Been There, Injected That

**Season 1 Finale** 

What happens when your best friend who has been there for you throughout every job hiccup, family drama and relationship challenge struggles to relate to your infertility struggles? And then...what happens when they’re pregnant and you’re not? How can you stay close when the mere idea is so, so painful?

In this episode, Elyse speaks with her IRL BFF, Jackie Meisel. The two discuss how they navigated their friendship during the awkward, heartbreaking season of Elyse's fertility journey and how they worked through the hard stuff. Jackie shares tips on how friends of TTC warriors can show up and support their loved ones, even when it seems impossible.

When you’re trying to conceive (especially at first), you’ll try just about anything to help boost your odds of seeing those two pink lines. And one of the things that can help is taking control of your nervous system and learning how to "self-care."

In this episode we’re talking to hormone health coach Jennifer Colletti about what self-care really means and what types of holistic options people can try to boost their odds of conceiving (like fertility yoga, castor oil packs and Mayan Abdominal Massage).

Jennifer Colletti: https://www.jennifercolletti.com/
Castor Oil Packs: https://www.fruitfulfertility.org/blog/1117/using-castor-oil-packs-for-infertility/

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women (it’s almost as common as breast cancer and 8 times more common than ovarian cancer), yet the general public still has very little awareness of the disease.

In this episode, Elyse chats with Britt Thelemann Pangerl of the Minnesota Endo Warriors and the new podcast "The Endo Cast" about what endometriosis is, how to get a diagnosis, what treatment options are available and her favorite resources to check out.

The Endo Cast: https://www.matriarchdm.com/endocast
Minnesota Endo Warriors: https://www.mnendowarriors.org/
Nancy's Endometriosis Nook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NancysNookEndoEd/

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine treatment that relies on the painless but strategic placement of tiny needles to stimulate certain key energy points believed to regulate spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical balance. And, for many people, it's often just what the doctor ordered.

In this episode, we’re speaking with Molly Kubinski of Selby Acupuncture about what makes acupuncture effective at boosting fertility specifically. 

How do you deal with the social stigma of being a 30-something without kids? How do you answer the rude and overly personal questions from well-meaning loved ones or just random people you meet at conferences and weddings?

In this episode, we’re chatting with Jen Nagorski, a fellow fertility warrior, who shares her story of navigating both a male factor diagnosis and diminished ovarian reserve. We talk about how to deal with awkward social situations and how we can better help engage our friends and family members and help coach them to support us in more helpful ways.

To learn more about how to answer the dreaded question, "When are You Having Kids?" check out this blog post:
https://www.fruitfulfertility.org/blog/745/replies-to-the-dreaded-question-when-are-you-having-kids/

A lot of people are surprised by the emotional challenges infertility kicks up. The feelings are unexpected. They're big. And we mostly deal with them in private. What is it about infertility that makes it so hard for some people and what are some coping techniques that might work for listeners?

In this episode, we're talking to Dr. Deborah Simmons and Debbie Fischer who practice infertility-related trauma and pregnancy loss counseling at  Partners (in)Fertility. They know all about the unique challenges that the family building journey can kick up for all types of couples and individuals, including depression, anxiety and relationship problems.

We discuss some of the most common challenges of people going through infertility, how you know it's time to talk to a therapist or mental health expert and some coping techniques that you can implement to make the journey just a little bit easier.

Some links and references from the show:

• Partner's (In)Fertility
• 10 Signs It's Time to Get Help
• "You Were Meant to Be" by Sherry Keen

*This episode contains conversations about child loss and stillbirth.* Loss is the common emotion that ties together all infertility stories. It's the loss of a dream. The loss of control. And sometimes it's the loss of a baby.

Today we’re talking to Brigette Kerber who went through years of infertility, IVF treatments and loss. Brigette bravely shares the story of how she learned to advocate for her health care, stay connected in her relationships, navigate a whole new level of grief and find ways to continue honoring the memory of her daughter, Lynnea.

This episode covers some really tough questions: What do you do when the worst possible thing happens to you? How do you grieve? How do you talk about it? How do you keep going? How do you ask for help? How do you get back up and try again? Should you?

IVF is a disruptive, expensive, high-stakes endeavor with a steep learning curve. In this episode, Elyse interviews Megan Johansen to discuss all the things they wish they knew before starting IVF. 

The two chat about the questions you should be asking yourself, the conversations you should be having with your partner, as well as what the heck is up with that "McDonald's french fries on transfer day" thing and so much more.

Looking for more? Here's a piece on the Fruitful Fertility blog called 5 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Starting IVF. And click here to learn more about the book mentioned in this episode, It Starts with the Egg, by Rebecca Fett.

This episode is all about finding your TTC family. Your pineapple people. Your Gonal-F goddesses.

Elyse speaks candidly with her two friends, Sarah Peltier and Kielyn Simonson, who she met at an infertility yoga class while the three friends went through infertility and later IVF. The three discuss how to find the emotional support we need when we are at our lowest lows. Where to meet other people who speak infertility ("DPO? IUI? D&C?") And how to bravely put ourselves out there, raise our hands and say “Uhhh...lil help, please?!?”

Whether it's through in-person support groups, private FB groups, yoga classes or technology, there are lots of ways to find your TTC family...and it's really important we do this. Infertility is borderline impossible to go through alone. We have to find our community...our new friends who get it and can *really* be there for us. They’re strong for us when we need strength and they’re funny when we need levity. And they somehow cosmically know exactly what we need in each critical moment of fear, heartbreak and vulnerability.

Learn more about Kielyn Simonson's organizing business here: https://organicemn.com/

Going to your first fertility clinic consultation can feel overwhelming and intimidating: "Are we infertile? Are they going to try to sell us IVF like some kind of car salesman?" It's high stakes and high pressure...and for good reason. Usually you've already been waiting a long time for answers and this appointment can feel like your first chance to get more information, clarity and a plan.

In this episode, we’re chatting with Margaret Sundheim, an IVF Nurse Practitioner at CCRM in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She's sharing what types of questions you should ask, what you can expect in that first meeting and how you might feel when you leave the office. We'll also talk about how you know it's time to leave your OBGYN for a fertility clinic, how to choose your clinic and doctor and how to know it's a good fit.

To learn more about how to prepare for your first fertility clinic appointment and for a list of questions you might want to ask, check out this blog post:
https://www.fruitfulfertility.org/blog/384/preparing-for-your-first-fertility-clinic-appointment/