Emma and her husband found themselves at a crossroads when deciding to proceed with IVF with their dual-factor infertility diagnosis. In the U.K., where they lived, specialists were hell-bent on Emma's BMI because of the NHS's guidelines. After losing over 80 lbs, her RE refused to proceed with IVF and told her she needed to lose more weight. It was clear to Emma and her husband that with the cost of IVF in the U.K. and the BMI restrictions, they would need an alternative method for becoming parents. It was then their story of IVF abroad began. *Follow Emma here! Emma's FREE resources for IVF abroad infertilityandmepodcast.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jacqueline Vazquez, an international wedding guru and Master Wedding Planner, speaker, and author, never believed she would face much adversity when trying to conceive. After being diagnosed with low egg reserve in her late 20s, Jacqueline endured 10 years of TTC before deciding to live child-free. In this episode, Jacqueline shares what it was like to plan other people's lives through her event-planning business while suffering mentally and emotionally from infertility. What else is discussed:Considering AdoptionDepressionmedicated IUI cycles*Follow Jacqueline here! Grab your copy of Jacqueline's book: Your Release Journal.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, we are joined by Charlie Dice, an amazing individual who has triumphed over both infertility and the profound challenges of major depressive disorder. Charlie's story has been marked by resilience in the face of adversity, including enduring three heartbreaking miscarriages, navigating the emotionally taxing process of IUI, and undertaking the demanding path of one IVF cycle. As time passed, Charlie and her husband reached the decision that ultimately reshaped their lives—they chose to embrace a child-free existence after their arduous battle with infertility.Full Show Notes Here: infertilityandmepodcast.com*Follow Charlie here or here! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Gleenobly and her husband have faced a challenging journey in their quest to start a family for over 13 years. Their path has been marked by significant obstacles, including Gleenobly's diagnoses of endometriosis, ovarian cysts, miscarriage, and even a brain tumor. She states: We have tried everything under the sun except for IVF. We are still not yet parents, but we hope to be as soon as possible. Not only have we had to deal with the heartbreak of disappointment after disappointment after disappointment, but in the last three years, we also had surprise medical problems like knee surgery (my husband), a brain tumor (me), natural pregnancy, miscarriage, and moving to a different country (U.S.A. to England). We will try adopting an older child as soon as we are allowed."*Follow/Listen to Gleenobly's podcast here or email her at iptck@yahoo.comFull Show Notes Here: infertilityandmepodcast.comSupport Our Show Sponsors:*Learn more about the Mosie Baby Kit and read some of the amazing stories from the Mosie Community. *Use code INFERTILITYANDME for [15% off] your order at checkout and join the 100,000-plus families who have included Mosie on their journey to conceive.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Lisa McCarty, a passionate writer and a tireless advocate for women's health and infertility, courageously opens up about her journey, which has been marked by multiple diagnoses, including post-amenorrhea and PCOS. Her story takes a heartbreaking turn as she grapples with secondary infertility, recurrent loss, and the challenging Asherman's Syndrome.   In this emotionally charged conversation, Lisa sheds light on the profound toll infertility has taken on her mental well-being. She candidly discusses the relentless battles with anxiety, panic attacks, and depression that have accompanied her on this arduous path.    For almost a decade, Lisa and her devoted husband were led down a path that ultimately resulted in the miracle of their first child, conceived through the remarkable journey of IVF. This is a story of resilience, love, and unwavering determination in the face of adversity.*Connect with Lisa on Instagram here!Full Show Notes Here: infertilityandmepodcast.comSupport Our Show Sponsors:*Learn more about the Mosie Baby Kit and read some of the amazing stories from the Mosie Community. *Use code INFERTILITYANDME for [15% off] your order at checkout and join the 100,000-plus families who have included Mosie on their journey to conceive.*You can help support the continuation of I.A.M by Buying A CoffeeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Erica Ferraro, an ambitious pharmaceutical sales and marketing manager, never imagined she would be part of the 1 in 6 community. She shares her turbulent battle with endometriosis, diminished ovarian reserve, and needing donor eggs to conceive future children. Follow Erica on Instagram here & her read blog!Full Show Notes Here: infertilityandmepodcast.comSupport Our Show Sponsors:*Learn more about the Mosie Baby Kit and read some of the amazing stories from the Mosie Community. *Use code INFERTILITYANDME for [15% off] your order at checkout and join the 100,000 plus families who have included Mosie on their journey to conceive.*You can help support the continuation of I.A.M. by Buying A CoffeeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jelissa opens up about the profound emotional toll she's endured on her journey through IVF, alongside the heartache of pregnancy loss. To cope, she immerses herself in a whirlwind of activities, all while battling the pervasive anxiety that creeps in as she prepares for new cycles of IVF. Her world is further rocked by her husband's startling diagnosis. Jelissa's relentless pursuit of parenthood spans over 7 years, during which she grapples with a blood disorder known as antiphospholipid syndrome. This condition triggers an autoimmune response, erroneously targeting vital blood proteins. Tragically, it heightens the risk of miscarriages and stillbirths among expectant mothers. The syndrome may also manifest in the form of blood clots, potentially arising in the limbs or even the lungs.*Follow Jelissa on Instagram & learn more about her monthly loss-mom events here!Support Our Show Sponsors:*Learn more about the Mosie Baby Kit and read some of the amazing stories from the Mosie Community at try.mosiebaby.com/InfertilityAndMe. *Use code INFERTILITYANDME for [15% off] your order at checkout and join the 100,000 plus families who have included Mosie on their journey to conceive.*It's going down (D)C, (M)aryland, and (V)irginia Friends! Hang with your girl in Annapolis, MD, for our first IRL event(it's free): No more Silent Silent Suffering Sip N Party, a fun night of socializing & connecting.Since this will be an intimate and PRIVATE party, tickets can only be snagged with this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/no-more-silently-suffering-sip-n-paint-tickets-694477118757?aff=oddtdtcreator Spaces are VERY limited, see ya soon!*Submit your story to Monique for a chance to record and help end the stigma surrounding infertility. Connect on Instagram & SUBSCRIBE on YouTube*You can help support the continuation of I.A.M. by Buying A CoffeeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Maiclaire became pregnant naturally, really quickly, but miscarried at nearly 12 weeks. She and her husband then started fertility treatments with IUI. She became pregnant through her second IUI (Intrauterine insemination) but sadly miscarried at 9 weeks. Maiclaire completed 5 rounds of IVF as well. In this episode, we also discuss egg donorship and epigenetics."After the 2 miscarriages and the 2nd IVF cycle with no embryos, I was in a really low place and I was frustrated that no one talks about infertility and recurrent loss, so I wrote my book "Prequel to Parenthood: An Infertility Story."*It's going down (D)C, (M)aryland, and (V)irginia Friends! Hang with your girl in Annapolis, MD, for our first IRL event: No more Silent Silent Suffering Sip N Party, a fun night of socializing & connecting.Since this will be an intimate and PRIVATE party, tickets can only be snagged with this link. Spaces are VERY limited; see ya soon!*Submit your story to Monique for a chance to record and help end the stigma surrounding infertility. Connect on Instagram & SUBSCRIBE on YouTube*You can help support the continuation of I.A.M by Buying A CoffeeSupport Our Show Sponsors:*Learn more about the Mosie Baby Kit and read some of the amazing stories from the Mosie Community at try.mosiebaby.com/InfertilityAndMe. *Use code INFERTILITYANDME for [15% off] your order at checkout and join the 100,000 plus families who have included Mosie on their journey to conceive.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It's going down (D)C, (M)aryland, and (V)irginia Friends! Come hang with your girl in Annapolis, MD for a night of fun, socializing, and painting. This event is free and just for YOU, other community members, and I to finally meet in person in a fun atmosphere.Since this will be an intimate and PRIVATE party, tickets can only be snagged with this link: No More Silent Suffering Sip N Paint Spaces are VERY limited, see ya soon!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Tasha Van Howe, a wife, author, and repeated loss mom, shares her tumultuous battle with unexplained infertility that began two years after she and her high school sweetheart & husband married. Tasha goes into great detail about caring for her mom, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's & dementia while going through a complicated pregnancy, newborn loss, repeated grief, IVF, and an unbelievable adoption story to which she and Jeff are still fighting. -You can purchase a copy of Tasha's book, Miss Me Always here & connect with her on Instagram!*It's going down (D)C, (M)aryland, and (V)irginia Friends! Hang with your girl in Annapolis, MD, for our first IRL event: No more Silent Silent Suffering Sip N Party, a fun night of socializing and painting. Since this will be an intimate and PRIVATE party, tickets can only be purchased with this link. Spaces are VERY limited see ya soon!*Submit your story to Monique for a chance to record and help end the stigma surrounding infertility. Connect on Instagram & SUBSCRIBE on YouTubeSupport Our Show Sponsors:*Learn more about the Mosie Baby Kit and read some of the amazing stories from the Mosie Community at try.mosiebaby.com/InfertilityAndMe. *Use code INFERTILITYANDME for [15% off] your order at checkout and join the 100,000 plus families who have included Mosie on their journey to conceive.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Let's face it, infertility and trying to conceive (TTC) can be incredibly costly! Oftentimes, people are forced to walk away to avoid draining their savings or fertility treatments, adoption, surrogacy, and egg/sperm donorship aren't an option financially. From the moment of diagnosis to the extensive research and exploration of various family-building options, it feels like a significant financial burden with no end in sight. Non profits mentioned:The Tinina Q. Cade FoundationBundle of Joy FundCozy WarriorResources:Episode mentioned w/Lauren Makler on AppleiTunes & Spotify about her digital health company Cofertility.Article written By Amber Ferguson, reporter/video editor of The Washington Post: Shortage of Black sperm donors in America.'Socioeconomic disparities in fertility treatments and associated likelihood of livebirth following invitro fertilization.'Hey friend, thank you for tuning in to Infertility And Me Podcast. Connect with me on Instagram and or watch episodes on YouTube. Submit your story to me, Monique for a chance to record and end the stigma surrounding infertility. You can support the continuation of I.A.M by 'buying me a coffee' on Ko-fi;) Support Our Show Sponsors:*Learn more about the Mosie Baby Kit and read some of the amazing stories from the Mosie Community at try.mosiebaby.com/InfertilityAndMe. *Use code INFERTILITYANDME for [15% off] your order at checkout and join the 100,000 plus families who have included Mosie on their journey to conceive.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode we're joined by Dr. K. Duga for an educational discussion about racial disparities in health care and how it affects Black women while TTC, why functional fertility care is important before or while seeking ART (assisted reproductive care) and advocating for yourself as a patient.Connect with Dr. Duga on her website or follow her on Instagram to learn more about her services and how she can help YOU.Submit your story to Monique for a chance to record and end the stigma surrounding infertility. Connect on Instagram & SUBSCRIBE on YouTubeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If this podcast has helped you, please consider leaving a 5 star Rating & Review on Apple iTunes or Spotify. Ratings & Reviews help increase the show's visibility so that we can reach more friends who may be silently suffering too!Infertility can make us feel invisible due to a combination of emotional, social, and cultural factors. In this episode we're discussing reasons we may be feeling this way and learning to identify our triggers.Overall, infertility is a complex and emotionally charged issue that can leave us feeling invisible, both to others and sometimes even to ourselves. It is essential for society to foster greater empathy, compassion, and support for those going through infertility, creating a more inclusive and understanding environment for individuals and couples on their fertility journey.Submit your story to me for a chance to record and end the stigma surrounding infertility. Connect with me on Instagram & SUBSCRIBE on YouTubeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If this podcast has helped you, please consider leaving a 5 star Rating & Review on Apple iTunes or Spotify. Ratings & Reviews help increase the show's visibility so that we can reach more friends who may be silently suffering too!Have you had a rough summer navigating infertility? In this episode I speak about boundary setting, how to prepare yourself for the engagements you've committed to, and the obsessiveness TTC creates in us.Submit your story to me for a chance to record and end the stigma's surrounding infertility. Connect with me on Instagram & watch on YouTube!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If this podcast has helped you, please consider leaving a 5 star Rating & Review on Apple iTunes or Spotify. Ratings & Reviews help increase the show's visibility so that we can reach more friends who may be silently suffering too!You’ve married your college sweetheart and well on your way to creating the life you’ve imagined, together. Some time passes and you've begun TTC. Our guest Steven Miller MS, shares his shocking diagnosis of male factor infertility, and the steps he is taking as a Social Worker to raise awareness about the effects of infertility. Follow Steven @sjmiller2024Follow MoniqueSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If this podcast has helped you, please consider leaving a 5 star Rating & Review on Apple iTunes or Spotify. Ratings & Reviews help increase the show's visibility so that we can reach more friends who may be silently suffering too!Nicole Gomez Fisher shares her devastating endometriosis and scarring diagnosis from previous surgeries at 19 years old. Nicole's right ovary, both fallopian tubes, and part of her left ovary was removed during surgery. After marriage, TTC would be equally arduous for Nicole and her husband's eight year journey. What's Discussed:EndometriosisSurgical removal of reproductive organs.00:17:45:00- Egg donorship & Jealousy.LossSurrogacy 00:19:00- "Good Egg" film's conception.00:24:00- Difficulties bonding after birth & adoption.00:26:40- Being LatinX and infertile.Nicole Gomez Fisher, writer, and director of "Good Egg" film.  " A woman struggling to get pregnant becomes embroiled in the criminal underworld with her potential egg donor."Submit your story to me via email at infertilityandme@outlook.com for a chance to record and end the stigma surrounding infertility. Connect with me on Instagram & watch on YouTubeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If IAM podcast has helped you, please consider leaving a 5 star Rating & Review on Apple iTunes or Spotify. This helps us become more visible to friends who may be silently suffering with infertility too!In this episode, Monique chats with instagram advocate Sabrina De Lellis. Sabrina has been TTC since 2019 and has stage four endometriosis. Before meeting her current partner, Sabrina began TTC in her previous marriage. She and her partner are still in the thick of TTC and figuring out what their next steps will be.@ivf_baby_dIn this episode we discuss:Endometriosis, low ovarian reserve, & andenomyosis.Embryo adoptionUnsuccessful IVF cycles.Miscarriage.Submit your story to me via email at infertilityandme@outlook.com for a chance to record and end the stigma surrounding infertility. Connect with me on Instagram & watch on YouTubeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If this podcast has helped you, please consider leaving a 5 star Rating & Review on Apple iTunes or Spotify. Ratings & Reviews help increase the show's visibility so that we can reach more friends who may be silently suffering too!Imagine your doctor discovers signs of ovarian cancer during a routine ultrasound to prepare for an IVF embryo transfer, what would you do, how would you respond? In 2019, Jenny Lowe was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer in the midst of her first round of IVF after four unsuccessful IUI cycles; she was 34 years old. Jenny also shares with us the day she tested positive for BRCA Gene Mutation, also known as BReast CAncer gene. Every human carries these genes. For a small percentage, their BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 genes mutate. As a result of her illness, she lost the ability to carry a baby and have genetic ties to future children.Jenny shares what it was like to overcome ovarian cancer, the process of finding a surrogate, and the surprising volunteer surrogates. Just when the storm begins to clear, surrogacy would prove to be tumultuous too. To raise awareness Jenny wrote a memoir called Saved By Hope-affectionately named after her daughter. Snag your copy of Jenny's book, here! Follow Jenny on InstagramGrab a copy of Jenny’s book here!Submit your story to me via email at infertilityandme@outlook.com for a chance to record and end the stigma surrounding infertility. Connect with me on Instagram & watch on YouTubeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If this podcast has helped you, please consider leaving a 5 star Rating & Review on Apple iTunes or Spotify. Ratings & Reviews help increase the show's visibility so that we can reach more friends who may be silently suffering too!In this episode, Monique chats with Megan Whiting. Megan and her husband were diagnosed with unexplained infertility in 2016, after several years of marriage. Meghan describes her experience through infertility as deeply traumatizing and life long. Megan Whiting is the Founder of the Pursuit of Rainbows Foundation and an advocate for Resolve. It is Megan's mission to spread infertility awareness, educate, and use her title as Mrs. Ohio International 2022 to give voice to the silent sufferers everywhere.Key Moments: 00:00:00- Intro00:03:21- Meet Megan00:09:24-Unexplained infertility & the emotional impact.00:13:55- What does a life without children look like?00:15:39- There's value in the pause & rest.00:19:34- Miscarriage.00:21:11- Pregnancy after infertility.0:27:47- The right to family building. Submit your story to me via email at infertilityandme@outlook.com for a chance to record and end the stigma surrounding infertility. Connect with me on Instagram & watch on YouTubeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Diagnosed with a rare abdominal disease that caused large masses in her abdomen, Lauren was told she may never have biological children. After exploring all of her options, she embarked on the path to motherhood with her husband. While on maternity leave, Lauren Makler, CEO, Co-Fertility Founder decided and felt a new passion for reproductive health care, which led to the creation of CoFertility. *Lauren states: "At its core, egg donation is someone doing something good and providing a life-altering opportunity for a family." "This stigma is a problem on multiple fronts. It discourages women from helping a family grow when that might be something they want to do. It leaves intended parents without options, and it especially hurts the LGBTQ community that needs to rely on egg donation for family planning."-Lauren Mackler on fastcompany.comWe'll be discussing: The stigma of donor conceived persons and donors.How CoFertility is A more thoughtful, human-centered matching, education, and communication platform for families in need of egg donation.How Freeze by Co Empowers women to take control of their fertility timelines by making egg freezing more accessible. Our Split program enables them to freeze for free when they donate half of the eggs retrieved to a family who can't conceive. Family by Co: A more thoughtful, human-centered matching, education, and communication platform for families in need of egg donation.Laurens's Fertility Struggles.What inspired parent company CoFertility?A more human approach leads to better egg donor and intended family match success, was this discovered during your research to build the new initiatives?00:25:00- Article written By Amber Ferguson, reporter/video editor of The Washington Post: Shortage of Black sperm donors in America.Submit your story to me via email at infertilityandme@outlook.com for a chance to record and end the stigma surrounding infertility. Connect with me on Instagram & watch on YouTubeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy