Infertility
support comes in a myriad of forms, from professional counseling and bona fide support groups to books, blogs, and podcasts.
The fertility treatment journey can feel pretty lonely at times, especially if you don’t have people you can confide in or your immediate community of family and friends don’t “get it.” That’s why we recommend finding “your people” and leaning on them to help you remain sane during a potentially wild emotional roller coaster.
Find Community Support by Listening to Infertility Podcasts
Here are five podcasts we feel present the most scientifically accurate information about infertility and fertility treatment while keeping the patients’ hearts at the center of the story.
1. This is Infertility
The podcast
This is Infertility was launched 5+ years ago during National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW). Now, there are dozens upon dozens of episodes to catch up on, covering a wide range of all things infertility. The podcast is hosted by
Progyny, a premier fertility-centric health insurance carrier.
The blog fuses narrative storytelling with experience and science to give you a new perspective on what it’s really like to go through a family-building journey. Each episode dives into the emotional, physical, and financial burdens carried by those who experience infertility on their path to parenthood. Be it IVF, IUI, egg freezing, surrogacy, adoption, etc., the path is never the same, and it can be long, painful, and lonely.
If you’re not quite ready to branch out into the in-person or support group format, subscribing to This is Infertility can provide instant company, a level of comfort, and scientifically-backed information about all things infertility.
2. Dear (In)Fertility
The subjects covered in the large majority of infertility podcasts are 100% driven by the creators of the podcast. Of course, they listen to their fans’ recommendations and responses, but the hosts are the ones choosing the episode topics. The
Dear (In)Fertility podcast is unique in that it functions as the podcast equivalent of an advice column, making it 100% listener-driven.
Its host, Kristyn Hodgdon, is a science-backed health and wellness podcast dedicated to shining a light on all of the women’s health topics that have long been considered taboo – from UTI’s to
endometriosis. She does this by reading – and answering – questions from her audience.
We appreciate the genuine soul poured into this podcast, which is now in its sixth successful season. Listeners also appreciate that while they may start listening to posts specifically covering infertility – and fertility treatments – the podcast covers a wide range of women’s health and reproductive issues stretching from your first period until your last.
3. Sisters in Loss
There is a small percentage of women and couples who receive an infertility diagnosis, begin treatment, and get pregnant using the first fertility treatment they try. This is not the norm. Many of our patients come to us already steeped in grief due to their history of failed pregnancies or
repeat miscarriages and know that the journey ahead may be more complicated than a single treatment or two.
The
Sisters in Loss podcast was founded by Erica, who set out to create a Maternal Child Health Education company where black women replace silence with storytelling around pregnancy, infant loss, and infertility. Erica experienced a stillbirth at 39 weeks and a miscarriage at 18 weeks, bringing powerful doses of both empathy and sympathy to her work. There are more than 330 episodes (and counting), all of which can help soothe your broken heart while also providing a wealth of infertility and grief resources.
4. The Queer Family Podcast
The
Queer Family Podcast may be dedicated to
serving the LGBTQ+ community, but we have plenty of straight patients who love this podcast, too. And what’s not to love? Founded and hosted by the effervescent and in-your-face celebrity, Jamie Kelton (and friends!), the podcast humorously explores the age-old question: What’s it like to live as an LGBTQ family in a world built for the straights? And, the podcast’s mission is to normalize, elevate and celebrate while confirming that LGBTQ+ folks are just like other parents.
This is a wonderful place for LGBTQ+ individuals to learn a little bit more about the ins and outs of family-building options while also creating community. If you haven’t read it yet, we also recommend checking out Jamie’s much-celebrated book,
If These Ovaries Could Talk…, which was one of the seeds that wound up growing into the Queer Family Podcast.
5. The Infertility Mafia
It’s hard to imagine having a sense of humor about anything at all when you’re in the depths of infertility despair. And yet, podcasts like
The Infertility Mafia manage to keep it all very real and raw while also eliciting a well-needed laugh in every episode. Good friends Kaela and Sara tell it like it is: infertility sucks!
Upon that very real and telling platform, they share the truths about the hardships and hilarity of infertility, IVF, and trying to conceive. Some of their titles include “Let’s Talk About Sex” (discussing infertility and its
effect on couples’ intimacy), “Just Deal With It” (the horrible things people say and other triggers), and “Your Wait Time Is Now,” (anyone pursuing fertility treatments knows
waiting becomes the name of the game).
NCFMC Keeps on Top of the Best Fertility Books, Blogs & Podcasts
Are you interested in more recommendations about the best books, blogs, or podcasts about infertility?
Contact the Northern California Fertility Medical Center. Our doctors, nurses, and staff know how much it helps to keep your fingers on all things fertility-related and will steer you in the right direction.