Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building

Alison Prato

1 Creator

In this unfiltered podcast about infertility, journalist and mom-of-two Ali Prato, who went through secondary infertility and IVF herself, talks to women—and some men—about the messy, frustrating, painful, heartbreaking, absurd and sometimes humorous journey to have a baby. Or in some cases, to not have a baby. Each episode tells a different story about family building, getting real about miscarriages, egg freezing, sperm and egg donation, IUIs, endometriosis, male factor infertility, adoption, surrogacy, genetic testing, single parenting by choice, LGBTQ+ fertility, living childless not by choice, depression, relationship issues, money issues, jealousy, PTSD, and so much more. Ali covers all of the outcomes in this safe, non-judgement zone: the happy endings, the soul-crushingly sad ones, and the ones still in limbo.

#8 in the Top 100 Indie alternative health All time chart

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Top 10 Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Paige

Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building

09/23/20 • 26 min

Paige Dennis is a fashion designer, and an infertility warrior who describes herself as, "If Dolly Parton and Suzanne Sugarbaker had a baby." She's also the breakout star of "DeMarcus Family Rules," the Netflix reality show that chronicles the lives of Rascal Flatts bassist Jay DeMarcus and his beauty queen wife, Allison. Today, Paige tells Ali all about her infertility journey, including a pulmonary embolism that rocked her health, getting pregnant very easily but then suffering a miscarriage at nearly 12 weeks, and how and why she and her husband found a surrogate without going through a surrogacy agency. She also talks about the tragic loss of her first son due to an umbilical cord accident, and how now, as the mother of twins, she feels passionate about giving back to the infertility community.

Today’s episode is sponsored by FERTILITY RALLY—Community, Content and Curated Events at www.fertilityrally.com

Tickets are now on sale for FERTILITY RALLY LIVE on October 24th at https://www.accelevents.com/e/FertilityRally

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

9 Listeners

1 Comment

Caryn Johnson's Infertility Story: Being Autoimmune Infertile

Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building

02/23/24 • 40 min

Caryn Johnson is the Co-Founder and CEO of BOND, an innovative line of supplements reimagining hormone and reproductive health, inspired by her experience with infertility. In 2017, when trying to start a family, Caryn learned she was autoimmune infertile. Today, Ali and Caryn unpack all of it, including exactly what "autoimmune infertile" means, how she was "pregnant for a few hours;" navigating pregnancy loss; cancelled IVF cycles; taking infusions; and the treatment she got for her immune system. She also talks about choosing joy; transferring two embryos and miscarrying one of them: visiting a psychic; pivoting to a surrogacy journey and finding a match, and life today with her two children, a boy and a girl. Caryn also talks about founding BOND, and how her goal is to give back to women and help them navigate infertility with less trauma than she went through. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: Autoimmune infertility; autoimmune infertile; egg retrieval; OHSS; cancelled IVF cycles; not viable pregnancy; antinuclear antibodies; IVF transfer; pregnancy after loss; embryo transfer with two embryos; vanishing twin; meditation EPISODE SPONSORS: WORK OF ART Children's Book about IVF https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books Ali wrote her first children’s book, and it’s available for pre-order now! “Work of ART” is the story of an IVF kiddo the day he learns he is a “work of ART” (born via IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology). For young readers 4-8. Hardcover. Written by Ali Prato; Illustrated by Federico Bonifacini The first 200 copies will be numbered, personalized and shipped free in the U.S. There is also a non-personalized version available! Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books For bulk orders of 10 or more books, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three 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 today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

2 Listeners

Elyse

Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building

02/26/20 • 29 min

Elyse Ash is an infertility warrior and the founder of Fruitful, a fertility mentor service that pairs mentees who are going through infertility with mentors who have come out the other side. Fruitful is "committed to making infertility suck less." Today, Elyse talks to Ali about everything she went through before finally having her baby, including endometriosis with no symptoms, ovarian cysts, and scrolling through Instagram and being "so jealous and heartbroken and wondering what it would look like when it was my turn."

Today we are partnering with ConceiveAbilities, a leading surrogacy and egg donation agency that has been around for 24 years, with thousands of babies born. If surrogacy or egg donation is part of your journey, make sure to check out conceiveabilities.com. And make sure to tell them Infertile AF sent you!

We are also partnering with Extend Fertility, extendfertility.com, the largest egg freezing practice in the nation. Extend has now expanded to offer a full range of infertility services—including IVF—in a small practice environment that is more personal, data driven, and higher quality.

1 Listener

Fertility Rally Member and New IVF Mama Kristin Thompson @financialfertilization

Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building

01/06/24 • 57 min

Today, Ali talks to her Fertility Rally member and friend Kristin, who recently had a baby girl through IVF. But it was a long road to get to this point, and Kristin shares it all, including what she knew (and didn't know) about fertility as a younger woman; "pulling the goalie;" going through infertility during Covid lockdown; how life became a "hormonal shitshow;" when her husband had male "performance anxiety;" relationship issues; depression and not wanting to get out of bed; seeing a therapist; moving onto IUI; and finally, how they had their baby.

Follow Kristin on IG @financialfertilization

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Ovulation tests; unexplained infertility; sex education; IUI; IVF: Covid lockdown; pandemic pregnancies; depression; Letrizole; anxiety; depression; pregnancy after infertility

EPISODE SPONSORS:

WORK OF ART Children's Book about IVF

https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

Ali wrote her first children’s book, and it’s available for order now!

“Work of ART” is the story of an IVF kiddo the day he learns he is a “work of ART” (born via IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology). For young readers 4-8. Hardcover. Written by Ali Prato; Illustrated by Federico Bonifacini

The first 200 copies will be numbered, personalized and shipped free in the U.S. There is also a non-personalized version available!

Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com

No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three 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 today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership

1 Listener

Bailey's Infertility Story (Part Two): Deciding to stop infertility treatments and work in a clinic

Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building

04/05/24 • 32 min

It's part two with our friend Bailey, who first shared her story on the pod in 2021. At the time, Bailey talked about having hair loss, night sweats -- finding out her AMH was just 0.1 and she had diminished ovarian reserve. She was told, 'You should be freezing your eggs, like, yesterday.'" Catch up on Bailey's first episode, and then listen to this one to find out where she is today, three years later: No longer going through treatments herself, working in a clinic, and making life much easier and better for any infertility warriors following in her wake. She also talks about the mental effects of infertility treatments, and how that helped her make the decisions which lead her to where she is today. "Infertility never leaves you," she says. "Your journey that you've been through -- it's never ending." TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: DOR; IVF; egg retrieval; egg freezing; fertility preservation; mental health; community support; patient care EPISODE SPONSORS: WORK OF ART Children's Book about IVF https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books Ali wrote her first children’s book, and it’s available now! “Work of ART” is the story of an IVF kiddo the day he learns he is a “work of ART” (born via IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology). For young readers 4-8. Hardcover. Written by Ali Prato; Illustrated by Federico Bonifacini. Personalized and non-personalized versions are available. Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books For bulk orders of 10 or more books, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three 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 today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership RECEPTIVA DX ReceptivaDx is the singular test capable of identifying endometriosis, progesterone resistance, and endometritis in one comprehensive analysis. These conditions are often the hidden culprits behind unexplained infertility, directly impacting the success rates of IVF treatments. Ask for the Receptvia DX test today, and use code INFERTILEAF24 for $75 off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 Listener

Julie Cohen's Infertility Story: Termination for Medical Reasons (TFMR)

Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building

03/08/24 • 70 min

My guest today, Julie Cohen, is an infertility warrior and advocate, and today, she tells Ali all about her roller coaster of a family building journey, including having her three boys, who are earthside with us today, and also her devastating experience with termination for medical reasons (TFMR), due to an extremely rare condition called Limb Body Wall Complex. Julie is amazing, and she's also the city manager of the Jewish Fertility in Birmingham. One caveat: We recorded this before the ruling in Alabama, so we don’t get into that specifically, but we do touch on women’s rights and healthcare. If you want to hear from Julie on what's going on in Alabama, follow her IG at @juliecohen18 TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: IUIs, laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis; endometriosis; IVF transfer; pregnancy after loss; PCOS; twin pregnancy; NICU life; limb body wall complex; pregnancy not compatible with life; baby loss; miscarriage; advocacy EPISODE SPONSORS: WORK OF ART Children's Book about IVF https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books Ali wrote her first children’s book, and it’s available now! “Work of ART” is the story of an IVF kiddo the day he learns he is a “work of ART” (born via IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology). For young readers 4-8. Hardcover. Written by Ali Prato; Illustrated by Federico Bonifacini Personalized and non-personalized versions are available. Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books For bulk orders of 10 or more books, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three 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 today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership RECEPTIVA DX ReceptivaDx is the singular test capable of identifying endometriosis, progesterone resistance, and endometritis in one comprehensive analysis. These conditions are often the hidden culprits behind unexplained infertility, directly impacting the success rates of IVF treatments. Ask for the Receptvia DX test today, and use code INFERTILEAF24 for $75 off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 Listener

Endo Warrior Sandra Rimaldi's 10-year Journey To Having Her Daughter

Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building

07/16/24 • 51 min

"I never thought I'd be down a 10 year journey just to have my one and only miracle daughter," says Sandra Rimaldi, an infertility nurse and infertility warrior who spent a decade trying to build her family. For years, Sandra worked with renowned Reproductive Immunologist Dr. Jeffrey Braverman, who passed away in 2019, treating patients from all over the world who had unexplained infertility diagnoses. At the same time, she was undergoing her own infertility journey, including IVF, a traumatic transfer, endo surgery and more. On today's show, Sandra tells us the details her journey, including her anxiety and PTSD after infertility and how the advent of the Receptiva DX test has helped countless patients all over the world.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Endometriosis; endo surgery; reproductive immunology; traumatic transfer; IVF; embryos; Receptiva DX test; anxiety; pregnancy after infertility; PTSD

EPISODE SPONSORS:

WORK OF ART

Children's Book about IVF

https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

Do not miss Ali's children’s book about IVF! It's been getting rave reviews. “Work of ART” is the story of an IVF kiddo the day he learns he is a “work of ART” (born via IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology). For young readers 4-8. Hardcover. Written by Ali Prato; Illustrated by Federico Bonifacini.

Personalized and non-personalized versions are available. Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

For bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request

FERTILITY RALLY

@fertilityrally

www.fertilityrally.com

Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership

SAVE $40 on an annual membership with code RALLY2024

NATALIST

www.natalist.com

Natalist is on a mission to improve your fertility journey with evidence-backed essentials to support your needs, from vegan prenatal packets to easy-to-use, plastic-neutral ovulation tests and fertility-friendly lube. Natalist is offering my community 25% off your first order at Natalist.com with promo code INFERTILEAF.

S'MOO

S’moo’s best-selling hormone balance powder is formulated with 7 essential vitamins, minerals, and herbs that are all highly recommended for Hormone Balance, Fertility, and PCOS. S’moo was created by fellow PCOS Cyster, and has helped thousands of women manage their PCOS naturally.

Go to thesmooco.com and enjoy a generous 20% off site-wide using code 'InfertileAF20' at checkout.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

RECEPTIVA DX

https://receptivadx.com/

ReceptivaDx is the singular test capable of identifying endometriosis,progesterone resistance, and endometritis in one comprehensive analysis. These conditions are often the hidden culprits behind unexplained infertility, directly impacting the success rates of IVF treatments. Ask for the Receptvia DX test today, and use code INFERTILEAF24 for $75 off.

1 Listener

Cara DiFalco's Infertility Story: Single mom by choice

Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building

04/12/24 • 43 min

"Truthfully, my journey is about 10 years long at this point," says today's guest, Cara DiFalco. Cara grew up in a big, boisterous Italian family in NJ, and she always knew she wanted many children. After getting divorced with no children at 38, she decided she would pursue being a single mom by choice, and today, she tells us her whole story. She talks about how her family embraced that decision; finding a sperm donor, including her pro tips on choosing a donor and navigating the donor sperm process; navigating three unsuccessful IUIs; her endometriosis; her egg retrievals and how "fertility treatments are stupid expensive, whether you have insurance or not." She also talks about feeling jealous of family and friends who've easily had babies, and where she is today. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: Single parent by choice; solo parent by choice; donor sperm; donor sperm selection; IUI; finances; egg retrieval; IVF; jealousy EPISODE SPONSORS: WORK OF ART Children's Book about IVF https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books Ali wrote her first children’s book, and it’s available now! “Work of ART” is the story of an IVF kiddo the day he learns he is a “work of ART” (born via IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology). For young readers 4-8. Hardcover. Written by Ali Prato; Illustrated by Federico Bonifacini. Personalized and non-personalized versions are available. Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books For bulk orders of 10 or more books, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three 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 today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership RECEPTIVA DX ReceptivaDx is the singular test capable of identifying endometriosis, progesterone resistance, and endometritis in one comprehensive analysis. These conditions are often the hidden culprits behind unexplained infertility, directly impacting the success rates of IVF treatments. Ask for the Receptvia DX test today, and use code INFERTILEAF24 for $75 off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices S'MOO S’moo’s best-selling hormone balance powder is formulated with 7 essential vitamins, minerals, and herbs that are all highly recommended for Hormone Balance, Fertility, and PCOS. S’moo was created by fellow PCOS Cyster, and has helped thousands of women manage their PCOS naturally. Go to thesmooco.com Enjoy a generous 20% off sitewide using code 'InfertileAF' at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 Listener

Endo Warrior Sandra Rimaldi's 10-year Journey To Having Her Daughter

Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building

07/16/24 • 51 min

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Endometriosis; endo surgery; reproductive immunology; traumatic transfer; IVF; embryos; Receptiva DX test; anxiety; pregnancy after infertility; PTSD

EPISODE SPONSORS:

WORK OF ART

Children's Book about IVF

https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

Personalized and non-personalized versions are available. Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

For bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request

FERTILITY RALLY

@fertilityrally

www.fertilityrally.com

Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership

SAVE $40 on an annual membership with code RALLY2024

NATALIST

www.natalist.com

S'MOO

Go to thesmooco.com and enjoy a generous 20% off site-wide using code 'InfertileAF20' at checkout.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

RECEPTIVA DX

https://receptivadx.com/

1 Listener

Bachelor alum and infertility warrior Sarah Herron

Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building

01/09/24 • 40 min

This is such a great episode. It's hard not to fall in love with Bachelor alum Sarah Herron, who has such a huge heart, and who opens up to Ali about her fertility journey, from what she knew (and didn't know) about sex education to where they are today. Sarah talks about meeting her husband and deciding they wanted to build a family together; why she had a feeling she would have fertility issues; being diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve; being told they needed to do IVF; getting pregnant, and the devastating loss of their baby son, Oliver. Sarah is very candid about grieving the loss of their son, navigating that grief, and where they are today.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Sex education; miscarriage; IVF: diminished ovarian reserve; egg retrieval; egg transfer; birth control; financial issues; IVF pregnancy; the loss of their son, Oliver; navigating grief; genetic testing

Follow her on IG: @sarahherron

EPISODE SPONSORS:

WORK OF ART Children's Book about IVF

https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

Ali wrote her first children’s book, and it’s available for order now!

The first 200 copies will be numbered, personalized and shipped free in the U.S. There is also a non-personalized version available!

Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books

FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com

Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership

1 Listener

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FAQ

How many episodes does Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building have?

Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building currently has 323 episodes available.

What topics does Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building cover?

The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Parenting, Kids & Family, Alternative Health and Podcasts.

What is the most popular episode on Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building?

The episode title 'Paige' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building?

The average episode length on Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building is 48 minutes.

How often are episodes of Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building released?

Episodes of Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building?

The first episode of Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building was released on Mar 25, 2019.

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Comments

Randi Zinn

@rzinn

Sep 26

Sharing this amazing pod with anyone experiencing the journey of infertility- a community of honest conversation at long last!