116. BREAKING INFERTILITY STIGMAS & SUPPORTING LOVED ONES THROUGH LOSS WITH ALI PRATO

July 31, 2024 Crate Media

With 15 million men and women in the United States affected by infertility annually, I’m excited to dive into a topic that is often shrouded in silence and stigma – and one that we've never explored before on The Big Silence!

Ali Prato is the host of Infertile AF, the number one infertility podcast, an IVF mom and a secondary infertility warrior. Ali’s mission is to create a space she wished existed during her own journey and to ensure that others grappling with similar issues, or simply seeking to understand them, are not alone.

An Empath’s Navigation Tools Through Infertility, IVF & Miscarriages

Ali opens up about her personal infertility journey and the decision to pursue IVF, bravely confronting and breaking stigmas along the way. We discuss how infertility affected her marriage, the challenges she and her husband faced, and the dark times they endured together.

Ali shares invaluable advice on finding support groups to navigate such profound heartbreak and offers guidance on how to support loved ones dealing with infertility or miscarriages.

We also explore Ali’s unique career path, from her days as a Playboy editor to becoming a podcaster, offering insights on navigating life and career transitions. I'm grateful for this conversation with Ali and the opportunity to provide information and advice on navigating a journey that profoundly impacts mental and physical health.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding and perhaps find the support you need!

(00:02:58) Ending the Stigma Around Secondary Infertility & IVF

How do we end the stigma of infertility?
Ali’s journey with infertility
Navigating geriatric pregnancies
Unpacking the shift towards getting pregnant later in life
Diving into secondary infertility: what it is and how to navigate it
What led to her decision to pursue IVF?
How Ali explains secondary infertility and addresses the stigma around it

(00:10:10) Real Talk on How Infertility Impacts Relationships

How infertility affected her marriage
How Ali and her husband each processed their miscarriages differently
The compromise they came to in their infertility journey

(00:16:31) IVF Preparation & Protocol 101

How she prepared her body for IVF
What IVF protocol and treatment entails
When you can tell the gender with IVF
The difference between a fresh or frozen embryo transfer

(00:22:56) Advice for Supporting Loved Ones Going Through Infertility

The importance of community support to get through infertility
Infertility Support Group: Fertility Rally
What to say to someone dealing with loss or infertility
Event: Fertility Rally Live
Confronting the biggest stigma around IVF
Infertile AF Podcast: Leia and Kriston Burroughs' Infertility Story
Addressing how infertility impacts communities of color

(00:32:35) Ali’s Career from Playboy to Podcaster & Embracing Transitions in Life

How Ali got a job as an editor at Playboy
How Ali’s career in journalism led to her starting her podcast
Advice for navigating transitions throughout your life and career
Insight for navigating pregnancy and motherhood after loss

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