40 and Infertile - A Fertility Podcast for the 40 and older

Well, I’ve been missing for a couple of months and I’m so sorry about that.  As you can tell, I am under the weather currently and this gave me the opportunity to focus on the podcast episodes, so maybe it was a blessing in disguise.  I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, I am SOOOO grateful to all of the guests, listeners, and supporters who have been so patient with me as I navigate being infertile and having a podcast about infertility.  Thank you so much for your grace.  

Today’s episode isn’t about me though.  It’s about Rebecca @callthestork on Instagram.  She’s here today to talk to us about her experience.  Full disclosure, we recorded this a year ago.  So, her circumstances today are a little different, but her experience is still very valid.  We cover quite a bit today including her multiple autoimmune disorders and how she has gone through 6 IVF cycles, PRP, endometriosis excision surgery, disagreements with moving forward with expanding her family, and ultimately conceiving naturally.  

We certainly go over a lot and she has so much to share.  We spend the first part of the episode really talking about her retrievals and in the second half really breaking things down.  

Rebecca has always been so kind and thoughtful.  She’s always taken time out to check on me and after my laparoscopy she was messaging me regularly and letting me know to take it easy and reminded me to slow down.  She’s been one of the really truly amazing humans I’ve been along this space and I’m so grateful for that.  

I hope you’ll enjoy today’s episode!  Thank you again for your patients!  They’ll be quite a few more episodes coming your way!  I’ve got to play catch up!  Stay tuned!

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To round out your IVF survival guide, I would recommend the following episodes before your first IVF cycle:

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Episodes about the Emotional Aspects of Infertility:

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RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Books mentioned in this episode and previously mentioned can be found here:

⁠⁠⁠www.amazon.com/shop/40andinfertile⁠⁠⁠

DONATE HERE:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/40andinfertile

SPECIAL LISTENER OFFER FOR PRANAMAT:  ⁠⁠https://pranamat.com/af/ynkjmqzx?coupon=40andinfertile⁠⁠  (CODE: 40andinfertile)

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ON THIS EPISODE:

Rebecca:  https://www.instagram.com/callthestork/

Sunny Side Up NYC https://www.instagram.com/sunnysideupnyc/

Today, we have Dr. Flora Sinha @drflorasinha.  She is an internal medicine physician, mindset coach, and fellow infertility warrior.

Dr. Flora Sinha shares with us today about her own infertility struggles and how that struggle led to her finding mindset work and how that can help her with her infertility and other life challenges.  

She struggles with secondary infertility and we talk about that unique experience.  We have a very real and candid discussion about being in this space and some of the dark places we can go and where mindset work might fit in.  

Thank you to Dr. Sinha for being so open with her feelings.  If you like someone who likes to keep it real and is no nonsense.  She’s the one for you!  If you’ve been struggling with being in this infertility space, what she has to say might help you better cope with our challenges.  I’ll link in the show notes some other helpful episodes to consider also!  

Okay, here we go.  

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To round out your IVF survival guide, I would recommend the following episodes before your first IVF cycle:

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Episodes about the Emotional Aspects of Infertility:

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RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Books mentioned in this episode and previously mentioned can be found here:

⁠⁠⁠www.amazon.com/shop/40andinfertile⁠⁠⁠

DONATE HERE:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/40andinfertile

SPECIAL LISTENER OFFER FOR PRANAMAT:  ⁠⁠https://pranamat.com/af/ynkjmqzx?coupon=40andinfertile⁠⁠  (CODE: 40andinfertile)

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ON THIS EPISODE:

Connect with Dr. Flora Sinha:  https://www.instagram.com/drflorasinha/

This is Episode 43!  Today, we have Becky Kearns @definingmum and founder of Paths to Parenthub

I think what you’ll notice right away is the gentle soothing manner Becky has about her.  She tells her story about premature ovarian failure in her late 20s and the path she took to egg donation.  She is incredibly vulnerable today in sharing her fears, her thoughts, the struggle that she had during this time in her life.  

We talk about the conversations we have with families about donor conception and the conversations we think about having with our children.  

I do want to warn you, there was a bit of audio trouble and for some reason, the tail end of the interview was lost, so you’ll have to forgive me for that.  

Becky has some wonderful advice and tools to share with you today, so please listen to this episode if you’re considering or struggling with donor conception.  

Thank you Becky for your candor, your vulnerability, your advice and your support of all of us who hope to be parents one day.  

All right, here we go…

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To round out your IVF survival guide, I would recommend the following episodes before your first IVF cycle:

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Episodes about Donor Conception:

1. Episode 7: ASK THE EXPERT & WARRIOR STORY - Sarah Kowalski talks all things double donor conception (sperm and egg) and solo motherhood.

2. Episode 10: ASK THE EXPERT - Emma Grønbæk. Lessons from a Donor Conceived Person and How to Foster A Positive Experience

3. Episode 12: WARRIOR STORY - The Infertility Journey of LuckyBabyLam AKA Annie at age 42

4. Episode 16 - ASK THE EXPERT - Dr. Tia Jackson-Bey, MD Discusses All Things Donor Conception From Basics to Consideration When Using Creative Family Building Options

5. Episode 22: WARRIOR STORY & ASK THE EXPERT - Egg Donor Process and Egg Donor and IVF Abroad with Sarah Kowalski of Motherhood Reimagined

6. Episode 27: ASK THE EXPERT - Legal Considerations & Fertility Related Treatments with Rijon Charne Fertility Attorney with Sunray Fertility

7. Episode 41: ASK THE EXPERT & WARRIOR STORY with Hayley @dcp_2_rp of Paths to Parenthub Discusses her Experience as BOTH a Donor Conceived Person and Recipient Parent

7.  Episode 42: WARRIOR STORY - SMBC with @justbekristin - Single Mother By Choice, Sperm Donor, Infertility at 35 years oldhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/04vtPpDs0Miz4GXL093mOF?si=428ABDl_RtWfqOdj47Wi_w

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RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Books mentioned in this episode and previously mentioned can be found here:

⁠⁠⁠www.amazon.com/shop/40andinfertile⁠⁠⁠

DONATE HERE:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/40andinfertile

SPECIAL LISTENER OFFER FOR PRANAMAT:  ⁠⁠https://pranamat.com/af/ynkjmqzx?coupon=40andinfertile⁠⁠  (CODE: 40andinfertile)

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ON THIS EPISODE:

Connect with Becky:  https://www.instagram.com/definingmum/

Paths to Parenthub:  https://members.definingmum.com/

Today, Kristin @justbekristin a SMBC who decided to embark on motherhood in her mid to late 30s is here to share her story

TRIGGER WARNING: There is a baby cooing in the background and you may hear baby sounds and crying, so if this is difficult to hear, this may not be the right episode for you to listen to.  

Today, we talk about how she made this decision, infertility, advantages, disadvantages to being an independent parent. We also dive into how she chose her sperm bank.   We also talk about life after delivery.

If you’re considering being a SMBC or you’re in the thick of it, looking for someone who understands this struggle or you’re just wanting to hear someone’s story, this is your episode.

Thank you Kristin for being so open to sharing your story with us and if you’re not following, she’s starting her baby#2 journey, so make sure you go follow her!

Let’s get started!

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To round out your IVF survival guide, I would recommend the following episodes before your first IVF cycle:

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Episodes about Single Parenthood: 

1. Episode 7: ASK THE EXPERT & WARRIOR STORY - Sarah Kowalski talks all things double donor conception (sperm and egg) and solo motherhood.

2. Episode 22: WARRIOR STORY & ASK THE EXPERT - Egg Donor Process and Egg Donor and IVF Abroad with Sarah Kowalski of Motherhood Reimagined

3. Episode 40:  Episode 40: WARRIOR STORY - SMBC at 50, IVF and Divorce and Dual Donor Conception

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Episodes about Donor Conception:

1. Episode 7: ASK THE EXPERT & WARRIOR STORY - Sarah Kowalski talks all things double donor conception (sperm and egg) and solo motherhood.

2. Episode 10: ASK THE EXPERT - Emma Grønbæk. Lessons from a Donor Conceived Person and How to Foster A Positive Experience

3. Episode 12: WARRIOR STORY - The Infertility Journey of LuckyBabyLam AKA Annie at age 42

4. Episode 16 - ASK THE EXPERT - Dr. Tia Jackson-Bey, MD Discusses All Things Donor Conception From Basics to Consideration When Using Creative Family Building Options

5. Episode 22: WARRIOR STORY & ASK THE EXPERT - Egg Donor Process and Egg Donor and IVF Abroad with Sarah Kowalski of Motherhood Reimagined

6. Episode 27: ASK THE EXPERT - Legal Considerations & Fertility Related Treatments with Rijon Charne Fertility Attorney with Sunray Fertility

7. Episode 41: ASK THE EXPERT & WARRIOR STORY with Hayley @dcp_2_rp of Paths to Parenthub Discusses her Experience as BOTH a Donor Conceived Person and Recipient Parent

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RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Books mentioned in this episode and previously mentioned can be found here:

⁠⁠⁠www.amazon.com/shop/40andinfertile⁠⁠⁠

DONATE HERE:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/40andinfertile

SPECIAL LISTENER OFFER FOR PRANAMAT:  ⁠⁠https://pranamat.com/af/ynkjmqzx?coupon=40andinfertile⁠⁠  (CODE: 40andinfertile)

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ON THIS EPISODE:

Connect with Kristin:  https://www.instagram.com/justbekristin/

The Eggwhisperer Show Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5y9gPpZlUZT33eLMU90TYB?si=02b834967bf14ed8

The Single Greatest Choice Podcast:  https://open.spotify.com/show/11yuTATSUhYpknT9qPx5Hj?si=45f643ba1d6e445c

No Need for Prince Charming Podcast:  https://open.spotify.com/show/0IEMSHlIpFHrsGhNAksd5a?si=69fad326fcb54257

Today is about the duality of being BOTH donor conceived AND being a recipient parent. There are challenges to navigate in both stories and Hayley is here today to share with us her story of both being donor conceived and being a recipient parent. She has an especially unique perspective because of this. We talk about how she came to know that she was donor conceived and some of her insecurities with being a recipient parent and the non-genetic parent.

There's lots to unravlel, so I hope you'll join us!

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To round out your IVF survival guide, I would recommend the following episodes before your first IVF cycle:

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Episodes about Single Parenthood:

1. Episode 7: ASK THE EXPERT & WARRIOR STORY - Sarah Kowalski talks all things double donor conception (sperm and egg) and solo motherhood.

2. Episode 22: WARRIOR STORY & ASK THE EXPERT - Egg Donor Process and Egg Donor and IVF Abroad with Sarah Kowalski of Motherhood Reimagined

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Episodes about Donor Conception:

1. Episode 7: ASK THE EXPERT & WARRIOR STORY - Sarah Kowalski talks all things double donor conception (sperm and egg) and solo motherhood.

2. Episode 10: ASK THE EXPERT - Emma Grønbæk. Lessons from a Donor Conceived Person and How to Foster A Positive Experience

3. Episode 12: WARRIOR STORY - The Infertility Journey of LuckyBabyLam AKA Annie at age 42

4. Episode 16 - ASK THE EXPERT - Dr. Tia Jackson-Bey, MD Discusses All Things Donor Conception From Basics to Consideration When Using Creative Family Building Options

5. Episode 22: WARRIOR STORY & ASK THE EXPERT - Egg Donor Process and Egg Donor and IVF Abroad with Sarah Kowalski of Motherhood Reimagined

6. Episode 27: ASK THE EXPERT - Legal Considerations & Fertility Related Treatments with Rijon Charne Fertility Attorney with Sunray Fertility

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RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Books mentioned on this episode can be found here:

⁠⁠⁠www.amazon.com/shop/40andinfertile⁠⁠⁠

DONATE HERE:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/40andinfertile

SPECIAL LISTENER OFFER FOR PRANAMAT: ⁠⁠https://pranamat.com/af/ynkjmqzx?coupon=40andinfertile⁠⁠  (CODE: 40andinfertile)

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ON THIS EPISODE:

Connect with Hayley:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dcp_journey_2_rp/

Website: https://allthingsdonorconception.com

The Donor Conception Network: http://dcnetwork.org

The Donor Cencpetion Network Books: https://dcnetwork.org/catalog/

Today is a complex conversation about the decision to parent at 50 as an independent parent. If you're trying to decide if single parenthood is for you or if you're wondering what some questions might come up about parenting at 40+, this is a great episode for you to explore!

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To round out your IVF survival guide, I would recommend the following episodes before your first IVF cycle:

--------------------------------------------------------

Episodes about Single Parenthood:

1. Episode 7: ASK THE EXPERT & WARRIOR STORY - Sarah Kowalski talks all things double donor conception (sperm and egg) and solo motherhood.

2. Episode 22: WARRIOR STORY & ASK THE EXPERT - Egg Donor Process and Egg Donor and IVF Abroad with Sarah Kowalski of Motherhood Reimagined

--------------------------------------------------------

Episodes about Donor Conception:

1. Episode 7: ASK THE EXPERT & WARRIOR STORY - Sarah Kowalski talks all things double donor conception (sperm and egg) and solo motherhood.

2. Episode 10: ASK THE EXPERT - Emma Grønbæk. Lessons from a Donor Conceived Person and How to Foster A Positive Experience

3. Episode 12: WARRIOR STORY - The Infertility Journey of LuckyBabyLam AKA Annie at age 42

4. Episode 16 - ASK THE EXPERT - Dr. Tia Jackson-Bey, MD Discusses All Things Donor Conception From Basics to Consideration When Using Creative Family Building Options

5. Episode 22: WARRIOR STORY & ASK THE EXPERT - Egg Donor Process and Egg Donor and IVF Abroad with Sarah Kowalski of Motherhood Reimagined

6. Episode 27: ASK THE EXPERT - Legal Considerations & Fertility Related Treatments with Rijon Charne Fertility Attorney with Sunray Fertility

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RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Books mentioned on this episode can be found here:

⁠⁠www.amazon.com/shop/40andinfertile⁠⁠

DONATE HERE:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/40andinfertile

SPECIAL LISTENER OFFER FOR PRANAMAT: ⁠https://pranamat.com/af/ynkjmqzx?coupon=40andinfertile⁠  (CODE: 40andinfertile)

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ON THIS EPISODE:

Connect with Teresa Ramakrishnan

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmony_center_for_wellness/

Website: https://www.harmonycenterforwellness.com/

Address:

11 5th Street, Ste. 101 F

Petaluma, CA

707-559-8070

Today, I’m honored to have my friend Nicole a fellow IVF and endometriosis and adneomysosis warrior on the show to share her story.  

On this episode, we’re talking about her 4 laparoscopies and what recovery was like for her since we don’t really talk about recovery often.  We share our 2 very different recoveries.  

We also discuss infertility at 40, finding the right doctor, and pelvic floor physical therapy.  

Nichole is one of the first people that I talked to about endometriosis and she introduced me to Kate @endogirlblog if you follow her.  I messaged her during my endometriosis laparoscopy recovery and she helped me prepare for recovery, which was so helpful.  

Nichole is so amazing, kind, and I love her honesty!  She’ll tell you like it is!  So, if you want an honest opinion about something, she’s not shy and will give it to your straight, which is what we need sometimes!

So, if you’re wondering about laparoscopic excision recovery, IVF in your 40s, or finding the right doctor and how she has navigated through this, this is your episode.

To round out your IVF survival guide, I would recommend the following episodes before your first IVF cycle:

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RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Books mentioned on this episode can be found here:

⁠www.amazon.com/shop/40andinfertile⁠

DONATE HERE:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/40andinfertile

SPECIAL LISTENER OFFER FOR PRANAMAT: https://pranamat.com/af/ynkjmqzx?coupon=40andinfertile  (CODE: 40andinfertile)

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ON THIS EPISODE:

Connect with Nichole: https://www.instagram.com/is_there_an_endo_to_this/

Nancy's Nook: https://nancysnookendo.com/

On this episode, we tackle some topics, including ways to optimize your fertility naturally and the expectations for the first visit.  Not everyone jumps right into IVF.  We'll definitely talk about IVF vs. other options in another episode. In this episode, we cover expectations for the first visit, the questions you should have, and questions you can ask.  

To round out your IVF survival guide, I would recommend the following episodes before your first IVF cycle:

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RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Books mentioned on this episode can be found here:

www.amazon.com/shop/40andinfertile

DONATE HERE:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/40andinfertile

SPECIAL LISTENER OFFER FOR PRANAMAT: ⁠https://pranamat.com/af/ynkjmqzx?coupon=40andinfertile⁠  (CODE: 40andinfertile)

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Follow Dr. Carolina Sueldo here:  https://www.instagram.com/drcarolinasueldo/

Book and Appointment with Dr. Sueldo here:  

Women’s Specialty and Fertility Center

729 North Medical Center Drive W, # 205 

Clovis, CA 93611-6803

https://wsfc.com/

Today, I’m honored to have my friend Dr. Annie Kuo, DO on the show to share her story. She shares how her work as Integrative Medicine was helpful for her during this experience and where it wasn’t helpful at all. Ultimately, this is new for all of us and she has a great perspective on this. 

She also shares her experience with completing 20 IVF cycles, dealing with male factor infertility, endometriosis diagnosis and surrogacy and the challenges that come with it. She really had to find a way to keep going after to get through 20 IVF cycles. Listen today on how she overcame some of her challenges.

I really hope you enjoy this episode. Please drop that 5 star review and written review, it would really help share these stories to a bigger audience. If you loved this episode, I would also love it if you could share this show with others you think might benefit from the information I provide here. I want to thank all the listeners for donating to the podcast, so today’s episode was made possible by all of you listeners!! As you know, I operate this podcast on my own time, so anything that you might be able to support is so helpful! Because of you, I could get an editor for these episodes, so I could hopefully get these episodes out to you. If you loved this episode, I’d be grateful for a donation. I’ll leave a link in the show notes for you. Any amount would be helpful! There’s a lot to talk about and listen to today, so let’s get to it. 

RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE 

Books mentioned on this episode can be found here: www.amazon.com/shop/40andinfertile 

Buy me a coffee here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/40andinfertile 

SPECIAL LISTENER OFFER FOR PRANAMAT: https://pranamat.com/af/ynkjmqzx?coupon=40andinfertile  (CODE: 40andinfertile)

Podcast editing by: Connor Doyle - https://www.instagram.com/the_orb_lord/ 

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ABOUT THE GUEST:

Follow Dr. Annie Kuo, DO here: https://www.instagram.com/dranniekuo/ 

Book an appointment with Dr. Kuo here: https://www.oasisfamilymedicine.com/anne-kuo-d-o 

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ENDOMETRIOSIS RESOURCES

American Society for Reproductive Medicine Booklet on Endometriosis: https://www.reproductivefacts.org/globalassets/rf/news-and-publications/bookletsfact-sheets/english-fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/booklet_endometriosis.pdf 

Nancy’s Nook for Endometriosis: https://nancysnookendo.com/ 

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OTHER EPISODES OF INTEREST: 

Stimulation Protocol Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5uobi5cAaRV0cimhsBKU82?si=qCPxVp6yTD2Ney5N1EUyFw 

Surrogacy Episodes: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Q30tlVRSeImU9UmsGX6zf?si=fk4xUL_aRNmBcLlvjx3uJw https://open.spotify.com/episode/7pK0IrEY6LNeKMSQQCc8gm?si=EJTXJBQxRZ6i6gp6rAUtpg https://open.spotify.com/episode/6zD8N9nSfa74EKNEqukAC3?si=nUjeJe0jSU-o_iGLB-tp1w 

Legal Considerations in Third Party Reproduction: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0BiwgOmtsmnwxyglGGASFD?si=Kty21UYyRVWnUECjAsrnfQ

Today, we’re discussing recurrent pregnancy loss with Dr. Jessica Ryneic who is a reproductive endocrinologist and we explore all the possible reasons that one might experience recurrent loss.  This is an insanely difficult topic to tackle and there’s so much frustration that can happen around not knowing why you can’t seem carry a pregnancy to term.  Though this may not give you all the answers you want or need, we’re hoping that this will at least give you some insight.

As always, please share this with any one that you think might benefit from this information.  If you found this episode valuable, I’d love a 5 star review.  This will help get this episode and this podcast out to more ears.

I’ll keep the introduction short because Dr. Ryneic has much to share with us today.  Let’s go.

RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Books mentioned on this episode can be found here:

www.amazon.com/shop/40andinfertile

DONATE HERE:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/40andinfertile

SPECIAL LISTENER OFFER FOR PRANAMAT: https://pranamat.com/af/ynkjmqzx?coupon=40andinfertile  (CODE: 40andinfertile)

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Follow Dr. Ryneic here: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaryniecmd/

Book an Appointment with Dr. Jessica Ryneic here:  https://ccrmivf.com/boston/jessica-ryniec-md/