Cara DiFalco's Infertility Story: Single mom by choice

04/12/24 • 43 min

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Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building

"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

Previous Episode

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

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

Next Episode

John Yurcisin's Infertility Story: Single dad by choice

"Growing up, I always imagined I'd one day be married with kids" says today's guest, single dad by choice John Yurcisin. "I've dated many smart, interesting, beautiful women. I was engaged once and called it off. I just never found my life partner." And so, John decided to become a dad on his own. On this episode, John shares the entire journey to having his two sons as a solo parent, including being the only heterosexual man in a room of 250 people at the Men Having Babies conference; finding a single parents group online; choosing and connecting with his surrogate; choosing an egg donor; and meeting his egg donor for dinner. He also talks about having his two boys, including his advice for anyone contemplating a single dad by choice journey. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: Single dad by choice; solo dad by choice; egg donor; surrogate; surrogacy journey; IVF; Men Having Babies conference; doctors; lawyers; single parents' groups online 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