In recognition of Infertility Awareness Month, this episode of What to Know Down Below® explores the many different paths to building a family and the resilience it can take to get there. Tina’s Wish Board Member Meaghan Repko DeShong and Rachel Nicks, breast cancer warrior, founder of Birth Queen, and host of this year’s Runway for Research, come together for an honest conversation about infertility, surrogacy, parenthood, and hope. Meaghan shares her experience following the discovery of an ovarian tumor in 2016, the fertility challenges that followed, and the journey that ultimately led her to motherhood through surrogacy. Together, Meaghan and Rachel discuss the emotional realities of infertility, navigating unexpected changes to family-building plans, and the importance of finding support along the way. Filled with candor, humor, and compassion, this episode is a reminder that no two journeys look exactly the same—and that there is no one right path to parenthood. Connect with our guests: Meaghan Repko DeShong: https://www.instagram.com/marepko/ Rachel Nicks:  <a href='https://www.instagram.com/rachelenicks/'>https://www.instagram.com/rachelenicks/</a> https://www.instagram.com/birthqueenorg/ <a href='https://tinaswish.org/whattoknow'>tinaswish.org/whattoknow</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;In recognition of Infertility Awareness Month, this episode of What to Know Down Below® explores the many different paths to building a family and the resilience it can take to get there. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tina’s Wish Board Member &lt;b&gt;Meaghan Repko DeShong&lt;/b&gt; and &lt;b&gt;Rachel Nicks&lt;/b&gt;, breast cancer warrior, founder of Birth Queen, and host of this year’s Runway for Research, come together for an honest conversation about infertility, surrogacy, parenthood, and hope. Meaghan shares her experience following the discovery of an ovarian tumor in 2016, the fertility challenges that followed, and the journey that ultimately led her to motherhood through surrogacy. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Together, Meaghan and Rachel discuss the emotional realities of infertility, navigating unexpected changes to family-building plans, and the importance of finding support along the way. Filled with candor, humor, and compassion, this episode is a reminder that no two journeys look exactly the same—and that there is no one right path to parenthood. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Connect with our guests: &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Meaghan Repko DeShong: &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;https://www.instagram.com/marepko/ &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Rachel Nicks:  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/rachelenicks/'&gt;https://www.instagram.com/rachelenicks/&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;https://www.instagram.com/birthqueenorg/ &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://tinaswish.org/whattoknow'&gt;&lt;b&gt;tinaswish.org/whattoknow&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

In recognition of Infertility Awareness Month, this episode of What to Know Down Below® explores the many different paths to building a family and the resilience it can take to get there.  Tina’s Wish Board Member Meaghan Repko DeShong and Rachel Nicks, breast cancer warrior, founder of Birth Queen, and host of this year’s Runway for Research, come together for an honest conversation about infertility, surrogacy, parenthood, and hope. Meaghan shares her experience following the discovery...

Infertility, Surrogacy, and Motherhood 

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do I feel so different lately?” or “Is it just me?”, this episode of What to Know Down Below™ is for you.Dr. Shieva Ghofrany, OBGYN &amp; Co-founder of Tribe Called V, and Meaghan Repko DeShong, Tina&apos;s Wish Board Member &amp; Partner at Joele Frank, are back to take a deeper dive into hormones and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Building on their perimenopause and menopause episodes, they break down what hormones actually do in the body, why fluctuations can make you feel “off”, and how HRT could make a real difference. They also share nonhormonal strategies, lifestyle tips, and guidance for talking to your doctor, so you can finally feel like yourself again. Check out Dr. Ghofrany and Meaghan&apos;s previous episodes! <ul><li><a href='https://www.buzzsprout.com/1612300/episodes/16877043'>CLICK HERE</a> to listen to &quot;What is Perimenopause?&quot; </li><li><a href='https://www.buzzsprout.com/1612300/episodes/17029081'>CLICK HERE</a> to listen to &quot;Navigating Menopause&quot; </li></ul>Learn more about Dr. Ghofrany at:<ul><li><a href='https://www.instagram.com/drshievag/'>https://www.instagram.com/drshievag/</a></li><li><a href='https://telleveryamazinglady.org/'>https://telleveryamazinglady.org/</a></li><li><a href='https://www.tribecalledv.com/'>https://www.tribecalledv.com/</a></li></ul><a href='https://tinaswish.org/whattoknow'>tinaswish.org/whattoknow</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do I feel so different lately?” or “Is it just me?”, this episode of &lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;What to Know Down Below™&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt; is for you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dr. Shieva Ghofrany&lt;/b&gt;, OBGYN &amp;amp; Co-founder of Tribe Called V, and &lt;b&gt;Meaghan Repko DeShong&lt;/b&gt;, Tina&amp;apos;s Wish Board Member &amp;amp; Partner at Joele Frank, are back to take a deeper dive into hormones and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Building on their perimenopause and menopause episodes, they break down what hormones actually do in the body, why fluctuations can make you feel “off”, and how HRT could make a real difference. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They also share nonhormonal strategies, lifestyle tips, and guidance for talking to your doctor, so you can finally feel like yourself again.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Check out Dr. Ghofrany and Meaghan&amp;apos;s previous episodes! &lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.buzzsprout.com/1612300/episodes/16877043'&gt;CLICK HERE&lt;/a&gt; to listen to &amp;quot;What is Perimenopause?&amp;quot; &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.buzzsprout.com/1612300/episodes/17029081'&gt;CLICK HERE&lt;/a&gt; to listen to &amp;quot;Navigating Menopause&amp;quot; &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Learn more about Dr. Ghofrany at:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/drshievag/'&gt;https://www.instagram.com/drshievag/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://telleveryamazinglady.org/'&gt;https://telleveryamazinglady.org/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.tribecalledv.com/'&gt;https://www.tribecalledv.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://tinaswish.org/whattoknow'&gt;&lt;b&gt;tinaswish.org/whattoknow&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do I feel so different lately?” or “Is it just me?”, this episode of What to Know Down Below™ is for you. Dr. Shieva Ghofrany, OBGYN &amp; Co-founder of Tribe Called V, and Meaghan Repko DeShong, Tina's Wish Board Member &amp; Partner at Joele Frank, are back to take a deeper dive into hormones and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Building on their perimenopause and menopause episodes, they break down what hormones actually do in the body, why fluctuations can ...

Is It Me... or Is It My Hormones? Featuring Dr. Shieva Ghofrany

In this episode of What to Know Down Below™, Beverly Wolfer, Executive Director of Tina’s Wish, sits down for an inspiring conversation with ovarian cancer warrior, social worker, and mom Elizabeth Johnston.Elizabeth shares her journey from fertility treatment to an unexpected diagnosis, the choices she made to protect her health, and how adoption reshaped her definition of family. The episode also explores symptoms, self-advocacy, and the power of support groups.<a href='https://tinaswish.org/whattoknow'>tinaswish.org/whattoknow</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;b&gt;What to Know Down Below™&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;Beverly Wolfer&lt;/b&gt;, Executive Director of Tina’s Wish, sits down for an inspiring conversation with ovarian cancer warrior, social worker, and mom &lt;b&gt;Elizabeth Johnston&lt;/b&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Elizabeth shares her journey from fertility treatment to an unexpected diagnosis, the choices she made to protect her health, and how adoption reshaped her definition of family. The episode also explores symptoms, self-advocacy, and the power of support groups.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://tinaswish.org/whattoknow'&gt;&lt;b&gt;tinaswish.org/whattoknow&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

In this episode of What to Know Down Below™, Beverly Wolfer, Executive Director of Tina’s Wish, sits down for an inspiring conversation with ovarian cancer warrior, social worker, and mom Elizabeth Johnston. Elizabeth shares her journey from fertility treatment to an unexpected diagnosis, the choices she made to protect her health, and how adoption reshaped her definition of family. The episode also explores symptoms, self-advocacy, and the power of support groups. tinaswish.org/whattoknow 

A Survivor Story That Will Inspire You to Advocate for Your Own Health

Caregiving can be a deeply meaningful experience—but it can also be incredibly challenging.In this heartfelt episode of What to Know Down Below™, host Jannina Norpoth—a uterine and ovarian cancer survivor and GRAMMY-nominated violinist and composer—sits down with her mother, Barbara Barefield, a fellow uterine cancer survivor, and Bridget Gabbe, a clinical social worker at Memorial Sloan Kettering.Jannina and Barbara reflect on the unique experience of having cared for each other through their diagnoses, opening up about the emotional weight of shifting roles and the resilience it takes to support a loved one. Bridget offers expert insight into the realities of caregiving, along with practical advice for finding resources and maintaining self-care. <a href='https://tinaswish.org/whattoknow'>tinaswish.org/whattoknow</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Caregiving can be a deeply meaningful experience—but it can also be incredibly challenging.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this heartfelt episode of &lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;What to Know Down Below™&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;, host &lt;b&gt;Jannina Norpoth&lt;/b&gt;—a uterine and ovarian cancer survivor and GRAMMY-nominated violinist and composer—sits down with her mother, &lt;b&gt;Barbara Barefield&lt;/b&gt;, a fellow uterine cancer survivor, and &lt;b&gt;Bridget Gabbe&lt;/b&gt;, a clinical social worker at Memorial Sloan Kettering.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jannina and Barbara reflect on the unique experience of having cared for each other through their diagnoses, opening up about the emotional weight of shifting roles and the resilience it takes to support a loved one. Bridget offers expert insight into the realities of caregiving, along with practical advice for finding resources and maintaining self-care. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://tinaswish.org/whattoknow'&gt;&lt;b&gt;tinaswish.org/whattoknow&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Caregiving can be a deeply meaningful experience—but it can also be incredibly challenging. In this heartfelt episode of What to Know Down Below™, host Jannina Norpoth—a uterine and ovarian cancer survivor and GRAMMY-nominated violinist and composer—sits down with her mother, Barbara Barefield, a fellow uterine cancer survivor, and Bridget Gabbe, a clinical social worker at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Jannina and Barbara reflect on the unique experience of having cared for each other through th...

Supporting a Loved One Through a Cancer Diagnosis

When it comes to preventing cancer, sometimes the most powerful tool is a conversation. In this episode of What to Know Down Below™, attorney, writer and BRCA awareness advocate Erika Stallings sits down with Estie Rose, a licensed genetic counselor at JScreen. Together, they discuss how understanding your family health history and exploring genetic testing can empower you to make informed choices about your health — and why talking openly with loved ones can be the first step toward prevention. <a href='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCkx_kLU8to'>CLICK HERE</a> to watch this episode on YouTube!  <a href='https://www.jscreen.org/'>CLICK HERE</a> to learn more about JScreen!<a href='https://tinaswish.org/whattoknow'>tinaswish.org/whattoknow</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;When it comes to preventing cancer, sometimes the most powerful tool is a conversation. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of What to Know Down Below™, attorney, writer and BRCA awareness advocate &lt;b&gt;Erika Stallings &lt;/b&gt;sits down with &lt;b&gt;Estie Rose&lt;/b&gt;, a licensed genetic counselor at &lt;b&gt;JScreen&lt;/b&gt;. Together, they discuss how understanding your family health history and exploring genetic testing can empower you to make informed choices about your health — and why talking openly with loved ones can be the first step toward prevention. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCkx_kLU8to'&gt;&lt;b&gt;CLICK HERE&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; to watch this episode on YouTube!  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.jscreen.org/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;CLICK HERE&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; to learn more about JScreen!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://tinaswish.org/whattoknow'&gt;&lt;b&gt;tinaswish.org/whattoknow&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

When it comes to preventing cancer, sometimes the most powerful tool is a conversation.  In this episode of What to Know Down Below™, attorney, writer and BRCA awareness advocate Erika Stallings sits down with Estie Rose, a licensed genetic counselor at JScreen. Together, they discuss how understanding your family health history and exploring genetic testing can empower you to make informed choices about your health — and why talking openly with loved ones can be the first step toward pr...

Genetics: How a Conversation with Family Can Help Prevent Cancer

Welcome to What to Know Down Below® by Tina’s Wish! We’re here to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to advocate for your own gynecologic health. Knowledge is power, and we encourage everyone to join us in learning more about what you need to know, down below!

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