Today, Ali is talking to Zach and Alexandra French, the founders of the nonprofit organization The Surrogacy Foundation, whose mission "isn't just to raise funds, but to propel surrogacy into the mainstream." Zach and Alexandra share their entire family building story, from how they met and got together to having their first child without Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). They talk about what happened when Alexandra found a lump in her breast, and how they navigated her cancer diagnosis and treatment. They also talk about Alexandra's double mastectomy, and how they pivoted to surrogacy after her surgery. "My doctor said if we wanted to expand our family, I could no longer carry. We would have to turn towards surrogacy--because if i carried another child, my cancer would return," Alexandra says. They talk about all of the intricacies of surrogacy, from finding a match to navigating the legal side, and share what it was like when their next baby was finally born. They also talk about creating the Surrogacy Foundation and how they've raised more than $500,000 so far to help families in need. "At The Surrogacy Foundation we don't just raise money; we help families every step of the way," they say. "Because education is essential to accessibility, we provide state of the art education based on decades of experience in an easy-to-use format."

For more, go to www.thesurrogacyfoundation.org

Follow on IG: @thesurrogacyfoundation 

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: 

Breast cancer; chemotherapy; double mastectomy; trying to conceive; surrogacy; nonprofits; surrogacy grants; ART

EPISODE SPONSORS: 

BEAUTIFUL BIRD AND WORK OF ART

Ali's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology 

https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

The latest book in the Work of ART series, “Beautiful Bird” tells the story of three parents, one incredible boy and a family built with love—and a little bit of science.

Pre-orders are available now! The first 150 copies will be Personalized, Signed and Numbered! Don't miss out on this limited edition! Tap the link in bio and stories to order your copy today.

When Helen decides to have a baby on her own, she welcomes Jack Bird into the world through IUI with the help of her friend, Aaron. But when Jack is born and needs extra care in the NICU, Aaron and his partner, Blake, fall in love with Jack, too. Together, the three join forces to raise Jack, proving that family isn’t about how you start—it’s about how you grow.

Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

For bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request

FERTILITY RALLY

IG: @fertilityrally

www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.

Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership

GENERATIONS CRYOVAULT

www.gencryo.com

IG: @generationscryovault

When you're navigating fertility treatments, every decision feels big—because it is big. But did you know that when it comes to storing your reproductive tissue—including eggs, sperm, and embryos—you DO have a choice? Most clinics automatically store your tissues—or hand you off to their partner. But guess what? It doesn’t have to be that way. 

Enter Generations CryoVault, which believes in the motto, "Your tissues. Your choice." When you choose to work with Generations CryoVault, they help you transfer your tissues securely and easily to their headquarters – a place you can trust. 

Take control of this part of your journey by visiting gencryo.com. And make sure to mention Infertile AF to receive 1 free month of storage.

INITO

https://try.inito.com/hormone-tracking/inf/?discount=INFERTILEAF&utm_source=social_media&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_content=INFERTILEAF

IG: @initofertiility

For years, clinical labs were the only way to get a clear view of your hormone levels and ovulation patterns. But for many people in the trying to conceive community—especially those with hormone imbalances or conditions like PCOS—frequent lab visits can be costly, inconvenient, and take up a ton of time. This is why I’m excited to tell you about Inito, which is unlike anything else out there. Inito is an at-home fertility monitor that tracks all four key hormones—Estrogen, LH, FSH, and PdG—on a single test strip. Instead of piecing together fragments of info, Inito offers a full, clear picture of your hormone health through a data chart and clear insights that are unique to your body and your cycle.

The Inito Starter Pack is available for just $89 with the code INFERTILEAF at ihttps://try.inito.com/hormone-tracking/inf/?discount=INFERTILEAF&utm_source=social_media&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_content=INFERTILEAF

 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Support this podcast at https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

Our Sponsors:

* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today, Ali is talking to Dr. Nirali Jain, a Reproductive Endocrinologist at RMA, about the importance of fertility preservation for cancer patients. "I do feel like the system failed us a little bit, and I tell all my patients when they come in for their first visit, your entire life, you learned how to not get pregnant, and you never thought you'd be sitting in this office learning about timed intercourse and figuring out when you're ovulating," Dr. Jain says. Ali and Dr. Jain talk about how chemo can affect fertility, what your options are when you get a cancer diagnosis, and how to get a referral to a fertility specialist from your oncologist. If you or anyone you know has recently been diagnosed with cancer and you're interested in preserving your fertility, this is a must listen! Spread the word!  

Follow Dr. Jain on IG: @eggspert_md

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: 

Cancer; chemotherapy; chemo agents; egg quality; egg freezing; embryo freezing; advocacy; trying to conceive; timed intercourse; ovulation 

EPISODE SPONSORS: 

BEAUTIFUL BIRD AND WORK OF ART

Ali's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology 

https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

The latest book in the Work of ART series, “Beautiful Bird” tells the story of three parents, one incredible boy and a family built with love—and a little bit of science.

Pre-orders are available now! The first 150 copies will be Personalized, Signed and Numbered! Don't miss out on this limited edition! Tap the link in bio and stories to order your copy today.

When Helen decides to have a baby on her own, she welcomes Jack Bird into the world through IUI with the help of her friend, Aaron. But when Jack is born and needs extra care in the NICU, Aaron and his partner, Blake, fall in love with Jack, too. Together, the three join forces to raise Jack, proving that family isn’t about how you start—it’s about how you grow.

Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

For bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request

FERTILITY RALLY

IG: @fertilityrally

www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.

Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership

GENERATIONS CRYOVAULT

www.gencryo.com

IG: @generationscryovault

When you're navigating fertility treatments, every decision feels big—because it is big. But did you know that when it comes to storing your reproductive tissue—including eggs, sperm, and embryos—you DO have a choice? Most clinics automatically store your tissues—or hand you off to their partner. But guess what? It doesn’t have to be that way. 

Enter Generations CryoVault, which believes in the motto, "Your tissues. Your choice." When you choose to work with Generations CryoVault, they help you transfer your tissues securely and easily to their headquarters – a place you can trust. 

Take control of this part of your journey by visiting gencryo.com. And make sure to mention Infertile AF to receive 1 free month of storage.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Support this podcast at https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

Our Sponsors:

* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this episode, Ali talks to Julia Midwinter, a Fertility and Pregnancy Mindset Coach who supports women struggling to conceive or who are pregnant after IVF or miscarriage. Julia shares her own infertility journey, including her diagnosis of endometriosis, her five year journey to conceive her son through IVF, and her two miscarriages. She talks about ovarian cysts, fertility acupuncture, and how she felt navigating all of the above. She also talks about what she learned from her own infertility coach, and why she decided to become one. "So many of us have experienced the elation of having a positive pregnancy test, and then the devastation of it being taken away," Julia says. "However lonely you feel, there are so many other people experiencing the same." 

For more info, go to www.pineapplecoaching.co.uk

Follow on IG: @pineapplefertilitycoaching 

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: 

Endometriosis; IVF; miscarriage; pregnancy after loss; mental health; secondary infertility; fertility coaching; acupuncture; ovarian cysts

EPISODE SPONSORS: 

BEAUTIFUL BIRD AND WORK OF ART

Ali's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology 

https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

The latest book in the Work of ART series, “Beautiful Bird” tells the story of three parents, one incredible boy and a family built with love—and a little bit of science.

Pre-orders are available now! The first 150 copies will be Personalized, Signed and Numbered! Don't miss out on this limited edition! Tap the link in bio and stories to order your copy today.

When Helen decides to have a baby on her own, she welcomes Jack Bird into the world through IUI with the help of her friend, Aaron. But when Jack is born and needs extra care in the NICU, Aaron and his partner, Blake, fall in love with Jack, too. Together, the three join forces to raise Jack, proving that family isn’t about how you start—it’s about how you grow.

Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

For bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request

FERTILITY RALLY

IG: @fertilityrally

www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.

Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership

GENERATIONS CRYOVAULT

www.gencryo.com

IG: @generationscryovault

When you're navigating fertility treatments, every decision feels big—because it is big. But did you know that when it comes to storing your reproductive tissue—including eggs, sperm, and embryos—you DO have a choice? Most clinics automatically store your tissues—or hand you off to their partner. But guess what? It doesn’t have to be that way. 

Enter Generations CryoVault, which believes in the motto, "Your tissues. Your choice." When you choose to work with Generations CryoVault, they help you transfer your tissues securely and easily to their headquarters – a place you can trust. 

Take control of this part of your journey by visiting gencryo.com. And make sure to mention Infertile AF to receive 1 free month of storage.

BELI

IG: @belibaby

www.belibaby.com 

Are you thinking about growing your family? Whether you're just starting to plan or are actively trying to conceive, preconception health is key. Beli has vitamins to help both women and men optimize their health before pregnancy. With essential nutrients like Folate, Iodine, and Zinc, Beli ensures your body is ready for this exciting next step. Give yourself and your future baby the best foundation for a healthy start.

Visit Belibaby.com today and use code IAF15 for 15% off your first order. 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Support this podcast at https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

Our Sponsors:

* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today, Ali is talking to Marea Goodman, licensed midwife, author, and founder of PregnantTogether, a virtual community supporting queer folks and solo parents from preconception through parenting. Marea co-authored the book,  Baby Making for Everybody–Fertility and Family Building for LGBTQ+ and Solo Parents, and today, they share their family building story, including having an early loss via IUI, and also having their son through IUI. They talk about their passion for empowering people with the information they deserve to grow their families, and about dismantling the isolation and stigma that still surrounds queer and solo parenthood. They also talk about inclusive midwifery, queer fertility, and how we can better support all kinds of families on their journey to parenthood. "We're trying to create a community for folks who don't fit into the mainstream family building world, to build connections, share resources and rely on each other. It's been a beautiful thing that has also really helped me personally on my queer parenting journey," Marea says. 

For more info, go to www.pregnanttogether.com

Follow on IG: @pregnanttogether.community

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: 

Solo parenting; LBGTQ+ family building; queer family building; donor eggs; donor sperm; midwifery; pregnancy; birth; postpartum; mental health

EPISODE SPONSORS: 

BEAUTIFUL BIRD AND WORK OF ART

Ali's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology 

https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

The latest book in the Work of ART series, “Beautiful Bird” tells the story of three parents, one incredible boy and a family built with love—and a little bit of science.

Pre-orders are available now! The first 150 copies will be Personalized, Signed and Numbered! Don't miss out on this limited edition! Tap the link in bio and stories to order your copy today.

When Helen decides to have a baby on her own, she welcomes Jack Bird into the world through IUI with the help of her friend, Aaron. But when Jack is born and needs extra care in the NICU, Aaron and his partner, Blake, fall in love with Jack, too. Together, the three join forces to raise Jack, proving that family isn’t about how you start—it’s about how you grow.

Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

For bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request

FERTILITY RALLY

IG: @fertilityrally

www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.

Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership

GENERATIONS CRYOVAULT

www.gencryo.com

IG: @generationscryovault

When you're navigating fertility treatments, every decision feels big—because it is big. But did you know that when it comes to storing your reproductive tissue—including eggs, sperm, and embryos—you DO have a choice? Most clinics automatically store your tissues—or hand you off to their partner. But guess what? It doesn’t have to be that way. 

Enter Generations CryoVault, which believes in the motto, "Your tissues. Your choice." When you choose to work with Generations CryoVault, they help you transfer your tissues securely and easily to their headquarters – a place you can trust. 

Take control of this part of your journey by visiting gencryo.com. And make sure to mention Infertile AF to receive 1 free month of storage.

BELI

IG: @belibaby

www.belibaby.com 

Are you thinking about growing your family? Whether you're just starting to plan or are actively trying to conceive, preconception health is key. Beli has vitamins to help both women and men optimize their health before pregnancy. With essential nutrients like Folate, Iodine, and Zinc, Beli ensures your body is ready for this exciting next step. Give yourself and your future baby the best foundation for a healthy start.

Visit Belibaby.com today and use code IAF15 for 15% off your first order. 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Support this podcast at https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

Our Sponsors:

* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It's another Expert Minisode! Did you know that when it comes to storing your reproductive tissue—including eggs, sperm, and embryos—you have a choice? Most clinics automatically store your tissues—or hand you off to their partner. But guess what? It doesn’t have to be that way. Today, Ali is talking to Courtney Dennewitz, Chief Operations Officer and Co-Founder of Generations CryoVault, which is driven by a deep passion to “do things right” in the world of fertility preservation, armed with the motto, "Your Tissues, Your Choice." Courtney, who has more than 17 years of industry experience in cryostorage, talks about how GenCryo is passionate about providing the safest, most reliable storage option for patients and clinics alike. She also answers every question Ali could think of when it comes to fertility preservation, including, What safety and monitoring systems are in place at GenCryo? How is tissue protected in the event of unforeseen circumstances, such as natural disasters or equipment failures? And how has cryostorage changed in the past few decades? "You might argue that we go a little overboard ensuring that they never warm, but we prefer to do more than necessary to avoid a heartbreaking disaster," Courtney says. 

For more info, go to GenCryo.com -- and mention Infertile AF to receive 1 free month of storage. Because this isn’t just storage—it’s part of your family-building story.

Follow on IG: @generationscryovault 

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: 

Reproductive tissue; embryo storage; egg storage; infertility; IVF; TTC community; TTC support 

EPISODE SPONSORS: 

BEAUTIFUL BIRD AND WORK OF ART

Ali's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology 

https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

The latest book in the Work of ART series, “Beautiful Bird” tells the story of three parents, one incredible boy and a family built with love—and a little bit of science.

Pre-orders are available now! The first 150 copies will be Personalized, Signed and Numbered! Don't miss out on this limited edition! Tap the link in bio and stories to order your copy today.

When Helen decides to have a baby on her own, she welcomes Jack Bird into the world through IUI with the help of her friend, Aaron. But when Jack is born and needs extra care in the NICU, Aaron and his partner, Blake, fall in love with Jack, too. Together, the three join forces to raise Jack, proving that family isn’t about how you start—it’s about how you grow.

Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

For bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request

FERTILITY RALLY

IG: @fertilityrally

www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.

Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership

BELI

IG: @belibaby

www.belibaby.com 

Are you thinking about growing your family? Whether you're just starting to plan or are actively trying to conceive, preconception health is key. Beli has vitamins to help both women and men optimize their health before pregnancy. With essential nutrients like Folate, Iodine, and Zinc, Beli ensures your body is ready for this exciting next step. Give yourself and your future baby the best foundation for a healthy start.

Visit Belibaby.com today and use code IAF15 for 15% off your first order. 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Support this podcast at https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's episode, Ali talks to Whitney, a surrogate, and her husband, Geremi, about working with ConceiveAbilities, a leading egg donor and surrogacy agency. When people think about surrogacy, they often focus on the surrogate herself—but what about her partner? The truth is, a strong, supportive partner can make all the difference. Emotional strength, physical support, shared sacrifice—surrogacy is a team effort in every sense. Today, we're getting a behind-the-scenes look at what that partnership really looks like. Whitney, an experienced surrogate with ConceiveAbilities who delivered for her intended parents about a year and a half ago—and her husband, Geremi, who serves in the U.S. Air Force, talk about Whitney's decision to become a surrogate; building their own family (including a devastating miscarriage); what happened when they met the intended parents; surrogacy and military life; and much more. They also talk about how the experience transformed not just Whitney’s life, but Geremi’s too.

Find out more about ConceiveAbilities on IG: 

https://www.instagram.com/conceiveabilities/

For more information on surrogacy or becoming a surrogate click on this link:

https://share.conceiveabilities.com/apratoraf

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: 

TTC; miscarriage; surrogacy; IVF; egg retrieval; surrogacy success; military life

EPISODE SPONSORS: 

WORK OF ART

Ali's Children's Book about IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology

https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

Do not miss Ali's children’s book about IVF! It's been getting rave reviews. “Work of ART” is the story of an IVF kiddo the day he learns he is a “work of ART” (born via IVF and ART). For young readers 4-8. Hardcover. Written by Ali Prato; Illustrated by Federico Bonifacini.

Personalized and non-personalized versions are available. Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

For bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request

FERTILITY RALLY

IG: @fertilityrally

www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.

Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership

BELI

IG: @belibaby

www.belibaby.com 

Are you thinking about growing your family? Whether you're just starting to plan or are actively trying to conceive, preconception health is key. Beli has vitamins to help both women and men optimize their health before pregnancy. With essential nutrients like Folate, Iodine, and Zinc, Beli ensures your body is ready for this exciting next step. Give yourself and your future baby the best foundation for a healthy start.

Visit Belibaby.com today and use code IAF15 for 15% off your first order. 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Support this podcast at https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome back to another expert minisode! Today Ali is talking to Dr. Molly Quinn, is a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialist with HRC Fertility. Dr, Quinn prioritizes direct communication with patients and will always make herself available to patients for any questions, and today, she is answering ALL the things about Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, or "RPL." Ali and Dr. Quinn talk about how 

recurrent pregnancy loss is medically defined, how common it is, who is most at risk, what the most frequent causes of recurrent miscarriage and so much more. You do not want to miss this one! If you know anyone who has experienced or is experiencing RPL, please pass this episode on to them! 

Follow her on IG: @mollyquinnmd @hrcfertilitypasadena @hrcfertility

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Recurrent pregnancy loss; miscarriage; fertility tests; infertility; IVF; genetic testing; chromosomal issues; mental health support; 

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

EPISODE SPONSORS:

WORK OF ART

Ali's Children's Book about IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology

https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

Do not miss Ali's children’s book about IVF! It's been getting rave reviews. “Work of ART” is the story of an IVF kiddo the day he learns he is a “work of ART” (born via IVF and ART). For young readers 4-8. Hardcover. Written by Ali Prato; Illustrated by Federico Bonifacini.

Personalized and non-personalized versions are available. Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

For bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request

FERTILITY RALLY

IG: @fertilityrally

www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.

Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership 

BELI

IG: @belibaby

www.belibaby.com 

Are you thinking about growing your family? Whether you're just starting to plan or are actively trying to conceive, preconception health is key. Beli has vitamins to help both women and men optimize their health before pregnancy. With essential nutrients like Folate, Iodine, and Zinc, Beli ensures your body is ready for this exciting next step. Give yourself and your future baby the best foundation for a healthy start.

Visit Belibaby.com today and use code IAF15 for 15% off your first order. 

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Do not miss our celeb guest today! Ali is talking to the incredible Riki Lindome, a prolific, Emmy nominated comedian and actress from Knives Out; Wednesday; The Big Bang Theory; her musical duo, Garfunkel and Oates; and her one-woman show about her infertility journey, Dead Inside. Riki gets real with Ali about her family building journey, including how she navigated infertility, IVF, a devastating pregnancy loss, an adoption journey and finally, surrogacy. Riki also talks about her new solo comedy album, No Worries if Not, her sweet son, Keaton (whom she’s raising with her husband, comedian and actor Fred Armisen), and how it felt to hold him in her arms for the very first time. She also talks about the amazing bond she has with her surrogate, and how humor and honesty helped them through it all.

Follow her on IG: @rikilindhome

Check out her work: rikilindhome.com

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility; IVF; egg retrieval; pregnancy loss; products of conception; surrogacy; adoption; embryo donation

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

EPISODE SPONSORS:

WORK OF ART

Ali's Children's Book about IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology

https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

Do not miss Ali's children’s book about IVF! It's been getting rave reviews. “Work of ART” is the story of an IVF kiddo the day he learns he is a “work of ART” (born via IVF and ART). For young readers 4-8. Hardcover. Written by Ali Prato; Illustrated by Federico Bonifacini.

Personalized and non-personalized versions are available. Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

For bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request

FERTILITY RALLY

IG: @fertilityrally

www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.

Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership 

NEWGEN FAMILIES

IG: @newgenfamilies

NewGen Families is known for their thoughtful matches and their empathetic and expert care when it comes to both surrogates and future parents. 

For more, go to: https://newgenfamilies.com

EXTEND FERTILITY 

IG: @extendfertility

www.extendfertility.com

Fertility shouldn’t be dictated by a timeline. Extend Fertility offers cutting-edge egg and embryo freezing, infertility care, and IVF—all designed to put you in control. Their approach? Research driven, transparent, and personalized. With a world-class lab, exceptional verified success rates backed by nearly a decade of egg freezing results, and pricing lower than the national average, Extend Fertility is making reproductive care more accessible and effective than ever. Whether you’re preserving fertility for the future or actively trying to conceive, they’re here with expert support every step of theway. 

BELI

IG: @belibaby

www.belibaby.com 

Are you thinking about growing your family? Whether you're just starting to plan or are actively trying to conceive, preconception health is key. Beli has vitamins to help both women and men optimize their health before pregnancy. With essential nutrients like Folate, Iodine, and Zinc, Beli ensures your body is ready for this exciting next step. Give yourself and your future baby the best foundation for a healthy start.

Visit Belibaby.com today and use code IAF15 for 15% off your first order. 

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today, Ali sits down with her dear friend and Fertility Rally member, Caitlin Trabert, for a raw and powerful conversation about her long and deeply emotional path to parenthood. Caitlin opens up about the heartbreak of multiple pregnancies and subsequent losses, her husband's balanced translocation, and the toll of IVF—physically, emotionally, and mentally. From the crushing "egg winner" high to the "zero embryos" low, a surprise pregnancy that ended in miscarriage, and learning her mom had breast cancer on the same day she was miscarrying—Caitlin talks about how hard it is to trust your body after so much loss, and joining Fertility Rally—an experience she describes as the best decision she's made. She talks about welcoming her daughter, Parker, into the world, and finally, being pregnant again with a baby that's due this year.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: 

Infertility; TTC; pregnancy loss; miscarriage; IVF; embryo transfers; egg retrievals, pregnancy after infertility; balanced translocation 

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

EPISODE SPONSORS:

WORK OF ART

Ali's Children's Book about IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology

https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

Do not miss Ali's children’s book about IVF! It's been getting rave reviews. “Work of ART” is the story of an IVF kiddo the day he learns he is a “work of ART” (born via IVF and ART). For young readers 4-8. Hardcover. Written by Ali Prato; Illustrated by Federico Bonifacini.

Personalized and non-personalized versions are available. Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

For bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request

FERTILITY RALLY

IG: @fertilityrally

www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.

Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership 

BELI

IG: @belibaby

www.belibaby.com 

Are you thinking about growing your family? Whether you're just starting to plan or are actively trying to conceive, preconception health is key. Beli has vitamins to help both women and men optimize their health before pregnancy. With essential nutrients like Folate, Iodine, and Zinc, Beli ensures your body is ready for this exciting next step. Give yourself and your future baby the best foundation for a healthy start.

Visit Belibaby.com today and use code IAF15 for 15% off your first order. 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Our Sponsors:

* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today, Ali is talking to Lana Manikowski, a fellow Chicagoan, a certified life coach and the author of "So Now What?" -- a roadmap to help you create a life you love without the children you always dreamed about. Lana tells Ali about her years-long infertility journey, starting with an "unexplained infertility" diagnosis and 7 IUIs. Lana explains moving on to IVF, traveling to get treatment in Colorado, doing several rounds of IVF, and how she and her husband decided to stop treatment and embrace their lives without children. "So many women are left to navigate this alone," she says. "Here I was, left to figure out who I was gonna be in my life without motherhood. And there was no one there--not even a referral for a therapist." Lana has made it her goal to help other women navigate childlessness after infertility, from her book to her advocacy to The Other's Day brunch, which takes place each year in Chicago around Mother's Day. 

For more, go to https://lanamanikowski.com

and follow her on IG: @lana.manikowski  

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: 

Infertility; TTC; unexplained infertility; IUI; IVF; childless not by choice

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

EPISODE SPONSORS:

WORK OF ART

Ali's Children's Book about IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology

https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

Do not miss Ali's children’s book about IVF! It's been getting rave reviews. “Work of ART” is the story of an IVF kiddo the day he learns he is a “work of ART” (born via IVF and ART). For young readers 4-8. Hardcover. Written by Ali Prato; Illustrated by Federico Bonifacini.

Personalized and non-personalized versions are available. Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

For bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request

FERTILITY RALLY

IG: @fertilityrally

www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.

Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership 

BELI

IG: @belibaby

www.belibaby.com 

Are you thinking about growing your family? Whether you're just starting to plan or are actively trying to conceive, preconception health is key. Beli has vitamins to help both women and men optimize their health before pregnancy. With essential nutrients like Folate, Iodine, and Zinc, Beli ensures your body is ready for this exciting next step. Give yourself and your future baby the best foundation for a healthy start.

Visit Belibaby.com today and use code IAF15 for 15% off your first order. 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Our Sponsors:

* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com

* Check out My Life in a Book and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://mylifeinabook.com

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy