Fab Fertility

Episode 123: Setting Boundaries, Feeling Depleted & Not Keeping Your Emotions in Check on Your Infertility Journey w/ Brooke Casey

I have become so invested in Brooke's journey on Instagram. The way she shares it, the relatable things she sheds light on, and her candidness are things we can all appreciate. I have watched her account go from one about her home to one where she discusses hard topics, blasts stigmas, and says things others think but don't say. I admire what she is doing and asked her to come on and talk about the evolution of her journey.

Episode 122: FFIF: Alexandra & Blairandra Featuring JAY-ZED

On today's episode Alex and I explain why we often get mistaken as men, Alex's latest procedures and appointments that include her triple uterine biopsy and surrogacy consult, and all about what triggers infertiles during the holidays. 

Episode 121: FFIF: Alex's Upcoming Procedures, Unpopular Opinions, Black Friday & More

What is the deal with idolizing celebs in the infertility community, anyway? I give my (perhaps unpopular) opinion on this. We dive deep into what is next for Alex on her journey and also discuss our normal random topics such as our Black Friday finds and more!

Episode 120: Termination for Medical Reasons & Mental Health Management During Infertility w/ Emma Belle

In this episode, I chat with Emma Belle (@emmakbelle) -- infertility warrior, mental health & trauma mentor & podcast host living in Dubai. Emma suffered an incredible loss a few short weeks ago that resulted from making an extremely hard decision to terminate her pregnancy for medical reasons. She gets into every detail, sharing her journey that lead to her pregnancy and her baby's diagnosis. She also sheds light on living with mental illness and how it has inspired her to start her coachin...

Episode 119: Genetic Testing & Counseling w/ Dr. Alyssa Snider from IGENOMIX

Dr. Alyssa Snider is the director of genetic counseling at IGENOMIX. She turned what was a career in the lab into a career working with patient to navigate the difficulties of IVF as a genetic counselor. Her knowledge in both the lab and working with patients made for an incredible episode. She answers all of the Q's submitted by all of you listeners/followers plus many many more!

Episode 118: FFIF: Failed FETs, Our 900 Number & Other Fundraising Ideas.

Alex & I are back and just as nutty as ever! On this episode we talk about Alex's recent failed cycle and all the things that fucking suck about failed transfers. We give advice on how to move forward and also just acknowledge it blows. We come up with some rather creative ways to fundraise for treatments and go off on more tangents than you could ever wish for.

Episode 117: Q & A: IVF Perseverance, FET Advice, Steroid Protocol & More

In October I asked you all on Instagram, "How Can I Help?" This episode is an attempt to answer many of the questions I got answered on that post. The questions cover a wide array of topics so it jumps around quite a bit. I hope it helps! Disclaimer - I am not a doctor - my answers are based on personal experience and my research. Love y'all!

Episode 116: Everything Endometriosis w/ April Christina (@imaprilchristina)

Endometriosis is a part of infertility that is so interesting to me, but that I don't know much about. I am so excited to bring you this episode with April Christina because she is not only a blast, but so knowledgeable on the subject. Having dealt with endo most of her life, she sheds light on how to find the right doctor, excision versus ablation, and how it is currently affecting her fertility.  Follow April on Insta HERE Follow April's IVF journey on her YouTube channel HERE

Episode 115: FFIF: Bows Before Bros

On this week's edition of Fertility Fuck it Friday, Alex & I answer a couple of questions from listeners about how to deal with judgey friends when it comes to COVID, how to approach IVF for the first time and how to deal with Halloween triggers. And of course we sprinkle in random shit like bows, TV recs and more!

Episode 114: Rediscover Yourself While Going Through Infertility w/ Alice Rose

Alice Rose is the co-founder of Cat + Alice, a company that offers fertility events and consulting in the UK! Alice has been through her own incredibly hard journey so brings her experience and passion for the TTC community to her work. On today's episode we talk through her journey and share tips & tricks on how to cope with your own journey. 

Episode 112: The Underwear in My Show w/ Brett Russo

Brett Russo is an IVF mama who lives in New Jersey. She started her IVF journey at 38, completing FIVE rounds in total. Her story is one of determination, grit, heartbreak and humor! She is a self-proclaimed non-reader so when she decided to write a book, all of her loved ones were shocked. I am so glad she did because her memoir is a raw and real AF account of what she and so many of us go through to make our dreams of a family come true. In this episode she shares her journey as well as so...

Episode 11: FFIF: We Banged This One Out!

Ready for a quickie (wink)?! This episode is the one for you. Alex and I laugh so hard we cry talking about suppositories, public bathrooms, & our latest and greatest treatment updates. Happy #fertilityfuckitfriday

Episode 110: Miscarriage Mega Episode w/ Undefining Motherhood Founder Katy Huie Harrison

Katy Huie Harrison is the founder of Undefining Motherhood, a platform that strives to shift the paradigm on how society has told women how to live, how not to live, to become mothers, and especially, HOW to be mothers for far too long. Because that is BS!  Katy has suffered four losses, all very different which has made her incredible knowledgable on the topic. On this episode, she gets into ALL of it, including the shit no one ever talks about when it comes to miscarriage. If you have suff...

Episode 109: FFIF: Our Best Show Yet!

Where Alex and I lack in things to say about our own journeys, we have plenty to say about everything else. We acknowledge how rough Infant Loss & Awareness Month is for everyone in our community. Bringing awareness and holding space for grief is SO important but it can trigger, bring feelings to the surface that may have been hiding and it brings a blanket of sadness over everyone. Alex and I talk about the trend of negativity in our community and the potential causes - COVID, election, thi...

Episode 108: Jaclyn Misch is a SURVIVOR: A Story About MRKH, A Gestational Carrier & A Miracle Babe on the Way!

Jaclyn Misch holds a Masters in Wine (yeah, you heard that right) and is not only a SURVIVOR winner (yeah, she beat her now husband on the show), she is a survivor in life! She has battled a very challenging diagnosis (MRKH) since early childhood. We get into what that is and how it affects her fertility in the episode. To say she has fought an uphill battle is putting it lightly. Expect to hear about IVF, gestational carriers, how debilitating infertility can be, and an amazing happy ending...

Episode 107: FFIF: We Don't Need You to Fix It

On today's episode, Alex and I are super bothered by phone tag with clinics and insomnia. We also dive deep into Alex's recent appointment with her doctor where she expresses concern about loss and talks through all of her options. I share what next steps are for Baby Nelson and the anxiety and fear I have been facing given our past pregnancy. Finally, we end with affirming that everyone should share their story and deal with their journey in whatever way feels best for them. PERIOD!

Episode 106: IVF Heartbreak to IVF Coach & Author w/ Monica Bivas

Monica Bivas is an IVF mama, IVF Coach and the author of The IVF Planner. On today's episode, we hear her infertility story that led to her two beautiful daughters. There are so many peaks and valleys she shares - some quite hard to listen to including suicidal thoughts and stillbirth. The raw, real story Monica tells makes the ending that much sweeter. Monica has since devoted her life to the infertility community, working as an IVF Coach and authoring the book, The IVF Planner, where she i...

Episode 105: FFIF: The Long & Winding Road

Today Alex and I talk COVID & chickens (obvi) before we get into the good stuff. Alex has a big appointment next week with her doctor to determine next steps. We unpack all the questions she has and the various decisions that lie ahead. I share what is keeping me up at night and what is next on the journey to Baby Nelson. 

Episode 104: Secondary Infertility w/ Lifestyle Blogger Tiffany Turner Moon

Tiffany Turner Moon and I met in such a fun way. We are both avid fans of the same podcast, and when I heard her as a guest on said podcast talking about infertility, I knew I had to reach out. Tiffany, like me, takes responding to DMs very seriously. When she responded right away saying she would love to come on the show, I was thrilled! We talk about how she had her daughter (Bella) young, her relationship with her husband, and how they are navigating secondary infertility to grow to their...

Episode 103: FFIF: We are Tweakin' & Twerkin'?!

Alex and I are struggling to stay busy while we both wait for pivotal results - Alex for genetic testing and me for rising beta numbers. We talk about the 'Rona, how we are keeping ourselves occupied, where we are going wrong and self care tips and tricks.

Episode 102: The Fertility Rally Story & Rally LIVE Deets

Holy shit guys!  I am so happy to announce Fertility Rally LIVE tickets are on sale. If you follow me or the Rally on the gram you'll know I have been hard at work with my co-founder and host of the Infertile AF podcast, Ali Prato, planning this event for the better part of a year. What started as a weekend-long IRL event has morphed into a day-long virtual event that will be held on October 24th! On this episode we tell you what the Rally is, who is is for, what to expect, and most importan...

Episode 101: FFIF: If Infertility was War, We'd Be Generals

Alex and I can't believe how much difference a week can make on anyone's specific infertility journey. We talk about this as it relates to my positive beta (still can't believe it) and her waiting game for genetic testing on her 4 presh embabies. We talk about the different levels of happiness you have as an infertile when people announce good news and how it directly correlates to the hope you find for yourself. Don't worry - there is some random shit thrown in too! It isn't all serious ;)

Episode 100: Natalie Crawford, MD Tells All!

Natalie Crawford, MD, is SUPER WOMAN. I honestly don't know how she does it all. She is a reproductive endocrinologist, a podcast host, an entrepreneur (she just co-founded her new practice, Fora Fertility), hosts conferences for women in medicine, is ALL over social media, and has the most amazing kiddos and husband to share it all with. She doesn't make it look perfect, she makes it real. She tells us her medical school and fertility story and then gets into answering a ton of burning ques...

Episode 99: FFIF LIVE: Brownie Bonfire Campaigns, the TWW & Contemplating SO Many Outcomes

Today Alex and I recorded FFIF LIVE and asked our friends to join. We catch you up on Alex's retrieval results, my TWW, and then get into answering questions from those who joined us on the call. We cover how you should never apologize for asking for info from your clinic, mindset during treatments, and so much more!

Episode 98: Doulas at Every Stage of (In)fertility w/ Erica McAfee

Erica McAfee is a birth and bereavement doula who works with women at every stage of trying to conceive. Not only is she a practicing doula, she trains doulas through her incredible program as well! She is the founder of Sisters in Loss, a podcast and platform that encourages black women to replace silence with story telling. I am sure you can guess her own experiences led her down this path and she tells us all about her story in the episode. It is as triumphant as it is heartbreaking. I’m ...

Episode 97: FFIF: Suppository Gender Reveals & Our Upcoming Procedures

It has never happened before where Alex and I have two HUGE procedures coming up within just a few days of one another. Alex shares about her retrieval (that will happen the day this episode drops) and I discuss by upcoming transfer. We have A LOT to talk about. We come up with a brilliant gender reveal idea which we know you will want to steal - and, as always - we bring more ridiculousness to infertility than you could possible imagine!

Episode 96: Real AF Infertility Talk w/ Monica Caron (@my_so_called_ivf)

I asked everyone on Instagram who I should interview, and Monica was mentioned several times! Lucky for me, she is one of my absolutely favorite people to talk to. Seriously, we communicate on the daily. We have a mutual passion for blasting stigmas, disrupting the narrative and keeping it real when it comes to infertility. This conversation is like entering into our brains to learn what we think and feel about our community and infertility on a daily basis!

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Episode 95: FFIF: We Answer Your Q's!

This week, Alex and I asked you guys to send us questions. After we shoot the shit, complain about what is bothering us and talk about our usual shenanigans, we dive into answering. We cover questions ranging from early loss tips, to the transfer process and protocols and beyond. 

Episode 94: Let's Get Real About Infertility, MFI, & IVF Success w/ Millie Brooks

Millie Brooks is a new and DEAR friend. We crossed paths on Instagram, discovered our mutual love for podcasting, our shared diagnosis of male factor infertility and the rest is history. Millie is now a beloved member or Fertility Rally and the infertile Instagram community as a whole. She isn't afraid to be a disrupter in the space (which I love) by saying what most won't say. Her realness, her quirkiness, and her beauty inside and out are just a few reasons why I LOVE her. Enjoy! Follow ...

Episode 93: FFIF: Fights With Menstrual Cups, Alex Second Guesses Treatments & Blair's Baseline Update

On this episode, I tell you about my fight with my menstrual cup. Don't worry, I won... eventually. Alex dives into how she is second guessing treatment and how she overcomes that. And finally, I give you my baseline update. Oh yes, and chicken and kitty content - duh!

Episode 92: An Incredible Adoption & Infertility Story w/ Holly Durst Julian

You might recognize this amazing woman from The Bachelor. Not only was she once a contestant, she WON season 2 of Bachelor Pad and met her hubby, Blake, on the show. Blake and Holly have had a very challenging path to parenthood that includes all the things - IVF, IUIs, surrogacy, and eventually adoption. You will not believe the struggles and heartbreak Holly has faced to finally meet her beautiful daughter. Her path to parenthood wasn't easy, but it was perfect in the end.

Episode 91: FFIF: Anxious, Waiting, & Always a Hot Mess

Alex takes her first Jager bomb and adopts a neighbor's cat. Blair's chickens are needier than ever. We are both in a waiting period in our own cycles so we discuss the anxiousness and emotional mind fuck that brings. Blair contemplates taking up crafting... basically, we are a HOT MESS!

Episode 90: The Courage to Suffer w/ Sara & Daryl Van Tongeren

On this episode, I interview Daryl and Sara Van Tongeren, authors of the book, The Courage to Suffer: A New Clinical Framework for Life’s Greatest Crises. Daryl is a professor of psychology and Sara is a clinical social worker. The motivation to write the book, in part, came after receiving a very challenging infertility diagnosis. Their book is based on their experience and their clinical research and is about how people can use a combination of existential and positive psychology to work t...

Episode 89: FFIF: Embryo Delivery Success, Forgetting Meds & Socializing w/ Our Doctors

GOOD NEWS! Alex's embryos made it to her new clinic - but why the F wasn't there a delivery notification?! Doesn't it work just like Amazon Prime? Have I done so many cycles that I forget to take my medication? Oh, and, we have been at it so long, we are now socializing with our doctors. The usual weekly shit show - enjoy!

Episode 88: Fibroid Awareness w/ Phyllis aka the Fibroid Queen

July is Fibroid Awareness Month, so who better to interview than the Fibroid Queen herself?! Phyllis is a Registered Nurse, yoga instructor, and fitness coach who has battled fibroids for a large chunk of her life. After getting the directive from a doctor to, "just watch them," she made it her mission to find a way to end her pain and suffering on her own. Through being her own guinea pig, she has developed a holistic fitness regimen, the Fibroid Fitness Challenge, to help other women do th...

Episode 87: FFIF: One-Upping Each Other's Shitty Test Results

Just when Alex thought her "failed hysteroscopy" topped the FFIF charts of crazy procedure outcomes, my body clapped back with a failed ERA. WTF, right?! On this episode, we talk through our weird outcomes, a lot about COVID-19, and intimacy and infertility!

Episode 86: Make, Save, & Manifest Money for IVF w/ The Fertility Finance Coach, Devon Baeza

Chances are if you’re like me, you stress out about funding fertility treatments just as much as you worry about them working. In this interview, Devon grabbed every worry I had about finances by the hair, kicked them in the ass, and said get the hell out of here! I’mn this episode, Devon shows us how to use the tools she has developed as The Fertility Finance Coach. These tools will put these worries behind you so you never have to let money get in the way of your path to motherhood again.

Episode 85-FFIF: Embryo Transportation & Doctor Drama + A Big Beaver at the End

On this episode, Alex tells us how it is not her policy to adhere to her old clinic's policy, I share some doctor drama, and in classic Blair & Alex form, we have some technical issues. Oh yeah, and we laugh a lot too!

Episode 84: Mild IVF Stimulation, Ovarian Rejuvenation, & IVF Over 40 w/ Dr. David Knight

Dr. Knight blows my mind in this episode! Ovarian rejuvenation - say what?! Yep, that's right - there is technology out there that wakes up ovaries that have stopped producing eggs. IVF over 40?! That is more than possible too. Dr. Knight also sheds a ton of light on the controversial, mild stimulation approach to IVF. Can't miss this one you guys! Follow Dr. Knight's clinic HERE

Episode 83: FFIF: Speculum Sleeves, 2D Situations, & Uterus Salad Dressing

Alex talks me through my embryo dilemma, I give a play by play of my ERA, we give our two cents on speculums, all while eating chicken nuggets and discussing the weather!

Episode 82: An IVF Success Story A Long Time in the Making w/ Jess from @mamainthemaking21.22

Jess is one of my absolute favorite warriors out there. Her beautiful spirit is infectious. She shares her very long fertility journey with us and talks all about how it feels to be pregnant after so much loss and disappointment. Success stories are important because they keep us all going and give us hope. That is what I hope this episode does for you!

Episode 81: FFIF - Panties & Unpopular Opinions

This weekend is a holiday weekend for some, so Alex and I discuss why being infertile during holidays suck. We also get into some unpopular opinions or thoughts you might find creeping into your head such as, "why her and not me?" - and remind you this is completely normal. Finally, we have more suppository talk with all of our best suggestions on dealing with them.

Episode 80: Learn to Live from Your Inside w/ Heather Grzych

In this episode, the author of An Ayurvedic Guide to Fertility, Heather Grzych, shares how she got into the field after a long "corporate world" career after realizing she, "just needed to go to the weird thing!" Ayurveda is the Science of Life, and Heather explains how knowing your Dosha and really paying attention to the "four fertility factors" she outlines in her book can enhance your fertility.

Episode 79: FFIF: Where Did Our Libido Go, Cervix Nooks & Crannies & So Much More

"Libido, Libido... ohhhh where did our libido go? UH! Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah." We'll tell you where it went... to Femara & Letrozole land. Today we talk about meds, appointments, and the nooks and crannies of Alex's cervix! Get ready for some random infertility banter!

Episode 78: FFIF: Get "WUIT" w/ Us

You won't want to miss learning the definition of our newest fertility acronym, WUIT! We discuss suppositories, job changes, and just not having enough time in the day. https://www.fabfertility.com/

Episode 77: FFIF: Googling Our Lives Away, Shitzus & Really Good Advice

Today Alex and I talk about some really random shit but the bulk of the episode is spent giving each other advice on things we are contemplating with our own fertility treatments. Is it appropriate to ask for another consultation? What procedure could come first? Is it overkill to ask for yet another diagnostic test? You get the idea... https://www.fabfertility.com/

Episode 76: FFIF: Cystic Sisters Shit Show

Today we catch you up on Alex's latest procedure (spoiler - it did not go as planned), but what does on our collective fertility journeys? I give you updates on my IVF cycle and we talk through cyst issues, an array of other topics and most importantly end on a serious note explaining how we are striving to be better about listening, learning and amplifying other voices. Love you all!   www.fabfertility.com

Episode 75: Reciprocal IVF w/ @BabyBaileyMamaDrama (HAPPY PRIDE MONTH)

Happy PRIDE month everyone! I am so excited to have Christina and Katie from @BabyBaileyMamaDrama on my first episode of June to talk about their journey to parenthood as a same sex couple. They have been building their family through reciprocal IVF, which is incredible! You will not want to miss their story and their answers to my questions on how we can all best support the LGBTQ community in the infertility space. Show notes available with all links mentioned here: https://www.fabferti...

Episode 74: FFIF: Raining Cats & Dogs, Hysteroscopy Anxiety & Other IVF Updates

Alex & I have lots of personal journey updates for you in this episode. I am post IVF retrieval 5 and the results are rolling in. Alex is going through diagnostic testing of all kinds to prepare for what is next on her journey. And, of course, there is the usual banter. Show notes available with all links mentioned here: https://www.fabfertility.com/