In a recent interview with Contemporary OB/GYN, April Christina, an endometriosis patient, and Connie Stark, RNC, PNC, director of fertility coaching at Robyn, discussed the complex journey of in vitro fertilization (IVF), egg freezing, and embryo preservation, particularly in the context of endometriosis and fertility issues.
April shared her personal IVF journey, highlighting the unique challenges she faced, especially during the pandemic. She described how the uncertainty around fertility treatments during that time forced her to postpone her first IVF cycle. When she could finally proceed, strict COVID-19 protocols, including mandatory testing, were in place. Unfortunately, her first IVF attempt did not succeed, leading her to pursue a second try.
Due to her low Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) levels, which indicated a reduced ovarian reserve, April chose not to freeze her eggs. Rather than spending time on egg freezing without guaranteed success, she opted for IVF directly to create viable embryos. Given her stage 4 endometriosis diagnosis, she felt that intrauterine insemination was not the right choice and decided to take a more direct and aggressive approach to family planning. While these decisions were difficult, April explained that working with her medical team, support network, and fertility coach helped her make confident choices.
Connie Stark shared insights into the importance of personalized support for women undergoing fertility treatments, especially those with endometriosis. She explained that endometriosis can affect fertility through inflammation, scarring, and hormonal imbalances, which interfere with ovulation and implantation. Stark stressed the importance of early intervention and recommended egg freezing for women diagnosed with endometriosis before they encounter fertility problems.
April agreed, noting that the amount of information in fertility clinics can be overwhelming. While family and friends offer emotional support, she emphasized how a fertility coach provides a different level of guidance. Despite careful planning, the emotional challenges of the process were unexpected, but April found that having a support team helped her remain resilient.
Stark highlighted the critical role of fertility coaches, who provide both emotional and informational support, bridging the gap between medical advice and personal experiences. She acknowledged that endometriosis impacts all areas of a person’s life, not just reproductive health. By helping patients navigate the complexities of fertility treatments, offering reliable resources, and providing emotional support, fertility coaches play a vital role in empowering individuals throughout their fertility journey.
