Episode 74: A Pause Due to COVID-19

For some, the road to parenthood may include things such as IUI, IVF, PGS, ICSI, and COVID-19. Those all sound familiar except for the last one. These past few months, COVID-19 has upended many aspects of daily life, bringing grief and uncertainty for people all around the globe. And the fertility industry, one that is often shrouded in uncertainty, is no exception.  

In this episode, we hear from Kim Tranell and Josh Roth, about their family building journey. After years of trying to conceive naturally, Kim and Josh found themselves in the world of infertility. One that was filled with different fertility treatments, a diagnosis of poor egg quality, and mixed emotions. They soon realized the only thing they could control was their next step to parenthood. But what happens when a pandemic hits? Josh and Kim share the impact of COVID-19 and where they are today. 

Guests:  Josh Roth and Kim Tranell, Infertility Advocates 

Host: Lissa Kline, LCSW, VP of Member and Provider Services at Progyny 

For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources on emotional support and awareness.  

Check out these articles detailing the couple’s story in Women’s Health and People Magazine.  

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.   

Here are some highlights from this episode:   

A Transfer Interrupted
15:39 – 18:56 

Lissa Kline: Kim and Josh decided to do a fresh transfer this time. It was set to happen sometime in mid-March. Just around the time New York City was talking about shutting down due to Coronavirus.  

Kim Tranell: The doctor let us know that the embryos were progressing well, but the bigger question became, should we do the transfer at all at this point? It was March 18 or something, when the city was transforming from a theoretical risk to constant ambulance sirens and flooded emergency rooms. The doctor didn’t cancel it outright, but he gave us all the information that he felt we needed to make the call.  

He talked about all the other things we needed to consider, other than just going into the hospital on that day. Like what about coming back for other appointments? Or what if I miscarry and have to come back for a D&C? 

So, we felt we didn’t want to do it. We didn’t want to tax the healthcare system. It didn’t feel right and it didn’t feel safe. So, we decided not to do it, but we felt horrible after that.  

Sharing Their Story and Finding Support 
19:13 – 24:48 

Lissa Kline: During this forced pause, Kim decided to share her story. A little background – Kim is a freelance writer and editor.  

Kim Tranell: Josh and I discussed eventually telling our story. We had been very open with close friends and family, but it never seemed like a good time to bring it up with people.  

But we felt like after so many years of going through this, it had become such an undeniable part of our life. It felt like the time to do that, especially because we were at the beginning of when everything was shutting down. It was devastating and I felt like there wasn’t that much out there about how it was impacting fertility treatments.  

Lissa Kline: Her story was published in Women’s Health magazine, and then it was also picked up by People magazine. We’ve posted links to both in our show notes. And just like that, people were now talking about COVID and infertility. 

Josh Roth: Throughout this process, my focus has been supporting my wife in any way that I can. I’m the type that likes to fix things and I’m an eternal optimist, so it was very hard to face and wrap my head around the fact that it wasn’t working. It can be hard and isolating. 

Lissa Kline: This episode is actually airing during Mental Health Awareness Month, and I think that’s very appropriate, as Kim and Josh worked hard to keep their relationship strong and their mental health intact during this journey. They started seeing a therapist together who specializes in reproductive issues.