Infertile Af

In 2017, Arielle Bogorad was diagnosed with unexplained infertility and, after more than a year of trying IVF drugs, she was told she was a “poor responder” to them and would have a hard time achieving chromosomally normal embryos. Today, Ali talks to her about her family building journey, including how, in 2019, she was able to obtain 2 normal embryos with one being transferred and resulting in her having a beautiful baby girl that September. The exorbitant cost of fertility treatment would have been too expensive for Arielle and her family, but she was able to move forward and have her daughter because her employer offered Progyny. Arielle explains to Ali why she joined Progyny in a role where she educates employers on how critical family building benefits are, the impact they have on DEI initiatives, and the cultural message it sends to employees. She also talks about how the trauma and grief of infertility lives on. For more, check out https://progyny.com/TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:Unexplained inferti

Today Ali is talking to an ART O.G.! It's Ellen Weir Casey, "The Original Fertility Advocate," who forged her own unique path to parenthood in the very early days of IVF. "Infertility wasn't even a word then," Ellen says. "It was, 'You're not getting pregnant. There's no way you're getting pregnant.'" Ellen tells Ali her entire family building journey, starting with how she got an unapproved IUD in her early 20s, which led to a severe internal infection that resulted in extreme scarring in both fallopian tubes. Ellen was around in the earliest days of Assisted Reproductive Technology, so she was doing research in the library basement. This was also way before email and iPhones and Facebook and Instagram, so she was typing up letters on her typewriter and sending them in the mail to doctors and clinics. She talks about her early miscarriage, being one of the first women in the world to have micro-surgery, and when IVF babies were called "test tube babies.

"There is so much about pregnancy and fertility health that no one talks about," says this week's guest, author and infertility warrior Leslie Schrock. Leslie has written two books, "Bumpin: The Modern Guide to Pregnancy," and "Fertility Rules," in which she debunks myths and empowers you to be your own advocate from preconception to pregnancy and beyond. Today, Ali talks to Leslie about her own family building journey, including ovulation tracking, her first miscarriage, and how she has been pregnant a total of five times (today, she has two sons). She talks about having a D&C, her thoughts on the turnover of Roe v. Wade, how she and her husband grieved differently at different stages of their journey, and how it felt to get -- and stay -- pregnant after loss. She also discusses why her friends call her "Pregnancy Siri" and why guys need to step it up in terms of getting involved in the fertility and reproduction conversation.  For more or to order her books, go to htt

Today, Ali talks to Jewish Fertility Foundation founder Elana Frank about getting married but not getting pregnant right away, going through fertility treatments in Israel, getting put on Clomid without even getting an exam, and so much more. She also talks about IUIs, IVF, transferring multiple embryos, embryo donation, having her babies, and why she started the JFF. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:Infertility; IVF; Jewish infertility; IUIs; infertility treatment in Israel; Clomid; embryo donation For sponsorship or partnership inquiries, please email infertileafstories@gmail.comEPISODE SPONSORS:FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.comNo one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 4 to 5 support groups per week, 4 private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.Join now at link in bio on IG @fertil

Sasha Hakman is not only a fertility doctor, she is a fertility patient, and today we are talking about ALL OF IT. In her podcast debut, Sasha (formerly known on IG as Dr. Fierce) talks about why female physicians have a greater percentage of infertility, and how that specifically affected her when she went through her OBGYN residency for four years, and then her REI fellowship for an additional three years. She talks about thinking about freezing her eggs, how she met her now-husband and why she decided to freeze embryos instead, and how, as a doctor, she was able to look at her husband's sperm under a microscope. She talks about "super ovulating," being "reckless" with her med doses, why she didn't do PGT testing, why SCH are more common in IVF pregnancies, and what it felt like to finally have her son. She also talks about exercise during TTC -- and why she is so passionate about it. Follow her on IG at @sashahakmanmd for more.TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:Infertility; IVF; exercis

Bailey Hawkins is an IVF mama, and today she's going to tell us everything she went to to have her son -- and where she and her husband are now in their family building journey. Bailey talks about having endometriosis and very painful periods from a young age (and how her mom also have severe endo); how the Receptiva DX test changed the game for her; being called "irrational" by her doctor,; the immense stress of infertility; doing a frozen transfer; the anxieties of pregnancy after infertility and so much more. She also talks about why, after her family is complete, she'll have a hysterectomy. Follow her on IG at @baileyannhawkins TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:Infertility; IVF; IUIs; failed IUIs; failed IVF; finances; endometriosis; endo surgery; frozen transfer; pregnancy after infertility; stress; infertility and sex; NICU life; hysterectomy For sponsorship or partnership inquiries, please email infertileafstories@gmail.comEPISODE SPONSORS:FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally

Lisa McCarty is a women's health and infertility advocate who has been through so much, including 14 IVF transfers. Today, Lisa tells Ali the whole story, including IUIs, moving on to IVF, discovering she had Asherman's syndrome, the anxieties of pregnancy after recurrent miscarriage and loss, and so much more. She also talks about the benefits of therapy during infertility, including Cognitive Based Therapy, and how her therapist used to say "You can't change the thought going into your mind, but you can change your response to it." Decide how you want to react. Am I in danger? Or is it perceived danger? Reassure yourself you are pregnant now, don't worry about tomorrow. Lisa believes it's critical to be your own best advocate, especially when it comes to your health.TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:Infertility; IVF; IUIs; failed IUIs; failed IVF; recurrent miscarriage; therapy; CBT; pregnancy after infertility and lossFor sponsorship or partnership inquiries, please email infertile

Today, Ali is talking to Darlene, a woman who emailed Infertile AF asking to share her family building story. Darlene is a self-described "kindergarten teacher who spends all day with kids but is yet to have kids of her own." She and her husband have been trying for a baby since 2020, including 4 failed IUI's, 2 cancelled IVF cycles and a tragic pregnancy that was diagnosed as cornual ectopic. On this episode, Darlene explains how her journey continues, and how infertility is "so humbling." "I'm a shell of a human I was 3 years ago and there's no end in sight," she says. You can follow her story at  @making_baby_oh TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:Infertility; IVF; IUIs; failed IUIs; cornual ectopic pregnancy; anxiety; cancelled cycles; For sponsorship or partnership inquiries, please email infertileafstories@gmail.comEPISODE SPONSORS:FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.comNo one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at 

Michelle Buteau is a brilliant and real AF comedian, actress and host best known for appearing on Netflix's "The Circle" and in the movies "Isn't it Romantic" and "Always be My Maybe." She's also a fierce infertility and surrogacy advocate, who Ali first met in early 2020 when they were both in Albany, NY for Surrogacy Lobby Day. Today, Michelle tells Ali all about the long road to having her twins, Hazel and Otis, including IUIs, several rounds of IVF, four devastating miscarriages, prolactinoma (a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland) and why exploring international adoption didn't go how they'd planned. She also talks about facing discrimination at her doctor's appointments (and how, when her white husband was with her, she was treated completely differently)—and finally meeting the surrogate who would help them welcome their healthy babes. For advertising or partnership inquiries, please email infertileafstories@gmail.comEPISODE SPONSORS:FERTILITY RALLY

On today's episode, Ali talks to Katy Seppi, creator of @childlesscollective, and Alisha, creator of @twobechildfree, about living -- and thriving -- without children after infertility. Katy, who told her full infertility story on Ali's podcast in 2020, talks about all the work she is doing to support those in the community who have pivoted from their family building journeys and are now living childless not by choice. Alisha, another strong voice and bright light in the #embracechildless community, tells Ali about her struggles with infertility, her two chemical pregnancies, why she walked away when IVF was brought to the table, and everything she is doing now to raise awareness, blast stigmas and support her and Katy's childless after infertility sisters. Ali, Katy and Alisha also talk about how "childless" vs. "childfree,"; how they all really dislike the term "giving up," how infertility and treatment can lead to depression and anxiety; how they both decided to pivot fr

Dr. Kelli Burroughs is a board certified OB/Gyn who has been practicing in Texas with Sweetwater OB/Gyn since 2009. Dr. Burroughs graduated from Spellman College in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She currently serves as Department Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology for Memorial Hermann in Sugar Land, Texas. Today, she tells Ali all about her two and a half year battle with infertility, including going through IVF -- and what it was like seeing her patients while she was struggling with her own infertility journey. She also talks about finally getting pregnant, and the anxieties that came with it. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:Infertility; IVF; infertility as a doctor; the anxieties of pregnancy after infertility and lossFor advertising inquiries please email infertileafstories@gmail.comEPISODE SPONSORS:FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.comNo one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 4 support groups per

Mary Leah and Rodney Miller spent 10 long years trying to build their family. Today, Ali talks to the couple about how they met, how Mary Leah was told that her eggs were not viable and that she’d likely never be able to get pregnant; and their ultimate decision to pursue embryo adoption. Mary Leah and Rodney talk about the effect infertility had on their marriage, how at certain points they had different paths in mind, but how they both felt excited when it was suggested that they connect with Snowflakes Embryo Adoptions to adopt one family's embryos. They also talk about getting matched with a family, why using donor eggs was not the correct path for them, how their faith came into play, and how twins Dalton and Mary Elizabeth were born in December 2022. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:TTC; IUIs; IVF; egg viability; poor quality eggs; the donor egg path; embryo adoption; embryo transfers; pregnancy with twinsEPISODE SPONSORS:FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.comNo one should go through i

Sonia Iwanek-Chesley is a proud donor egg mama to Taya, her sweet daughter who was born in January 2023. She is also one of Ali's dearest friends, after Sonia joined the Fertility Rally fam and became one of their support group leaders. Today, Sonia tells Ali all of the details of her family building journey, including meeting her husband, doing several IUIs, a chemical pregnancy, a miscarriage, and what happened when they decided to shift to donor eggs. Sonia talks about how they chose a donor (and then another one) -- and why it was important to include her bonus kids; about finally getting pregnant; and all about her severe preeclampsia and Taya's early birth, leading to a long and traumatic NICU stay. Follow Sonia @donor.egg.mama.cheetah TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:TTC; IUIs; IVF; donor eggs; chemical pregnancy; miscarriage; advocacy; finding your support groups; embryo transfer; preeclampsia; NICUEPISODE SPONSORS:FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.comNo one should go through in

Kirsten McLennan is the author of "This is Infertility," which tells the story of her six year journey through IVF and surrogacy. Kirsten's son Spencer was born through gestational surrogacy in 2019 in Utah. On this episode, she and Ali talk about all of the significant challenges and setbacks they went through, as well as their very real experiences with IVF and surrogacy. Says Kirsten: "I'm passionate about raising awareness about infertility through my book and also through my instagram page @straight.up.inferitlity"  TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:TTC; IVF; surrogacy; international surrogacy; advocacy; pregnancy of unknown location; thin lining; embryo transfer; embryo lossEPISODE SPONSORS:FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.comNo one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 4 support groups per week, 3 private Facebook groups, tons of curated events, and an entire community of more than 500 women

Kirsten Jordan is the first woman ever cast on Bravo's Million Dollar Listing New York. In college, she was diagnosed with PCOS, and later, when she was told she was going to need IVF to conceive, she decided she did not want to go down that road. Kirsten soon started working with Dr. Christina Burns, a previous Infertile AF podcast guest, and they started changing Kirsten's lifestyle and taking a naturopathic approach to fertility. They focused on balanced hormones, improved egg quality, and lowered inflammation, managing her PCOS with natural methods. "I was like, I'm never gonna do IVF," Kirsten says.  Today, she is the mother of three, all born without assisted reproductive technology. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:PCOS; TTC; forgoing IVF and ART; anti-inflammatory diet; herbal medicine; acupuncture; pregnancy without IVF and ARTEPISODE SPONSORS:FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.comNo one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members a

Today, talks to Chris Jackson, CEO and President of Cicero Diagnostics. Chris has been in diagnostic lab testing for over 30 years, focusing on health care sales and marketing. He has launched more than 35 products during his career, with the majority in the field of women's health & reproductive medicine. Ali and Chris talk about how Cicero Diagnostics is Giving a Voice to Silent Endometriosis, Why this so important right now, How the Receptiva DX test, which is for unexplained infertility, failed implantation and recurrent pregnancy loss, works, and so much more. Chris shares some success stories from some of the women he's worked with over the years, and also shares some very exciting new generation testing that's on the horizon. For more, go to https://receptivadx.com/USE CODE INFERTILEAF23 for $75 off the test. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:Unexplained infertility; TTC; endometriosis; silent endo; Receptiva DX; failed implantation; recurrent pregnancy lossEPISODE SPONSORS:FERTILITY RALLY

On today's episode, Ali interviews Rosanne Austin, Master Mindset Coach, Fertility Fairy Godmother, and "Am I The Reason I'm Not Getting Pregnant?" author, about going through seven years of failed fertility treatments. Rosanne explains how she did treatment after treatment, also trying everything from acupuncture to boiling black chickens, before having her son without assisted reproductive technology at 43 years old. Rosanne. a former prosecutor, is now passionate about teaching other high-achieving women across the globe to do the same through her Fearlessly Fertile Method, helping them work on their mindset and also reduce stress on their fertility journeys. More info on Rosanne: Website: https://www.frommaybetobaby.comnstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosanneaustinfertilityFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosanneaustincoachYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fearlesslyfertiletvLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosanneaustinTOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:Unexplained infertility; acup

Today, Ali is talking to Dr. Christina Burns, a doctor of Chinese Medicine and a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist. She is also the founder of Naturna, an integrative fertility clinic in NYC, dedicated to the comprehensive fusion of Eastern medicine and Western science. Christina explains why and how she got into a healing profession, how she was diagnosed with PCOS and low ovarian reserve, and how, when it came time to build her family, she chose not to go through IVF or any ART, even though her OB-GYN recommended it. Christina is also the author of The Ultimate Fertility Guidebook, which just hit shelves, and includes proven tactics to help women tune into their body's natural "language" and increase their chances of conceiving. "I've just seen so many miracles with natural medicine and lifestyle changes that that is what I stick to. I very rarely take a more modern Western approach, although I do see there is absolutely a place for it and I'm a big fan of integrative medicine,

Huge episode today! Ali is talking to "Jar of Hearts" and "A Thousand Years" singer Christina Perri about her long and difficult family-building journey. Christina and Ali get deep about how Christina met her husband (a legit "meet cute,"), when she found out she was pregnant with her now-five-year-old daughter, Carmella, and how "A Thousands Years" is hands down one of the biggest anthems of Ali's (and so many others') infertility journey. Christina shares her experience with miscarriage; the devastating stillbirth of her daughter, Rosie; navigating mental health; mold poisoning; the effects of loss and fertility issues on marriage, how they told Carmella about Rosie's death, and so much more. Christina is passionate about raising awareness for pregnant women with blood-clotting disorders, and she talks about her own disorder, and the test that could have detected her disorder and possibly prevented her losses. Christina is such a badass, she’s a woman’s woman, she

Today Ali is talking to singer-songwriter Lauren Kelley, who is still in the midst of her years-long infertility journey. Lauren says she "had a feeling" she'd have trouble getting pregnant. And unfortunately, she was not wrong. Lauren explains what happened when she and her husband started to try for kids, and what happened when they discovered that one of her tubes was blocked and the other was non-functional. She talks about rounds of IVF, finding a "grapefruit-sized cyst" on her right ovary, why she distrusts doctors, and why she started sharing her story on social media. Make sure to listen to the end so you can hear the beautiful song Lauren wrote about her journey, "New Life." Follow Lauren here:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/queenevelyineInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/queenevelyineWebsite: https://www.evelyine.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@evelyinesingsNew Life on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAbOPpuW9TATOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:Infertility