Ep 10: Secrets of IVF

In this episode, Mandi Schwab opens up about experiencing multiple miscarriages, early menopause; and she breaks down the IVF process, causes of IVF failure and its heavy toll on physical and mental health.

Terms used:
Birth control pills: A daily medication that contains 2 hormones (estrogen and
progestin) to prevent pregnancy — or manage and suppress heavy periods.

Early Menopause (or premature menopause): A loss of normal function of the ovaries before age 40. In early menopause, the ovaries don't produce normal amounts of the hormone estrogen or release eggs regularly.

Endometriosis: A medical condition that involves the presence of tissue similar to the uterine lining in abnormal locations. This condition can affect both fertilization of the egg and embryo implantation.

Involuntarily childless: Someone who wants children or is open to children but can’t have them or unable to have children due to various circumstances.

IVF (or In vitro fertilization): In vitro which means outside the body, is a process of fertilization by extracting eggs, retrieving a sperm sample, and then manually combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish. The embryo(s) is then transferred to the uterus.

Miscarriage: The spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week.

Ovulation: This occurs when an egg is released from your ovary. When the egg is released, it may or may not be fertilized by sperm.

Premature ovarian failure: Also known as primary ovarian insufficiency or early menopause, happens when a woman's ovaries stop working normally before she is 40.

Watch this interview on YouTube.com/ChildlessWomen

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