Three Makes Baby Podcast

Ally of Half of Me Podcast Updates Us On Her Life

Back by popular demand, Ally, a donor conceived adult and host of @halfofmepodcast, returns to update us on her life and how the pandemic has affected her career. This is an opportunity to get a glimpse of other aspects of a dc person's life that is unrelated to their conception. It's important to remember that a person is not entirely defined by one event, even though it may be a BIG part of them. We are reminded that having the ability to delve into donor conception issues are the sign of a higher evolved place of needs. Maslow's hierarchy of needs shows that we can't contemplate on higher issues when are basic needs of safety and security (food and shelter) are not met. On the flip side, some donor conceived individuals basic needs of belonging in childhood can be disrupted if a parent's grief interferes with the attachment process. Feeling emotionally secure and safe is the result of a sense of belonging.

Since the recording Ally announced that she is pregnant with their first child after infertility treatments. Follow her @halfofmepodcast for more on that topic.

 

Amelia's Fertility Treatment Delayed Due to Pandemic

So many of you will relate to this podcast episode with @infertilebruises about delayed fertility treatment.  Be sure to listen to the full episode for strength and inspiration.💪
In March, fertility authorities around the world recommended that all fertility treatments stop in an effort to minimize the spread of coronavirus. The result was devastating for many couples in mid-treatment. Although most people agree this was the best decision for public safety, it was also life-altering for many people.

The pandemic has delayed many couples chance at pregnancy around the world.
I spoke with Amelia with @infertilebruises a few weeks ago about how the delays are affecting her.  

She speaks about the grief and trauma of her infertility treatment and how this new delay heaps on more wait time and uncertainty. She speaks about the misunderstandings that have occurred as a result of the ttc community’s response to the pause, as well as the guilt that it brings on when others have faired worse from the pandemic.
She also echoes the experiences that Nick with @themaleinfertilitypodcast encountered with male infertility.

As fertility clinics gradually re-open to resume treatment in certain regions of the US, there are still many unknowns.
The ASRM has issued new guidance through May 11. Go to @americansocietyforreprodmed for the full guidance.
(Amelia is in the UK and the guidelines for reopening are different.)

Nick Uses Humor and a Podcast to Cope with His Azoospermia

Nick Denton, a voice actor and host of The Male Infertility Podcast speaks frankly about his medical condition that caused his infertility, azoospermia, commonly known as zero sperm. His humorous and plain approach to the topic are opening the conversation and hopefully, lifting the shame around this increasingly more common condition. 

He speaks about the pressure around sex, how he supports his wife and how he feels about using a sperm donor. Be sure to listen to his podcast on all the normal platforms and follow him on Instagram @maleinfertilitypodcast.

 

 

Amy's Husband's Azoospermia Diagnosis Caused Him to Feel Shame & Self-blame.

Amy's husband was diagnosed with azoospermia and wasn't open to donation at first. After failed surgeries, they were able to move forward with sperm donation. Amy talks about his feelings, the donor selection process and her need for privacy during her pregnancy.

 

#azoospermia

Elena becomes close friends with her donor, Amy, like extended family.

Elena's story of known donation is special and rare. While secrecy in the field of donor conception is slowly emerging from the shadows of secrecy and unknown donation (formerly anonymous donation) is still more prevalent, Elena and Amy are breaking the mold.

Amy donated her eggs to Elena, who had been through an unimaginable number of failed fertility treatments with her husband. Amy followed her journey and stepped forward to help. Both woman had daughter's close in age and have become great friends.

Elena talks about her relationship with Amy in this episode. Listen to get an idea of a real life example of how known donation works.

Sarah's Known Donor is a Friend & Pregnancy During a Pandemic

Sarah shares her story of using a known donor. An extraordinary friendship leads to her pregnancy during a historic time. Sarah speaks about her long journey of infertility, the difficulty of pursing anonymous donation, and the immeasurable and timely gift of egg donation from a friend 4,000 miles away. Sarah speaks to what it is like to be pregnant during a pandemic and how lock down feels alot like the isolation she felt during infertility. She offers hope to those on an uphill climb to conceiving.

An EXLUSIVE with Julie, the Author of the Happy Together Children's Book Series

Julie experience premature ovarian failure and was concerned about her fertility. Her fears came true when she realized she couldn't have a biological child. She turned her pain into a gift for others, through her series of children's books. Her books are designed to create new narratives for all types of families created through donation; heterosexual or same-sex couples, a family through a gestational carrier or an embryo adoption, her books are ground-breaking for the fertility field.

Sarah Responds to Comments About Being the "Real Mom"

Sarah, a mom through egg donation, shares, "Infertility grief doesn't actually end with having a beautiful child. Now the work on what this means in relation to living in our world begins."

Dr. Julian Escobar Asks Me How His Patients Can Cope with Uncertainty

Jana, & Dr. Escobar, (fertility therapist and fertility doctor) met on zoom to talk about how the coronavirus is changing fertility treatments.

I sat down with Dr-Julian Escobar to talk about the uncertainty of healthcare during this coronavirus outbreak and how patients can cope with delayed fertility treatments.

Amira Shares Mindfulness Tips

Welcome back to Season 2! So much has changed since the end of season 1. This episode, recorded in December was prophetic in a way. Amira Posner @thefertilemind shares ways to tap into mindfulness.