Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building through ART

On this episode, Ali talks to her friend and InCircle Fertility co-founder Sophie about navigating the "maze" of infertility. Sophie explains how her struggle with anorexia in her 20s may have played a role in her ability to have a baby, how she didn't hear a heartbeat at her first baby's second ultrasound, that "slow motion, underwater feeling" when the ultrasound tech's face drops, how the loss of embryos was as hard as her miscarriages, and her two D&Cs. Sophie also gets into her endometrial function test, a hysteroscopy that was supposed to happen but never did, how unsexy sex is when you're trying to conceive, and the pressures and complications of secondary infertility. 

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: 

• Anorexia and Eating Disorders
• Relationship Issues and Unsexy Sex
• Embryo Loss
• Miscarriage and D&Cs
• Endometrial Function Test
• Hysteroscopy
• Secondary Infertility
• Infertility and Mental Health
• Fertility Coaching
• The Importance of Finding Community

EPISODE SPONSORS: 

FERTILITY RALLY LIVE

No one should go through infertility alone. Our all-day virtual event is happening on 10/23. Get your tickets at https://www.accelevents.com/e/fertilityrallylivefall2021

USE CODE ALI at checkout FOR 50% OFF! 

This fall's topics include infertility and mental health, male factor infertility, endo, environmental toxins, IVF abroad, recurrent miscarriage, late term loss, surrogacy, donor conception, pregnancy and motherhood after infertility and much more. The best part? If you can't make it live, your ticket gives you access to all sessions for 30 days after the event—so you can watch it all at your leisure!

FIRST REPUBLIC

With a best-in-class banking app that allows you to bank anywhere, anytime, and a dedicated personal banker when you need one-on-one service, First Republic is uniquely positioned to offer the best of both worlds. With this combination of personal attention and convenience, it’s no wonder that First Republic Bank has a client satisfaction rating, two times the industry average.

So whether you’re opening a Personal Line of Credit or planning for your retirement, you can count on First Republic to be there for you, every step of the way. Visit FirstRepublic.com today to learn more. That’s FirstRepublic.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.

VIOS Fertility Institute, @viosfertility

Vios is a different fertility clinic experience built on a foundation of patient-centered care, evidence-based medicine, and innovative technology. With clinic locations throughout Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Louis, the Vios Fertility Institute team understands the challenges of infertility. To learn more about Vios Fertility Institute and schedule your first appointment, visit ViosFertility.com.

Support this podcast at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infertileaf

https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

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

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

Today, Ali talks to Michelle, who went through IVF in the late Nineties, about how much things have changed between now and then. At 31, Michelle was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure and told, "You might as well go straight to donor eggs." But she didn't--and today she shares everything she went through, including IUIs, frozen embryo transfers, "assisted hatching," a psychic surgery, and more. Michelle now works for Donor Concierge, www.donorconcierge.com and Tulip, www.tulipfertility.com, helping people build their families through donor conception. 

SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY LIVE

No one should go through infertility alone. Our all-day virtual event is happening on 10/23. Get your tickets at https://www.accelevents.com/e/fertilityrallylivefall2021

This fall's topics include infertility and mental health, male factor infertility, endo, environmental toxins, IVF abroad, recurrent miscarriage, late term loss, surrogacy, donor conception, pregnancy and motherhood after infertility and much more. The best part? If you can't make it live, your ticket gives you access to all sessions for 30 days after the event—so you can watch it all at your leisure!

Today, Ali hears all about Rachel's long and winding road to motherhood, including her diagnosis of Asherman's Syndrome and the "missed miscarriage" she suffered at the beginning of her fertility journey. Rachel goes on to talk about all the things, including the frustrations of starting IVF in March 2020 right as the world was shutting down, a pregnancy that included placenta previa, and why, at one point, her doctor said to her, "Rachel, this organ, your uterus, is not serving you well, and I don't think you should ask any more of it." Listen until the very end, because Rachel's story also includes a surprise twist ending!

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY LIVE

No one should go through infertility alone. Our all-day virtual event is happening on 10/23. Get your tickets at https://www.accelevents.com/e/fertilityrallylivefall2021

This fall's topics include infertility and mental health, male factor infertility, endo, environmental toxins, IVF abroad, recurrent miscarriage, late term loss, surrogacy, donor conception, pregnancy and motherhood after infertility and much more. The best part? If you can't make it live, your ticket gives you access to all sessions for 30 days after the event—so you can watch it all at your leisure!

FIRST REPUBLIC

With a best-in-class banking app that allows you to bank anywhere, anytime, and a dedicated personal banker when you need one-on-one service, First Republic is uniquely positioned to offer the best of both worlds. With this combination of personal attention and convenience, it’s no wonder that First Republic Bank has a client satisfaction rating, two times the industry average.

So whether you’re opening a Personal Line of Credit or planning for your retirement, you can count on First Republic to be there for you, every step of the way. Visit FirstRepublic.com today to learn more. That’s FirstRepublic.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.

Support this podcast at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infertileaf

https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

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

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

Nicola Salmon is a self-proclaimed "Fat-positive fertility coach, a Fat Activist and Author of, "The Person’s Guide to Getting Pregnant.” Today, she talks to Ali about her own personal fertility journey, from being diagnosed with PCOS at the age of 16 to facing lifelong discrimination from doctors because of her weight. She talks about having her two sons, the anxiety she faced during pregnancy, and how "it is so exaggerated the way that weight impacts fertility." Nicola's goal is to support people and help them advocate for themselves. She talks about the importance of "weight-inclusive" fertility care, helping people believe and understand that they are worthy of that care, and why "the majority of clinics will not support fat people, and it's shocking." 

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY LIVE

No one should go through infertility alone. Find out more about the Worst Club with the Best Members at www.fertilityrally.com and on Instagram at @fertilityrally. We offer 24/7 Community, Content and Curated Events. Give yourself or a fellow infertility warrior the gift of support while navigating your journey. EVERYONE is welcome. Come and join our family--you will be so happy you did.

FIRST REPUBLIC

With a best-in-class banking app that allows you to bank anywhere, anytime, and a dedicated personal banker when you need one-on-one service, First Republic is uniquely positioned to offer the best of both worlds. With this combination of personal attention and convenience, it’s no wonder that First Republic Bank has a client satisfaction rating, two times the industry average.

So whether you’re opening a Personal Line of Credit or planning for your retirement, you can count on First Republic to be there for you, every step of the way. Visit FirstRepublic.com today to learn more. That’s FirstRepublic.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.

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.

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

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

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

Becky Fawcett is a mama of two via adoption, an #infertilitywarrior, a three time #miscarriage survivor and the founder of @helpusadopt — which gives grants to people who are building their families through adoption. It is an AMAZING org that you’ll hear about today, as Becky talks to Ali about her nine-year infertility journey -- and how she ultimately ended up with two amazing children through adoption. Ali and Becky have a no-bullshit convo about all things adoption, finding a birth mother, being on a different page from your partner, infertility, miscarriages, the ignorant things people say to adoptive parents, how much everything costs, and more.

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY

No one should go through infertility alone. Find out more about the Worst Club with the Best Members at www.fertilityrally.com and on Instagram at @fertilityrally. We offer 24/7 Community, Content and Curated Events. Give yourself or a fellow infertility warrior the gift of support while navigating your journey. EVERYONE is welcome. Come and join our family--you will be so happy you did.

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.

VIOS Fertility Institute, @viosfertility

Vios is a different fertility clinic experience built on a foundation of patient-centered care, evidence-based medicine, and innovative technology. With clinic locations throughout Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Louis, the Vios Fertility Institute team understands the challenges of infertility. To learn more about Vios Fertility Institute and schedule your first appointment, visit ViosFertility.com.

On this episode, Ali is talking to Jon Waldman, author of the book, "Swimming Aimlessly," which takes a deep dive into the six year infertility journey he went through with his wife. "It was a space that needs to be filled," he says of writing the book. "There isn't a lot of talk about what men go through." Jon talks about mental health, inner turmoil, and going through a miscarriage alongside his wife, as well as what happened when they traveled to do IVF. He also shares resources, both on social media and elsewhere, for guys who are going through their own infertility struggles. 

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY

No one should go through infertility alone. Find out more about the Worst Club with the Best Members at www.fertilityrally.com and on Instagram at @fertilityrally. We offer 24/7 Community, Content and Curated Events. Give yourself or a fellow infertility warrior the gift of support while navigating your journey. EVERYONE is welcome. Come and join our family--you will be so happy you did.

FIRST REPUBLIC

With a best-in-class banking app that allows you to bank anywhere, anytime, and a dedicated personal banker when you need one-on-one service, First Republic is uniquely positioned to offer the best of both worlds. With this combination of personal attention and convenience, it’s no wonder that First Republic Bank has a client satisfaction rating, two times the industry average.

So whether you’re opening a Personal Line of Credit or planning for your retirement, you can count on First Republic to be there for you, every step of the way. Visit FirstRepublic.com today to learn more. That’s FirstRepublic.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.

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.

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

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

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

Dacia James Lewis is a Hollywood choreographer and author of the book, "The Game of Life: Releasing the Weight When God Says Wait." Today, she tells Ali about her infertility journey and how, although she's been trying to have a baby for several years, it hasn't yet happened. Dacia says, "I want people to know that there's somebody still waiting with them. There's somebody still praying with them. There's somebody still going through this journey that they can relate to." Dacia also talks about her faith, her husband's varicocele, why they're choosing to not do IUI or IVF, what it feels like to go through infertility as a woman of color, and why she decided to write a book. 

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY

No one should go through infertility alone. Find out more about the Worst Club with the Best Members at www.fertilityrally.com and on Instagram at @fertilityrally. We offer 24/7 Community, Content and Curated Events. Give yourself or a fellow infertility warrior the gift of support while navigating your journey. EVERYONE is welcome. Come and join our family--you will be so happy you did.

FIRST REPUBLIC

With a best-in-class banking app that allows you to bank anywhere, anytime, and a dedicated personal banker when you need one-on-one service, First Republic is uniquely positioned to offer the best of both worlds. With this combination of personal attention and convenience, it’s no wonder that First Republic Bank has a client satisfaction rating, two times the industry average. 

So whether you’re opening a Personal Line of Credit or planning for your retirement, you can count on First Republic to be there for you, every step of the way. Visit FirstRepublic.com today to learn more. That’s FirstRepublic.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. 

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.

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 her friend Elizabeth King, who she met through Instagram, and who is a Certified Fertility Health Coach, Birth & Bereavement Doula and New Parent Educator. Elizabeth tells Ali about her journey to becoming a mother over 40 to her three littles. Along the way: Freezing her eggs when she was single in her 30s, meeting her husband at 39 and feeling ashamed, guilty and broken when she wasn't getting pregnant on her own. She also discusses her fibroid surgery, her two miscarriages, the two babies she got pregnant with naturally, and the third baby she had after doing an IUI. Today, Elizabeth is a fertility coach, so she shares the tools she's learned for anyone going through infertility or using ART to build their families. 

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY

No one should go through infertility alone. Find out more about the Worst Club with the Best Members at www.fertilityrally.com and on Instagram at @fertilityrally. We offer 24/7 Community, Content and Curated Events. Give yourself or a fellow infertility warrior the gift of support while navigating your journey. EVERYONE is welcome. Come and join our family--you will be so happy you did.

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.

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 talks to cult-fave jewelry designer Stephanie Gottlieb @stephaniegottlieb about the journey to having her two babies, which includes marrying her high school sweetheart, her devastating chemical pregnancy, "skinny PCOS," and the pure rage she felt at certain points during her journey. She also talks about the importance of great bedside manner and a confident doctor, what happened when they did IVF, and why she felt like she "had this dirty secret for a full year" before she told anyone what was going on. 

EPISODE SPONSORS: 

FERTILITY RALLY

No one should go through infertility alone. Find out more about the Worst Club with the Best Members at www.fertilityrally.com and on Instagram at @fertilityrally. We offer 24/7 Community, Content and Curated Events. Give yourself or a fellow infertility warrior the gift of support while navigating your journey. EVERYONE is welcome. Come and join our family--you will be so happy you did.

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.

Today, Ali talks to Nicole about dealing with cancer and infertility at the same time. Nicole explains how she went to a chiropractor who found a bump under her jawline--and just hours later, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, which meant doing chemo every other week for two months. At the same time, Nicole was battling PCOS and an infertility journey--all the while wondering how the cancer treatment might interfere with her family building story. She also talks about her Christian upbringing, finding out she was pregnant on Valentine's Day 2020, and what happened when she was diagnosed with another cancer, chronic myelogenous leukemia, or CML. 

EPISODE SPONSORS

FERTILITY RALLY

NO ONE should go through infertility alone. Find out more about the Worst Club with the Best Members at www.fertilityrally.com and on Instagram at @fertilityrally. We offer 24/7 Community, Content and Curated Events. Give yourself or a fellow infertility warrior the gift of support while navigating your journey. EVERYONE is welcome. Come and join our family--you will be so happy you did.

VIOS Fertility Institute, @viosfertility

Vios is a different fertility clinic experience built on a foundation of patient-centered care, evidence-based medicine, and innovative technology. With clinic locations throughout Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Louis, the Vios Fertility Institute team understands the challenges of infertility. To learn more about Vios Fertility Institute and schedule your first appointment, visit ViosFertility.com.

TWO PLUS

TwoPlus Fertility is a comfortable and easy to use at-home device that increases the chances of a sperm meeting an egg when you're trying to conceive. When you try naturally, less than 1% of sperm reach the egg. Twoplus Fertility's goal is to fix that. For more, visit twoplusfertility.com and use code "IAF30" for a 30% discount across all products.

BEL, @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.