Welcome back to the FriedEggs Podcast, a podcast about IVF and infertility hosted by two friends in sunny Los Angeles.

As we prepare to wrap up season one of the podcast and take a few weeks off for the holidays, we pulled one of our favorite unpublished conversations out of the archives to share today. While we recorded this earlier (note that Amy has already completed her 4th egg retrieval, and we are both still very much in transfer mode!), the conversation about shame and stress while going through IVF treatments is evergreen and remains more topical than ever, especially as we enter the holiday season.

We hope you love this conversation as much as we do and that, if you are going through IVF, it serves as a gentle reminder that you’re doing the best you can and that is truly enough. 

If you love the pod, please like, subscribe, and leave a review — it helps us reach more listeners!  As always, thank you for listening and we hope you enjoy today’s show! 

Disclaimer: The content provided in this episode of FriedEggs Podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance and treatment. The views and opinions expressed by our guests and hosts are their own.

Follow the FriedEggs Pod on ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Intro music by ⁠⁠⁠Fog Chaser⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to a very special episode of the FriedEggs Podcast—our first-ever guest episode! Today, we’re thrilled to introduce Allison Anderson, an experienced embryologist from the Bay Area with over a decade of expertise in both the lab and patient care.

Alli brings her unique insights into what really happens in the IVF lab, helping listeners understand the complex, behind-the-scenes processes that support IVF treatments. She’ll share insights into embryo creation, the emotional side of patient care, and the breakthroughs she’s witnessed in reproductive technology.

Important Disclaimer:

Please note that all views and opinions expressed by Allison are her own and do not represent those of her clinic. This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. Always consult your doctor or healthcare provider with any questions about your IVF treatment or protocol.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

Connect with Alli & with the FriedEggs Pod:

Thank you so much for listening! If you found this episode helpful, please rate and subscribe to the pod for more content about fertility and reproductive health. We’d love to hear from you—send us questions or guest suggestions for future episodes!

Follow Alli at ⁠@askanembryologist⁠

Follow the FriedEggs Pod on ⁠TikTok⁠ & ⁠Instagram⁠

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* Intro music by ⁠FogChaser⁠

* Audio editing and mixing by ⁠Matt Pereira⁠ of Liema

Happy Tuesday, eggies! In today's episode, we're chatting about the most common questions we get from family, friends, and strangers about IVF. Like, "How long does IVF take?" and "What are you guys talking about when you say 'STIMS'?" or "Where are our partners through all of this, and how do they support us during daily treatments?" We also share our Halloween costumes and chat briefly about the importance of voting -- enjoy & remember: you're doing great!! xo

We need your help to get the word out about the pod! Please “follow” and “rate" the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! 🫶

Intro music by ⁠⁠Fog Chaser⁠⁠

Disclaimer: The content provided in this episode of FriedEggs Podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance and treatment. The views and opinions expressed by our guests and hosts are their own.

Today's episode is short (not sweet!) as we dive into the topic of mental health and IVF. Why isn't mental health talked about more for people going through IVF? Why don't our clinics warn us about how fluctuating hormones, medications, failed cycles, and the stress of treatments can impact our emotional and mental well-being? We hope to do a longer episode with a therapist on this topic, but for now, enjoy our rant! xo

We need your help to get the word out about the pod! Please “follow” and “rate" the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! 🫶

Intro music by Fog Chaser

Disclaimer: The content provided in this episode of FriedEggs Podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance and treatment. The views and opinions expressed by our guests and hosts are their own.

Today, we're talking about the messy middle, "false summits," and letting go of IVF timelines—whatever that means. If you're on this journey with us, remember you're not alone! Sending love and strength to our fellow IVF gals. xo

We need your help to get the word out about the pod! Please “follow” and “rate" the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! 🫶

Intro music by FogChaser 

Disclaimer: The content provided in this episode of FriedEggs Podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance and treatment. The views and opinions expressed by our guests and hosts are their own.

Today's episode is a bit longer as we discuss the cost of IVF, unforeseen fees from canceled cycles, and the general state of fertility coverage in the United States. If you're on this journey with us, remember you're not alone! Sending love and strength to our fellow IVF gals. xo

We need your help to get the word out about the pod! Please “follow” and “rate" the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! 🫶

Intro music by FogChaser 

Disclaimer: The content provided in this episode of FriedEggs Podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance and treatment. The views and opinions expressed by our guests and hosts are their own.

Legs in the air? Check. Supplements we can't pronounce? Check. Eating pineapple and liver? Check check.

Today’s episode covers all of the fun and wacky (and witchy!) things we’ve done to try to get pregnant. 😝 Enjoy!! x

Intro music by FogChaser // Audio editing and mixing by Matt Pereira of Liema

Disclaimer: The content provided in this episode of FriedEggs Podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance and treatment. The views and opinions expressed by our guests and hosts are their own.

How do you support someone going through IVF? Today's episode is for friends & family who want to support their loved ones going through fertility treatments. 🫶

If you’re also on this infertility/IVF journey, remember: you’re doing great, and you’ve got this. xx

Intro music by FogChaser

Today's episode is a special one as we dive into the complexities of grief and the many emotions experienced while going through infertility and IVF. We also chat about joy (or try to!), read our friendship horoscope, and share the activities we’re doing for joy this fall. 🍁

Love to you all!! If you’re also on this infertility/IVF journey, you’re doing great, and you’ve got this. xo

Intro music by FogChaser

We’re diving into the unforeseen costs of IVF, specifically the extra fees for canceled cycles (wtf!) and how society often shames women for spending money on fertility treatments. We also talk about gut feelings, how to trust your own voice, and a new diagnosis: ovarian cysts.

Buckle up! It’s a good one. As always, love to you all. If you’re on this infertility/IVF journey too, you’re doing great and you’ve got this. xo

Intro music by FogChaser

Fact Check:

* Study shows contraceptive users and non-users processed stress differently at the molecular level, with contraceptive users also reporting a more negative psychological response to stress compared to non-users.

* Number of PGT-tested embryos recommended per live birth (study)

* Different types of embryo transfers

* Ovarian Cysts: What Is A Functional Cyst? What Is Normal? When Is An Ovarian Cyst A Problem? by Natalie Crawford, MD

Disclaimer: The content provided in this episode of FriedEggs Podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance and treatment. The views and opinions expressed by our guests and hosts are their own.