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Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building
Alison Prato
Recent Episodes
Today, Ali is talking to the "Vanderpump Rules" and "The Valley" GOAT: Kristen Doute. Kristen shares her entire family building story, starting with back in the day, when she and co-star Scheana Shay talked about freezing their eggs (although Kristen didn't do it then) to today, when she is happily engaged and expecting her first baby, a daughter, in June. Kristen talks about the sex education (or lack thereof) she got growing up in Michigan; how, when she met Luke, she was about to be 40 "and not playing around," and how she really wanted a family and stability. She talks about how she and Luke started to "not, not try" for a baby; getting pregnant naturally; and then, a devastating pregnancy loss (in her case, a "blighted ovum"). Kristen also talks about the unsexiness of sex on demand; going to see a fertility specialist, and how she felt triggered by the word, "infertile." She also talks about IUI; becoming pregnant after their loss; a bleeding scare at 12 or 13 weeks gestation; and how she and Luke are thriving today, waiting for the arrival of their baby girl -- and the second season of their hit Bravo reality show, "The Valley."
Follow Kristen on IG: @kristendoute
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
Infertility; TTC; sex education; chemical pregnancy; egg freezing; blighted ovum; miscarriage; IUI; hormones; pregnancy after loss; pregnancy hematoma; threatened miscarriage; guilt
EPISODE SPONSORS:
WORK OF ART
Ali's Children's Book about IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology
https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books
Do not miss Ali's children’s book about IVF! It's been getting rave reviews. “Work of ART” is the story of an IVF kiddo the day he learns he is a “work of ART” (born via IVF and ART). For young readers 4-8. Hardcover. Written by Ali Prato; Illustrated by Federico Bonifacini.
Personalized and non-personalized versions are available. Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books
For bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request
FERTILITY RALLY
IG: @fertilityrally
No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.
Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership
EXTEND FERTILITY
IG: @extendfertility
Fertility shouldn’t be dictated by a timeline. Extend Fertility offers cutting-edge egg and embryo freezing, infertility care, and IVF—all designed to put you in control. Their approach? Research driven, transparent, and personalized. With a world-class lab, exceptional verified success rates backed by nearly a decade of egg freezing results, and pricing lower than the national average, Extend Fertility is making reproductive care more accessible and effective than ever. Whether you’re preserving fertility for the future or actively trying to conceive, they’re here with expert support every step of theway.
BELI
IG: @belibaby
Are you thinking about growing your family? Whether you're just starting to plan or are actively trying to conceive, preconception health is key. Beli has vitamins to help both women and men optimize their health before pregnancy. With essential nutrients like Folate, Iodine, and Zinc, Beli ensures your body is ready for this exciting next step. Give yourself and your future baby the best foundation for a healthy start.
Visit Belibaby.com today and use code IAF15 for 15% off your first order.
EMBRYO SOLUTION
If you’re navigating infertility, have you ever thought about embryo donation as a family building solution? Embryo donation is when one family that has gone through IVF donates their embryos to support the family-building efforts of another family. Embryo Solution is an agency with an important mission: to fill the gap between infertility and excess embryos by connecting all parties involved. Whether you’re looking to build your family or you've gone through IVF and you have embryos in storage that you're not sure what to do with, Embryo Solution can help.
To find out more go to www.embryosolution.com
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Today, Ali is talking to Roxy Earle, an entrepreneur, influencer, and star of The Real Housewives of Toronto, alongside her husband, Dr. Arnold Mahesan, a respected fertility specialist. Roxy and Arnold share their family building journey, including how Roxy was told by a few doctors, before she met and fell in love with Arnold, that in order to have children, she'd have to "lose weight and do IVF." Roxy talks about how Arnold put her on a "very robust" lifestyle program, including fitness changes, managing inflammation and taking supplements, and how she was able to successfully get pregnant and have two healthy babies at ages 38 and 39. Roxy and Arnold then share how they created the Ana app, which incorporates everything they learned during their own journey, and more. "The problem with infertility is that you don't know about it until it's too late. I wish someone had informed me about these things earlier on in life," Roxy says. For more on Ana — an app dedicated to empowering women with fertility knowledge, tools, and resources, see below.
Follow Roxy on IG @luxuriousroxy and Arnold on IG @drarnoldmd and Ana on IG @theanaapp
For more, go to https://www.anahealth.com/
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
Infertility; TTC; IVF; weight management; supplements; fertility doctors; advocacy; fertility apps; inflammation
EPISODE SPONSORS:
WORK OF ART
Ali's Children's Book about IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology
https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books
Do not miss Ali's children’s book about IVF! It's been getting rave reviews. “Work of ART” is the story of an IVF kiddo the day he learns he is a “work of ART” (born via IVF and ART). For young readers 4-8. Hardcover. Written by Ali Prato; Illustrated by Federico Bonifacini.
Personalized and non-personalized versions are available. Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books
For bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request
FERTILITY RALLY
IG: @fertilityrally
www.fertilityrally.com
No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.
Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership
CASCADE CRYOBANK
Cascade Cryobank is changing the world of sperm banking every day by providing you with the best family-building experience you could hope for.
In an industry first, Cascade Cryobank has brought it’s “Early Disclosure Program” to the market – you no longer have to wait 18 years– now you can learn the Identity of your “Early Disclosure” donor at the report of a live birth conceived from their sperm. Let Cascade Cryobank help you grow your family with clarity, confidence, and compassion. Visit their website at www.cascadecryobank.com, and find your future, today!
Use code INFERTILEAF for $100 off your first purchase
EMBRYO SOLUTION
If you’re navigating infertility, have you ever thought about embryo donation as a family building solution? Embryo donation is when one family that has gone through IVF donates their embryos to support the family-building efforts of another family. Embryo Solution is an agency with an important mission: to fill the gap between infertility and excess embryos by connecting all parties involved. Whether you’re looking to build your family or you've gone through IVF and you have embryos in storage that you're not sure what to do with, Embryo Solution can help.
To find out more go to www.embryosolution.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Support this podcast at https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Today, Ali is talking to Fertility Rally member Keren, who is still in the thick of her years-long infertility journey. Keren talks about growing up with seven siblings in "evangelical spaces," how her parents opted her out of sex ed in school; and having one of her ovaries removed, due to a cyst, at the age of 16. She talks about having a chemical pregnancy, followed by a "lot of disappointing cycles." She shares how having timed intercourse is "stressful and not sexy," what happened when they found out her husband had a low sperm count, and pivoting to IVF. She also talks about getting pregnant but receiving the devastating news that her baby was missing part of her cerebellum and measuring about 10 days behind. Keren talks about navigating this very difficult time; the pain of finding out that their baby's heart had stopped beating; and making the decision to give birth to their daughter, Iris, in Labor & Delivery. She also shares her advice on talking to parents who have lost a baby, and where she and her husband are now in their family building journey.
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
Infertility; ovarian cysts; TTC; sex education; chemical pregnancy; Hashimoto's; male factor infertility; low sperm count; miscarriage; IVF; egg retrieval; baby loss
EPISODE SPONSORS:
WORK OF ART
Ali's Children's Book about IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology
https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books
Do not miss Ali's children’s book about IVF! It's been getting rave reviews. “Work of ART” is the story of an IVF kiddo the day he learns he is a “work of ART” (born via IVF and ART). For young readers 4-8. Hardcover. Written by Ali Prato; Illustrated by Federico Bonifacini.
Personalized and non-personalized versions are available. Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books
For bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request
FERTILITY RALLY
IG: @fertilityrally
No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.
Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership
EMBRYO SOLUTION
If you’re navigating infertility, have you ever thought about embryo donation as a family building solution? Embryo donation is when one family that has gone through IVF donates their embryos to support the family-building efforts of another family. Embryo Solution is an agency with an important mission: to fill the gap between infertility and excess embryos by connecting all parties involved. Whether you’re looking to build your family or you've gone through IVF and you have embryos in storage that you're not sure what to do with, Embryo Solution can help.
To find out more go to www.embryosolution.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Support this podcast at https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Today, Ali is catching up with Mrs. North Carolina 2018 and IVF mom of two, Nichelle Sublett. Ali and Nichelle first spoke on Infertile AF back in 2019 -- and a lot has happened since then! At the time, Nichelle was 32 weeks pregnant with her first baby, son Hudson, who is now five. Nichelle had suffered five miscarriages and felt like her body was broken before Hudson -- and she fills Ali in on the rest of her infertility journey, including navigating Covid with a toddler; feeling like she couldn't complain about motherhood after going through infertility; and their next IVF transfer, which resulted in a second baby, their daughter, Siena. Nichelle also talks about her new fertility coaching business, Start Asking Fertility. "It's my mission to help people thrive through this time versus just survive, because I feel like I just barely survived it," she says.
For more, go to https://www.startaskingfertility.com/
Follow on IG @startaskingfertility
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
Infertility; TTC; miscarriage; IVF; egg retrieval; IVF success; infertility community; fertility coaching; PCOS
EPISODE SPONSORS:
WORK OF ART
Ali's Children's Book about IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology
https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books
Do not miss Ali's children’s book about IVF! It's been getting rave reviews. “Work of ART” is the story of an IVF kiddo the day he learns he is a “work of ART” (born via IVF and ART). For young readers 4-8. Hardcover. Written by Ali Prato; Illustrated by Federico Bonifacini.
Personalized and non-personalized versions are available. Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books
For bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request
FERTILITY RALLY
IG: @fertilityrally
No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.
Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership
EMBRYO SOLUTION
If you’re navigating infertility, have you ever thought about embryo donation as a family building solution? Embryo donation is when one family that has gone through IVF donates their embryos to support the family-building efforts of another family. Embryo Solution is an agency with an important mission: to fill the gap between infertility and excess embryos by connecting all parties involved. Whether you’re looking to build your family or you've gone through IVF and you have embryos in storage that you're not sure what to do with, Embryo Solution can help.
To find out more go to www.embryosolution.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Support this podcast at https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
It's a very special crossover episode! Today, Ali talks to the three brilliant and badass board certified reproductive endocrinologists from Fertility Doctors Uncensored, Dr. Carrie Bedient, Dr. Abby Eblen and Dr. Susan Hudson. Ali and the Doctors talk about separating fact from fiction, why community is so important in the infertility community, and why Ali wrote her children's book about IVF, "Work of ART." Ali shares some of her infertility story, the doctors talk about their own fertility challenges and share some frequently asked questions, and then they all talk about their respective news books coming out.
For more info, go to https://www.fertilitydocsuncensored.com/
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
Infertility; TTC; miscarriage; IUI; IVF; egg retrieval; IVF success; infertility community; secondary infertility; talking to kids about IVF
EPISODE SPONSORS:
WORK OF ART
Ali's Children's Book about IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology
https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books
Do not miss Ali's children’s book about IVF! It's been getting rave reviews. “Work of ART” is the story of an IVF kiddo the day he learns he is a “work of ART” (born via IVF and ART). For young readers 4-8. Hardcover. Written by Ali Prato; Illustrated by Federico Bonifacini.
Personalized and non-personalized versions are available. Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books
For bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request
FERTILITY RALLY
IG: @fertilityrally
No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.
Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership
EMBRYO SOLUTION
If you’re navigating infertility, have you ever thought about embryo donation as a family building solution? Embryo donation is when one family that has gone through IVF donates their embryos to support the family-building efforts of another family. Embryo Solution is an agency with an important mission: to fill the gap between infertility and excess embryos by connecting all parties involved. Whether you’re looking to build your family or you've gone through IVF and you have embryos in storage that you're not sure what to do with, Embryo Solution can help.
To find out more go to www.embryosolution.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Support this podcast at https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy