Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building through ART

Sasha Hakman is not only a fertility doctor, she is a fertility patient, and today we are talking about ALL OF IT. In her podcast debut, Sasha (formerly known on IG as Dr. Fierce) talks about why female physicians have a greater percentage of infertility, and how that specifically affected her when she went through her OBGYN residency for four years, and then her REI fellowship for an additional three years. She talks about thinking about freezing her eggs, how she met her now-husband and why she decided to freeze embryos instead, and how, as a doctor, she was able to look at her husband's sperm under a microscope. She talks about "super ovulating," being "reckless" with her med doses, why she didn't do PGT testing, why SCH are more common in IVF pregnancies, and what it felt like to finally have her son. She also talks about exercise during TTC -- and why she is so passionate about it. 

Follow her on IG at @sashahakmanmd for more.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility; IVF; exercise during TTC; physicians facing infertility; "super ovulating;" PGT testing; embryo freezing; pregnancy after infertility; motherhood after infertility

For sponsorship or partnership inquiries, please email [email protected]

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 4 to 5 support groups per week, 4 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 now at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com

RECEPTIVA DX

ReceptivaDx is the only test that can identify endometriosis, progesterone resistance and endometritis in a single sample, all causes for unexplained infertility and thus success rates of IVF treatments. ReceptivaDx includes BCL6, a marker that identifies uterine inflammation most often associated with asymptomatic (silent) endometriosis. BCL6 is found in more than 50% of women with unexplained infertility and over 65% of women with two or more IVF failures. If positive for the ReceptivaDx test, treatment options can improve the chances for a successful live birth 5 fold! Learn more at receptivadx.com or download our app “Receptivadx" -- and USE CODE INFERTILEAF23 for $75 off the test

Bailey Hawkins is an IVF mama, and today she's going to tell us everything she went to to have her son -- and where she and her husband are now in their family building journey. Bailey talks about having endometriosis and very painful periods from a young age (and how her mom also have severe endo); how the Receptiva DX test changed the game for her; being called "irrational" by her doctor,; the immense stress of infertility; doing a frozen transfer; the anxieties of pregnancy after infertility and so much more. She also talks about why, after her family is complete, she'll have a hysterectomy. Follow her on IG at @baileyannhawkins 

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility; IVF; IUIs; failed IUIs; failed IVF; finances; endometriosis; endo surgery; frozen transfer; pregnancy after infertility; stress; infertility and sex; NICU life; hysterectomy 

For sponsorship or partnership inquiries, please email [email protected]

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 4 to 5 support groups per week, 4 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 now at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com

RECEPTIVA DX

ReceptivaDx is the only test that can identify endometriosis, progesterone resistance and endometritis in a single sample, all causes for unexplained infertility and thus success rates of IVF treatments. ReceptivaDx includes BCL6, a marker that identifies uterine inflammation most often associated with asymptomatic (silent) endometriosis. BCL6 is found in more than 50% of women with unexplained infertility and over 65% of women with two or more IVF failures. If positive for the ReceptivaDx test, treatment options can improve the chances for a successful live birth 5 fold! Learn more at receptivadx.com or download our app “Receptivadx" -- and USE CODE INFERTILEAF23 for $75 off the test

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

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

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

Lisa McCarty is a women's health and infertility advocate who has been through so much, including 14 IVF transfers. Today, Lisa tells Ali the whole story, including IUIs, moving on to IVF, discovering she had Asherman's syndrome, the anxieties of pregnancy after recurrent miscarriage and loss, and so much more. She also talks about the benefits of therapy during infertility, including Cognitive Based Therapy, and how her therapist used to say "You can't change the thought going into your mind, but you can change your response to it." Decide how you want to react. Am I in danger? Or is it perceived danger? Reassure yourself you are pregnant now, don't worry about tomorrow. Lisa believes it's critical to be your own best advocate, especially when it comes to your health.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility; IVF; IUIs; failed IUIs; failed IVF; recurrent miscarriage; therapy; CBT; pregnancy after infertility and loss

For sponsorship or partnership inquiries, please email [email protected]

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 4 to 5 support groups per week, 4 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 now at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com

RECEPTIVA DX

ReceptivaDx is the only test that can identify endometriosis, progesterone resistance and endometritis in a single sample, all causes for unexplained infertility and thus success rates of IVF treatments. ReceptivaDx includes BCL6, a marker that identifies uterine inflammation most often associated with asymptomatic (silent) endometriosis. BCL6 is found in more than 50% of women with unexplained infertility and over 65% of women with two or more IVF failures. If positive for the ReceptivaDx test, treatment options can improve the chances for a successful live birth 5 fold! Learn more at receptivadx.com or download our app “Receptivadx" -- and USE CODE INFERTILEAF23 for $75 off the test

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 Darlene, a woman who emailed Infertile AF asking to share her family building story. Darlene is a self-described "kindergarten teacher who spends all day with kids but is yet to have kids of her own." She and her husband have been trying for a baby since 2020, including 4 failed IUI's, 2 cancelled IVF cycles and a tragic pregnancy that was diagnosed as cornual ectopic. On this episode, Darlene explains how her journey continues, and how infertility is "so humbling." "I'm a shell of a human I was 3 years ago and there's no end in sight," she says. You can follow her story at  @making_baby_oh 

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility; IVF; IUIs; failed IUIs; cornual ectopic pregnancy; anxiety; cancelled cycles; 

For sponsorship or partnership inquiries, please email [email protected]

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 4 to 5 support groups per week, 4 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. 

To celebrate the Rally's 3rd Birthday, we are offering $30 off our annual memberships (normally $199) with code RALLYBDAY 

Join now at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at fertilityrally.com

RECEPTIVA DX

ReceptivaDx is the only test that can identify endometriosis, progesterone resistance and endometritis in a single sample, all causes for unexplained infertility and thus success rates of IVF treatments. ReceptivaDx includes BCL6, a marker that identifies uterine inflammation most often associated with asymptomatic (silent) endometriosis. BCL6 is found in more than 50% of women with unexplained infertility and over 65% of women with two or more IVF failures. If positive for the ReceptivaDx test, treatment options can improve the chances for a successful live birth 5 fold! Learn more at receptivadx.com or download our app “Receptivadx" -- and USE CODE INFERTILEAF23 for $75 off the test

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

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

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

Michelle Buteau is a brilliant and real AF comedian, actress and host best known for appearing on Netflix's "The Circle" and in the movies "Isn't it Romantic" and "Always be My Maybe." She's also a fierce infertility and surrogacy advocate, who Ali first met in early 2020 when they were both in Albany, NY for Surrogacy Lobby Day. Today, Michelle tells Ali all about the long road to having her twins, Hazel and Otis, including IUIs, several rounds of IVF, four devastating miscarriages, prolactinoma (a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland) and why exploring international adoption didn't go how they'd planned. She also talks about facing discrimination at her doctor's appointments (and how, when her white husband was with her, she was treated completely differently)—and finally meeting the surrogate who would help them welcome their healthy babes. 

For advertising or partnership inquiries, please email [email protected]

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 4 support groups per week, 3 private Facebook groups, tons of curated events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey. Doors open the 1st of every month! Join at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at fertilityrally.com

BELI @beli.baby

Beli is formulated with the right nutrients to help boost your fertility, increase egg quality and support IVF to increase your chances of conception and a healthy pregnancy. To get started with Beli, go to belibaby.com and use code ALI15 for 15% off your first month of either Beli Women or Beli Men.

RECEPTIVA DX

ReceptivaDx is the only test that can identify endometriosis, progesterone resistance and endometritis in a single sample, all causes for unexplained infertility and thus success rates of IVF treatments. ReceptivaDx includes BCL6, a marker that identifies uterine inflammation most often associated with asymptomatic (silent) endometriosis. BCL6 is found in more than 50% of women with unexplained infertility and over 65% of women with two or more IVF failures. If positive for the ReceptivaDx test, treatment options can improve the chances for a successful live birth 5 fold! Learn more at receptivadx.com or download our app “Receptivadx" -- and USE CODE INFERTILEAF23 for $75 off the test

On today's episode, Ali talks to Katy Seppi, creator of @childlesscollective, and Alisha, creator of @twobechildfree, about living -- and thriving -- without children after infertility. Katy, who told her full infertility story on Ali's podcast in 2020, talks about all the work she is doing to support those in the community who have pivoted from their family building journeys and are now living childless not by choice. Alisha, another strong voice and bright light in the #embracechildless community, tells Ali about her struggles with infertility, her two chemical pregnancies, why she walked away when IVF was brought to the table, and everything she is doing now to raise awareness, blast stigmas and support her and Katy's childless after infertility sisters. Ali, Katy and Alisha also talk about how "childless" vs. "childfree,"; how they all really dislike the term "giving up," how infertility and treatment can lead to depression and anxiety; how they both decided to pivot from their family building journeys; and their advice to listeners for creating a beautiful, full, childless life.

You can listen to Katy's previous episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/katy/id1457516002?i=1000464004013

Topics covered in this episode:

Infertility; chemical pregnancies; integrative medicine; IVF; embracing childlessness; childless not by choice

For advertising or partnership inquiries, please email [email protected]

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 4 support groups per week, 3 private Facebook groups, tons of curated events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey. Doors open the 1st of every month! Join at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at fertilityrally.com

BELI @beli.baby

Beli is formulated with the right nutrients to help boost your fertility, increase egg quality and support IVF to increase your chances of conception and a healthy pregnancy. To get started with Beli, go to belibaby.com and use code ALI15 for 15% off your first month of either Beli Women or Beli Men.

RECEPTIVA DX

ReceptivaDx is the only test that can identify endometriosis, progesterone resistance and endometritis in a single sample, all causes for unexplained infertility and thus success rates of IVF treatments. ReceptivaDx includes BCL6, a marker that identifies uterine inflammation most often associated with asymptomatic (silent) endometriosis. BCL6 is found in more than 50% of women with unexplained infertility and over 65% of women with two or more IVF failures. If positive for the ReceptivaDx test, treatment options can improve the chances for a successful live birth 5 fold! Learn more at receptivadx.com or download our app “Receptivadx" -- and USE CODE INFERTILEAF23 for $75 off the test

Dr. Kelli Burroughs is a board certified OB/Gyn who has been practicing in Texas with Sweetwater OB/Gyn since 2009. Dr. Burroughs graduated from Spellman College in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She currently serves as Department Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology for Memorial Hermann in Sugar Land, Texas. Today, she tells Ali all about her two and a half year battle with infertility, including going through IVF -- and what it was like seeing her patients while she was struggling with her own infertility journey. She also talks about finally getting pregnant, and the anxieties that came with it. 

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility; IVF; infertility as a doctor; the anxieties of pregnancy after infertility and loss

For advertising inquiries please email [email protected]

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 4 support groups per week, 3 private Facebook groups, tons of curated events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey. Doors open the 1st of every month! Join at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at fertilityrally.com

BELI @beli.baby

Beli is formulated with the right nutrients to help boost your fertility, increase egg quality and support IVF to increase your chances of conception and a healthy pregnancy. To get started with Beli, go to belibaby.com and use code ALI15 for 15% off your first month of either Beli Women or Beli Men.

RECEPTIVA DX

ReceptivaDx is the only test that can identify endometriosis, progesterone resistance and endometritis in a single sample, all causes for unexplained infertility and thus success rates of IVF treatments. ReceptivaDx includes BCL6, a marker that identifies uterine inflammation most often associated with asymptomatic (silent) endometriosis. BCL6 is found in more than 50% of women with unexplained infertility and over 65% of women with two or more IVF failures. If positive for the ReceptivaDx test, treatment options can improve the chances for a successful live birth 5 fold! Learn more at receptivadx.com or download our app “Receptivadx" -- and USE CODE INFERTILEAF23 for $75 off the test

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

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

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

Mary Leah and Rodney Miller spent 10 long years trying to build their family. Today, Ali talks to the couple about how they met, how Mary Leah was told that her eggs were not viable and that she’d likely never be able to get pregnant; and their ultimate decision to pursue embryo adoption. Mary Leah and Rodney talk about the effect infertility had on their marriage, how at certain points they had different paths in mind, but how they both felt excited when it was suggested that they connect with Snowflakes Embryo Adoptions to adopt one family's embryos. They also talk about getting matched with a family, why using donor eggs was not the correct path for them, how their faith came into play, and how twins Dalton and Mary Elizabeth were born in December 2022. 

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

TTC; IUIs; IVF; egg viability; poor quality eggs; the donor egg path; embryo adoption; embryo transfers; pregnancy with twins

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 4 support groups per week, 3 private Facebook groups, tons of curated events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey. Doors open the 1st of every month! Join at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at fertilityrally.com

BELI @beli.baby

Beli is formulated with the right nutrients to help boost your fertility, increase egg quality and support IVF to increase your chances of conception and a healthy pregnancy. To get started with Beli, go to belibaby.com and use code ALI15 for 15% off your first month of either Beli Women or Beli Men.

RECEPTIVA DX

ReceptivaDx is the only test that can identify endometriosis, progesterone resistance and endometritis in a single sample, all causes for unexplained infertility and thus success rates of IVF treatments. ReceptivaDx includes BCL6, a marker that identifies uterine inflammation most often associated with asymptomatic (silent) endometriosis. BCL6 is found in more than 50% of women with unexplained infertility and over 65% of women with two or more IVF failures. If positive for the ReceptivaDx test, treatment options can improve the chances for a successful live birth 5 fold! Learn more at receptivadx.com or download our app “Receptivadx" -- and USE CODE INFERTILEAF23 for $75 off the test

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

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

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

Sonia Iwanek-Chesley is a proud donor egg mama to Taya, her sweet daughter who was born in January 2023. She is also one of Ali's dearest friends, after Sonia joined the Fertility Rally fam and became one of their support group leaders. Today, Sonia tells Ali all of the details of her family building journey, including meeting her husband, doing several IUIs, a chemical pregnancy, a miscarriage, and what happened when they decided to shift to donor eggs. Sonia talks about how they chose a donor (and then another one) -- and why it was important to include her bonus kids; about finally getting pregnant; and all about her severe preeclampsia and Taya's early birth, leading to a long and traumatic NICU stay. Follow Sonia @donor.egg.mama.cheetah 

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

TTC; IUIs; IVF; donor eggs; chemical pregnancy; miscarriage; advocacy; finding your support groups; embryo transfer; preeclampsia; NICU

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 4 support groups per week, 3 private Facebook groups, tons of curated events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey. Doors open the 1st of every month! Join at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at fertilityrally.com

RECEPTIVA DX

ReceptivaDx is the only test that can identify endometriosis, progesterone resistance and endometritis in a single sample, all causes for unexplained infertility and thus success rates of IVF treatments. ReceptivaDx includes BCL6, a marker that identifies uterine inflammation most often associated with asymptomatic (silent) endometriosis. BCL6 is found in more than 50% of women with unexplained infertility and over 65% of women with two or more IVF failures. If positive for the ReceptivaDx test, treatment options can improve the chances for a successful live birth 5 fold! Learn more at receptivadx.com or download our app “Receptivadx" -- and USE CODE INFERTILEAF23 for $75 off the test

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

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

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

Kirsten McLennan is the author of "This is Infertility," which tells the story of her six year journey through IVF and surrogacy. Kirsten's son Spencer was born through gestational surrogacy in 2019 in Utah. On this episode, she and Ali talk about all of the significant challenges and setbacks they went through, as well as their very real experiences with IVF and surrogacy. Says Kirsten: "I'm passionate about raising awareness about infertility through my book and also through my instagram page @straight.up.inferitlity"  

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

TTC; IVF; surrogacy; international surrogacy; advocacy; pregnancy of unknown location; thin lining; embryo transfer; embryo loss

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 4 support groups per week, 3 private Facebook groups, tons of curated events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey. Doors open the 1st of every month! Join at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at fertilityrally.com

RECEPTIVA DX

ReceptivaDx is the only test that can identify endometriosis, progesterone resistance and endometritis in a single sample, all causes for unexplained infertility and thus success rates of IVF treatments. ReceptivaDx includes BCL6, a marker that identifies uterine inflammation most often associated with asymptomatic (silent) endometriosis. BCL6 is found in more than 50% of women with unexplained infertility and over 65% of women with two or more IVF failures. If positive for the ReceptivaDx test, treatment options can improve the chances for a successful live birth 5 fold! Learn more at receptivadx.com or download our app “Receptivadx" -- and USE CODE INFERTILEAF23 for $75 off the test

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

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

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