The Secondary Infertility Podcast

Allie Karagozian Mudgett

Are you experiencing secondary infertility? Are you a mom who wants to have another baby or babies, but have come up against infertility and/or loss? I’m Allie Karagozian Mudgett, I’m the founder and owner of Holding Both. I created this organization in 2022 to support women experiencing secondary infertility and loss. I know that infertility during motherhood is complex. I know it’s possible to hold the joy of motherhood and the pain of infertility at the same time, and it’s important to me to spread that message far and wide. I created a growing community and have connected many women through group meetings over the past year. This year, I want to add to that growth, and developing a podcast to share stories feels like the perfect way to do this. Welcome, I am glad you are here.

  1. 06/27/2024

    14. Amanda Laskowski on Miscarriage During Motherhood and Entrepreneurship as a Group Facilitator at Cincy Postpartum

    Amanda Laskowski wears many hats—mom, to two tiny humans, partner, educator, entrepreneur, and your go-to postpartum pal. She’s currently in version 3.0 of her career… it’s okay to not know what you want to be when you grow up, even in your late 30s! She’s along for the ride and happily shifting with life’s seasons. Amanda spent her first dozen professional years on University campuses, teaching and mentoring college students as they navigated the many decisions and transitions of early adulthood. Entering her thirties, she then pursued licensure as a real estate agent and began selling houses while continuing full-time work in higher education and prepping for the birth of her first daughter. She always had an entrepreneurial drive, and real estate was her first dip into exploring the world of business ownership. After her own experience welcoming babies into the world, and with utter shock at how little postpartum support existed for families, Amanda felt called to take her skillset in yet another direction, In 2022, after completing training with CAPPA (Childbirth & Postpartum Professional Association) as a Postpartum Doula and Lactation Educator, Amanda founded Cincy Postpartum. Under the Cincy Postpartum brand, Amanda has brought to life her signature 4th Trimester Postpartum Circles, which are now facilitated across 5 neighborhoods of Cincinnati, OH. These Postpartum Circles (TM) bring together 6-9 moms and their babies for a comprehensive, in person, cohort-based series in the first 12 weeks or baby’s life. What makes these circles extra special is that babies are just days or weeks apart in age, and many cohorts have continued to meet up well beyond the formal five week series, celebrating 1st birthdays together and all the sweet milestones along the way. In 19 months, Amanda has facilitated over 50 cohorts, building a community of over 400 alumni. Amanda is dreaming of bringing this service to additional cities in the coming years. IG @cincypostpartum Website: https://cincinnatipostpartum.com You can find Allie at: Instagram: @holdingboth  Website: www.holdingbothllc.com  Email: allie@holdingbothllc.com

    35 min
  2. 06/13/2024

    13. Kathleen Adkisson on Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy, Secondary Infertility and Pregnancy Losses

    This episode is different from my usual content. Kathleen and I discussed the high-risk pregnancy condition Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy, something both she and I experienced. This month is ICP awareness month, and it is important to me to bring awareness to this condition as I did not know about it before I had it. I hope to use my platform to bring awareness to it so that individuals experiencing these distinct symptoms can get the help that they need. In this episode, we also talk about Kathleen’s experience with secondary infertility and pregnancy losses.  Kathleen Adkisson is a Virginia ambassador for the non-profit organization, ICP Care. In the second trimester of her pregnancy, she noticed progressively worse itching. She knew that something was wrong and advocated for herself, ultimately receiving help from her supportive OBGYN who ordered diagnostic testing, which determined had this intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (also known as ICP). Following this diagnosis, Kathleen found ICP Care which led her to find community and comfort as she navigated the remainder of her pregnancy with ICP. She delivered her son at 37 weeks. Following the birth of her son, Kathleen decided that she wanted to get involved in the advocacy and awareness of this condition.  IG @icpcare Website: https://icpcare.org You can find Allie at: Instagram: @holdingboth  Website: www.holdingbothllc.com  Email: allie@holdingbothllc.com

    23 min
  3. 04/18/2024

    9. Nikki Brooker on Ending her Secondary Infertility Journey Without a Second Baby

    Nikki Brooker is a wife, mom to her five-year-old son, school-based speech-language pathologist, travel lover, hiker, sports fan (Go Bills!), coffee lover, and puppy mom. When COVID hit, she decided to start a professional Instagram account (@speechcoffeeinclusivity) to share diverse and inclusive content, apparel, and books. As her secondary infertility journey started, she was able to use this platform to connect with others going through the process. Nikki endured medicated cycles, IUIs, and ultimately IVF. Her long journey with IVF resulted in multiple devastating pregnancy losses. It has been almost a year since their IVF journey ended, and Nikki shares that “It still brings tears to my eyes to share these memories. Since this heartbreak, I have had laparoscopy to correct endometriosis, and we have proceeded with a few more IUIs, all of which have been unsuccessful. We are at the end of our journey to give our boy a sibling, which I still haven't quite accepted. No one will know the pain of secondary infertility until their child vocalizes how much they want a little brother or sister, or how they are scared they will be all alone one day.”  While motherhood is her main priority in life right now, she also prioritizes travel. Nikki, her husband and their son try to visit a new place or have a new experience every year. She loves hiking and is an Adirondack 46er (hiked 46 peaks above 4,000 feet in elevation in the Adirondack Park). She lives for sunshine and summertime in Upstate New York. Nikki and her husband love to have a date night here and there, trying new cocktails and restaurants.  Nikki is always actively working to figure out who she is post-infertility, especially as a mom of an only child not by choice. Hopefully, more to come! Instagram: @nkbrooker83 & @speechcoffeeinclusivity You can find Allie at: Instagram: @holdingboth  Website: www.holdingbothllc.com  Email: allie@holdingbothllc.com

    36 min
5
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

Are you experiencing secondary infertility? Are you a mom who wants to have another baby or babies, but have come up against infertility and/or loss? I’m Allie Karagozian Mudgett, I’m the founder and owner of Holding Both. I created this organization in 2022 to support women experiencing secondary infertility and loss. I know that infertility during motherhood is complex. I know it’s possible to hold the joy of motherhood and the pain of infertility at the same time, and it’s important to me to spread that message far and wide. I created a growing community and have connected many women through group meetings over the past year. This year, I want to add to that growth, and developing a podcast to share stories feels like the perfect way to do this. Welcome, I am glad you are here.