Welcome to UnFertility! – unfertility
breaking the silence, stigma + shame around unconventional fertility journeys through the voices of Black women
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Episode 9 – with Akua (Part 1) 🇬🇭 🇧🇼 🇺🇸 – unfertility
In this 2-part episode I speak with @akua.ankrah aka Jane Ankrah. Akua and her husband dealt with unexplained infertility for over 14years. After 3 fibroid surgeries in 11 months and a successful IVF (frozen embryo transfer), they were blessed with their first perfect gift, their daughter, Blair. Further infertility complications made it impossible for Akua to carry again and so they decided on surrogacy. In 2019, they found their wonderful Gestational Carrier (GC) who helped them give their daughter Blair a sibling and in January 2021, their second daughter Sloane was born. Her emotional journey (through fibroids, donor sperm gamete which resulted in a pregnancy, and surrogacy to complete her family) has fueled her passion to help others who want to achieve the dreams of the perfect gift. And now she is channeling all this experience and passion into her own boutique agency @a_perfect_gift_surrogacy.
Episode 9 – with Akua (Part 2) | on Surrogacy 🇬🇭 🇧🇼 🇺🇸 – unfertility
In part 2, of the episode, she tells us more about her Surrogacy journey and answers some frequently asked questions.
You can also listen to both episodes on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
Episode 8 – with Thando 🇿🇦 – unfertility
In this episode I speak with Thando – @andbathandwa – a 38-year-old, Johannesburg based stay-at-home parent to a 3 year old and an almost 1 year old both conceived via IVF. A former management and strategy consultant turned tech start-up founder that decided to change gears and pace following her fertility journey that culminated in the conception of her eldest. She shares her matrescence journey on her instagram page. It was incredibly affirming speaking with Thando, she has this infectious conviction about her experience with infertility and IVF and it was a gentle reminder for me to really own my story. There is a bit where she says “there is always going to be some sort of an unmet need” which really stayed with me and framed the whole IVF journey differently for me.
You can also listen to this episode on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
Episode 7 – with Laura 🇿🇼🇬🇧 – unfertility
In this episode, I speak with my Zim sister Laura – @laurajones_official – who is 27 years old and currently going through IVF. Laura has endometriosis which just adds another layer to her journey. Laura channels her struggle and turns it into good by sharing her experience of both endometriosis and IVF via her Instagram page. I’m in awe of Laura and how she is managing infertility and IVF at such a young age and I would like to use this moment to remind all of us in the IVF/TTC gang to be your sister’s keeper (when your capacity allows). With so few of us black women talking openly about this it’s so important that we make ourselves available to support each other. Laura runs her own business @dipped_official if you fancy doing your own nails at home as part of your look-good-feel-good self-care.
You can also listen to this episode on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
Episode 6 – with Ola 🇳🇬 – unfertility
In this episode I speak to Ola – @fertilityconversations – about her journey with recurring losses & IVF. Ola’s passion for all things fertility is unmatched! She is such a connector – always connecting people, connecting to the right resources, sharing & building networks. It was so great to get behind the ‘work’ and learn about her own journey. Ola is the founder of Fertility Conversations which was set up to create awareness about Infertility & create a safe space to connect with others going through Infertility in Nigeria & outside Nigeria.
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Episode 5 – MY STORY: IVF round 3 – Check in – unfertility
I’m back with another episode about my journey. In this episode I am just checking in with reflections from our third round of IVF. I speak on the mental & emotional shifts I have noticed between when I am not doing an IVF cycle vs when I am going through a cycle. I also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has tuned into the podcast. I took a leap of faith and I’m so grateful for the support & plays the podcast has had. As I always say, safe spaces matter and it’s so wonderful to hold space and create that safe space for each other.
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Episode 4 – with Karabo 🇿🇦 – unfertility
In this episode, I speak with Kaabo – @karabo_infertilitywarrior of @hannah_youarenotalone – about her journey with recurrent miscarriages. There was a message in her mother’s words that really resonated with me… she said to Karabo, “ngwanaka phila” – meaning “live my child”. A loving reminder that your life still has meaning even if you are not a mother yet. Karabo is the founder of Hannah – You are not alone which she started together with her husband. HYANL seeks to provide support to those struggling with infertility and to raise awareness about a disease that burdens many due to the stigma.
You can listen to this episode on:
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Episode 3 – with Jasmine 🇳🇬🇺🇸 – unfertility
In this episode, I speak with Jasmine – @glowful.path – about her infertility, IVF & pregnancy loss journey. After a miscarriage and a second IVF round that ended with no embryos for transfer, her 3rd IVF cycle was successful and she is currently pregnant. There is a beautiful moment in the episode where she started crying when she was talking about how grateful she is to God for carrying her through all of it. Jasmine’s focus is on diversifying feeds, for all women of color to amplify their voices and to highlight the importance of mental health when it comes to infertility.
You can also listen to this episode on:
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Episode 2 – with Natalie 🇿🇼🇿🇦🇬🇧 – unfertility
In this episode, I speak with Natalie – @myivf_miracle – who went through 12 unsuccessful IVF cycles & 7 miscarriages. She now has a beautiful baby boy from her 13th IVF cycle. Natalie’s story has stayed with me ever since the first time I heard it. I had only had 1 cycle then and her story is a story about staying the course and keeping the faith. It’s about believing that kuzolunga (everything is going to be okay) – and it WILL work. Natalie is passionate about black women advocating for themselves and taking charge of their fertility and normalising the narrative on infertility.
You can also listen to the episode on:
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Episode 1 – MY STORY – Another failed embryo transfer – unfertility
My very first episode. I hope it resonates x
You can also listen to this episode on:
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IGTV mini series
MY STORY – How we have dealt with Infertility & IVF feat. Mr UnFertility – unfertility
Nyasha 🇬🇧🇿🇼 – Premature birth and NICU experience – unfertility
Dannika 🇬🇧🇬🇭 – Recurrent miscarriages & IVF – unfertility
