Disclaimers: This episode may contain sensitive topics related to miscarriage, infertility, and infant loss. If these subjects are triggering for you, please listen with care. While there may be conversations about medications or medical treatments, I am not a doctor, and I am not offering any medical advice. Please consult an actual doctor for your own medical care. After many rounds of testing post-miscarriage, Katelyn was diagnosed with unexplained infertility. Through the IUI/IVF process, dealing with doctors, nurses, fertility clinics, and insurance has been nothing short of frustrating. When you’re going through something so personal and so emotional, it is heartbreaking to feel like “just another patient” to the people that are trying to help you get pregnant.

In today’s episode (part 1 of 2), Katelyn talks about her unexplained infertility diagnosis and her frustrations with the IUI/IVF process. After many rounds of testing post-miscarriage, Katelyn was diagnosed with unexplained infertility. Since then, the IUI/IVF process, dealing with doctors, nurses, fertility clinics, and insurance has been nothing short of frustrating. When you’re going through something so personal and so emotional, it is heartbreaking to feel like “just another patient” to the people that are trying to help you get pregnant. She opens up about the disappointment of miscarriage when you know your body is capable of becoming pregnant. But she also talks about the glimmer of hope—how a small part of her stayed positive, even if frustrated, throughout the process.

What’s in this episode:

• Things people say about miscarriages that aren’t helpful [05:19]
• What someone who hasn’t gone through miscarriage or infertility can learn about how to communicate with their friends who experience this loss [06:09]
• How advocating for yourself with your doctors is a good learning experience but also incredibly frustrating [8:31]
• Speaking up when your fertility or doctor experience is not warm and welcoming [10:13]
• How hurtful it is to feel like “just another patient” when going through something so difficult and emotional [15:15]
• How testing led to a diagnosis of unexplained infertility [20:35]
• How distressing the IUI and IVF processes can be [23:10]
• What the IVF process is like [25:16] [33:13]
• Dealing with insurance and how hard it is to wait for approvals [26:55]
• The disappointment and frustration of miscarriage because you know your body is capable of prenancy [32:06]
• Common physical reactions to IUI and IVF medications [36:34]
• The need for better communication from doctors and nurses about what you might experience during IUI and IVF [39:00]

If you’ve experienced the frustrations and distress that are common with IUI or IVF, I invite you to tune in to this episode.

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://www.apieceofmyheartpodcast.com/episodes/007

Looking for support on your own journey? Explore the support groups at Infertility Unfiltered: https://www.infertilityunfiltered.com/

Support us on Patreon here, where 10% of proceeds will also go to support others on their journey through The Stork Foundation.

Disclaimers:

This episode may contain sensitive topics related to miscarriage, infertility, and infant loss. If these subjects are triggering for you, please listen with care. While there may be conversations about medications or medical treatments, I am not a doctor, and I am not offering any medical advice. Please consult an actual doctor for your own medical care.

My friend Amber’s first pregnancy was easy and joyful. Then when her son was just shy of his third birthday, she found out she was pregnant again—unplanned. Having just launched her new business, she was worried and terrified of how she and her husband would handle having another baby. Normal feelings that everyone goes through. And then, she had a miscarriage. Fast forward three more years to a planned pregnancy that ended in another miscarriage.

In today’s episode, Amber shares vulnerable details about her miscarriages and the emotional and mental roller coaster that happens on this journey of hope and loss. She opens up about how talking to others has helped her heal and realize that she is not alone, and she reflects on the difficult decision of deciding not to try again to have a baby. 

What’s in this episode:

• Amber’s emotional journey with her unplanned pregnancy when her first son was three years old [3:56]
• Her difficult and honest reaction to her first miscarriage [8:39]
• Her experience with a natural miscarriage that lasted weeks and continuing to work at her business instead of taking time off [10:49]
• The importance of opening up to friends and family about a miscarriage so as to break the stigma of it “not being a big deal” (it is a big deal, and your emotions are valid) [14:57]
• How different Amber’s second miscarriage was from the first [19:41]
• How the body sometimes doesn’t let go of pregnancy symptoms, even when you’re miscarrying [22:31]
• Turning toward social media as an outlet for support and connection during the isolation of COVID [24:00]
• How COVID brought mental health to the forefront and why it’s so important to talk about it [28:12]
• Why it would be helpful to have more support and resources from doctors on what happens to your hormones and how you’ll feel following a miscarriage [31:36]
• How immersing herself in things and experiences she loved brought her joy during a dark time [34:25]
• How her son wants a sibling and the mental strain that comes with the thought of miscarrying again [37:33]
• Why it’s important to know what you can handle and how she feels lucky to have a child [44:23]
• How she talked to her son about her miscarriages [47:58]
• How grief and loss never go away, and those feelings can creep in years after the fact, and you will need to talk about it and work through it [52:50]
• Keeping the memory of your miscarried baby alive [57:12]

If you’ve struggled on your healing journey after a miscarriage and want to feel less alone, I invite you to tune in to this episode.

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://www.apieceofmyheartpodcast.com/episodes/006

Looking for support on your own journey? Explore the support groups at Infertility Unfiltered: https://www.infertilityunfiltered.com/

Support us on Patreon here, where 10% of proceeds will also go to support others on their journey through The Stork Foundation.

Disclaimers:

This episode may contain sensitive topics related to miscarriage, infertility, and infant loss. If these subjects are triggering for you, please listen with care. While there may be conversations about medications or medical treatments, I am not a doctor, and I am not offering any medical advice. Please consult an actual doctor for your own medical care.

Anyone who has gone through infertility or miscarriage knows how vulnerable that time is, physically, emotionally, mentally, and even when it comes to your relationships and interactions with others. It is a difficult and heavy time to navigate, and it can feel devastating and lonely. But know that you are not alone.

I invited my good friend Eliza to speak on today’s episode about her four year infertility journey, her miscarriage, and how she is handling being pregnant after loss. She shares the emotional ups and downs, how she advocated for her needs, the difficulties of connecting with others, and advice for taking care of yourself. She is open and honest, and my hope is that hearing her story will help you feel less alone and give you the strength to keep going.

What’s in this episode:

• Eliza’s struggles with getting pregnant [02:11]
• How these difficulties took a toll on Eliza’s mental health and relationship with her husband [08:14]
• Why they finally decided to try the medication route [10:33]
• What is PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) [11:28]
• The disappointment of not getting pregnant when “nothing is wrong” [15:44]
• Side effects of the medication Eliza took [18:19]
• Why Eliza wouldn’t change the miracle that is their journey [21:30]
• The importance of taking the necessary steps to research and communicate your needs [24:03]
• The emotional roller coaster that is a pregnancy turned miscarriage [31:32]
• How hard it is to be consoled by others after a miscarriage [36:26]
• How hard it is to feel excitement with her current pregnancy and taking it one day at a time [40:10]
• How slowing down and anti-anxiety medications have helped Eliza manage emotional ups and downs [44:01]
• Why it’s important to acknowledge when you need help and ask for it [49:11]
• Eliza’s advice for anyone going through a similar situation [51:00]
• How making small health-conscious changes in your everyday life can help with peace of mind [55:44]

If you’re experiencing the emotional roller coaster of infertility, miscarriage, or a pregnancy after loss, I invite you to tune in to this episode.

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://www.apieceofmyheartpodcast.com/episodes/005

Looking for support on your own journey? Explore the support groups at Infertility Unfiltered: https://www.infertilityunfiltered.com/

Support us on Patreon here, where 10% of proceeds will also go to support others on their journey through The Stork Foundation.

Disclaimers:

This episode may contain sensitive topics related to miscarriage, infertility, and infant loss. If these subjects are triggering for you, please listen with care. While there may be conversations about medications or medical treatments, I am not a doctor, and I am not offering any medical advice. Please consult an actual doctor for your own medical care.

Ever since I started on this infertility journey, I’ve felt like I’m constantly yearning for the next chapter in my life: the chapter of pregnancy, of motherhood, or raising a family. But along the way, I’ve realized that my present is just as important as my future. For my own happiness, I’m trying my hardest to live in the now. In this episode, I’m sharing an update on my most recent round of IUI and talking about the “what ifs” I’ve been struggling with. I’m talking about finding a balance between longing for the future and living in the present, and I’m also opening up about my fight to keep my hope alive throughout this journey.

What’s in this episode:

• Sharing the results of my IUI [1:59]
• Struggling with the “what ifs” after finding out I wasn’t pregnant [3:35]
• Why I’m struggling to love life and live in the present [4:25]
• How I’m trying to re-engage with my daily life and enjoy the here and now [7:05]
• Where we’re at on our infertility journey, and why we might be taking a break [8:13]
• Holding onto my hope through waves of disappointment [9:59]

If you’re feeling alone on your own infertility journey, I invite you to tune in to this episode.

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://www.apieceofmyheartpodcast.com/episodes/004

Looking for support on your own journey? Explore the support groups at Infertility Unfiltered: https://www.infertilityunfiltered.com/

Support us on Patreon here, where 10% of proceeds will also go to support others on their journey through The Stork Foundation.

Disclaimers:

This episode may contain sensitive topics related to miscarriage, infertility, and infant loss. If these subjects are triggering for you, please listen with care. While there may be conversations about medications or medical treatments, I am not a doctor, and I am not offering any medical advice. Please consult an actual doctor for your own medical care.

Infertility sometimes feels like a continued wave of disappointment. One day, I’m sure my body is sending me signals that I’m pregnant. The next, it’s another negative pregnancy test. But I continue to weather the disappointment knowing that someday it may all have been worth it. In this episode, I’m sharing an update on where I’m at in my personal infertility journey. I’m talking about dealing with continued disappointment, and I’m sharing how I’m taking care of my mind and body. Plus, I hope to offer some comfort to anyone else who feels alone on their own conception journey, even if they’re going through it with a partner. What’s in this episode:

• An update on my personal infertility journey [1:07]
• Weathering continued disappointment on your infertility journey [2:09]
• How my body’s feeling at this stage in the journey [6:08]
• Why infertility feels lonely, even if you’re going through it with a partner [7:46]
• Being kind to your body and heart throughout the journey [9:30]

If you’re feeling alone on your own infertility journey, I invite you to tune in to this episode.

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://www.apieceofmyheartpodcast.com/episodes/003

Looking for support on your own journey? Explore the support groups at Infertility Unfiltered: https://www.infertilityunfiltered.com/

Support us on Patreon here, where 10% of proceeds will also go to support others on their journey through The Stork Foundation.

Disclaimers:

This episode may contain sensitive topics related to miscarriage, infertility, and infant loss. If these subjects are triggering for you, please listen with care. While there may be conversations about medications or medical treatments, I am not a doctor, and I am not offering any medical advice. Please consult an actual doctor for your own medical care.

Between the endless appointments, uncomfortable conversations, and days spent wondering “what if,” infertility is an emotional whirlwind. Along the way, there are ups and downs, tough decisions, and moments when you feel like you want to give up. But making the decision to keep pushing forward even in the midst of your grief is one of the most courageous things you can do on your infertility journey. In this second part of the episode, my lifelong friend and I are talking about the emotional side of infertility treatment. She’s sharing her experience attending IVF appointments without her partner, and we’re both sharing our stories of receiving and navigating devastating news. Plus, we’re discussing the pressure to get pregnant naturally and how we each decided to release that expectation for ourselves.

What’s in this episode:

• Choosing a doctor who makes you feel comfortable and confident [1:14]
• Managing your expectations when things are looking good [4:22]
• Why it’s so important to find a doctor who truly cares [7:00]
• How we handle appointments that our partners can’t attend [8:38]
• Choosing to test tissue after a miscarriage [10:00]
• Struggling with the “moral dilemma” of infertility treatment vs. adoption [12:08]
• Understanding your diagnosis and how it could affect your treatment timeline [18:20]
• Finding the “silver linings” throughout your infertility journey [23:21]
• Finding closure and the will to try again after a miscarriage [25:09]
• The next steps in each of our treatment plans [27:21]
• Experiencing a loss of innocence or optimism during infertility [32:38]
• Releasing the pressure of trying to get pregnant naturally [37:21]
• How to navigate conversations about infertility with friends and family [39:38]

If you’re feeling alone on your own infertility journey, I invite you to tune in to this episode.

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://www.apieceofmyheartpodcast.com/episodes/002

Looking for support on your own journey? Explore the support groups at Infertility Unfiltered: https://www.infertilityunfiltered.com/

Support us on Patreon here, where 10% of proceeds will also go to support others on their journey through The Stork Foundation.

Disclaimers:

This episode may contain sensitive topics related to miscarriage, infertility, and infant loss. If these subjects are triggering for you, please listen with care. While there may be conversations about medications or medical treatments, I am not a doctor, and I am not offering any medical advice. Please consult an actual doctor for your own medical care.

For many of us experiencing infertility, the journey can feel lonely. Even with a partner, even with a community, it sometimes feels like no one understands your unique story and grief. But when we open up about our experiences and share them with others, we can sometimes start to feel less alone. In this episode, I’m sitting down with a longtime friend who has graciously opened up about her infertility experience. She’s sharing her journey thus far and how she’s weathered the ups and downs. We’re both talking about how we often feel lonely even among our community and how we’re learning to advocate for ourselves and our stories. What’s in this episode:

• Introducing my lifelong friend and her infertility journey [1:15]
• Making the shift from an OB to an IVF clinic [5:47]
• How my friend got started with “mini IVF” [8:36]
• Changing medications and making adjustments along the way [12:10]
• Making the decision to forgo genetic testing on her retrieved embryos [14:01]
• Being pregnant for the first time and experiencing a miscarriage [15:28]
• How my friend is feeling at this point in her journey [19:07]
• Navigating relationships with friends who are pregnant or already parents [22:06]
• Experiencing infertility as someone who hasn’t always wanted kids [26:17]
• Why infertility can feel lonely, even when you have a community going through it alongside you [28:19]
• How IVF and other infertility treatments can affect your hormones [33:41]
• Feeling uncomfortable in the clinic setting and learning to advocate for yourself [39:11]

  If you’re feeling alone on your own infertility journey, I invite you to tune in to this episode.

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://www.apieceofmyheartpodcast.com/episodes/001

Looking for support on your own journey? Explore the support groups at Infertility Unfiltered: https://www.infertilityunfiltered.com/

Support us on Patreon here, where 10% of proceeds will also go to support others on their journey through The Stork Foundation.

Hi Friend, 

A Piece of My Heart is a supportive space for anyone navigating the world of infertility, miscarriage, and infant loss.

 Weekly episodes follow my personal journey through infertility, IUI, miscarriage, and IVF as well as open and honest conversations with brave individuals and couples facing similar experiences.