This is Infertility is a bi-weekly podcast where we fuse narrative storytelling with experience and science to give you a new perspective on what it’s really like to go through a family building journey. Each episode dives into the emotional, physical, and financial burdens carried by those who experience infertility on their path to parenthood. Be it IVF, IUI, egg freezing, surrogacy, adoption, etc., the path is never the same and it can be long, painful, and lonely. It’s our mission to give those struggling a platform to be heard, a community connection, and an opportunity to raise awareness of the 1 in 6 who, for many reasons, struggle with infertility.

Episode 30: Endometriosis and Fertility: Jessica Smith-Payne

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is a common condition that is often extremely painful, hard to diagnose, and can affect a woman’s fertility. In honor of this month, we’re rolling out a four-part series to bring awareness to this disease.

In the first episode in our four-part series on endometriosis, we hear from celebrity make-up artist Jessica Smith-Payne, who shares her experience of trying to get pregnant while living with endometriosis. Ever since Jessica was a teenager, she experienced pain, but her condition went undiagnosed for years. It wasn’t until she got married and tried to get pregnant, that her and her husband Logan learned that their journey of trying to begin their family would be more difficult than they had expected.

After receiving a laparoscopy and discovering that she had stage three endometriosis, the first question Jessica asked was, “Am I going to be able to be a mom?” We learn how Jessica and her husband navigated their fertility journey, given Jessica’s diagnosis with endometriosis and Logan’s male factor infertility, how the couple was introduced to IVF, and how Jessica was able to give birth to her daughter after enduring a traumatic pregnancy.

We also hear from Dr. Kaylen Silverberg, a reproductive endocrinologist with Texas Fertility Center, who dives into how endometriosis is diagnosed, treatment options and how women can build the family of their dreams.

Guest: Jessica Smith-Payne

Expert: Dr. Kaylen Silverberg, Texas Fertility Center

Host: Taylor Burbach, Patient Care Supervisor at Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Texas Fertility Center.

To learn more about endometriosis, check out Progyny’s What is Endometriosis Infographic.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

About the Speakers

Host : Taylor Burbach

Patient Care Supervisor at Progyny

Guest : Jessica Smith-Payne

Celebrity Make-up Artist

Guest : Dr. Silverberg

Founding Partner of Texas Fertility Center

Host : Taylor Burbach

Patient Care Supervisor at Progyny

As a patient care supervisor, Taylor helps oversee a team of dedicated patient care advocates. She is also recognized as a reproductive health advocate in her community as a Clue Ambassador. Prior to joining Progyny she organized two Darwin Day Colloquiums in 2014 and 2015 and helped organize the inaugural meeting of the Southeastern Evolutionary Perspectives Society. She recently discovered Krav Maga, which she practices in her free time.

Guest : Jessica Smith-Payne

Celebrity Make-up Artist

Jessica started doing makeup for local modeling agencies at just 15. She moved to NYC and worked her way to be a makeup artist for Ford. She works mostly with TV, Red Carpet and Music Videos, however she also has worked with Fashion Shows, Editorial and Bridal. While her main focus is makeup she does beauty hair, styling, and airbrushing tanning for clients.

When she moved to Los Angeles she found herself a home at Blushington Makeup and Beauty Lounge where she was the Director of Artistry. Since being at Blushington she has helped them open 4 stores and now they are a Nationwide Company. Jessica has also started working in front of the camera being a beauty expert. She has been featured as Director of Artistry on E! News, Access Hollywood, Extra, Good Morning America, Good Day La and many more. Her personality has lead to other hosting opportunities such as Young Hollywood and Style Network.

Her passion is everything beauty and while her first love is makeup, she also loves being a spokeswoman for the beauty industry and educating women on new products, upcoming trends, and how to achieve makeup looks at home. Jessica now resides in Tampa, Florida however still travels to Los Angeles, NYC and Nashville for her clients.

Guest : Dr. Silverberg

Founding Partner of Texas Fertility Center

In addition to his full clinical load – Dr. Silverberg is also actively involved in infertility research and has been published extensively in the infertility literature. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology and has been honored by the American Fertility Association with their national Family Building Award. Dr. Silverberg has also received a Certificate of Appreciation for “selfless and dedicated service” from the U.S. Department of the Army, and he is recognized annually by Best Doctors in America®.

Dr. Silverberg is Board Certified in both Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology. He received his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt and attended medical school at Baylor College of Medicine. He completed his Obstetrics & Gynecology residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and his infertility fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.