This is Infertility: Recent Episodes
A Podcast by Progyny
This is Infertility is a bi-weekly podcast where we fuse narrative storytelling with experience and science to give you a new perspective on what it’s really like to go through a family building journey. Each episode dives into the emotional, physical, and financial burdens carried by those who experience infertility on their path to parenthood. Be it IVF, IUI, egg freezing, surrogacy, adoption, etc., the path is never the same and it can be long, painful, and lonely. It’s our mission to give those struggling a platform to be heard, a community connection, and an opportunity to raise awareness of the 1 in 8 who, for many reasons, struggle with infertility.
Guest: Justine Galloway, Progyny Member Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
Many of the stories we share on this show end with successful pregnancy, that’s the goal of family building, after all. But not every journey reaches that destination, and it’s important to shine a light on those stories. Sometimes the family building journey means embracing the family you already have and giving yourself permission to come first.
Today’s episode features Justine Galloway, who is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. As an avid runner, diagnosed with focal dystonia, a neurological condition that made running forward nearly impossible without falling, she reinvented herself, going on to complete two half-marathons, the NYC Marathon, and even setting a Guinness World Record all by running backwards. That same grit carried her into the world of family building.
Justine got married at 38 and was hopeful about starting her family. At first it seemed fairly easy, they got pregnant quickly but soon miscarried, which was not abnormal for a first-time pregnancy. But after three miscarriages in one year, she knew something wasn’t right.
That’s when she turned to IVF. The medications and shots were difficult, but with the support of her partner, it was doable. Still, the cycles didn’t bring the results they hoped for. The couple found new hope when Justine had access to Progyny through her employer. It felt like they could really try again. She got pregnant again, and she even graduated from the fertility clinic into the care of her OB-GYN. But when she came back to check the heartbeat, she was met with the devastating news again.
That’s when Justine knew, after five years of dedicating their time to having a baby, they needed to move on. She needed to put her mind and body first. She wants people listening to this podcast to know that it’s okay to make that decision, to choose yourself and your partner as family, and that you are not alone in this.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Guest: Teonna Woolford, CEO & Co-Founder, SC RED Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
Teonna had always known she wanted to have a lot of kids. At the age of nineteen, she discovered something that would change the trajectory of her life: she might be infertile due to sickle cell disease.
Despite years of managing sickle cell, in and out of hospitals, doctor’s offices, and attending sickle cell conventions, no one had ever talked to her about the link between sickle cell and infertility. Unfortunately, fertility preservation was too financially out of reach.
But Teonna’s story didn’t stop there. She endured a failed bone marrow transplant, chronic pain, and the emotional toll of navigating a healthcare system that often overlooks the reproductive needs of those living with this chronic illness. Out of that struggle came a new purpose. Teonna co-founded SC RED (Sickle Cell Reproductive Health Education Directive) to raise awareness, expand education, and fight for equitable access to fertility care for those with sickle cell disease.
In this episode, Teonna opens up about her journey and why she’s determined to ensure no one else faces the same barriers alone. This Sickle Cell Awareness Month, she hopes that the future of living with sickle cell can be about thriving and not just surviving.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tJXUXwChtA8
Guest: Maia Brown, President of The Beltane Guild Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
Firefighters face physical and emotional challenges at work, but what about when they’re facing challenges with fertility?
In this episode we hear from Maia Brown, a firefighter paramedic and president of The Beltane Guild, a nonprofit dedicated to firefighter reproductive health. Maia shares her deeply personal journey, from discovering diminished ovarian reserve in the middle of paramedic school, to undergoing IVF, to realizing how little support exists for firefighters facing fertility and family building challenges.
Now, through The Beltane Guild, Maia is helping fire departments nationwide create comprehensive reproductive health policies and offering grants to firefighters undergoing treatment.
She raises the question; can this job have an effect on our reproductive health? Firefighters are exposed to unique circumstances like stress, toxins, irregular sleep schedules and Maia has been partnering on groundbreaking research and resources to protect future generations of firefighters who see families in their futures.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7fOu6C7p-h4
Guest: Ashley Rodón, President of the Carlos Rodón Foundation Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
In this powerful and personal episode, Ashley Rodón, wife of Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón and President of the Carlos Rodón Foundation, opens up about their emotional path to parenthood. Ashley shares how her dreams of starting a family were met with unexpected heartbreak, multiple pregnancy losses, and the resilience to keep moving forward.
From the devastation of her first miscarriage to the miracle of her daughter Willow, Ashley reflects on the highs and lows of her fertility journey. Along the way, she found strength and support through her partner, family, friends, and community. Now living life as parents of three, she and Carlos founded The Carlos Rodón foundation, a non-profit bringing people hope through The Willow Grant, which offers the opportunity for families to afford fertility treatment.
Ashley shares how their foundation has grown, partnering with organizations like the Nest Egg Foundation and Columbia Fertility to make family building more accessible to all.
This episode proves how the right platform, purpose, and lived experience can spark lasting change for those who need it most.
To learn more or apply for a Willow Grant, visit https://rodonfoundation.org/apply/
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CCfSsklVXes
Guest: Jay Shaw, MS, CGC, Senior Product Manager, Fulgent Genetics Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
The Fertility 101 Series, because there’s no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.
Today’s episode is a deep dive into the role of genetics in fertility care and planning. We’re joined by Jay Shaw, a certified genetic counselor and Senior Product Manager at Fulgent Genetics, who walks us through the basics and beyond when it comes to genetic testing.
We start with a foundational overview, and Jay makes sure to break down the medical jargon for us. What is genetic testing? And what do terms like “carrier screening,” “single gene disorder,” and “pathogenic variant,” actually mean?
From there, Jay explains how test results can inform decisions around IVF, embryo selection, and prenatal diagnostic testing. She also walks us through options available to people and couples when carrier screening reveals shared risks, including IVF with genetic testing, sperm or egg donation, and early interventions during pregnancy or at birth.
Jay also shares how genetic testing is expanding with new tools for cancer screening, direct-to-consumer options, and exciting advancements on the horizon, including genome sequencing and the potential for AI to transform how we interpret genetic results.
Genetic testing is a crucial part of the family-building journey, protecting the health of your baby and ensuring a well-informed pregnancy. Tune in to hear all that it has to offer.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Guest: Dustin and Tequila Menken, Progyny Members at TE Connectivity Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
“I grew up with an expiration date.”
Dustin Menken was born with cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that brought him lifelong health challenges and made him part of the 98% of men with CF who are infertile. He never imagined he’d live to see 40, let alone become a father. But with persistence, support from his wife Tequila and a critical fertility benefit from his employer, TE Connectivity, through Progyny, Dustin beat the odds. Again.
In this episode, Dustin and Tequila Menken share their remarkable story: from a childhood spent in hospitals to navigating genetic testing, sperm aspiration, and multiple IVF cycles. They walk us through the setbacks, the emotional toll, and the moment they finally learned they were expecting their daughter, Jannie Bell Allena, who has now arrived healthy and thriving.
Tune into this episode for the Menkens story of resilience, partnership, and the power of access. Behind every fertility journey is a deeply personal fight - one that can be helped with the right support.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Guest: Danny Ross, Jr., UFCW Local 152 President Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
Danny and Elizabeth Ross got married at 26, excited to start their lives together and hopeful about growing a family. When they started trying, they were met with a series of challenges that changed everything.
Elizabeth was diagnosed with endometriosis and PCOS. Danny had male factor infertility. After a year of trying to conceive, they were told their best option was IVF. At the time, they had no fertility coverage.
They started with IUI. One attempt turned into two, then six, then thirteen. They tore through their savings. Elizabeth suffered an ectopic pregnancy that led to the removal of one of her fallopian tubes. They had hit a wall. IVF was their next and only option.
On their third round of IVF, their first daughter was finally born, and they welcomed their second, a few years later. Through it all, Danny and Elizabeth remained each other’s rocks: husband, wife, and best friends.
Today, Danny is the president of UFCW Local 152, where he oversees the benefits for thousands of union members. When the opportunity arose to improve those benefits, his mind immediately went to fertility. Could they offer fertility coverage to union families so others wouldn’t have to go through what he did?
After an exhaustive search, they decided to partner with Progyny, a labor-friendly benefit with experience supporting union members. For Danny, what stood out most were the Progyny Care Advocates and Smart Cycle plan design. It was everything they never had: guidance, clarity, and a path to better outcomes.
Tune into this episode as Danny reflects on the impact of adding fertility coverage to his union’s benefits and the importance of leaving things better than he found them.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Music:
V7DM5RBZLGAXKDRW
Guest: Paul Turek, MD, FACS, FRSM, Founder of The Turek Clinic Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
The Fertility 101 Series, because there’s no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.
When it comes to fertility, men are half of the equation, but too often, they’re the half that gets forgotten or overlooked. This Men’s Health Month, we’re joined by Dr. Paul Turek, a world-renowned urologist and male fertility expert, to talk all things sperm, from how it’s made to how it affects fertility and IVF.
Dr. Turek explains how sperm health isn’t just about making babies, it’s also a sign of a man’s overall health, tied to things like life expectancy, cancer risk, and heart health. Dr. Turek also tells us about his podcast, Talk with Turek, where he and Rob Clyde expose men's health and talk about it frankly – tackling the issues that matter. So, if you want to hear more on men’s health from Dr. Turek, you’re in luck!
And if you’ve never thought about getting a semen analysis, this episode might change that. Whether you’re thinking about starting a family, planning for the future, or just want to stay healthy, your sperm may tell you more than you could believe.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Video Version: https://youtu.be/VNTff8wEGmk
Guest: Marea Goodman, Co-Founder of PregnantTogether Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For LGBTQ+ individuals and couples going through their family building journeys, having a medical support system that truly understand their lived experience can make all the difference.
In this episode, we hear from Marea Goodman, a licensed midwife, parent of three, and co-author of Babymaking for Everybody about the role and importance of a midwife.
Marea explains how midwives operate across a wide range of settings, from hospitals and fertility clinics to birth centers and home births. While midwives often fly under the radar, they play a vital role in family building, especially in spaces where traditional care may feel less inclusive. Marea offers an in-depth look at the role of midwives, including how they complete years of clinical training to become licensed healthcare providers.
Today, Marea’s practice supports at-home births, where they connect with patients on a deeply personal level through shared identity, lived experience, and affirming care.
Over time, Marea noticed just how isolating this journey can be for queer and solo parents. That realization led them to co-create PregnantTogether, a virtual community designed to bring these families together. The platform supports people all over the world, offering both connection and logistical help in one beautiful space.
This episode is a reminder of the power of identity-informed care and how transformative it can be to feel seen and supported.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Guest: Maggie Garnsey, Progyny Member at Santander Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For LGBTQ+ couples, traditional fertility coverage can leave them behind with little to no access to the actual coverage. Many are forced to undergo unnecessary, emotionally taxing procedures to meet outdated definitions of infertility. For Maggie and her wife, Alli, they thought they would need to pursue IUI, like many of their friends.
However, Maggie discovered that her employer, Santander Bank, offered inclusive fertility benefits through Progyny and that they had something rare: options.
In this episode, Maggie takes us through their family forming journey: from discovering the benefit, to forgoing healthcare through Alli’s role in the military in pursuit of the best family building option. The couple opted for a reciprocal IVF journey, where using a sperm donor, Alli would retrieve eggs, genetically test and freeze embryos, for Maggie to one day soon, take on the role of carrying the pregnancy.
Maggie also shares the importance of their village, showing up in ways that make the journey feel a little lighter, like hosting their friends to help choose a sperm donor and consulting couples they know have been in their shoes. Maggie shares her gratitude for how seamless their journey has been thus far, and when Alli returns from her upcoming deployment, their dreams of family will soon become a reality.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
https://youtu.be/GyHdAkXq1KoWatch this episode on YouTube:
Music: HA2XAHY5DVIOKQVA
Guest: Erin Sarris, Progyny Member Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
When Erin Sarris and her husband first visited a fertility clinic, they were hit with unexpected news: severe male factor infertility and an immediate recommendation to pursue IVF. What followed was a long, winding, and often painful journey filled with setbacks, from failed cycles to loss and emotional isolation.
Now a mother of three and author of Cupcakes Everywhere: One Sweet Tale of Overcoming Infertility, Erin shares how infertility reshaped her view and inspired a metaphorical children's book that captures the bittersweet reality of struggling to grow a family. This conversation is raw, vulnerable, and ultimately a reminder that even when the path to parenthood is anything but straightforward
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VRuXbZ4g460
Music Code: HA2XAHY5DVIOKQVA
In this episode, we hear a deeply personal and professional journey. As a benefit’s leader, Deanna Allison was on a mission to bring better fertility and family building benefits to her company, Bread Financial. Simultaneously, Deanna had also just set out on her own path to parenthood, realizing she would likely need support to build a family.
Deanna shares how her team's search for better benefits led them to adopt Progyny, a decision driven by lived experience, better outcomes, and the desire to truly meet their associates' needs.
Deanna was able to utilize Progyny, navigating unsuccessful egg retrievals, and ultimately choosing to use donor eggs to have her beautiful baby girl. Through it all, Deanna's personal experience and professional purpose were aligned — knowing she had done right by Bread Financial Associates through the lens of her own experience.
Tune in to explore what it means to build inclusive benefits and how validating it can be when those benefits end up supporting you, too.
Guests: Deanna Allison, Director, Benefits, Well-Being, and Financial Programs, Bread Financial
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
When Kristina and Lorenzo set out to build their family, they knew their path wouldn’t be traditional. Kristina’s complex medical history including epilepsy, endometriosis, and thalassemia made pregnancy unsafe, but that didn’t stop them from pursuing their dream of having a child.
In this episode, they share their deeply personal journey of sacrifice in pursuit of a surrogate—highlighting the emotional highs and lows along the way, from downsizing their apartment to postponing their wedding. They open up about the importance of trust in the surrogacy process and the unwavering love and support they’ve found in each other; Kristina and Lorenzo remind us there is more than one way to build a family.
Thanks to the AHA Grant from The Broken Brown Egg and Progyny, they are one step closer to making their dream a reality. They offer heartfelt advice for others navigating the complexities of infertility, emphasizing the power of advocacy, community, and perseverance.
Applications for the latest cycle of AHA Grants can be found at www.thebrokenbrownegg.org, starting April 8th!
Guests: Kristina King and Lorenzo Bellard, AHA Grant Recipients
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Infertility is a deeply personal and often isolating experience, but for singer-songwriter Nelly Joy, music became both an outlet and a source of connection. In this episode, Nelly shares her raw and emotional journey with endometriosis and the struggles she faced while trying to conceive, which pushed her limits physically and emotionally.
From touring with country music legends to navigating the complexities of infertility, Nelly’s story is one of physical resilience, partner support, and using art to heal.
Listen to her song Baby Showers to discover how Nelly Joy is turning her experiences into then reminder that we are not alone.
Guest: Nelly Joy, Musician
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
You can find this episode at youtube.com/progyny
Music:
For Alex Kornswiet, the path to parenthood started with unexpected ease, having her first son after one round of IVF, following a blocked fallopian tube diagnosis. Trying to have their second child wasn’t as smooth sailing. Alex and her husband experienced secondary infertility and a frustrating path including canceled cycles, recurrent pregnancy loss, and emotional isolation.
As challenges continued to mount and her doctor recommended the couple pursue surrogacy. Amid the challenges of the pandemic, Alex and her husband welcomed their second son with the help of a selfless surrogate that they could not be more thankful for.
And just when they thought their long path to parenthood had finally come to a close... they encountered one more beautiful yet unexpected surprise! Listen to the episode and see more about Alex’s story on her viral Instagram.
Guest: Alex Kornswiet, Progyny Member and Infertility Advocate
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/47ZVW2abFb0
Newly engaged and nearing her thirties, today’s guest knew she wanted children in the future, so she opted for an at-home fertility test. The results shocked her, revealing something that changed everything - her biological clock was ticking faster than she had expected. What started as curiosity quickly became a call to action.
In this episode, Erin Antoniak takes us along her journey of preserving her fertility as a back-up plan, which then evolved into a complex path to parenthood.
She explains how Progyny’s family building coverage through her husband’s employer, Salesforce, gave her the freedom to pursue treatment without financial barriers. She also shares how documenting the journey, from the hardest days to the happiest moments, connected her with a growing Instagram audience and impacted her community.
Watch Erin’s story through her own eyes on Instagram.
Guest: Erin Antoniak, Salesforce Progyny Member Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
For today’s guest, becoming a mother wasn’t just a dream—it was a promise she made to herself. In her mid-30s, Erica Ward knew she wanted to be a parent more than she wanted to be a wife. By 40, she made the decision to pursue single motherhood, despite the challenges ahead.
Her path wasn’t easy, from choosing a sperm donor, failed IUIs to IVF, and devastating loss. While Erica grieved for her pregnancies and felt the financial toll, she never gave up. Tune in to hear how support from Progyny’s fertility benefits and donor eggs led to her happy ending of becoming a mom.
Guest: Erica Ward, Progyny Member at Sleep Number Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y6Ln16ecXGM
What happens when the path to parenthood takes unexpected turns? For Laura, it meant navigating the heartbreak of unexplained infertility, the frustrations of multiple failed IUIs, and the surprising joy of a positive pregnancy test during the unlikeliest of cycles. But as her story unfolds, it becomes clear that getting pregnant was just the beginning.
For our 200th episode, Laura shares the honest reality of facing postpartum depression after her first pregnancy—an experience she never thought she would have after fighting to conceive. With fertility benefits through Progyny she welcomed a second child into her family a few years later. This time, Laura went into her second postpartum journey with the expectations, knowledge, and tools to manage her PPD symptoms effectively.
This episode is a powerful reminder that family-building journeys are rarely straightforward. They’re filled with highs, lows, and the moments that teach us the true meaning of resilience.
Guest: Laura, Progyny Member
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Ashley Chukwu is a 30-year-old food and wine blogger in Atlanta, living her life without the prospect of building a family soon. So, when her mom suggested she consider freezing her eggs, Ashley decided to do some research. At the time, she knew little about the process or whether her insurance would cover it. That’s when she discovered her employer offered fertility preservation through Progyny.
In this episode, Ashley shares her journey—from researching the process and navigating her benefits to handling injections and undergoing the procedure. She discusses challenges along the way, the importance of representation, and reflects on the peace of mind she’s gained from taking control of her fertility.
Tune in to hear Ashley’s experience and learn how support from her company helped her make a decision that aligns with her goals and lifestyle.
Guest: Ashley Chukwu, Progyny Member
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Season 7 of This is Infertility continued to venture into education, advocacy, personal stories, and notably, some new areas of women’s health!
As we wrap up, we're shining a spotlight on two recurring themes that have defined this season: the power of support and the ripple effect of advocacy.
From their doctor’s care or employer’s benefits package to the unwavering encouragement of a partner or patient care advocate, we brought back a few episodes from this season that prove — no one’s journey has to be a solo one.
This episode isn’t just a look back—it’s a reminder of the strength that comes from being supported and what it takes to advocate for yourself and others.
Guests: Progyny members: Hanna Peters, Danielle Faith, Jennifer Osmond, and Lakia Holmes
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
Listen to the episodes featured:
-
Episode 174: Becoming a Single Parent by Choice: IVF + a Sperm Donor
-
Episode 181: #NIAW: A Path to Parenthood Turned into a Path to Purpose
-
Episode 183: Overcoming the Emotional Toll of Infertility
-
Episode 189: Teamwork Makes a Dream Work: How Jennifer’s Village Made Parenthood Possible
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
This time of year can be magical, but it can also come with stress, especially when family gatherings include tough conversations or well-meaning but intrusive questions like, "When are you starting a family?"
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Georgia Witkin, Clinical Psychologist and infertility expert. She shares practical advice on handling the holidays so you can enjoy the season. She’ll walk us through her empowering pre-holiday checklist with strategies to navigate the season; from preparing thoughtful responses for tough questions, to leaning into moments that bring you peace and joy.
Whether it’s finding ways to stay present or exploring new traditions that work for you, this episode is about helping you reclaim the holidays on your terms. And stick around for Dr. Witkin’s answers to your personal questions.
Guest: Dr. Georgia Witkin, Clinical Psychologist and Infertility Expert
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more resources on Mental Health and the Holidays, watch our latest webinar: Supporting emotional wellness: Navigating boundaries and stress while on a family building journey
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
This National Adoption Month, we hear from Jessica Luciere, a transracial, transnational adoptee, who shares her journey of self-discovery. Growing up with the love and support of her parents, Jessica also yearned for a sense of community to help her navigate her identity. She ultimately realized the importance of representation and the power of connecting to others with similar backgrounds.
Today, Jessica works alongside adoptees, families, and professionals, as a program facilitator and adoptee advocate, creating spaces that celebrate and honor diverse backgrounds and foster deeper connections. Join us as Jessica dives into the importance of community, mentorship, and how she’s using her experience to support others.
Guest: Jessica Luciere
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
A note from our host: My parents were foster parents throughout my life. Over time, they helped over 100 kids before they retired. In fact, my younger brother was adopted through that program. Being a kid, I had a different family life than my friends and neighbors. For me, it was a source of pride, and I still believe my parents are heroes.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
On today’s episode, we’re joined by Sammi Itatani and Carly Vollero from Nodal, a surrogacy matching platform devoted to fostering strong, authentic matches between surrogates and intended parents.
They tell the stories of their own surrogacy journeys, with Sammi’s experience as a two-time surrogate and Carly’s journey as a parent through surrogacy. They bring personal and professional insights into what makes these partnerships successful. They also dive into the importance of compatibility, navigating legal and financial hurdles, and understanding the different relationship dynamics surrogates and intended parents may seek.
Tune in to hear Sammi’s and Carly’s experiences and how to be thoughtful in the surrogacy journey to create happy, healthy babies.
Guests: Carly Vollero, General Counsel at Nodal and Sammi Itatani, Program and Community Manager at Nodal
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
This Menopause Awareness Month, we bring together two experts who are specialists in their fields and personally navigating their own menopause journeys. Dr. Janet Choi, an OBGYN, reproductive endocrinologist, and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, and Dr. Juliana Hauser, a therapist with a focus on sexuality and menopause, share their personal experiences with menopause. Alongside their professional expertise, they offer a rare dual perspective on the physical and emotional changes that come with this life stage.
Through this candid conversation, they discuss the often-overlooked aspects of menopause, from hair loss to mental health, shedding light on the profound impact it has on a woman's identity and quality of life. Together, they emphasize the importance of normalizing these conversations and encouraging women to seek support and treatment during this pivotal time.
Guest: Dr. Juliana Hauser, Therapist and Menopause Expert
Host: Dr. Janet Choi, Chief Medical Officer at Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
In honor of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re highlighting Joyelle Fleming’s story with breast cancer, which began at the young age of 31. During her journey, Joyelle was faced with a difficult decision – what to do about her future fertility given the impact of cancer treatment. With the support of her doctors and access to fertility benefits through Progyny, Joyelle was able to freeze her eggs and focus on fighting cancer.
In this episode, Joyelle reflects on her experience, from navigating fertility preservation to finding strength and support from loved ones and breast cancer advocacy groups. Her story highlights the power of proactive choices and the peace of mind they can provide in the face of life’s toughest moments.
To learn more about oncofertiltiy, check out resources here
Breast cancer resources mentioned in this episode:
· Imerman Angles
· The Breasties
· Touch BBCA
· Hair & Hope
Guest: Joyelle Flemming, Progyny Member at Genentech
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Today’s guest discusses her unexpected struggles with infertility. After a year of trying to conceive, Mandy Menaker trusted her instincts and decided to seek advice from others. She turned to Julie Campbell, at Progyny, who helped guide her on how to find the right fertility clinic, navigate insurance, and understand the ins and outs when it comes to fertility treatment.
After the rollercoaster of emotions and multiple rounds of fertility treatment, Mandy and her husband Eric finally achieved their dream of becoming parents. But the journey didn’t stop there, Mandy later conceived her second child naturally, a surprise that reaffirmed the unpredictable nature of fertility.
Along the way, Mandy learned how to advocate for herself and celebrate small wins to help cope with the ups and downs of IVF. Inspired to help others facing similar challenges, Mandy wrote an article for PR Daily, offering practical tips and emotional support to those navigating a family building journey
You can read her article here: What a difficult fertility journey taught me about being a better communicator
Guest: Mandy Menaker, Fertility Advocate
Host: Julie Campbell, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
In this episode, we dive into a powerful story of two lifelong friends, Nicole Gomez Fisher and Mary Lamattina, who supported each other through some of the most challenging moments of their lives; navigating infertility.
They both faced their own unique struggles, Mary with secondary infertility, experiencing multiple miscarriages after her first child, and Nicole facing the heartbreak of failed attempts and what seemed like the never-ending emotional hurdles of egg donation and surrogacy.
With time, friendship, and medical intervention, both women found ways to grow their families and meaningful ways to incorporate their experiences into their careers.
Guests: Mary Lamattina, benefits consultant and Nicole Gomez Fisher, award-winning writer, director, and producer of the film, Good Egg
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Today's guest is a testament to resilience, turning personal pain into a powerful purpose. Lauren Clements faced a long, difficult journey in her efforts to build a family, battling through a diagnosis of PCOS, blocked fallopian tubes, and undergoing numerous treatments. Yet, despite these significant setbacks, Lauren never lost hope.
In this episode, she opens up about how these challenges inspired her to create Chosen Infertility Group, a nonprofit dedicated to providing local resources, advocacy, and financial grants to those struggling with infertility in Detroit. Lauren's story is one of courage, perseverance, and a commitment to helping others find hope amidst their own.
Guest: Lauren Clements, Founder and President of Chosen Infertility Group
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Today’s episode is a story of teamwork. Along each step of her path to parenthood, Jennifer Osmond’s obstacles were overcome with the help of her village; A doctor who laid out options and supported her along the way. An employer that provided Progyny and eased the financial strain of fertility treatment. And a wife who managed the logistics of their journey so that Jennifer could focus on her well-being.
Without Jennifer’s support system, her journey would not have been made possible.
Guest: Jennifer Osmond, Progyny Member at AT&T
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
The Fertility 101 Series, because there’s no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.
In this episode, we dive into the detailed process of egg donation and its profound implications for families with Aisha Lewis, President of Everie, a known donor egg program.
Aisha discusses the steps involved on both ends of the egg donation process, from the pivotal choices donors can make surrounding their anonymity and the meticulous screening process donors undergo, to the legal considerations that ensure clarity and protection for all parties involved.
Join us as we unravel the complexities of egg donation, the different considerations, and how patients and donors can be empowered in their decisions.
Guest: Aisha Lewis, Everie
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
This episode is also a video: https://youtu.be/_Wh0UdTfnrU
You may know her as the winner of ABC’s The Bachelor from season 19, but patients at OVA Egg Freezing Specialty Center in Chicago know Whitney Bischoff Angel as their fertility nurse who can also relate to their journey.
In this episode, Whitney tells us about her decision to freeze her eggs in 2013, a decision that provided her with peace of mind as she navigated life's uncertainties. She also shares where she is today, almost a decade later, and her journey to parenthood.
Whitney now uses her personal journey to empower women with choices and provide compassion and support to patients during their own egg freezing journeys.
Guest: Whitney Bischoff Angel, RN, BSN, OVA Egg Freezing
Host: Julie Campbell, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
This episode is also a video! Watch it here: https://youtu.be/1yuxJ1if_9U
Today’s episode is a story of trial and error. Sarah Freese was not expecting to have difficulty conceiving until she discontinued her birth control and found that her menstrual cycle didn’t return. She was suddenly thrusted into a new world, one filled with new medical terms, fertility doctors, and a treatment plan that came with a high price tag.
Sarah then discovered her employer, LinkedIn, offered coverage for fertility treatment through Progyny. This meant she didn’t need to make cost-based decisions and instead was able to pursue treatment that would result in the best possible outcome. Join us for this episode to hear how Sarah navigated her family building journey, the highs and lows that came with it, and how through trial and error, she found a path that worked.
Guest: Sarah Freese, Principal Customer Success Manager at LinkedIn, Infertility Advocate, and Progyny Member
Host: Lissa Kline, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
This episode is also a video! Watch it here: https://youtu.be/zrTFKlhA7qs
The Fertility 101 Series, because there’s no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.
This week’s episode answers all the questions around transgender family building options and how it works. Dr. Daniel Potter at HRC Fertility joins us to discuss the impact of hormone affirming therapy, the importance of fertility preservation, questions to consider if one is deciding to build a family, and how to better serve this community.
Guest: Dr. Daniel Potter, Regional Medical Director at HRC Fertility
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
In today’s episode, we explore the complex world of donor conception with experts Dr. Mark Leondires and Lisa Schuman, LCSW. They provide an overview of their book, Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception, which serves as a resource for those considering donor conception due to infertility, medical issues, same-sex partnerships, or gender orientation.
The book covers everything from initial considerations and emotions to the medical and genetic processes involved, selecting the right donor, and talking to children about their donor conception.
Tune in to hear how to manage the challenges of a donor conception journey.
Guest: Dr. Mark Leondires and Lisa Schuman, LCSW, authors of Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception
Dr. Mark Leondires
Medical Director and Founding Partner
at Illume Fertility and Gay Parents to Be
Lisa Schuman, LCSW
Founder of The Center for Family Building
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
This episode is also a video! Watch it here: https://youtu.be/kX60smGnP9k
Today’s episode highlights the emotional toll that infertility can take on individuals and couples. Our guest speaks candidly on how her fertility journey affected her mental health, marriage, and perspective towards friends who found easy success with pregnancy.
Hana Peters and her husband started trying to have a baby and soon realized they needed to seek additional support. In this episode, Hana shares her journey. She speaks on the unsolicited advice she received along the way and impacts this had on her friendships, her initial reaction to a diagnosis of unexplained infertility, and how she was able to pursue parenthood with a dedicated doctor and through her employer sponsored benefit, Progyny.
For mental health support and resources, check out:
- Progyny Article: Coping with stress during fertility care
- This is Infertility Podcast episode: Bonus Episode 10: Prioritizing Your Mental Health During Your Fertility Journey
- Employer guide: How to support employees with infertility mental health guide
Guest: Hana Peters, Progyny Member at Salesforce
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
This episode is also a video! Watch it here: https://youtu.be/o_-IvppWYK0
In today’s episode, award-winning journalist, Rachel Lehmann-Haupt shares insights from her two books, which have ignited the knowledge and passion that came from her own family building journey.
Her latest book, Reconceptions: Modern Relationships, Reproductive Science, and the Unfolding Future of Family, calls upon her experience of becoming a single parent by choice. She dives into her own family building journey, how she’s navigated using a sperm donor and the relationships she’s built from this, and how she’s rethinking and redefining the meaning of family.
Guest: Rachel Lehmann-Haupt, award-winning journalist and author
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Today’s guest embodies the purpose of National Infertility Awareness Week. Each year the infertility community, led by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, takes this week to amplify and educate the public about reproductive health and issues that make building a family difficult for many.
Danielle Zoll has dedicated herself to advocacy and awareness through her St. Louis based organization, Making a Miracle. The isolation Danielle felt along her path to parenthood with endometriosis, lack of coverage, and pregnancy loss, inspired her to build a community that supports others along their family building journeys.
Tune in for how Danielle made her miracle.
Guest: Danielle Zoll, founder of Making a Miracle
Host: Emma Gallagher, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
With a focus on her career and a determination to find the right "other half” for her child, today’s guest shares her journey to being a single parent by choice.
Navigating the stress of her ticking biological clock, Gloria Soler went from realizing that the perfect parenting partner was not yet on her horizon to manifesting her own dreams of parenthood. Gloria went to find the doctor, the right sperm donor, the right treatment, and with a comprehensive employer-sponsored benefit, Gloria met the love she had been searching for all along, her son Emmet.
Tune into Gloria’s journey with Progyny to learn how she navigated her path to parenthood.
Guest: Gloria Soler, Progyny Member
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
The journey to ideal health is a constant battle. And when emergency surgery is needed, most may not think twice about the impact this will have on their future fertility. In today’s episode, we hear from Haley, who shares her family building journey. It’s one marked by multiple diagnoses, surgeries, and financial strain. Despite these setbacks, Haley was determined to become a parent. She advocated for herself and found a doctor that she could trust. She then learned her employer had a fertility benefit, which relieved the financial pressure and helped her to reach her goal.
Haley's journey embodies the realities that many face on the path to parenthood: a mix of setbacks, doubts, and ultimately, hard-won victories.
Guest: Haley, Progyny Member
Host: Shannon Zuber, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
The Fertility 101 Series, because there’s no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.
This week's guest, Dr. Paul Dudley, Medical Director of Pinnacle Fertility Atlanta, dives into what tests are expected during an initial consultation, including the need for a blood test, semen analysis (if a partner is involved), and comprehensive assessments like an ovarian reserve evaluation. He also shares his perspective on at-home fertility testing kits and when to seek guidance from your doctor when trying to conceive.
Guest: Dr. Paul Dudley, Medical Director, Pinnacle Fertility Atlanta
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Today’s episode delves into a supportive yet often overlooked contributor to the birthing process and much more: the role of doulas.
Our guest, Latham Thomas, Founder of Mama Glow, elaborates on the diverse responsibilities of doulas, ranging from offering emotional and physical support in co-creating your birth plan, to advocating for individuals and facilitating communication between patients and healthcare providers. She explains what to keep in mind when finding the right doula for you. And highlights how doulas work to address birth disparities within marginalized communities.
Latham shares Mama Glow's mission of democratizing doula support, which aims to transform maternal care on what she describes as the childbearing continuum.
Guest: Latham Thomas, Founder of Mama Glow
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Times are changing, and more employers are choosing to prioritize fertility and family building benefits to attract and retain talent. Investing in employee benefits isn't just about cost, it’s about fostering a positive employee experience, driving engagement, and ultimately enhancing business performance.
Today's guest, Purvi Tailor, Vice President of Human Resources at Ferring U.S., describes Ferring’s groundbreaking approach to employee benefits. With a focus on enhancing the family building journey for employees, she discusses the implementation of the, "Building Families at Ferring" package, which includes access to unlimited financial support for family building care, 26 weeks of paid parental leave, and a supportive workplace culture.
Tune in to learn how you can start reimagining your company's benefits package for a brighter future.
Guest: Purvi Tailor, Vice President of Human Resources at Ferring U.S.
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Music:
Artist: Andy G Cohen Track: A Perceptible Shift URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/
Artist: Josh Woodward Track: Hollow Grove Instrumental Version URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/
Artist: Jahzzar Track: MainSquare URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/
Struggling with disbelief, enduring back-to-back treatments, cancelled appointments, and an overwhelming emotional toll - these experiences are all part of Sonya Heer's journey to building a family. How did she get here? Sonya and her husband embarked on what most couples do: they got married, spent some quality time together, and then wanted to expand their family. But, after months of not having success, Sonya turned to a specialist where she was diagnosed with unexplained infertility. This left Sonya with more questions, but she persevered and continued treatment. After more rounds, she realized there must be something else to her diagnosis.
In this episode, hear how Sonya navigated her journey, how she advocated for herself and found the right doctor, how unexplained infertility turned into diminished ovarian reserve, and why despite it all she continued. Sonya also shares the stress of paying for treatment and the difference when she gained access to a comprehensive family building benefit through her employer.
Guest: Sonya Heer, Progyny Member
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Today’s guest spent a great deal of time juggling a lot of things many tasks on a tight schedule – she was busy creating a successful career for herself , as she was creating a successful career for herself as a senior producer at a media and entertainment companySenior Producer at Warner Brothers Discovery Sports. Lakia Holmes At 37 years old, Lakia Holmes realized one day that her to-do's at work may not be the only thing functioning on a tight schedule.
Aware of her biological clock, Lakia looked into freezing her eggs, so she could continue waiting for the perfect partner for her and her future baby. However, her doctor informed that her best chance What she wasn’t prepared for her doctor to tell her was that her best bet at motherhood was through IVF. and that she had two blocked fallopian tubes, leaving her with a 2% chance of natural conception. Lakia was shocked into a realization; being a mother is what she has always wanted, partner or no partner.
In this episode, Lakia dives into her decision to become a single parent by choice, her family building experience, and the impact of having access to family building benefits. Tune in for Lakia’s
journey of single motherhood by choice, and how she was able to do it with donor sperm and the help of her Progyny PCA.
Guest: Lakia Holmes, Progyny Member
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
As the sixth season of This Is Infertility comes to a close, we wanted to thank all of our incredible listeners for keeping us part of your journey. This episode has been requested by many of our listeners, and certainly could not have been made without you.
Today our host sits down with 30 of our amazing in-network reproductive endocrinologist to answer your burning questions. Wondering what these doctors are thinking along your journey? Tune in for their expert medical opinions, taste in waiting room music, and unrelenting support for the people they treat every day.
For more episodes featuring our medical experts, check out:
- Episode 166: Reproductive Urologists and Endocrinologists: What’s the Difference?
- Episode 162: Fertility 101: Unexplained Infertility
- Episode 150: Fertility 101: Preparing for Your First Fertility Clinic Appointment
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
Guests:
- Alex Quaas, Shady Grove Fertility
- Allison Rodgers, FCI
- Anate Brauer, Shady Grove Fertility
- Anish Shah, Shady Grove Fertility
- Emily Barnard, Shady Grove Fertility
- Gayane Ambartsumyan, RPMH
- Ian Waldmen, CCRM
- Jason Yeh, Aspire HFI
- John Crochet, Shady Grove Fertility
- Jonah Bardos, CCRM
- Joseph Davis, Shady Grove Fertility
- Karissa Hammer, IHR
- Kemi Nurudeen, Aspire HFI
- Lucky Sekhon, RMA NY
- Marc Gualtieri, IVF Florida
- Maria Costantini-Ferrando, RMA NJ
- Ndeye-Aicha Gueye, RMA NJ
- Paul Shin, Shady Grove Fertility
- Priya Maseelall, Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility
- Rachel Warwar, Reproductive Gynecology and Infertility
- Serena Chen, CCRM
- Seth Levrant, IHR
- Shruti Malik, Shady Grove Fertility
- Sina Abhari, CCRM
- Stephanie Thompson, CCRM
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Music credit:
Artist: Jahzzar
Track: Joke URL: https://freemusicarchive.org
Track: Talk to Me URL: https://freemusicarchive.org
Almost three years ago, we published a list of our Top 17 Favorite Fertility Podcasts. Topping that list was a podcast called, If These Ovaries Could Talk, a show centered around the lesbian experience of fertility and family building.
Today’s guest, Jaimie Kelton, created this podcast after going through the journey to build her family, and struggling to find relatable content and education for queer identities. As her following has grown, so has her podcast. Jaimie explains how her show has now evolved into The Queer Family Podcast, a podcast for diverse identities, and all LGBTQIA+ stories alike. She dives deep into her story, the evolution of the podcast, and the reality of family building in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Guest: Jaimie Kelton, Host of The Queer Family Podcast
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Today’s guest walks us through her experience with the wrong physician, the wrong clinic, the wrong treatment, the wrong coverage, and the wrong...well, everything. Sherri Sawyerr describes her experience of trial and error in pursuing parenthood, and how taking the wrong path can often pave the way for the right one.
During her journey with multiple physicians and IVF cycles, inadequate coverage, limited representation, and ultimately, the decision to use donor eggs: Sherri realized that it’s important to have a voice through all of this. And she uses that voice on her YouTube, @SherriYvette, where she encourages perseverance and togetherness through an experience that so many women are silently living through. In this episode, hear from Sherri on the other side of trial and error. She dives into how she found Progyny through her new employer, a clinic that suits her needs, and the progress she’s been able to make in her journey.
Guest: Sherri Sawyerr, Progyny Member
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Music:
Artist: Kai Engel Track: Brand New World
URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/
Artist: Lee Rosevere Track: Maximum Relax
URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/ Track: All the Answers
URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/ Track: Easy Life
URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/ Track: Sad Marimba Planet
URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/ Track: Making a Change
URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/ Track: Betrayal
URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/
This Veteran’s Day, we’re featuring Brian Tucker, a Veteran who is outspoken about his experience with male factor infertility. He is also an HR disruptor who knows that employers, are, in part, responsible for executing the American Dream.
On the path to building a family, Brian and his wife, Jenny, found themselves at a financial crossroad. Their coverage for fertility treatment was miscommunicated, which left them confused about what they actually need to pay vs what was covered. Left completely in the dark, with one common goal of having a child, they chose the only clear-cut financial benefit that was laid out for them, a Veteran’s discount. Having experienced this, Brian now speaks about his experience – and has presented at DisruptHR, where he discussed the need for more support in the workplace.
Listen to him here: Brian Tucker: Work LIFE Balance Talk
We also hear from Dr. Tolulope Bakare, a Reproductive Urologist from Posterity Health, and Dr. Ron Feinberg, Reproductive Endocrinologist from RADfertility of CCRM, about the treatment options when diagnosed with male factor infertility.
Guest:
- Brian Tucker, Director of Human Resources at Elior North America, Veteran, and Infertility Advocate
- Dr. Ron Feinberg, RADfertility
- Dr. Tolulope Bakare, Posterity Health
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
In the LGBTQIA+ community, options for family building are often limited – some by the ways employers choose to define infertility, and who can gain access to the benefit. Today’s guest, Stephanie Kalili, always knew she wanted to be a mom, but she didn’t know what this journey might look like for her. After meeting her wife and building a life together, Stephanie knew she was interested in conception through reciprocal IVF. The only problem was access and affordability.
Luckily for Stephanie, she happens to be employed Amazon, an employer that offers inclusive family building benefits through Progyny.
In fact, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, honors an organization each year with the Hope Award for Access. This award is given to an organization that is really moving the needle and expanding access to fertility and family building care – and this year this honor goes to Amazon.
To learn more about Amazon’s benefits, visit here. To learn more about RESOLVE’s annual Night of Hope gala, visit here.
Guest: Stephanie Kalili, Progyny Member
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
The Fertility 101 Series, because there’s no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.
In today’s episode, our host speaks with Dr. Anate Brauer, IVF Director at Shady Grove Fertility New York about all things egg freezing. She answers questions ranging from, “Why do people freeze their eggs?” to “How does it even work?”
If you’re questioning whether you would like to freeze your eggs, or just wonder about this modern medical practice, let this educational episode serve as a starting place.
For additional resources and answers to frequently asked questions, check out:
- Egg Freezing: Frequently Asked Questions
- Progyny Webinar: Egg Freezing 101
- Five Egg Freezing Myths and Facts
Guest: Dr. Anate Brauer, IVF Director at Shady Grove Fertility New York
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
People are increasingly having children later in life and for some, the decision is to have no children at all. Those who teeter between the options, unsure of their decision, know that one thing is true; time is ticking.
Today’s guest, Shannon Fender, wasn’t always certain about parenthood, but at one point she realized she should put things in place in case that was something she wanted to pursue in the future. In this episode, Shannon dives into her experience with egg freezing and her gratitude for employers like hers, who have chosen to invest in the lives of their employees. Shannon is joined by Dr. Kathy Hong, an REI from RMA of NJ, where she describes the medical preparation and procedure that’s part of the egg freezing process.
Guests: Shannon Fender, Progyny member, Dr. Kathy Hong, RMA of New Jersey
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
September is Reproductive Urologist Awareness Month, which is quite necessary considering there are less than four hundred practicing Reproductive Urologists in the United States. This episode serves as an opportunity to understand the intense training it takes to become a Reproductive Urologist (RU), what role they play in men’s health and reproductive health, as well as how they work in conjunction with Reproductive Endocrinologists.
In today’s episode, Progyny’s Chief Medical Officer and Reproductive Endocrinologist, Dr. Janet Choi gives insight into the role of RUs and how they differ from Reproductive Endocrinologists (REis).
Dr. Choi expands on her own position as an REi; what kind of training she received, who she treats, and how male patients can benefit from seeing an RU if they are already seeing an REi.
Video mentioned in this episode: Reproductive Urologists Can Help Men with Infertility
Guest: Dr. Janet Choi, Chief Medical Officer at Progyny
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
The Fertility 101 Series, because there’s no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.
In today’s episode, Progyny’s Chief Medical Officer and Reproductive Endocrinologist, Dr. Janet Choi gives an overview about all the things you need to know about menopause.
Menopause has long been an undiscussed and overlooked medical issue despite the fact that it will impact half of the population after the age of 50. While the scope of care for those going through menopause is not yet where it needs to be, becoming well-versed in the concept is the first step to caring for yourself or others in this transitional stage of life. Dr. Choi breaks down the classic symptoms and mental health effects surrounding menopause, as well as how one might mitigate these bodily changes with treatments. She also touches on her own experience and outlines life with menopause, next steps, and why menopause should be better supported.
Guest: Dr. Janet Choi, Chief Medical Officer at Progyny
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Music:
Artist:
Doctor Turtle
Track: The Ants Built a City on His Chest
URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/
Track: Where I lay my hat that’s my wife
URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/
Artist: Steve Combs
Track: Small Spaces
URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/
Artist: Jahzzar
Track: Sleepin’
URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/
Track: Dew
URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/
Track: MainSquare
URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/
Football is a waiting game. Fans all over America watch their teams anxiously for months with one common desire, a chance to win. Today’s guest, Patriots fan, Chris Callahan, knows this waiting game quite well and it may have even prepared him for the most worthwhile wait of his life – the journey to his son, Brady.
In this episode, Chris dives into their dual diagnosis of endometriosis and male-factor infertility, and the obstacles he and his wife faced on their path to parenthood. While they did have fertility coverage through Chris’ work, two rounds of IVF were still a financial burden. Chris, impacted mentally, physically, and financially, decided to share his story on social media in hopes to encourage others to know they’re not alone in this journey. In his post, he highlights the importance of employers choosing to invest in the lives of their employees through family building benefits. The responses took him a bit by surprise, and he soon found a whole community that was standing with him in solidarity and sharing stories of their own.
Guest: Chris Callahan, Workplace Fertility Advocate
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
In Episode 86: The Broken Brown Egg, we were introduced to Regina Townsend, the passionate voice behind The Broken Brown Egg; a blog, resource hub, community, and nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering, informing, and advocating for those who are questioning or dealing with infertility, with a particular focus on the Black experience.
Today, we meet Sametra Thompson, an active-duty service member in the U.S Army. After receiving a diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and experiencing a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy, Sametra became the recipient of of The AHA Grant, a grant established by The Broken Brown Egg in partnership with Progyny. This grant has played a crucial role in Sametra's journey, reflecting her unwavering determination in the face of discouraging results. Her story also brings attention to the challenging realities of fertility treatment costs without proper insurance coverage, underscoring how sometimes the best decision may not be financially viable.
Guest: Sametra Thompson, AHA Grant Recipient
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
The Fertility 101 Series, because there’s no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.
In today’s episode, Dr. Callum Potts breaks down the unexplained infertility diagnosis. He walks us through the four factors of fertility, how they work collectively to create a natural pregnancy, and why these four factors could test normally without positive results. Dr. Pott’s discusses treatment options such as IUI and IVF, and how someone may decide on which path to take.
While an unexplained infertility diagnosis is frustrating, Dr. Potts emphasizes that treatment options are not limited and testing normal is a positive thing.
Guest: Dr. Callum Potts, CCRM in Miami
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Jessica Hadwin, like many in this community, was given an incredibly frustrating diagnosis – unexplained infertility. Answers are typically comforting and for Jessica there were none until she experienced two devasting miscarriages.
But how do we find the answers? For Jessica it was through additional research from the lab. After a few tests, it revealed chromosomal abnormalities to be the reason why her previous pregnancies ended in a loss.
In this episode hear how Jessica navigated her family building journey – to include using pre–implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A), how she dealt with loss, and why she started The Hadwin Family Foundation.
Guest: Jessica Hadwin, co-founder of The Hadwin Family Foundation and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Today’s guest, Lizzy Colas, went into her marriage knowing she would likely need IVF to have a baby since her partner was diagnosed with male factor infertility. What the couple didn’t know was how frustrating this process would be. Lizzy shares how they were able to navigate their journey, the support from their loved ones, and why they advocated for themselves throughout the entire process. Lizzy makes a few things clear – the impact of having access to a comprehensive family building benefit and how a doctor can make all the difference.
Dr. Joseph Alukal, a reproductive urologist, joins to explain the complexities and realities of male factor infertility.
Progyny also hosted a webinar dedicated to male fertility. To watch it on-demand, click here.v
Guest: Lizzy Colas, Progyny Member, and Dr. Joseph Alukal, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
June is Pride Month and with all the different paths to parenthood available for LGBTQ+ couples and individuals, it’s a great time to elevate these voices within the community.
Today’s episode features Mia Cooley, a Black, queer, mother of three whose desire to connect with families that looked like hers, created an inclusive community called xHood.
xHood is a safe space that supports Black and queer families through the journey of parenthood. It’s an area that’s often challenged by a lack of representation in the healthcare industry, in parenting groups, and even in local communities. The frustration of feeling ostracized has motivated Mia to create a center for advice, a venue for resources, a starting point for advocation in the workplace, and just a space vent.
In this episode, Mia shares why she started this organization, details of the annual Black Parent Pride Summit, and her path to parenthood.
Guest: Mia Cooley, Founder of xHood
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Seven years ago, Michelle Meyer and her husband, Alex, had no idea what was in store for them and their dreams of starting a family. Those years were filled with multiple diagnoses (from male factor infertility, Hashimoto thyroiditis, and endometriosis), fertility treatments (IUI, medicated cycles, and IVF), and a mix of emotions from failed transfers and miscarriages.
In this episode, Michelle shares the journey they’ve been on, the impact of Wayfair’s family building benefit through Progyny, and how she feels optimistic on what lies ahead.
Guest: Michelle Meyer, Senior Recruiter at Wayfair, and Progyny Member
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
We always talk about enacting change on this podcast and that’s exactly what today’s guest did when she felt her journey was at a halt. In honor of National Teacher’s Appreciation Week, meet Tara Stark, a teacher, who shares her experience after being diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve, faced multiple failed rounds of IVF, and a pregnancy loss. Tara was frustrated and knew she needed a change. She also needed financial support to afford these treatments. So that’s exactly what Tara did. She sought out a school district with the kind of benefits she saw necessary for an employer to provide, access to a family building benefit.
In this episode, hear why Tara joined Tennessee Fertility Advocates, where she found support, and how she advocated for herself for herself and for family building benefits.
This is Progyny’s first video podcast. This episode is available for listening and watching. Find this episode, future video podcasts, and education content on Progyny’s YouTube.
Guest: Tara Stark, Teacher at Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, and Progyny Member
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Today’s episode is a great example of the magic some people experience on their path to parenthood. When Sarah and her husband Brian started trying at a time that felt right for them, they realized other factors may be at play, in this case, male factor, to be exact. For Sarah, the IVF process ran smoothly and successfully. And part of this was due to the fact that she had access to an employer-sponsored benefit through AT&T, so her financial burden of treatment was relieved by the Progyny benefit.
As smooth as her process may have been, life was throwing hurdles at Sarah simultaneously. She tells us how she navigated building a family while grieving the loss of her mother and how life has a way of presenting beautiful beginnings when they are most needed.
Guest: Sarah Liggett, Progyny Member and Dr. Barrett Cowan, Posterity Health
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
It’s National Infertility Awareness Week and this year we have one central theme – one we discuss frequently on this podcast – the importance and need for employer-sponsored fertility and family building benefits. We’ve heard from previous guests about how to advocate for coverage from within an organization, the view point from a benefits consultant on why it’s important, and today’s guest sheds light on what it was like to find a family building benefit while being a patient herself.
In this episode we hear how Ashley S. went through her own infertility struggle that led to a diagnosis of PCOS and multiple prescriptions of Clomid. It also led her to realize that she could play a role in bringing family building benefits to a company that didn’t previously have them. Ashely advocated for a benefit, vetted through all the different options in the market, and realized that Progyny’s benefit plan design could meet the needs of her organization, including herself.
A reminder that if you’re looking to bring family building coverage to your organization, visit Progyny’s Talk to HR page or Progyny’s Employers page for additional resources.
Guest: Ashley S., Benefits Professional
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Today’s guest was thrusted into the world of infertility and soon became a co-founder to address the lack of education when it came to reproductive health. Kristyn Hodgdon was first diagnosed with PCOS after getting married and embarked on a long journey which included IUI, IVF, miscarriage, twins, and everything in between.
Along this journey, Kristyn came to the conclusion that there was no reason to bear the experience of fertility treatment alone. A cathartic blog turned into something bigger, which today Kristyn and her co-founder Abby call, Rescripted.
In this episode, Kristyn walks us through her family building journey, the importance of having family building care, and creating a community filled with support.
Guest: Kristyn Hodgdon, Rescripted, Progyny Member
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
This episode features a guest who is not new to this podcast, or to Progyny at all. You may remember her from Episode 34: Transforming Pain into Bundles of Joy, where she described turning her experience with infertility into the Bundles of Joy foundation which has now distributed a million dollars in grant money to those struggling with infertility.
Today Samantha Busch joins us to discuss her most recent step on her family building journey, gestational surrogacy. She shares what’s been happening over the last few years, what the transition was like to carrying her own child, to how she found someone to carry her second. We also hear from Dr. Dorette Noorhasan a reproductive endocrinologist and fertility expert from CCRM Dallas Fort Worth. Dr. Noorhasan describes both her personal and professional experience with finding a gestational carrier, and how being the patient has altered her experience as the provider.
Guest: Samantha Busch, Bundle of Joy Foundation, and Dr. Dorette Noorhasan, CCRM Dallas
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
In today’s episode our guest, Carolynn Dubé, shares her family building journey with a few universal themes and emotions that many of our guests and this community has shared – the frustration, disappointment, sadness, and moments of hope. Carolynn also opens the question of, is Canada doing enough to support those struggling with infertility?
Join us as Carolynn shares her experience with male factor infertility, multiple rounds of IVF, the emotional and financial toll this journey took on her and her husband, and how she’s on a mission to change access to family building care in Canada with Fertility Matters Canada.
Guest: Carolynn Dubé, Executive Director, Fertility Matters Canada
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
In honor of Black History Month, we’re highlighting a story that we know all too well – the fight with fibroids. This condition impacts about 80% of Black women and while it’s common, many will never know they have it or require medical intervention.
In today’s episode, we speak to Shannon Walker about the barriers to expanding her family. She’s challenged with secondary infertility, fibroids, the COVID-19 pandemic, financial barriers, and physicians who didn’t understand her needs. Shannon was starting to lose hope till one day her husband joined Microsoft. She quickly learned about the Progyny benefit offered through Microsoft and realized this journey wasn’t over.
Guest: Shannon Walker, Progyny Member
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Fertility 101: Uterine Fibroids - https://progyny.com/education/podcast/episode-92/
The Fertility 101 Series, because there’s no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.
In today’s episode, our host speaks with five doctors about how a person can prepare to meet with a fertility doctor. They answer questions ranging from, “What should you bring to the initial evaluation?” to, “What is a transvaginal ultrasound and how do you prepare for that?”
Let this episode serve as a good starting place to ease any anxiety or questions about the family building journey.
For additional resources and answers to frequently asked questions, check out:
- Frequently Asked Questions During a Fertility Journey
- 8 Tips To Getting Started with Fertility Treatments
- Progyny Webinar: Your Family Building Journey with Progyny
Guests: Dr. Michael Drews from RMA of New Jersey, Dr. Jenny Brown from Northeastern Reproductive Medicine, Dr. Linnea Goodman from Virginia Fertility and IVF, Dr. Thomas Molinaro, from RMA of New Jersey, Dr. Cathy Hong from RMA of New Jersey
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Welcome back to season six of This is Infertility! As you may have heard from the trailer, we have a new season filled with new guests, new stories, and new twists and turns but one thing that has stayed constant through all the episodes and seasons – people who want to share their story with the infertility community.
In today’s episode, we hear from Russ Freyman, a former Google employee, who wanted to continue to build his family with his wife. After trying for some time, they found themselves hitting a wall. So, they decided to turn to medical intervention. While they were going through treatment, Russ and his wife kept reminding each other, there was nothing wrong with facing this challenge. People start their families in so many different ways and this was just part of their story. Russ dives into their diagnosis, different treatment paths, how Progyny’s Patient Care Advocate saved the day, and an unexpected twist at the end.
Guest: Russ Freyman, Progyny member
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast, and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
This is Infertility is back with a brand-new season! Join us on Jan 16th as we kick off season 6. We have new guests, new twists, new turns, and stories filled with hope, wonder, and everything in between.
Be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with your family, friends, and loved ones. We’ll be releasing a new episode every other week.
At Progyny, we believe in the flexibility and power of giving patients the ability to choose -- choose their doctors, choose the best treatment plan, and ultimately choose what feels comfortable during their journey. For this season’s recap, we decided to highlight episodes that featured choice and adversity and how some of our guests have overcome the unfortunate realities we sometimes face on the path to parenthood.
As a result of physical, emotional, and financial roadblocks, we now know how important it is to advocate for fertility benefits in the workplace. If you want help and don’t know where to start, Progyny is here for that too, go to progyny.com/talktohr, and we’ll provide you with the information you need to start the conversation.
Here are the full episodes from our recap:
-
Episode 145: Infertility in the Military From a Male's POV
-
Episode 126: Unexpected Detours of Black Woman on the Journey to Parenthood
- Episode 138: From “That’s Not Good Enough” to Parenthood
- Episode 130: Fighting for Fertility Coverage: Advocating from Within
Guests: Justin Smith, Delaine Williams, Caitlin Day, Chrissy Hogie Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Today’s episode highlights something we talk about a lot on This Is Infertility — how a fertility doctor can make a huge difference in one’s journey. Today’s guest, Amber Walther, discovered soon after trying to start a family, that the process wouldn’t be so “cut and dry.” As a teacher, Amber’s plan was to take some time from school and hopefully return after the summer break with a new family member. parenthood.
Nowhere in her plan did she account for how much time it would take to find the right care. In this episode, we’ll hear about Amber’s journey and how she went through multiple Clomid prescriptions, three rounds of IVF, and a friend in the field, to get to where she is today.
Guest: Amber Walther, High School Teacher
Host: Julie Campbell, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, ocomment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Today’s episode is a little different than the usual personal encounters with infertility we share on this podcast, but in celebration of Veterans Day, we wanted to bring you a special episode. Today, we are joined by Anne Marie Dougherty, CEO of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. This foundation was started to support Veterans through physical care, beyond what they receive from Veteran health care. Join us as we learn more about this organization and about their VIVA program, a fund that provides fertility assistance to Veterans.
Guest: Anne Marie Dougherty, CEO of the Bob Woodruff Foundation
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Today’s guest is Progyny’s own, Justin Smith. Prior to joining the Progyny team, Justin spent 17 years in the U.S. Military service as an Army Medic. During the peak of the war with Iraq and Afghanistan, Justin was on the brink of battling something he had yet to encounter, infertility.
In this episode, Justin takes us on the journey of what it was like to be in the military and go through fertility treatment. Looking back on the four IUI cycles and three IVF cycles that he had endured with his partner at the time, Justin believes in the importance of speaking up about your infertility before treatment is no longer an option.
Guest: Justin Smith, Progyny
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Today’s guest has been on the podcast before. In Episode 54, Emily Rich shared her experience with freezing embryos prior to going through cancer treatment. Now, as that battle has passed, Emily shares with us something extremely special.
Throughout this episode, we go along with Emily on her family building journey in real-time. Through video updates, she documented her process from the moment she came off her cancer medication, to the moment she first heard her son’s heartbeat. Emily takes us through the full frontal oncofertility experience, and every emotion that comes with it.
Guest: Emily Rich, Progyny member
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Today’s guests are Demi and Tom Schweers. Once the couple got married and bought a home, they started thinking about creating a family, but things have proved a bit more complicated than originally planned. Demi was diagnosed with both multiple sclerosis (MS) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and the couple suffered two miscarriages, but these challenges have only strengthened the couple, who are currently going through their first IVF cycle.
Throughout their journey, Demi and Tom have shared via social media (primarily to their nearly 2 million TikTok followers). Today, the couple share with us their tips for supporting your partner through loss and how partnership is the foundation of healing. For more from Demi and Tom, check out their TikTok @demiandtom.
Guest: Demi and Tom Schweers
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Today’s guest enters the realm of fertility treatments despite never in her 38 years being diagnosed with infertility. Angela Hatem’s journey began with seeking out a sperm donor to fulfill the one thing that she wanted but couldn't have without a partner: a child.
What she expected to be a fairly simple journey turned out to be quite complex. In today’s episode, we hear how Angela goes from thinking fertility treatments are a guarantee to conquering Clomid, ovarian cysts, seven rounds of IUI, and three rounds of IVF, all on her quest to motherhood.
Guest: Angela Hatem, freelance writer
Host: Lissa Kline, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Today’s guest enters the realm of fertility treatments despite never in her 38 years being diagnosed with infertility. Angela Hatem’s journey began with seeking out a sperm donor to fulfill the one thing that she wanted but couldn't have without a partner: a child.
What she expected to be a fairly simple journey turned out to be quite complex. In today’s episode, we hear how Angela goes from thinking fertility treatments are a guarantee to conquering Clomid, ovarian cysts, seven rounds of IUI, and three rounds of IVF, all on her quest to motherhood.
Guest: Angela Hatem, freelance writer
Host: Lissa Kline, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Marilyn Gomez is a mother to a rainbow baby named Mila. But like many Latin women, she faced many stereotypical assumptions and comments as she worked to grow her family. After five and a half years of Clomid, IUI, and IVF, she and her husband finally found success after pairing their treatment with pre-implantation genetic testing, increasing their odds of a healthy pregnancy and baby.
In this episode, we hear from Marilyn about something that changed her life completely — the infertility community. This community became the support system she needed during her treatment. These friends have been through the thick of infertility with her, and inspired her to create her own community with inspirational t-shirts called, Infertile Tees.
We’re also hosting a webinar called, “Infertility in the Latinx and Hispanic Communities”, that will feature Marilyn Gomez and dive into common myths about infertility in these communities, how to get the support you need, and where to access information and care. This discussion is open to anyone who wants to learn more about a family building journey and is free and open to anyone who would like to attend. For more information and to register for this webinar, see here.
Guest: Marilyn Gomez
Host: Crystal Cid, Patient Care Advocate at Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Marilyn Gomez is a mother to a rainbow baby named Mila. But like many Latin women, she faced many stereotypical assumptions and comments as she worked to grow her family. After five and a half years of Clomid, IUI, and IVF, she and her husband finally found success after pairing their treatment with pre-implantation genetic testing, increasing their odds of a healthy pregnancy and baby.
In this episode, we hear from Marilyn about something that changed her life completely — the infertility community. This community became the support system she needed during her treatment. These friends have been through the thick of infertility with her, and inspired her to create her own community with inspirational t-shirts called, Infertile Tees.
We’re also hosting a webinar called, “Infertility in the Latinx and Hispanic Communities”, that will feature Marilyn Gomez and dive into common myths about infertility in these communities, how to get the support you need, and where to access information and care. This discussion is open to anyone who wants to learn more about a family building journey and is free and open to anyone who would like to attend. For more information and to register for this webinar, see here.
Guest: Marilyn Gomez
Host: Crystal Cid, Patient Care Advocate at Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
There are few things scarier than excruciating, physical pain for a reason unknown. Except, maybe, experiencing the worst pain of your life while on a three-hour flight, fainting, and waking up with an oxygen mask, surrounded by concerned flight attendants urging the pilot to make an emergency landing.
That is exactly what happened to today’s guest, Dontaria Terrell, when a cyst burst 30,000 feet in the air. Dontaria had been ignoring her pain, assuming it was normal. Her emergency surgery led to the discovery of Uterine Fibroids, propelling Dontaria to think critically about her health, reproductive future and fertility preservation.
Guest: Dontaira Terrell, Entertainment Journalist and On-Air Host
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
“Do you want to have kids?”
For some people this question may come with ease, for others, it may raise more questions and emotions. Today’s guest is comfortable with not knowing whether or not she sees herself as a parent but most importantly she’s given the ability to pursue a treatment that can preserve her fertility if she decided to change her mind.
In this episode, we hear from Sarah Fisher Lu on why she deferred her decision to have a child by freezing her eggs with Progyny. She explains what this experience was like, how Progyny’s Patient Care Advocates (PCA) made her feel comfortable and supported, and she will never regret this decision.
Guest: Sarah Fisher Lu, Progyny Member
Host: Lola Lorber, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Going through IVF is challenging no matter what, but the difference between going through treatment without coverage and then again with coverage, can make a big difference.
Today’s guest shares her experiences with IVF before and after receiving the Progyny benefit through her employer. Caitlin Day expresses the overwhelming process of managing every aspect of her fertility treatment, and how much of a relief it was to find assistance and personalization through Progyny.
She emphasizes that fertility treatments are not a one size fits all solution. After receiving the benefit, Caitlin felt empowered – like her journey was unique to her – and not dictated by dollar maximums or “run of the mill” care.
Guest: Caitlin Day, Progyny Member
Host: Russ Freyman, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
The Fertility 101 Series, because there’s no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.
In today’s episode, we explore Endometrial Receptivity Testing, a clinical aspect of embryo transfer and implantation. Mike Large, from CooperSurgical, walks us through the process and breaks down some of the complicated language and mechanics that go with it.
Mike explains the proper window of implantation, how it isn’t the same for everyone, and how a test called ERPeak can help determine this timing. He provides a step-by-step description of the process women go through to pinpoint the most valuable time to implant an embryo, shedding light on a process commonly discussed by doctors and embryologists, but not always talked about with patients.
Guest: Mike Large, Senior Director of Life Sciences Innovation at CooperSurgical
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
o two fertility journeys are the same, and with unique nuances of the emotional, physical, and financial strains on the parent(s), the path to parenthood is often long and strenuous. While immediate success with treatment like IUI or IVF is ideal, sometimes a happy ending takes time.
In this episode, we hear from Hilary Patterson, a Progyny member with a diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve, and hear how she persevered through her fertility challenges. Hilary’s experience includes trying to conceive for a year, attempting IUI for six months, and going through IVF as a last resort after learning she had the Progyny benefit. Her path to parenthood was surely not what she was expecting, but the journey was well worth the result.
Guest: Hilary Patterson, Teacher, Infertility Advocate, and Progyny Member
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
The Fertility 101 Series, because there’s no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.
Dr. Lowell Ku from Dallas IVF will help break down what can lower sperm quality, thus impacting overall male fertility. Each of these causes start with the letter T and can serve as a good reminder to practice healthy habits.
To reference the episode around male infertility, check out Episode 108: Fertility 101: Male Factor Infertility
Guests: Dr. Lowell Ku, Dallas IVF
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
June is Pride Month and with all the different paths to parenthood available for LGBTQ+ couples and individuals, it’s a great time to elevate these voices from the community. In today’s episode, we meet Heather and Jess Camarillo, a same-sex couple from California who struggled to start their family and documented the process on their Instagram.
While the couple wasn’t surprised they needed to go through fertility treatment, a diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve left them in shock. Hear how Heather and Jessica navigated multiple rounds of IVF, embryo adoption, and the impact of having Progyny through Heather’s employer, LinkedIn. The Camarillo’s are currently writing a book about their journey to parenthood and trying for baby number two.
Guests: Heather & Jess Camarillo, Progyny members
Host: Crystal Cid, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
The Fertility 101 Series, because there’s no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.
In today’s episode, we explain holistic approaches that can often be additive when trying to conceive or struggling with infertility. Acupuncture, bodywork, and Eastern Medicine are used to treat stress, target inflammation, and promote energy flow, healing many ailments and potentially aiding in a healthy pregnancy. Dr. Daryl Thuroff from New York’s Yinova Center breaks down Eastern Medicine and fertility to how it works, what you can expect, and how it can integrate with treatment recommended by a fertility specialist.
Guest: Daryl Thuroff, DACM, LAc, LMT, Yinova Center
Host: Shannon Zuber
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
It’s National Infertility Awareness Week, and this year, we’ve crafted two episodes that address the age-old truth: it takes a village. Not only does it take a village to raise a child as the saying goes, but it also often takes a village to start or grow a family, especially with an infertility diagnosis. Reproductive endocrinologists, nurses, Patient Care Advocates, managers, and HR leaders all play a crucial role in the journey, but a personal support system – friends, family, or a partner, can be the crux of someone’s village. Earlier this week, we talked to Cristina Loughrey, a Progyny Member who underwent IVF to conceive a baby girl, and while the journey was trying on Cristina, her partner, Ian, felt the emotional hardships of infertility, too. In today’s episode, Ian details his path to parenthood, from deciding to go through treatment, navigating the Progyny fertility benefit, supporting his partner through IVF, and the emotional burden infertility can have on a couple. Although their journey was difficult, their love and mutual support carried them through a successful pregnancy and healthy birth.
Guests: Ian Armstrong, UX Manager at Dell
Host: Lissa Kline, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
It’s National Infertility Awareness Week, and this year, we’ve crafted two episodes that address the age-old truth: it takes a village. Not only does it take a village to raise a child as the saying goes, but it also often takes a village to start or grow a family, especially when challenged with infertility. Reproductive Endocrinologists, Nurses, Patient Care Advocates, managers and HR leaders, partners, family members and friends may all step up, but at the end of the day, the journey starts with you.
That was certainly true for Cristina Loughrey on her journey to motherhood. Cristina spent much of her 20’s and 30’s focused on building her career, and not having found the perfect partner, she began to accept that motherhood may not be in the cards for her. Then Cristina found Ian, and together, they found Progyny.
Cristina’s village included her partner, her employer, her doctor, and care team who helped her through multiple rounds of IVF in a single year, and eventually a pregnancy. In this episode, Cristina details her journey through infertility, stress, and the possibility of the treatment being unsuccessful.
Guests: Cristina Loughrey, Senior Manager of Content Strategy and Narrative Architect at LinkedIn
Host: Lissa Kline, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast pageand Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcastand use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Two years ago, we shared the story of Chrissy Hogie’s long fertility journey which included IVF, pregnancy loss, and all the ups and downs she went through in the process. If you haven’t listened yet, here is Episode 77: Heart Shaped Uterus, Low Sperm, and a Successful Pregnancy.
Like many who are on this journey, Chrissy was inspired to change the way people accessed care for fertility treatments. She realized that she could be the one to “push” and work with her employer to add comprehensive fertility and family building coverage. In this episode, Chrissy discusses how she was able to support her HR and benefits team to find a fertility benefit solution that addressed all the needs of a fertility patient and was inclusive of the entire workforce.
If you’re inspired by this episode and would like to make the case to bring fertility benefits to your organization, visit Progyny.com/TalktoHR to get started.
Guests: Chrissy Hogie, Infertility Advocate
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Intimacy may not feel like an important aspect of someone’s infertility journey, but ultimately, it can be critical. There are more conversations about the physical and financial struggles that people face as opposed to the mental and emotional struggle – which are equally as important. In today’s episode, Dr. Jacqueline Sherman, an Intimacy and Relationship Coach, shares how she helps coach her patients through this important but often neglected issue. Drawing inspiration from her own experiences with loss and infertility, Dr. Jac offers some tips on how to re-establish that emotional connection with your partner while going through a fertility journey.
Guest: Dr. Jac Sherman, Intimacy & Relationship Coach
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
The Fertility 101 Series, because there’s no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert. Today’s topic focuses on surrogacy and what’s part of this process – especially from the legal slide. Dean Hutchinson from Circle Surrogacy gives insight into the different regulations for each state, the required psychological evaluations for in depth matching, legal parenting rights, and other intricacies that are part of this family building process.
Guests: Dean Hutchinson, Vice President of legal services at Circle Surrogacy
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Finding the right doctor can be difficult and finding one with a similar background or who looks like you can be even harder when you’re a part of an underserved community. This issue, which often impacts women of color, was exactly what Ashlee Wisdom and Eddwina Bright set out to solve.
Enter Health in Her Hue, a digital platform that connects Black women and women of color to culturally competent and sensitive healthcare providers and offers health information and content that centers their lived experience. Founded by Ashlee and Eddwina, Health in Her Hue helps Black women navigate the healthcare system and find doctors who address their unique concerns.
In today’s episode, Ashlee and Eddwina discuss the importance of advocacy, representation, and support when it comes to infertility in the Black community.
Guests: Ashlee Wisdom and Eddwina Bright, Health in Her Hue
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Frustration, confusion, and disappointment may be common feelings when going through a family building journey. But to have those feelings directed towards your physician is entirely different. For Delaine Williams, she felt dismissed by her doctor and the weight and reality of navigating the healthcare system as a Black woman became a bigger challenge. In this episode, we hear how Delaine had to advocate for herself, the split decisions she had to make about her body after being diagnosed with uterine fibroids and endometriosis, and how rounds of IUI and IVF lead to questioning what path was right.
Guest: Delaine Williams, Progyny
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
The Fertility 101 Series, because there’s no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.
In today’s episode, we discuss how someone can choose the right fertility clinic for their needs. Dr. Paul Lin of Seattle Reproductive Medicine discusses what requirements and key things someone should look for when assessing a fertility clinic. He also offers tips on how to identify a clinic’s specialties, what factors to consider before and during the first visit, and how to ensure you’re getting the best treatment.
Guest: Dr. Paul Lin, SRM
Host: Selena Campbell, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast pageand Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcastand use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Many times, the family building journey can make someone feel alone and without help. This sentiment rang true to Priya Santhanam, Ph.D., a scientist and engineer in the STEM field.
In Priya’s culture, having children is an important life milestone and she, like so many others, imagined a life that followed the blueprint of get a degree, have a successful career, have kids, and maintain a harmonious work/life balance. Things didn’t exactly go as planned.
Her experience with miscarriage, IUI, IVF and successfully navigating her employer’s fertility benefit was the start of her advocacy. When Priya began her journey, she found the lack of women in STEM led to an inherent lack of women in STEM talking about fertility. This gap and her own experience led her to become a tireless advocate for infertility awareness in her field.
On today’s episode, Priya walks us through the importance of emotional support while on a fertility journey, the crucial impact of a robust family planning benefit, and the need to bring conversations around infertility to the forefront for women in all industries.
Guest: Priya Santhanam, Progyny Member
Host: Lissa Kline Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
As we close the chapter of 2021, we’re also closing out season 4 of This is Infertility -- a season full of emotional first-hand stories, education from leading fertility doctors, and tales of tangible changes from the trailblazers and advocates in the fertility community.
This season's year-end episode highlights the six-part series we released in April as part of National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) and features several experts who fight in different areas of their lives for fertility coverage.
There are so many ways to be an advocate, such as listening to and subscribing to this podcast, so we thank you for being part of this community. Our podcast is nothing without the collective knowledge and experience from the fertility patients and professionals that we feature.
Season 5 will be back on January 10!
Here are the six full-length episodes referenced in this recap:
- Episode 98: Fighting for Fertility Coverage: State Mandate in North Dakota
- Episode 99: Fighting for Fertility Coverage: Benefits Consultants Taking the Lead
- Episode 100: Fighting for Fertility Coverage: State Mandate in New York and Beyond
- Episode 101: Fighting for Fertility Coverage: State Mandate in Colorado
- Episode 102: Fighting for Fertility Coverage: Supporting Advocacy Groups and Companies
- Episode 103: Fighting for Fertility Coverage: Bringing Benefits to An Employer
Hosts: Dan Bulger, This is Infertility Producer and Editor
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Scott McGahey and his wife were among the 1 in 8 that struggled with infertility – their attempts at IUI and IVF failed, and when their employer-sponsored coverage ran out, the couple started thinking their dream of starting a family was impossible.
Just as the couple started considering other options, Scott got amazing news. His employer, Willis Tower Watson, had enacted Progyny, meaning Scott and his wife could continue their family building journey on their own terms – with financial help and support from a Patient Care Advocate.
Today’s episode dives into Scott’s journey – filled with challenges, heartache, and the surprise of a lifetime – finally becoming a dad.
Guest: Scott McGahey, Progyny
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
When it comes to family building, the holidays can be a time of heightened anxiety, sensitive conversations, and awkward family encounters. Dealing with infertility can prove to be challenging on its own but paired with pressing questions from relatives can really make one feel as though it’s their fault.
Today’s episode features tips on how to handle tough situations and challenging questions about family building this holiday season, as well as leaning on partner support, distancing yourself when need be, and creating new traditions. Being around family during the holidays can bring up many emotions but it is important to remember that you are not alone.
While this episode is definitely worth the listen, we understand that life gets busy and have provided a summary for you here.
Experts: Dr. Georgia Witkin, Progyny; Regina Townsend, The Broken Brown Egg; Khaled Kteily, Legacy
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
The challenges of life and building a family can bring the best or the worst out of people, but in this case, it was both. This episode follows the story of Keia Jones-Baldwin, a woman who showed substantial amounts of physical and emotional strength during tough times. After going through countless miscarriages, empty conversations with fertility specialists, and more failed experiences, Keia began to blame herself. It came to a point where Keia and her husband, Richard , decided that it was time to look at other family building options.
Hear how Keia and Richard navigated fertility treatments, surrogacy, foster to adopt, and a challenge they didn’t think they’d encounter – the experience around a transracial adoption. Keia opens up about her experience around having a Caucasian baby, the need to educate others, and one universal theme of, “you don’t need to look alike to love alike.”
Guest: Keia Jones-Baldwin, Clinical Therapist and Life Coach
Host: Selena Campbell , Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
A family building journey may not always be straight forward and easy. And most times those feelings of hope and positivity may fade into confusion and gut-wrenching disappointment. This is what it was like for Claire and Patrick Gibson. As time passed and fertility treatments failed, Claire continued to struggle to find the right answers. However, those answers led to a breath of fresh air, building a family through adoption.
In this episode, Claire discusses her debate over fostering or adopting a child, the experience and difference between domestic and international adoption, and what led her and husband to their decision.
Guest: Claire Gibson, author of Beyond the Point
Host: Lissa Kline, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
COVID-19 and its aftermath has changed everything, leaving us with more questions on how to navigate this new normal. When it comes to the vaccine and fertility, pregnancy, and trying to conceive, new concerns have come to light about how to proceed. Progyny’s Lissa Kline, Senior Vice President of Provider and Member Services, and Dr. Alan Copperman, Progyny’s Medical Director, sat down in a recent webinar to discuss these key learnings, including the vaccine, booster shots, and how it impacts your family building journey.
While this episode is definitely worth the listen, we understand that life gets busy and have provided a summary for you here.
Expert: Dr. Alan Copperman, Progyny and RMA of NY.
Host: Lissa Kline, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the#ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Molly Ryman was nearing her due date with her second daughter, who she and her husband, Matt, had named Mabel, when suddenly, the baby stopped moving. An ultrasound revealed Mabel’s heart had stopped beating. Molly, Matt and their daughter were left to pick up the pieces.
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month so this week, Molly sat down with her friend and our colleague, Lissa Kline, for a deeply personal conversation about pregnancy loss, grief, motherhood, strength, and the importance of connections.
Guest: Molly Ryman, Actress
Host: Lissa Kline, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss and Awareness Month, and we want to shed light on the painful reality that is Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, sometimes shortened to RPL. RPL is a diagnosis when a patient experiences two or more miscarriages. And while this reality can be overwhelming, it’s crucial to understand how common miscarriages are and not self-blame.
On today’s episode, Dr. Lora Shahine of Pacific Northwest Fertility answers those common questions associated with RPL, the differrent treatment options, and reminds us that no matter what, we’re not broken.
Guest: Lora Shahine, Pacific Northwest Fertility
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
The Fertility 101 Series, because there’s no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.
In today’s episode, we talk about oncofertility and the opportunity this gives to patients for life after cancer. Dr. Wael Salem of CCRM San Francisco joins us to help breakdown the most common questions and misconceptions when it comes to fertility preservation before undergoing cancer treatment.
Guest: Dr. Wael Salem, CCRM San Francisco
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast pageand Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcastand use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Sometimes trying to have a child using your own eggs can be dangerous or impossible – this is where an egg donor comes in. We hear a lot about egg donation from the clinical perspective or from the intended parents, but what is the process like for the egg donor?
Holly Smith has donated her eggs to six different families. In today’s episode, she shares the physical and emotional aspects of her journey, recounts her own fertility experience, and stresses the importance and beauty in providing joy for others trying to conceive.
Guest: Holly Smith, Progyny Patient Care Advocate
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
There are a multitude of challenges that people face on their family building journey -- whether it’s being misdiagnosed, not having enough information about your health, or facing a global pandemic. Angela Vega experienced all three, among others.
Angela, a Progyny member through Expedia, was initially misdiagnosed with endometriosis at an early age but when she decided she wanted to have kids, they correctly diagnosed her with PCOS. Once she learnt what was going on in her body, she had to deal with a whole new set of challenges. From a misdiagnosis, to IVF, to finding fertility coverage, to having a baby while testing positive for COVID, Angela covers everything in her journey and what the experience taught her.
Guest: Angela Vega, Progyny Member
Host: Dan Bulger
Interested in learning more about how to bring the Progyny benefit to your workplace? Visit www.progyny.com/talktohr to learn more.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
The Fertility 101 Series, because there’s no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.
In today’s episode, we discuss PCOS and the challenges that come with it. Dr. Todd Deutsch from Advanced Reproductive Center educates us on the causes of PCOS, treatment options, and how PCOS impacts fertility and family building.
Guest: Dr. Todd Deutsch, Advanced Reproductive Center
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast pageand Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
For more episodes around PCOS, check out series:
- Episode 13: PCOS and Fertility: Getting Pregnant with PCOS
- Episode 14: PCOS and Fertility: Creating Awareness about PCOS
- Episode 15: PCOS and Fertility: When the PCOS Symptoms Don’t Match
- Episode 49: PCOS and Fertility: Why it’s a Serious Challenge to Get Pregnant with PCOS
- Episode 50: PCOS and Fertility: How Certain Foods Can Help with PCOS Symptoms
- Episode 51: PCOS and Fertility: An IVF Baby After Ectopic Pregnancies
- Episode 82: PCOS and Fertility: An early diagnosis, IUIs, IVF, and Baby Liv
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcastand use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
One thing always leads to another, and in Eloise’s case, her actions illuminated a path of happiness and health for one family after another. Eloise Drain, founder of Family Inceptions and Reproductive Association of Minority Professionals (RAMP), started by donating her kidney to her cousin, and eventually Eloise found herself as a gestational carrier for many grateful couples over the years.
In this episode, Eloise talks about the process of being an egg donor and gestational carrier, as well as the ups and downs that come with it. During her journey, Eloise noticed the discrepancies in healthcare for women of color when she was told that “black women don’t have fertility issues.” This influenced her to create Family Inceptions, an agency that seeks out surrogates or egg donors that carefully places them with others who are a perfect match for them, as well as RAMP, an agency designed to prioritize minorities in their family building journey.
Guest: Eloise Drain, Family Inceptions, Reproductive Association of Multiethnic Professionals
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
We’ve said often on this podcast that sharing a journey can be very cathartic for both the person sharing as well as for the audience. This was certainly the case for author Amy Klein, author and fertility advocate who chronicled her four-year journey with IVF and recurrent pregnancy loss through a column in the New York Times and eventually, a book.
Amy’s story consists of ten doctors, nine rounds of IVF, four miscarriages, an international move, and eventually, a healthy baby girl. And while Amy’s experience was unique to her and her husband, her stories and advice have already helped thousands out there struggling with their own version of infertility.
Guest: Amy Klein, The Trying Game: Get Through Fertility Treatment and Get Pregnant Without Losing Your Mind
Host: Dan Bulger
If you want to purchase ‘The Trying Game’, you can find it here.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Society has come a long wayin finally providing fertility and family building benefits for same-sex male couples and single fathers by choice. But this journey can be complex and confusing. Which is why, for our third installment of our Journey to Fatherhood series, we pulled a panel of experts to give an overview on how to build family with a surrogate, donor eggs, and adoption. We also dive into how to maintain the relationships around you and how to ask for emotional support.
While this episode is definitely worth the listen, we understand that life gets busy and have provided a summary for you here.
If you missed our previous installments, check out:
Bonus Episode 11: Journey To Fatherhood: Finding Support in the Journey
Bonus Episode 13: Journey To Fatherhood: Male Infertility 101
Experts: Brandon Johnson, MHS, LGSW, Infertility Isn’t Inferior, Dr. Bradford A. Kolb, HRC Fertility and Progyny’s Medical Advisory Board
Host: Dr. Georgia Witkin, Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the#ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
When it comes to a family building journey, there are a lot of decisions to make along the way. ART has transformed family building options for the LGBTQ+ community, but there aren’t a ton of data points and studies chronicling their experiences.
Same-sex male couples have many options when it comes to family building, some of which could include finding a gestational carrier, donor tissue purchase, embryo transfer, PGT-A testing. etc. Progyny and some of its medical partners, including Dr. Mark Leondires, Fertility Specialist at RMA of Connecticut, facilitated a study assessing the clinical decisions same-sex male couples have to make throughout their journey. Tune into today’s episode to hear him discuss the findings and detail the experience of same-sex couple family building.
Expert: Dr. Mark Leondires, RMA of Connecticut, Gay Parents to Be
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Did you know that one in three infertility cases is due to male factor? Which is actually just as common as female factor infertility. Male factor infertility has always been a taboo topic, but it’s time to start talking about male reproductive health and prioritizing a man’s journey on his path to parenthood.
It can be hard to figure out where to start when it comes to tests, treatments, or just finding emotional support throughout the process. Join Dr. McCoy, a director of surgery and male fertility, and Dr. O’Shaughnessy, a reproductive endocrinologist, in learning how men can take the first step in maintaining a healthy lifestyle which contributes to their family building journey.
While this webinar is definitely worth the listen, we understand that life gets busy and have provided a summary for you here.
Experts: Travis W. McCoy, Director of Surgery and Male Infertility at Piedmont Reproductive Endocrinology Group, Althea O’Shaughnessy, Reproductive Endocrinologist at Conceptions Reproductive Associates of Colorado
Host: Dan Bulger, Producer and Host of This Is Infertility Podcast
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the#ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
A lot of pressure is placed on women to start thinking about family building early in their lives due to the “fertility window” or “biological clock”.
Katie Becker, a Progyny member through Hearst (she works at Elle Magazine), felt the weight of having to pick between starting a family or focusing on her career. Katie’s journey led her to fertility preservation, aka egg freezing, which was made financially possible by her employer-sponsored coverage.
In this episode, Katie discusses the factors that went into her decision, and how sharing her story via Instagram helped build a safe space for other women going through the same process.
Check out Katie’s article on all things egg freezing to learn more about her experience!
Guest: Katie Becker, Progyny member
Host: Dan Bulger
Interested in learning more about how to bring the Progyny benefit to your workplace? Visit www.progyny.com/talktohr to learn more!
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Due to advancements in assisted reproductive technology (ART) and more inclusive employer-sponsored family building coverage, the LGBTQ+ community has more options on their paths to parenthood than ever before. One of the most utilized technologies for LGBTQ+ singles or couples is donor tissue – the use of donor egg and/or sperm.
Tissue donation can be confusing to navigate, so Progyny recently hosted a webinar to discuss the ins and outs. Join Dr. Georgia Witkin, donor egg and sperm expert, as she explores how and why donor egg of sperm may be a good option, what to consider during the process, and the difference between a known donation vs. using an egg and sperm bank.
While this webinar is definitely worth the listen, we understand that life gets busy and have provided a summary for you here.
Experts: Jaime Shamonki, Chief Medical Officer at Generate Life Sciences, Juan P. Alvarez, Reproductive Endocrinologist at Fertility Centers of Illinois
Host: Dr. Georgia Witkin, Head of Member Services Development at Progyny, Assistant Professor of OB-GYN and Reproductive Sciences and Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Mount Sinai
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the#ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Family building comes with its ups and downs, but as the old saying goes, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.
That was the case for Matt Walters and his wife, Corinne. The couple went through IUI, IVF, and even a miscarriage, on their journey to create a family, but the difficult times gave way to a strengthened relationship and an appreciation of life’s small moments.
Matt, who has the Progyny benefit through his employer, LinkedIn, talks about the reassurance he felt through the support system at Progyny and how the couple felt a sense of relief when exploring fertility options without the steep financial burden.
Guest: Matt Walters, Progyny Member, LinkedIn
Host: Julie Hunt
Interested in learning more about how to bring the Progyny benefit to your workplace? Visit www.progyny.com/talktohr to learn more!
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
One of the largest misconceptions we hear is that infertility is a women’s issue when in fact, female-factor infertility is only the cause a third of the time. One third is attributed to male-factor reasons, and a third of the time it is either unexplained or a combination.
That is why we at Progyny are launching a three-part webinar series on men and infertility.
Our first installment focused on the emotional impact infertility can have on men, who often suffer in silence. Our experts discussed how to ask for support, talk about the journey, and recover from a loss.
While this webinar is definitely worth the listen, we understand that life gets busy and have provided a summary for you here.
Experts: Will Rivera II, Co-founder, Fertility in Colour for Men, Denny Ceizyk, Author of Almost a Father, Arthur J. McGrath, LCSW, CST, BCN, MPA, Psychotherapist
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the#ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
The Fertility 101 Series, because there’s no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.
In today’s episode, we explain some of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to fertility, male-factor infertility, and how lifestyle choices impact fertility.
Dr. Natan Bar-Chama, a reproductive urologist and Progyny network specialist, walks us through everything you need to know on male-factor infertility. Tune into this episode to also learn about how a post-COVID environment has made it easier for men to take the first steps in their family building journey.
Expert: Dr. Bar-Chama, Progyny Network Specialist, RMA of New York, Mount Sinai Hospital
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
June is Pride Month, and this year we have an update from a couple we featured previously: Samantha and Jessica Pace. They shared their journey in this episode: Episode 75: LGBTQ+ Family Building: 10 IUIs Before IVF Success.
When we left off, Jessica and Samantha were expecting their first child through IVF, after going through 10 failed IUIs first. Excitedly awaiting their daughter, the Paces had no idea that the COVID-19 pandemic was just around the corner, and their first taste of motherhood would be very different than they expected.
In today’s episode, Jessica and Samantha give us an update on motherhood, while Dr. Paula Amato of Oregon Health and Science University highlights family building options for same-sex couples.
Guests: Samantha and Jessica Pace, Progyny Members
Expert: Dr. Paula Amato, Fertility Specialist at Oregon Health and Science University
Host: Dan Bulger
You can find Jessica and Samantha Pace’s first episode here.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Mental health awareness and prioritization are certainly on the rise. As May was Mental Health Awareness Month, we at Progyny wanted to shed light on the serious intersection of mental health and fertility.
Family building and fertility treatment can be incredibly stressful. In fact, 55% of people feel infertility is more stressful than unemployment and 61% feel it is more stressful than divorce. That is why, on May 26, Progyny hosted a webinar featuring Dr. Alice Domar, Mollie Walker, and Dr. Georgia Witkin, dedicated to prioritizing mental health while on a fertility journey.
A fertility journey can feel all consuming, so in this episode, our experts emphasize putting yourself first, advise on how to maintain relationships with loved ones, and share resources for mental health support.
While this webinar is definitely worth the listen, we understand that life gets busy and have provided a summary for you here.
Experts: Alice Domar, Executive Director of the Domar Center for Mind/Body Health and the Director of Mind/Body Services at Boston IVF, Mollie Walker, Co-founder of Tennessee Fertility Advocates, Dr. Georgia Witkin, Head of Member Services Development at Progyny, Assistant Professor of OB-GYN and Reproductive Sciences and Assistant Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the#ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
For some, infertility is a complete surprise, but for others, they know going into it that they might have trouble conceiving down the line. The latter situation is common for those who are diagnosed with endometriosis, PCOS, and other conditions that may lead to infertility. These diagnoses absolutely don’t guarantee a negative impact, and each condition is treatable. Fertility troubles or not, endometriosis can cause serious pain in your everyday life, a topic we will get into with this week’s guest.
In this episode, we hear from Andrea Ford about her experience with an endometriosis diagnosis, and how having access to fertility coverage enabled her to make better decisions about treatment. While more research is needed, Dr. Colleen Casey discusses current treatment options available for endometriosis, and explains core fertility testing options such as PGT-A and PGT-M.
We also hear from Andrea how she was able to afford treatment through employer sponsored coverage from Progyny.
Guest: Andrea Ford, Progyny Member
Expert: Dr. Colleen Casey, Center for Reproductive Medicine
Host: Dan Bulger
See RESOLVE’s website for fertility advocacy resources in your state and Progyny’s Talk to HR page for assistance in requesting coverage from your employer.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Nothing makes you feel more deflated, angry, and misunderstood than when someone tells you to ‘just relax.’ This reaction can be expected in many situations, especially from someone who is struggling with building their family.
In this episode, Bethany Johnson discusses her experience with infertility and how women have historically been blamed for "barrenness.” Over time, this blame has trickled down through generations, lingering in the language we use to discuss women’s health and consistently disregarding how male factor infertility contributes 30% to 40% of the time. Bethany and her colleague, Margaret Quinlan, took this historical context and applied it to the modern phrases and attitudes society has normalized surrounding a woman’s life. They co-authored the book, You're Doing it Wrong! Mothering, Media, and Medical Expertise, to educate others on the constant barraging of unsolicited advice the world seems to dump on motherhood constantly.
As Dr. Georgia Witkin taught us last episode, there’s way more to infertility than stress management, exercise, and dieting. Motherhood isn't one size fits all either, so it’s important to advocate for yourself and continue on the path that works for you.
Guest:Bethany Johnson, co-author of You're Doing it Wrong! Mothering, Media, and Medical Expertise
Host: Dan Bulger
Want to read Bethany’s book? Click here.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
The Fertility 101 Series, because there’s no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.
Today’s topic focuses on the link between stress and fertility. People often assume that stress is the cause of infertility, but stress frequently follows fertility treatments, as our expert will tell you. But stress is natural – there is no research to suggest that it is a direct cause of infertility. In this episode, you will learn how to make small changes in your lifestyle to relieve unhelpful stress, support yourself and support others during this taxing journey.
There’s no better person to join us for this episode than Dr. Georgia Witkin. Dr. Witkin is a clinical psychologist, educator, and director, with roles at Progyny, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and RMA of New York. She has her own column dedicated to mental health and fertility in Psychology Today.
Feeling stressed out? Give this episode a listen.
Expert: Dr. Georgia Witkin, Head of Member Services Development at Progyny, Assistant Professor of OB-GYN and Reproductive Sciences and Assistant Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
It’s National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), and Progyny is hosting a six-part series of back-to-back episodes featuring several experts who are fighting for fertility coverage. Our goal is to educate others on how they can advocate for themselves and ask for the support that's needed from their employer or state to build the family of their dreams.
This is the last episode of the series, and it’s all about advocating for yourself. Today we hear from Sarah Barnes; she realized early on her employer didn’t provide coverage for fertility treatment. She first reached out to HR and asked, ‘why don’t you offer fertility coverage?’ It turns out they weren’t even aware this was something employees wanted in their plans. So, Sarah consistently reached out to HR, spoke to colleagues, gathered informative data, and accumulated over 100 signatures to show that this was a benefit that employees needed.
Whether you are currently looking for fertility coverage or know someone who is, or you’re just here to learn, this episode will show you what the power of support, persistence, and advocacy can do for any organization.
**Guest:**Sarah Barnes, Advisor, Integrated Marketing at ALSAC
Host: Dan Bulger
See RESOLVE's website for fertility advocacy resources in your state and Progyny’s Talk to HR page for assistance in requesting coverage from your employer.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
It’s National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), and Progyny is hosting a six-part series of back-to-back episodes featuring several experts who are fighting for fertility coverage. Our goal is to educate others on how they can advocate for themselves and ask for the support that's needed from their employer or state to build the family of their dreams.
This episode features Davina Fankhauser, the co-founder and President of Fertility Within Reach. Davina started her organization after struggling with infertility herself. Since the age of 22, she knew she would have trouble conceiving due to an endometriosis diagnosis. Still, once she and her husband started trying, they discovered that male factor infertility was also a contributor. She went through countless treatments, spending all her savings, but eventually had two successful pregnancies. Thinking back on her experience, she felt she had suffered a deep injustice by not having access to sufficient fertility coverage. Her position on RESOLVE’s support line turned into helping Massachusetts change its definition of infertility, opening up coverage to many more people. Her work at Fertility Within Reach helps guide others to develop the courage and access the resources needed to make a legislative change in their state.
Guest: Davina Fankhauser, Co-founder and President of Fertility Within Reach
Host: Dan Bulger
See RESOLVE's website for fertility advocacy resources in your state and Progyny’s Talk to HR page for assistance in requesting coverage from your employer.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
It’s National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), and Progyny is hosting a six-part series of back-to-back episodes featuring several experts who are fighting for fertility coverage. Our goal is to educate others on how they can advocate for themselves and ask for the support that's needed from their employer or state to build the family of their dreams.
In this episode, you’ll hear from Christina Yannetsos, a key advocate for the expansion of fertility coverage in Colorado. Christina is a fighter in every sense of the word, competing in Judo at an Olympic level, putting her energy towards injured athletes, then lobbying for fertility warriors like herself. Since she made such an impact on families in Colorado, you’d think she would have coverage for her own fertility healthcare, right? Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Although she made progress on the state level, her employer is self-insured, so the state mandates don’t apply.
As you can see, there is still much more work to be done! Christina is still working hard with RESOLVE and the Colorado Fertility Advocates to continue to make a difference. Tune in to learn how you can advocate for coverage in your state.
Guest: Christina Yannetsos, Colorado Fertility Advocates, Emergency Physician, Assistant Professor University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Medical Director Forensic Examiner Program.
Host: Dan Bulger
See RESOLVE's website for fertility advocacy resources in your state and Progyny’s Talk to HR page for assistance in requesting coverage from your employer.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
It’s National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), and Progyny is hosting a six-part series of back-to-back episodes featuring several experts who are fighting for fertility coverage. Our goal is to educate others on how they can advocate for themselves and ask for the support that's needed from their employer or state to build the family of their dreams.
This marks our 100th episode, and we wanted to make this one extra special by hosting an extraordinary guest. Today you'll hear from Risa Levine, a fertility advocacy superstar who's working with RESOLVE (Barb Collura, CEO of RESOLVE, was our first guest – listen here). Risa is a practicing attorney in New York City and is mainly responsible for New York's state mandate for fertility coverage. Risa's efforts stemmed from her own experience with infertility, which resulted in her spending roughly $270,000 out of pocket for treatment. With her background in advocacy and ties to Capitol Hill, Risa decided to organize the facts about fertility coverage (or lack thereof) to advocate for others in the same situation. She emphasizes how coverage allows for healthier decision-making, which makes it no longer about the cost, but what will be most effective.
Guest: Risa Levine, attorney and fertility advocate with RESOLVE
Host: Dan Bulger
See RESOLVE’s website for fertility advocacy resources in your state and Progyny’s Talk to HR page for assistance in requesting coverage from your employer.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
It’s National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), and Progyny is hosting a six-part series of back-to-back episodes featuring several experts who are fighting for fertility coverage. Our goal is to educate others on how they can advocate for themselves and ask for the support that's needed from their employer or state to build the family of their dreams.
This episode will dive into how benefits consultants can help drive this change. Elaine-Marie Cannella, from Willis Towers Watson, recognizes employees are the force behind a successful company. So, providing employees with the benefits they need to be fulfilled and to lead healthy lives is extremely important. All too often, fertility benefits are overlooked. It’s seen as expensive and unnecessary when in reality, people are silently struggling to make ends meet for treatment and medication, which ultimately can crossover into the workplace. So how do you get your employer to listen? In this episode and our special NIAW series, you’ll learn how to approach your employer with facts and research that can’t be ignored.
Guest: Elaine-Marie Cannella, RN, BSN, MSN, Willis Towers Watson
Host: Dan Bulger
See Resolve’s website for fertility advocacy resources in your state and Progyny’s Talk to HR page for assistance in requesting coverage from your employer.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
The cost of healthcare can be exorbitant, especially for fertility treatments. There are some incredible grants, funds, and forward-thinking employers that provide support for fertility and family building care, but more and more states are starting to mandate that coverage be offered. While this idea might seem expensive at first glance, providing fertility coverage saves everyone money, not to mention it lessens the stress of fertility treatment for those going through it. This National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), Progyny is hosting a six-part series featuring several experts who are fighting for fertility coverage. This first episode focuses on Tara Brandner, the founder of the non-profit, Everlasting Hope, and her fight for fertility coverage in North Dakota.
Tara Brandner knew firsthand what it was like to struggle with infertility. Her experience involved an endometriosis diagnosis, several miscarriages, three failed IUI cycles, and IVF. Soon after giving birth, Tara reflected on her turbulent experience with fertility treatment. She concluded that people should not have to go through the financial and emotional stress that she did. Tara decided to use her expertise as a doctorate nurse practitioner and veteran fertility warrior to form a non-profit, Everlasting Hope, that would provide community and resources for infertility. The platform has grown significantly, and she has emerged as a force behind advocating for fertility coverage in her state. Here’s Tara’s story.
Guest: Tara Brandner, founder of Everlasting Hope
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information on Everlasting Hope, check out the website, Instagram, and Facebook. See Resolve’s website for fertility advocacy resources in your state and Progyny’s Talk to HR page for assistance in requesting coverage from your employer.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Motherhood has no set definition in this day and age because the modern family has evolved. It’s much more open-ended than the singular idea of having to carry your baby after conceiving through intercourse “naturally.” There are several different options and ways in which children can come into your life. Once we accept this fact and shift the focus towards being the best parent possible, it becomes much easier to build your family.
In this episode, you'll hear Candace Wohl talk about this concept and her challenging path that led her to be a mom.
Candace and her husband launched a blog called, Our Misconception, which gives perspective from both the male and female on the daily struggles that stem from infertility. Their road was long, filled with six IUIs, several IVFs, two cancer diagnoses, unexplained infertility, an attempt to adopt, and a gestational carrier. Everything about this journey was complex and emotional, but at the end of it all, Candace found motherhood when she opened a door that she had previously kept closed.
Guest: Candace Wohl, Our Misconception Blog
Host: Dan Bulger
Check out Candace and her husband’s blog through their website and Instagram
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
This February, Progyny hosted the webinar, “Infertility in the Black Community: Understanding Your Health Conditions and Finding the Right Doctor,” to honor Black History Month and shed some light on the racial disparities in healthcare. This is an expansion on the July webinar, “Fertility and Maternal Health in the Black Community.”
Progyny’s moderator, Lissa Kline, guides experts Dr. Kanika Harris, Director of Maternal Health at Black Women's Health Imperative (and previous guest on Episode 93), and Dr. Isiah Harris, a reproductive endocrinologist at Spring Fertility in a discussion around myths about Black women and infertility, conditions like uterine fibroids that disproportionately affect Black women, access to care, how to find the right doctor, and much more.
While this webinar is definitely worth the listen, we understand that life gets busy and have provided a summary for you here.
Experts: Dr. Kanika Harris, Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI), Dr. Isiah Harris, Spring Fertility
Host: Lissa Kline, Dan Bulger (Intro)
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the#ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Support is going to be a prevalent theme in today’s episode. Why? Because it’s the support of our family, friends, employers, and physicians that help us get through tough times, especially when it comes to infertility.
Amanda Lesesne is a veteran guest here on This Is Infertility. This will be her third time joining us, and (spoiler!) today, she comes with good news! However, it wasn’t an easy journey getting here. She struggled with endometriosis, went through six rounds of failed IVF cycles, an ectopic pregnancy, and then just when she thought she found her solution through a gestational carrier, they backed out. Despite these setbacks, Amanda kept moving forward. She decided to reevaluate her current setup and look for a more supportive clinic that would be confident in her family building goals. Luckily, she found Dr. Klatsky and his team at Spring Fertility, who would get to the bottom of her infertility.
So, as you listen to this episode, think about your current support system. Maybe you’re going through fertility treatments or are getting weighed down by the disproportionate costs of infertility. It could be a sign to look for another clinic, another employer to advocate for your family building goals, or your budget. Amanda’s story shows us that even the most seemingly impossible situations can be turned around by a fresh perspective and the proper support. Be sure to check out Amanda’s previous episodes in the notes below.
Guest: Amanda Lesesne, Progyny
Expert: Dr. Peter Klatsky, Spring Fertility
Host: Dan Bulger
If you want to hear Amanda’s full story, start by listening to Episode 31 part 1 and part 2.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
The Fertility 101 Series, because there’s no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.
In this episode, you’ll learn about endometriosis, a condition in which a woman’s endometrial tissue grows inside of her abdomen. Each woman is different, but it’s common that endometriosis generates pelvic pain around a woman’s menstrual cycle or during sex, and it can cause infertility. Although it sounds intimidating for someone trying to conceive, many women facing endometriosis have found success through IVF and other treatments. And, ironically enough, pregnancy has been found to be an effective relief from symptoms.
Dr. Ravi Gada, Fertility Specialist at Dallas Fort Worth Fertility Associates, part of the Progyny Provider Network, joins us to cover everything you need to know about endometriosis including what it is, how to diagnosis, treatment, why it can cause infertility, and where to start if you think you may have it.
Expert: Dr. Ravi Gada, Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates
Host: Dan Bulger
In the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Ravi Gada at Dallas Fort Worth Fertility Associates through their website.
Also check out our podcast series: Endometriosis and Fertility:
* Episode 30: Endometriosis & Fertility: Jessica Smith-Payne
- Episode 31: Endometriosis and Fertility: Trying IVF Before Being Diagnosed
- Episode 31: Endometriosis and Fertility: Trying IVF After Being Diagnosed
- Episode 32: Endometriosis and Fertility: Promoting Awareness through Endo What?
-
Episode 33: Endometriosis and Fertility: Finding Support Through a Facebook Group: Nancy’s Nook
- Episode 64: Endometriosis and Fertility: The Purpose of the Endometriosis Foundation of America
- Episode 65: Endometriosis and Fertility: The Intersection Between Endometriosis and Sex
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
As most people with infertility know through experience, treatments can be very expensive. One round of IVF alone can cost thousands of dollars, and it’s usually the last step after trying multiple other pathways like IUI or timed intercourse beforehand, which can drain your resources. Fortunately, there are some options for funding. More employers are adding fertility coverage to their employee benefits, and there is an abundance of organizations that help by providing grants.
In this episode, Dr. Camille Hammond joins us to spotlight her pride and joy, the Tinina Q. Cade Foundation, a nonprofit that supports families struggling with infertility. Dr. Hammond was diagnosed with endometriosis before trying to get pregnant, so she knew from the onset that conception wouldn’t come easily. Additionally, infertility as a Black woman can be especially intimidating, but she found helpful resources and community through the Broken Brown Egg (whose founder we featured on the and Fertility for Colored Girls. During her journey, Dr. Hammond went through six rounds of IVF and used a gestational carrier (who ended up being her mother, Triana Q. Cade) to reach her goals. But not without receiving financial assistance from her family and going through a period of low cash flow as an already busy medical student. Knowing first-hand how expensive the process can be Dr. Hammond wanted to give back in any way she could.
Now, 16 years later, the Cade Foundation has helped bring 92 babies into the world by providing grants of up to $10,000 for fertility treatment or domestic adoption. Join us to hear how you can get involved with their work.
Guests: Dr. Camille Hammond, Tinina Q. Cade Foundation
Host: Dan Bulger
Interested in a fertility grant or want to connect with the Cade Foundation? Check out their website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter!
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Today’s bonus episode comes from a recent Progny webinar, “Building a Family in 2021.” It’s the start of the new year, which might mean access to new benefits and new opportunities to start or continue building the family of their dreams.
Moderated by Progyny’s Selena Campbell and experts Dr. Susanna Park, a reproductive endocrinologist at San Diego Fertility Center, Kayleigh Hajny – a Progyny success story, and Joni Vick, Clinical Educator Supervisor at Progyny, they discuss how the Progyny benefit works, an overview of fertility treatments, and answers to frequently asked questions during the journey. Plus, you will hear directly from Kayleigh about her experience conceiving her daughter, Liv, with help from Progyny.
Don’t have time to listen? Don’t worry, we broke down the webinar into a summary here.
Guests: Kayleigh Hajny, Progyny member, Joni Vick, Progyny
Expert: Dr. Susanna Park, San Diego Fertility Center
Host:Selena Campbell, Dan Bulger (Intro)
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
It’s Black History Month, and while we should always be thinking about the current climate of racial inequality, February reminds us of how far we have come and how very far we still need to go.
One especially urgent matter that you’ll hear about today is implicit bias towards Black women in healthcare. Right now, a Black woman with cancer is 40% more likely to die than a White woman, and similar statistics apply to other areas in health like heart disease and pregnancy. As a result, seeking care from a physician or professional can be a terrifying experience for a Person of Color. How can we change our system to reflect a more diverse and caring society?
This episode features Dr. Kanika Harris of the Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI), an organization that addresses the pressing health policy issues facing Black women and girls nationwide through youth education, advocacy movements, and signature programs. Dr. Harris will talk about anecdotes from her own pregnancy, offer advice on how to advocate for yourself, and explain special BWHI programs like their collecampus initiative, My Sister’s Keeper.
Progyny is also hosting a Fertility Education Webinar on Infertility in the Black Community: Understanding Your Health Conditions and Finding the Right Doctor. The free webinar will take place on Feb 17 at 2:00pm ET and will be available on-demand afterward.
Tune in to see how you can get involved with BWHI and create a brighter future of equality.
Guests: Dr. Kanika Harris, Black Women’s Health Imperative
Host: Dan Bulger
Be sure to connect with the Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) on their website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. You can also support Dr. Harris’s documentary, Listen to Me, through the project’s website.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
We’re launching a new series called, Fertility 101, because there’s no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running. In this series, we’ll do a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.
The first episode covers
Uterine Fibroids, a condition that is way more common than you might think. In fact, about 70% of women will be diagnosed with fibroids in their lifetime — for Black women, It's about 80%. Depending on their size and location, fibroids can cause infertility, or bring on uncomfortable symptoms like irregular bleeding or pelvic pain. While it’s common, many people will never know they have them or will never require medical intervention.
Dr. Desiree McCarthy-Keith, a fertility expert and Medical Director at Shady Grover Fertility of Atlanta, gives us a clear overview of uterine fibroids, the treatments, how it affects black women differently, and how it can cause infertility.
Guest: Dr. Desiree McCarthy-Keith, Shady Grove Fertility in Atlanta
Host: Dan Bulger
Learn more about Dr. Desiree McCarthy-Keith here or see if there’s a Shady Grove Fertility location near you.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
“You don’t need a child to live.”
That is a direct quote from an insurance representative when asked why fertility treatments weren’t included in the caller’s healthcare coverage. Infertility isn’t a choice; it’s a disease. Yet, when couples and individuals seek help, they’re told by their insurers to deal with it on their own. As it stands, there is no national mandate for fertility coverage, which leads us to today’s guests, Kara Edwards and Mollie Walker. They’re working to bring a mandate to Tennessee and formed the Tennessee Fertility Advocates.
Both Kara and Mollie experienced their fair share of family building hurdles. Kara had a difficult start with endometriosis on her side and male factor infertility on her husband’s side. Four IUIs, multiple rounds of IVF, and over $110,000 later, she had twins. For Mollie, she took the medication Clomid, an estrogen modulator, to assist in conceiving her first child. Then, after two miscarriages, doctors diagnosed her with a blood clotting disorder called Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS). Proper treatment led Mollie to her second child.
Although we can celebrate their fertility success, these stories highlight the backwards logic of our healthcare system. Without coverage, couples and individuals end up making decisions based on their finances and not based on what will actually help them reach their goal of parenthood.
Throughout this episode, we hear from Kara and Mollie about Tennessee Fertility Advocates, which seeks to change legislation in their state on coverage for fertility treatments. If successful, it will require eligible employers to provide fertility benefits for their employees. Join us to learn how you can do the same for your state.
Guests:Kara Edwards and Mollie Walker, Tennessee Fertility Advocates
Host: Dan Bulger
We talk a lot about the statistic that 1 in 8 struggle with infertility, but the thing is, that number represents the general public and not specific demographics within it. Take physicians, for instance. The people on the front lines, helping others with infertility, COVID, and any other medical issue. Their infertility stat? 1 in 4.
As elucidated in Physician Fertility: A Call to Action and One in Four — The Importance of Comprehensive Fertility Benefits for the Medical Workforce, doctors struggle with infertility at higher rates because their family planning takes a backseat during their extensive schooling and residency programs. Even those who work directly in the fertility space often need ART for family building.
In today’s episode, three doctors in the Progyny Provider Network share their stories with infertility, ART, and parenthood. Their experiences straddle both sides of the examination table, calling on a need for both fertility coverage and education.
Guests: Dr. Dorette Noorhasan, Medical Director and Co-Founder of CCRM Dallas – Fort Worth, Dr. Ravi Gada, Reproductive Endocrinologist at Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
As we close season 3 of This is Infertility, we are reflecting on a turbulent year marked by extreme loss with the COVID-19 pandemic, a recession, a controversial election, wildfires, and so much more that has tested our resiliency. Whether you're trying to start a family or not, we've all fought through some type of challenge during 2020. So, we've chosen to highlight a few stories of those struggling with infertility that we believe capture this true spirit of resiliency found in humanity this year.
Here’s a quick recap of what we achieved during season 3 of This Is Infertility:
Over the course of the unique and informative episodes that Progyny produced, we received over 50,000 downloads, featured 61 guests, and added 6 bonus episodes covering Fertility Preservation for Cancer Patients, Fertility and Maternal Health in the Black Community, Fertility Clinics adapting to COVID-19, Fertility Treatment pre and post COVID-19, Telehealth, and Fertility and Well-being during COVID.
During this final episode of the season, we will touch on our top 4 episodes and a COVID spotlight that we think truly embody the character of this past year.
We want to thank all our listeners and guests out there! Our podcast is nothing without the collective knowledge and experience from the fertility patients and professionals that we’ve featured.
Season 4 will be back on January 11!
Here are our top 4 episodes, plus a COVID spotlight:
- Episode 61: Overcoming Failed Fertility Treatments: A Male’s Perspective
- Episode 67: IVF, Bariatric Surgery, and Finding the Strength to Move Forward
- Episode 82: PCOS and Fertility: An early diagnosis, IUIs, IVF, and Baby Liv
- Episode 86: The Broken Brown Egg
- And our special bonus content about COVID and fertility
Hosts: Dan Bulger, Selena Yang, and Shannon Zuber - This is Infertility Producers and Editors
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Dealing with infertility comes with an abundance of raw and painful emotions. It’s ok to cry after an especially difficult appointment and it’s not uncommon to feel discouraged. While infertility itself isn’t funny, one way that we take control of stress and sadness is through humor.
Karen Jeffries is the founder of Hilariously Infertile. This includes very honest, witty, and perfectly inappropriate accounts of her own infertility through her book and blog, and meme pages surrounding the subject.
At 29, Karen was diagnosed with PCOS after 6 months of inability to conceive naturally. Although the news inevitably sparked sadness, this is when she started to pick up on funny little details during her appointments. The way her doctor called her husband’s sperm sample a “donation” and explained how the lab “cleans and buffs” the sperm like it was at a spa, Karen couldn’t help but laugh.
She eventually conceived two beautiful girls through IUI and IVF. While on maternity leave with her second child, her husband suggested she write a book. Luckily, for all of us, Karen decided to share her story and she continues to unite and help women by spotlighting the comedy of a shared situation.
Join us to hear how Karen overcame her struggles and created a loyal following with her unfiltered humor.
Guests: Karen Jeffries, author of the Hilariously Infertile book and affiliated brand
Host: Dan Bulger
Need a good laugh? Follow Hilariously Infertile on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, and click here to check out Karen’s website and blog.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
No one ever expects conception to be difficult, so when your pregnancy tests are frequently negative, you're left with several questions. And what do you do when you have questions? You Google them. However, the internet is not always your best friend when it comes to medical advice. How is anyone supposed to find reliable information on a topic not discussed widely enough, like infertility?
Arielle Spiegel found herself lost among unsuccessful doctor’s appointments and bogged down by research that didn’t provide clear solutions. So, she decided to change that.
Over the course of three chemical pregnancies, a Uterine Septum removal, three Intrauterine Insemination cycles, two In Vitro Fertilization cycles, and a crushing miscarriage before Mother's Day (among many other challenges), Arielle felt there must be some way in which she could use her knowledge and Type-A organization skills to help others who are looking for answers too. Thus, began CoFertility, a resource for anyone to learn about treatment scenarios, cost breakdown, and funding opportunities for fertility treatment.
Tune in to hear Arielle’s story as she walks us through every up and down that led her to help others while also finding some success for herself.
Guests: Arielle Spiegel, founder and CEO of CoFertility
Host: Dan Bulger
Got fertility questions? Click here to browse CoFertility for more resources and education.
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Infertility and family building can be scary and isolating at times, especially when it seems like no one else around you are experiencing the same barriers to conception. Even as more people come forward to talk about their struggles, there is still a lack of race representation fueling these conversations.
Regina Townsend is the voice behind The Broken Brown Egg; a blog, resource, and community surrounding her experiences with infertility as a black woman.
Regina was frustrated with society’s outdated health education scaring kids about teen pregnancy and overshadowing important topics like fibroids, endometriosis, and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which disproportionally affects black women. Beyond education, she struggled to find black representation for simple things like wedding planning, let alone infertility.
This episode covers Regina’s family building journey from the beginning. Whether it’s PCOS, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), or foster care, Regina has been through it all. She reflects on how each struggle has made her stronger, teaching her how to speak up at the doctor’s office, connect with others, and create community through an open dialogue.
Guests: Regina Townsend, The Broken Brown Egg
Host: Dan Bulger
If you’d like to explore The Broken Brown Egg further and get involved with Regina, click here to access her website and resources.
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, which means today’s bonus episode is all about fertility preservation for cancer, otherwise known as oncofertility. Receiving a cancer diagnosis can turn your world upside down but understanding your fertility options from day one can make all the difference. Thanks to earlier detection and improved treatments, survival rates among cancer patients have increased steadily, and as a result, focus has shifted from immediate treatment to life after cancer too, including your future fertility.
This episode comes from a recent webinar featuring Meghan Curci, Progyny Patient Care Advocate, Jaime Knopman, M.D., Director of Fertility Preservation at CCRM New York and part of Progyny’s Provider Network; Emily Rich, VP of Strategic Planning and Operations at UJA and Progyny member; Joyce Reinecke, J.D., Executive Director at Alliance for Fertility Preservation.
**Host:** Meghan Curci, Progyny Patient Care Advocate
Experts: Jaime Knopman, M.D., CCRM New York, Emily Rich, Progyny member, Joyce Reinecke, Alliance for Fertility Preservation.
For more episodes of This is Infertility on Oncofertility:
- Episode 19: Oncofertility: Making Fertility Preservation a Priority
-
Episode 20: Oncofertility: Fighting for Fertility Preservation Coverage
- Episode 21: Oncofertility: The Hope Fertility Preservation Can Bring
- Episode 22: Oncofertility: Helping Patients Navigate Between Oncology and Fertility
- Episode 54: Oncofertility: Having a Fertility Benefit that Covers Fertility Preservation
- Episode 84: Oncofertility: Donor Eggs, Surrogacy, and Embracing a New Plan
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Miscarriage is something that, no matter how many times we discuss it on this podcast, never gets easier to talk about. October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and we think it’s important to share these stories, just as other podcasters and advocates in the space do.
You may know Ali Prato by her podcast name, “Infertile AF”, and by the open yet relatable way they address fertility and family building. But on today’s episode, Ali walks us through all she did to get there.
After an easy pregnancy, Ali and her husband were confused and devastated when they experienced multiple pregnancy losses trying to conceive their second child. As Ali approached her 40s, she and her husband finally made the expensive decision to pursue IVF. As a podcaster and infertility advocate, Ali is no stranger to talking about her experience with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), secondary infertility, and IVF, but the trauma and emotion from those dark days are still very much with her.
We also hear from Dr. Monica Best from Reproductive Biology Associates in Atlanta, Georgia, on the most common reasons for pregnancy loss and how age dramatically impacts the quantity and quality of a woman’s eggs.
Guests: Ali Prato, host of “Infertile AF” and Dr. Monica Best, Reproductive Biology Associates (RBA)
Host: Dan Bulger
If you’re interested in learning more about Ali or tuning into Infertile AF, you can find it here or search for the show wherever you listen to podcasts.
More info on Fertility Rally and updates on how to join the community can be found here.
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and when you hear the word cancer, your mind doesn’t automatically go to fertility preservation. But when 30-year-old Tricia Russo learned she would have to go through chemotherapy, radiation, a mastectomy, reconstruction, and begin taking medications that could prompt menopause for her breast cancer diagnosis, her team quickly floated the idea of freezing embryos.
It’s been nine years since Tricia’s breast cancer diagnosis, and her world looks a lot different. Not only is she a breast cancer survivor, she has endured a brain cancer diagnosis and surgery, became a mother through a surrogate and using donor eggs, and detailed her experience through a documentary film.
In today’s episode, we hear from Tricia on her experience, and get further insight from her fertility doctor, Dr. Natalie Cekleniak of IRMS.
Guests: Tricia Russo, Filmmaker, Dr. Natalie Cekleniak, IRMS
Host: Dan Bulger
You can watch ‘Love Always, Mom’, on Amazon Prime here.
For more episodes of This is Infertility on Oncofertility:
* Episode 19: Oncofertility: Making Fertility Preservation a Priority
- Episode 20: Oncofertility: Fighting for Fertility Preservation Coverage
- Episode 21: Oncofertility: The Hope Fertility Preservation Can Bring
- Episode 22: Oncofertility: Helping Patients Navigate Between Oncology and Fertility
-
Episode 54: Oncofertility: Having a Fertility Benefit that Covers Fertility Preservation
Progyny is hosting a free webinar, Fertility Preservation for Cancer Patients: Focusing on Survival and Your Life After Cancer, with experts from the oncofertility industry (many of which are previous podcast guests!). You can find more information about it here.
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
In the wake of the recent Black Lives Matter movement, companies, individuals, and institutions are taking a long, reflective look at their biases, policies, and inequalities, in an effort to stand together against systematic racism. The fertility industry is no different.
Enter Chiquita Lockley who realized that none of her friends were ever talking about fertility, infertility, and fibroids, so she decided to make a documentary, Eggs Over Easy. Her upcoming film features interviews with black women and physicians who discuss the jarring racial disparity in healthcare, the stigma of infertility, and need for advocacy and change.
In today’s episode, Chiquita shares some of her findings, like how black women have a 243% maternal mortality rate, and how doctors are quicker to dismiss black women’s concerns, sometimes fatally.
**Guests:** Chiquita Lockley, filmmaker, Dr Alan Copperman, Medical Director at Progyny
**Host:** Dan Bulger
You can watch the trailer for Eggs Over Easy here, and keep an eye on the website for upcoming screening dates.
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
It’s PCOS Awareness Month and for those who have PCOS, you may know firsthand how difficult it can be to conceive naturally.
Kayleigh and Steven Hajny always wanted to have a baby. But when Kayleigh was 16 and diagnosed with PCOS, she was set to believe this was a pipe dream that wouldn’t happen for her unless she did IVF.
So, they decided to go to a fertility specialist for help. What they didn’t expect was the number of treatments and the amount of disappointment they faced. After nine medicated timed intercourse cycles, a failed IUI attempt, and a miscarriage, their fertility coverage was starting to run thin. They were told IVF was the next best option, but there was only $7,000 left of their coverage. How were they supposed to afford this?
With luck, Steven’s employer, VMWare, announced they enhanced their fertility coverage by partnering with Progyny. This meant the Hajnys could move forward with IVF and didn’t have to worry about the financial roadblock. So, they did just that, and two rounds of IVF later, (spoiler alert) Miss Olivia Eloise was bought into this world.
We also hear from Dr. Ilan Tur-Kaspa of IHR Institute for Human Reproduction on PCOS.
Guests: Steven and Kayleigh Hajny, Progyny members; Dr. Ilan Tur-Kaspa, IHR Institute for Human Reproduction
Host: Julie Hunt
**To learn how you can bring a comprehensive and inclusive fertility and family building benefit to your organization, visit** **Progyny’s Advocate page** **and** **start the conversation by** **talking to HR****.**
For more episodes on PCOS, check out:
-
Episode 13: PCOS and Fertility: Getting Pregnant with PCOS
- Episode 14: PCOS and Fertility: Creating Awareness about PCOS
- Episode 15: PCOS and Fertility: When the PCOS Symptoms Don’t Match
- Episode 49: PCOS and Fertility: Why it’s a Serious Challenge to Get Pregnant with PCOS
- Episode 50: PCOS and Fertility: How Certain Foods Can Help with PCOS Symptoms
- Episode 51: PCOS and Fertility: An IVF Baby After Ectopic Pregnancies
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Today’s bonus episode comes from a recent Progyny webinar, “Fertility and Maternal Health in the Black Community”, which reflects on the inequalities and institutionalized racism within the fertility industry.
Moderated by Progyny’s Manager of Member Services, Selena Campbell, and experts Dr. Genevieve Neal-Perry, Dr. Tia Jackson-Bey, and Dr. Renita White, this panel breaks down some of the issues that uniquely face Black women in their fertility journeys, weighed in on why they aren’t getting the care they need, and how they can advocate for it.
**Panelists****:** Genevieve Neal-Perry, MD, PhD, Reproductive Endocrinologist and Chair, UNC School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Tia Jackson-Bey, MD, MPH, Reproductive Endocrinologist, RMA of New York and Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai; Renita White, MD, OBGYN at Georgia Obstetrics & Gynecology
Host: Selena Campbell, Manager, Member Services, Progyny
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
We talk about this quite often, infertility impacts 1 in 8 with 1/3 of that reason being female factor, 1/3 male factor, and 1/3 combined or unexplained. What we don’t talk about often, is how when it comes to egg freezing, the financial burden typically falls entirely on the female.
In today’s episode, copywriter KelseyFormost discusses her decision to ask her boyfriend to contribute financially should she decide to preserve her fertility. But not only did Kelsey have that difficult conversation with her partner – she opened up to the world when she shared her story .
Kelsey’s story was met with both overwhelming gratitude and judgmental, hurtful comments. But she chose to look at the positive. By sharing her story, she’s able to show others they’re not alone and help people broach this topic with their partner.
Guests: Kelsey Formost, Copywriter, and Infertility Advocate
Host: Dan Bulger
You can find Kelsey’s story in Glamour, here.
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
A huge misconception in the world of fertility is that egg freezing is an elective procedure and should, therefore, be treated like one. This is absolutely untrue.
Women are born with all the eggs they will produce during a lifetime, therefore, the quality and quantity of viable eggs diminish as time goes on. And doctors are finding the leading cause of female-factor infertility is diminished ovarian reserve starting around age 35.
Advanced technologies, however, allow women to freeze their eggs before this happens, opening up the possibility of having biological children at some point down the line. In today’s episode, we hear from two women who did exactly that.
Brandi Guthrie and Julie Hunt, both Progyny employees, went through the egg freezing process for different reasons, had different highs and lows, but came out feeling the same thing: empowered and in control of their futures. We also hear from Dr. Alan Copperman on the benefits of fertility preservation.
Guests:Julie Hunt, Director, Business Development at Progyny, Brandi Guthrie, National Account Manager at Progyny, and Dr. Alan Copperman, Medical Director at Progyny
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Infertility is already hard and complex, even with the advanced medicine and technology we have today, but imagine trying over 20 years ago, when commonplace protocols were still being developed. The first baby born via IVF is only 42 years old, and a lot has happened since then.
In today’s episode, we dive into the evolution of IVF over the last 42 years and hear how the challenges of the ‘80s and ‘90s led to technological advancements and the carefully curated protocols we see in fertility clinics today.
We also hear from Sue Johnston, an infertility advocate, who walks us through her fertility journey. Her story spanned during the ‘80s and ‘90’s and a lot different than one may experience today. Sue’s story, one filled with perseverance and a passion to keep fighting, is highlighted alongside a medical history of IVF, discussed by Dr. Alan Copperman.
Growing up with a rare blood disorder can flip your world upside down. It can also make you question what to do when it comes to building a family and what options are even available. Luckily, science has progressed to a point where genetic testing before IVF can help increase the odds of a healthy singleton baby.
In this episode, Rachel Russell tells us her story on balancing Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA) while still wanting to have a child. DBA is a dominant disorder that primarily affects the bone marrow, which can cause anemia. There’s a 50% chance the disorder can be passed on, which meant Rachel and her husband were stuck on what to do. After extensive research, the Russells decided to move forward with PGT-M (Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic, formerly known as PGD), so the doctor could transfer an embryo without the rare disorder.
We also hear from Dr. Beth Plante, a reproductive endocrinologist at Fertility Centers of New England, who breaks down how PGT-M works.
For other episodes on genetic testing, check out:
- Episode 46: Genetic Testing: Can it be Non-Invasive?
- Episode 45: Genetic Testing: Is it Cost Effective?
- Episode 44: Genetic Testing: IVF and Fruitful Fertility
Guest: Rachel Russell, Infertility Advocate and Dr. Beth Plante, Fertility Centers of New England
Host: Shannon Zuber
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
In this bonus episode, we hear from Dr. Alan Copperman, Medical Director at Progyny, with insights on how fertility clinics have become safer and more efficient than ever before, the impact of telehealth when it comes to the patient and doctor relationship, how the field of reproductive medicine has faced the challenges of the pandemic, and ways in which the current practices can inform the future.
Expert: Dr. Alan Copperman, Progyny and RMA of NY
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Infertility is a long and stressful process, and while you may feel alone on your journey, 1 in 8 couples are going through the same exact thing. It can take a toll on you emotionally, financially and physically, but a support system and positive mindset can help along the way.
In this episode, we hear from Chrissy Hogie on her fertility story that the highs and lows, the feelings of isolation, and the amazing support system she had around her. Three years and many doctor visits later, Chrissy is now pregnant with her first child, and shedding light on the importance of talking about infertility to raise awareness, fight stigmas, and prove to those going through this – you’re never alone.
Guest:Chrissy Hogie, Infertility Advocate
Host:Dan Bulger, Producer at Progyny
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Infertility can be draining for many reasons – the financial burden, the emotional toll, the relationship friction, and so much more. Then add the extra layer of having a job that puts you in the spotlight where fans depend on your presence, despite what’s happening at home, and you have a recipe for severe emotional distress.
Then add the pressure of having a job that puts you in the spotlight where you’re having to show up for fans and followers, regardless of what’s going on at home. It can b
In today’s episode, co-founder of The Ainsworth and founder of HPLT: High Performance Lifestyle Training, Brian Mazza and his wife, CNN Entertainment Reporter, Chloe Melas share how they managed just that. With both male and female factor infertility, multiple rounds of failed IUI, a clinic change, and IVF, Brian and Chloe had to navigate their relationship and careers with thousands of eyes watching from behind the TV and smartphone screens.
Brian has spent the past few Father’s Days celebrating with his sons, but the road to fatherhood was a long one, paved with hardship and tension. Like all dads who celebrate after an infertility struggle (and those who are still on their journey!), this day is an emotional one.
Guests: Brian Mazza, entrepreneur, and Chloe Melas, CNN Entertainment Reporter
Host: Lissa Kline
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
As cities across the US begin lifting restrictions for public facilities, fertility clinics are reopening their doors and seeing patients. But what can a patient expect from their clinics in this COVID and the post-COVID environment?
In this bonus episode, we are sharing a panel conversation that dives into what to expect regarding fertility treatment in the present and near future, how clinics are prioritizing safety measures, and how patients can prepare for their visits. Learn from three fertility specialists about the trends they’re seeing, questions they’re getting and commitments they’re making to ensure safe and healthy access to fertility care.
Host:Dan Bulger
Experts:
Lissa Kline, LCSW, Vice President, Member and Provider Services at Progyny, Dr. Debra Minjarez, Spring Fertility, Dr. Brooke Hodes-Wertz of NYU Langone Fertility Center and Dr. Allison Rodgers from Fertility Centers of Illinois.
For additional resources, check out Progyny’s COVID-19 Resources, and to listen to other family building stories visit Progyny’s Podcast page.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
It’s Pride Month and we’re highlighting what it’s like to build a family as a same-sex couple. For some, the ideal scenario is you meet, fall in love, get married, pick a sperm donor, and have a baby. Ok, not every couple is out there picking a sperm donor, but if you’re a same-sex female couple, it’s a necessary step in the family-building process.
In today’s episode, we hear from Samantha and Jessica Pace, who’s journey had its own set of challenges. After 10 failed IUIs, they decided to move forward with IVF but weren’t sure how they’d be able to afford it. Fortunately, Jessica realized her employer offered the Progyny benefit and as soon as they were able to, they put their next plan into motion. But as they moved forward with IVF, COVID-19 came into the picture and complicated things even further. The Paces discuss the ups and downs of pre-motherhood, why they documented their journey on YouTube, and where they are today.
**Guests**: Samantha and Jessica Pace, Progyny Members
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources on LGBTQ+ family building.
You can follow along with Samantha and Jessica’s pregnancy journey via their YouTube channel, “Call Us The Paces”.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
For some the road to parenthood may include things such as IUI, IVF, PGS, ICSI, and COVID-19. Those all sound familiar except for the last one. These past few months, COVID-19 has upended many aspects of daily life, bringing grief and uncertainty for people all around the globe. And the fertility industry, one that is often shrouded in uncertainty, is no exception.
In this episode, we hear from Kim Tranell and Josh Roth, about their family building journey. After years of trying to conceive naturally, Kim and Josh found themselves in the world of infertility. One that was filled with different fertility treatments, a diagnosis of poor quality, and mixed emotions. They soon realized the only thing they could control was their next step to parenthood. But what happens when pandemic hits? Josh and Kim share the impact of COVID-19 and where they are today.
Guests: Josh Roth and Kim Tranell, Infertility Advocates
Host: Lissa Kline, VP of Member and Provider Services at Progyny
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources on emotional support and awareness.
Check out these articles detailing the couples’ story in Women’s Health and People Magazine.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Just because most in-person fertility treatments are paused due to COVID-19, doesn’t mean you can’t chat with your doctor, discuss a protocol and get the ball moving forward while in quarantine.
In this bonus episode we are sharing a panel conversation that explains how telehealth can help you get started or continue moving along on your fertility journey during COVID-19. Learn what to expect, how telehealth differs from an in-person visit, and how treatment in the clinic will look with new social distancing and safety precautions in place.
We understand how difficult infertility is—and how frustrating interruptions to treatment can be—which is why we have put together this webinar with a panel of fertility experts to answer any questions you have.
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page , and Progyny’s Education page for more resources on emotional support and awareness.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Guests:
Featuring fertility experts from Progyny’s provider network:
Lissa Kline, LCSW, Vice President, Member and Provider Services, Progyny
Alan Copperman, MD, Reproductive Endocrinologist, RMA New York, Medical Director, Progyny
Jonathan Kort, MD, Reproductive Endocrinologist, RMA Northern California
Philip Chenette, MD, Reproductive Endocrinologist, Pacific Fertility Center
Gerard Letterie, MD, Reproductive Endocrinologist, Seattle Reproductive Medicine
**Host:** Dan Bulger, Multimedia Producer at Progyny
Mother’s Day can be hard for so many – children who have lost mothers, mothers who have lost children, and women in pre-motherhood who are struggling with infertility or a pregnancy loss. These women are dedicated to a child they have not yet met.
This was the case for Shara Hutchinson who, after years of Clomid treatments, surgeries, failed IVF cycles, an ectopic pregnancy and a late-term pregnancy loss, still wanted to be a mom.
In today’s episode, Shara takes us through all she went through in order to make her dreams of motherhood come to fruition. She worked two jobs (while in school), created a side gig to make extra cash, borrowed from friends and family but above all, she had hope that if she continued to try, she would get pregnant.
Shara chronicled her experience in her book, “I Still Want to be a Mom: An Inspirational guide to Help Women Struggling with Infertility” and through a recent TEDx Talk. She became an inspiration to many as they navigate their own paths to parenthood.
Guest: Shara Hutchinson, Author and Speaker
Host: Dan Bulger, Producer at Progyny
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources on emotional support and awareness.
Check out Shara’s Tedx Talk and her book, “I Still Want to be a Mom: An Inspirational guide to Help Women Struggling with Infertility”.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
In honor of this year’s National Infertility Awareness Week (4/19 – 4/25), we’re doing a five-part series that highlights Resolve’s theme of ‘Changing the Conversation’. Over the past two years we’ve had conversations with people still experiencing infertility, people who have reached their end goals, people who’ve dedicated their lives to helping others, and people who are just entering this ever-expanding world of infertility.
We’re focusing these episodes on change, how our guests have changed since we last visited them, how their priorities have changed, and how their situation has changed. We hope by doing so we can do our small part to help change the conversation and enhance public understanding that infertility needs attention and to ensure others they aren’t alone in this journey.
In today’s episode, we hear from two previous guests who took very different journeys but ultimately, made it to the same destination: motherhood.
Jenna Marinelli was diagnosed with premature menopause and told it would be unable to conceive using her eggs. After accepting this difficult news, Jenna and her husband moved forward with an anonymous donor, who made it possible for Jenna to give birth to three children.
Laura Perez unsure of her relationship but aware that she was getting older, used her Progyny benefit to freeze her eggs at 35. Since then, she’s gotten married and started to think about having a baby. So she decided to use her frozen eggs and was left with one healthy embryo.
Guests: Laura Perez, Senior Director, Claims and Provider Service at Progyny and Jenna Marinelli, Infertility Advocate
Host: Dan Bulger, Producer at Progyny
Be sure to check out Jenna’s previous episode here, and Laura’s previous episode here.
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page , and Progyny’s Education page for more resources on emotional support and awareness.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
In honor of this year’s National Infertility Awareness Week (4/19 – 4/25), we’re doing a five-part series that highlights Resolve’s theme of ‘Changing the Conversation’. Over the past two years we’ve had conversations with people still experiencing infertility, people who have reached their end goals, people who’ve dedicated their lives to helping others, and people who are just entering this ever-expanding world of infertility.
We’re focusing these episodes on change, how our guests have changed since we last visited them, how their priorities have changed, and how their situation has changed. We hope by doing so we can do our small part to help change the conversation and enhance public understanding that infertility needs attention and to ensure others they aren’t alone in this journey.
As a same-sex couple, Lindsey and Chrissy Callahan always knew they had to use reproductive technology to conceive a child that was genetically theirs. What they didn’t always know was they had fertility coverage from Progyny through their employer, Salesforce, which allowed them to pursue reciprocal IVF.
In today’s episode, we get an update from Lindsey and Chrissy on their family building journey and how their one embryo turned into one healthy baby, Charlie.
Guest: Lindsey and Chrissy Callahan, Progyny members and Salesforce employees
Host: Dan Bulger, Producer at Progyny
Be sure to check out Lindsey and Chrissy’s previous episode –Season 1, Episode 8.
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources on emotional support and awareness.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
In honor of this year’s National Infertility Awareness Week (4/19 – 4/25), we’re doing a five-part series that highlights Resolve’s theme of ‘Changing the Conversation’. Over the past two years we’ve had conversations with people still experiencing infertility, people who have reached their end goals, people who’ve dedicated their lives to helping others, and people who are just entering this ever-expanding world of infertility.
We’re focusing these episodes on change, how our guests have changed since we last visited them, how their priorities have changed, and how their situation has changed. We hope by doing so we can do our small part to help change the conversation and enhance public understanding that infertility needs attention and to ensure others they aren’t alone in this journey.
In today’s episode, we get an update from Andrea Syrtash, founder of Pregnantish and guest from season one, to hear about what has changed in her life since she started to explore surrogacy. We’ll also hear about how she’s using her platform to build an infertility community, how she handled (spoiler alert) her pregnancy announcement, and what’s next for Pregnantish.
Guest: Andrea Syrtash, Founder & Editor-in-chief of Pregnantish
Host: Dan Bulger, Producer at Progyny
Be sure to check out Andrea’s previous episode – Season 1, Episode 10 and to read the story in People mentioned in this episode, see here.
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page, Pregnantish, and Progyny’s Education page for more resources on emotional support and awareness.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
In honor of this year’s National Infertility Awareness Week (4/19 – 4/25), we’re doing a five-part series that highlights Resolve’s theme of ‘Changing the Conversation’. Over the past two years we’ve had conversations with people still experiencing infertility, people who have reached their end goals, people who’ve dedicated their lives to helping others, and people who are just entering this ever-expanding world of infertility.
We’re focusing these episodes on change, how our guests have changed since we last visited them, how their priorities have changed, and how their situation has changed. We hope by doing so we can do our small part to help change the conversation and enhance public understanding that infertility needs attention and to ensure others they aren’t alone in this journey.
Today, we catch up with Matt Mira and Doree Shafrir, hosts of the hit podcast “Matt and Doree’s Eggcellent Adventure”, and guests of ours from season one. When we last spoke, Matt and Doree were in the midst of their family building journey, one that included multiple rounds of IVF and a chemical pregnancy. A lot has changed since then (including the birth of a baby boy!), so we’re checking in to see what’s next for the couple.
Guest: Matt Mira and Doree Shafrir, hosts of Matt and Doree’s Eggcellent Adventure
Host: Lissa Kline, LCSW, Vice President, Provider and Member Services, Progyny
Be sure to check out Matt and Doree’s previous episode – Season 1, Episode 11.
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page, Matt and Doree’s Eggcellent Adventure, and Progyny’s Education page for more resources on emotional support and awareness.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
In honor of this year’s National Infertility Awareness Week (4/19 – 4/25), we’re doing a five-part series that highlights Resolve’s theme of ‘Changing the Conversation’. Over the past two years we’ve had conversations with people still experiencing infertility, people who have reached their end goals, people who’ve dedicated their lives to helping others, and people who are just entering this ever-expanding world of infertility.
We’re focusing these episodes on change, how our guests have changed since we last visited them, how their priorities have changed, and how their situation has changed. We hope by doing so we can do our small part to help change the conversation and enhance public understanding that infertility needs attention and to ensure others they aren’t alone in this journey.
In today’s episode, we hear from Jessica Bell -- you may remember her and her husband, Robbie, as the grant recipients from Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund that were surprised on The TODAY show! Faced with an infertility diagnosis and multiple failed rounds of IUI, Jessica and Robbie applied for the financial assistance needed to pursue IVF. After being surprised by Samantha and Kyle Busch, the grant money, and a Progyny Patient Care Advocate – all on live television – Jessica began her IVF journey and is here to update us on where they are today.
Guest: Jessica Bell, Bundle of Joy Recipient
Host: Lissa Kline, LCSW, Vice President, Provider and Member Services, Progyny
To watch the surprise on the TODAY show, see here.
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page , Bundle of Joy Fund, and Progyny’s Education page for more resources on emotional support and awareness.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
In a matter of weeks, COVID-19 has infiltrated all aspects of life from our ability to see friends and loved ones, to our planned medical procedures and treatments. With American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) pausing fertility treatments, patients are left wondering what they should do next. In today’s bonus episode, we’re airing a panel discussion, curated by Progyny, on fertility and wellbeing during this time. We’ll hear from three fertility specialists, Dr. Janet Choi of CCRM NY, and Dr. Lorna Marshall of Pacific NW Fertility, and Michele Carroll a clinical social worker and Provider Account Manager at Progyny. They’ll dive into ASRM’s guidelines for COVID-19, how you can take care of your mental health during this pause and what you can do now to help optimize your fertility.
Host: Lissa Kline, VP, Member and Provider Services at Progyny
Experts: Dr. Janet Choi, Medical Director at CCRM NY, Dr. Lorna Marshall, Pacific NW Fertility, and Michele Carroll, LCSW, Clinical Social Worker and Provider Account Manager at Progyny
For additional resources during this time visit Progyny’s COVID-19 Resources and to listen to other family building stories visit Progyny’s Podcast page.
If you would like to share your story or how you’re finding purpose in the pause, please reach out to us at thisisinfertility@Progyny.com.
Infertility is often described as a journey, but it’s important to note that this is a journey people don’t have to take alone. Those in a relationship can rely on each other throughout the experience, reproductive endocrinologists can leverage transformative medical technology along with their expertise to change the narrative, and friends and family can step in at crucial moments to provide emotional and financial support. But there is another mechanism of support that some are fortunate enough to rely on as they embark on this journey: coverage for fertility treatments.
In today’s episode, we hear from Hillary Filstrup, who along with her husband Scott is in the midst of an extended journey to parenthood. Hillary’s journey includes bariatric surgery to reduce weight, a lifestyle overhaul to stay healthy, and two IVF cycles. Hillary and Scott have been fortunate to have support through this journey from Scott’s employer, Palo Alto Networks, who has provided the couple with coverage for their fertility treatments through Progyny.
We also hear from Dr. Laurence Jacobs, a Reproductive Endocrinologist from Fertility Centers of Illinois (FCI), who gives us an overview of the connection between obesity and infertility, and the efficacy of bariatric surgery for certain patients. He also discusses the benefits of PGT-A testing for IVF.
Guest: Hillary Filstrup, Progyny member
Expert: Dr. Laurence Jacobs, Fertility Centers of Illinois
Host: Sam Correll, Vice President, Provider Account Management
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources on emotional support and awareness.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
There’s nothing that sounds more glamorous and extravagant than being in a beauty pageant, and while it can certainly be rewarding, it can also be a very vulnerable experience. Opening yourself up to the world and sharing intimate details of your life can be incredibly daunting.
In today’s episode, we hear from Amanda Klein, a 2019 Mrs. Nevada contestant and winner, who while preparing and planning for pageants, was simultaneously fighting her own battle with infertility. After experiencing three devastating pregnancy losses, Amanda discovered she had a bicornuate uterus, a condition involving a “heart-shaped” uterus and an increased risk of miscarriage. We’ll hear her story of trying to find the right doctor, coming to terms with the idea of using a gestational surrogate, and finding the courage to share her story.
After winning Mrs. Nevada, Amanda not only won a title, but also a powerful platform. From traveling to Washington, DC with RESOLVE to meet with senators and congress members to hosting a community health fair with over 200 attendees to documenting her infertility journey on her blog — Amanda has become an infertility advocate that is vocal about her own experience and dedicated to creating change for others.
We also hear from Dr. Whitten, a Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility Specialist at the Nevada Center for Reproductive Medicine, who educates us on the normal functioning of a uterus, the impact of a bicornuate uterus on fertility, and the various uses for gestational surrogacy.
Guest: Amanda Klein, USOA Mrs. Nevada 2019
Expert: Dr. Scott Whitten, Nevada Center for Reproductive Medicine
Host: Shannon Zuber, Communications Associate at Progyny
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page, RESOLVE, and Progyny’s Education page for more resources on how to best handle a miscarriage.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is a common condition that is often extremely painful, hard to diagnose, and can affect a woman’s fertility. This year, we’re back with a special series to bring awareness to this disease.
In the last episode, we heard from Dr. Tamer Seckin, co-founder of Endometriosis Foundation of America, who broke down the painful and often problematic symptoms of the condition. In this episode, we hear from Carli Blau, who has experienced those symptoms firsthand.
Carli, a sex and relationship therapist in New York City, was diagnosed with endometriosis at 14 and is very vocal about her journey with endometriosis and infertility. She shares her story of being sexually active at a young age, reaching a diagnosis after months of painful symptoms, getting surgery to remove the infected tissue, and ultimately utilizing IVF to start her family.
We’ll also learn how Carli uses her career to support individuals who struggle with infertility, endometriosis, and sex-related issues. She continues to be an endometriosis advocate through her work with the Endometriosis Foundation of America, where she speaks about the intersection between endometriosis and sexual functioning.
**Guest**: Carli Blau, Sex and Relationship Therapist
Host: Dr. Georgia Witkin, Head of Patient Services Development at Progyny
In case you’ve missed it, here are past episodes we’ve released on endometriosis:
- Episode 30: Endometriosis & Fertility: Jessica Smith-Payne
-
Episode 31: Endometriosis and Fertility: Trying IVF Before Being Diagnosed
- Episode 31: Endometriosis and Fertility: Trying IVF After Being Diagnosed
- Episode 32: Endometriosis and Fertility: Promoting Awareness through Endo What?
- Episode 33: Endometriosis and Fertility: Finding Support Through a Facebook Group: Nancy’s Nook
- Episode 64: Endometriosis and Fertility: The Purpose of the Endometriosis Foundation of America
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Endometriosis Foundation of America.
To learn more about endometriosis, check out Progyny’s What is Endometriosis Infographic.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is a common condition that is often extremely painful, hard to diagnose, and can affect a woman’s fertility. This year, we’re back with a special series to bring awareness to this disease.
In the first episode, we hear from Dr. Tamer Seckin, a world-renowned endometriosis specialist and surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. He’s also the co-founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America (EndoFound), a powerful non-profit that strives to increase awareness, advocacy, surgical training, and research for the disease.
Dr. Seckin sheds light on the causes, symptoms and treatment for endometriosis and what his team at EndoFound are doing to improve the lives of women that suffer from endometriosis, both current and future.
Expert: Dr. Tamer Seckin, co-founder of Endometriosis Foundation of America
Host: Dr. Georgia Witkin, Head of Patient Services Development at Progyny
In case you’ve missed it, here are past episodes we’ve released on endometriosis:
* Episode 30: Endometriosis & Fertility: Jessica Smith-Payne
- Episode 31: Endometriosis and Fertility: Trying IVF Before Being Diagnosed
- Episode 31: Endometriosis and Fertility: Trying IVF After Being Diagnosed
- Episode 32: Endometriosis and Fertility: Promoting Awareness through Endo What?
-
Episode 33: Endometriosis and Fertility: Finding Support Through a Facebook Group: Nancy’s Nook
For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Endometriosis Foundation of America.
To learn more about endometriosis, check out Progyny’s What is Endometriosis Infographic.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
When experiencing something as challenging as infertility, it can be helpful to hear stories, advice, and guidance from those who have been through it. However, we usually hear from people who were successful in growing their families. But what about those who are still going through treatment, and are uncertain of where their fertility journey will lead them? How can you make it through without setting expectations of having a picture-perfect ending? In today’s episode, we hear from Kelly Partner, who wanted to share her story while the ending was still unknown. Kelly and her husband have been trying to have a baby for over a year, which has been filled with rounds of IUI, a male infertility diagnosis for her husband, and multiple pregnancy losses. Kelly shares the emotions, frustrations, hopes, and fears that occur during the process of trying to conceive while not knowing what the future holds. We also hear from Dr. Genevieve Neal-Perry, a Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility Specialist at UW Medicine, who gives us an overview of miscarriages, chemical pregnancies, and breaks down the benefits of ICSI and PGT-A testing for IVF. She also discusses how long a couple should wait before trying to conceive again after having a miscarriage. Guest: Kelly Partner, Progyny member Expert: Dr. Genevieve Neal-Perry, Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility Specialist at UW Medicine Host: Brandi Guthrie, National Account Manager at Progyny For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources on emotional support and awareness. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com. You can find key notes from this episode here.
February is Black History Month, and unfortunately, uterine fibroids have a disproportionate impact on African American women. Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors that grow in or around the uterus, and while they usually cause no harm, they can have an impact on fertility. In today’s episode, we hear from Amelia “Mimi” Brown, who shares her complex infertility journey. After a year of failing to conceive naturally, Mimi decided it was time to visit a doctor, which is when she was diagnosed with both PCOS and uterine fibroids, and her husband was diagnosed with male factor infertility. Over the past seven years the couple has experienced five failed rounds of IUI, multiple surgeries to remove fibroids, unsuccessful IVF embryo transfers, and devastating pregnancy losses. Although Mimi is still on her journey, she continues to use her career as a motivational speaker and her online presence to uplift others experiencing infertility. She is also in the process of writing her upcoming book Laugh Out Loud Infertility: Stories to Crack You Up While Trying to Get Knocked Up: https://www.lolinfertility.com/ We also hear from Dr. Enrique Soto, a fertility specialist from IVFMD, who explains everything we need to know about uterine fibroids, including the various types, treatment and removal options, and their impact on fertility. Guest: Amelia “Mimi” Brown Expert: Dr. Enrique Soto, IVFMD Host: Selena Campbell, Manager of Member Services at Progyny For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page: progyny.com/podcast and Progyny’s Education page: progyny.com/education Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Infertility is a journey that is complex and emotionally challenging for anyone involved, but there tends to be a lack of focus on the feelings and emotions of male partners. In today’s episode, we hear from Philip Schmidt, who shares his perspective on experiencing an infertility journey. Philip and his wife endured three years of emotional, physical, and financial challenges in their family building journey. Fortunately, everything turned around for the couple when Philip found a new job that offered comprehensive fertility coverage, allowing them to expand their family in a way they never could’ve imagined. We’ll learn how Philip and his wife pursued both adoption and fertility treatments and within a few months, welcomed not one but two children into their family. We also hear from Dr. Stephanie Gustin, a reproductive endocrinologist and fertility expert at the Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine, who adds clarity to the infertility diagnosis recurrent pregnancy loss. She also shares her experience working with male partners of women going through fertility treatment and how their emotional strain can often go overlooked. Guest: Philip Schmidt, Progyny Member Expert: Dr. Stephanie Gustin, Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine Host: Lissa Kline, VP of Member and Provider Services at Progyny For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources on emotional support and awareness. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com. For highlights from this episode, visit www.progyny.com/podcast
During our break between season 2 and season 3, we’re re-playing our most popular episodes. Our most popular episode for season 1 is Episode 9 featuring Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley, former stars of The Real Housewives of Orange County. This episode originally aired on July, 9 2017. Find details of the episode, here. For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page: progyny.com/podcast Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com See you next season!
During our break between season 2 and season 3, we’re re-playing our most popular episodes. Our most popular episode for season 2 is episode 35 featuring Jamie Stelter from NY1. This episode originally aired on April 22, 2019. Find details of the episode, here. For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page: progyny.com/podcast Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com See you next season!
This was another exciting year and season for us as we continue to grow and hear from incredible people who are willing to share the complex road that is infertility. As a recap for season 2, we reached 51,000 downloads, featured 56 guests, produced 35 episodes (which means 35 amazing stories), and 5 special series covering endometriosis, National Infertility Awareness Week, genetic testing, PCOS, and infertility in the military. In this episode, we’ll dive into our top 5 five episodes for the season and the common themes we’ve found. We’d like to thank all of our guests and hosts this year. We couldn’t have done this without you! Season 3 will be back on January 20, 2020. In the interim, we’ll be re-playing our top episode from season 2 and season 1. Here are the top 5 episodes from season 2: Episode 35: #InfertilityUncovered: In the Spotlight with Jamie Stelter Episode 27: Becoming a Single Parent by Choice Episode 47: Brewing for a Fertility Benefit Episode 34: Transforming Pain into Bundles of Joy: Samantha Busch Episode 38: #InfertilityUncovered: Infertility Support Through Progyny’s Patient Care Advocates Host: Dan Bulger and Selena Yang, This is Infertility Producers and Editors For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
While fertility treatments have certainly become more innovative, that doesn’t mean they are any less expensive. IVF can cost anywhere from $15,000 – 20,000, and even IUI, a less invasive treatment, can cost $1,000 – 2,000. These treatments are usually not covered by insurance, leaving many individuals and couples paying thousands of dollars out-of-pocket. So, what’s an individual supposed to do when they can’t afford treatment? In this episode, we hear from Sharika Ramseur, who’s been struggling to have a child with her husband Gabriel for almost eight years. After seeing a number of specialists, the couple discovered that Gabriel had male factor infertility, and were recommended to try IUI – the only problem was they couldn’t afford more than one round. Luckily, Sharika had an extremely supportive community of friends and colleagues at the hospital she worked at. We hear from Lauren and Megan, Sharika’s co-workers who fundraised almost $4,000 to help cover the costs of IUI. But even this generous gift still wasn’t enough. The couple was then told that IVF would be their best option to get pregnant, which costs a lot more than what Sharika could afford. Once again, Sharika’s co-workers went the extra mile and applied for a grant that helps couples pay for fertility treatments. Through the help of The Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund, Sharika and her husband were able to afford one round of IVF. We’ll hear Sharika’s heartwarming story of getting pregnant after a long journey of infertility and welcoming her baby girl into the world. Guests: Sharika Ramseur, Bundle of Joy recipient, and Lauren Strain and Megan England Host: Claire O’Neill, Patient Care Advocate at Progyny For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page, and The Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund. You can watch Sharika and Gabriel receive their Bundle of Joy grant here. You can find the episode that dives into the creation of The Bundle of Joy Fund You can find the podcast episode that dives into Samantha Busch creating the Bundle of Joy Fund here. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
In today’s episode, we hear from Dawn Davenport, a leading expert in adoption, fostering, and infertility. Aside from being the Executive Director of Creating a Family, a national non-profit organization that educates and supports individuals trying to expand their family, Dawn is also the host of the top-rated radio show on adoption and infertility in the U.S. — Creating a Family: Talk about Infertility, Adoption, & Foster Care. When Dawn began researching options for growing her family, she had a difficult time finding accurate, unbiased information online about the adoption process. Recognizing the need for a reliable source for learning about family expansion options, her online website eventually transformed into what Creating a Family is today, one of the leading providers of infertility and adoption education. Dawn’s organization uses an unbiased approach and provides information that is both medically and emotionally accurate, so that individuals can make the decision that’s best for them, whether that means adopting, fostering or continuing their fertility journey. Their mission is to support people who are struggling to create a family, regardless of the circumstances. In this episode, we’ll learn about various types of adoption, embryo donation, and the different resources available to individuals and families. Guest: Dawn Davenport, Executive Director of Creating a Family. Host: Brandi Guthrie, National Account Manager at Progyny. For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page, Creating a Family and the podcast Creating a Family: Talk about Infertility, Adoption & Foster Care. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
November 11th is Veteran’s Day, and in honor of this, we are rolling out three episodes to spread light on an issue that is often overlooked, dealing with infertility in the military. We will hear from those who had their own personal battles with building a family, learn how different treatment can be, but also how similar some of those struggles and challenges are. In the second episode of our three-part series, we hear from Kerry Karwan, a retired Coast Guard Officer, and Ellen Haring, a retired Army Colonel and CEO of the Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN), a non-profit that supports, connects, and advocates for service women; past, present, and future. Kerry shares what it’s like to go through fertility treatment while on active duty. For her this meant on the road IVF injections, going to multiple clinics across the country, and going through all of this on her own. During her journey, she found SWAN, which connects women in the military to information, resources, and legal support. We learn how an organization like SWAN are fighting for better policies and healthcare. Guests: Kerry Karwan, retired U.S. Coast Guard and member of Service Women’s Action Network, and Ellen Haring, CEO of Service Women’s Action Network. Host: Dan Bulger, Producer at Progyny. For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Service Women’s Action Network. If you want to learn more about the report discussed in this episode, you can find it here: Access to Reproductive Health Care: The Experiences of Military Women Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com
November 11th is Veteran’s Day, and in honor of this, we are rolling out three episodes to spread light on an issue that is often overlooked, dealing with infertility in the military. We will hear from those who had their own personal battles with building a family, learn how different treatment can be, but also how similar some of those struggles and challenges are. In the third and final episode of our three-part series, we hear from Dr. Matthew Retzloff, a Reproductive Endocrinologist at the Fertility Center of San Antonio. With a history of over 300 years of military presence, San Antonio is home to one of the nation’s largest active and retired military populations. Dr. Retzloff, who served in the U.S. Air Force for over 29 years, now sees several active service members and veterans who are experiencing infertility. In this episode, we learn about service-related injuries that can lead to infertility, factors that often limit access to care for military members, and specialized programs that are providing active and veterans access to the care they need to build their families. Expert: Dr. Matthew Retzloff, fertility specialist from the Fertility Center of San Antonio. Host: Dan Bulger, Producer at Progyny. For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page. If you want to learn more about the programs mentioned in this podcast you can find them here: Compassionate Corps Program and Heart for Heroes Program. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com
November 11th is Veteran’s Day, and in honor of this, we are rolling out three episodes to spread light on an issue that is often overlooked, dealing with infertility in the military. We will hear from those who had their own personal battles with building a family, learn how different treatment can be, but also how similar some of those struggles and challenges are. In the first episode of our three-part series, we hear from Rebecca Lipe, who served as a Judge Advocate General in the U.S. Air Force and served in Iraq. After deployment, she started her family building journey and decided to go through IVF, but things didn’t go as expected. In this episode, Rebecca shares her story of navigating fertility treatment while under military care, suffering from physically and emotionally painful pregnancy losses, and eventually giving birth to her beautiful daughter Genevieve. We’ll also learn about the importance of staying connected and finding a community while dealing with infertility, as Rebecca emphasizes, “Women in the military are the best resource for other women in the military.” Guest: Rebecca Lipe, attorney at a private law firm. Host: Dan Bulger, Producer at Progyny. For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources on how to best handle a miscarriage. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we’re diving into an aspect of breast cancer that’s frequently overlooked. The treatments for cancer (such as chemotherapy, radiation, and other drugs) can put fertility at risk for women in reproductive age. One drug in particular, Tamoxifen, is taken for a number of years and helps treat and prevent breast cancer from developing. You shouldn’t try to conceive while taking Tamoxifen. However, there’s a solution; some can take a “drug holiday” or break from medication. Typically, the break can last up to a year, meaning you shouldn’t try to conceive until a few months after using the drug. That also means there’s only a short window for someone to conceive. People often consider fertility preservation, or egg/embryo freezing because of the risks and time constraints while dealing with cancer. Just in case you don’t have a healthy pregnancy, fertility preservation is often seen as a safety net so you can move forward with an embryo transfer. It’s an important option to have, but unfortunately, not everyone knows about this until it’s too late. Today’s guests, Emily Rich and Ian Schwartz, dive into what it was like for Emily to be diagnosed with breast cancer, their journey with fertility preservation, and how their fertility benefit helped them through this journey. Guests: Emily Rich, VP of Strategic Planning and Operations at UJA and Progyny Member, and Ian Schwartz, VP Tailgate and AE Men’s Graphics at American Eagle Outfitters. Host: Lissa Kline, VP of Member and Provider Services at Progyny.
Some experiences are extremely difficult to talk about, some are hard to even think about. These experiences are sometimes described as being unspeakable, but when nobody speaks about something it can become difficult to heal, and it can be extremely lonely. This is what happens when someone has a miscarriage – also known as a pregnancy loss. According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, an early pregnancy loss is common and occurs in 10% of all clinically recognized pregnancies and approximately 80% of all cases of pregnancy loss occur within the first trimester. Regardless of the timing of the miscarriage or how many, it’s still difficult. So how do you recover emotionally after a pregnancy loss? How do you find the strength to keep trying or move forward? In today’s episode, we hear from Erica McAfee, the host of the podcast, Sister’s in Loss. Erica suffered two devastating miscarriages during the early years of her marriage and now she’s dedicated her life to helping others who’ve had a similar experience. She’s building a community of women to, “talk about our relationships, treatments, medications, and a lot of the issues that a lot of black women and women of color are having in trying to get and stay pregnant.” Today’s episode is hosted by Selena Campbell, Manager of Member Services at Progyny. For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny’s resources on how to handle a miscarriage. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com
People use social media for several reasons. For Instagram, most use it to keep in touch with friends and families while others use it to highlight their culture or connect with their fans. They’re also turning to Instagram to get information, get inspired, and build communities. It’s become a place for people to voice their opinions and share info, especially when it comes to infertility. Some will use Instagram to document their IVF journey (#IVF has over 1M posts) or talk about their loss (#miscarriage has over 360K posts). Regardless of where someone is in their journey, they can share their experiences (the highs and lows) with a community they build from the ground up. But with all of this knowledge and community building, people are also being served ads. These ads might gloss over heavy topics like infertility. Some have been reported talking about financing procedures like it’s a walk in the park. When this information isn’t coming from a reproductive endocrinologist, how do you know the information is accurate? In today’s episode, we hear from Dr. Natalie Crawford about why it’s important for fertility doctors to use popular social media platforms to educate patients and the general public about fertility, and we’ll also hear from Julie R., one of Dr. Crawford’s patients and a Progyny member, about how the patient and doctor relationship is enhanced through social media. Today's host is Taylor Burbach, Manager of Member Services at Progyny. Guests include: Dr. Natalie Crawford, fertility specialist at Aspire Fertility in Austin, and Julie R., a Progyny member. For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page: progyny.com/podcast and Aspire Fertility Austin: https://www.aspirefertility.com/austin-texas Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com
One of the most common questions people ask when they find out they have polycystic ovary syndrome, PCOS, is, “Does this mean I can’t get pregnant?” PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that often presents itself with several symptoms, and yes one of those symptoms may be infertility. But, while PCOS itself isn’t curable, it is possible for women with PCOS to get pregnant. PCOS impacts a woman’s body’s ability to ovulate, which can lead to an irregular fertile window. These irregularities can affect your ability to get pregnant naturally, but there are several things a reproductive endocrinologist can recommend to help overcome this. Treatment options can be as straightforward as oral medications to induce ovulation, injectable medications, or fertility treatments like IUI and IVF. There isn’t a treatment option for all women with PCOS, and each individual needs to work with their doctor to decide the right treatment path for them. In today’s episode, we’ll hear from Sarah Rivera, who was diagnosed after experiencing two life-threatening ectopic pregnancies. Because of her experience, she decided that IVF was the safest way to proceed, and because she had coverage for fertility treatments provided by her employer, she was able to pursue parenthood at her own pace. This episode is hosted by Julie Hunt, self-described “proud PCOS cyster”, and Manager of Business Development at Progyny.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, PCOS, is a hormonal imbalance that can lead to symptoms like hair loss, acne and oily skin, irregular periods, excess hair growth in the face, weight gain, and infertility. Unfortunately, there is no cure for PCOS, but hormonal disorders and diseases can often be managed by incorporating a “hormone friendly diet.” Finding the right diet can be difficult for anyone, but for someone with PCOS, it can be even more complicated. In this episode, we will try to help you sort out the do’s and don’ts of the ideal PCOS diet. Certified Health Coach Susan May sits down with Progyny’s Lissa Kline to discuss what foods to avoid, what foods to seek out, and some other lifestyle changes women with PCOS can make to manage their condition. If you want to learn even more you can do so at progyny.com/education. There you can find an article written by Susan May entitled, “What Do You Eat if You Have PCOS or Endo?” This article breaks down everything you need to know about PCOS, endometriosis, and how you should cater your diet to help manage both of these common conditions. This episode is hosted by Julie Hunt, self-described “proud PCOS cyster”, and Manager of Business Development at Progyny.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, PCOS, impacts 1 in 10 women of childbearing age and symptoms can include ovulatory issues and infertility. So, PCOS is common and disruptive, but the good news is that with appropriate care PCOS can be managed. The first obstacle to managing PCOS is understanding the various symptoms and receiving a diagnosis. PCOS can come with a wide array of symptoms: Hair loss Acne, darkening of the skin, skin tags Pelvic pain, irregular periods Headaches, feelings of anxiety and depression Excess hair growth on the face Trouble sleeping Weight gain Infertility For more info check out this PCOS infographic. These symptoms can be caused by other conditions and everyone with PCOS experience the same symptoms, so it can be extremely difficult to get a diagnosis. The best thing for someone who’s exhibiting some of these symptoms is to talk to their doctor. The biggest challenge is, many people don’t ask because they don’t know what PCOS is. This is why awareness about PCOS is so crucial. September is PCOS Awareness Month, and to help spread awareness we have created a special three-part series featuring PCOS experts, health specialists, and a fertility patient who built her family despite her diagnosis. This episode features Dr. Stephanie Thompson, from IVFMD, who breaks down everything you need to know about PCOS, and Sasha Ottey, founder of PCOS Challenge, the National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association. Dr. Thompson will walk us through what PCOS is, what it means for fertility, and how to help women with PCOS build the family of their dreams. Sasha will share her personal experience with PCOS, how she was diagnosed, and how she started the PCOS Challenge. We’ll learn about PCOS Challenge’s mission, gain an understanding of how to contribute to PCOS Challenge, and hear about some exciting upcoming events like the Rise to the Challenge Gala. This episode is hosted by Julie Hunt, self-described “proud PCOS cyster, “and Manager of Business Development at Progyny.
September is PCOS awareness month, and this year we’re rolling out a special three-episode series covering PCOS from three unique angles. We’ll kick off the series on Monday, September 9th with Sasha Ottey, founder of PCOS Challenge, the National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association who will lay out how she came to create a network of over 50,000 women, all dedicated to advocacy and spreading awareness around this common condition. Then, a week later, on Monday September 16th, we’ll hear from Certified Health Coach Susan May who will share some practical advice for women hoping to find a PCOS diet. And we’ll wrap up the following week, Monday September 23rd, with Sarah Rivera, who is living proof that a PCOS diagnosis does not mean you can’t get pregnant… it just means you may need a little help. You probably know someone with PCOS so please share this with your friends and family, and of course, if you want information about PCOS right now go to progyny.com/education. There you can find lots of helpful resources like our PCOS infographic which breaks down this condition, it’s treatment options, and what it means for a woman trying to get pregnant, an article written by Certified Health Coach Susan May laying out exactly what a PCOS diet looks like, and much more. Also, don’t forget that previous episodes of This is Infertility are always available at progyny.com/podcast, and you’ll find last year’s PCOS Awareness Month content there, just scroll down to Episode 13, 14, and 15. This series is hosted by Julie Hunt, Manager of Business Development at Progyny.
"The hardest thing about having a baby alone is making the decision to do it.” This is a quote from the memoir, “Panic & Joy: My Solo Path to Motherhood”. In this episode, we hear from the author, a British journalist, and New York-transplant, Emma Brockes. At 37 years old, Emma found herself in the early stages of a relationship with a woman called “L” who was already in the process of her own path to single motherhood, and Emma had to choose exactly how she planned to become a mother. Today’s host is Amanda Sanchez, part of the Provider Relations team at Progyny. Guests include: Emma Brockes For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page: http://www.progyny.com/podcast and you can find the book Panic & Joy: My Solo Path to Motherhood here :https://www.amazon.com/Panic-Joy-Solo-Path-Motherhood/dp/0143110314 Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com
Fertility treatments are expensive, and they’re usually not covered by insurance. So, what do you do when you need IVF, but you can’t afford the associated bills? Over the course of her 10-year fertility journey, Brandi Kline found herself asking that question time and again. She had a good fulltime job, but no coverage for fertility treatments. Where did she turn when she was running out of hope? Starbucks. Brandi shares with us her story of resilience and resourcefulness, how she got her fertility treatments covered by working part-time at Starbucks, and how after a complicated and draining experience, she is now a mother to a beautiful baby. Today’s host is Julie Stadlbauer, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Progyny. Guests include: Brandi Kline For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page: http://www.progyny.com/podcast Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com
We’ve covered the cost effectiveness of pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy, or PGT-A. In today’s episode, we are going to learn about something called non-invasive pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (they don’t have an acronym for it yet because it’s still in clinical trials). We’ll hear from Dr. Mandy Katz-Jaffe, a Reproductive Geneticist and the Scientific and Genetics Director at CCRM. She’ll break down how this test could work, the advantages this could have for patients, and where they are in the process of clinical trials. Today’s host is Claire O’Neill, Patient Care Advocate at Progyny. Guests include: Dr. Mandy Katz-Jaffe, a Reproductive Geneticist and the Scientific and Genetics Director at CCRM. For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page: http://www.progyny.com/podcast and CCRM: https://www.ccrmivf.com Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com
The world of fertility is filled with acronyms - ART, IVF, IUI, ICSI, PICSI, SET, FET, HCG, LH, PCOS, AMH, FSH, OMG. But there is one acronym in particular that gets questioned often, PGT-A. It stands for pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy and it can make a real difference. Everyone who decides to go forward with IVF has to make a decision on whether or not to go forward with PGT-A. The fact is, many people just aren’t sure if it would be worth the extra cost. In this episode we hear from Dr. Shelby Neal who, along with the team at RMA of New Jersey, performed a study to answer one of the key questions most patients have when facing IVF, “When is it cost effective to use pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy?” and “Why should we do PGT-A?” Today’s host is Claire O’Neill, Patient Care Advocate (PCA) at Progyny. Guests include: Dr. Shelby Neal from RMA of NJ For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page: http://www.progyny.com/podcast and RMA of NJ: https://www.rmanj.com Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com