#12 Embracing Life Beyond Fertility

07/25/23 • 32 min

In this last episode of Bumps before a small break, I speak with the incredible Veronica Santini about what happens when life has a different path for you than the one you hope for.

Just a few months before her wedding, Veronica noticed her cycle had become irregular. Through consultation with her doctors and her own research, she learned she had Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. For Veronica, this lead to an infertility diagnosis.

1% of women will have Premature Ovarian Insufficiency, which is essentially a state of early menopause that occurs when the ovaries stop functioning as they should before age 40. 1 in 100 women is not uncommon, yet like many women's health topics, it remains relatively under-discussed.

In this empowering conversation, Veronica helps me understand how she overcame her grief, let go of her dreams to become a mother, and her path to acceptance. She found a way to turn this life experience into something that supports other people and helps them process their stories. She believes women should feel balanced and confident to live empowered, easeful, and joyful lives — regardless of where they are in their life cycle.

My biggest takeaway from this conversation has be to accept the path I am on, and to soften some of my tightly held needs and timelines while I am on this TTC journey. It is an important reminder for all of us, as we move through this monthly loop of hope and heartbreak, that we need to stay kind to ourselves, do what makes us feel empowered, and stay in tune with who we are outside of becoming mothers. As hard as it can be, this journey should not define us and our worth.

It is incredibly brave and inspiring for Veronica to share her story and I am honoured to have her trust.

Anna

RESOURCES FROM EPISODE TWELVE: