//podcastplus.net/feed/pregnantish~82e32fe9 There's no one way to be pregnant – just ask Andrea Syrtash. After nearly two dozen fertility treatments, a handful of surrogates and almost a decade of trying to get and stay pregnant, Andrea is now a proud mother. Pregnantish is a place for those that had unconventional paths to parenthood to tell their stories. Each episode, we'll hear from fertility experts and real people on their own nontraditional journey to being a parent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Mon, 27 Jul 2026 17:12:41 +0000 https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e62956f2a3a569c7ad19425/e/685d5d2d7cd58072a5eb0108/media.mp3 In this special Pregnantish Pride episode, we’re honored to welcome Trystan Reese — speaker, educator, and trailblazing trans dad — for a candid conversation about parenthood, advocacy, and what it means to build a family in a non-linear way.  Trystan made headlines as a transgender man to publicly share his journey of carrying a biological child. But behind the media frenzy was a deeply personal decision — rooted in love and the desire to expand his family with his partner, Biff. While his story was often sensationalized, Trystan has remained committed to educating others and speaking out, not just for himself, but for the broader trans community — especially trans women, who he says too often bear the brunt of bias and misinformation. In this episode, Trystan reflects on how his family — which includes three beautiful children, two through adoption — is both ordinary and extraordinary. He opens up about the need for fertility clinics to better understand trans patients, the ha... Thu, 26 Jun 2025 14:46:05 +0000 https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e62956f2a3a569c7ad19425/e/685d5d2d7cd58072a5eb0108/media.mp3 https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e62956f2a3a569c7ad19425/e/68419ba9b059c9b97892bd53/media.mp3 What happens when reality TV stars face the reality of infertility?  In this powerful pregnantish podcast episode, recorded live at our annual “Reality of Infertility” event, Andrea is joined by three bold voices/former and current reality stars: Miss USA 2014 Nia Sanchez (now seen on Bravo’s “The Valley”), Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner, and Whitney Bischoff Angel, a former “Bachelor” winner and longtime fertility nurse.  Together, they pull back the curtain on the funny and strange parts of recording their lives for millions to see, and the reality of family building despite the setbacks and challenges they faced. In this candid conversation, our guests get real about pregnancy loss, secondary infertility, mental health, egg freezing, life after IVF and the silence that still surrounds reproductive struggles that they’re determined to break. Also featured in this episode is Kathy Lee-Sepsick, Founder & CEO of Femasys, sharing insights about FemaSeed, a next g... Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:38:55 +0000 https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e62956f2a3a569c7ad19425/e/68419ba9b059c9b97892bd53/media.mp3 https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e62956f2a3a569c7ad19425/e/68011b283d09fdf27f022954/media.mp3 In this insightful and informative episode of the pregnantish podcast, first airing in honor of National Infertility Awareness Week '25, we're joined by Dr. Karen Tang, a board-certified gynecologist and minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon and the author of "It's Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health (but Were Never Told)"  From media stories to medical discussions, fertility and infertility is full of misconceptions! This episode delves into how and why we should shift the conversation from fear-based, negative messaging about reproductive health to one that's positive, empowering, and focused on achieving the reproductive goals people desire.  This episode's Midroll features Dr. Lucky Sekhon, Board Certified OBGYN & Fertility Doctor who practices at RMA of NY, the episode sponsor, to tackle some of the more common myths and why sexual and reproductive health education needs a major overhaul.  Both doctors in this conversation ha... Thu, 17 Apr 2025 15:15:51 +0000 https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e62956f2a3a569c7ad19425/e/68011b283d09fdf27f022954/media.mp3 https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e62956f2a3a569c7ad19425/e/67d2e42ba1c1a8e5557a5e03/media.mp3 Former Bachelor star, In the Wild Dating founder, and passionate endometriosis advocate Lexi Young joins the Pregnantish Podcast to share her deeply personal journey with fertility, health struggles, and the power of speaking out. Lexi opens up about how endometriosis shaped her relationships—including the end of a long-term partnership—and why she chose to use her platform on The Bachelor to bring awareness to reproductive health challenges. In this episode, Lexi reflects on the physical and emotional toll of living with endometriosis while filming reality TV, from managing ovarian cysts to dealing with “endo belly” under the scrutiny of cameras. She also discusses her decision to freeze her eggs with the guidance of Dr. Valerie Libby, MD, MPH, FACOG —a double-board-certified reproductive endocrinologist at Shady Grove Fertility in Atlanta. Dr. Libby joins the conversation to break down why fertility awareness is critical, how endometriosis impacts reproductive health, and why a ... Thu, 13 Mar 2025 13:56:59 +0000 https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e62956f2a3a569c7ad19425/e/67d2e42ba1c1a8e5557a5e03/media.mp3 https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e62956f2a3a569c7ad19425/e/679b73d02dc6067fdd30b0a0/media.mp3 In this special new year episode of the Pregnantish Podcast, team member Carolyn Kossow—whose studies focused on assisted reproductive technology and third-party reproduction—joins award-winning journalist and author of “Elusive Mommyhood”, Ginanne Brownell, to explore the evolving landscape of fertility. From the rise of "ethical IVF" and surrogacy and third-party reproduction trends around the world, to the long-overdue focus on sperm factors and male factor infertility, we examine how reproductive technology is advancing—and where access and policies still lag behind. With global population declines, shifting attitudes in countries like China (which once enforced a one-child policy and now supports IVF) and reproductive rights under threat in parts of the U.S., these conversations are now part of the zeitgeist– though still wildly misunderstood by the general public.  As pregnantish celebrates 8 years as the first media platform to help people navigate infertility and modern fam... Thu, 30 Jan 2025 12:42:56 +0000 https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e62956f2a3a569c7ad19425/e/679b73d02dc6067fdd30b0a0/media.mp3 https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e62956f2a3a569c7ad19425/e/675f0fb5a89833ab77731c7a/media.mp3 What does it mean to lead a happy life and to achieve a state of well being despite our external circumstances? In this holiday episode of the pregnantish podcast, Daniel Lerner, co-instructor of NYU’s most popular elective course “The Science of Happiness” explores what it means to live a truly fulfilling life - especially in the face of life’s challenges. According to Dan, the goal isn’t always to feel “happy” but to find meaning, build resilience and embrace a new perspective on stress. He introduces the concept of ‘post traumatic growth’, revealing how life’s most difficult moments can spark profound personal transformation and why, even if we wouldn’t wish our tough circumstances on others, we can be positively impacted by the way we navigate and grow from these challenges.  This inspiring and informative conversation offers hope, actionable insights, and a fresh take on navigating the ups and downs of family-building journeys and other non-linear grief chapters.... Sun, 15 Dec 2024 17:19:48 +0000 https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e62956f2a3a569c7ad19425/e/675f0fb5a89833ab77731c7a/media.mp3 https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e62956f2a3a569c7ad19425/e/67112132b25fb9d34417ba23/media.mp3 October marks Pregnancy and Infant loss Awareness Month. Though research indicates that miscarriages impact 1 in 4 people, we know that that number is probably far greater as that reflects only what is reported. We also know that this experience is devastating, no matter how many people the experience touches. Recorded live during our annual thought leader event in New York City, The Diversity of Infertility, this episode breaks the silence around stories of stillbirth, pregnancy loss, healing, and hope. We dive deeply into the personal journeys of former ABC’s “The Bachelor” contestants — Whitney Bischoff Angel, the winner of season 19, and contestant Ashley Spivey of season 15 — as they share their experiences with pregnancy loss and stillbirth in front of a live audience.  Whitney, the first fertility nurse in the Bachelor franchise history, opens up about her heartbreaking path through multiple miscarriages, an ectopic pregnancy, and the quiet struggles faced by those in simi... Thu, 17 Oct 2024 14:37:38 +0000 https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e62956f2a3a569c7ad19425/e/67112132b25fb9d34417ba23/media.mp3 https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e62956f2a3a569c7ad19425/e/66f01f6be9120d670fe72de9/media.mp3 Those who watch the long running reality dating show franchise, ABC’s The Bachelor , know that the women on it go the distance for a chance at love; and former contestant Clare Crawley is no exception.  Clare is best known as the Runner Up in Season 16 of the series, leading to her role as ABC’s Bachelorette in Season 18. She also appeared on Bachelor in Paradise twice and Winter Games , making her one of the most recognizable cast members in The Bachelor franchise. But in recent years, Clare has been known for something else – making headlines because of her fertility struggles. She first came out with her vulnerable fertility story via Instagram, when she was finally expecting via gestational surrogacy by sharing, “I can tell you how hard it has been to hold the secret as I've shared the last 10 years of my life with you all. This is one journey, though, that Ryan and I have been keeping close to our hearts as we navigated the uncertain world of IVF and all that comes with i... Sun, 22 Sep 2024 13:45:15 +0000 https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e62956f2a3a569c7ad19425/e/66f01f6be9120d670fe72de9/media.mp3 https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e62956f2a3a569c7ad19425/e/66901d8f0e0546b8a8152616/media.mp3 This month, July 2024, marks 46 years since the world's first IVF baby, Louise Joy Brown, was born in the northwest of England.  Since this historic day of Brown’s birth that made international headlines, the International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies estimates that at least 12 million babies have been born as a result of IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies, making “science babies” ubiquitous, albeit still too often misunderstood by the general public.  The guests on this episode, Ellen Weir Casey and Laurie Sirus, underwent in-vitro fertilization in the early days of IVF, in the early 1980s and 1990s respectively, when the general public, news, and media called babies born from this procedure "test tube babies" -- even though no test tubes were involved! Ellen became Colorado's first IVF mom and Laurie delivered twins via IVF a decade later after grappling with the decision to pursue treatment due to the fact that it was still con... Thu, 11 Jul 2024 17:59:43 +0000 https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e62956f2a3a569c7ad19425/e/66901d8f0e0546b8a8152616/media.mp3 https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e62956f2a3a569c7ad19425/e/662a6197d8674c001266bf61/media.mp3 If you’re navigating or considering undergoing fertility treatments like IVF, and are confused by all the tests and information out there, you are not alone. Sometimes in this process, we feel like we are given too much information and not enough information at the same time!  This podcast episode, in honor of National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) 2024, is a spotlight on why we should advocate for our reproductive health and know our options. Dr. Vrunda B. Desai, FACOG, the VP of Medical and Clinical Affairs at CooperSurgical, joins Andrea in studio to share how CooperSurgical is accelerating what’s possible to help people build their families sooner, and how tests like PGT-A, PGT-M, and PGTai can revolutionize the embryo selection process. She is a Physician, Researcher, Educator and Medical Affairs leader at CooperSurgical and is a Board-Certified Ob/Gyn with fellowship training in Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery. Dr. Desai is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Obstetr... Thu, 25 Apr 2024 13:58:47 +0000 https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e62956f2a3a569c7ad19425/e/662a6197d8674c001266bf61/media.mp3