Infertility Feelings

Infertility impacts intimacy! Like... a lot. In this episode, Jesse and Doug are talking about how infertility impacts intimacy in a relationship. Infertility changes things like sex and closeness. Sex and closeness can be special, wonderful parts of a relationship. Then infertility changes them. Sex and closeness become means to an end. What the heck, that sucks. There is a very unique pressure placed on people with infertility when it comes to intimacy. This episode is all about that. If you have ever felt like infertility messed with your intimate life, this episode is for you. Suggest a partner!We partner with fertility clinics, hospitals, therapy centers, and anyone who serves the infertility community. https://form.typeform.com/to/Q7ht8QsVHelp us change how the world sees infertility!Join a monthly giving club, support the show, and raise awareness about infertility and mental health. uniquelyknitted.org/uniquely-committedThis podcast is produced by Uniquely Knitted.Uniquely Knitted exists to transform the experience of infertility. Our mission is to heal the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, and loss, and to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. We achieve this by providing innovative, evidence-based preventative mental health support to those fighting to grow their families.Discover more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

1 in 6 people struggle to get pregnant. 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage. Infertility is part of life for millions of people around the world. The chances are that most people know someone struggling to get pregnant. So that means the world knows a lot about infertility and is ready to care for people struggling, right?! Wrong!It's so hard to make people aware of infertility. This episode is all about that. Jesse and Doug take a moment during National Infertility Awareness Week to think about why it's so hard to raise awareness. This is a great episode to think about the reasons why infertility is hard to talk about. This episode is a great episode to send to people to explain the struggles of talking about infertility. Help us change how the world sees infertility!1 in 6 people will face infertility, and the world will look away. Together, we're changing that not just for them, but for how all of us talk about grief, loss, and what it means to build a family.Learn more at uniquelyknitted.org/uniquely-committedThis podcast is produced by Uniquely Knitted.Uniquely Knitted exists to transform the experience of infertility. Our mission is to heal the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, and loss, and to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. We achieve this by providing innovative, evidence-based preventative mental health support to those fighting to grow their families.Discover more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Your period (your cycle) is such a central part of fertility. When you are struggling with infertility it becomes so much more. In fact, it feels like it's everything. It's the thing you wait for. It's the thing you are terrified of. If the thing you hate, and it's the thing you can't avoid. How do you deal with your period? You can't avoid it. In a way you need it. But gosh in all honesty it's like a sign post of grief and pain. In this episode Jesse and Doug are talking all about infertility and your period. Help us change how the world sees infertility!1 in 6 people will face infertility, and the world will look away. Together we're changing that. Not just for them, but for how all of us talk about grief, loss, and what it means to build a family.Learn more at uniquelyknitted.org/uniquely-committedThis podcast is produced by Uniquely Knitted.Uniquely Knitted exists to transform the experience of infertility. Our mission is to heal the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, and loss, and to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. We achieve this by providing innovative, evidence-based preventative mental health support to those fighting to grow their families.Discover more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

In this episode Jesse and Doug have two little thoughts about infertility, decisions, and gratitude.How do you make decisions during infertility? It feels literally impossible. Jesse has a way forward!Infertility gives us nothing to be grateful for? So what do we do with that? Doug has a thoughts. In this special episode we dive into two really important ideas that help us all make it through infertility. Help us change how the world sees infertility!1 in 6 people will face infertility, and the world will look away. Together we're changing that. Not just for them, but for how all of us talk about grief, loss, and what it means to build a family. Learn more at uniquelyknitted.org/uniquely-committedThis podcast is produced by Uniquely Knitted.Uniquely Knitted exists to transform the experience of infertility. Our mission is to heal the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, and loss, and to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. We achieve this by providing innovative, evidence-based preventative mental health support to those fighting to grow their families.Discover more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

How are we supposed to make sense of infertility? No, literally how?!Infertility, for many people, just doesn't fit with the way they view the world.Struggling to make sense of it all becomes this overwhelming, anxiety-provoking thing. Will there ever be a meaning to all this? Will we ever look back and see why this happened to us?! Was there no meaning to this? What does that mean about life?!The existential crisis of infertility is real, and this episode is all about that. Jesse and Doug dig into the growth work at Uniquely Knitted and look for a way to process why this doesn't make sense. If you have ever struggled to make sense of your infertility, then this episode is for you. So, pretty much, it's for everyone who has ever struggled with infertility!Help Make This Podcast Happen!We invite you to join the Uniquely Committed and help make this podcast happen. Learn more at uniquelyknitted.org/uniquely-committedThis podcast is produced by Uniquely Knitted.Uniquely Knitted exists to transform the experience of infertility. Our mission is to heal the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, and loss, and to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. We achieve this by providing innovative, evidence-based preventative mental health support to those fighting to grow their families.Discover more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Infertility can feel like it's full of fails. This test failed, this cycle failed. All the disappointment and fails can start to make you feel like YOU are a failure. It's not true, you are not a failure. But gosh, it can feel that way sometimes. This episode is all about these feelings. Why can we feel like failures during infertility. What do you do with those feelings? How can you deal with the feelings of failure. Help Make This Podcast Happen!We invite you to join the Uniquely Committed and help make this podcast happen. Learn more at uniquelyknitted.org/uniquely-committedThis podcast is produced by Uniquely Knitted.Uniquely Knitted exists to transform the experience of infertility. Our mission is to heal the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, and loss, and to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. We achieve this by providing innovative, evidence-based preventative mental health support to those fighting to grow their families.Discover more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Let's talk about why infertility is so hard!In this episode, we look at what the Uniquely Knitted following says about why infertility is so hard. We look at why it's so difficult for Jesse and Doug, and we talk about how infertility may be uniquely hard for each person. When you can verbalize why infertility is so uniquely hard for you as an individual, you have a higher likelihood of connecting with people who can see you and meet your needs! It's an important part of building resilience during infertility. Help Make This Podcast Happen!We invite you to join the Uniquely Committed and help make this podcast happen. Learn more at uniquelyknitted.org/uniquely-committedThis podcast is produced by Uniquely Knitted.Uniquely Knitted exists to transform the experience of infertility. Our mission is to heal the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, and loss, and to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. We achieve this by providing innovative, evidence-based preventative mental health support to those fighting to grow their families.Discover more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

A candid conversation about how and why infertility makes us so exhausted!In this episode, Jesse and Doug recap the year at the Infertility Feelings Podcast and at Uniquely Knitted. We talk about what this year means to us and what we are excited about in the future. In this episode, we also look at why infertility is so exhausting. We talk about how the end of the year is exhausting and how dealing with infertility at the end of the year feels like a double-exhaustion bomb. Thank you to everyone for making this the biggest and best year yet! We love you all, and we are looking forward to being with you in 2026 and beyond!Help Make This Podcast Happen!We invite you to join the Uniquely Committed and help make this podcast happen. Learn more at uniquelyknitted.org/uniquely-committedThis podcast is produced by Uniquely Knitted.Uniquely Knitted exists to transform the experience of infertility. Our mission is to heal the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, and loss, and to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. We achieve this by providing innovative, evidence-based preventative mental health support to those fighting to grow their families.Discover more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

During infertility, we can often blame ourselves for everything. This episode is about what that feels like, and WHY we do that!Blame shows up when we’re desperately trying to make sense of the senseless. It can feel protective, even logical, but it slowly chips away at our sense of worth and hope. In this episode, we explore how blame sneaks into our thinking, what it does to our bodies and relationships, and how we can gently move toward compassion instead of self-criticism.Jesse and Doug dive into the topic of blame. Blame is part of a larger story about control, vulnerability, and the longing for answers. Understanding it can transform how we see ourselves and how we move through infertility. Together we explore how blame forms, why it sticks, and what it means to slowly let go of it.Help Make This Podcast Happen!We invite you to join the Uniquely Committed and help make this podcast happen. Learn more at uniquelyknitted.org/uniquely-committedThis podcast is produced by Uniquely Knitted.Uniquely Knitted exists to transform the experience of infertility. Our mission is to heal the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, and loss, and to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. We achieve this by providing innovative, evidence-based preventative mental health support to those fighting to grow their families.Discover more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Infertility is always overwhelming. When you are feeling sensitive, it's almost unbearable.In this episode, Jesse is joined by our wonderful process group leader, Krista! Together, they explore what infertility is like for sensitive people. If you feel like you are a more sensitive person, this episode is for you! If you feel like you have ever been sensitive during infertility, this episode is for you!Help Make This Podcast Happen!We invite you to join the Uniquely Committed and help make this podcast happen. Learn more at uniquelyknitted.org/uniquely-committedThis podcast is produced by Uniquely Knitted.Uniquely Knitted exists to transform the experience of infertility. Our mission is to heal the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, and loss, and to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. We achieve this by providing innovative, evidence-based preventative mental health support to those fighting to grow their families.Discover more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Infertility is deeply physical. It's physically really hard.On the Infertility Feelings Podcast, we often talk about the mental and emotional challenges of infertility. In this episode, we are jumping into the PHYSICAL challenge.We have the honor of speaking with Dr. Meredith Brower, MD, from Reproductive Partners Medical Group in Beverly Hills. She is an excellent guide to what someone goes through physically when they are going through fertility treatment at a clinic. In this episode, we talk about all the ways that infertility physically impacts your life and what that means for your mental, emotional, and physical health. Learn more about Dr. Brower here! reproductivepartners.com/doctors/meredith-browerHelp Make This Podcast Happen!We invite you to join the Uniquely Committed and help make this podcast happen. Learn more at uniquelyknitted.org/uniquely-committedThis podcast is produced by Uniquely Knitted.Uniquely Knitted exists to transform the experience of infertility. Our mission is to heal the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, and loss, and to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. We achieve this by providing innovative, evidence-based preventative mental health support to those fighting to grow their families.Discover more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Infertility can make you feel old, at 28! Infertility messes with your own view of your age. Sometimes you get told that you have all the time in the world. That "you're young" and "you still have time." Then, in a weird twist, people will say, "You don't have forever."There are SO many emotions that come up when we talk about infertility and your age. In this episode, we are looking at all of them. We look at why Doug wanted to be a young age when he was a dad. We look at what people usually hear when it comes to their age. If you have ever felt like your age is bringing up feelings in your infertility story, this episode is for you. Help Make This Podcast Happen!We invite you to join the Uniquely Committed and help make this podcast happen. Learn more at uniquelyknitted.org/uniquely-committedThis podcast is produced by Uniquely Knitted.Uniquely Knitted exists to transform the experience of infertility. Our mission is to heal the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, and loss, and to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. We achieve this by providing innovative, evidence-based preventative mental health support to those fighting to grow their families.Discover more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Infertility and God. There is a lot, where do we start?Many people believe in God. Not everyone, but many. For those who believe in God and believe that they have a relationship with God, infertility might be hurting that relationship. Infertility might be changing how you view God or putting pressure on your thoughts about God. This episode is all about that. In this episode, we talk about the ways in which thoughts on God might be changing and what infertility does to a relationship with God. This episode is not trying to convince anyone to believe in God and does not advocate for one religious perspective. If you have thoughts about God and infertility, this episode is for you. Help Make This Podcast Happen!We invite you to join the Uniquely Committed and help make this podcast happen. Learn more at uniquelyknitted.org/uniquely-committedThis podcast is produced by Uniquely Knitted.Uniquely Knitted exists to transform the experience of infertility. Our mission is to heal the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, and loss, and to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. We achieve this by providing innovative, evidence-based preventative mental health support to those fighting to grow their families.Discover more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Sometimes, when we are going through infertility, it can feel like we are letting people down. This episode is about what that feels like. But first, You are NOT letting anyone down. Infertility let US ALL down. During infertility, it can feel like your reality is making other people sad or disappointed.Many say they feel like they are letting their spouse down. Many people say they are letting their parents down. (They want them to be grandparents so bad) Many people say they are letting their friends down. (They aren't the same way they used to be in the friend group)All these feelings are overwhelming! What do you do when you feel like you are letting people down? Well... you listen to this episode!Help Make This Podcast Happen!We invite you to join the Uniquely Committed and help make this podcast happen. Learn more at uniquelyknitted.org/uniquely-committedThis podcast is produced by Uniquely Knitted. Uniquely Knitted exists to transform the experience of infertility. Our mission is to heal the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, and loss, and to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. We achieve this by providing innovative, evidence-based preventative mental health support to those fighting to grow their families.Discover more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

When is infertility annoying? Always. Those thoughts and MANY more on today's episode of The Infertility Feelings Podcast. Yes, there are many major pains during infertility, and there are very real traumas. But we rarely talk about millions of little things that annoy us when we are struggling to get pregnant. From talking about "fertility stuff" to the nagging reality that we are STILL trying to get pregnant, infertility annoys at the deepest level. Help Make This Podcast Happen! We invite you to join the Uniquely Committed and help make this podcast happen. Learn more at uniquelyknitted.org/uniquely-committedThis podcast is produced by Uniquely Knitted.  Uniquely Knitted exists to transform the experience of infertility. Our mission is to heal the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, and loss, and to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. We achieve this by providing innovative, evidence-based preventative mental health support to those fighting to grow their families.Discover more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

In this episode, we explore what it feels like to be emotionally stuck during infertility. (It sucks BTW)We talk about the numbness, the overwhelm, and the longing for clarity when everything feels murky. You’ll hear real stories and reflections on why infertility can make you feel paralyzed, and what it actually means to start “moving” again—emotionally, relationally, and personally.This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt frozen in place during infertility.Uniquely Knitted exists to transform the experience of infertility. Our mission is to heal the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, and loss, and to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. We achieve this by providing innovative, evidence-based preventative mental health support to those fighting to grow their families.Discover more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Feeling left out because you don't have kids is one of life's cruelest aches. Feeling like friends, community, and life are moving on without you hurts more than anyone could imagine. This episode is about that. In this episode, we dive into the deep ache of feeling left out during infertility and how isolating it can be when your story doesn’t match everyone else’s milestones. We unpack what it really means to “fit in” versus truly belong, and why the difference matters so much when you’re longing for connection but feel stuck on the outside. If you’ve ever wondered where you fit when your path looks different, this conversation is for you.Uniquely Knitted exists to transform the experience of infertility. Our mission is to heal the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, and loss, and to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. We achieve this by providing innovative, evidence-based preventative mental health support to those fighting to grow their families.Discover more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

What does the research say about infertility and mental health? How should we approach our mental health in light of what the research says?This episode will answer these questions!Doug and Jesse are joined by Infertility Researcher, Professor, and Therapist, Dr. Brennan Peterson, to explore the research behind the mental health impact of infertility. In this episode, we talk about how infertility is a developmental interruption, how infertility stigma increases our search for meaning in life, and how openness helps us during infertility. Dr. Brennan Peterson is a professor in the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy.  He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses at Chapman University for 20 years and is a licensed marriage and family therapist.  He researches the mental health implications of infertility and counseling interventions for couples experiencing fertility treatment. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, which have been cited over 4,500 times.  He has presented his work in the United States, Israel, Canada, Europe, China, Hong Kong, and Australia.  https://www.chapman.edu/our-faculty/brennan-petersonMyJourney was developed by Cardiff University Fertility Studies, in collaboration with APFertilidade - Portuguese Fertility Association and Fertility Network UK. It is research-based and user-led, with participation from health professionals and people who could not have the children they wished for.https://myjourney.pt/Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

How are we supposed to think about our story of infertility? How are we supposed to talk to people about our story of infertility?How do you bring it up? What do you tell people? Should you just avoid people? How do you handle small talk? How do you talk about your story!?These are the questions that Doug and Jesse are bringing to Katie Quesada today. Katie is a Professional Storytelling Consultant and an expert in helping people understand their story and talk about it in an effective way. Learn more about Katie 👉 katiequesada.comFollow Katie online 👉 instagram.com/katiequesadaUniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Infertility is scary. There are so many truly terrifying things. What if things don't work out? What if we can't have kids? What if... In this episode, Jesse and Doug look at infertility and fear. What is it that we are truly afraid of during infertility? What does it cost us when we push off the fear we have during infertility?These are the questions looked at in this episode!If infertility has ever made you feel fear, then this episode is for you. Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

For many, infertility leads to isolation.But what does that mean? Is that a bad thing? Do we need to get out of isolation? How do we escape isolation without opening ourselves up to all the bad advice people have? These are the questions answered in today's podcast!Jesse and Doug look at what it feels like to be isolated during infertility and provide two clear steps to come out of isolation in a healthy way. If you feel like infertility has ever made you feel isolated, this episode is made for you!Uniquely Knitted is a non-profit organization that serves all those emotionally impacted by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more at uniquelyknitted.orgLearn about our Process Group at uniquelyknitted.org/group-sign-upSupport the show

In this episode, Doug and Jesse explore how infertility creates a deep sense of loss of control and emotional chaos during infertility. We talk about all sorts of ways that infertility makes us feel out of control and how losing control shows up differently for each of us. We break down the following ideas...Dynamics and Coping Mechanisms when we Feel Out of ControlWe look at how contrasting coping styles during infertility can lead to tension in our lives and our relationships.Loss of Control and the Reproductive NarrativeWe each have a reproductive narrative, a story we told ourselves about how things would go. Infertility disrupts our expectations of family-building, forcing a reimagining of our story that feels very out of control. Embracing the Loss of ControlFor many of us, grief will be part of what helps us release control and find unexpected freedom in acceptance.Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more about our Process Groups uniquelyknitted.org/groupsSupport the show

Infertility can make it hard to prioritize your mental health, especially when success feels just around the corner. In this episode, Jesse and Doug explore the challenges of self-care during this journey and offer a real path forward.If you've struggled to care for yourself while pursuing your dream of growing your family, know you're not alone. This episode is here to remind you that you are worthy of care and support.Want to know more about process groups? uniquelyknitted.org/group-sign-upUniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Support the show

NO REGRETS! Well maybe not in this case. The reality is that many people experience regret during infertility. There are a million decisions to make, so much to grieve, and so many things that go wrong!Avoiding regret can feel impossible. In this episode we look at what is going on with regret during infertility and we explore how we can build the resilience to handle regret and make it through infertility!Build some resilience and process your experience with infertility in the Uniquely Knitted Process Groups 👉 uniquelyknitted.org/group-sign-upThe Infertility Feelings Podcast is a show supported by Uniquely Knitted, an organization supporting people who are or have experienced infertility. Learn more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Infertility impacts pretty much EVERY PART of your identity. It changes the way that you feel like you ARE. It changes how you view your future and impacts who you are becoming!How does infertility impact your identity?What even is our identity anyway?How can we stay connected to who we are while going through this?!These are the questions of today's podcast. If you have ever felt like infertility impacts your identity this episode is for you!Uniquely Knitted is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing emotional support to people affected by infertility. We understand the profound emotional toll that infertility can take, and our mission is to bring healing to those wounds. Through our groups, education, and podcasts, we aim to end the isolation and loneliness that often accompany the struggle to grow a family. We offer a safe space for sharing experiences, finding support, and building resilience.Discover more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

We definitely need boundaries during infertility... But making boundaries during infertility is not easy. How on earth are you supposed to make boundaries when you are dealing with the stress of trying to get pregnant. It's overwhelming, confusing, and just well... a lot. In this episode we look at boundaries during infertility. We define the goal of boundaries, look at 3 reasons making boundaries might be difficult, and offer a way forward. Boundaries during infertility are so hard, hopefully this conversation give you some hope that you can stay protected and connected!Uniquely Knitted exists to transform the experience of infertility. Our mission is to heal the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, and loss, and to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. We achieve this by providing innovative, evidence-based preventative mental health support to those fighting to grow their families.Learn more at uniquelyknitted.orgView available Process Groups uniquelyknitted.org/programs/group-sign-upSupport the show

How do you celebrate a season of rest when you are struggling with infertility?It's complicated... In this episode Jesse and Doug look at the different ways that infertility disrupts our rest. We look at the things that happen in this end of year season that can be triggering, and we look at how resting when you are not in a place where you feel like you want to be is difficult.Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more at https://uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Infertility feels so unfair, let's talk about it. In this episode Jesse and Doug look at what that feeling of unfair really FEELS like. They explore why infertility feels unfair, and what we can do with our feelings of unfairness. If you have ever felt like infertility is unfair, this episode is for you!Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Today, Jesse and Doug are thrilled to be joined by the incredible Dr. Janet Jaffe to dive into how infertility can disrupt our reproductive stories.We all weave narratives about our lives—stories about our families, our pasts, and our dreams for the future. At the heart of these narratives lies our reproductive story, filled with hopes and dreams of becoming parents.In this episode, we explore the emotional impact of losing or altering this story. Dr. Jaffe helps us understand the pain that comes with these changes and offers a compassionate framework for rewriting our stories. Together, we’ll discover how to find growth and new beginnings, even when our paths take unexpected turns.Let’s get started! 🌟Janet Jaffe, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who has been working in the field of reproductive psychology for over 25 years.  She is a co-founder and has served as co-director of the Center for Reproductive Psychology in San Diego, CA. Her clinical work focuses on helping individuals and couples navigate the many emotional and psychological pitfalls that can happen on the journey to parenthood.You can learn more about Dr. Janet Jaffe at drjanetjaffe.comTo learn more about Uniquely Knitted Visit uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Infertility and Politics both bring up lot's of feelings, let's talk about it. In this episode Jesse and Doug take a NEUTRAL stance on politics but a hard stance on your (you, the listener) mental health and emotional needs during infertility. We talk about the feelings around infertility and IVF being included in political conversations. We talk about a possible way to approach this election season in light of infertility and our mental health. This is not a political podcast and we know that people have very strong opinions on things like infertility, IVF, and politics. At Uniquely Knitted and on The Infertility Feelings Podcast we take a neutral stance on most things and focus heavily on the emotions of the individual struggling with infertility. Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more at https://uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Infertility is an extreme challenge to any marriage. Finding a way to make it through is so important. In this 3rd episode of our Marriage Series Jesse and Doug look at how becoming a growing person individually and in our marriages can create hope and a path forward during infertility. However, growing will look different for each couple and include different things depending on the couples needs and unique experiences. In this podcast Jesse and Doug talk about why growing is an emotional and practical step towards making it through one of the toughest challenges that can face a marriage. Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

In this second episode of our three part marriage series we are looking at all the ways infertility impacts our relationship when we go out into the world!We will be looking at how infertility impacts family dynamics, friend group dynamics, and what the future will look like as a couple.We are diving into all things, in-laws, brothers, sisters, friends, feeling left behind, and wondering what the future will look like for you as a couple. This episode is all about the ways infertility impacts our relationship when we go out into the world. Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Infertility impacts every part of your Marriage!Literally... every part. Over the next 3 episodes Doug and Jesse will be looking deeply into the topic of marriage. In this first episode we are looking at the ways infertility impacts our personal relationship together! We will look at communication, intimacy, processing differently, fighting, and all the other ways infertility impacts the interpersonal part of marriage. For many, marriage plays a huge role in our life and understanding how infertility impacts it is incredibility important. We also know that not everyone is married. We truly believe however that these conversations will be beneficial for everyone!Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more at https://uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Infertility is so stressful that it can cause you to burn out.But how do you know if you are approaching burnout? What do you do if you are burnt out? What does it feel like to experience burnout?In this special 100th episode of the Infertility Feelings Podcast Jesse and Doug are jumping into the topic of BURNOUT!THANK YOU to all of our listeners and thank you for making the first 100 episodes so amazing! Cheers to the next 100! ✨Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more at https://uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

When you struggle with infertility you are faced with many difficult decisions. Decisions about how long to try for things, when to switch things up, how much money to spend, where to seek support, and the list goes on and on. These Decisions can be overwhelming, anxiety provoking, and cause us to shut down. How are we supposed to emotionally cope with all these decisions! Then, on top of that! How are we supposed to make healthy decisions that we feel good about!!In this episode Jesse and Doug are looking at how these decisions make us feel and how we can get to a place where we are making decisions out of a healthy place. Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more at https://uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Jesse, Doug and all the Uniquely Knitted Process Group Leaders talk about what infertility makes us feel toward our body.Jesse talks about how getting pregnant was what her body was "supposed" to do. Doug talks about how he felt like he was the butt of a joke. Kelly talks about how she felt like her body had failed her. Krista talks about how her body is sensitive. Natalie talks about learning to be kind to her body. Infertility makes us feel a lot of things towards our body and is deeply connected to our literal bodies. If you have ever had feelings toward your body during infertility this episode is for you!Learn more about us at uniquelyknitted.org Support the show

Stress and Infertility seem to go hand in hand!Does stress cause infertility? Does infertility cause stress? How do we reduce stress during infertility? Should we reduce stress during infertility? If we reduce stress will we get pregnant? What if we reduce our stress and don't get pregnant?All these questions can twist you into a stress pretzel. Ugh. 😵‍💫In this episode Jesse and Doug look at how stress makes us feel during infertility. Specifically they look at how we should approach the connection between infertility and stress. They offer a fresh perspective on approaching the management of stress in our life in light of infertility. Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Sometimes Infertility can make you feel numb.Whether it's the chaos of trauma or the forever-long process of struggling to conceive, infertility can leave you feeling emotionally numb. When your foot falls asleep it gets a funny fuzzy feeling. When you struggle with infertility that funny fuzzy feeling seems to land on your brain, making it hard to think, feel, and be present.In this episode, Jesse and Doug look into what it feels like to feel numb during infertility. Where does it come from? How do we identify when we are feeling numb? What can we do when we feel numb? Will we feel numb forever? Feeling numb sucks, it's as if your emotions have collapsed and you are left struggling to feel anything at all, good or bad.If you are in this position, we are sorry, and we made this episode for you.Uniquely Knitted is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing research, education, and direct emotional support to people suffering from infertility, miscarriage, and loss. Infertility has created a mental health crisis in our world, but it doesn't have to be like this forever. We believe that together, we can change the experience of infertility!Uniquely Knitted www.uniquelyknitted.orgUniquely Knitted Process Groups www.uniquelyknitted.org/process-groupsSupport the show

Infertility is life-changing, let’s talk about what that feels like!From physical changes in your body to emotional changes in your sense of purpose, infertility can MESS with YOUR LIFE.  For many the first step in figuring all this out is going to a Fertility Doctor!  So in this episode, Jesse and Doug are joined by Dr. Lora Shahine Dr. Lora Shahine is a fertility doctor, author, and speaker who shatters stigmas about miscarriages and fertility. She is double board-certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility as well as obstetrics and gynecology. She is a leading voice in the infertility community.Together we explore what it's like to struggle with the life change of infertility from the perspective of patient and doctor.  Follow Dr. Lora Shahine on Instagram HEREGet connected with Dr. Lora Shahine by visiting her website drlorashahine.comUniquely Knitted is a registered Non-Profit Organization dedicated to providing emotional support for people suffering from infertility, miscarriage, and loss. We believe that infertility doesn't have to feel this way forever, together we can change the experience of infertility for ourselves and others! Learn more at uniquelyknitted.orgJoin a Process Group uniquelyknitted.org/programs/process-groupsSupport the Podcast and Our Work uniquelyknitted.org/donateSupport the show

Infertility can be an incredibly lonely and isolating experience. The pain and anxiety of struggling to get pregnant can isolate even the most connected person. The loneliness can become unbearable, it's so hard to know what to do.You add in the isolating nature of Covid, a culture of independence, and an epidemic of loneliness, it can be overwhelming. In this episode Jesse and Doug are talking all about it! If you have ever felt like infertility is lonely this episode is for you. Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more and find support at  https://uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

What does the grief of infertility feel like?In this episode Jesse and Doug explore the difficult topic of grief. They look at the unique nature of grieving infertility, and how share how they each approach grief in different ways. They look at how Doug overly avoids grief and Jesse dives to deep into grief. If you have ever grieved infertility, this episode is for you. Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more at https://uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

If you ever wondered about the ethical issues within infertility and reproductive technologies then this episode is for you!In this episode Doug and Jesse dive straight into the ethical issues someone might face during infertility. They look at some simple (this is sarcasm) questions like: What are ethical issues? Does someone even face ethical issues when they use reproductive technologies? What are the different thoughts about when life begins?One special note! This episode is not arguing any one view point, but instead, it is a tour though the different ethical thoughts about infertility and reproductive technologies. Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more at https://uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Infertility is profoundly sad, so what does it feel like when positivity is forced on you? What does it feel like to be force-fed Toxic Positivity?It sucks...If you feel like you have ever had to deal with toxic positivity then this episode is for you! In this episode, we explore the specific emotions we experience when encountering Toxic Positivity and what we can do to cope with it. Uniquely Knitted is a Research-Backed Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Our Evidence-Based Process Groups have helped thousands of people find resilience and process their experience with infertility. If you are ready to talk about infertility these groups are a safe place to start. Learn more at https://uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

How can we get to a place where we feel our lives have worked out when everything during infertility feels like it doesn't work out? Even more... What if things don't work out? Will I be ok? Will I work out?In this special episode, we dive into the story of Aven Kane and her long experience of infertility. We look at how you can find life after years of things "not working out."Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more at https://uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

If infertility has ever made you look up into the sky and ask... What does all this mean?This episode is for you. Infertility can deeply impact our sense of meaning in life. This episode explores those feelings. We cover what it feels like to lose your sense of meaning, and how to rebuild the meaning in your life during and after infertility. Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more at https://uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

In this special episode, Jesse and Doug are answering ALL your questions!What is Jesse's favorite cereal? What is the difference between Adoption and Foster Care? What is the nicest event you can wear yoga pants to? How do you know when it's time to move on from treatment?All those questions in more for the last Episode of 2023!Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more at https://uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

How do you grieve something that is so hard to explain? How do you grieve the life of someone who did not get to exist? How are you supposed to feel about the grief of infertility when it is such a unique grief?THESE are the questions that all who deal with infertility must face and THEY are the question we are looking at today! Join Jesse and Doug as they attempt to tackle the difficult idea of processing grief over the idea of someone, or the beginning of someone who did not get to fully exist.Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more at https://uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

Infertility is  not a season of minor inconveniences, is life-altering.When we take infertility seriously, we can see the stories of those who struggle and bring healing to our own lives. In this episode, we welcome Emily and Kyle to walk us through the most defining moments of their season of infertility and explore how and why we should take infertility seriously. Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more about Uniquely Knitted https://uniquelyknitted.orgJoin the waitlist for Process Groupshttps://uniquelyknitted.org/process-groups/View our Infertility Mental Health Fundraiserhttps://givebutter.com/Xb8zyOSupport the show

In this special episode, Jesse and Doug invite people into their vision for the infertility community. At Uniquely Knitted (the non-profit that puts on this podcast) we believe that we can change the experience of infertility, and in this podcast, we outline the three ways that we believe we can do this.  Sign up for the Process Group Waitlist Here. https://members.uniquelyknitted.orgJoin our Infertility and Mental Health Fundraiser Here. https://givebutter.com/Xb8zyOTake the Survey for our Groundbreaking Infertility Study Here. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ExperiencesSurveyBPSupport the show

Infertility brings up lots of feelings, so we brought all those feelings to Dr. Andrea Ganahl! Dr. Anny is a psychologist and therapist specializing in treating anxiety. She is here to answer your questions about the feelings and emotions of Infertility. In this episode, we look at the following questions!How do we go forward with Treatment while still processing a miscarriage?How do we grieve? What does it look like?How do we get our partner to talk about their stress?How do we start processing a life without kids?Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on a mission to bring healing to the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that comes with struggling to grow your family.Learn more at https://uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show