This is Fertility

Latest Episodes:

Empowering Resilience: A Broken Brown Egg AHA Grant Winner's Story Jul 31, 2023

Show notes

In Episode 86: The Broken Brown Egg, we were introduced to Regina Townsend, the passionate voice behind The Broken Brown Egg; a blog, resource hub, community, and nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering, informing, and advocating for those who are questioning or dealing with infertility, with a particular focus on the Black experience.

Today, we meet Sametra Thompson, an active-duty service member in the U.S Army. After receiving a diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and experiencing a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy, Sametra became the recipient of of The AHA Grant, a grant established by The Broken Brown Egg in partnership with Progyny. This grant has played a crucial role in Sametra's journey, reflecting her unwavering determination in the face of discouraging results. Her story also brings attention to the challenging realities of fertility treatment costs without proper insurance coverage, underscoring how sometimes the best decision may not be financially viable.

Guest: Sametra Thompson, AHA Grant Recipient

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

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: Unexplained Infertility Jul 17, 2023

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 today's episode, Dr. Callum Potts breaks down the unexplained infertility diagnosis. He walks us through the four factors of fertility, how they work collectively to create a natural pregnancy, and why these four factors could test normally without positive results. Dr. Pott's discusses treatment options such as IUI and IVF, and how someone may decide on which path to take.

While an unexplained infertility diagnosis is frustrating, Dr. Potts emphasizes that treatment options are not limited and testing normal is a positive thing.

Guest: Dr. Callum Potts, CCRM in Miami

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

The Hadwins: The Weight of the Wait Jul 03, 2023

Show notes

Jessica Hadwin, like many in this community, was given an incredibly frustrating diagnosis – unexplained infertility. Answers are typically comforting and for Jessica there were none until she experienced two devasting miscarriages.

But how do we find the answers? For Jessica it was through additional research from the lab. After a few tests, it revealed chromosomal abnormalities to be the reason why her previous pregnancies ended in a loss.

In this episode hear how Jessica navigated her family building journey – to include using pre–implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A), how she dealt with loss, and why she started The Hadwin Family Foundation.

Guest: Jessica Hadwin, co-founder of The Hadwin Family Foundation and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

Male-Factor Infertility: IVF & the Unexpected Jun 19, 2023

Show notes

Today's guest, Lizzy Colas, went into her marriage knowing she would likely need IVF to have a baby since her partner was diagnosed with male-factor infertility. What the couple didn't know was how frustrating this process would be. Lizzy shares how they were able to navigate their journey, the support from their loved ones, and why they advocated for themselves throughout the entire process. Lizzy makes a few things clear – the impact of having access to a comprehensive family building benefit and how a doctor can make all the difference.

Dr. Joseph Alukal, a reproductive urologist, joins to explain the complexities and realities of male factor infertility.

Progyny also hosted a webinar dedicated to male fertility. To watch it on-demand, click here.

Guest: Lizzy Colas, Progyny Member, and Dr. Joseph Alukal, Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

LGBTQ+ Family Building: Pride and Path to xHood Jun 05, 2023

Show notes

June is Pride Month and with all the different paths to parenthood available for LGBTQ+ couples and individuals, it's a great time to elevate these voices within the community.

Today's episode features Mia Cooley, a Black, queer, mother of three whose desire to connect with families that looked like hers, created an inclusive community called xHood.

xHood is a safe space that supports Black and queer families through the journey of parenthood. It's an area that's often challenged by a lack of representation in the healthcare industry, in parenting groups, and even in local communities. The frustration of feeling ostracized has motivated Mia to create a center for advice, a venue for resources, a starting point for advocation in the workplace, and just a space vent.

In this episode, Mia shares why she started this organization, details of the annual Black Parent Pride Summit, and her path to parenthood.

Guest: Mia Cooley, Founder of xHood

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

The Long Road to Building a Family May 22, 2023

Show notes

Seven years ago, Michelle Meyer and her husband, Alex, had no idea what was in store for them and their dreams of starting a family. Those years were filled with multiple diagnoses (from male factor infertility, Hashimoto thyroiditis, and endometriosis), fertility treatments (IUI, medicated cycles, and IVF), and a mix of emotions from failed transfers and miscarriages.

In this episode, Michelle shares the journey they've been on, the impact of Wayfair's family building benefit through Progyny, and how she feels optimistic on what lies ahead.

Guest: Michelle Meyer, Senior Recruiter at Wayfair, and Progyny Member

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

A Teacher's Quest to Parenthood May 08, 2023

Show notes

We always talk about enacting change on this podcast and that's exactly what today's guest did when she felt her journey was at a halt. In honor of National Teacher's Appreciation Week, meet Tara Stark, a teacher, who shares her experience after being diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve, faced multiple failed rounds of IVF, and a pregnancy loss. Tara was frustrated and knew she needed a change. She also needed financial support to afford these treatments. So that's exactly what Tara did. She sought out a school district with the kind of benefits she saw necessary for an employer to provide, access to a family building benefit.

In this episode, hear why Tara joined Tennessee Fertility Advocates, where she found support, and how she advocated for herself for herself and for family building benefits.

This is Progyny's first video podcast. This episode is available for listening and watching. Find this episode, future video podcasts, and education content on Progyny's YouTube.

Guest: Tara Stark, Teacher at Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, and Progyny Member

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

#NIAW: Building a Family After Loss Apr 24, 2023

Show notes

Today's episode is a great example of the magic some people experience on their path to parenthood. When Sarah and her husband Brian started trying at a time that felt right for them, they realized other factors may be at play, in this case, male factor, to be exact. For Sarah, the IVF process ran smoothly and successfully. And part of this was due to the fact that she had access to an employer-sponsored benefit through AT&T, so her financial burden of treatment was relieved by the Progyny benefit.

As smooth as her process may have been, life was throwing hurdles at Sarah simultaneously. She tells us how she navigated building a family while grieving the loss of her mother and how life has a way of presenting beautiful beginnings when they are most needed.

Guest: Sarah Liggett, Progyny Member and Dr. Barrett Cowan, Posterity Health

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

#NIAW: The Catalyst to Bringing Fertility and Family Building Benefits to Her Employer Apr 10, 2023

Show notes

It's National Infertility Awareness Week and this year we have one central theme – one we discuss frequently on this podcast – the importance and need for employer-sponsored fertility and family building benefits. We've heard from previous guests about how to advocate for coverage from within an organization, the view point from a benefits consultant on why it's important, and today's guest sheds light on what it was like to find a family building benefit while being a patient herself.

In this episode we hear how Ashley S. went through her own infertility struggle that led to a diagnosis of PCOS and multiple prescriptions of Clomid. It also led her to realize that she could play a role in bringing family building benefits to a company that didn't previously have them. Ashely advocated for a benefit, vetted through all the different options in the market, and realized that Progyny's benefit plan design could meet the needs of her organization, including herself.

A reminder that if you're looking to bring family building coverage to your organization, visit Progyny's Talk to HR page or Progyny's Employers page for additional resources.

Guest: Ashley S., Benefits Professional

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

Rescripting the Conversation Around Fertility Mar 27, 2023

Show notes

Today's guest was thrusted into the world of infertility and soon became a co-founder to address the lack of education when it came to reproductive health. Kristyn Hodgdon was first diagnosed with PCOS after getting married and embarked on a long journey which included IUI, IVF, miscarriage, twins, and everything in between.

Along this journey, Kristyn came to the conclusion that there was no reason to bear the experience of fertility treatment alone. A cathartic blog turned into something bigger, which today Kristyn and her co-founder Abby call, Rescripted.

In this episode, Kristyn walks us through her family building journey, the importance of having family building care, and creating a community filled with support.

Guest: Kristyn Hodgdon, Rescripted, Progyny Member

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

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