Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building
Alison Prato
Recent Episodes
Today, Ali is talking to fierce infertility warrior and mama Maggie Phipps, co-founder of Larken (which means "fierce" in Gaelic), a comfy essentials brand for anyone navigating fertility treatments, postpartum, motherhood, and beyond. Maggie shares how her mom had three miscarriages; how she herself had an early miscarriage; and how conceived her first two kids naturally, but then had trouble with baby number three. She also talks about her traumatic ectopic pregnancy and how she felt brushed off by several doctors when she told them she was in pain. Maggie also shares how she navigated the devastation of losing her baby in that ectopic, going through emergency surgery; how she was just a few hours away from "bleeding out," and what happened in her family building journey after that.
For more, go to www.shoplarken.com and follow on IG: @larken_shop. Use code “InfertileAF15” for 15% your order
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
Infertility; miscarriage; recurrent miscarriage; ectopic pregnancy; emergency surgery; fallopian tubes; fallopian tube removal; guilt; IVF; anxiety; pregnancy after loss; pregnancy after infertility
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
SAVE $40 on an annual membership with code RALLY2024
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 embryosolution.com
RECEPTIVA DX
ReceptivaDx is the singular test capable of identifying endometriosis,progesterone resistance, and endometritis in one comprehensive analysis. These conditions are often the hidden culprits behind unexplained infertility, directly impacting the success rates of IVF treatments. Ask for the Receptvia DX test today, and use code INFERTILEAF24 for $75 off.
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!
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 on the pod with one of our beloved Fertility Rally members, Jenny Angerman @thedailyendomama. Jenny tells Ali about being adopted from India; how she met her husband; what happened when they started to try for kids and it wasn't happening; her endometriosis diagnosis; fibroids; IUIs; one IVF cycle that unfortunately did not work out, and then, finally getting pregnant. Jenny also shares her thoughts on trauma bonding; sharing her journey on IG and TikTok; how everything changed once she joined Fertility Rally; and where they are with baby number two.
For more, follow on IG: @thedailyendomama
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
Infertility; trauma bonding; PCOS; endometriosis; fibroids; IUI; IVF; egg retrieval; Fertility Rally community; TikTok; anxiety; pregnancy after loss; pregnancy after infertility
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
SAVE $40 on an annual membership with code RALLY2024
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 embryosolution.com
RECEPTIVA DX
ReceptivaDx is the singular test capable of identifying endometriosis,progesterone resistance, and endometritis in one comprehensive analysis. These conditions are often the hidden culprits behind unexplained infertility, directly impacting the success rates of IVF treatments. Ask for the Receptvia DX test today, and use code INFERTILEAF24 for $75 off.
S'MOO
S’moo’s best-selling hormone balance powder is formulated with 7 essential vitamins, minerals, and herbs that are all highly recommended for Hormone Balance, Fertility, and PCOS. S’moo was created by fellow PCOS Cyster, and has helped thousands of women manage their PCOS naturally.
Go to thesmooco.com and enjoy a generous 20% off site-wide using code 'InfertileAF20' at checkout.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations
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 has two incredible guests: Eve Wiley is a leading advocate against fertility fraud after discovering that she was conceived with a different sperm donor than her parents were told. Dylan Morgan is the COO of Cascade Cryobank. Together, they are working on advocating against fertility fraud and increasing transparency when it comes to donor sperm protocols and procedures. What is Fertility Fraud? It’s when a doctor intentionally uses his own sperm to inseminate his patients without their knowledge or consent of the reproductive material. Eve talks about discovering that she was a victim of fertility fraud, and how she is combating it through legislature and her advocacy work. Dylan talks about being a sperm donor and the ways that Cascade is doing things differently than many other sperm banks. Eve also talks about her involvement with the Netflix documentary, "The Man with 1000 Kids," including how she narrates the doc.
For more info, go to https://evewiley.com/
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
Infertility; Sperm donation; conception deception; IVF; advocacy;
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
SAVE $40 on an annual membership with code RALLY2024
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 embryosolution.com
RECEPTIVA DX
ReceptivaDx is the singular test capable of identifying endometriosis,progesterone resistance, and endometritis in one comprehensive analysis. These conditions are often the hidden culprits behind unexplained infertility, directly impacting the success rates of IVF treatments. Ask for the Receptvia DX test today, and use code INFERTILEAF24 for $75 off.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
On today's episode, Ali talks to Komel Caruso, the Co-Founder of HerMD, about her infertility journey. Komel talks about growing up in a traditional Muslim household and the sex education (or lack thereof) she received as a Catholic school student. It was, "Don't have sex, you'll get pregnant. You'll just get pregnant every time you have sex. I was just so fearful that if I had sex, I would get pregnant. Even if I was using birth control, I could still get pregnant. That fear leads to a lot of anxiety," she says. Komel also talks about having a "wonderful surprise baby" in her early twenties, discovering that she had PCOS, and what happened when she started taking Clomid. She also talks about IUI, IVF, "feeling like a failure," and finally getting pregnant again via ART. She also talks about her sister and co-founder, Board Certified OBGYN Dr. Somi Javaid, and how they created HerMD, looking to revolutionize women's health and pivot away from "drive-thru gynecology."
For more, go to www.hermd.com/
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
Infertility; PCOS; IUI; IVF; IVF cycles; IVF treatment; twin pregnancy; Clomid; pregnancy loss; pregnancy after infertility; motherhood after infertility; women's health; sisterhood; OBGYN; reproductive rights
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
SAVE $40 on an annual membership with code RALLY2024
RECEPTIVA DX
ReceptivaDx is the singular test capable of identifying endometriosis,progesterone resistance, and endometritis in one comprehensive analysis. These conditions are often the hidden culprits behind unexplained infertility, directly impacting the success rates of IVF treatments. Ask for the Receptvia DX test today, and use code INFERTILEAF24 for $75 off.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Today's guest, Amber Izzo, describes herself as "your oversharing, slightly chaotic mum friend and an IVF campaigner." Today, she's sharing her 7 1/2 year-long journey through infertility and family building, including blocked fallopian tubes, male factor infertility, and so much more. Amber talks about the deep toll everything took on her mental state, how she was "spiraling" and "became obsessed," how she felt brushed off by her doctors, and how, at one point, she had suicidal thoughts. She talks about navigating the mental health side of her journey; IVF treatments and advocacy in the UK, where she is based, and the work she is doing with Gaia Family, which believes that there's a better way to pay for IVF.
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
Infertility; depression; blocked fallopian tubes; laparoscopy; marriage issues; suicidal thoughts; male factor infertility; pregnancy after loss; IVF; IVF cycles; IVF treatment; motherhood after infertility
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
SAVE $40 on an annual membership with code RALLY2024
RECEPTIVA DX
ReceptivaDx is the singular test capable of identifying endometriosis,progesterone resistance, and endometritis in one comprehensive analysis. These conditions are often the hidden culprits behind unexplained infertility, directly impacting the success rates of IVF treatments. Ask for the Receptvia DX test today, and use code INFERTILEAF24 for $75 off.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy