system in shifting toward healing physiology. Gentle, non-invasive self-awareness rituals to remind yourself: “Hey, I’m here. This is me. This is my body.” —can softly invite your body into remembering that you are no longer in a crisis.

And when you feel ready, ask yourself:

If it were possible to conceive—but only by taking a different path—would I still choose to continue?

This is not a decision to make from urgency, perfection or fear. It’s a choice best made from a deep inner knowing—a resonance with your purpose and what this life is calling you toward.

When that moment comes, consider the totality of who you are:

Your thoughts.
Your beliefs.
Your moods and emotions.
Your physical symptoms.
Your connection to yourself, your lineage, and that which is greater than you.

Witness your wholeness. Not a self broken into diagnostic labels, lab values and outcome markers—but as a full, breathing, feeling human being.

Because that’s where the most meaningful journeys begin.

Learn more at chelseadakers.com or join the conversation on Instagram @chelseacreateshealth.

The disclaimer… The amazing thing about humans is that we all have incomparably unique health profiles and needs. The health-related information contained in this article is intended to be general in nature and should not be used prescriptively or as a substitute for a visit with a naturopathic doctor/health care provider. This information is intended to offer general information to individuals. If you have questions about how these strategies could be used in adjunct to your current health regime, book an appointment with us or consult a registered naturopathic doctor for individualized care.