This week on Calling in Sick, Coop and I are sitting down for one of the most vulnerable conversations we’ve had yet. We’re talking about the reality of trying to have a baby while living with chronic illness: the planning, the fear, the logistics, the IVF part, and the emotional nuance that doesn’t always make it to Instagram.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Why we chose IVF instead of trying to conceive naturally • How we are processing this chapter differently (while not being mad at each other) • The caregiving dynamic and how a baby could shift it • Our fears around health, tapering medications, and timing

We also revisit our embryo update and give more context to how we’re thinking about implantation, preparation, and what this season of life really looks like behind the scenes. So if you’ve ever wondered about becoming a parent while juggling chronic illness… put your headphones on and turn up the volume.

🎧 And don’t forget!!! Our weekly Ask Alex episode drops Wednesday at 9 AM CST, where we answer your submitted questions (including IVF costs, tapering meds, and filming during flares).

xx,

Alex

💬 Comment: What’s the biggest fear or question you have about parenthood and chronic illness?

TIMESTAMP:

Intro:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick!

00:01:37 Life Updates & Yapping

00:09:14 Alex’s (& Coop’s) Picks of the Week (Hatch, Lola, AG1 and Uni)

Chronic Illness & Trying to Become Parents:

00:16:22 Why we are doing IVF & what our experience has been like so far

00:23:24 Why we will only name ONE embryo & how we picked July as the implantation date

00:26:24 How being a caregiver & husband has given Cooper a different emotional experiencing around trying-to-conceive (TTC)

00:33:01 What sharing my chronic illness fertility journey online has been like

00:37:55 The fears and worries we are carrying around having a baby with a chronic illness

00:43:18 Why we’ve decided it’s time to go to Couples Therapy!!

00:44:44 How Cooper and I are diving up the logistics of planing for parenthood & the one thing that made us have a FIGHT

00:54:02 What’s next for our TTC journey

Conclusion:

00:57:05 One Brain Cell Show: The Burbs (Peacock)

00:59:20 Thank you for listening!

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Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/

Alex’s Picks of the Week:

Since we’re talking about all things baby this week… these are two things we already own that I *think* will come in handy with baby!!!

✨Hatch (alarm clock) — https://go.shopmy.us/p-32414449

— ALEXWILD gives you 55% off at checkout!

✨Lola (blanket) — https://go.shopmy.us/p-37229531

— ALEXWILD gives you 55% off at checkout!

And Saint Cooper was SO excited, so here are some of his most recent faves!!!

✨AG1 (greens mix) — https://go.shopmy.us/p-40888857

— pro tip, mix with Pineapple and coconut water!!

✨ Uni (lotion) — https://go.shopmy.us/p-43912973

— ALEXANDRA15 for 15% off at checkout!

#TryingToConceive #IVFJourney #ChronicIllnessPregnancy #AutoimmuneDisease #HighRiskPregnancy #EmbryoTransfer #FertilityJourney #MotherhoodWithChronicIllness #SpoonieLife #InvisibleIllness #ChronicPain #IVFSupport #CaregivingSpouse #MedicalGaslighting #HealthJourney #ChronicIllnessCommunity #DisabilityAwareness #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson

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Trying to Have a Baby with Chronic Illness