Welcome to another guest episode! In this episode of the Mom Mentality podcast, Natalia speaks with Megan McKeon, devoted mother and school principal. Megan shares her deeply personal journey through secondary infertility, miscarriage, and the challenges of IVF. As an elementary school principal and devoted mother, Megan discusses the emotional toll of her experiences, the lessons learned about her body, and the importance of support from family and friends. She reflects on the complexities of navigating motherhood while facing fertility challenges, the impact of pregnancy loss, and the ongoing struggle for hope and control in her journey to expand her family. In this conversation, Megan and Natalia explore the emotional complexities of infertility, motherhood, and the pressure of societal expectations. They discuss the challenges of navigating grief while raising a child, the impact of secondary infertility, and the importance of community and support. The dialogue emphasizes the need for self-compassion, the significance of sharing experiences, and the empowerment that comes from connecting with others who understand similar struggles.
00:00 Introduction to the Journey
02:11 Navigating Infertility Challenges
03:13 First Pregnancy and Miscarriage
06:39 The Decision to Seek Help
10:41 The Birth of Evy and New Hope
11:06 The Emotional Toll of Infertility
12:45 The Struggles of Control in IVF
14:30 The Rollercoaster of Pregnancy Tests
17:53 The Heartbreak of Loss
19:40 Navigating Grief and Loss
21:22 Expectations vs. Reality in Parenthood
23:27 The Emotional Toll of Pregnancy Loss
25:32 Testing and Uncertainty in IVF
26:42 Finding Freedom in Acceptance
28:10 The Burden of Infertility
29:29 Understanding Endometriosis
31:13 The Weight of Comparisons
32:57 The Pressure of Motherhood
35:00 Reliving Trauma in Secondary Infertility
37:22 Balancing Joy and Grief
38:42 Milestones and Memories of Loss
42:04 Navigating Fertility Challenges
45:25 The Emotional Toll of Secondary Infertility
49:02 Finding Joy Amidst Struggles
52:40 The Importance of Self-Care
55:11 Building Community and Advocacy
01:01:09 Embracing Your Feelings
01:03:53 Setting Boundaries for Well-Being
Megan McKeon is a devoted mother, wife, and Elementary School Principal who leads with resilience, heart, and unwavering optimism. She stepped into her principal role in September 2020—amid uncertainty and challenge—all while working to build her family. Megan has navigated both infertility and secondary infertility, experiences that have strengthened her empathy, deepened her gratitude, and shaped the way she supports others. At school, she strives to create a warm, inclusive community where students and teachers feel seen and encouraged. Outside of work, Megan cherishes time with her family and loves spending meaningful moments with friends. She recently also started her own podcast to share her story and support other women called Fertility Friends Forever available on Apple and Spotify.
I look forward to seeing you back here next week for another episode! Until then, be gentle with yourself!
Dr. Natalia Rappa is a holistic psychologist. Her private practice focuses on working with adolescents and adults in transitional life phases dealing with anxiety, depression, and trauma. She holds a doctoral degree in school/clinical psychology from Hofstra University. She has specialized training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). In addition, she pursued further training in EMDR, an evidenced based treatment for trauma. She integrates these different approaches to meet the unique needs of each of her clients. The belief at the core of her work is that our mind and bodies want to heal and have an innate wisdom to do so. With a non-judgmental environment, strong therapeutic rapport, and supportive coping techniques, clients are able to access this wisdom within them.
Connect on Instagram: @drnataliarappa
Check out my website: https://www.drnataliarappa.com
