Monique returns after a long hiatus to discuss the emotional challenges faced during infertility treatments. She emphasizes the importance of feeling safe in one's body, the role of energy centers in emotional regulation, and the power of self-love. Monique also guides listeners through a visualization meditation to help them connect with their inner selves and find peace amidst the struggles of family building.

Connect with Monique on socials: IG

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

Connect with Monique on socials: IG

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 YouTube

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.

Have you been stuck on where to start with your nutritional lifestyle changes? Are you overwhelmed by the amount of information on the internet and social media? If so, you're in the right place. Today's episode features September Burton. September is a survivor of recurrent miscarriage.

She started her career as a U.S. Navy personal chef to 4-star Admirals, stationed in Sicily, Italy. She has since shared her expertise and passion for nutrition as a recurring guest on KCMJ 93.9 radio show, 'Happy News Now,' and developed a 6-week "Eating for Fertility" nutrition plan for prospective parents. She is the Founder and CEO of "4-months-to-Fertile", working with couples and mothers struggling with primary or secondary infertility, and is the organizer of the first-ever Colorado Fertility Conference.

September is passionate about living a life of purpose, helping others build and complete their families, and sharing her knowledge on the healing power of food.

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

Have you been searching for ways to connect with fellow (in)fertility friends and get more involved in the community? The Cade Foundation offers a wide range of virtual events to support and help you feel connected during your journey.

Today's BONUS episode 11, we feature Dr. Camille Hammond, the founder of the Tinina Q. Cade Foundation. A strong resource and support system for (in)fertility sufferers and their families. Dr. Camille Hammond is the current CEO of the Cade Foundation. Before Camille and her husband, Dr. Jason Hammond, co-founded in 2005 the Cade Foundation,

Camille practiced as a General Practitioner for several years. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Richmond, medical school at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and residency and fellowship at Johns Hopkins and the National Cancer Institute (respectively). Camille's passion and desire to open the Cade Foundation came when she and her husband, Dr. Jason Hammond, had their own unfortunate experience with infertility.

Following five years of infertility, Dr.Tinina Cade, Camille's mother, thankfully carried and delivered their triplets. Camille and her family were so overjoyed, they knew they not only had to share their story, but they had to help others. The Cade Foundation was then founded to provide support to families with infertility. Located in Owings Mills, MD, Camille and her family continue to support families overcome infertility across the nation. In addition, Dr. Hammond is actively engaged in social, civic, community, and philanthropic efforts throughout the nation.

The Cade Foundation

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

If you Friend have an auto-immune disease or maybe someone you, this episode is for you! Imagine being a survivor of two autoimmune diseases-fibromyalgia and lupus. Surprisingly, Ashley's autoimmune diseases are not the culprits for her infertile diagnosis; PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) is to blame, as well as male-factor.

Ashley's TTC journey to motherhood began at a time when she had her life perfectly planned and executed. Finished grad school, married to the love of her life, and a place to call home. But that quickly changed after stopping birth control to try and conceive naturally. Within a matter of months, Ashley was diagnosed with PCOS. She had been on birth control for over 15 years; which she believes helped to mask the symptoms of the condition.

After more tests, Ashley's doctor concluded that her body did not ovulate on its own and she would need reproductive assistance to become pregnant. After four medicated cycles with a fertility medication called Letrozole, Ashley and her husband finally had their BFP (big fat positive). But sadly the results of the second beta test concluded that Ashley was going to miscarry. After her miscarriage, a cyst was found on Ashley's ovary which forced her and hubby to take a month off from fertility treatment.

Ashley's instagram

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

"You're watching everything from the sidelines and you want to do so much, but there's only so much that you can do." Josephine is an expert in meditation and in overcoming adversity to find joy. She is also the creator and host of the podcast, "Responding to Life: Living Reflectively Through a Journey of Health, Fertility, and Parenthood." On the show, Josephine highlights learnings from her thirteen-year journey of love, loss, resilience, and hope to create her modern-day family including five children through non-traditional methods of IVF, adoption, and surrogacy as well as inspirations from guests who have also navigated life’s curve-balls to find joy.

Josephine’s passion is to help her meditation clients and podcast listeners channel the power of perseverance, positivity, calm, and courage to overcome obstacles, live joyfully, and mindfully.

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

Maiclaire became pregnant naturally really quickly, but miscarried at nearly 12 weeks. She and her husband then started fertility treatments with IUI. She got pregnant with the second Intrauterine insemination, but sadly miscarried at 9 weeks. Maiclaire completed 5 rounds of IVF. Her first 3 cycles did not produce any blastocysts, so she has never been able to do an embryo transfer. Recently, 3 of her blastocysts were sent for PGS testing. PGS testing: Pre-implantation genetic screening, also known as comprehensive chromosome screening or CCS, is a genetic test designed to examine embryos for chromosomal abnormalities. Embryos are biopsied at the blastocyst stage and all the chromosomes are examined. 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". The book aims to raise awareness about infertility and miscarriage. I wrote it to help others going through this crazy infertility world, but also for those supporting them. One of the most important chapters I wrote is about things people say when they mean well, but it's not well. Several people supporting me during this journey told me that chapter was very powerful because it helped them understand what they should and shouldn't say."

Our guest Eli Weinstein and his wife knew from the very beginning that their path to parenthood may be a bit of a struggle, due to her diagnosis of PCOS before they were married.

After three years they began to try naturally for a baby, but after some time they began to wonder if there may be a bigger issue brewing with her PCOS. Much to Eli's surprise, it was both he and his wife that contributed to their infertility. A shocking truth that forever changed the way this therapist would view fertility.

Within this episode, Eli offers some great insight for men on how to be a supportive spouse during fertility issues, as well as how to hold yourself accountable emotionally.

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

Imagine being told during your second cycle of IVF treatment that you have OHSS (ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome) and it is because your patient records were accidentally switched with another patients. That happened to today's guest Monica Bivas.

Monica and her husband were eager to conceive their first child together, but she was diagnosed through the HSG (Hysterosalpingography ) with blocked fallopian tubes. Monica's third IVF cycle would be the charm and she was pregnant with a babygirl. Sadly though, Monica and her husband suffered great loss at 39w gestation, due to a blood clot in the umbilical cord.

After successfully becoming pregnant again, Monica realized she wanted to help others emotionally heal from fertility trauma. Monica is a fertility Coach and mentor. She helps women and couples (no matter the sexual preferences ) all over the world going through IVF and teaches them how to squeeze the sweetness of this journey.

Follow Monica

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

"A part of me felt like I needed to suffer through this. If I wasn't suffering, I wasn't going to get the result that I wanted." After ten long months of trying to conceive naturally, Millie and her husband Rowan decided it was time to see a reproductive endocrinologist about their fertility.

It was determined after four different consultations, that they had male factor infertility. Millie, so graciously and authentically, gives a detailed account of the emotional strain infertility had on their marriage. Couples therapy was a pivotal part of their journey to healing together.

Millie recently had her first IVF treatment cycle that resulted in 34 follicles due to OHSS (ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome), 24 fertilized embryos, 9 embryos to six day blastocysts, and 7 embryos returned as normal after PGS testing ( pre-implantation genetic screening). Those numbers are not to make you feel some type of way about yours Friend, Millie wanted to shine light on how serious, and real OHSS can be.

Follow Millie

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

"You do all of the work, but you're standing on the sideline and you don't even get the chance to play." A quote from today's guest Jasmine Katatikarn, in relation to her first IVF treatment cycle, and unsuccessful embryo development after egg retrieval.

Jasmine is a computer animation artist living in New York City, who suffered nearly six years of TTC. She was given the crippling news that she would have less than a 1% chance of conceiving a biological child. Being a creative by profession, Jasmine realized during her journey that she somehow needed to use her creative genius to cope and heal from the effects of infertility.

Jasmine has created a coaching service to help others use their own creative problem solving skills to reveal the mental and emotional blockages troubling them most.

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

After five years of marriage, it was discovered that TJ's husband was the factor in their inability to conceive. Frustrated at the lack of support and resources available for those struggling with male infertility, TJ used her journal as an outlet to deal with the pain.

After several years of coping with their infertility through her journal, she finally mustered the courage to share her story with the world through her book, Semen Secrets: Truths and Confessions of a Wife's Journey Through Male Infertility. TJ's journey to parenthood was not easy, but in 2019, she and her husband were blessed to finally realize their dreams of becoming parents to a beautiful baby girl. 

TJ is a Georgia native with a mission to raise awareness about Male Factor Infertility. She currently works as a public health educator, focused on improving the training and competence of the federal public health workforce. TJ holds a bachelors in English, a masters in Communications, a Doctorate in Health Education, and is currently completing a masters in Clinical Social Work.

Follow TJ

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

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 Foundation
• Bundle of Joy Fund
• Cozy Warrior

Resources:

• 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.

Fertility Rally creators Ali Prato and Blair Nelson—discuss the importance of community, inclusiveness, diversity whether its race or LGBTQ+, and why they went into business together.

We have a little girl chat and Ali shares with us some funny times with her IVF miracle four year old boy. Blair also gives us an update on her current fertility cycle and the purpose of an ERA (endometrial receptivity test) and why it is done before an embryo transfer. 

We want you to know that no matter where you are in your journey, whether you're in the midst or on the other side; that there IS community for and waiting on you to enter.

Tap here to learn more about Ali & Blair's Community membership

"Infertility robs you of the optimism that things will improve." If you haven't listened to "It's Okay To Be Angry," go back to episode 5, and have a listen to Amanda's first episode with us.

Amanda so graciously agreed to come back on the show and give us an update of her fertility story over the last seven months. We also speak about the pressure we put upon ourselves during the journey and how infertility makes us pessimistic; when all we would really like to be is optimistic. Last time, Amanda was preparing for surgery to possibly have both of her fallopian tubes repaired or removed. Amanda has bilateral tubal blockage with hydrosalpinx. Hydrosalpinx refers to a fallopian tube that's blocked with a watery fluid.To break down the term, “hydro” means water and “salpinx” means fallopian tube. (reproductivefacts.org)

Since then, Amanda had her surgery and to her surprise it was discovered that one of her tubes was able to be repaired and her chances of conception through IUI (intrauterine insemination) increased to 28%. Amanda and her husband have had three unsuccessful IUI's and are now awaiting to enter their first IVF cycle in late summer. 

Follow Amanda

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

Have you been slacking lately in the healthy lifestyle department? We hear it time and time again, eat well, exercise, and get 7-8 hours of sleep. Optimizing your whole self while TTC is so important to prepare for natural pregnancy, IUI, or IVF.

Dr. Mary from Brown & Brown Chiropractic, shares actionable steps and tools that we can use right now to take back control and regain our emotional, mental, and physical states. Dr. Mary Sawdon is a naturopathic doctor with a special interest in fertility. She is an associate at Brown & Brown Family Chiropractic in Newcastle, Ontario, Canada and Chief CEO of Fertility Fundamentals— a fertility coaching service. She is also the Host of Fertility Stories podcast.

As a naturopath and fertility coach, she helps mums-to-be get calm, confident and in control of their fertility. She is passionate about helping women thrive on their fertility journey; leading them from isolation and overwhelm towards a life of renewed purpose and support. She understands the struggle because she has also gone through her own fertility journey and is now a mum of a baby boy through IVF.

Follow Dr. Mary Sawdon

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

"It's okay, if you want to stop, stop. If you want to put your health first, that's okay."-Katy Seppi, the creator of "Chasing Creation" childless not by choice community, joins us. Katy and her partner endured four years of infertility before deciding to live childfree.

After many years of life-altering pain, Katy finally received a diagnosis of stage four endometriosis and underwent surgery to have it removed; more than once. During her endometriosis treatment, Katy's specialist also discovered fibroid tumors which led to a hysterectomy. Deciding to live childfree at any point in your life, permanently or temporarily is no easy decision.

Find Katy here!

Imagine being over the age of 35 and finding yourself tangled in the webs of miscarriage, and infertility. Natalie takes us on her journey through an unexpected miscarriage and four years of infertility before giving birth to her youngest daughter.

After one unsuccessful cycle of IVF treatment, Natalie began to seek naturopathic methods to increase her fertility. From acupuncture to yoni steams, Natalie tried it all while also relying heavily on her Christian based beliefs. Finally after four years of infertility, Natalie became pregnant with her miracle baby over the age of 40.

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

Have you experienced pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or abortion? If so, episode 34 is for you. We are joined by coach Kimberlee Klein to discuss the ways you can heal spiritually from said losses. Healing from grief has no linear path, which is why Kimberlee reminds us of the importance to acknowledge and celebrate the life of the baby/babies.

Whether your loss was years ago or recently, total healing is the ultimate goal. You have done a great job coping with your loss and grief friend, but now it's time to go a bit deeper.

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

Have you ever felt silenced by the pain of Infertility and or loss? Our Nigerian friend Olajumoke Iba, tells us about her journey through five medicated clomid cycles, one missed-miscarriage, three IVF treatment cycles, and the difficult decision to be childless not by choice.

Infertility often deceives us into believing that our story and journey isn't needed or that no one wants to hear it. Today and everyday through the strong and authentic stories of warriors on this podcast and social media, we are reminded that we are not alone and that there is power in speaking-up!

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

Joanna Pendergrass joins us to discuss her battle with multiple losses due to chromosomal egg abnormalities and unsuccessful IVF cycles. Joanna's journey is unlike many we hear about in the fertility community because she once held uncertainty about motherhood and how that would affect the career she worked arduously to achieve.

We explore the expectations society forces onto women to bare children after marriage, the grief of miscarriage, and planning a nursery. Joanna is a veterinarian and freelance medical writer in Atlanta, GA. In her writing, she focuses on pet owner education and human health journalism. JoAnna is passionate about providing patients and pet owners with the medical information they need to make informed health decisions for themselves and their pets. In her spare time, JoAnna enjoys baking, exercising, and playing the viola in a local community orchestra. She and her husband have been married for seven years. Join us as we break down societal structures and heal the silent-sufferer within.

Episode Highlights:

02:50- Hesitant to have kids

05:33- I don't want kids

07:55- Societal structures and expectations

12:58- I'm ready now

16:58- Understanding grief

20:58- 1st IVF round and COVID

24:25- Fertility treatment is not elective

29:48- Baby room planning

33:50- Finding community on Instagram 

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

Do you ever feel like you're stuck, desperately seeking answers to your emotional, mental, and physical well-being during family building? Pradeepa is a fertility coach who survived 12 years of infertility, loss, and repeated unsuccessful cycles.

Navigating the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual trauma of infertility is no easy task. We're often left searching for the many questions we ask, such as "Why have I been chosen to bare this burden," will my life ever feel normal again," and last but not least, "when will it be my turn?" Join us we explore the emotional voids of Infertility.

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

Are you a couple or single individual considering adoption to grow your family? If so, you'll want to tune-in to today's episode with Sharika Kellogg. Sharika shares with us her unique journey to motherhood as a single woman. She is an angel mom who has suffered multiple miscarriages, IUI's, and IVF treatment cycles- totaling more than one-hundred thousand dollars.

She is a single mother or rather a choice mother of 3 little boys (5,4,3) - 2 are adopted - and the eldest whom she has permanent guardianship of. This journey to motherhood is nothing short of determination. Sharika continues to advocate for women through Resolve National Infertility Awareness Association as a mentor. 

Episode Highlights:

01:00- Here's Sharika

02:03- When it all changed

03:29- Creating a life I envisioned

07:47- Fostering to adopt

15:19- Mother's Day adoption

20:25- Moments of uncertainty

26:23- Entrepreneurship

34:10- Considering adoption? Here's a few tips adopting as a single woman  

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

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 YouTube

LaKeisha has over 10 years of experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing and developed her toxic-free, plant derived, US based product line as a sufferer of sensitive skin due to PCOS, and after her battle with infertility. 

LaKeisha reminds us in this episode, why it is so important to live toxic-free during and after fertility treatments. After conceiving her eldest child via IUI, Lakeisha and her husband miraculously conceived twins four years later naturally. It was then that she quickly realized her purpose was much greater than what she imagined. 

Episode Highlights:

1:20- We're ready

3:00- 15 months later we conceived & PCOS symptoms

06:00- Trying for a sibling

10:26- The stress of infertility and marriage

14:10- The birth of Elements of Aliel Skincare line

17:39- Gather & Glow Podcast 19:06- In closing

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

This episode is for the Moms who have suffered through losing a baby from miscarriage, stillbirth, or any type of child-loss. You are not alone Momma and Jasmine has so graciously offered her story through two losses, one from miscarriage at 11wks, and stillbirth at 19w 5d gestation while in an ambulance on the way to the hospital.

Through her journey, Jasmine created the JMason Foundation meant to serve Moms in need with essential baby items. I hope that you are staying safe, getting plenty of outdoor stimulation, and love from those closest to you. I am thinking of you friend and sending love!

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

Attorney Jackson shares his wealth of knowledge and expertise for families considering surrogacy, egg, and sperm donation. Attorney Jackson has witnessed first-hand the selfless impact surrogacy and egg donation has on families by his mother and also his wife.

When preparing for the process, it is important to note that there are three pillars:

1.) The legalities

2.) Agency

3.) The medical end/clinic.

Attorney Jackson also explain the difference between traditional and gestational surrogacy, egg/sperm donation process, and which States are considered "Red light" and do not honor contractual agreements for surrogacy. 

*At the time of this recording, New York was a "red light" state. Since then, New York has passed new laws and is no longer a "red light" state.

Episode Highlights:

00:30- Attorney Jackson's Inspirations for family law

02:06- Consulting with a lawyer 06:35- Traditional vs. gestational surrogacy

09:38- Red Light States & surrogacy 

00:12:25- Egg/sperm donor-ship

00:13:23- COVID19

00:19:10- Things to keep in mind

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

"Every cycle is not the same, won't be the same, and to be able to try again is a humbling privilege." Nikita shares the success of conceiving her and her wife's son through IUI, after being diagnosed with irreversible tubal blockages, and battling with insurance companies as a same-sex couple.

When she decided it was time to try again for a sibling, Nikita's journey would prove that no two fertility cycles are the same and certainly not as easy as she'd hoped. 

Episode Highlights:

00:01:31- Finding Love

00:02:55- Motherhood journey begins

00:06:00- Infertility in a same-sex marriage

00:10:55- Trying for a sibling

00:15:58- Can we endure again

00:18:50- The gift of surprise

00:21:16- Cancelled by COVID19

00:24:04- A forced time of healing

00:28:18- In closing

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

It's National Infertility Awareness Week, so I am bringing you a special BONUS episode with Margaret Rogers. Margaret is the Marketing Director at Natalist. Natalist creates "Fertility and pregnancy products; inspired by beauty and backed by science." Finding the right products that you can trust while trying to conceive and during infertility treatments, can be overwhelming. Natalist's products are very easy to use, created and tested by Doctors and Scientists, and affordable to help you along your journey to conception. Margaret also shares her personal journey with trying to conceive and becoming a new Mom.

Visit Natalist's website here to learn more about their products!

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

In episode 26, we are joined by founder and host of the Sisters In Loss digital media platform Erica McAfee. Erica's journey to motherhood is a perfect example of turning pain into purpose. After suffering multiple losses, Erica began to question why she and her husband were victims to such tragedies and what it all meant. The birth of her premature son Maxwell, brought new meaning and a never-ending well of Joy into her life she never imagined. Erica is a grief specialist and Doula to families impacted by loss and fertility. Sisters In Loss podcast has been serving women since 2017 and is a place where black women replace silence with storytelling around pregnancy, infant-loss, and infertility.

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

Episode Highlights: 02:23- Multiple losses 09:43- Ready to try again 13:40- The joy of life 15:49- Caring for Maxwell during COVID19 19:29- Sisters In Loss is born.

UK based Fertility counselor Kezia Okafor, shares her journey through infertility and the emotional turmoil of unexplained infertility. Kezia was inspired to be of service to the infertility community after her own journey. Zekia believes: “Working together I will support you on your fertility journey and your journey to parenthood; helping you feel less stressed and more able to cope with events and treatments that you have to endure. It’s important that you feel listened to and that you feel someone understands what you are going through.” “In my experience, there is a lack of specialists who can offer emotional support in this area and I aim to help bridge the gap, by being the support you didn’t know you needed."

Episode Highlights: 02:17- Counselor kezia 09:58- The assembly line 19:18- Slowing it down 27:08- Pain doesn't subside with a BFP 34:46- It's not taboo

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

Dr. Patrick Flynn shares his personal story through infertility. We discuss the importance of hormone healing for optimal chances of conceiving and overall health. Dr. Flynn is known to many and founded The Wellness Way clinics 20 years ago & shares his story in his international best-selling book “I Disagree: How These Two Words Are The Secret to Thinking Differently and Taking Control of Your Health.” Dr. Flynn not only studied medicine, but also nutrition and naturopathy extensively.

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

Mark P. Trolice, MD, joins us to discuss his personal journey through Infertility. He is a leading medical expert on fertility and a physician who has counseled many hundreds of couples as they cope with and solve their infertility challenges. He is board-certified in both OB/GYN and REI (Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility).

The clinic he directs, My Fertility Care (Center of Assisted Reproduction and Endocrinology), is in Winter Park, Florida, and he is Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Gainesville in Florida and the Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando. Dr. Trolice’s first book, The Fertility Doctor’s Guide to Overcoming Infertility, was released in January, 2020.

The book opens with an exploration of all the possible causes of infertility, covering both couples who have never been pregnant and ones who have had recurrent losses of pregnancies. Unique among infertility guides, this volume gives roughly equal weight to male and female causes, which is important because about 40% of infertility cases are due to men’s issues—and some couples need to address issues in both the prospective mother and prospective father. It covers endometriosis, fibroids, POS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), tubal factor, male factor, and other possible causes. Next it looks at your treatment options. Importantly, these are not just medical interventions, but they also include lifestyle changes you alone can make, involving sleep, diet, exercise, and other forms of self-care. Among medical options, IUI (Intrauterine Insemination), IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), and various surgical procedures are covered in detail.

Dr. Trolice's website! (https://www.myfertilitycare.com) Dr. Trolice on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/myfertilitycare

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

Mary Wong -TCM practitioner, founder of Alive Holistic Health Clinic in Ontario, Canada. (In)fertility comes with its own set of anxieties and when you add a health epidemic, things become increasingly hard to manage. We're just a few days away from the second week of social-distancing, so I asked Mary to share with us ways to take back control of our emotional and mental states during the COVID-19 crisis. Mary has over 27 years of TCM and acupuncture experience and overcame her own infertility journey which she shares with us in today's episode.

Mary's website! (https://www.aliveholistichealth.ca)

Mary on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/marywongrtcmp) Alive Holistic Health Clinic on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/aliveholistichealthclinic)

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

Episode Highlights: 01:30- Mary Wong, TCM 02:18- What is TCM 03:20- Taking back control during COVID-19 07:48- Live Webinar March 31st 10:30- Increased anxieties 11:41- Mary's personal infertility journey 18:50- Finding community 20:22- postponed and canceled cycles

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 YouTube

Dayna Mohan of Louisville, Kentucky joins us to discuss her 10 year long journey with infertility. Once an early childhood educator, Dayna was diagnosed with stage three endometriosis and had four unsuccessful IUI procedures, three of which were non medicated. Eight IVF treatment attempts, one of which through surrogacy, and another cycle through an egg donor. Two unsuccessful adoptions and over 10 miscarriages. Dayna has been through every form of infertility treatment, which led to extreme emotional turmoil and despair. Through her pain, Dayna was able to write a book, which will be released in the fall of 2020. Get your tissues ready and journey with us through the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual effects infertility has on its victims.

Follow Dayna! 

Read Dayna's Blog! Let me know how I can better support you or what topics you'd like to hear on the podcast!

Follow Infertility And Me on Instagram! Subscribe, leave a review, and give this podcast a 5 star rating to help spread the message of Connecting & Healing Together through (In)fertility awareness and advocacy!!

After 10 years of infertility, multiple rounds of IVF treatment, and unsuccessful adoption attempts, Erica was inspired to write her book, "No Less Blessed: Seeking God in the wilderness of Infertility and childlessness." Scheduled for release in April of 2020.

A book dedicated not only to past or present individuals going through IVF and fertility treatment, but also for the silent-sufferers. Those who are taking a break and no longer wish to pursue treatment, but still hopeful of another path to parenthood.

Connect with Erica on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/nolessblessed) A sneak peak of No Less Blessed can be found here! (https://www.nolessblessed.com)

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

Episode Highlights: 

00:28- A quick Thank You! 04:16- Here's Erica 11:38- Personal growth 13:56- Creating "No Less Blessed" 17:12- "Adoption was the hardest chapter" 26:06- The adoption process 29:30- Doing the research 31:13- Marriage 32:20- Still hopeful 36:00- The left-out populations of the (In)fertility community 39:53- Coping and finding hope 42:56- Not quite childless 44:20- Closing

In episode 20, we are joined by Leslie Heard. Leslie suffered an abortion and miscarriage at a young age and had no one to turn to. This made her realize the importance and necessity of bereavement specialists. Leslie states: "Women need a safe place to release their feelings and understand their pain without being judged. To not be told they shouldn't talk about their problems." We discuss the importance of healing not just emotionally, but spiritually as well. Leslie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Argosy University in Chicago Illinois. She created a nonprofit organization for women called "Godmother Doula." It was created to help women who suffer from child loss, abortion and miscarriage. She is a bereavement Doula who works with women seeking support from traumatic miscarriages, abortions, and infertility. Join me as we discuss healing spiritually to prepare for conception. 

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

In episode 19, Blair Nelson from the Fab Fertility Podcast joins us and gives a very detailed account of her personal fertility journey. Over the course of two years, she has been through multiple rounds of IVF treatments, emotional and physical distress. This is a story of strength, patience, and resiliency. We are reminded through Blair's journey that we cannot go through it alone and the power of community.

Highlights: 01:49- Here's Blair

05:07- The diagnosis

07:39- Infertility Resume

13:00-The creation of Fab Fertility

17:12- Round two and three 

24:18- Community 

29:53- #fertilityfuckitfriday 

30:00- To the silent sufferers 

30:45-Finding community on Instagram 38:23- Bringing voice to pain 

40:27- In closing

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

In episode 18, we are joined by Rebekah from the mid-west of the US. Rebekah and her husband survived multiple rounds of IUI and IVF treatment. But what would you do when your emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual self can no longer bare the turmoil and stress of IVF and fertility treatments?

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

Coach Sarah from the " Get Pregnant Naturally Podcast" joins me to give us a detailed account of her own infertility struggles and offer her expertise with functional approaches to fertility. Sarah's company Fab Fertile " takes a targeted approach to your fertility by providing access to functional lab testing which may include food sensitivity testing, hormone testing using urine and stool testing.

"At FabFertile, We look at the WHOLE body and while you may come to us with low ovarian reserve, high FSH, low AMH, premature ovarian failure, unexplained infertility, endometriosis, PCOS or fibroids we do not treat the diagnosis. Using the tools of functional health coaching we develop a personalized protocol that focuses on your preconception health.

Please consider leaving a rating & review, just one sentence helps tremendously!

Follow @infertilityandmepodcast on Instagram

Aaliyah shares her journey of finding peace with her medical diagnosis of PCOS and becoming a mother. Born and raised in Washington state, she now resides in Virginia. Aaliyah is 24 years old. She is a mommy of one and has been married for five years. After her rude awakening with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), she decided enough was enough and started her journey to educate and advocate for women’s health, Mental health and Motherhood.

Please consider leaving a rating & review, just one sentence helps tremendously!

Follow @infertilityandmepodcast on Instagram

In this BONUS episode, your host Monique brings awareness to the preservation of fertility in cancer patients. Cancer is devastating and for those who want to have children after radiation or chemotherapy it is their right to be able to do so with the help of their specialists. Join me as we briefly discuss the ways in which cancer warriors can preserve their fertility and one day become parents.

Please consider leaving a rating & review, just one sentence helps tremendously!

Follow @infertilityandmepodcast on Instagram

Coach Sam from Wiltshire, UK joins us and offers deeply spiritual approaches and insight to help during infertility/fertility journey's. We discuss the importance of healing from past traumas and how to evolve spiritually so that emotional blockages do not interfere with conception. Sam has been a healer for almost twenty years and has been on her own journey of healing and deep transformation since her early thirties. Sam has worked successfully with women who have already attempted IVF and those who have suffered with PCOS and endometriosis, plus women who have no idea why they haven't been able to conceive. Sam says her purpose is to bring the gift of Fertility Healing into the world and it seems she has a natural gift for this.

Please consider leaving a rating & review, just one sentence helps tremendously!

Follow @infertilityandmepodcast on Instagram

We are joined by Zaakirah Muhammad, who at 15 was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) - secondary cancer, of the childhood eye cancer, retinoblastoma. She has overcome so much in her life, but she continues to persevere and be a voice of inspiration to others. At 6 months old, a Camera Saved Her Life. At 9 months old, she was taken into surgery to have her right eye removed due to a rare childhood eye cancer tumor that was detected by a photo her mom took. Her hearing slowly began to decline as she got older, but her other three senses kicked in and are functioning well.

Please consider leaving a rating & review, just one sentence helps tremendously!

Follow @infertilityandmepodcast on Instagram

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!

Kendall’s passion to advocate for others during their fertility journey stems from her own experiences as someone who has struggled with fertility challenges since early adolescence. She specializes in supporting individuals who experience challenges with fertility. Using a compassionate approach, she provides comfort and openness for people to share various thoughts and emotions that occur during their own reproductive journey.

Both personally and professionally, Kendall has gained understanding on the need for emotionally safe spaces for people to connect and seek comfort when trying to understand and process all that can occur when faced with limitations around the ability to conceive.

Please consider leaving a rating & review, just one sentence helps tremendously!

Follow @infertilityandmepodcast on Instagram

Monique and Michael explore the various complexities of infertility and how it affects relationships. Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, his new novel, What Is Missing, is—among other things—a love triangle, a father-son story, and an exploration of the subject of infertility. It may possibly be the first literary novel to take on the “uncharted ground” (The Wall Street Journal ) on which families can be built, or rebuilt, by IVF. 

The New Yorker has described the book as “a penetrating examination of how a life can be defined by contingency and surprise”, and novelist Julie Orringer has said that the book “asks the most urgent questions about biology and nurture, about filial and parental love, and about what we’re willing to suffer to find out who we are. This is a wise and necessary book, one I’ve been recommending ardently to everyone I know.”

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!

Nelly takes us on her unexpected path through twin pregnancy loss and stillbirth. Grief wears many disguises and eventually forces us to look it straight in the eyes when all we'd rather do is run as fast as we can away from it. Join me as we Connect & Heal Together with Nelly through the emotional, physical, and mental effects of stillbirth.

*Follow on Instagram

Enjoying the show? Please leave a rating & review—just one sentence helps tremendously!