A Journey through IVF with Alicia

Send us Fan MailHost Elsa kicks off season five of the It’s a Circus podcast with Alicia, who shares her detailed IVF journey to becoming a mom to her son, Andreas. After trying to conceive naturally starting in 2019, Alicia and her husband moved from Clomid to three IUIs during the pandemic, then traveled from Florida to New York for IVF, paying out of pocket while navigating intense physical side effects and emotional strain. Alicia endured repeated two-week waits and three failed transfers, plus delays due to dangerously high blood pressure that required cardiology clearance, triggering grief, depression, and boundaries around family and social media. Further testing revealed silent stage-three endometriosis; after a difficult Lupron experience, she underwent endometriosis surgery in New Jersey and immediately completed a final, heavily medicated transfer that resulted in pregnancy. She describes an anxious high-risk pregnancy, induction at 37 weeks, a C-section, and emphasizes the importance of support, self-advocacy, and trusted doctors.00:00 Welcome to the Circus00:22 Season Five Kickoff01:55 Meet Alicia and Andreas05:21 Sharing IVF Online07:29 Trying Naturally and Clomid10:19 IUI During the Pandemic12:09 Emotional and Financial Toll16:17 Finding a New York IVF Doctor20:45 Shots and Egg Retrieval24:12 The Two Week Wait Spiral26:43 Health Scare and Moving Plans32:35 First Transfer and Heartbreak41:07 Second Transfer and Hard Talks46:24 Taking a Break and Setting Boundaries52:50 When IVF Friends Move On55:06 Taking a Break and Testing59:09 Silent Endometriosis Found59:49 Lupron and Third Transfer01:02:56 Third Failure and Depression01:08:34 New Doctor and Surgery Plan01:14:26 Endometriosis Surgery Recovery01:19:59 Final Transfer and Positive Call01:25:48 Early Pregnancy Anxiety01:31:20 Induction and C-Section Birth01:33:26 Meeting the Miracle Baby01:36:43 IVF Advice and ClosingKeep up with Alicia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicia_justasplash/Thanks for listening to It’s a Circus Podcast — Unfiltered stories of motherhood, identity, and the art of Self careThese stories remind you that you’re not alone in the chaos. And if you’re ready to take the next step from conversation to transformation, explore Svea – The Beauty Edit. It’s my signature service that helps women edit the noise, simplify their routines, and reclaim confidence through radiant, effortless self-care. 🎙️ More stories: https://www.chernerbroscircus.com/podcast 💄 Your Edit awaits: https://www.chernerbroscircus.com/beauty-editEmbrace the chaos. Reclaim yourself.