Jennifer Edmonds

From Early Menopause and IVF to Natural Conception

Jen’s early life wasn’t shaped by dreams of becoming a mother. Unlike many who envision families from a young age, she wasn’t sure children would be part of her future. She didn’t spend her childhood imagining baby names or planning for motherhood, and throughout her twenties, the idea of having children remained uncertain.

It was only when she met her husband that things began to change. Their connection gave her a new perspective—suddenly, the idea of a family felt right. It wasn’t just about wanting children anymore, but about building a life together, one that could include the joy and challenge of raising a family.

The First Signs of Trouble

Jen married at the age of 33, confident in her health and her future. She worked in the fitness industry, maintained a balanced lifestyle, and had no reason to believe starting a family would be difficult. After coming off birth control, she expected her menstrual cycle to return quickly, but instead, her body remained silent. Months passed with no sign of ovulation. Doctors initially dismissed her concerns, assuring her that delayed cycles were normal after stopping hormonal contraception.

As the months turned into a year, Jen and her husband sought answers. They tried alternative therapies and natural remedies, but nothing worked. Concerned, they pushed for further testing. It was then that Jen received a life-altering diagnosis: early menopause. At just 34, she was told that her body was no longer producing the hormones needed for ovulation.

IVF: Hope and Heartbreak

With natural conception off the table, Jen and her husband turned to IVF. The process was daunting but seemed to offer a glimmer of hope. However, the reality was harsh. Her first IVF cycle failed completely—her body didn’t respond to the hormone injections, and no eggs were retrieved. It was a crushing experience, leaving them with no embryos and little guidance on what to do next.

Refusing to give up, Jen sought help from a fertility specialist back in Sydney, where she had heard of other women with complex fertility challenges finding success. This new doctor suggested a different protocol, and Jen also started working with a fertility naturopath who adjusted her diet, lifestyle, and supplements. After months of preparation, they embarked on a second IVF cycle.

This time, there was a small but significant improvement. Three eggs were retrieved, but only one was mature enough to fertilize. That single embryo, against all odds, developed successfully and led to the birth of her daughter. It was a miracle in every sense—a lone embryo that defied the slim chances given by the doctors.

A Second Journey: New Challenges

Having their daughter was a blessing, but Jen and her husband still hoped to expand their family. After breastfeeding for a year, something remarkable happened—Jen’s menstrual cycle returned naturally. It was the first time in years that her body had done so, and with cautious optimism, they began trying to conceive naturally.

Initially, everything seemed promising. Her cycles, though short, were regular, and there was hope that natural conception could happen. After six months without success, further tests revealed a new set of problems: a thyroid condition, near-zero AMH levels, partially blocked fallopian tubes, and male factor infertility. Despite these hurdles, they tried ovulation-inducing medications and hormonal support, but nothing worked. The reality set in—they needed IVF again.

IVF Again and the Pain of Loss

Determined to replicate their previous success, Jen and her husband committed to another IVF cycle. This time, everything seemed to go better. They retrieved more eggs, and two perfect embryos were created. Both were transferred, and hopes were high. But heartbreak struck again—neither embryo implanted. This failed transfer was devastating, made worse by the timing. Just a day after receiving the negative result, the COVID-19 pandemic forced fertility clinics to shut down. Suddenly, they had no way to try again, and time felt like it was slipping away.

Hitting Rock Bottom

The combination of grief, stress, and uncertainty took a deep toll on Jen. She developed chronic insomnia, emotional exhaustion, and felt disconnected from her family. Despite being a fitness professional, someone who had always trusted her body, she felt completely betrayed by it. She couldn’t understand why, after doing everything right, she was unable to conceive again.

During this time, a chance recommendation from a friend led her to something she had never considered before—fertility yoga. Initially skeptical, she didn’t believe a gentle practice could make a difference after everything she had tried. But with nothing to lose during lockdown, she gave it a chance.

The Healing Power of Yoga

Yoga became a turning point in Jen’s journey—not just for fertility, but for her overall well-being. For the first time, she stopped pushing her body and mind to the brink. Instead of chasing more treatments, supplements, and interventions, she allowed herself to slow down. Through gentle movement, breathwork, and mindfulness, she began to reconnect with her body.

As her nervous system calmed, small changes began to unfold. Her insomnia eased, and she found herself waking up without the heavy dread that had become normal. The anxiety lifted, her health improved, and she began to feel present in her life again. A few months into her practice, something incredible happened—Jen conceived naturally for the first time.

Though that pregnancy ended in loss at eight weeks, it marked a profound shift. Her body had done what doctors said it couldn’t. For the first time in years, she felt hope grounded in trust, not fear.

The Miracle of Her Second Child

Driven by this new perspective, Jen immersed herself in yoga, retraining as a yoga teacher and specialising in fertility and hormonal balance. Her practice deepened, not only as a student but as a guide for others. By the end of that same year, she conceived naturally once more. This time, the pregnancy progressed, and she gave birth to a healthy baby boy—proof that her body, once labeled broken, was capable of creating life on its own terms.

A Message of Resilience and Hope

Today, Jen supports women around the world through fertility yoga, helping them to find the calm and strength she discovered on her journey. She believes deeply in the power of the body to heal and thrive when given space and compassion. Her story is one of resilience, of moving through heartbreak, and of learning that sometimes, the most profound healing comes not from doing more—but from doing less.

Jen’s experience reminds us that we are often far more capable than we’re told, and that healing doesn’t always follow the path we expect.

With love and compassion,

Rosie x