Ali Prato, is the founder of the Infertile AF Group, which includes the podcast Infertile AF and the community Fertility Rally, a safe, all-inclusive 24/7 community for anyone and everyone riding the roller coaster of infertility or building their modern families through assisted reproductive technology or ART (which she co-founded with Blair Nelson). Most recently, she published the children’s book Work of ART.

Links: 

Work of ART book

https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

Infertile AF Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/infertile-af-infertility-and-modern-family-building/id1457516002

IG: @infertileafstories

Fertility Rally 

IG: @fertilityrally

You can find Allie at:

Instagram: @holdingboth 

Website: www.holdingbothllc.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Amanda Laskowski wears many hats—mom, to two tiny humans, partner, educator, entrepreneur, and your go-to postpartum pal. She’s currently in version 3.0 of her career… it’s okay to not know what you want to be when you grow up, even in your late 30s! She’s along for the ride and happily shifting with life’s seasons.

Amanda spent her first dozen professional years on University campuses, teaching and mentoring college students as they navigated the many decisions and transitions of early adulthood. Entering her thirties, she then pursued licensure as a real estate agent and began selling houses while continuing full-time work in higher education and prepping for the birth of her first daughter. She always had an entrepreneurial drive, and real estate was her first dip into exploring the world of business ownership.

After her own experience welcoming babies into the world, and with utter shock at how little postpartum support existed for families, Amanda felt called to take her skillset in yet another direction, In 2022, after completing training with CAPPA (Childbirth & Postpartum Professional Association) as a Postpartum Doula and Lactation Educator, Amanda founded Cincy Postpartum.

Under the Cincy Postpartum brand, Amanda has brought to life her signature 4th Trimester Postpartum Circles, which are now facilitated across 5 neighborhoods of Cincinnati, OH. These Postpartum Circles (TM) bring together 6-9 moms and their babies for a comprehensive, in person, cohort-based series in the first 12 weeks or baby’s life. What makes these circles extra special is that babies are just days or weeks apart in age, and many cohorts have continued to meet up well beyond the formal five week series, celebrating 1st birthdays together and all the sweet milestones along the way.

In 19 months, Amanda has facilitated over 50 cohorts, building a community of over 400 alumni. Amanda is dreaming of bringing this service to additional cities in the coming years.

IG @cincypostpartum

Website: https://cincinnatipostpartum.com

You can find Allie at:

Instagram: @holdingboth 

Website: www.holdingbothllc.com 

Email: [email protected] 

This episode is different from my usual content. Kathleen and I discussed the high-risk pregnancy condition Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy, something both she and I experienced. This month is ICP awareness month, and it is important to me to bring awareness to this condition as I did not know about it before I had it. I hope to use my platform to bring awareness to it so that individuals experiencing these distinct symptoms can get the help that they need. In this episode, we also talk about Kathleen’s experience with secondary infertility and pregnancy losses. 

Kathleen Adkisson is a Virginia ambassador for the non-profit organization, ICP Care. In the second trimester of her pregnancy, she noticed progressively worse itching. She knew that something was wrong and advocated for herself, ultimately receiving help from her supportive OBGYN who ordered diagnostic testing, which determined had this intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (also known as ICP). Following this diagnosis, Kathleen found ICP Care which led her to find community and comfort as she navigated the remainder of her pregnancy with ICP. She delivered her son at 37 weeks. Following the birth of her son, Kathleen decided that she wanted to get involved in the advocacy and awareness of this condition. 

IG @icpcare

Website: https://icpcare.org

You can find Allie at:

Instagram: @holdingboth 

Website: www.holdingbothllc.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Jess Jackson is a former elementary teacher who has shifted to staying home with her two children over the past few years. Her family is originally from Massachusetts and has moved around to support her husband in his medical training. Jess has navigated a successful surrogacy journey as well as being pregnant herself. She is passionate still about teaching and keeps up with her licensure, loves spending time with her family, being outdoors, and is trying to build community. She always has found value in sharing her story and has helped many friends navigate infertility as well. 

IG @journey.to.babyj 

link to Jess’ surrogacy agency https://www.csedinc.com/

You can find Allie at:

Instagram: @holdingboth 

Website: www.holdingbothllc.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Samantha Gollup is a Registered Dietitian from Madison, Wisconsin. She began her career in Surgical Weight Management for several years and through that has found her niche in the intuitive eating world at her private practice, Anti Diet Mama. Sammie is passionate about helping mamas heal their relationships with food and body by dismantling what we've learned from diet culture and finding space in their busy lives to take care of their own health in a balanced way. Through Intuitive Eating Counseling, she helps mamas honor their bodies, create healthful habits, and improve overall quality of life, all while simplifying nutrition. Sammie aims to help each mama break the dieting cycle so she can become her authentic self and raise the next generation without the toxic influence of diet culture. When Sammie isn't working, she's spending time with her husband and her busy toddlers. She loves moving her body in many different ways, self-care, eating delicious food with her friends and family, and traveling. 

Instagram: @antidietmama

Website: https://antidietmama.com

You can find Allie at:

Instagram: @holdingboth 

Website: www.holdingbothllc.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Dr. Amanda Thompson, PT is a Texas-based physical therapist and the owner of Rooted Physical Therapy. She attended Texas A & M (where she met her husband) and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology in 2007. She later received a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree in 2013 from the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth. 

Amanda is passionate about women’s health, helping women in the perinatal phase with pain management, birth prep, birth trauma, and healing postpartum. Her specialty is pelvis floor therapy, treating symptoms of pelvic pain, dyspareunia, vulvodynia, vaginismus, incontinence, urgency/frequency, and bowel dysfunction.

Amanda experienced infertility herself and endured two IVF journeys. She shares her own experience during this podcast episode.

IG: @rootedphysicaltherapy

Website: www.rootedphysicaltherapyllc.com 

Link to book: What Your PT Wants You to Know About Postpartum https://www.rootedphysicaltherapyllc.com/guide Use code: HOLDINGBOTH 

You can find Allie at:

Instagram: @holdingboth 

Website: www.holdingbothllc.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Nikki Brooker is a wife, mom to her five-year-old son, school-based speech-language pathologist, travel lover, hiker, sports fan (Go Bills!), coffee lover, and puppy mom. When COVID hit, she decided to start a professional Instagram account (@speechcoffeeinclusivity) to share diverse and inclusive content, apparel, and books. As her secondary infertility journey started, she was able to use this platform to connect with others going through the process.

Nikki endured medicated cycles, IUIs, and ultimately IVF. Her long journey with IVF resulted in multiple devastating pregnancy losses. It has been almost a year since their IVF journey ended, and Nikki shares that “It still brings tears to my eyes to share these memories. Since this heartbreak, I have had laparoscopy to correct endometriosis, and we have proceeded with a few more IUIs, all of which have been unsuccessful. We are at the end of our journey to give our boy a sibling, which I still haven't quite accepted. No one will know the pain of secondary infertility until their child vocalizes how much they want a little brother or sister, or how they are scared they will be all alone one day.” 

While motherhood is her main priority in life right now, she also prioritizes travel. Nikki, her husband and their son try to visit a new place or have a new experience every year. She loves hiking and is an Adirondack 46er (hiked 46 peaks above 4,000 feet in elevation in the Adirondack Park). She lives for sunshine and summertime in Upstate New York. Nikki and her husband love to have a date night here and there, trying new cocktails and restaurants. 

Nikki is always actively working to figure out who she is post-infertility, especially as a mom of an only child not by choice. Hopefully, more to come!

Instagram: @nkbrooker83 & @speechcoffeeinclusivity

You can find Allie at:

Instagram: @holdingboth 

Website: www.holdingbothllc.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Elisabeth Emmerich is a licensed therapist, registered play therapist, wife, and mom to 3 boys. Elisabeth owns a private practice in Eden Prairie, MN (Creekside Counseling) and has been working in the mental health field for over a decade. Not only does Elisabeth continue to see therapy clients, but has a second business in which she hosts the Experience Motherhood Podcast and offers courses to support moms in being authentic to themselves in motherhood.

Elisabeth loves to come alongside moms and kids to support them in discovering that they are wonderfully and uniquely created. Outside of her businesses, Elisabeth loves walking the family dog and being outside with her 3 boys.

Links:

Instagram: @experiencemotherhood

Podcast:

Listen on Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/experience-motherhood/id1678603043

Listen on Spotify https://spotify.link/4YBENKjKuIb

Website: https://www.experiencemotherhood.com

You can find Allie at:

Instagram: @holdingboth 

Website: www.holdingbothllc.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Support This Podcast: https://the-secondary-infertility.captivate.fm/support

After a devastating 22-week pregnancy loss that led to secondary infertility, Jessie spent years trying to complete my family and ultimately had both of her daughters through surrogacy. Through Jessie's journey to becoming a mom, she felt as if there was an obstacle at every turn. Jessie founded Surrogacy Simplified, a boutique surrogacy consulting and white glove concierge, that helps Intended Parents start or complete their family through the selfless gift of surrogacy. Jessie takes care of all the details, big and small, allowing her clients to truly enjoy this pathway to parenthood. 

Connect with Jessie:

Instagram: @surrogacysimplified 

Website: www.surrogacysimplified.com 

Email: [email protected]

You can find Allie at:

Instagram: @holdingboth 

Website: www.holdingbothllc.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Alexandria Grant-Presser (she/hers) is trying her best to manage being a pre-schooler mom, serving as a Clinical Director, and keeping her fiddle leaf alive. She holds a Masters of Science Degree in Applied Developmental Psychology, specializing in Behavioral Health in Schools and Communities,  and a certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Pittsburgh. She is passionate about analyzing and creating environments that best serve Black children and communities, and help them reach moments of joy. She experiences joy when she watches children play, through writing short stories and essays, and seeing Black folks win! 

You can find Alexandria at:

Instagram: @fivethousandloaves 

Black Surrogates and Intended Parents Safe Space on Facebook

Resolve The National Infertility Organization

One of Alexandria’s favorite surrogacy resources- The Biggest Ask 

Website: www.thebiggestask.com 

You can find Allie at:

Instagram: @holdingboth 

Website: www.holdingbothllc.com 

Email: [email protected]