Pregnantish

Imagine playing a character who becomes a surrogate for a couple struggling with infertility… while, behind the scenes, you’re navigating your own reproductive health diagnosis. That was actor, comedian, and singer Lauren Ash’s reality.On Superstore, Lauren played Dina, who becomes a surrogate for Glenn and Jerusha. At the same time, Lauren was privately navigating PMOS (formerly known as PCOS), chronic pain, ovarian cysts, and two surgeries.In this episode, Lauren opens up about her experience with PMOS, finding a diagnosis, undergoing surgery while filming Superstore, and the impact the condition had on her body, her quality of life, and the way she thought about her own fertility and future.Lauren also shares what happened when she began speaking publicly about her diagnosis and thousands of people reached out to share their own experiences. She talks about building community, advocating for more research and awareness, navigating weight changes in the public eye, and why sharing our stories can make others feel less alone.The episode’s midroll spotlight features Noom Medical Director and OB-GYN Dr. Karen Mann, who explains what PMOS is, why the name change from PCOS matters, and why the condition extends far beyond fertility. She also discusses the connection between PMOS, metabolic health, weight, and fertility, including what we know—and what we’re still learning—about GLP-1 medications.Lauren’s story is a reminder that PMOS can shape far more than fertility, and that understanding your body, finding the right support, and advocating for yourself can be an important part of navigating your health journey.This episode is presented by Noom. Through the science of behavior change and personalized care, Noom is helping people take meaningful steps toward better metabolic health. Learn more at Noom.com and use code NOOMISH15 for 15% off. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when your fertility journey unfolds in front of thousands of listeners?In this episode of The Pregnantish Podcast, Andrea Syrtash sits down with Ally Johnson, radio personality, content creator, voice artist, and co-host of The Klein Ally Show on Los Angeles' iconic rock station, KROQ.Many listeners know Ally from the raw and emotional moments she shared live on air as she navigated her fertility journey in real time, from administering IVF injections on the radio to opening up about the heartbreak of an unsuccessful IVF cycle and the hope that followed.In this candid conversation, Ally discusses building a family with her wife, Katie, choosing a sperm donor, conceiving their first child through IUI, and facing the unexpected challenge of secondary infertility. She reflects on the emotional roller coaster of IVF, what it was like to process disappointment so publicly, and the overwhelming support she received from listeners, an experience that helped her realize she was part of a compassionate IVF community she never knew she needed.Whether you're navigating IVF, secondary infertility, donor conception, LGBTQ+ family building, or simply looking for an honest conversation about resilience and hope, Ally's story is both moving and relatable. This episode is sponsored by Bundl Fertility, a fertility program designed to make family building more accessible and affordable through multi-cycle IVF packages and IVF refund programs, including options for same-sex couples interested in reciprocal IVF. Learn more at BundlFertility.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In honor of World Infertility Awareness Month, host Andrea Syrtash is joined by three extraordinary advocates from around the world who are helping break the stigma surrounding infertility through storytelling, education, and community-building.Tom Riley (Canada @partner_in_fertility), Erica Ferraro (United States @eri.jordan), and Mapula Badi-Ndou (South Africa @mapula_ndou) share their deeply personal journeys through male factor infertility, donor egg IVF, diminished ovarian reserve, adoption, childlessness not by choice, and the emotional realities of navigating family building when the path doesn't unfold as expected. Together, they explore grief, resilience, identity, relationships, advocacy, and the power of speaking openly about experiences that have long been hidden in silence. They also discuss the barriers many people face in accessing fertility care, the importance of support and self-advocacy, and why sharing our stories can help others feel less alone.Whether you're navigating infertility yourself, supporting someone you love, or interested in the growing global movement to increase fertility awareness and access to care, this conversation offers hope, perspective, and a reminder that infertility impacts people across cultures, countries, and life circumstances.This episode is supported by the World Fertility Project, a global initiative founded by Pregnantish to break the stigma surrounding infertility, elevate fertility awareness, and expand access to reproductive care worldwide. Take our free pledge to break the taboo of infertility at www.worldfertilityproject.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful live episode recorded at our live “Reality of Infertility” event in Los Angeles, Love is Blind Season 7 cast member, Monica Jade Davis shares the deeply personal story behind her fertility journey.Known to many from reality TV, Monica opens up about her relationship with partner Zac, their diagnosis of unexplained infertility, and the emotional reality of undergoing four back-to-back IVF cycles - including the highs of retrieving 90 eggs and the heartbreak of struggling to reach viable embryos.She talks candidly about:What surprised her most about IVFThe mental and emotional toll of repeated failed cyclesHow sharing her journey online transformed her connection to communityWhy she wishes she had frozen her eggs earlierAnd how she’s learning to reclaim her identity outside of infertilityWhat carries Monica forward is a hard-earned belief that this chapter isn’t the end of her story. If anything, this journey has deepened her dream of becoming a mother and strengthened her certainty that she will be one someday. Yet another chapter in her love story.This inspiring episode also features an informative mid-roll segment with episode sponsor, Tru Niagen. Mona Rosene, MS, RD, Global Director, Scientific & Medical Affairs, Niagen Bioscience​ educates us on the importance of NAD for issues like inflammation and to support mitochondrial and cellular health. Use our code EGGS20 at to get 20% off at TruNiagen.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As part of our Going the Distance for Family series on the Pregnantish Podcast — featuring elite athletes opening up about infertility and modern family building — international soccer star Carli Lloyd, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion, and one of the most decorated players in U.S. soccer history, shares the deeply personal story behind her IVF journey, and why she ultimately decided to go public with it.In this candid conversation, Carli reflects on the disappointment of failed transfers, the mental toll of multiple retrievals, the isolation of struggling in silence, and the unexpected vulnerability of feeling like her body was “failing” her after a lifetime of peak performance.She opens up about navigating fertility over 40, learning to surrender when hard work wasn’t enough, and leaning on her high school sweetheart and husband, Brian, throughout the journey. Today, the couple are parents to their daughter, Harper – a chapter Carli describes as the greatest accomplishment of her life.Through Carli’s voice, we’re reminded that even champions have to learn how to let go; and why vulnerability is ultimately a sign of strength. This episode, presented by Fertility Out Loud, made possible by Ferring Pharmaceuticals, features a midroll interview with Women's Health Advocate and Fertility Out Loud Partner, April Christina, who shares her personal fertility journey story and how fertility coaching has helped her navigate her own path to parenthood. Learn more about fertility coaching at no cost and find additional resources at FertilityOutLoud.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.