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Infertility Crossroads

Infertility Crossroads

By Meta Getman

Infertility Crossroads is a podcast all about the decision points you make as you try to become a parent. Whether you are just starting out on your TTC journey, have been through IUIs, IVF cycles, and are exploring alternative paths to becoming a parent like donor conception (donor egg, donor sperm, donor embryo, double donor), adoption or living child free this podcast will help you answer the question of "what's next" in a way that allows you to feel good about your decisions. Your host, Meta Getman, is a donor conception coach and mom to twin girls conceived via donor egg.
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04. I Have Low AMH. Should I Skip to Donor Eggs?

Infertility CrossroadsOct 13, 2022

00:00
06:29
Season 1 Wrap Up
Jun 05, 202305:45
37. 5 Things You Can Do To Support someone Going Through Infertility
May 29, 202316:21
36. Lindsay's Story: Being Donor Conceived and an Advocate for Donor Conceived People

36. Lindsay's Story: Being Donor Conceived and an Advocate for Donor Conceived People

In this episode, I’m chatting with Lindsay Blount. Lindsay learned that she was donor conceived as an adult.  Through this information, Lindsay has been learning what it means for her, her children and her family.   Through her experience, Lindsay has become an advocate for the rights of donor conceived people and has worked hard to help educate recipient parents about the donor conceived experience (through her lens). 

Lindsay is one of those people who offers her viewpoints and life stories in a way that makes it easier for you to comprehend her perspective and story. She is approachable, straight forward and is a donor conceived person who I’ve learned a lot from. 

While Lindsay shares her own, personal perspective and does not speak for all DCP, she shares a lot about her own story, sharing with your child that they are DCP, discusses terminology that she uses and uses with her own children, talks about the rights of DCP and how when we are centered and focused on the DCP experience we all win. 

Covered in this episode:

The importance of sharing with your children that they are donor conceived How Lindsay learned she was donor conceived and how that has impacted her life and the life of her family.  Her relationship with her siblings Terms to describe the donor / biological parent  Rights of donor conceived people and why they are important Focusing on what is best for your child is how we are all on the same team 


Lindsay shares a mix of personal and donor conceived content on her Instagram page.  In addition, she has two really great posts on her page to check out:

Lindsay's thoughts on her dad who raised her Lindsay's experience with her siblings 


Connect with Meta on Instagram 

Did you just learn that donor conception might be your path to parenthood? Or maybe you think it might be but are not sure yet? Or, maybe you already know but need some more help. Get my free PDF download, The Donor Decision Guide https://www.metagetman.com/podcast


May 22, 202301:35:05
35. Clearing the Emotional Clutter so that You Can Find Clarity on Your Fertility Journey with Elaine Bogard

35. Clearing the Emotional Clutter so that You Can Find Clarity on Your Fertility Journey with Elaine Bogard

In this episode, we are joined by Elaine Bogard. Elaine is a soul midwife and a fertility shaman who helps women overcome fertility obstacles, heal from pregnancy loss and sexual trauma, and become the mothers they have always been meant to be. She's located in the beautiful state of Hawaii.

We discussed ways to help women recover from pregnancy loss, and overcome challenges to conception, including all of the feelings and pain related to it. It's fascinating to learn how our emotions can impact our physical bodies. It can occasionally be difficult to understand.

This is a bit of a woo woo episode but one that I think you will really enjoy if you listen with an open mind, an open heart, and a spirit of curiosity.  I find everything Elaine mentions fascinating! 

Covered in this episode:

The evolution of fertility work What is the root of stress and anxiety? The connection with the spirit of the child Connecting with the souls of women and babies, Getting messages from the souls The importance of being present in the moment Having the space and awareness The process of grief and loss The importance of being open to different aspects of love


Connect with Elaine:

Free Guided Mediation from Elaine Instagram Website


Connect with Meta on Instagram 

Did you just learn that donor conception might be your path to parenthood? Or maybe you think it might be but are not sure yet? Or, maybe you already know but need some more help. Get my free PDF download, The Donor Decision Guide https://www.metagetman.com/podcast

May 15, 202336:58
34. Once I Realized This...Everything Changed For Me
May 08, 202318:10
33. Living Child Free After Infertility with Lana Manikowski

33. Living Child Free After Infertility with Lana Manikowski

Lana is a driven and focused woman who didn't have a plan for how she was going to have a family until she met her husband. But their journey towards parenthood wasn't as smooth as they hoped. After 7 long years of trying different things and taking breaks to navigate their next steps, Lana found herself with only one genetically abnormal embryo that they couldn't transfer.

But Lana's story doesn't end there. She's sharing her experience of navigating the tough decision of choosing to live child free after infertility.

It's not an easy decision to make, and we'll be diving into the tough topics around choosing to live child free vs using an egg donor or adopting. We'll also talk about the shame, guilt, and grief that often comes with deciding not to have kids when there were other options available.

But it's not all doom and gloom. We'll also explore what life is like now that Lana's decision has been made to live child free. We'll discuss the challenges she still faces and how she's shaped her purpose in life without kids. It's a conversation that's sure to be thought-provoking and insightful. So grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair, and let's dive into Lana's story together.


Join Lana for Other's Day Brunch on May 13, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Learn more here and grab your ticket!


Connect with Lana Manikowski

YouTube Instagram The "So Now What?" Podcast  Lana Manikowski Coaching 


Connect with Meta on Instagram 

Did you just learn that donor conception might be your path to parenthood? Or maybe you think it might be but are not sure yet? Or, maybe you already know but need some more help. Get my free PDF download, The Donor Decision Guide https://www.metagetman.com/podcast

May 01, 202338:54
32. 6 Things I Learned About Infertility Advocacy

32. 6 Things I Learned About Infertility Advocacy

Advocacy Day is an annual event that takes place in Minnesota, other states across the US and at the federal level.  The effort is led by RESOLVE, The National Infertility Association in the United States.  

This is an event and opportunity for people to gather at the state capital to advocate for families who are suffering from infertility, have limited to no access to infertility care, and to support equity for all to access the medical care they need when diagnosed with infertility.  

It was so great that I've put together this podcast episode to share my experience with you and encourage you to join us next year.  Whether you are in Minnesota, are in another state that has an advocacy day or you join the federal advocacy day (it's virtual so you don't have to travel to Washington D.C. to participate!).  

Connect with me on Instagram 

Did you just learn that donor conception might be your path to parenthood? Or maybe you think it might be but are not sure yet? Or, maybe you already know but need some more help. Get my free PDF download, The Donor Decision Guide. 


Become a RESOLVE Advocate: https://resolve.org/take-action/become-an-advocate/

Follow RESOLVE on Social Media:

Instagram Twitter YouTube
Apr 24, 202320:28
31. Thinking About Plan B Doesn't Jinx Plan A with Naomi Woolfson
Apr 17, 202349:49
30. Cultivating a Mindset of Possibility with Kristin Dillensnyder
Apr 10, 202341:26
29. I Got It Wrong. You Don't Have To Jump When There Are Stairs
Apr 03, 202309:49
28. I'm a Non-Genetic Uncle: What It's Really Like with My Brother, Kenny Anderson
Mar 27, 202320:25
27. What do Lemons, Our Minds, Our Bodies, and our Thoughts Have To Do With Our Decisions with Naomi Woolfson

27. What do Lemons, Our Minds, Our Bodies, and our Thoughts Have To Do With Our Decisions with Naomi Woolfson

Lemons? The Mind? The Body? Infertility? What does it all mean?

On the episode today, Naomi Woolfson from Embrace Fertility joins me as we explore the surprising connections between our minds, our bodies, and our thoughts when it comes to making fertility decisions.  Spoiler alert - she uses an example with a lemon that will make you go "whoah! I totally get it!"

Our minds and bodies are deeply interconnected, and our thoughts and beliefs can have a huge impact on our fertility journey.  Naomi is a hypnotherapist and she breaks down what is the mind body connection and challenges you to examine the stories you tell yourself about your fertility and consider how they may be limiting your options and holding you back from reaching your goals.

Remember, you are not alone on this journey, and there is always hope. Let's take a step forward together and explore the power of our minds, bodies, and thoughts when it comes to making fertility decisions.


About Naomi Woolfson:

Naomi Woolfson, of Embrace Fertility, is a therapist specializing in supporting women through trying to conceive, fertility treatments and then pregnancy and birth following infertility. She and her partner went through almost 4 years of infertility, IUI’s, IVF, anxiety, surgery and a miscarriage before they went on to conceive both of their ginger children naturally.

On her podcast she offers emotional support and shares mind-body techniques to help you feel calm and confident and ultimately find yourself again while waiting for your baby. Search for Embrace Fertility on your favorite podcast player to listen.

Alongside supporting clients globally in one to one therapy and coaching sessions she offers hypnosis and meditation MP3s and runs a 12 week mind-body program guiding women through the 5 steps of her unique Embrace Fertility Method; Comfort, Coping, Connection, Clearing and finally Creating.

Visit www.embracefertility.co.uk for more details and to set up a free video call to answer any questions you have about working with Naomi.


Resources Mentioned:

How to Decide When To Start or Continue Fertility Treatment

EFT Tapping for Coping with Infertility and Enhancing Fertility

Follow Naomi on Instagram

www.embracefertility.co.uk


Mar 20, 202354:00
26. Rewriting Egg Donation and Egg Freezing with Lauren Makler from CoFertility

26. Rewriting Egg Donation and Egg Freezing with Lauren Makler from CoFertility

In today's podcast episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lauren Makler from Cofertility. As someone who has personally experienced a unique road to her fertility, Lauren understands the emotional rollercoaster that we can go through to build our family. That's why she's on a mission to revolutionize the egg donor and egg freezing process. 

During our chat, Lauren shares her own medical journey to having her daughter and how that experience, combined with her passion for healthcare start-ups, led her to co-found Cofertility, a platform that connects families with high-quality egg donors. But what sets Cofertility apart is that while helping families who need egg donors find diverse and high quality donors, they are also educating and supporting women in preserving their fertility through egg freezing.  They take a personalized approach, provide education to intended parents and egg donors and are advocates for making the egg freezing and egg donation process simple, easy, and accessible.

Lauren's story is inspiring, and Cofertility's approach is truly revolutionary.


About Lauren Makler

Lauren Makler is the Co-founder and CEO of Cofertility. She previously founded Uber Health, a product that enables healthcare organizations to leverage Uber’s massive driver network in improving healthcare outcomes through patient transportation and healthcare delivery.  Lauren’s winding road of a fertility journey led her to believe that everyone should have the opportunity to freeze their eggs –and that there should be better access to egg donors. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their miracle baby girl.


Resources:

Infertility Crossroads Episode 7. We Used an Anonymous Donor. I'd Do it Differently If I Could

Anonymous Egg Donation, What Does The Research Say 

How Do Individuals Who Were Conceived Through the Use of Donor Technologies Feel About The Nature of their Conception? 

cofertility.com/family

Cofertility, Family by Co on Instagram 

Lauren Makler on Instagram 


Mar 13, 202344:15
25. My Doctor Said "Donor", Now What?
Mar 06, 202317:28
24. Emily's Story: Egg Donor, Gestational Carrier and Fertility Therapist

24. Emily's Story: Egg Donor, Gestational Carrier and Fertility Therapist

Emily Derrick is a licensed marriage and family therapist who is also a six time egg donor and gestational carrier.  She has had personal experience with many aspects of third party reproduction, both personally and professionally.

During the episode, we talk about Emily’s experience becoming an egg donor, why she chose to be an egg donor, what the egg donor process was like for her, the outcomes of her donor cycles and her thoughts on connecting with the children that she is the biological mother of.

We dive into the importance of having accessibility to your donor going forward in the future for medical history, giving the kids the ability to get from their donor information, to know who they are and where they came from.

Emily and I also talk about her work as a therapist working with recipient parents and what you can expect during your psycho-social evaluation and we get into the meat of why it is SO important to unpack the feelings surrounding being a recipient parent and the personal emotional work it takes to get comfortable and excited about going down this path.

Emily Derrick is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in infertility and 3rd party reproduction, raising two children with her husband, a 6x egg donor and 1x gestational carrier. She works with clients who are seeking emotional support, skill building and education on their journey to family, whether through 1:1 therapy or clinic required psychoeducational consultations. Visit her website at www.emilyderricktherapy.com to learn more.


Resources from the Show:

Inheritance by Dani Shapiro

Brave new Humans by Sarah Dingle 

Children’s book resource on Emily’s website 

Emily's Instagram @emily.derrick.therapy

Feb 27, 202301:06:13
23. How to Find a Fertility Coach That is Right For Me

23. How to Find a Fertility Coach That is Right For Me

Today's episode is part 2 of a series I'm doing on fertility coaching.  If you haven't listened to Episode 22 - What is a Fertility Coach and Why Should I Invest in One I highly recommend checking out that episode first.  In that episode I talk all about what a fertility coach is, why it is good to have one, the difference between a coach and a therapist and what how to decide if having one is right for you.

Today we are diving into how to find a fertility coach that is right for you.  There are so many amazing coaches out there specializing in all kinds of support: from miscarriage to endometriosis to mind/body connections you can really find help for anything you are looking for.  But before you jump into a program, it’s important to know what you are struggling with the most right now so you can focus and to know how you best learn.  This will help you get the most out of your time and investment.

Below you will find some coaches who I personally recommend to get you started.

Mind Body Fertility Reset / Robyn Birkin - Mind Body Connection during Fertility 

Jen Robertson - IVF, Pregnancy after Loss / Infertility 

Studio Fertility / Bella Hilton - Unexplained Infertility

Ebony Hibbert - Solo Motherhood 

Embrace Fertility / Naomi Woolfson  - Fertility Hypnotherapy 

Feel Fully / Simone  - Endometriosis and Mindfulness 

Meta Getman  - Donor Conception (that's me!) 


Did you just learn that donor conception might be your path to parenthood? Or maybe you think it might be but are not sure yet? Or, maybe you already know but need some more help.  Get my free PDF download, The Donor Decision Guide 

Feb 20, 202315:33
22. What is a Fertility Coach and Why Should I Invest In One
Feb 13, 202315:12
21. My Best Advice for Navigating Fertility Unknows
Feb 06, 202318:41
20. Are Toxins the Reason Why I'm Not Getting Pregnant?

20. Are Toxins the Reason Why I'm Not Getting Pregnant?

I have a confession...sometimes I wonder if my exposure to toxins in my environment impacted my ability to get pregnant using my own eggs.  I will never know the answer to that question but it is something I've become more aware of over the last 10 years.  

We hear it all the time...contaminates in the air, water, food, skin care, make-up, etc are causing issues in our bodies.  It can get overwhelming.  And it can be hard to know what is real vs what is data being twisted to scare us into doing something or trying some new product. 

But I do think there is enough data now to show that certain chemicals can be harmful to our health both short and long term.  And I do think that being mindful of what we put in and on our bodies along with the environments we are in can make a difference when it comes to our reproductive health.  

Today's episode is about those different toxins, my own experience, and some suggestions you can try if you are interested in reducing your exposure to environmental toxins. 


Products I Recommend 

(note, I may receive a commission from a purchase you make using this link or my code). 

Primally Pure

Use code META10 to get 10% off your first purchase 

BeautyCounter

Branch Basics


Resources:

https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/index.cfm

https://www.epa.gov/endocrine-disruption/what-endocrine-disruption

What are Endocrine Disruptors and Examples by Dr. Lora Shahine 

https://joe.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/joe/233/3/R109.xml

Environmental Working Group (EWG)



Jan 30, 202313:45
19. 5 Reasons why IVF With Your Own Eggs Isn't Working
Jan 23, 202312:46
18. How to Instantly Open Up The Feelings Conversation With Your Partner
Jan 16, 202319:09
17. Why You Are Struggling to Make a Decision
Jan 09, 202316:11
16. Should I Use an Anonymous, Known or Open ID Egg Donor?
Jan 02, 202314:59
15. 10 Tips to Help You Move Forward When you Feel Stuck
Dec 19, 202218:40
14. Hayley's Story: Perspectives as a Donor Conceived Person and a Mom to Donor Conceived Children

14. Hayley's Story: Perspectives as a Donor Conceived Person and a Mom to Donor Conceived Children

Hayley is an amazing human who is not only donor conceived but is also a mom to donor conceived twins.  In today's episode, Hayley and I talk about her story of learning she was donor conceived, how her own experiences have shaped the way her and her wife approach parenting their children, and our shared thoughts on how, as recipient parents, we have to do our own work in navigating our feelings around using a donor.   

This episode is packed with personal stories, shared experiences, lots of great tips and tricks and a little fun along the way.  


About Hayley Darknell-King

Hayley Darknell-King (she/her) currently lives in the UK with her wife. They've been together for over 12 years and have two beautiful children via donor sperm IVF. Her wife carried and they used her wife's eggs. In a twist of fate, Hayley is also a donor conceived person. Her parents used an anonymous (sperm) donor to have her as part of pioneering IVF treatment in the 1980s, however she didn’t find this out until much later in life. In 2019 she DNA tested herself and has located her biological father and 3 other donor siblings. It’s been something of a journey!

She recently started speaking openly about her story and taking part in some educational and advocacy work around donor conception. Her hope is to raise awareness and help others on their parenting journeys. 

You can find Hayley on Instagram @dcp_journey_2_rp where she has been documenting her journey and connecting with others in the donor conception community.

Grab a copy of Hayley's free download, which is a collection of resources for parents of donor conceived people.  Click here to download it!  


Resources Discussed During the Show 

Donor Sibling Registry 

What Makes A Baby Book (on Amazon) 

Donor Conception Network Books 

Happy Together Children's Book 

Dr. Patricia Hershberger/Tell Tool 


Connect with me on Instagram 

Did you just learn that donor conception might be your path to parenthood? Or maybe you think it might be but are not sure yet? Or, maybe you already know but need some more help.  Get my free PDF download, The Donor Decision Guide

Dec 12, 202255:30
13. Five Hacks To Help You Through The Holidays
Dec 05, 202213:21
12. Infertility from a Male's Perspective: Michael's Insights on Donor Conception (Part 2)
Nov 28, 202229:48
11. Infertility from a Male Perspective: Michael's Insights on Our Story (Part 1)
Nov 21, 202232:48
10. Giving Thanks When You Feel Like You Have Nothing to be Thankful For
Nov 14, 202214:49
09. Six Tips for Building Better Connection with Your Partner During Infertility
Nov 07, 202213:53
08. Why Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month Feels Hard
Oct 31, 202211:41
07. We Used an Anonymous Donor. I'd Do It Differently If I Could.
Oct 24, 202214:24
06. Melissa's Story: Navigating Infertility Through the Ups and Downs of Life
Oct 17, 202247:48
05. Five Ways to Come to Terms Using A Donor
Oct 14, 202212:30
04. I Have Low AMH. Should I Skip to Donor Eggs?
Oct 13, 202206:29
03. Keeping Your Fertility Journey Private without Pushing Away Friends and Family
Oct 12, 202212:37
02. Five Things I'd Do Differently On My Infertility Journey
Oct 11, 202217:23
01. My Story - The Road from Infertile to Donor Egg Mama
Oct 10, 202215:07
0. Infertility Crossroads is Here!
Sep 21, 202201:57