AllPaths Podcast

AllPaths Podcast

By AllPaths Family BuildingBusinessNon-Profit
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AllPaths Podcast episodes

  • October Check-In: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

    In this mini-episode of the AllPaths Podcast - regular full-length episodes resuming next Tuesday - host Emily catches up with listeners, expressing gratitude for the success of AllPaths’ recent Footsteps for Family Building Walk, while acknowledging the emotional challenges of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month in October.

    Recognizing that 1 in 4 confirmed pregnancies ends in loss, Emily speaks openly about the lingering, evolving nature of grief and emphasizes how crucial a safe, open space to talk with others is for healing. Finally, Emily shares valuable support offerings from AllPaths, including two free monthly virtual support groups, personalized mental health professional matching and curated resources to ensure no one has to grieve in isolation.

    AllPaths Loss Support & Resources:

    • Free Virtual Pregnancy Loss Support Groups: Two monthly groups, one tailored for individuals who are not yet parenting and another open to anyone who has experienced loss, including those with living children, providing support to those who have experienced miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, chemical pregnancy, TFMR, and/or recurrent pregnancy loss.

    • Mental Health Provider Directory & Matching: Access to specialized mental health professionals focused on family building challenges through the AllPaths’ Professional Directory. Email [email protected] for customized provider matching based on insurance, location, virtual preferences, and more.

    • Resource Library: Discover additional podcast episodes, guidance for loved ones, and support tools in the Loss section of the AllPaths’ online Resource Library.

    • Wave of Light: As part of PAIL Month, International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is observed every October 15th, culminating with Wave of Light around the world, created by families lighting candles to honor the little ones held in their hearts from 7-8p local time. AllPaths participates in the Wave of Light each year by lighting our Remembrance Lantern and we invite you to join us at https://allpathsfb.org/wave-of-light/.

    Don't miss our next episode!

    Be sure to follow or subscribe to the AllPaths Podcast on your favorite app so you are notified as soon as regular, full-length episodes resume next Tuesday. If this mini-episode brought you comfort, please take a moment to leave a rating or review, and share it so anyone struggling to grow their family can join the conversation.

    TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

    AllPaths Family Building, community, Footsteps for Family Building Walk, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, PAIL, October, International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, Wave of Light, peer support, support groups, pregnancy loss, miscarriage, chemical pregnancy, TFMR, ectopic pregnancy, recurrent pregnancy loss, primary pregnancy loss, Pregnancy and Infant, grief, loss support, grief support, supporting a friend or family member

    CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

    Follow us on social media @allpathsfb

    Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!

    5 min
  • “Oh, they actually get it.”

    In this episode of the podcast, AllPaths Executive Director Lauren sits down with volunteer support group leaders Ashley, Kristen, and Jillian to discuss their personal family building journeys and talk about the power of peer support. Each guest shares the unique path that led them to this community: Kristen details her experience navigating secondary infertility, severe diminished ovarian reserve, and a successful "kitchen sink" IVF protocol; Jillian reflects on enduring back-to-back pregnancy losses and a failed IVF transfer before ultimately being able to successfully carry to term; and Ashley opens up about her struggle with endometriosis, IVF challenges, and her rewarding path to parenthood through foster care adoption. Together, they highlight how community support creates a vital safety net for people navigating complicated, often isolating, fertility and family building journeys .

    The conversation explores what makes AllPaths' 20+ free virtual monthly support groups such a compassionate, low-pressure resource for anyone navigating fertility treatments, loss, adoption, or any other family building path. The leaders unpack the dynamics of group sessions, where attendees are free to simply listen or share at their own pace, give advice only when requested, and connect through mutual understanding and levity. They also offer practical wisdom on advocating for oneself in medical settings, prioritizing mental health therapy, and how friends and family can thoughtfully show up for loved ones with simple check-ins rather than unsolicited advice. No matter what twists and turns you encounter on your journey, this episode provides a comforting reminder that no one has to walk alone.

    🔸Find your people in one of AllPaths' free, virtual peer support groups today.

    TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

    Fertility treatment, IVF, pregnancy loss, recurrent pregnancy loss, adoption, adoption through foster-care, peer support groups, volunteer, nonprofit, peer leaders, fertility support groups, IVF support group, peer support infertility, miscarriage support group, pregnancy loss support, infertility, secondary infertility support, trying for another, diminished ovarian reserve information, IVF success stories, PGT testing, adoption support group, foster care adoption support, postpartum anxiety after infertility, virtual peer support groups fertility, AllPaths Family Building, how to support someone with infertility, fertility therapist resources, coping with infertility and loss, navigating IVF journeys, family building resources nonprofit

    CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

    Follow us on social media @allpathsfb

    Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!

    55 min
  • "IVF Is the Great Equalizer, But It’s Not Equitable Yet"

    In today’s episode, we’re delighted to introduce Boston-based reproductive endocrinologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital at Mass General Brigham and new member of the Board of Directors for AllPaths Family Building

    Dr. Zachary Walker to the AllPaths community. Dr. Walker reflects on his career trajectory, from discovering his passion for reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) during his residency in Birmingham, Alabama, to completing his fellowship and joining the faculty in Boston.

    Dr. Walker is particularly passionate about the issue of racial disparities in reproductive healthcare and the significant gaps in access and outcomes between communities. Our discussion covers the discrepancies in standard semen analysis metrics, lower IVF success rates among Black and Hispanic patients, and the underutilization of fertility preservation among minority groups, with Dr. Walker noting that these inequities persist even after controlling for factors like insurance coverage and proximity to care. To help address these clinical uncertainties, Dr. Walker highlights his current research at Brigham, including studying the impact of fibroid surgeries on IVF outcomes and a novel investigation into sperm molecular structures to better diagnose male factor infertility beyond standard semen analysis.

    Looking toward the future of fertility care, Dr. Walker shares about his recent launch of a dedicated transgender fertility preservation clinic at Brigham and Women's Hospital, in collaboration with Fenway Health and Boston Children's Hospital. After learning from the community the significant hurdles transgender individuals can face during their family building experiences, Dr. Walker is determined to streamline this process so patients wouldn't have to "run a marathon" just to find accessible care and specialized support.

    Other projects that Dr. Walker is working on include the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in IVF workflows and advocacy for underutilized integrative resources like pelvic floor physical therapy for conditions such as endometriosis. Ultimately, Dr. Walker encourages anyone embarking on a family-building journey to build a reliable support network and find a care team that will listen and empower them to navigate complex fertility decisions with clarity and trust.

    Connect with Dr. Walker on Instagram @zachwalker.md.

    TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

    Dr. Zachary Walker, fertility care, reproductive endocrinologist, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Mass General Brigham, AllPaths Family Building Board of Directors, nonprofit Board of Directors, healthcare disparities, IVF racial disparities, infertility racial disparities, male factor infertility, semen analysis DNA fragmentation, sperm centriole testing, fibroids and fertility myomectomy, intramural fibroid fertility treatment, egg freezing fertility preservation, transgender fertility preservation, LGBTQ fertility care, LGBTQ+ fertility care, transgender fertility preservation, transgender fertility preservation clinic, Fenway Health, Boston Children’s Hospital, pelvic floor physical therapy for fertility, AI embryo selection IVF, PGT embryo genetic testing, endometriosis diagnosis and treatment, how to support someone with infertility, IVF success rates and access to care,

    CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

    Follow us on social media @allpathsfb

    Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!

    41 min
  • “We’re just two people who wanted to have a baby”: A Conversation with America’s First IVF Mom

    In this milestone 100th episode of the AllPaths podcast, hosts Emily and Lauren welcome Judy Carr, the first mother through IVF in the United States. Judy shares the story of her pioneering path to parenthood in the 1980s, which began with three ectopic pregnancies resulting in the loss of her fallopian tubes. After receiving a pamphlet about a new clinic attempting to help people with fertility problems from her OB-GYN, Judy and her husband traveled to Virginia to consult with Dr. Howard Jones and Dr. Georgiana Jones. What followed that initial consult was a pioneering, highly personalized treatment plan that included the first hormonal stimulation protocol for fertility patients. And while some injections and blood draws could be done in Judy’s home state of Massachusetts, the bulk of her treatment had to be done at Drs. Jones’s clinic in Virginia because IVF was banned in MA at the time as "fetal experimentation." Judy’s first cycle resulted in two eggs, but only one was viable. That single egg was fertilized and transferred, coincidentally on Judy's birthday. After remaining at the clinic for a few days of monitoring, she was sent home with Dr. Georgiana Jones's memorable advice: "go home and don't you get your period." Thankfully she didn’t and that egg became America’s first IVF baby.

    Judy reflects on the intense historical interest surrounding her daughter's birth, from the secretive hospital plans dubbed "Operation Santa Claus" to the press conference held when Elizabeth was just three days old. She discusses the life-long bond she had with Drs. Jones, a follow-up study that debunked myths about IVF children's intelligence, and how a libel lawsuit against a newspaper resulted in funds to build a new clinic. Comparing early IVF practices to modern reproductive medicine, Judy highlights game-changing developments like embryo freezing, while cautioning against the loss of personalized care and doctor-patient relationships that can sometimes occur in today's protocol-driven clinics.

    Offering advice for individuals currently navigating fertility journeys, Judy highlights the emotional resilience required for family building, the importance of community support, and the ongoing need for insurance reform and public advocacy, emphasizing that accessible, compassionate care is essential for anyone who is trying to build the family of their dreams.

    TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

    Infertility, fertility treatment, fertility care, Judy Carr, America’s first IVF mom, IVF mom, Judy Carr interview, Elizabeth Carr, first IVF baby in the United States, history of IVF in the United States, early IVF pioneers Drs. Howard and Georgiana Jones, access to care, legal and political barriers to fertility treatment in the 1980s, Operation Santa Claus, IVF success stories, IVF pregnancy experience, infertility support and advocacy, family building after infertility, ectopic pregnancy and fertility, IVF emotional support and mental health, embryo freezing and egg freezing, advances in reproductive technology, IVF insurance and coverage, IVF patient-centered care, IVF stigma and public perception, AllPaths podcast 100th episode, early US vs. UK IVF protocols, how IVF works hormone protocols Pergonal, IVF ethical and legal history, infertility resources and peer support, tips for preparing for IVF, doctor-patient relationship

    CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

    Follow us on social media @allpathsfb

    Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!

    54 min
  • Challenge Accepted: Building a Global PCOS/PMOS Movement

    When Sasha Ottey was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (recently renamed PMOS, or Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome) in 2008, her doctor handed her a brief pamphlet and told her not to worry about her irregular cycles, just to “come back when she wanted to get pregnant.” Feeling that her concerns weren’t being taken seriously, Sasha began researching and soon discovered that she was one of millions around the world with PCOS/PMOS, a diagnosis that wasn’t even listed on the National Institute of Health's list of diseases and conditions. Refusing to accept the status quo, Sasha went on to found PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association, building a powerhouse of global support and legislative advocacy for the community.

    Despite dedicating her life to supporting others through their diagnoses and the lifelong impacts of the condition, Sasha found her own family building journey to be a lonely one when she decided to try to grow her family in her late 30s. She opens up about the vulnerability of undergoing a major myomectomy to remove 10 fibroids in 2020, followed by an aggressive IVF protocol. Given just a 20% chance of success, Sasha beat the odds on her first attempt and is now the mother of a thriving four-year-old girl.

    Through it all, PCOS Challenge has made enormous strides over the years, from successfully lobbying the NIH to list the condition to getting September unanimously designated as PCOS Awareness Month, which helped increase federal research funding by nearly 50%. Sasha also provides a candid look at the controversial renaming of the condition to PMOS and previews the upcoming PCOS/PMOS Awareness Symposium, taking place in Boston on September 19th. This full-day program, co-hosted by Mass General Brigham, brings together patients, supporters, healthcare professionals, researchers, leading PCOS/PMOS experts, and patient advocates for education and dialogue focused on improving care, treatment, research, and access. This year’s Symposium features specialized patient tracks including Spanish-language sessions and an adolescent-led policy lab designed to empower the next generation to use their voices and drive real change.

    To connect with PCOS Challenge, visit https://pcoschallenge.org/ and register for the upcoming Symposium at https://pcoschallenge.org/symposium/boston/.

    TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

    PCOS, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, PMOS, Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, preventative health care, reproductive health care, fibroids, uterine fibroids, myomectomy, IVF, maternal near miss, postpartum depression, mental health, body image, depression, anxiety, PCOS Challenge, Sasha Ottey, menstrual health, insulin resistance, metabolic issues, pre-diabetes, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, endometrial cancer, cancer risk, PCOS Advocacy, patient advocacy, patient-centered research, research funding, GLP-1s, advocacy, PCOS Awareness Month, PMOS Awareness Month, PCOS/PMOS Awareness Symposium

    CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

    Follow us on social media @allpathsfb

    Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!

    49 min
  • The “Funky Chromosome” Bedtime Story

    In this episode, we sit down with Kelsey Reynolds, a Board-Certified Reproductive Genetic Counselor with a unique entry into the field. Inspired by her own parents' decade-long journey with infertility and her mother’s bedtime stories explaining their family's inherited chromosomal translocation as simply a "funky chromosome," Kelsey’s career path led her to helping families navigate the complexities of genetic testing during conception, pregnancy, and parenting.

    The conversation unpacks the clinical realities of Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) during IVF, detailing the differences between available screenings and addressing one of the most painful and frequent questions faced by the fertility community: how pregnancy loss can still occur even after embryos have been genetically tested. She gently explains that while PGT is an incredibly powerful screening tool, it is not a 100% guarantee, highlighting the vital need for both patients and providers to balance hope with realistic expectations.

    Looking ahead, Kelsey highlights exciting, rapid advancements in prenatal screening, such as non-invasive blood tests for single-gene conditions and personalized therapies that can treat genetic conditions like cystic fibrosis during pregnancy. She offers practical advice on how patients can prepare for a genetic counseling appointment to make the most of their time, and shares valuable community resources like the Undiagnosed Disease Network that can guide and support families who are navigating rare diseases while trying to conceive and beyond.

    Finally, the hosts and Kelsey invite listeners to join them at the upcoming Footsteps for Family Building Walk in October. Driven by her passion for equity in healthcare, Kelsey is walking to support AllPaths' vital work in making family building options more accessible and to help raise the awareness and funding needed to continue to support the fertility and family building community.

    TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

    Fertility treatment, IVF, family building, genetic counseling, reproductive health, infertility support, IVF process, preconception genetic testing, embryo genetic testing, Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT), PGT testing, carrier screening, genetic testing options, pregnancy loss, PGT-A, PGT-SR, emotional support for families, navigating infertility, reproductive genetic counselor, family planning resources, pregnancy journey, genetic conditions, genetic testing for embryos, support for parents, community support, rare disease support, Footsteps for Family Building Walk

    CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

    Follow us on social media @allpathsfb

    Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!

    38 min
  • Building a Bigger Table

    Content Warning: Please note that this conversation includes discussions of domestic violence and child abuse. Take care of yourself while listening and see below for helpful support resources.

    Every child deserves a foundation of unconditional love, a truth that Comfort Cases founder Rob Scheer learned firsthand after surviving a broken foster care system to build a beautiful family of his own. In this episode, Rob shares his deeply moving personal journey of entering the foster care system at age 12 and aging out at 18 with little more than a trash bag of belongings. He opens up about his childhood trauma, confronting severe parental and foster abuse, and how his path toward mental-health healing through therapy became the foundation for the compassionate, purpose-driven life he leads today.

    Rob recounts how he and his husband, Reece, built their family by adopting five children through the same system. He details the sudden, overwhelming transition of bringing four young children under the age of four into their home within three months, navigating discrimination during the application process, and fighting an intense legal battle to finalize their adoptions. Rob also shares the story of welcoming their fifth son, Alex, who joined the family as an 18-year-old facing homelessness, embodying Rob’s drive to ensure there’s room for everyone at his table.

    The discussion also explores the origin of Comfort Cases and how a simple family discussion about empathy led to a massive volunteer-led effort that replaces trash bags with dignified, essential-filled backpacks. Today, the 96% volunteer-run organization has delivered more than 360,000 backpacks and duffels filled with pajamas, toiletries, and comforting items to youth in care across all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. This episode is a powerful testament to resilience, the necessity of communal investment in the future of foster youth, and the truth that it is never too late to give a young person the unconditional support and love they deserve.

    Learn more about Comfort Cases and get involved at comfortcases.org.

    National Domestic Violence Hotline

    • Call 800-799-7233
    • Text “BEGIN” to 88788
    • Live Chat
    • Website

    Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

    • Call 800-422-2253
    • Text “GO” to 800-422-4453
    • Live Chat
    • Website

    TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

    family building, adoption from foster care, public adoption, foster care, adoption journey, foster care awareness, parenting advice, domestic violence support, child abuse discussion, mental health in parenting, resources for parents, nonprofit organizations for families, emotional support for parents, LGBTQ+ parenting, parenting through trauma, raising multiracial families, empathy in parenting, unconditional love in families, community support for families, child welfare education, Rob Scheer, Comfort Cases, Comfort Cases nonprofit, stories of resilience, mental health and parenting

    CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

    Follow us on social media @allpathsfb

    Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!

    47 min
  • Don't Be An Athena

    In this episode of the AllPaths Podcast, we welcome Kayla Branstetter, an educator and author, to share her personal journey through unexplained infertility and miscarriage. Currently pursuing a doctorate in healthcare with a focus on narrative medicine, Kayla shares how her experiences and the subsequent "masking" of her grief led her to go public with her story to combat the societal judgment that often surrounds family building, from when and how someone has children to the size of their family and the parenting choices they make. Drawing on her research in narrative medicine, she explores how storytelling can dissolve shame and create vital connections.

    The discussion turns to Kayla’s new book, Don't Be an Athena, which examines the historical and systemic issues of medical gaslighting and misogyny. Throughout the book, Kayla highlights the critical need for self-advocacy, exposing the historical and systemic minimization of women's health with a range of personal and interviewed stories from the 1950s to today. She explains the book's central metaphor, the myth of Athena and Medusa, to illustrate how society often demonizes victims instead of empowering survivors through visibility, resources, and validation.

    Finally, Kayla offers practical wisdom for navigating the "noise" of family building, emphasizing that partners should protect their family unit and make decisions based on their own physical and mental health rather than external expectations. For those supporting friends or family, she stresses the importance of providing a safe, "listening ear" free from unsolicited advice. This episode serves as a powerful resource for anyone feeling invisible in their struggle, offering a message of empowerment, survival, and advocacy.

    Get your copy of Don’t Be an Athena through the AllPaths Bookshop here and a portion of your purchase supports our mission at no extra cost to you!

    A special thank you to CCRM Fertility of Boston for sponsoring this episode and for their support and commitment to the AllPaths community.

    TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

    Kayla Branstetter, Don’t Be an Athena, unexplained infertility, miscarriage, loss, PMADs after loss, blocked fallopian tube, rainbow baby, grief, depression, disordered eating, relationships and infertility, relationships and grief, mental health support, journaling, processing grief, family building, infertility journey, miscarriage support, parenting challenges, navigating pregnancy, emotional support for parents, fertility treatments, personal stories of motherhood, advocacy for women, reproductive health education, community support for families, LGBTQIA family building, awareness of postpartum depression, stories of hope in parenting, understanding infertility, challenges of motherhood, resources for women, fertility education, empowerment in family planning, medical gaslighting, reproductive trauma

    CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

    Follow us on social media @allpathsfb

    Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!

    46 min
  • “Love makes a family, but DNA makes a person.”

    In this episode, licensed social worker and founder of Beyond the Cradle Consulting Max Tang shares their experience as a donor-conceived person and their advocacy work to improve outcomes for donor-conceived people, donors, & parents. Max, a biracial, egg donor-conceived person from a monoracial Chinese American family, first discovered their origins during middle school when their parents revealed that they and their twin brother were conceived using a white egg donor. This revelation sparked years of identity confusion and grief, as Max struggled to reconcile their internal identity as a Chinese American with the world’s perception of their appearance and the medical system’s lack of transparency.

    The conversation continues through Max’s later journey of self-discovery, which was influenced by the rise of anti-Asian hate during the pandemic and led to a decision to take a DNA test that unexpectedly resulted in a connection with their biological mother. This meeting debunked long-held myths about the donor and helped Max see the family resemblance that they’d always struggled to find with their parents. This personal evolution "radicalized" Max in a positive way, leading them to facilitate peer support groups for BIPOC and multiracial donor-conceived adults and to advocate for a more human-centered, transparent approach within the fertility industry.

    Through Beyond the Cradle Consulting, Max is now dedicated to ensuring that donor conception is treated as a lifelong journey rather than a one-time medical event. Creating resources and providing opportunities for connection that prioritize the long-term well-being of all parties involved in the donor conception process, Max offers invaluable advice about the importance of early disclosure, maintaining openness and curiosity when it comes to preferred terms and relationships with genetic relatives, and emphasizing the dual truths that "love makes a family, but DNA makes a person" and "love may not see color, but the world does."

    Connect with Max at https://www.beyondthecradle.org/ and @beyondthecradle on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Substack.

    TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

    Donor conceived, donor conception, donor egg, transracial donor conception, multicultural donor conceived person, Biracial egg donor conceived person, donor conceived person (DCP), therapist, social worker, Max Tang, Beyond the Cradle Consulting, US donor conceived council, family building, donor conceived, egg donor, multiracial identity, family support, parenting through donor conception, identity discovery, DNA testing, donor siblings, donor support groups, mental health for donor conceived people, donor conceived community, family medical history, navigating donor conception, racial identity, Identity development in donor conceived people, identity formation, donor conceived resources, donor conception best practices, advocacy

    CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

    Follow us on social media @allpathsfb

    Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!

    55 min
  • It’s OK To Be Human

    This episode of the AllPaths podcast features Kallie Chausse, a baker and photographer, to discuss her journey to parenthood. After marrying the boy next door in her early 20s and trying to conceive without success, Kallie discovered at the age of 24 that she had the egg count of a woman in her 50s. This diagnosis launched her into the world of IUI treatments and strict hormonal monitoring. After a devastating first failure, Kallie successfully conceived her daughter Violet, though she candidly discusses the traumatic birth and postpartum depression that followed, which she believes were tied to "lingering infertility emotions" she hadn't yet processed.

    The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic added a layer of complexity to Kallie's attempt for a second child, forcing her to navigate fertility treatments in isolation and manage stressful insurance delays that nearly canceled the cycle that ultimately led to her daughter Ivy. Kallie reflects on the "tunnel vision" of treatment and the intense pressure she felt to be the "perfect employee" while juggling medical appointments and the mental load of early motherhood. Through these challenges, she found strength in a supportive nurse and a growing online community of others who understood her "silent struggles," eventually leading her to let go of the shame she once felt.

    Now an AllPaths Walk Ambassador, Kallie uses her experience to advocate for others, encouraging those in the trenches of fertility treatment and parenting after infertility to honor their feelings and seek validation and community support.

    TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

    Fertility testing, infertility, fertility treatment, Clomid, IUI, irregular periods, reproductive health, diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), postpartum depression, parenting after infertility, community support, validation, fertility insurance, parental leave, AllPaths Family Building, Footsteps for Family Building Walk, family building support, emotional support for parents, infertility journey, coping with infertility, IUI process, family building community, navigating fertility challenges, fertility specialist consultation, egg count concerns, seeking emotional support, mental health during pregnancy, balancing work and family, fertility treatment experiences, support for new parents, listening and validating emotions, supportive friends during infertility

    CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

    Follow us on social media @allpathsfb

    Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!

    44 min

About AllPaths Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Building a family can be a complicated, messy, lonely, and sometimes heartbreaking process, but you don't have to navigate this challenging journey alone.

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