Been There, Injected That

While miscarriages are very common, recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is less common. 1-2% of couples experience recurrent miscarriage, or the loss of multiple pregnancies before the 20th week and the reasons for recurrent miscarriage are often not understood.

On today’s episode we are talking to Megan Hanson about recurrent miscarriages, what is known and what is not, and how you can better advocate for yourself and your health while navigating RPL. 

We're asking Megan:

• What does “recurrent pregnancy loss” mean? How is it defined/diagnosed?
• What are some of the emotional challenges specific to recurrent pregnancy loss?
• How do you know it’s time to see a specialist or take next steps?
• What are some tips and resources for women and families struggling with recurrent pregnancy loss?

To learn more, visit Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association.

Anyone who has been anxious about trying to conceive has probably either researched meditation or dabbled in meditation. But what is meditation and how can it help our minds and bodies slow down while we try to conceive?

Today we’re talking to fertility warrior,  meditation expert and podcast host, Josephine Atluri. Josephine will be sharing her own story as well as why meditation can be so valuable and some tips on how to begin your own practice.

We're asking Josephine about:

• Her own long path to parenthood (which included IVF, surrogacy, international adoption)
• How she originally got interested in meditation
• How meditation can help TTC warriors specifically
• What meditation is all about and how it can help our bodies and our minds
• What are good steps for people who are new to meditation

To learn more, check out Josephine's website and sign up for some of her TTC-specific meditations: https://www.jatluri.com/

Many people who experience infertility eventually decide to pursue IUI, IVF or other assisted reproductive technologies to grow their families. But what if IUI or IVF isn’t the right choice for you?

Today we’re talking to Katie Zieba who speaks candidly about her and her husband’s decision to not pursue fertility treatments.

You can learn more about Katie Zieba and her decision to let go of infertility in this blog post she wrote for Fruitful Fertility: https://www.fruitfulfertility.org/blog/1882/saying-no-to-fertility-treatments/

What is embryo donation? How does it work? And *does* it work? How do you know if pursuing embryo donation might be a good route for you? 

Embryo donation can be a great alternative for couples who might not have the financial means or desire to pursue IVF or adoption. In this episode we’re sharing Lauren’s story of navigating miscarriages, IUIs and eventually embryo donation.

Learn more about Lauren's story and embryo donation here: https://www.fruitfulfertility.org/blog/209/embryo-donation-i-cant-quit-you/

While miscarriages are very common, they often leave women feeling hopeless and alone. In this episode, Dr. Kenosha Gleaton of Natalist helps us answer some common questions about miscarriages and things to consider before trying to get pregnant again after experiencing one.

We also asked Dr. Gleaton:

• How frequent are miscarriages and why do women have them?
• What are someone’s chances of having multiple miscarriages?
• What should women be doing, if anything, to increase their chances of conception?
• What are some ingredients to look for in a prenatal vitamin?

You can learn more about getting pregnant after miscarriage here: https://natalist.com/blogs/learn/getting-pregnant-after-miscarriage

So many voices in the world of infertility say sacrifice more - your time, energy, relationships, budget, body, mind and joy - just get through this and then put your life back together after you get a baby. But is this really the healthiest approach?

Today we’re talking to Nicole Lange, a licensed acupuncturist, friend and ally of the fertility community, about her new online course, The Baby You Want. Nicole shares some strategies for not just getting through infertility and 'getting a baby,' but ways to get stronger and get the baby you really want - one with a healthy, balanced, thriving mom with an amazingly whole life.

Nicole and Elyse also discuss some of the cultural aspects of "infertility" that can be problematic and leave us feeling more isolated and stuck. You can also read about them in this blog post written by Nicole for Fruitful Fertility's blog: https://www.fruitfulfertility.org/blog/1833/its-time-for-a-fertility-culture-change/

Today we're talking to Michelle Strong, the co-founder of MyMindBodyBaby and a registered holistic nutritionist. We're asking Michelle to share a bit about her own struggle with infertility, why she helped create MyMindBodyBaby and how we can give our bodies a boost when it comes to nutrition, fitness and mindfulness.

To learn more about how a plant-based diet could boost your fertility, check out Michelle's blog post for Fruitful here: https://www.fruitfulfertility.org/blog/1792/forks-over-knives-fertility-and-plant-based-eating/

Secondary infertility is a frustrating, confusing and lonely diagnosis. It's defined as the inability to become pregnant or to carry a pregnancy successfully after previous success in delivering a child.

Oftentimes people going through secondary infertility don’t feel at home in the TTC community (since you're already a parent). But they also don’t feel at home in the parenting community since there are a lot of bumps and questions around when they're having another kid.

Where do people dealing with secondary infertility fit in? How do you deal with feeling ungrateful or guilty? Today we’re talking about all things secondary infertility with Monica Caron of the IG handle @my_so_called_IVF. 

Infertility has a way of sticking around even when it’s technically “over.” What is it about infertility, IVF and the trauma rollercoaster of it all that seeps into pregnancy, parenting and your life even after the clinic visits and wanda dates stop? 

In this episode, Brad and Elyse catch up to reflect back on the moments and feelings that surprised them after they finally saw their first BFP.

**This episode contains conversations about pregnancy and new parenthood after IVF and a successful frozen embryo transfer**

"Oh my God we're back again...brothers, sisters, everybody sing..." Any other BSB fans out there? Anyone? Anyone?

"Been There, Injected That" is back for Season 2! We're recording our episodes over Zoom and have an exciting lineup of guests this season, ready to share their words of wisdom, personal stories and helpful resources for dealing with infertility and miscarriage.

On today's episode, Elyse awkwardly monologues for the first time and shares some ways she's been managing her mental health during the pandemic. She also shares why she thinks fertility warriors are uniquely equipped for coping during this tumultuous time of unknowns.