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 8 who, for many reasons, struggle with infertility.

Episode 44: Genetic Testing: IVF and Fruitful Fertility

Infertility treatment is often a series of difficult choices. Do you try IUI? How many rounds? What about IVF? Can you afford it? Do you transfer one fresh embryo, or do you freeze them all? What about pre-implantation genetic testing? Is it worth the additional expense?  

Doctors can recommend a treatment path, but each choice is tied to money and time, and it’s up to the patient to weigh those factors against success rates. At the end of the day, if you choose a less expensive fertility treatment, are you actually saving money? Are you being efficient?  

Today we hear from Elyse Ash, who had to face all of those questions and more throughout her infertility journey. Elyse shares what it was like being diagnosed with endometriosis, carefully considering the costs and success rates before undergoing IVF, and enduring years of frustration before finally giving birth to her baby girl Abigail.  

Elyse also discusses one of the most valuable lessons she learned along the way, the importance of support. That’s what led her to create Fruitful Fertility, a free mentorship program that connects those struggling with infertility with those who’ve been through it firsthand. 

Guest: Elyse Ash, Founder of Fruitful Fertility 

Host: Brandi Guthrie, Provider Account Manager at Progyny 

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

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. 

Host

Brandi Guthrie, Provider Account Manager at Progyny

Brandi manages the East Coast of Progyny’s Provider Network, where she recruits new fertility clinics to be a part of Progyny’s exclusive provider network. She takes pride in establishing and fostering positive relationships with Progyny’s in-network clinics. Brandi’s concentration in the healthcare industry began prior to joining Progyny four years ago and has developed into a true passion for helping support all individuals achieve their dreams of parenthood.

Guests

Elyse Ash, Founder and CEO of Fruitful Fertility

It took Elyse and her husband Brad three years, two rounds of IVF and one frozen embryo transfer to see their first positive pregnancy test which brought them their daughter, born in March 2018. Elyse lives in Minneapolis and loves poetry, hockey, social justice, Beyonce and pretending she’s into yoga.