Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building through ART

Latest Episodes:

John Smothers May 06, 2022

Show notes

John Smothers is 71-year-old businessman, and today he's telling us about the difficulties he and his wife had building their family in the late 70s and early 80s, when ART hadn't really been developed yet, and it was all very "hush hush." It took John and his wife, Gayle, 7 years to have their first child, due to Gayle's endometriosis. But the trauma of infertility lived on. When Gayle died of breast cancer in 2018, one of the last things she said to him was, “Do whatever you can to help those couples.” He began investigating ways to improve the collection of human sperm, and today, John has helped create ProteX, the first and only product designed specifically for semen collection to aid in fertility treatment.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility; IUIs; IVF; endometriosis; breast cancer; semen samples; sperm motility; sperm health; assisted reproductive technology.

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY, @fertilityrally

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer support groups, private Facebook groups, curated events, and an entire of more than 300 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey. Doors open the 1st of every month. See more on our IG @fertilityrally

BELI @beli.baby

Beli is formulated with the right nutrients to help boost your fertility, increase egg quality and support IVF to increase your chances of conception and a healthy pregnancy. To get started with Beli, go to belibaby.com and use code ALI15 for 15% off your first month of either Beli Women or Beli Men.

Support this podcast at:

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Maiclaire Smith Apr 29, 2022

Show notes

Today, Ali is talking to her good friend and the very FIRST Fertility Rally member, Maiclaire Smith, about the long and winding road she took to get to her baby son, Isaac. "Having Isaac doesn’t erase what we went through," she says. "The pain, the loss, the sacrifices that went along with three years of hell to get us our miracle baby. This is just a small part of what infertility looked like for us. This is $152,000 of medical intervention not covered by insurance to get us our precious boy. It’s been two years since I wrote my book, which just scratches the surface of our journey." In addition to all this, Maclaire talks about her diminished ovarian reserve, her multiple miscarriages, her 2 IUIs, her 2IVF cycle that yielded nothing, financial difficulties, literally putting all of her "eggs in one basket," doctors who didn't pay attention, switching clinics, facing what felt like discrimination as a bi-racial couple, and what it was like to go through IVF in her 40s. She also talks about how Isaac was a Day 7 embryo, and how rare it is for doctors to transfer Day 7 embryos these days. "So many clinics would have thrown him in the garbage, they never would've even let him have a chance to grow, and he is the most perfect child on the planet," she says. Check out her book, "Prequel to Parenthood."

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility; IUIs; IVF; DOR; failed cycles; anxiety; Day 7 embryos; switching clinics; financial difficulties; the anxiety of pregnancy after infertility.

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY, @fertilityrally

BELI @beli.baby

Support this podcast at:

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Emma K. Belle on TFMR, Grief, Mental Health, and Finding Hope Again Apr 21, 2022

Show notes

Emma K. Belle is a life coach and mentor with a focus on Mental Health Recovery, Trauma Recovery and Emotional Awareness Learning. She's also a huge advocate for the infertility community, and an #infertility warrior herself. She heads up a Bipolar Disorder Recovery Online Support Group, and she also created TFMR Mamas, a group for those who have lost their babies to Termination for Medical Reasons. Today, Emma tells Ali about her fertility journey so far, including her "very chaotic and hectic young life," what she found out about her fertility when she went to freeze her eggs at age 35 and living with bipolar. She also talks about the traumatic loss of her daughter, Willow, who was diagnosed with Edward's Syndrome in utero, and the extremely unthinkable decision they made to terminate the pregnancy for medical reasons. Plus: Stick around after our interview for an update from Emma about where she is now (hint: It's good news!).

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY, @fertilityrally

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at www.fertilityrally.com. We offer support groups, private Facebook groups, curated events, and an entire of more than 300 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey. Doors open the 1st of every month. See more on our IG @fertilityrally

And get your tickets now for Fertility Rally Live on Saturday, 4/23! Rally Live is our signature event Even if you can't make it live, your tickets get you access to all the talks for 30 days!

Get your tickets here: https://www.accelevents.com/e/fertilityrallylivespring2022

BELI @beli.baby

Support this podcast at:

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infertileaf

https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

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Jess L. Apr 15, 2022

Show notes

Today Ali is talking to her friend and Fertility Rally member Jess L. about the infertility journey she and her wife, Ann, have been on so far. "In a same sex relationship, you know right away that you're gonna need help--reproductive assistance," Jess says, as she fills us in on everything that's happened so far, including choosing a sperm donor (known or anonymous?); the cost of sperm; her chemical pregnancy; going through multiples IUIs; more pregnancies that ended with no heartbeat; and where they are now.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility; IUIs; PCOS; sperm donation; same sex family building; same sex relationships; chemical pregnancy; miscarriage and D&C; endometriosis; ICSI; RPL panels

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY, @fertilityrally

And get your tickets now for Fertility Rally Live on 4/23! Even if you can't make it live, your tickets get you access to all the talks for 30 days!

Get your tickets here: https://www.accelevents.com/e/fertilityrallylivespring2022

Support this podcast at:

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infertileaf

https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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Dani Wade Apr 07, 2022

Show notes

Today, Ali chats with Colorado lifestyle blogger Dani Wade, aka @dwbella. Dani fills Ali in on the four years she has spent so far battling infertility, and how her journey is not over yet. Still in the midst of her story, Dani tells Ali what has happened up until this point, including hormone fluctuations, failed IUIs, the "heartbreak of the process," and how she's had very tough conversations with her husband. Dani talks about "feeling like it was on all her, as the woman," the importance of taking a break, why she thinks "we would greatly benefit from having more diversity in our healthcare system," and where she is now.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility; IUIs; stress and anxiety; taking a break during infertility treatments; going through infertility as a woman of color, hormone fluctuations; surgery.

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY, @fertilityrally

And save the date for Fertility Rally Live on 4/23! Even if you can't make it live, your tickets get you access to all the talks for 30 days!

Get your tickets here: https://www.accelevents.com/e/fertilityrallylivespring2022

PREMAMA

Premama creates doctor-backed supplements that support every stage of your maternity wellness journey. Premama Fertility support for Her is the #1 selling over the counter fertility supplement for women trying to conceive. All Premama supplements are gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan or vegetarian, with no additives and no synthetic flavors. Discover why moms (and dads-to-be!) trust Premama wellness for their nutritional support from preconception to postpartum by visiting Premamawellness.com. You can get your first month supply free when you subscribe to any Premama product for a limited time!

MIRA

If you’re trying to conceive, listen up: According to Mira, you can get pregnant faster by tracking your ovulation and hormones using the Mira Fertility tracker. Mira is a super cute, palm-sized device that measures your *actual* hormone concentrations with 99% lab-grade accuracy. Order the Mira Starter Kit or the Mira Plus Bundle online at www.miracare.com using the promo code ALI to get 10% off.

Support this podcast at:

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Melissa R. Mar 31, 2022

Show notes

Today, Ali is talking to True Warrior Jewelry founder Melissa Randazzo about her long and complicated battle with infertility and endometriosis. Melissa tells Ali about how she'd never heard of endo before, and what happened when her insides were "black, covered in scar tissue, and all my organs were attached to themselves." She also talks about the healing power of crystals and how they helped on her journey, having her fallopian tubes removed, and going through multiple rounds of IVF. Melissa also discusses the anxiety of being pregnant after loss, and the complicated birth stories for both of her two children, ultimately leading to a hysterectomy. "Nobody can understand what you're going through with infertility unless you've been through it yourself," she says. Check out her jewelry at www.truewarriorjewelry.com

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility; IVF; endometriosis; stress and anxiety; blocked fallopian tubes; fallopian tube removal; IUI; the healing power of crystals; pregnancy after infertility and loss, rainbow babies; hysterectomy.

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY, @fertilityrally

And save the date for Fertility Rally Live on 4/23!

RECEPTIVA DX

The ReceptivaDX test can help couples struggling with unexplained infertility. It can help identify endometriosis before an embryo transfer, and has the potential to save women the stress, anxiety, and cost of multiple failed IVF attempts. Learn more at receptivadx.com or download the ReceptivaDX app. Use code INFERTILEAF for $75 off.

BELI @beli.baby

Support this podcast at:

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infertileaf

https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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Sara Walsh, Emmy-Winning NFL Reporter Mar 23, 2022

Show notes

On this episode, Ali talks to Emmy Award-winning journalist and NFL Network reporter Sara Walsh about her infertility journey and what finally led to her "miracle twins." Sara opens up about her four miscarriages; how working in a male-dominated industry drove her to keep her journey a secret; having a devastating loss while out of town for work; why advocating for oneself is so important; and when she started to feel "suicidal and falling apart." She also talks about hosting a big event at the Plaza Hotel in NYC the day of her IVF retrieval; feeling guilt-ridden to her husband and her parents about not being able to have kids; her "IVF Hail Mary;" and why, even once she was pregnant, she "never allowed (herself) to have the happiness."

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility; infertility trauma; IUIs; medicated cycles; egg retrievals; failed cycles; miscarriage; anxiety and depression; guilt; suicidal thoughts; the anxiety of pregnancy after infertility; going through infertility in a male-dominated industry.

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at www.fertilityrally.com. Doors open the 1st of every month. See more on our IG @fertilityrally

PREMAMA

PROOV

Proov’s Predict and Confirm kit allows women to predict ovulation and confirm high quality ovulation to help them get pregnant faster. And now, the free Proov Insight app takes your hormone knowledge one step further by providing numeric hormone levels, info about what they mean, and personalized action plans to help you reach your fertility goals faster! Proov also offers an entire suite of at-home hormone tests and hormone supporting products to empower you with the right information on your journey. Go to proovtest.com, enter the code ALI25, and you’ll get 25% off your first order of $25 or more.

RECEPTIVA DX

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Bre Mar 17, 2022

Show notes

On this episode, Ali talks to fellow infertility warrior Bre, about her "roller coaster" infertility ride. Bre talks about what happened when her partner, who is 21 years older than her, had a reverse vasectomy. She also talks about how infertility affected her relationship, how she and her husband were "looked at differently every step of the way" trying to have their own child, and how the judgement "became almost too much to bear." She also talks about finally having her son, and why she has no problem speaking to women sometimes on the street about her miracle baby.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility; medicated cycles; vasectomy; vasectomy reversal; relationship issues; the anxiety of pregnancy after infertility.

EPISODE SPONSORS:

MIRA

RECEPTIVA DX

FERTILITY RALLY, @fertilityrally

Support this podcast at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infertileaf

https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

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Dani Repsch Mar 10, 2022

Show notes

Today, Ali is talking to proudAF egg donor mama Dani Repsch, who chronicles her infertility journey from IUIs to medicated cycles to donor eggs and beyond. Dani goes into detail about choosing a donor, grieving her genetics, failed cycles, becoming pregnant, and why she and her husband think it's so important that they tell their young son, Nathan, that he was conceived with donor eggs from the jump. She also talks about what happened with their four embryos after Nathan was born (hint: She's pregnant with another baby right now).

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility; infertility trauma; IUIs; medicated cycles; egg retrievals; Clomid hot flashes; egg donors; sperm donors; finding a donor; chemical pregnancy; miscarriage; anxiety and depression; the anxiety of pregnancy after infertility; the difference between closed donors and known donors; depression and grief.

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY, @fertilityrally

RECEPTIVA DX

Support this podcast at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infertileaf

https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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Nidhi Mar 03, 2022

Show notes

Nidhi is an IVF and Surrogacy Warrior, and today she tells Ali the long, complicated story of having her three babies under the age of four. Nidhi talks about a host of issues that contributed to her infertility journey, including uterine polyps, an ovarian cyst, and much more. She talks about multiple rounds of IVF, why they skipped IUI entirely, the effects of infertility on her marriage, how her Indian culture came into play while she was going through treatment, how going through transfers almost "felt like an addiction," why she became a fertility coach, and where she and the family are now.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility; infertility trauma; IVF; IUIs; uterine polyps; ovarian cyst; egg retrievals; infertility triggers; surrogacy; the anxiety of pregnancy after infertility; depression and grief.

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FERTILITY RALLY, @fertilityrally

RECEPTIVA DX

Support this podcast at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infertileaf

https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy