Fertility/TTC Resources

I know when I first started TTC and really cared and hoped for a pregnancy I would google and find forums and I just really didn't know where to get my info from.

I also felt really discouraged, especially within the forums on Facebook Groups or even within the cycle tracking apps, as I read about how difficult some peoples journey's could be and I would often find myself in a rabbit hole reading tragedy after tragedy and it scared me.

Kevin would come home from work and know when I had gone through those pages because I was full of anxiety and really emotional.

After some time and feeling like it wasn't healthy for me, I found it was better for me to learn from books or podcasts and experts than reading within the forums or just plain google.

Here are some resources that have been encouraging and helpful for me during our time in TTC and infertility.

Egg Whisperer Instagram and Podcast

Dr. Aimee is a Reproductive Endocrinologist in the Bay Area (Northern California) and has so many great episodes, posts and instagram stories about different topics surrounding TTC, IUI, IVF, Male Infertility and how everything works.

https://instagram.com/eggwhisperer?utm_medium=copy_link

Dr. Lora Shahine

Dr. Shahine is a board certified OBGYN and Reproductive Endocrinologist as well. I've really felt seen and understood by many of her posts on instagram. She also has published books and has a podcast as well!

https://instagram.com/drlorashahine?utm_medium=copy_link

It Starts with the Egg (Book)

This book had been recommended to me from the very beginning when I shared we were having trouble TTC and were going to see an RE. I was afraid it was going to make me feel bad about some of my habits (caffeine, treats now and then, cleaning products, etc.) and because of that I put off reading it until we were already into doing IUIs.

Looking back I wish I had picked this book up sooner. There are so many great tips that I could have included in my day to day life before even meeting with the RE that I would have loved to do earlier. And I didn't really realize that any changes that I would be making would take about 90 days to effect my egg quality/fertility. So you do want to have a bit of time to read, make any changes and then let them take effect.

Ultimately the book never made me feel overwhelmed or like I had to be perfect, it just gave me small adjustments and ideas with food, supplements and other great scientific studies that helped me become more knowledgeable when speaking with our specialists too. I'd highly recommend reading this book no matter what stage you're at!

Here's the link to the book:

https://amzn.to/3pFhODf

Finally I want to say, finding a couple people, whether it's in your real life or via social media, that you can connect with that has either been through this situation or is currently going through it has been one of the biggest sources of support for me. Having someone who just really gets it. It makes me feel less alone and less crazy in the many complex emotions that come with any stage of TTC and certainly when fertility treatments become involved.

I hope this was helpful and I hope that you know I'm praying for you and this community daily. You can always reach out via social media or through the comments on this page. 

Cheering you on,

Megan