Husband & Wife Q&A: Pregnancy Nutrition, His Experience & Do We Know The Gender?
Husband & Wife Q&A: Pregnancy Nutrition, His Experience & Do We Know The Gender?Digest
Mari Lleller returns to her "Pursuit of Wellness" podcast after a two-month absence due to pregnancy, discussing the anxiety and disconnection experienced. She details her IVF journey, including the emotional stress of the HCG scare and embryo selection. A Q&A session addresses listener questions about her pregnancy, the IVF process, her relationship with her husband, body image concerns related to weight gain, and future plans for the baby. Mari also discusses the reasons for pursuing IVF, primarily due to PCOS, and her evolving feelings about her changing body. She emphasizes the importance of prioritizing her child's privacy and avoiding social media oversharing.
Outlines
Pregnancy Announcement and IVF Journey
Mari discusses her return after a pregnancy-related absence, detailing her IVF journey, including the emotional rollercoaster of the HCG scare and embryo selection, and the anxiety surrounding pregnancy.
IVF Challenges and Emotional Impact
A deeper dive into the challenges of IVF, including the physical and emotional toll, and the impact on Mari's relationship with her husband.
Listener Q&A: Pregnancy, Relationships, and IVF
Mari answers listener questions about her pregnancy, IVF experience, body image concerns, relationship dynamics, and future plans.
PCOS, Body Image, and Pregnancy
Mari explains the reasons behind their IVF journey (PCOS), addresses body image concerns related to pregnancy weight gain, and discusses her evolving feelings about her changing body.
Podcast Introduction and Social Media
Mari introduces the podcast and discusses her absence, touching upon the impact of social media and her decision to protect her child's privacy.
Keywords
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)
Assisted reproductive technology involving egg retrieval, fertilization, embryo development, and transfer; emotionally and physically demanding.
HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)
Hormone produced during pregnancy; low levels can indicate miscarriage risk, causing significant anxiety.
Pregnancy Anxiety
Worry and fear during pregnancy concerning fetal health, childbirth, and parenthood; often exacerbated by social media.
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
Hormonal disorder affecting women's reproductive system; characterized by irregular periods, ovarian cysts, and hormonal imbalances; can impact fertility.
Body Image
Concerns about physical appearance, particularly weight gain during pregnancy.
Infertility
Inability to conceive after a year of trying; can be emotionally and physically challenging.
Pregnancy Journey
The experience of pregnancy, including physical changes, emotional ups and downs, and preparations for parenthood.
Relationship Dynamics
How relationships evolve during pregnancy and the challenges and joys of shared experiences.
Q&A
What were the biggest challenges you faced during your IVF journey?
The emotional rollercoaster of waiting for results, the physical discomfort of egg retrieval, and the intense anxiety surrounding the HCG scare were significant challenges.
How has your relationship with your husband evolved during pregnancy?
The shared experience of IVF and pregnancy anxieties strengthened their bond, creating a stronger sense of teamwork.
What advice would you give to couples considering IVF?
It's incredibly challenging but rewarding. Be prepared for emotional and physical demands, and find a supportive medical team and community.
How are you managing your body image concerns during pregnancy?
Mari experiences fluctuating feelings, with moments of excitement and insecurity; her focus is on the baby's health.
What are your thoughts on sharing your child's life on social media?
Mari prioritizes her child's privacy and avoids using them for content monetization.
Show Notes
Ep. 188: In this episode, Greg and I are finally sharing the full story behind my pregnancy—from our IVF journey and emotional HCG scare to what it felt like watching the embryo transfer in real time. We talk about stepping back from social media, what I learned from two months offline, and how that reset helped my mental health. We also answer your questions about body image, relationship shifts, and how we’re preparing for birth, parenting, and life as a growing family. This one’s deeply personal, wildly honest, and full of moments we’ll never forget. Come listen in—I’m so excited to share this with you.
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Topics discussed:
- 00:00:14 : Mari back in the studio
- 00:00:55 : Two month hiatus for social media
- 00:05:35 : Embryo ranking
- 00:06:48 : Embryo transfer
- 00:07:42 : Finding out they’re expecting
- 00:12:18 : Can the animals sense the pregnancy?
- 00:13:17 : The pregnancy doesn’t feel real
- 00:14:50 : How has your relationship evolved throughout the pregnancy?
- 00:23:07 : Any reason for having to go through IVF?
- 00:24:00 : Body image and pregnancy
- 00:26:54 : Do you recommend IVF?
- 00:27:43 : Baby’s nursery
- 00:29:34 : Where’s Lulu?
- 00:30:02 : Pregnancy cravings
- 00:32:41 : Will you do IVF for future babies?
- 00:33:16 : Biggest lesson learned giving up social media
- 00:36:42 : Sharing your baby online
- 00:42:07 : How thinking has shifted since expecting
- 00:43:37 : Eating liver
- 00:44:09 : How Mari’s workouts have changed
- 00:45:19 : How many kids do you want?
- 00:45:43 : How did we find out the gender
- 00:47:02 : Birthing plan
- 00:48:23 : Still a firm believer in pomegranate juice and seeds?
- 00:48:41 : Home birth?
- 00:49:08 : Transfer success advice
- 00:51:06 : Progesterone shots
- 00:52:03 : Due date
- 00:52:05 : Bloom prenatal?
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