55 min
021: Brenda: Double Donors, Finding Your Community and Juggling A Career Motherhood Reimagined Podcast
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- Health & Fitness
My guest today is Brenda, a single-mom-by-choice who had a difficult 4-year journey to motherhood and has made it her mission to help women feel empowered about their reproduction options. She shares her shock at the realization that her OBGYN never mentioned the finite window of fertility. Brenda believes that it is an important conversation to have and encourages women to be proactive in the conversation.
Brenda tried IUI (Intrauterine insemination) with no results and ultimately decided to switch to donor egg IVF (In vitro fertilization). Using both a sperm and an egg donor, was difficult and quite mentally taxing decision. We discuss how she conquered her bias toward the double donor path and why she considers it one of the greatest gifts anyone has given her.
Sadly, Brenda’s first two pregnancies with donor eggs ended in miscarriage. It was discovered that she had a problem with her immune system that had to be medically treated through shots and a doctor’s watchful eye. She tells me about these painful moments and explains why she kept pressing on to her goal, even when it seemed everything was against her.
Brenda says that one of the things that got her through the grueling process was a support group who became a second family for her. She explains how their ups and downs helped put her own struggles in perspective and kept her on the path.
Brenda’s story is very similar to my own and I feel a deep connection to her thoughts and feelings. If you are considering the single-mother-by-choice path just remember that education is key to preparing yourself for the journey. That’s why Motherhood Reimagined was created and I want to help you make informed decisions about having your own family.
Some highlights of today’s conversation:
The pressure Brenda felt when the prospect of marriage was not on the horizon.
How a conversation with her OBGYN changed her life plan.
The 4-year journey that led to many setbacks but ultimately ended with a child.
The misconception that pregnancy is an easy process.
The fears that arise when telling your family about your plans.
The statistics that pushed Brenda into the double donor path.
The immune system issue that led to specialists and difficult treatment.
What the road looked like for Brenda after the miscarriages and how she carried on.
The support group that kept her going.
What Brenda considered in her donors and why she hopes to meet the sperm donor someday.
How Brenda approaches the donor-conceived conversation with her son.
How her journey has changed her perspective on family and the world around her.
Why women need to take more control of their fertility.
My guest today is Brenda, a single-mom-by-choice who had a difficult 4-year journey to motherhood and has made it her mission to help women feel empowered about their reproduction options. She shares her shock at the realization that her OBGYN never mentioned the finite window of fertility. Brenda believes that it is an important conversation to have and encourages women to be proactive in the conversation.
Brenda tried IUI (Intrauterine insemination) with no results and ultimately decided to switch to donor egg IVF (In vitro fertilization). Using both a sperm and an egg donor, was difficult and quite mentally taxing decision. We discuss how she conquered her bias toward the double donor path and why she considers it one of the greatest gifts anyone has given her.
Sadly, Brenda’s first two pregnancies with donor eggs ended in miscarriage. It was discovered that she had a problem with her immune system that had to be medically treated through shots and a doctor’s watchful eye. She tells me about these painful moments and explains why she kept pressing on to her goal, even when it seemed everything was against her.
Brenda says that one of the things that got her through the grueling process was a support group who became a second family for her. She explains how their ups and downs helped put her own struggles in perspective and kept her on the path.
Brenda’s story is very similar to my own and I feel a deep connection to her thoughts and feelings. If you are considering the single-mother-by-choice path just remember that education is key to preparing yourself for the journey. That’s why Motherhood Reimagined was created and I want to help you make informed decisions about having your own family.
Some highlights of today’s conversation:
The pressure Brenda felt when the prospect of marriage was not on the horizon.
How a conversation with her OBGYN changed her life plan.
The 4-year journey that led to many setbacks but ultimately ended with a child.
The misconception that pregnancy is an easy process.
The fears that arise when telling your family about your plans.
The statistics that pushed Brenda into the double donor path.
The immune system issue that led to specialists and difficult treatment.
What the road looked like for Brenda after the miscarriages and how she carried on.
The support group that kept her going.
What Brenda considered in her donors and why she hopes to meet the sperm donor someday.
How Brenda approaches the donor-conceived conversation with her son.
How her journey has changed her perspective on family and the world around her.
Why women need to take more control of their fertility.
55 min