This is Fertility

Latest Episodes:

Fighting for Fertility Coverage: Bringing Benefits to An Employer Apr 23, 2021

Show notes

It's National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), and Progyny is hosting a six-part series of back-to-back episodes featuring several experts who are fighting for fertility coverage. Our goal is to educate others on how they can advocate for themselves and ask for the support that's needed from their employer or state to build the family of their dreams.

This is the last episode of the series, and it's all about advocating for yourself. Today we hear from Sarah Barnes; she realized early on her employer didn't provide coverage for fertility treatment. She first reached out to HR and asked, 'why don't you offer fertility coverage?' It turns out they weren't even aware this was something employees wanted in their plans. So, Sarah consistently reached out to HR, spoke to colleagues, gathered informative data, and accumulated over 100 signatures to show that this was a benefit that employees needed.

Whether you are currently looking for fertility coverage or know someone who is, or you're just here to learn, this episode will show you what the power of support, persistence, and advocacy can do for any organization.

Guest: Sarah Barnes, Advisor, Integrated Marketing at ALSAC

Host: Dan Bulger

See RESOLVE's website for fertility advocacy resources in your state and Progyny's Talk to HR page for assistance in requesting coverage from your employer.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Fighting for Fertility Coverage: Supporting Advocacy Groups and Companies Apr 22, 2021

Show notes

This episode features Davina Fankhauser, the co-founder and President of Fertility Within Reach. Davina started her organization after struggling with infertility herself. Since the age of 22, she knew she would have trouble conceiving due to an endometriosis diagnosis. Still, once she and her husband started trying, they discovered that male factor infertility was also a contributor. She went through countless treatments, spending all her savings, but eventually had two successful pregnancies. Thinking back on her experience, she felt she had suffered a deep injustice by not having access to sufficient fertility coverage. Her position on RESOLVE's support line turned into helping Massachusetts change its definition of infertility, opening up coverage to many more people. Her work at Fertility Within Reach helps guide others to develop the courage and access the resources needed to make a legislative change in their state.

Guest: Davina Fankhauser, Co-founder and President of Fertility Within Reach

Host: Dan Bulger

See RESOLVE's website for fertility advocacy resources in your state and Progyny's Talk to HR page for assistance in requesting coverage from your employer.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Fighting for Fertility Coverage: State Mandate in Colorado Apr 21, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, you'll hear from Christina Yannetsos, a key advocate for the expansion of fertility coverage in Colorado. Christina is a fighter in every sense of the word, competing in Judo at an Olympic level, putting her energy towards injured athletes, then lobbying for fertility warriors like herself. Since she made such an impact on families in Colorado, you'd think she would have coverage for her own fertility healthcare, right? Unfortunately, that's not the case. Although she made progress on the state level, her employer is self-insured, so the state mandates don't apply.

As you can see, there is still much more work to be done! Christina is still working hard with RESOLVE and the Colorado Fertility Advocates to continue to make a difference. Tune in to learn how you can advocate for coverage in your state.

Guest: Christina Yannetsos, Colorado Fertility Advocates, Emergency Physician, Assistant Professor University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Medical Director Forensic Examiner Program.

Host: Dan Bulger

See RESOLVE's website for fertility advocacy resources in your state and Progyny's Talk to HR page for assistance in requesting coverage from your employer.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Fighting for Fertility Coverage: State Mandate in New York and Beyond Apr 20, 2021

Show notes

This marks our 100th episode, and we wanted to make this one extra special by hosting an extraordinary guest. Today you'll hear from Risa Levine, a fertility advocacy superstar who's working with RESOLVE (Barb Collura, CEO of RESOLVE, was our first guest – listen here). Risa is a practicing attorney in New York City and is mainly responsible for New York's state mandate for fertility coverage. Risa's efforts stemmed from her own experience with infertility, which resulted in her spending roughly $270,000 out of pocket for treatment. With her background in advocacy and ties to Capitol Hill, Risa decided to organize the facts about fertility coverage (or lack thereof) to advocate for others in the same situation. She emphasizes how coverage allows for healthier decision-making, which makes it no longer about the cost, but what will be most effective.

Guest: Risa Levine, attorney and fertility advocate with RESOLVE

Host: Dan Bulger

See RESOLVE's website for fertility advocacy resources in your state and Progyny's Talk to HR page for assistance in requesting coverage from your employer.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Fighting for Fertility Coverage: Benefits Consultants Taking the Lead Apr 19, 2021

Show notes

This episode will dive into how benefits consultants can help drive this change. Elaine-Marie Cannella, from Willis Towers Watson, recognizes employees are the force behind a successful company. So, providing employees with the benefits they need to be fulfilled and to lead healthy lives is extremely important. All too often, fertility benefits are overlooked. It's seen as expensive and unnecessary when in reality, people are silently struggling to make ends meet for treatment and medication, which ultimately can crossover into the workplace. So how do you get your employer to listen? In this episode and our special NIAW series, you'll learn how to approach your employer with facts and research that can't be ignored.

Guest: Elaine-Marie Cannella, RN, BSN, MSN, Willis Towers Watson

Host: Dan Bulger

See Resolve's website for fertility advocacy resources in your state and Progyny's Talk to HR page for assistance in requesting coverage from your employer.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Fighting for Fertility Coverage: State Mandate in North Dakota Apr 05, 2021

Show notes

The cost of healthcare can be exorbitant, especially for fertility treatments. There are some incredible grants, funds, and forward-thinking employers that provide support for fertility and family building care, but more and more states are starting to mandate that coverage be offered. While this idea might seem expensive at first glance, providing fertility coverage saves everyone money, not to mention it lessens the stress of fertility treatment for those going through it. This National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), Progyny is hosting a six-part series featuring several experts who are fighting for fertility coverage. This first episode focuses on Tara Brandner, the founder of the non-profit, Everlasting Hope, and her fight for fertility coverage in North Dakota.

Tara Brandner knew firsthand what it was like to struggle with infertility. Her experience involved an endometriosis diagnosis, several miscarriages, three failed IUI cycles, and IVF. Soon after giving birth, Tara reflected on her turbulent experience with fertility treatment. She concluded that people should not have to go through the financial and emotional stress that she did. Tara decided to use her expertise as a doctorate nurse practitioner and veteran fertility warrior to form a non-profit, Everlasting Hope, that would provide community and resources for infertility. The platform has grown significantly, and she has emerged as a force behind advocating for fertility coverage in her state. Here's Tara's story.

Guest: Tara Brandner, founder of Everlasting Hope

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information on Everlasting Hope, check out the website, Instagram, and Facebook. See Resolve's website for fertility advocacy resources in your state and Progyny's Talk to HR page for assistance in requesting coverage from your employer.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Our Misconception Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

Motherhood has no set definition in this day and age because the modern family has evolved. It's much more open-ended than the singular idea of having to carry your baby after conceiving through intercourse "naturally." There are several different options and ways in which children can come into your life. Once we accept this fact and shift the focus towards being the best parent possible, it becomes much easier to build your family.

In this episode, you'll hear Candace Wohl talk about this concept and her challenging path that led her to be a mom.

Candace and her husband launched a blog called, Our Misconception, which gives perspective from both the male and female on the daily struggles that stem from infertility. Their road was long, filled with six IUIs, several IVFs, two cancer diagnoses, unexplained infertility, an attempt to adopt, and a gestational carrier. Everything about this journey was complex and emotional, but at the end of it all, Candace found motherhood when she opened a door that she had previously kept closed.

Guest: Candace Wohl, Our Misconception Blog

Host: Dan Bulger

Check out Candace and her husband's blog through their website and Instagram

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Bonus Episode 9: Infertility in the Black Community: Understanding Your Health Conditions and Finding the Right Doctor Mar 15, 2021

Show notes

This February, Progyny hosted the webinar, "Infertility in the Black Community: Understanding Your Health Conditions and Finding the Right Doctor," to honor Black History Month and shed some light on the racial disparities in healthcare. This is an expansion on the July webinar, "Fertility and Maternal Health in the Black Community."

Progyny's moderator, Lissa Kline, guides experts Dr. Kanika Harris, Director of Maternal Health at Black Women's Health Imperative (and previous guest on Episode 93), and Dr. Isiah Harris, a reproductive endocrinologist at Spring Fertility in a discussion around myths about Black women and infertility, conditions like uterine fibroids that disproportionately affect Black women, access to care, how to find the right doctor, and much more.

While this webinar is definitely worth the listen, we understand that life gets busy and have provided a summary for you here.

Experts: Dr. Kanika Harris, Black Women's Health Imperative (BWHI), Dr. Isiah Harris, Spring Fertility

Host: Lissa Kline, Dan Bulger (Intro)

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Endometriosis and Fertility: 7 Years of Heartbreak, and a New Approach Mar 08, 2021

Show notes

Support is going to be a prevalent theme in today's episode. Why? Because it's the support of our family, friends, employers, and physicians that help us get through tough times, especially when it comes to infertility.

Amanda Lesesne is a veteran guest here on This Is Infertility. This will be her third time joining us, and (spoiler!) today, she comes with good news! However, it wasn't an easy journey getting here. She struggled with endometriosis, went through six rounds of failed IVF cycles, an ectopic pregnancy, and then just when she thought she found her solution through a gestational carrier, they backed out. Despite these setbacks, Amanda kept moving forward. She decided to reevaluate her current setup and look for a more supportive clinic that would be confident in her family building goals. Luckily, she found Dr. Klatsky and his team at Spring Fertility, who would get to the bottom of her infertility.

So, as you listen to this episode, think about your current support system. Maybe you're going through fertility treatments or are getting weighed down by the disproportionate costs of infertility. It could be a sign to look for another clinic, another employer to advocate for your family building goals, or your budget. Amanda's story shows us that even the most seemingly impossible situations can be turned around by a fresh perspective and the proper support. Be sure to check out Amanda's previous episodes in the notes below.

Guest: Amanda Lesesne, Progyny

Expert: Dr. Peter Klatsky, Spring Fertility

Host: Dan Bulger

If you want to hear Amanda's full story, start by listening to Episode 31 part 1 and part 2.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Fertility 101 - Endometriosis Mar 01, 2021

Show notes

The Fertility 101 Series, because there's no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.

In this episode, you'll learn about endometriosis, a condition in which a woman's endometrial tissue grows inside of her abdomen. Each woman is different, but it's common that endometriosis generates pelvic pain around a woman's menstrual cycle or during sex, and it can cause infertility. Although it sounds intimidating for someone trying to conceive, many women facing endometriosis have found success through IVF and other treatments. And, ironically enough, pregnancy has been found to be an effective relief from symptoms.

Dr. Ravi Gada, Fertility Specialist at Dallas Fort Worth Fertility Associates, part of the Progyny Provider Network, joins us to cover everything you need to know about endometriosis including what it is, how to diagnosis, treatment, why it can cause infertility, and where to start if you think you may have it.

Expert: Dr. Ravi Gada, Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates

Host: Dan Bulger

In the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Ravi Gada at Dallas Fort Worth Fertility Associates through their website.

Also check out our podcast series: Endometriosis and Fertility: