fertility challenges

Trigger warning: infertility, pregnancy loss, pregnancy

In this interview, Jen Miller, a realtor based in Denver, shares her story of becoming a single mother by choice. She provides an honest insight into dealing with the intricacies of IVF treatments, fertility challenges, failed pregnancies and the hardships that come with the decision to have a baby. Jen explored the process of choosing a sperm donor and the struggle of deciding whether to use her eggs or a donor's eggs. At several points on her journey, she experienced failed pregnancies and had to make difficult decisions to keep trying or to stop. Throughout it all, she maintained her career and kept on thriving in her professional life. At the end of her journey, she managed to get a healthy pregnancy, leading to the birth of her son Brooks, who is now four years old.

Connect with Jen on Instagram @JQMiller15

00:00 Introduction: The Decision to Become a Single Mom

01:06 Podcast Begins: Welcoming the Guest

01:29 Introducing Jen Miller: A Single Mom by Choice

02:32 The Stigma of Geriatric Pregnancy

04:55 The Journey Begins: Choosing a Sperm Donor

07:46 The Reality of IVF and Egg Freezing

15:47 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Failed Attempts

20:40 The Importance of a Support System

23:30 The Challenges of Balancing Work and Fertility Treatments

25:01 Introduction and Misunderstandings

25:40 The Journey of Egg Retrieval

26:38 The Struggles of Waiting and Uncertainty

28:06 The Emotional Rollercoaster of IVF

32:20 The Decision to Use a Donor

34:04 The Challenges of Finding a Donor

37:19 The Joy and Fear of Pregnancy

41:10 The Reality of Being a Single Mom

48:46 The Balance of Motherhood and Career

49:38 Conclusion and Contact Information

I know this is a click-bait episode title, but there is a reason for it. My hope is that you Snoopy Sarah's and Nosy Natalie's (no judgment, I am also Ms. Snoopy) will be curious enough to give the episode a listen. And either feel validated if you're going through something similar or learn how to support a loved one. 

Resources:

• Link to Nicole Carino's Fiverr page who created the new intro song. Thank you, Nicole!
• The Retrievals Podcast
• Natalie Crawford, MD: Education by a reproductive endocrinologist and how I educated myself throughout this whole infertility process.
• As a Woman Podcast by Dr. Natalie Crawford
• What is IVF? The video by Dr. Natalie Crawford I have sent to friends and family to help them understand the process. 
• Utah Infertility Resource Center: local Utah support groups for those who go through infertility
• Fertility Challenges Support Group by PSI
• Lucky Transfer Socks on Amazon (not affiliate link)

Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club

Today I talk with two people from the Utah Infertility Resource Center (UIRC), a non-profit organization that provides education and emotional support to those who are struggling to grow their families so they are empowered, strengthened, and equipped to move forward on their respective journeys.

First, I speak with Annie Hamilton who has experienced infertility herself and is now a therapist at UIRC helping people navigate and process their own infertility journey. We discuss the several losses associated with infertility and coping skills such as mindfulness, finding pleasant activities, identifying emotions, and boundary setting. 

Then, I speak with Shelli Mecham the current executive director for UIRC who talks about all the resources available through their organization.

Resources Referenced:

• As a Woman Podcast by Reproductive Endocrinologist Dr. Natalie Crawford
• Dr. Natalie Crawford's YouTube Channel
• Pleasant Activities List
• Emotion Wheel
• Emotions in Body
• DEARMAN
• Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
• Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler
• Conquering Infertility by Dr. Alice Domar
• It Starts with the Egg by Rebecca Fett
• What Makes a Baby (picture book) written by Cory Silverberg and illustrated by Fiona Smyth 
• UIRC Support Groups
• UIRC Resource List
• Fertility Challenges PSI Support Group

The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club

Enter your personal story here.

Article: Thompson, J. (2021). The effectiveness of couple therapy on psychological and relational variables and pregnancy rates in couples with infertility: A systematic review.

Infertility challenges are unfortunately way to common these days. Either we have personally be on the journey or we know someone close to us who is currently on it. 

In honor of National Infertility Awareness Week and in support for all my fellow mamas who have been on or are currently on this journey, I invited two infertility warriors, advocates and co-founders of Fertility Rally, Ali Prato and Blair Nelson onto the show to talk about how they offer 24/7 support, content and curated events for anyone going through infertility or building their modern families. 

We talk about: 

1. What to say and what not to say to someone on the infertility journey.  (EVERYONE needs to hear this!)
2. Common misconceptions about infertility. 
3. And we talk about ways someone on this journey can find nourishing support and sisterhood through Fertility Rally. 

Whether you have gone through infertility or not it is our duty to be educated so we can be empathetic and supportive to those on this path. 

For more refreshingly "reel" tips and inspiration- be sure to follow me on Instagram @tejalvpatel

For more info on stress regulation coaching email me tejal@tejalvpatel.com