In this episode of the Conceive Baby podcast, I am thrilled to welcome Jon and Laura Summers, the powerhouse couple behind Infertility Man. Jon and Laura’s journey through infertility has been one of resilience, hope, and a shared commitment to helping others. After Jon’s battle with testicular cancer, he was told he could never father a biological child. Together, he and Laura embarked on a challenging fertility journey—27 egg retrievals, two surgeries, thousands of injections—and, against all odds, welcomed their daughter in 2021.

Their story has resonated with thousands, as they openly shared the highs and lows of their experience online, building a supportive community for couples facing similar struggles.

In this personal, proactive and practical discussion we talk through the emotionally tumultuous 'two-week wait'—the period between ovulation or IVF transfer and finding out if you are pregnant! Together we discuss how couples can navigate their way through this challenging phase, maintain their mental health, and nurture relationships amid the anxiety and uncertainty. John and Laura bring their personal journey to the forefront, offering a unique and deeply personal perspective filled with resilience and hope, whilst also offering practical strategies to help you.

John and Laura also open up about the emotional toll of their infertility journey and share their insights to help support you on your journey. We talk about proactive strategies, such as focused distractions, planned communication, and supportive companionship. Jon and Laura bring to light the importance of selecting a supportive network and having open, blame-free communication between partners.

Key Takeaways:

• Proactive Medical Consultation: Seek medical advice early if there are concerns about fertility. Do not wait the recommended six months to a year.
• Strategise and Support: Use planned distractions and supportive measures like "baby making meetups" to deal with emotional stress.
• Stay Hopeful: Holding on to hope is crucial during the two-week wait and beyond, as it won't lessen the pain but can provide strength.
• Blame-Free Relationship: It's important to work as a team and not assign blame to one's partner for fertility issues.
• Curate Your Support Network: Be selective about who you allow into your fertility journey, ensuring they can provide the right support.

Notable Quotes:

• "We're still in the game, we're still in the game." – This mantra helped John and Laura maintain hope and resilience throughout their fertility journey.
• "If you want to be a parent, you will find a way to be a parent." – Laura emphasises hope and determination in achieving parenthood.
• "There’s nothing you can do, it’s done." – John advises surrendering to the process during the two-week wait.
• "Love people, but have some boundaries." – Laura underscores the importance of setting boundaries with those not sensitive to your journey.

Resources:

• Connect with John and Laura Summers and explore more about their advocacy work at Infertility Man on Instagram.
• Learn more about navigating male and female infertility with their book, "The Man's Guide to Infertility," available at various booksellers.

Mentioned in this episode:

Ultimate Egg Quality Guide