Pathways to Pregnancy: an interview with fertility expert Mary Wong

20150413_alive_400LifeTree author Mary Wong understands the pain and frustration that come with infertility issues. The Toronto-based TCM practitioner has faced her own difficulties conceiving, and has spent her career educating and assisting thousands of would-be parents, the vast majority of whom struggle with gynecological disorders, fertility challenges, and pregnancy-related symptoms or issues.

When Mary started her clinic, she had a goal of treating each patient the way she would want to be treated—with compassion, empathy, and kindness. This is reflected in her book Pathways to Pregnancy, where Mary focuses not only on the technical aspects of fertility, but on the emotional ones. “It’s a book of stories of hope about fertility against all odds,” says Mary, “written for people who want to conceive, who have been trying and have difficulties conceiving at this moment.”

These stories offer a hopeful and humorous look into the lives of some of the millions around the world who find themselves facing fertility challenges each year. Mary weaves these stories with practical advice derived from Eastern and Western medicines, new research from the field of epigenetics, and the importance of self-love. Mary even shares her own story of overcoming her fertility challenges, which gives the book a level of unmatched understanding.

Through these touching stories, Mary hopes the book will show her readers that there are others out there experiencing the same issues they are, and that those issues can often be overcome, despite the obstacles or stigmas surrounding the procedures. “There’s no one right path for fertility,” she says. “Being a mother should not entail a defined way of becoming a mother.”

Spreading hope and healing

In her clinic, Mary is able to help each patient on a personal level, but she only has so much time, and Pathways to Pregnancy is her way of getting her positive message to as many hopeful parents as possible. The book provides an opportunity to broaden her ability to change lives, taking her work as a healer to the next level.

But where does someone who runs a clinic and has children of her own find the time to write? “Schedules,” says Mary. “A strict, rigid schedule. I like the structure. There are scheduled times of writing.”

Of course, the creative muse doesn’t always work on our terms, and especially not on our schedule. Mary admits to making way for that muse on occasion. “If I just happen to wake up in the middle of the night with thoughts, I’ll write them down.”

She also says that LifeTree’s editors are a big help, as she enjoys working with them hands-on as they shape the manuscript. “I’m excited about putting it together.”

So what are Mary’s hopes for the book? She wants to get it into the hands of everyone who needs it, allowing her to help as many people as possible in a way she could never accomplish with just her clinic. She also wants those people to be able to learn about the different pathways to pregnancy in the privacy and comfort of their own homes, where they aren’t subject to the pressure of undue stress.

If Mary can help thousands through her clinic, there’s no telling what she can accomplish through her book as it pushes through social stigmas to contribute to a pro-fertility culture.

Pathways to Pregnancy will be published in fall 2016.

Paris Spence-Lang

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