Been There, Injected That

**Our Season 2 Finale Episode **According to the CDC, 8% of Black women between 25-44 seek infertility treatment, compared to 15% of White women. Obviously this is a multi-layered, systemic issue: we have a complicated healthcare system, shitty and inequitable insurance policies which result in high costs to seek fertility treatments, medical racism when it comes to the ways medications are tested and the way providers interact with patients, and there is a lot of community bias about Black people being hyper-fertile (which is obviously not true, and super damaging).We’re talking to Regina Townsend, founder of The Broken Brown Egg about her fertility journey and why she created The Broken Brown Egg. We also asked Regina:What were some of the biggest challenges you experienced during your fertility journey?What do you wish Black fertility warriors knew? What do you wish White fertility warriors knew?What inspired you to create The Broken Brown Egg?

If you’re a planner who loves control and updating your Google calendar, welp....infertility is probably your greatest nightmare. Infertility can bring even the most buttoned up, organized, over-functioners to their knees. In this episode, Danielle and Patrick Hall, spouses and co-founders of MyVitro, share their own fertility journey alongside their favorite tips for getting through infertility when you’re Type A and why you should embrace your desire to organize and schedule if you’re gearing up for IVF. To learn more, visit MyVitro.com.

The title “fertility coach” is one that’s creeped up quite a bit in the TTC community lately. But what is a fertility coach? How are they trained? And should you consider hiring one? Today we’re asking Kela Smith about fertility coaching, her Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E. method and how you can become a fertility coach yourself.

Despite its high prevalence, PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is a disorder that is shrouded in mystery. It is often misdiagnosed and unrecognized due the fact that its signs and symptoms can vary widely from one individual to the next and can fluctuate throughout a person’s lifetime.Today, we're talking to Dr. Stephanie Dahl, a reproductive endocrinologist at CCRM Minneapolis and asking Dr. Dahl all about PCOS. Some of our questions include:What is PCOS?What are some common symptoms of PCOS? How is it diagnosed?How does PCOS affect women’s health and also women’s fertility?What are some lifestyle changes that could help women with PCOS?

Of all infertility cases, approximately 40–50% is due to “male factor” infertility. And while this diagnosis can be devastating for men, it can be equally challenging for women who are trying to support their partners and also grow their families. On this episode, TJ Peyten shares her story through infertility, a male factor diagnosis, questions about her faith and ultimately a family grown by adoption.To learn more about TJ, you can check out this article she wrote for Fruitful or purchase her book "Semen Secrets."

A lot of people are surprised by the emotional challenges infertility kicks up. They're unexpected. They're big. And we mostly deal with them in private. What is it about infertility that makes you feel totally insane and what are some coping techniques that might alleviate some of the stress and big feelings that pop up?On this episode, we're talking to mental health expert (and fertility warrior herself) Rena Gower LCSW about what makes infertility such a traumatic life event.We're also asking Rena:What are some of the most common challenges you hear from people going through infertility? Are there common themes?What are some warning signs that a marriage or relationship might be straining under the pressure of TTC?How do you know it’s time to talk to a therapist or mental health expert?Are there any coping techniques or tips that listeners can implement to make going through infertility a bit easier for them?And here's a link to the article referenced in the episode that Rena wrote for Fruitful about how infertility can affect your sex life and marriage:https://www.fruitfulfertility.org/blog/2111/infertility-sex-and-marriage/

Diminished Ovarian Reserve is a serious diagnosis that can shock fertility patients and can easily send them into a “worst case scenario” spiral. But what is Diminished Ovarian Reserve? How is it tested and can it be treated? Today we’re asking Dr. Ellen Goldstein all our questions (the big, the small and the scary) about ovarian reserve, egg quality and what a DOR diagnosis means for your future family.

Fertility nurses play an integral role in both our reproductive treatments and also our experiences at clinics. They’re the ones who do our ultrasounds, explain our medication protocols and often are the ones calling us with our beta results post IUI or IVF. In this episode we’re talking to fertility nurse Dori Gelfman about why she got into healthcare, what makes fertility patients special and what she’s reallyyyy thinking when her patients break down and cry (or accidentally wear a jumpsuit to an ultrasound appointment).You can learn more about Dori and her new job working as Community Manager at Fruitful Fertility here: https://www.fruitfulfertility.org/blog/2077/meet-dori-gelfman/

Experiencing infertility and miscarriage can be one of the darkest, loneliest times of a person’s life. There’s not much to laugh about when you’re staring at a stark white pregnancy test for the 24th cycle in a row. And yet, keeping a good sense of humor can be an incredibly powerful coping mechanism. Today we’re talking to Millie Brooks, actress, performer and host of the podcast Me, Myself & Millie, about her long path to parenthood, what she’s learned and how humor helped get her through some of the lowest lows.We're asking Millie:What made you decide to begin sharing your story through your podcast?Was it easy for you to find humor in your fertility journey?How do you think humor can help add levity to an otherwise dark, lonely experience?What did you learn about yourself during your fertility journey?

Women who become pregnant through IVF have an 80% higher risk for spontaneous preterm birth before both 37 and 34 weeks gestation, compared with those who conceived naturally, according to a 2017 study. Today we’re talking to Monique Farook, the host of the podcast Infertility and Me, about her long path to parenthood after IUIs, IVF, a 24-week delivery and 129 days in the NICU. Warrior, indeed.

While miscarriages are very common, recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is less common. 1-2% of couples experience recurrent miscarriage, or the loss of multiple pregnancies before the 20th week and the reasons for recurrent miscarriage are often not understood. On today’s episode we are talking to Megan Hanson about recurrent miscarriages, what is known and what is not, and how you can better advocate for yourself and your health while navigating RPL. We're asking Megan:What does “recurrent pregnancy loss” mean? How is it defined/diagnosed?What are some of the emotional challenges specific to recurrent pregnancy loss?How do you know it’s time to see a specialist or take next steps?What are some tips and resources for women and families struggling with recurrent pregnancy loss?To learn more, visit Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association.

Anyone who has been anxious about trying to conceive has probably either researched meditation or dabbled in meditation. But what is meditation and how can it help our minds and bodies slow down while we try to conceive? Today we’re talking to fertility warrior, meditation expert and podcast host, Josephine Atluri. Josephine will be sharing her own story as well as why meditation can be so valuable and some tips on how to begin your own practice.We're asking Josephine about:Her own long path to parenthood (which included IVF, surrogacy, international adoption)How she originally got interested in meditationHow meditation can help TTC warriors specificallyWhat meditation is all about and how it can help our bodies and our mindsWhat are good steps for people who are new to meditationTo learn more, check out Josephine's website and sign up for some of her TTC-specific meditations: https://www.jatluri.com/

Many people who experience infertility eventually decide to pursue IUI, IVF or other assisted reproductive technologies to grow their families. But what if IUI or IVF isn’t the right choice for you? Today we’re talking to Katie Zieba who speaks candidly about her and her husband’s decision to not pursue fertility treatments.You can learn more about Katie Zieba and her decision to let go of infertility in this blog post she wrote for Fruitful Fertility: https://www.fruitfulfertility.org/blog/1882/saying-no-to-fertility-treatments/

What is embryo donation? How does it work? And *does* it work? How do you know if pursuing embryo donation might be a good route for you? Embryo donation can be a great alternative for couples who might not have the financial means or desire to pursue IVF or adoption. In this episode we’re sharing Lauren’s story of navigating miscarriages, IUIs and eventually embryo donation.Learn more about Lauren's story and embryo donation here: https://www.fruitfulfertility.org/blog/209/embryo-donation-i-cant-quit-you/

While miscarriages are very common, they often leave women feeling hopeless and alone. In this episode, Dr. Kenosha Gleaton of Natalist helps us answer some common questions about miscarriages and things to consider before trying to get pregnant again after experiencing one.We also asked Dr. Gleaton:How frequent are miscarriages and why do women have them?What are someone’s chances of having multiple miscarriages?What should women be doing, if anything, to increase their chances of conception?What are some ingredients to look for in a prenatal vitamin?You can learn more about getting pregnant after miscarriage here: https://natalist.com/blogs/learn/getting-pregnant-after-miscarriage

So many voices in the world of infertility say sacrifice more - your time, energy, relationships, budget, body, mind and joy - just get through this and then put your life back together after you get a baby. But is this really the healthiest approach?Today we’re talking to Nicole Lange, a licensed acupuncturist, friend and ally of the fertility community, about her new online course, The Baby You Want. Nicole shares some strategies for not just getting through infertility and 'getting a baby,' but ways to get stronger and get the baby you really want - one with a healthy, balanced, thriving mom with an amazingly whole life.Nicole and Elyse also discuss some of the cultural aspects of "infertility" that can be problematic and leave us feeling more isolated and stuck. You can also read about them in this blog post written by Nicole for Fruitful Fertility's blog: https://www.fruitfulfertility.org/blog/1833/its-time-for-a-fertility-culture-change/

Today we're talking to Michelle Strong, the co-founder of MyMindBodyBaby and a registered holistic nutritionist. We're asking Michelle to share a bit about her own struggle with infertility, why she helped create MyMindBodyBaby and how we can give our bodies a boost when it comes to nutrition, fitness and mindfulness.To learn more about how a plant-based diet could boost your fertility, check out Michelle's blog post for Fruitful here: https://www.fruitfulfertility.org/blog/1792/forks-over-knives-fertility-and-plant-based-eating/

Secondary infertility is a frustrating, confusing and lonely diagnosis. It's defined as the inability to become pregnant or to carry a pregnancy successfully after previous success in delivering a child.Oftentimes people going through secondary infertility don’t feel at home in the TTC community (since you're already a parent). But they also don’t feel at home in the parenting community since there are a lot of bumps and questions around when they're having another kid. Where do people dealing with secondary infertility fit in? How do you deal with feeling ungrateful or guilty? Today we’re talking about all things secondary infertility with Monica Caron of the IG handle @my_so_called_IVF.

Infertility has a way of sticking around even when it’s technically “over.” What is it about infertility, IVF and the trauma rollercoaster of it all that seeps into pregnancy, parenting and your life even after the clinic visits and wanda dates stop? In this episode, Brad and Elyse catch up to reflect back on the moments and feelings that surprised them after they finally saw their first BFP.**This episode contains conversations about pregnancy and new parenthood after IVF and a successful frozen embryo transfer**

"Oh my God we're back again...brothers, sisters, everybody sing..." Any other BSB fans out there? Anyone? Anyone?"Been There, Injected That" is back for Season 2! We're recording our episodes over Zoom and have an exciting lineup of guests this season, ready to share their words of wisdom, personal stories and helpful resources for dealing with infertility and miscarriage.On today's episode, Elyse awkwardly monologues for the first time and shares some ways she's been managing her mental health during the pandemic. She also shares why she thinks fertility warriors are uniquely equipped for coping during this tumultuous time of unknowns.

**Season 1 Finale** What happens when your best friend who has been there for you throughout every job hiccup, family drama and relationship challenge struggles to relate to your infertility struggles? And then...what happens when they’re pregnant and you’re not? How can you stay close when the mere idea is so, so painful?In this episode, Elyse speaks with her IRL BFF, Jackie Meisel. The two discuss how they navigated their friendship during the awkward, heartbreaking season of Elyse's fertility journey and how they worked through the hard stuff. Jackie shares tips on how friends of TTC warriors can show up and support their loved ones, even when it seems impossible.

When you’re trying to conceive (especially at first), you’ll try just about anything to help boost your odds of seeing those two pink lines. And one of the things that can help is taking control of your nervous system and learning how to "self-care."In this episode we’re talking to hormone health coach Jennifer Colletti about what self-care really means and what types of holistic options people can try to boost their odds of conceiving (like fertility yoga, castor oil packs and Mayan Abdominal Massage).Jennifer Colletti: https://www.jennifercolletti.com/Castor Oil Packs: https://www.fruitfulfertility.org/blog/1117/using-castor-oil-packs-for-infertility/

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women (it’s almost as common as breast cancer and 8 times more common than ovarian cancer), yet the general public still has very little awareness of the disease. In this episode, Elyse chats with Britt Thelemann Pangerl of the Minnesota Endo Warriors and the new podcast "The Endo Cast" about what endometriosis is, how to get a diagnosis, what treatment options are available and her favorite resources to check out.The Endo Cast: https://www.matriarchdm.com/endocastMinnesota Endo Warriors: https://www.mnendowarriors.org/Nancy's Endometriosis Nook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NancysNookEndoEd/

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine treatment that relies on the painless but strategic placement of tiny needles to stimulate certain key energy points believed to regulate spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical balance. And, for many people, it's often just what the doctor ordered. In this episode, we’re speaking with Molly Kubinski of Selby Acupuncture about what makes acupuncture effective at boosting fertility specifically.

How do you deal with the social stigma of being a 30-something without kids? How do you answer the rude and overly personal questions from well-meaning loved ones or just random people you meet at conferences and weddings? In this episode, we’re chatting with Jen Nagorski, a fellow fertility warrior, who shares her story of navigating both a male factor diagnosis and diminished ovarian reserve. We talk about how to deal with awkward social situations and how we can better help engage our friends and family members and help coach them to support us in more helpful ways.To learn more about how to answer the dreaded question, "When are You Having Kids?" check out this blog post:https://www.fruitfulfertility.org/blog/745/replies-to-the-dreaded-question-when-are-you-having-kids/

A lot of people are surprised by the emotional challenges infertility kicks up. The feelings are unexpected. They're big. And we mostly deal with them in private. What is it about infertility that makes it so hard for some people and what are some coping techniques that might work for listeners?In this episode, we're talking to Dr. Deborah Simmons and Debbie Fischer who practice infertility-related trauma and pregnancy loss counseling at Partners (in)Fertility. They know all about the unique challenges that the family building journey can kick up for all types of couples and individuals, including depression, anxiety and relationship problems.We discuss some of the most common challenges of people going through infertility, how you know it's time to talk to a therapist or mental health expert and some coping techniques that you can implement to make the journey just a little bit easier.Some links and references from the show:Partner's (In)Fertility10 Signs It's Time to Get Help"You Were Meant to Be" by Sherry Keen

*This episode contains conversations about child loss and stillbirth.* Loss is the common emotion that ties together all infertility stories. It's the loss of a dream. The loss of control. And sometimes it's the loss of a baby.Today we’re talking to Brigette Kerber who went through years of infertility, IVF treatments and loss. Brigette bravely shares the story of how she learned to advocate for her health care, stay connected in her relationships, navigate a whole new level of grief and find ways to continue honoring the memory of her daughter, Lynnea.This episode covers some really tough questions: What do you do when the worst possible thing happens to you? How do you grieve? How do you talk about it? How do you keep going? How do you ask for help? How do you get back up and try again? Should you?

IVF is a disruptive, expensive, high-stakes endeavor with a steep learning curve. In this episode, Elyse interviews Megan Johansen to discuss all the things they wish they knew before starting IVF. The two chat about the questions you should be asking yourself, the conversations you should be having with your partner, as well as what the heck is up with that "McDonald's french fries on transfer day" thing and so much more.Looking for more? Here's a piece on the Fruitful Fertility blog called 5 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Starting IVF. And click here to learn more about the book mentioned in this episode, It Starts with the Egg, by Rebecca Fett.

This episode is all about finding your TTC family. Your pineapple people. Your Gonal-F goddesses. Elyse speaks candidly with her two friends, Sarah Peltier and Kielyn Simonson, who she met at an infertility yoga class while the three friends went through infertility and later IVF. The three discuss how to find the emotional support we need when we are at our lowest lows. Where to meet other people who speak infertility ("DPO? IUI? D&C?") And how to bravely put ourselves out there, raise our hands and say “Uhhh...lil help, please?!?” Whether it's through in-person support groups, private FB groups, yoga classes or technology, there are lots of ways to find your TTC family...and it's really important we do this. Infertility is borderline impossible to go through alone. We have to find our community...our new friends who get it and can *really* be there for us. They’re strong for us when we need strength and they’re funny when we need levity. And they somehow cosmically know exactly what we need in each critical moment of fear, heartbreak and vulnerability. Learn more about Kielyn Simonson's organizing business here: https://organicemn.com/

Going to your first fertility clinic consultation can feel overwhelming and intimidating: "Are we infertile? Are they going to try to sell us IVF like some kind of car salesman?" It's high stakes and high pressure...and for good reason. Usually you've already been waiting a long time for answers and this appointment can feel like your first chance to get more information, clarity and a plan.In this episode, we’re chatting with Margaret Sundheim, an IVF Nurse Practitioner at CCRM in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She's sharing what types of questions you should ask, what you can expect in that first meeting and how you might feel when you leave the office. We'll also talk about how you know it's time to leave your OBGYN for a fertility clinic, how to choose your clinic and doctor and how to know it's a good fit.To learn more about how to prepare for your first fertility clinic appointment and for a list of questions you might want to ask, check out this blog post:https://www.fruitfulfertility.org/blog/384/preparing-for-your-first-fertility-clinic-appointment/

Back in 2014, Elyse and Brad had what they thought was a pretty straightforward idea: to have a baby! Turns out, it wasn't going to be so straightforward after all. What followed were three grueling years of charting temperatures, peeing on sticks, having nervous breakdowns in the baby section of Target and blowing up multiple friendships. And that was all before going to their very first fertility clinic appointment.The silver lining? Going through this incredibly isolating and horrific experience gave them the idea behind Fruitful Fertility - the company they founded which connects people emotionally struggling with infertility, IVF and miscarriages with a fertility mentor - someone who has "been there and injected that."