This Is Infertility

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 questi

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:

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

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 f

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 h

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 the

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 wi

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

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

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 comm

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 s

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

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 Medic

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 Infe

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

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: Samant

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

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