Today Ali is talking to Libby Wicks, a surrogacy mama who went through a five-plus year struggle to have her baby girl. Libby talks about her not one, but two ectopic pregnancies, her emergency tube removal, and being diagnosed (wrongly, she would find out much later) with Asherman's Syndrome. She also talks about IVF and how her infertility journey affected her mental health. "I was suffering from anxiety," she says. "There were many days I wasn't able to leave the house. I wasn't able to work, and it was absolutely devastating. I was a shell of myself. And I want other women to know that that is actually normal." Libby talks about pivoting to surrogacy and finding NewGen Families, which is known for their thoughtful matches and their empathetic and expert care when it comes to both surrogates and future parents. She talks about bonding with her surrogate, the group text she had with her husband and her surrogate; and after going through so much heartache, finally bringing home her baby girl. For more, follow them on IG @newgenfamilies Or go to: https://newgenfamilies.com TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: Infertility; TTC; ectopic pregnancies; trauma; IVF; normalizing the conversation around ART; anxiety and depression; Asherman's syndrome; surrogacy Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations EPISODE SPONSORS: WORK OF ART Ali's Children's Book about IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books Do not miss Ali's children’s book about IVF! It's been getting rave reviews. “Work of ART” is the story of an IVF kiddo the day he learns he is a “work of ART” (born via IVF and ART). For young readers 4-8. Hardcover. Written by Ali Prato; Illustrated by Federico Bonifacini. Personalized and non-personalized versions are available. Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books For bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-request FERTILITY RALLY IG: @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com . We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey. Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membership EXTEND FERTILITY IG: @extendfertility www.extendfertility.com Fertility shouldn’t be dictated by a timeline. Extend Fertility offers cutting-edge egg and embryo freezing, infertility care, and IVF—all designed to put you in control. Their approach? Research driven, transparent, and personalized. With a world-class lab, exceptional verified success rates backed by nearly a decade of egg freezing results, and pricing lower than the national average, Extend Fertility is making reproductive care more accessible and effective than ever. Whether you’re preserving fertility for the future or actively trying to conceive, they’re here with expert support every step of theway. BELI IG: @belibaby www.belibaby.com Are you thinking about growing your family? Whether you're just starting to plan or are actively trying to conceive, preconception health is key. Beli has vitamins to help both women and men optimize their health before pregnancy. With essential nutrients like Folate, Iodine, and Zinc, Beli ensures your body is ready for this exciting next step. Give yourself and your future baby the best foundation for a healthy start. Visit Belibaby.com today and use code IAF15 for 15% off your first order. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Our Sponsors: * Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com * Check out My Life in a Book and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://mylifeinabook.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af-infertility-and-modern-family-building-through-art/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
