Pursuit of Wellness: Solo Episode Summary on Navigating IVF and Fertility Challenges

Episode Title: Solo: Navigating My First IVF Appointment and Fertility Challenges
Host: Mari Llewellyn
Release Date: January 9, 2025

In this heartfelt solo episode of Pursuit of Wellness, Mari Llewellyn delves deep into her personal journey with fertility challenges, focusing on her recent experience navigating her first In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) appointment. The episode offers an intimate look into the emotional and logistical aspects of undergoing IVF, supplemented by Mari's insights and tools that help her maintain mental well-being throughout this demanding process.

1. Life and Fertility Journey Update

Mari opens the episode by sharing her excitement about recording from the high point of her IVF journey. Having discussed her fertility struggles openly for over a year, she emphasizes the importance of transparency and the positive impact it has on her and her listeners.

"I've been talking about my fertility journey for about a year at this point...something that's brought me a lot of comfort is the fact that me sharing my struggles...could be helping you guys on the other end."
[00:00]

Despite facing unsolicited advice and negativity, Mari remains steadfast in her commitment to sharing her story, believing that the pros significantly outweigh the cons.

2. Details of the First IVF Appointment

Mari provides a comprehensive rundown of her initial IVF appointment, highlighting both the procedures involved and her emotional responses.

• Cycle Information: She is on day three of her cycle, marking the commencement of the IVF process.

"Today was my first of many IVF appointments, and I'm very, very excited about it. I'm on day three of my cycle..."
[00:08]

• Tests Conducted: The appointment included blood tests to measure Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), alongside a uterus exam. Mari expresses initial confusion about performing a uterus exam during her period but quickly adjusts to the procedure.

"I did a blood test last week before my cycle. And then we also did a uterus exam, which kind of confused me... but she was like, yeah, girl, we see it every day."
[00:15]

• Medical Feedback: The doctor remarked that Mari's uterus appeared healthy but more curved than usual. Additionally, a new cyst was detected on her left ovary, a surprising finding given her extensive ultrasound history. The cyst was attributed to previous stimulation medication with Letrozole, expected to resolve naturally.

"He mentioned that my uterus looked great... we did see a cyst on the left ovary, which I was really surprised by... turns out it just goes away by itself."
[00:25]

• Scheduling: Mari discusses the detailed IVF schedule laid out by her doctor, providing her with a sense of peace and structure. She outlines her upcoming stimulation injections period from December 27 to January 5 and anticipates her egg retrieval around January 8.

"Having a day to day schedule and seeing exactly how everything's gonna go the next two months brings me such a sense of peace."
[00:35]

3. Mental Health Strategies Amid Fertility Challenges

Recognizing that the most taxing aspect of her fertility journey has been the mental strain, Mari shares various tools and practices that aid her mental health:

• Sharing Her Journey: Open communication with close friends and family allows Mari to receive support and understand if she's not always in her best mood.

"Having people you're close to just be aware of it... allows them to sort of give me space when I need it."
[00:45]

• Adjusting Expectations: She emphasizes not pressuring herself to maintain intense exercise regimes, opting instead for more relaxed activities like walking and Pilates.

"Not putting too much pressure on myself with... exercise and going crazy... has been really helpful."
[00:50]

• Hobbies and Socializing: Engaging in activities that bring her joy, such as horse riding, and socializing more helps her stay present and distracts her from ongoing stress.

"Being around animals, specifically horses and riding brings me like the most insane amount of joy."
[00:55]

• Superhuman App: Mari highlights the Superhuman app, which offers activations that can be integrated into daily activities, fostering a positive mindset without requiring dedicated meditation time.

"They have activations rather than meditations because you can do them while doing other activities... It has been such a great tool."
[01:00]

4. Comprehensive Q&A Session

Mari transitions into a Q&A segment, addressing questions from her listeners that cover a range of topics related to fertility, lifestyle, and personal experiences.

a. Fertility Tools and Practices

Listeners inquire about pre-IVF preparations. Mari details her regimen:

• Supplements: Prenatal vitamins and fish oil.
• Red Light Therapy: Applying red light therapy to the uterus area.
• Sleep and Stress Management: Prioritizing adequate sleep and managing stress levels.
• Organizing Schedule: Clearing travel and work-related stressors during the stimulation period.

"I'm taking all the certain supplements... and I do know I'm not allowed to exercise... so I'll get through it."
[02:10]

b. Decision to Pursue IVF

Mari explains her choice to undergo IVF after a year of trying to conceive without success, despite both she and her partner, Greg, having healthy test results.

"I'm 10 months into trying to conceive... Greg and I have both done every single test you can possibly do and everything's normal and healthy."
[03:00]

She discusses the emotional toll of putting her life on hold and the relief that comes with establishing a structured IVF plan.

"The idea of having embryos on ice and essentially being set up for kids for the next few years... feels right for us."
[03:10]

c. Balancing Family During Holidays

Mari shares her strategy for managing time with both her and Greg's families during the holiday season, noting the logistical challenges due to her father's international lifestyle.

"My family is quite spread out... Generally I'm with Greg's family for the holidays, unless, like, unique circumstances."
[04:00]

d. Sauna Use While Trying to Conceive

Addressing concerns about sauna use, Mari aligns with traditional Chinese medicine's recommendation to keep the womb warm, favoring saunas over cold plunges.

"I think the sauna is better than the cold plunge while trying to conceive... cold plunge is very, very stressful on the body."
[05:00]

e. Toxins in Athletic Wear

Mari confirms that toxins like BPA in leggings are a real concern, advocating for awareness and careful selection of athletic apparel.

"A lot of leggings are made with BPA, which is crazy because obviously you're wearing it like in very intimate areas."
[05:30]

f. Consideration of Plastic Surgery

While Mari hasn't undergone plastic surgery, she discusses her openness to it in the future, prioritizing non-invasive procedures like Botox and fillers for now.

"I have not... I've done Botox and I've done a little bit of lip filler... I'm more focused on getting laser for my acne scarring."
[06:00]

g. Challenges with Interior Design and Home Furnishing

Mari recounts a negative experience with an interior design firm, emphasizing the difficulties of remote collaboration and budget overruns. She describes feeling disconnected from the final aesthetic of her home and the ensuing frustration when the designer withdrew support.

"We spent way over budget... everything was kept in storage... basically, I got completely screwed and now I'm in the position where I am trying to sell things and do it myself."
[07:00]

h. Professional Development Tips for 20-Year-Olds

Offering guidance to younger listeners, Mari advises:

1. Emulate Role Models: Look up to people you admire.
2. Embrace Risk and Change: Utilize the flexibility of youth to explore various paths.
3. Leverage Social Media: Turn passions into career opportunities through online platforms.

"Put yourself out there... try your hardest, ask a lot of questions."
[08:00]

i. Additional Personal Insights

In response to various personal questions, Mari shares:

• Horses: She currently has one horse named Red but dreams of having more, including a mini pony for future family bonding.

  "I have one horse named Red... I would really want for my future child to be able to ride the pony."
  [09:00]

• Online Presence Challenges: Mari discusses the difficulties of maintaining an online presence, including handling negative comments and misconceptions about her life.

  "People might have the wrong idea about me or come up with their own story... it is difficult for me."
  [10:00]

• Relationship with Greg: She reflects on her long-term relationship with Greg, highlighting their growth together and mutual support.

  "From the second I met Greg, we were like besties... We've grown together and learned so much."
  [11:00]

5. Concluding Thoughts

Mari wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude for the support from her listeners and reiterating her commitment to sharing her IVF journey transparently. She encourages listeners undergoing similar challenges to connect with her through comments and reviews, fostering a sense of community and shared experience.

"I'm so excited for you to go to the NFR... Wishing you all the good luck and good vibes."
[12:00]

Key Takeaways

• Transparency in Fertility Journeys: Mari underscores the therapeutic value of sharing personal struggles, both for herself and her audience.

• Structured Planning: Establishing a clear IVF schedule provides Mari with peace of mind amidst uncertainty.

• Mental Health Prioritization: Utilizing tools like the Superhuman app, maintaining hobbies, and setting realistic expectations are crucial for managing emotional strain.

• Community Engagement: Engaging with listeners through Q&A fosters a supportive environment and offers diverse perspectives on fertility and wellness.

• Resilience in Face of Challenges: Whether dealing with unexpected medical findings or setbacks in home design, Mari demonstrates resilience and adaptability.

Notable Quotes

• "The beauty of social media and podcasting is that we can sort of live through someone else's eyes and really get that full experience and have the knowledge before we do it ourselves."
  [00:05]

• "Having people you're close to just be aware of it has allowed them to sort of give me space when I need it."
  [00:45]

• "If you feel stressed and overwhelmed by what I'm telling you right now, it's probably not a good time... I felt nothing but excitement."
  [03:20]

• "Just put your best foot forward, try your hardest, ask a lot of questions."
  [08:30]

• "Knowing someone was the one is, like, sometimes you don't know until you, like, grow together."
  [12:50]

This episode serves as a poignant exploration of the complexities surrounding IVF and fertility struggles, offering listeners both empathy and practical strategies for navigating similar paths. Mari Llewellyn's candid storytelling and proactive approach provide a beacon of hope and resilience for those on their own wellness journeys.