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.
Episode 136: When IVF Seems Unattainable
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.
7/5/2022 • 16 minutes, 15 seconds
Fertility 101: Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine
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.
5/9/2022 • 20 minutes, 37 seconds
#NIAW: It Takes a Village: The Importance of Support
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.
