S6 Ep 12 - Supported AF: Building Community Through Infertility and Grief With Alison Prato
Release Date: 03/19/2024
Fertility Freedom - Host Julia Explores Family Today
Stork'd
In this bonus episode, Julia took a moment on the 4th of July to reflect on the importance of reproductive freedom. She appreciates living in Massachusetts, where mandatory insurance coverage allowed her to undergo IVF treatments. However, she expresses concerns about potential changes to these laws due to the current political climate, noting that some states already have restrictions. Julia emphasizes the need to cherish our freedoms to build families in ways that feel right to us. She also reflectes on the diverse stories shared on the Stork'd podcast—some heartbreaking, others showcasing...
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Stork'd Munchkin | S6 Ep 19 - Finding Peace After Six Years of Infertility Treatment Without Answers with Abbe Feder
Stork'd
In this Stork’d Munchkin, Abbe Feder shares how she found peace after six years of infertility treatment and still has no answers to why IVF didn’t work for her. If you loved this Stork’d Munchkin, check out the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts! Resources:
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Stork'd Munchkin | S6 Ep 19 - The Emotional Rollercoaster When IVF Doesn't Work With Abbe Feder
Stork'd
In this Stork’d Munchkin, Abbe Feder shares that when she started IVF, she automatically thought that it would work and she would have a baby. Listen as she shares the emotional rollercoaster she felt when she started IVF and it didn’t work. If you loved this Stork’d Munchkin, check out the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts! Resources:
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S6 Ep. 19 - Leaning on Levity To Break the Grief: 6 Years of Unexplained Infertility With Abbe Feder, InCircle Fertility
Stork'd
Abbe Feder is the founder of InCircle Fertility and host of the Fertility Chic. In this episode, Abbe shares her own six-year journey through unexplained infertility, including her initial reluctance to turn to assisted reproductive technology. Ultimately, Abbe and her husband tried IUI and then IVF with multiple failed transfers and loss. After a traumatic birth experience and emergency hysterectomy, Abbe is the proud mom of twins. Abbe leans on her experience and a deep well of empathy and tools to guide hopeful parents through the infertility experience. InCircle Fertility is...
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Stork'd Munchkin | S6 Ep 18 - I Felt Erased - Maintaining Your Own Individuality While Balancing Parenthood
Stork'd
In this Stork’d Munchkin, Brittany Ross discusses how during her first pregnancy she didn’t want to lose her identity and become “just a mom.” If you loved this Stork’d Munchkin, check out the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts! Resources:
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Stork'd Munchkin | S6 Ep 18 - Embracing Parenthood on Your Own Terms with Brittany Ross
Stork'd
In this Stork’d Munchkin, Brittany Ross shares advice to those who find out they are pregnant and may not feel the expected emotional reaction to finding out you are and that you are allowed to feel however you want to feel. If you loved this Stork’d Munchkin, check out the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts! Resources:
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S6 Ep. 18 - Can’t I Be More Than Just “Mom”? - Retaining Identity in Parenthood with Brittany Ross, Comedian
Stork'd
Brittany Ross, a Los Angeles-based actor and stand up comedian opens up with refreshing authenticity about her journey into motherhood. She candidly shares her experiences of feeling like she lost her identity during her first pregnancy, as others only saw her as a mom-to-be and, after giving birth, felt defined solely by motherhood. Now pregnant again, Brittany reflects on navigating this journey differently, realizing she can embrace her role as a caring mom and her identity as a professional and individual woman. Join us as Brittany shares her insights and experiences in this honest and...
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Stork'd Munchkin | S6 Ep 17 - Leaning on Your Village: Ronit and Vida’s Advice for Those Experiencing a Miscarriage
Stork'd
In this Stork’d Munchkin, Ronit Menash and Vida Delrahim, co-founders of WeNatal, give advice to those who are experiencing a miscarriage. They emphasize leaning on your “village” and encourage listeners that it’s not the end of the story. If you loved this Stork’d Munchkin, check out the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts! Resources: WeNatal is offering a special discount to listeners of Stork’d. Go to WeNatal.com/Storkd
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Stork'd Munchkin | S6 Ep 17 - Why Doesn’t Anyone Know This? Sperm Quality and Conception
Stork'd
In this Stork’d Munchkin, Ronit Menash and Vida Delrahim, co-founders of WeNatal, discuss this shocking vital revelation: the quality of sperm can significantly affect fertility, contributing up to half of the reason for miscarriage. They banded together to address this and created a men’s prenatal vitamin. If you loved this Stork’d Munchkin, check out the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts! Resources: WeNatal is offering a special discount to listeners of Stork’d. Go to WeNatal.com/Storkd
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S6 Ep 17 - We Need to Talk About Sperm Quality - With WeNatal Founders Ronit Menash and Vida Delrahim
Stork'd
Ronit Menash and Vida Delrahim, the founders of WeNatal, join Julia on a poignant episode of the podcast to share their journeys to expand their respective families and create WeNatal. As close friends who endured miscarriages within days of each other, their bond grew even stronger. Together, they uncovered a vital revelation: the quality of sperm can significantly affect fertility, contributing up to half of the reason for miscarriage. In response, they developed specialized supplements for both men and women to boost fertility before trying to conceive. They delve into the potential...
info_outlineAlison Prato, an acclaimed journalist, has become one of the go - to voices in the fertility world sharing her infertility story and supporting others in their fertility journey. Ali’s experience with secondary infertility included undergoing procedures like IUIs and IVF, and grappling with depression, grief, and relationship challenges. Her message is clear: you are not alone.
This message became especially important to Ali when she lost her mother this year. Julia and Ali discuss how families evolve even beyond IF and family building and how to navigate grief and change.
In 2019, Ali initiated her podcast, "Infertile AF," to foster community and support. Additionally, she co-founded Fertility Rally, a welcoming and inclusive community accessible round the clock for those navigating infertility. Ali highlights that the virtual Fertility Rally occurs biannually, in April and October, featuring experts in the field and offering breakout sessions covering various pertinent topics in this ever-evolving domain. Join Ali and Julia as they explore the realm of IVF and discuss accessible resources for infertile couples.
IN THIS EPISODE:
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[3:14] Ali shares what brought her to the fertility space and relates her journey of infertility
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[9:09] Ali feels that moving to the East Coast delayed her starting a family, and she shares her experiences with miscarriages
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[16:00] Ali’s marriage was suffering through this process, and there are no guarantees when doing IVF
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[22:06] Discussion of the Infertility Rally and where the infertility field is headed
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[29:06] Ali discusses experiences women are having and the camaraderie between her groups
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[31:26] Ali shares what family means to her
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[35:29] Ali talks about the book she wrote for children about how they were born and what her children have been told about IVF
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[38:47] Ali discusses losing her mom in 2023 and their beautiful relationship
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
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Research indicates there's like a cohort mentality around starting a family. If everyone is doing it, you're likely to do it too. They call it a contagion, even though it's not contagious. It's a social contagion.
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Egg quality diminishes the older you become, making it more difficult to conceive. Going through IVF treatment doesn’t guarantee you will get pregnant. It is an evolving science requiring a little bit of magic.
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There is help available for couples facing infertility. Contact Ali Prato using the resource links provided.
RESOURCE LINKS:
@
Infertile AF Group - Buy the Book
BIOGRAPHY:
Ali Prato is an award-winning journalist and mama-of-two who went through secondary infertility, IUIs, IVF, depression, grief and relationship issues. She is here to let you know: You are not alone.
When a girlfriend who had a similar experience asked Ali to share her story to help others, she wrote an article for Health magazine and started getting feedback from women and some men, who were like, “Wow, nobody talks about infertility, IVF, or any of this!”
Ali realized quickly that there was a dearth of candid information about infertility and that there was still a stigma attached to it.
Always a storyteller at heart, Ali launched her podcast, Infertile AF, in 2019 — and today, she has published more than 250 episodes and garnered more than 1.25 million global downloads. In 2020, Ali and fellow infertility warrior Blair Nelson co-founded Fertility Rally, a safe, all-inclusive, 24/7 community for anyone and everyone navigating infertility or building their modern families through ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology). In 2023, she brought all her ideas together under the Infertile AF Group, which just published “Work of ART,” Ali’s children’s book about IVF — available for pre-order now!