Couples Chatting About Infertility

Come sit back with me while I chat with Caitlin and Tim. They are such an incredibly strong couple and the love that they have for each other just shines through. We talk about how they met, ended up getting married and we end up getting pretty deep into their journey with infertility. They both open up about navigating their infertility journey of male factor infertility, stage 3 endometriosis, and just the deep pain that comes along with being ready to have a baby together and it not happening as easily as you think it would. You can just tell how close they are and how they’ve truly fought this battle together. We also talk about why keeping your relationship a priority is a huge part of getting through and tackling the unexpected twists and turns of infertility. Caitlin is so vulnerable with her feelings as she shares and Tim’s speaks so honestly too on so many different issues that are so important to talk about. I’m so happy for Caitlin and Tim, as their first frozen embryo transfer was successful and they are expecting their sweet and incredibly strong baby. Caitlin is also an infertility support coach. She talks about how when she realized that she had a lot of work to do on herself during the depths of her infertility struggles, it opened her eyes to see that other women were probably feeling very similar to her and were in need to support too. She is SO great. Caitlin also wrote an e-book called A Loved Ones Guide to Infertility. What an incredible warrior right?

Connect with Caitlin on Instagram:

@thekirbyjourney_ttc

Sit back with me while I talk to Shannon. Shannon is open about her and her husband's seven year struggle to conceive their first daughter. She talks about going off the birth control pill around 24 years old and instantly feeling like something was wrong after several months went by and they still weren't pregnant. We talk about how 10+ years ago there was a true lack of resources and support for women and couples who were having trouble getting pregnant and going through infertility, so it was hard to really know where to turn for help. Shannon talks about feeling ready to see a specialist and the struggle of commuting to a clinic that's far away for multiple appointments, and juggling a work-life balance all at the same time. We talk about how going through infertility and making the decision to start fertility treatments is something that can be a difficult decision for you and your partner and can even make you question a lot about your relationship. Shannon is so honest about her struggles and experiences and this conversation was so great. 

Connect with Shannon on Instagram:

@the_golf_widow

Sit back with me while I talk to Michelle. Michelle is such an incredible human being. She’s an IVF support coach, mother, infertility warrior, and so much more. We talk about Michelle’s personal infertility journey and how her husband was the one who pushed them to seek help after they had been trying for several months. We also talk a lot about how important it is to make sure that your mental health is really strong, as you not only navigate the infertility world, but also throughout IVF and the many ways that it can take a toll on you. Michelle is truly so amazing. Her energy is just contagious and somehow makes you feel like you’ve just got this no matter what and everything is going to be alright. She keeps it real about how developing the positive mindset that she has has definitely taken some time, but has been worth all the work that she’s had to put in to get there. She shares so much about her work with her clients, and drops so many gems about how to make the most out of getting through the mess of infertility.

Connect with Michelle on Instagram:

@thrivf

Come and hang with us while we talk to Amazing and Rudy. They are such an awesome couple who we just loved chatting with. They met in college and eventually got married a few years later. Amazing talks about taking her IUD out shortly before they got married and the initial phase of the “trying but not-trying” stage. We talk about the heartache of going through infertility in your 20’s and how isolating it can feel. We laugh about how the “clomid crazies” are real. We also get into how infertility changes your relationship, sex life and perspective on so many different things. The guys also open up about how infertility has affected them and the toll it's taken from their point of view. Amazing and Rudy are just getting ready to begin their journey with IVF and we are so happy for them. They are such a great couple and we are rooting for them every step of the way.

Connect with Amazing on Instagram:

@amazing.fertility

Come and hang with me while I talk with Erin and Bob. They’ve been together for 15 years and met when they were in high school. Erin is so kind and they were such a nice couple to talk to. Erin talks about meeting Bob in high school and reconnecting with him when they started dating later on in college. We talk about Erin’s first experience with an RE, and how she felt when her doctor recommended they start IVF and were even qualified to join a clinical trial. She shares about the horrible experience she had with her clinic when she got a quick phone call saying they didn’t have any more room for them in the trial they were expecting to join. We also get into Bob’s unexpected diagnosis with cancer and how that affected their infertility journey. Erin and Bob have been through so much and they are such a strong couple. We also talk about so much more!! This conversation was so enjoyable and I just loved getting to talk to them. Erin is getting ready to start her first round of IVF and I’m so excited for her.

Connect with Erin on Instagram:

@mrs.erin.pyle

Come and hang with us while we chat with Crystal. She’s an amazing infertility warrior who has been trying to conceive for about four years. She talks about meeting her husband and just knowing that he was the one, getting married soon after and wanting to start a family right away. We talk about the pain of going through infertility for years and even how it feels when you lose touch with friends who don’t understand or can’t relate. We also get into the rollercoaster ride of going through IVF and all the ways that it takes a toll on you. We talk about the long process of IVF and how hard and heartbreaking it is to go through transfers that aren’t successful, but somehow finding a way to pick yourself up and keep going. Crystal is a beautiful soul inside and out! She is such a positive light in the infertility community and we are rooting so hard for her. Not only is she a graphic designer, but she also has her own Etsy shop where she custom paints embryos in watercolor. She is super talented and they are so beautiful. You can check out her shop on Etsy at TheIVFMama.

Connect with Crystal on Instagram:

@theivfmama

Come and hang with us as we talk to Marilyn. She is an incredible infertility warrior who is such an inspiration in the community. She’s extremely open about her journey with unexplained infertility and how she had success on her third round of IVF which resulted in her sweet little girl. We get into the overwhelming toll that infertility takes on your life, how it affects your marriage, how therapy can be so helpful in navigating your way through the crazy ride of infertility and healing, and so much more. Marilyn is one amazing mama! Not only is she an incredible voice in the community, she’s the host of the @mamavidapodcast and owns @infertiletees.

Connect with Marilyn on Instagram:

@marilynbgomez

Sit back with me as I talk with Alyssa. She’s an infertility warrior who has been trying to conceive for about twenty months. She is so kind and has an incredible attitude and perspective. She opens up about her entire infertility journey thus far, how she chose to be open with her family, friends and work about what she was going through from the beginning, and how she is able to keep moving forward every single day, despite all of the challenges and setbacks that come along with infertility and the heartaches she has already faced. She is one strong woman. Her story is absolutely inspiring and it’s not even over yet. We talk about what it’s like being educators while going through infertility ourselves, the rollercoaster ride of emotions that come along with going through IVF and so much more.

Connect with Alyssa on Instagram:

@healthyivf

On this episode we get into the way we feel about opening up with our infertility journey. We discuss how sharing our journey with others has been a huge part in the healing process for us. We talk about how we feel about the infertility community and the support that comes along with connecting with others.