Sarah & Kaela talk to the popular beauty vlogger/blogger Brittney of BellBelleBella about her rare experience with a molar pregnancy. She also shares her perspective on infertility as a woman of color including discussing some common myths and stereotypes surrounding women of color and their fertility. She talks about her family’s response to her “coming out” as an infertile person, shares an interesting frozen embryo transfer protocol that included vaginal viagra (what?!), and gives some en...
Apr 09, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 68
Kaela is joined by chiropractic doctor, certified acupuncturist, and fertility expert Dr. Lauren Schneider. Dr. Lauren to talk all about surrogacy. Dr. Lauren debunks myths about surrogacy, explains what it means to be a surrogate vs. a gestational carrier, and gives a list of “must have’s” if you’re considering surrogacy. She also speaks candidly about her own personal experience with surrogacy, the steps she took to reach the decision to use a gestational carrier, and her thoughts on pregnancy...
Apr 02, 2019•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 67
Kaela & Sarah are joined again by board certified reproductive endocrinologist and recurrent miscarriage specialist, Dr. Lora Shahine! In part two of this interview, Dr. Shahine is answering more listener questions about miscarriage with PGS tested embryos, efficacy of reproductive immunology, advice for an unexplained infertility diagnosis, and the one vs. two debate on embryo transfers. She also gives some advice for men going through infertility and how they can be supportive partners (an...
Mar 26, 2019•49 min•Ep. 66
Sarah & Kaela are joined by board certified reproductive endocrinologist and recurrent pregnancy loss specialist, Dr. Lora Shahine! She currently practices at Pacific Northwest Fertility & IVF Specialists in Seattle, Washington. She’s also authored books on the topic of fertility and pregnancy loss (linked below) and is an all around awesome person! In part one of this two part episode, Dr. Shahine covers many topics including; the importance of a good IVF lab and embryologists, egg free...
Mar 19, 2019•45 min•Ep. 65
It’s officially March which means it’s Endometriosis Awareness Month! Kaela and Sarah are talking to Steph Kelly about her experience with Endometriosis and Adenomyosis. She's experienced years of pain and misdiagnosis, and was eventually diagnosed with stage four Endometriosis and “frozen pelvis” (or terminal Endometriosis). She shares how Endometriosis is often misunderstood and how important it is for women to educate themselves and be their best advocate when seeking medical treatment. She a...
Mar 05, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 64
Sarah & Kaela are talking about changing doctors/clinics and the many factors that go into such a big decision! They share listener comments and experiences about why/when they decided they needed to make a switch. Are you feeling like a change will do you good? Infertility is hard enough, feeling like you have a competent and supportive doctor is an important part of the equation! On the topic of change, they’re also asking you to participate in a survey from their friends at Pregnantish.co...
Feb 26, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 63
Kaela & Sarah cover OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome) and talk about what it is, symptoms to look for, and ways to mitigate it! Kaela shares her own experience, and even shares a throwback clip from her YT channel. They’re also joined by Christine (@infertilityillustrated) to discuss her personal experience with OHSS - twice! And finally, they share one man’s theory on how climate change is causing infertility, they debate whether or not Baby Center is a safe place to do “research,” a...
Feb 19, 2019•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 62
Sarah & Kaela continue exploring the Keto diet in part two of this two part episode. This time, they talk about the downside of Keto including health risks, long-term side effects, and even some not so pleasant short-term ones (like Keto breath and Keto flu...ew). They also share insight from Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Melissa Groves who answers listener questions and shares her professional opinion on this popular fertility diet - hint: she’s not a big fan! Finally, Kaela shares an e...
Feb 12, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 61
Kaela & Sarah explore the trendy Keto diet in part one of this two part episode. In this episode, they share some positive aspects of the Keto diet and discuss why it’s so popular among women trying to conceive, especially those with PCOS. They also share the opinion of a reproductive endocrinologist who prescribes the Keto diet to all of his patients. But, despite some of its appeal, Kaela isn’t totally convinced and she shares her ongoing concern. Sarah shares a few big secrets with Kaela ...
Feb 05, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 60
Sarah & Kaela are talking about the paralyzing feelings surrounding infertility treatments! They share their own experiences and that of listeners about their fears when it comes to big treatment decisions as well as things that motivated them and gave them encouragement to move forward and take another step. They also share some recent news about three parent (DNA) IVF babies and a woman who gave birth to triplets - as in an IVF baby and spontaneously conceived twins! Your Fertility. Your F...
Jan 29, 2019•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 59
Kaela & Sarah are discussing the egg retrieval surgery! They let you know what their experience was like and share advice and stories from other listeners (ahem, up your fiber intake). They also talk about new stats on adenomyosis and an article linking a missing protein with infertility in women with endometriosis. And finally, they share a story about a man who injected himself with his own semen...to cure his back pain. Yep, you read that right. Articles referenced in this episode: Irish ...
Jan 22, 2019•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 58
Sarah & Kaela are joining listeners in the Infertile Mafia Podcast facebook group as they dish about more celebrities who have shared their infertility stories and unique paths to parenthood! They cover a number of topics that celebrities have dealt with from unexplained infertility to cancer to the inability to adopt (lookin’ at you Australia). They also cover topics like their favorite 90’s pop songs (lookin’ at you Celine and Mariah), movies, spray tan salons, karaoke, and share the resul...
Jan 15, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 57
What do an actress, a comedian, a supermodel, and a pop star have in common? You guessed it...infertility. In part one of this two part episode, Kaela and Sarah talk about four celebrities who have recently been open about their struggles with infertility and their unique paths to parenthood. We salute these brave men and women for being courageous, sharing their stories, and giving the infertility community support and encouragement! They're also matching iTunes reviews with a donation to RESOL...
Jan 08, 2019•58 min•Ep. 56
Sarah & Kaela say goodbye to 2018 and bring in the new year by sharing listener emails about infertility and the holiday season. They also discuss everything from Legally Blonde to Golden Girls and horrifying “infertility themed” Christmas gifts! And finally, Sarah reveals an inconvenient truth about pineapples. Hint: the infertility community and swingers have more in common than you think. Happy New Year, Mafia - we’re toasting to YOU! Email questions, comments, and other mafia matters to ...
Jan 01, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 55
Sarah & Kaela reunite in this episode to talk about infertility and surviving the holiday season! They share listener comments of solidarity and ways to cope with nosy relatives, awkward gift exchanges, and the overall crippling sadness and depression that is being infertile during the holidays (hint: wine is often involved)! They also talk about Michelle Obama opening up about miscarriage and IVF, share an IUI success story, and swap Black Friday stories! We know this is a hard time of year...
Nov 27, 2018•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 54
In this episode, Kaela is talking to chiropractic doctor, certified acupuncturist, and fertility expert Dr. Lauren Schneider. Dr. Lauren debunks myths about fertility diet fads, prenatal vitamins, toxins, and acupuncture! Kaela also talks with her about topics like MTHFR, immunology, men’s health, alcohol, and the importance of individualized medical support for pre and post conception care. They also discuss their favorite Thanksgiving food. Don’t worry, Dr. Lauren says you can have the day off...
Nov 20, 2018•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 53
Gender disappointment, whiny pregnant women, infertility and family dynamics, being an egg donor, surrogacy, MTHFR, progesterone shots - these are some of topics you’ll hear in this episode as Kaela is joined by her guest co-host, and younger sister, Lara. As a “fertile” person, she offers her perspective on ways she has learned to be an advocate for the infertility community and Kaela shares how thankful she is for her supportive sister. She also issues an apology, on behalf of the fertile popu...
Nov 13, 2018•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 52
Kaela is joined this week by the talented, Christine, of the popular Instagram account "Infertility Illustrated." These two have teamed up to talk about trigger shots! They'll give you the low down on different types of triggers, their pros and cons, and what to expect when it's go time! They also talk about stimulation drugs, and all their lovely side effects (ie; rage, weight gain, and uncontrollable sobbing). And finally, they give some insight on breaking IVF news of two Mom's who carried th...
Nov 06, 2018•59 min•Ep. 51
Today is World Fertility Day! Thanks to the ladies at IVF Babble, an online fertility magazine, for dedicating this entire day to providing the infertility community with support, guidance and lots of positive and empowering resources. Check them out on Facebook, Instagram (@ivfbabble), and their website ivfbabble.com for more information and to join in their live Q&A's with fertility experts all day long! And finally, meet our friend Natalie the host of The Fertility Podcast. In honor of Wo...
Nov 02, 2018•5 min•Ep. 50
Just in time for Halloween, Kaela & Sarah are holding nothing back in this horrifying episode! They give you an in depth look at some of the scariest and creepiest “treatments” and rituals for infertility from Ancient Rome to modern day including - a bronzed “package” in Paris, fertility caves in South Africa, and a penis parade in Japan. And then, there’s the not so fortunate rituals like exorcisms, executions, or getting whacked in the face with a sacrificial goat. And finally, they share ...
Oct 30, 2018•58 min•Ep. 49
Sarah & Kaela are answering your questions in this episode! They cover all sorts of topics including if penis length affects fertility, coping with baby showers, juggling work and doctor appointments, anxiety during pregnancy after infertility, sperm morphology, alcohol and fertility treatments, and they even touch on topics like porn stars and satin sheets! Spoiler alert, length doesn’t matter at all - at least not for fertility. Bree Molyneaux - Hypnosis for Fertility https://itunes.apple....
Oct 23, 2018•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 48
October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month. 1 in 4 women experience a miscarriage, and many of them suffer in silence. In this bonus episode, Kaela is joined by Christine, of Infertility Illustrated, and together they are breaking the silence to share stories from listeners about how they have honored their losses and what has given them closure and comfort. Featured song: “Rizpah” by Families https://open.spotify.com/track/3KTzZwOhSIeKi16L2vd80I?si=xH1yO5cMSr6zJtGkFrH5Lw Email quest...
Oct 15, 2018•55 min•Ep. 47
In this special episode, Sarah & Kaela are highlighting artists being featured at “Challenging Conception: The ART of Infertility in Chicago.” "The ART of Infertility is a traveling art exhibit and oral history project that documents the experience of infertility. Through storytelling and artwork, The ART of Infertility translates the experiences of infertility patients to medical practitioners, physicians, legislators and the general public. It is hoped that the project displays the human e...
Oct 09, 2018•51 min•Ep. 46
Sarah & Kaela are talking drugs - specifically IVF ovarian stimulation drugs. They share a few facts about some of the most common injectable FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone) drugs like Follistim, Gonal-F, Menopur, Bravelle, and more! Sarah shares some insight on why women with PCOS should be careful with stims containing LH and Kaela gives another drunk fertility history story. This time, it’s all about the origins of drugs like Menopur. Hint: the story involv...
Oct 02, 2018•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 45
Kaela & Sarah are talking about sex...and infertility. Let’s face it, intimacy in your relationship can really take a hit when you're going through infertility. In this episode, Sarah and Kaela offer up some ideas of how others have dealt with infertility in their sex life. They share a few practical tips, some less than “conventional” methods, and even a few funny stories about how people keep the spice alive in their relationship while also battling infertility. Email questions, comments, ...
Sep 25, 2018•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 44
September is PCOS Awareness Month so Sarah & Kaela are talking about it! PCOS is the most common infertility diagnosis for women, however, many women don’t even realize they have it or know what to do to treat it. They talk about what PCOS is, treatment options, and even share some fun stories about the history of PCOS - did you know Hippocrates was lookin’ out for you and you're the queens of the stone age?! And finally, they share listener comments about what they wish they had known about...
Sep 18, 2018•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 43
Kaela & Sarah are talking about down regulation for IVF. They share listener comments and let you know what to expect from a down regulation protocol (birth control, Lupron, etc.) including symptoms and side effects. They also discuss some recommendations and reasons behind not doing down regulation at all. They respond to some recent infertility news about the the viral photo of the baby surrounded by IVF syringes - including their frustrations on misconceptions of adoption. They give their...
Sep 11, 2018•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 42
In the second half of this two part episode, Sarah & Kaela are once again talking about infertility in Hollywood. This time, they’re talking about infertility in movies and share some opinions on how infertile women and couples are portrayed in film today. A few of the movies they talk about include: “Game Night,” “The Help,” and “Up!” They also share two recent documentaries, “One More Shot” and “Vegas Baby,” that capture the feelings and experiences of real people going through the struggl...
Sep 04, 2018•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 41
In this two part episode series Kaela & Sarah are talking about infertility in Hollywood. In part 1 they talk all about TV shows over the past few decades that have depicted infertility in an accurate (or not so accurate) way. A few of the shows they cover include: Friends, Fuller House, Orange Is The New Black, This Is Us, Orphan Black, The Handmaid’s Tale, and the OG infertility champion Charlotte from Sex & The City! Email questions, comments, and other mafia matters to infertilemafia...
Aug 28, 2018•56 min•Ep. 40
Sarah & Kaela sit down with the wildly popular illustrator behind the Instagram account @infertilityillustrated. Her name is Christine and she’s infertile, too! She talks about how illustrating the crazy, and sad, and even hilarious moments of infertility have helped her cope. After a diagnosis of PCOS, a round of IVF, and recurrent miscarriages, she’s gearing up for a frozen embryo transfer. Kaela and Sarah talk to her about transporting embryos across state lines, doctors and their bedside...
Aug 21, 2018•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 39
