It’s been a while since I published a podcast and today I’m revealing to you why! In May 2023, I realized that I was heading down a path of severe burnout. Life was a lot and I needed to make a hard decision - to step aside from some of the things I loved to find space to rest, relax and heal.

It is hard to recognize burnout in ourselves or to admit that we need a break. Especially from fertility treatments. But taking the opportunity to slow down, say no more than yes, and to reclaim who you are and what your goals are can be a game changer.

Did your doctor just tell you that you need to use a donor?

Or, you think donor might be on the horizon but you are not sure yet?

Or, you already know you need to use a donor but you want some more help processing the idea.

Go to ⁠https://metagetman.com/crossroads ⁠to get a free copy of my guide "My Doctor Just Said Donor, Now What?"

Connect with me on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Today we dive into the fascinating world of egg quality as it relates to your fertility and you’ll walk away with five things you can start doing today to improve your egg quality.

Our egg counts are going down by the month, even from the moment we are born. For some of us we have more eggs than we could ever imagine needing or using. For others, like myself, we don’t have enough eggs and the ones we have are crap. We also never learn about our eggs, how to protect them and help their quality and what we can do to support our own egg quality.

Enter today’s episode. We are talking about why egg quality is important, and what we can do to support the eggs we have.

My guest today is Claire Innes. Claire is a fertility coach who helps burned out action takers conceive and carry heathy babies using the things they can control - food, hormones, lifestyle. I love Claire’s approach - she is no nonsense yet kind and loving in a way that will make you want to take action.

Did your doctor just tell you that you need to use a donor?

Or, you think donor might be on the horizon but you are not sure yet?

Or, you already know you need to use a donor but you want some more help processing the idea.

Go to ⁠https://metagetman.com/crossroads ⁠to get a free copy of my guide "My Doctor Just Said Donor, Now What?"

Connect with me on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Today on the show we are talking about genetic grief as it relates to egg donation. At the core of who we are, when we are not able to conceive a child using our own DNA or our partner’s DNA there is a deep sense of loss. One that can only be described as grief. But it can be so hard to manage when going through infertility because a lot of time that grief is not validated by those around us because they don’t understand it. Society understands what it is like to grieve the loss of a loved one but the idea of genetic grief is one that is not as mainstream and a lot harder to understand…until you are in it.

Sarah Reece joins me on this episode to share her experience with genetic grief and to guide us through the concept of genetic grief: what is it, how do we cope with it and why it is so important to befriend your grief to move through it.

Connect with Sara on Instagram at @‌opentolife_sarahreece or on her website www.opentolife.net.

You can also find Sara on her podcast, Navigating Infertility.

Grab Sara's free resource, Instant Calm, a free audio practice to help you reduce the stress of infertility in minutes.

Gain access to 2 x scientifically proven practices that clear your mind and calm your nervous system, enabling you to combat anxiety and experience more peace instantly!

https://instantcalm.opentolife.net/download

So often we think that self advocacy is finding a different doctor or speaking up when we have questions and those are true but there is SO much more to being able to advocate for yourself during your infertility journey.

On today’s episode I’m joined by Lucy Lines, a clinically experienced embryologist and award winning IVF coach. Through her 17 years working in the fertility industry and her passion for helping people through IVF, Lucy has seen it all when it comes to labs, embryo grading, IVF protocols, you name it.

She shares with us the importance of having an independent review of your personal results, shares how to find the information specific to your story and journey (hint…not everything is for everyone!), and talks about what it really looks like to advocate for yourself as you navigate becoming a parent.

Lucy is someone I wish I had in my corner during my journey to becoming a parent and I’m thrilled to share her with you today.

About Lucy:

As a fully trained and clinically experienced embryologist Lucy has had the good fortune to travel the world practicing her craft in IVF labs in Australia, Sweden, Ireland and the UK.

Over her first 17 years in the fertility ‘industry’ she became increasingly frustrated over the ‘business’ aspect that was creeping in to the large IVF companies and the huge gaps that was creating for patients accessing those services.

After a redundancy at 37 weeks pregnant, (and at 44 years of age) Lucy saw an opportunity to fill those gaps - with education, care, support, guidance and space for women and couples experiencing difficulties with their fertility - totally independent of the big businesses!

She now offer my services as an independent embryologist through Two Lines Fertility - with her signature program ‘IVFWTF’, her website and blog, e-courses and, of course, 1:1 support. She now helps women and couples to feel empowered, and more importantly EDUCATED and in control of their fertility, whether they are right at the beginning of considering growing their families, in the depths of IVF treatment, or anywhere in between.

Website: https://www.twolinesfertility.com.au/

Instagram

Facebook

Did your doctor just tell you that you need to use a donor?

Or, you think donor might be on the horizon but you are not sure yet?

Or, you already know you need to use a donor but you want some more help processing the idea.

Go to ⁠https://metagetman.com/crossroads ⁠to get a free copy of my guide "My Doctor Just Said Donor, Now What?"

Connect with me on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

If you’ve been trying for a baby and you feel like life has thrown some tough punches at you, you are not alone. Infertility is heartbreaking and frustrating especially when you keep trying with no success.

Through each of these failures, each doctor’s appointment, and as time ticks on it can feel like you are losing control. Control over what is happening to your body, how you spend your time, how you spend your money, and even how you relate to your partner. The truth is there are ways for you to regain some of that control to help you navigate your path to becoming a parent in the best way for you.

On the episode today, I’m joined by Laura Watson. Laura is a fertility coach and fellow donor egg mama who supports women who are suffering for infertility. Using mind body techniques and connecting to who you are as a person, she gives us six great ways to take back control of your life and your fertility.

Laura Watson is a fertility coach and mom to her two donor conceived children. Her personal journey included failed fertility treatments, several unsuccessful rounds of IVF, and three heartbreaking pregnancy losses before completing her family with donor egg IVF.  She now supports women pursuing fertility treatments to build their families and helps them find control, confidence and joy in a complicated process.

Connect with Laura:

Instagram

Website: www.positivefertilitycoaching.com

Laura's article: My Journey from Infertility to Motherhood

Did your doctor just tell you that you need to use a donor?

Or, you think donor might be on the horizon but you are not sure yet?

Or, you already know you need to use a donor but you want some more help processing the idea.

Go to ⁠https://metagetman.com/crossroads ⁠to get a free copy of my guide "My Doctor Just Said Donor, Now What?"

Connect with me on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Today is part 2 of my two part series with Jennifer Robertson. If you missed part 1, make sure to go back and check it out 39. Jennifer’s Story: Two Paths to Parenthood Through Surrogacy and Pregnancy.

In our conversation on this episode we are switching gears away from Jennifer’s personal story and talking about the work Jennifer does with her coaching clients, specifically around pregnancy after infertility and loss.

So often when we are struggling to have a baby we feel like all our problems will go away when we finally achieve pregnancy. The reality is that once you become pregnant post-infertility or post-pregnancy loss, a whole new set of feelings, fears, pain, and grief starts to show up.

Jennifer is an expert in this area and she dives into the most common struggles women face after becoming pregnant post-infertility or pregnancy loss, how to navigate miscarriage and loss, the importance of finding a community of people who get it, and what resources are available to you.

This is a tough episode as we touch on some hard and painful topics but I’m so grateful to Jennifer for her willingness to step into the hard and provide support for those who need it.

Connect with Jennifer:

Your Pregnancy Haven https://www.yourpregnancyhaven.co/

Website: https://www.jenniferrobertson.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msjenniferrobertson/

Did your doctor just tell you that you need to use a donor?

Or, you think donor might be on the horizon but you are not sure yet?

Or, you already know you need to use a donor but you want some more help processing the idea.

Go to ⁠https://metagetman.com/crossroads ⁠to get a free copy of my guide "My Doctor Just Said Donor, Now What?"

Connect with me on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

In this heartfelt episode Meta delves into Jennifer Robertson's inspiring journey of resilience and determination in her quest to build her dream family. Just when she least expected it, Jennifer found herself facing the challenging reality of infertility, longing to experience the joy of carrying a pregnancy while simultaneously exploring the possibilities of surrogacy.

Jennifer openly shares the highs and lows, twists and turns she encountered along the way. Through her candid narrative, you will gain insight into the rollercoaster of emotions, the decisions, and the love that propelled her forward on this extraordinary path to motherhood.

Discover how Jennifer overcame obstacles and embraced hope when she decided to use a surrogate to bring her cherished son into the world. Her account of the surrogate journey is one of hope, resilience, and the unbreakable bond that forms between a mother and her child, regardless of who carries the pregnancy.

Jennifer will leave you in awe as she reveals how, against all odds, she welcomed her second child, a beautiful daughter, through conceiving on her own and carrying the pregnancy herself. It's a testament to the power of hope and the inexplicable wonders life can bestow upon us.

Whether you are facing infertility, considering surrogacy, or yearning to carry a pregnancy, this episode will touch your heart and leave you inspired.

This is part one of a a two part series. Stay tuned next week for part 2 where we dive more into Jen’s coaching work and how she now works with women at all different stages of their fertility and pregnancy journeys.

Connect with Jennifer Robertson:

Website:  https://www.yourfertilityhaven.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msjenniferrobertson/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/425418404879458

Did your doctor just tell you that you need to use a donor?

Or, you think donor might be on the horizon but you are not sure yet?

Or, you already know you need to use a donor but you want some more help processing the idea.

Go to ⁠https://metagetman.com/crossroads ⁠to get a free copy of my guide "My Doctor Just Said Donor, Now What?"

Connect with me on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Season 2 of Infertility Crossroads is coming next week and I'm so excited to start sharing new episodes with you! Join me as I continue to bring you information about infertility, alternative paths to becoming a parent, help with your mindset and more.

You don’t have to jump when there are stairs.

It sounds so simple yet so often we are standing on the edge of a cliff and we think and believe our only option is to jump.

I made the mistake of jumping off the cliff of my fertility journey. But you don’t have to. Join me in this short episode where I share my cliff, share what I think the stairs look like and challenge you to find your own set of stairs.

This episode was inspired by the episode I did with my brother, Kenny Anderson. ⁠28. I'm a Non-Genetic Uncle: What It's Really Like with My Brother, Kenny Anderson⁠.

Did your doctor just tell you that you need to use a donor?

Or, you think donor might be on the horizon but you are not sure yet?

Or, you already know you need to use a donor but you want some more help processing the idea.

Go to ⁠https://metagetman.com/crossroads ⁠to get a free copy of my guide "My Doctor Just Said Donor, Now What?"

Connect with me on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

I recently did a poll on my instagram and I wanted to share the results with you.  I've personally been feeling tired.  Burnt out.  And I asked if others were feeling the same thing.  I got an overwhelming response of YES! You are feeling burnt out just like me. 

It got me thinking...when we are feeling tired, burned out, or are forced to take a pause on our fertility journey it can feel so frustrating.  It can make us feel stuck when really what we have is an opportunity. 

On today's episode I'm sharing 10 tips to help you keep moving forward when you feel stuck.  This episode is great for anyone who is forced to take a break (a canceled cycle, a clinic closure for maintenance, etc.) or anyone who is just generally feeling tired and not sure how to move forward.  

Want an easy to reference free PDF download of these ideas? Go to ⁠https://metagetman.com/fertilityforward ⁠and download your free copy! 

Resources from this Episode: 

⁠https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/burnout-prevention-and-recovery.htm⁠

⁠https://www.betterup.com/blog/how-to-recover-from-burnout⁠

⁠5 Simple Mindfulness Practices for Daily Life⁠

⁠Insight Timer App

Did your doctor just tell you that you need to use a donor?

Or, you think donor might be on the horizon but you are not sure yet?

Or, you already know you need to use a donor but you want some more help processing the idea.

Go to ⁠https://metagetman.com/crossroads ⁠to get a free copy of my guide "My Doctor Just Said Donor, Now What?"

Connect with me on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠