In the Middle of Genetic Infertility

Unicorns and Rainbows

Nina deals with structural infertility due to a uterine defect and an unexpected surgery at the age of 24. Two rounds of IVF over 18 months eventually resulted in a real life baby. In this episode, Nina candidly talks about the personal implications of having a reproductive defect, the impact infertility and later motherhood has had on her sense of identity, the financial and emotional costs of IVF and how we should be talking about infertility in an ideal world.

The Tiny Pea Story with Bilge and Valerie

Bilge and Valerie came together to work on one common goal: to shatter the stigma surrounding (in)fertility and to build a brave and supportive community.  In this special episode, Bilge talks about how she met Valerie the night she gave her taboo-breaking Tedx talk: Coming out of the Fertility Closet, and Valerie bravely walks us through the process of social freezing — freezing her eggs on her own terms. Together, they share how their company, The Tiny Pea, is providing practical information and tools for men and women’s reproductive health. Learn more and join the waitlist for their Fertility Workbook here: www.thetinypea.com [http://www.thetinypea.com] .

Being a Partner Through IVF

Will and his wife Kate have been on their IVF journey for 2+ years after Kate was diagnosed as being a carrier for Fragile X. Will speaks openly about his role in their fertility journey, confronting social anxiety and envy of not being on the same path as his friends, navigating the constant stop and go of the IVF process and the importance of asking for help.

In the Middle of Genetic Infertility

My friend Kate was diagnosed as a carrier of Fragile X when she was 23 years old. At the time, her geneticist said it was nothing to be concerned about, and to get in touch when she wanted to start a family. In 2020, Kate and her husband Will started their fertility journey, and are still in the messy middle of it. Kate talks with great warmth and poise about the consequences of her diagnosis, the highs and lows of IVF treatments and what helps her get through the lows (hint: bring ice cream!).

Choosing Childfree: One Woman's Journey

In this episode, Megan shines a light on the topic of choosing to be child-free, starting with how a childhood accident shaped her thoughts about motherhood, making it easier to picture a life without children. We explore the importance of being happy in yourself above all else, the benefits and challenges of being child-free, choosing your “people” - even your Golden Girls - and breaking the stigma around being child-free by choice.