AllPaths Podcast

In this episode, Marissa Hathaway, MPH, Doula, and owner of The Lemon Grove, delves into her background and her transition from global health to becoming a full-time doula. Recounting her challenges with infertility, including the grief of losing pregnancies while supporting other families during their births, Marissa highlights the importance of having a support system, both personally and professionally. We discuss how crucial it is to have open conversations about challenging fertility and family building experiences, the importance of compassionate care and understanding in clinical settings, and the impact a dedicated support system can have during difficult times.

Connect with Marissa at https://www.thelemongrove.care/ or on Instagram @the.lemon.grove

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

family building, infertility support, doula services, endometriosis awareness, reproductive health, pregnancy loss, miscarriage support, IVF, IVF journey, emotional support during infertility, maternal health advocacy, fertility counseling, parenting after loss, trauma-informed care, fertility resources, pregnancy after loss, twin pregnancy, community support for infertility, family planning options, self-care in infertility, navigating pregnancy challenges, support for expectant parents

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]!

Today’s episode features AllPaths volunteer Lea, a Boston-based biotech professional and leader of our Trying for Another Peer Support Group. After months of trying to conceive, Lea was diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve, which cast doubt on her ability to have biological children. She recounts navigating her options, including IVF and adoption, and her experiences with the adoption process, IUI, IVF, and an ectopic pregnancy. Lea also discusses the emotional toll those experiences took on her relationships and mental health and the feelings of guilt and anger that arose, especially after she went back to fertility treatments when her first child was six-months old, trying to balance her existing responsibilities with her desire to grow her family. Leah's story highlights the importance of community and support, and how she found her people at AllPaths. 

Join Lea for AllPaths' Trying for Another Group: https://allpathsfb.org/support/

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]!

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility, secondary infertility, fertility treatment, low AMH, diminished ovarian reserve, IUI, IVF, ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy loss, grief, anger, sibling age gap, pregnancy announcements, peer support, community support, support groups, family building support, infertility journey, IVF experiences, trying for another group, peer support for parents, emotional challenges of parenting, family expansion, navigating fertility treatments, low AMH awareness, coping with fertility struggles, community for parents, fertility podcast, managing family planning, resources for infertility, mental health in family building, support for growing families, coping with pregnancy loss, navigating relationships during infertility, understanding reproductive health

Megan Scherer joins us to share her family's journey through cancer and infertility, which then led to the creation of the nonprofit organization, Worth the Wait. After her husband was diagnosed with testicular cancer, they faced numerous challenges in starting their family. Megan discusses the importance of fertility preservation and the support they received, which ultimately led to the birth of their son. Inspired by their family’s experience, Megan and Mike founded Worth the Wait to help others facing similar battles. The organization aims to provide education on oncofertility, advocate for better awareness and support for young cancer survivors, and offer financial assistance to those needing help with fertility preservation and family building.

Megan and Mike started Worth the Wait, a 501c3, after their personal experience with cancer and infertility. They turned their adversity into a national charity that helps cancer survivors keep the hope of parenthood alive through financial assistance programs, advocacy work and oncofertility education. Being parents to their son Elliott is their greatest joy!

LINKS:

Connect with Worth the Wait: https://worththewaitcharity.com/, on social media @worththewaitcharity

Get support through AllPaths’ Cancer & Fertility Group: allpathsfb.org/support

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Cancer, cancer survivor, testicular cancer, fertility preservation, fertility treatment, infertility, IUI, IVF, insurance coverage, access to care, cost of care, Ohio, Worth the Wait Charity, young adult cancer survivors, oncofertility, oncofertility education, advocacy, financial support, financial assistance, grants, adolescent cancer patients, young adult cancer survivors, surrogacy, adoption, fertility preservation coverage, Alliance for Fertility Preservation, cryopreservation, emergency preservation grants, family building grants, community support, social media, support, for family and friends, what not to say

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]!

In this episode we speak with Kerry Hinds about her family-building journey and her work as a fertility yoga teacher. Kerry shares her journey, struggling to conceive and navigating fertility treatment in a foreign country, the emotional challenges and losses she faced, and the unexpected experience of becoming pregnant without intervention. Kerry also shared how yoga became her lifeline during difficult times and how she developed her unique approach to fertility yoga, incorporating restorative poses, gentle movements, and community support to help manage stress and connect with your body during a challenging family building journey. In addition to her virtual yoga studio Fertile Body Yoga, Kerry shares about her other projects, including her podcast Fringe Fertility, fertility yoga teacher training, and an upcoming in-person fertility retreat in Hillsborough, NH in April 2025.

Kerry Hinds is the owner and founder of Fertile Body Yoga, a virtual yoga studio that is dedicated to supporting women navigating their fertility journey - whatever it may look like. She offers both livestream and on-demand Fertility Yoga Classes and Small Group Programs that embrace the complete journey - physically, mentally, emotionally, energetically, spiritually, and socially.

Kerry has been teaching yoga for 20 years and has been specializing in fertility yoga for 8 years. Her classes and offerings are Informed by her own experiences with pregnancy loss, years of IVF, and eventually completing her family with 2 children. Kerry has supported 1000’s of women on their fertility journeys so far and is on a mission to help people conceive and birth with yoga and community. Kerry also hosts Fringe Fertility - a podcast that highlights supportive fertility practices beyond the doctor’s office.

LINKS:

Fertile Body Yoga: www.fertilebodyyoga.com

Retreat Information: https://www.justine-cohen.com/onfertileground

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Boston, Washington, Germany, fertility treatment, IUI, IVF, pregnancy loss, miscarriage, chemical pregnancy, D&C, trust, hope, affordable fertility treatment, fresh transfer, frozen embryo transfer, stopping treatment, mental load, spontaneous pregnancy, psychosocial support, yoga, restorative yoga, regulating the nervous system, parasympathetic nervous system, stress, fight or flight, pelvic floor, opening the pelvis, prenatal yoga, postpartum yoga, fertility yoga, slow flow yoga, mindful movements, community support, spiritual practice, fertility retreat, Bethel Farms, New Hampshire, sauna, yoga class, reiki, meditation, massage, farm to table, spirit babies, conscious conception, rewilding, mercier therapy, minimalist fertility, fertility yoga, family building, emotional support fertility, holistic fertility journey, IVF experiences, fertility wellness, prenatal yoga, yoga for stress relief, coping with infertility, fertility community, mindful movement yoga, reproductive health, yoga teacher training, fertility retreats, overcoming infertility, mental health in fertility, fertility yoga classes, natural conception support, yoga for women, fertility journey support

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]!

In this episode, London-based American author and journalist Ginanne Brownell recounts her challenging journey of infertility, miscarriage, donor conception, and gestational surrogacy. Now parent to twins born in 2018, Ginanne’s personal experience navigating the intricate legal landscape of surrogacy made her a committed family building advocate, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of surrogacy, its ethical dimensions, and the importance of inclusive legislation like the the Michigan Family Protection Act that she helped craft which was signed into law in April 2024. Ginanne’s book, Elusive Mommyhood: An Investigative Reporter’s Personal Journey into IVF and Surrogacy, encapsulates her journey and the broader context of surrogacy, aiming to educate and empower those considering this path to parenthood and honor and uplift the voices of the adult children conceived through assisted reproductive technologies.

LINKS:

Connect with Ginanne on Instagram @elusive.mommyhood

Read Elusive Mommyhood: https://ginannebrownell.com/elusive-mommyhood/

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

author, advocate, journalist, Michigan, London, Elusive Mommyhood, fertility treatment, IVF, surrogacy, donor sperm, miscarriage, egg freezing, unexplained infertility, gestational carrier, donor egg, donor conception, intended parents, twin pregnancy, twins, pre-birth order, parentage, parental order, history of surrogacy, global surrogacy, compensated surrogacy, surrogacy contracts, Michigan Fertility Alliance, fertility healthcare, Center for Reproductive Rights, assisted reproduction, Family Equality, ethical surrogacy, international surrogacy, equity, grassroots advocacy, family building, surrogacy journey, IVF experiences, infertility support, surrogacy laws, fertility healthcare, ethical surrogacy, parenting through surrogacy, gestational carriers, family advocacy, emotional journey of surrogacy, surrogacy success stories, navigating infertility, surrogacy in the US, challenges of surrogacy, surrogacy and legal issues, personal stories of surrogacy, surrogacy book release, surrogacy and parenthood

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]!

This episode features Jillian, an ER/ICU RN, Organ Donation Coordinator, and Nursing Supervisor/Educator and AllPaths peer group leader, whose journey includes unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss, IVF, and pregnancy after infertility and loss. Jillian's professional background offers her a unique perspective on fertility treatment and reproductive healthcare care, while her personal experiences often highlighted the stark contrast between medical insight and the emotional complexities of navigating grief and the need for understanding and support within the healthcare system. As Jillian recounts her journey to this point, we also explore the anxiety that is familiar to many who have experienced loss and the discussion turns to the importance of not only finding compassionate and understanding healthcare providers, but to the crucial role of a supportive community throughout the whole process.

Visit https://allpathsfb.org/support/ to join Jillian for one of AllPaths' Primary Pregnancy Loss Support Groups.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Nursing, RN, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, recurrent pregnancy loss, grief, relationships, unexplained infertility, IVF, genetic testing, fertility insurance coverage, fertility insurance, lack of control, fear, anxiety, guilt, mental health support, therapy, spontaneous pregnancy, expecting after loss, healthcare, postpartum challenges, community support, insurance consultation, support groups, peer support, primary pregnancy loss, volunteer, toxic positivity, family building, pregnancy loss, IVF journey, emotional support, infertility struggles, miscarriage awareness, reproductive health, parenting after loss, therapy for infertility, compassionate care, support groups, peer support, navigating healthcare, mental health during pregnancy, coping with miscarriage, community for parents, emotional wellbeing in fertility, understanding pregnancy loss, finding a supportive OB, journey to parenthood

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]!

In this episode, we sit down with Annie, an ENT resident with a unique perspective on medicine, identity, and family. Born to two moms through donor insemination, Annie shares how she always knew she was deeply wanted.

We explore her journey as a donor-conceived person, her evolving thoughts on connecting with her donor father and 20 half-siblings, and how her experience shapes her medical approach. Highlighted throughout is the importance of openness and transparency in donor conception, both within families and from donors themselves. Annie also sheds light on the gaps between what healthcare professionals are taught and what patients actually feel—especially in the world of fertility, and LGBTQ+ family building.

Join us for a heartfelt and insightful conversation on identity, belonging, and the diverse ways in which families are formed.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Donor conceived person, LGBTQ+, LGBTQ+ fertility, LGBTQ+ family building, same-sex family, fertility treatment, donor insemination, donor sperm, fertility treatment, donor siblings, family building, donor conception, LGBTQ family, sperm donor, family diversity, adoption stories, fertility journey, medical training and family, openness in parenting, intentional parenting, family support, donor insemination, half siblings, transparency in donor conception, family dynamics, emotional support for families, Jewish sperm donors, navigating family structures, fertility awareness, parenting advice

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]!

Advocate, founder of Grain Fertility, and father through IVF, Joe Cody shares his family's journey which spanned four years and included multiple failed cycles and significant financial burdens. We explore the emotional and practical challenges faced by families navigating infertility, the immense impact that proactive conversations with extended family - or a lack thereof - can have on a growing family, and the systemic issues within healthcare that complicate fertility treatments.

Joe also shares about his work since infertility, channeling his experiences into helping others navigate the complexities of infertility and advocating for accessible resources, equitable access to care, and supportive communities. 

Joe Cody is an IVF dad who has worked on health care policy and advocacy since 2008. He founded Grain Fertility after he and his wife went through a nearly 4 year journey to have their daughter and his wife used a 3-ring binder she put together to help keep their fertility journey organized. He is an active volunteer with RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, and served as the co-chair for National Advocacy Day in 2020 and 2021. He lives in Silver Spring, MD with his amazingly supportive wife, their 4 year old daughter, and their rescue dog, Fuskie.

LINKS:

Learn about Grain Fertility: https://www.grainfertility.com/

IG @joecody5

Join advocates across the US for RESOLVE Advocacy Day 2025: https://resolve.org/events/advocacy-day/

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Fertility treatment, infertility, diminished ovarian reserve, IVF, one and no longer trying for another, therapy, mental health support, advocacy, RESOLVE, Advocacy Day, access to care, cost of care, reproductive health care, assisted reproductive technology, Grain Fertility, patient advocacy, care coordination, IVF journey, infertility support, family building, fertility advocacy, emotional toll of infertility, fertility treatment options, navigating IVF, patient advocacy in fertility, financial aspects of IVF, sharing infertility stories, mental health and infertility, hormone testing and fertility, family planning challenges, infertility awareness, personal experiences with IVF, fertility clinics, support networks for infertility, coping with infertility, growth through adversity, Grain Fertility app

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]!

LaMone Downey Leonard, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Founder and CEO of Rising Hope Counseling and Wellness joins us to discuss her family building journey. Her mission is to create safe and supportive healing spaces for those experiencing difficulties with depression, anxiety, life transitions, perinatal mental health, and reproductive trauma including fertility and pregnancy and infant loss. LaMone hopes to continue to normalize the act of seeking support and to spread the message that everyone deserves their happiness and healing. LaMone talks about her recurrent pregnancy loss and navigating the feelings of grief following infant loss.

LaMone hopes to continue to normalize the act of seeking support and to spread the message that everyone deserves their happiness and healing. She earned her BS in Sociology from Cornell University and her MSW from Boston College Graduate School of Social Work. She is a Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Advocate, Fertility Advocate, a Registered Yoga Instructor (RYT-200), Double Dutch Aerobics Instructor & Groove.

LINKS:

Connect with LaMone: https://www.risinghopecw.com/

Fertility and Loss Resources for the BIPOC Community

• sisters-in-loss.com
• blackdoulasassociation.com
• fertilityforcoloredgirls.com

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Chemical pregnancy; fibroids; blocked tubes; PCOS; fertility treatment; IVF; loss; recurrent pregnancy loss; second trimester loss; mental health; anxiety; depression; grief; self-care; therapy; faith; pregnancy and infant loss; BIPOC; trauma; LICSW; social work; Rising Hope; PAIL; advocacy; pregnancy loss leave; self-care; mind-body; doula support; community support;

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]!

A Connecticut native who now calls Massachusetts home, Alison is a second-grade teacher and solo parent of one. Alison walks us along her path to becoming a single mother by choice, recurrent pregnancy losses, the grief of not being able to give her son a sibling, and coping with the range of emotions associated with knowing this was not how she had ever envisioned growing her family. Alison also opens up about the reality of parenting without a partner and her struggle with feeling like she has to do it all, while emphasizing the importance of a supportive community throughout the whole journey.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Single mother by choice, single parent, fertility treatment, donor conception, donor sperm, IUI, IVF, ICSI, genetic testing, PGT testing, insurance coverage, insurance appeal, therapy, chemical pregnancy, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, D&C, grief, anger, recurrent pregnancy loss, RPL, pregnancy loss leave, pregnancy after loss, trying for another, blighted ovum, one and not longer trying for another, solo 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]!