Infertility affects 11% of women worldwide, but it remains a sensitive and often unspoken topic, especially within the Black community. Journalist and Comeback. TV CEO Erica Cobb is changing that by sharing her personal journey. By opening up about her experience, she is not only sparking much-needed conversations but also amplifying the voices of women who have long been left out of the infertility narrative.
“I realized how much connection there is in being transparent with your story,” Cobb explains. “I had so much support, but what mattered most to me was supporting others who didn’t have that kind of community.”
Cobb began her own journey toward motherhood in 2021 after being diagnosed with infertility. However, she quickly noticed a gap in the way infertility was portrayed. The messaging and solutions often excluded women who looked like her, particularly when it came to in vitro fertilization (IVF).
“When I started IVF, I walked into clinics and no one looked like me,” Cobb recalls. “The solutions for infertility didn’t seem to address the needs of Black women. It highlighted a vacuum of representation and support for Black women facing fertility challenges.”
Determined to change this, Cobb turned to her platform, Comeback: With Erica Cobb, to create a space where these important conversations could take place. Through her show, Cobb aims to foster a sense of community and solidarity for those dealing with infertility in private.
“My goal was to make these conversations mirror my experience, starting with the struggle Black women face with maternal health,” Cobb shares. Unfortunately, her concerns with her healthcare provider were dismissed, a common issue many Black women face in healthcare.
“It began with my experience going to an OBGYN I had seen for years. When I voiced my concerns, they weren’t taken seriously,” Cobb reveals. “As a result, I convinced myself that if something were wrong, my doctor would have made it clear. But the truth was, I wasn’t a priority for them.”
A pivotal moment came when Cobb had a casual conversation with a Black OBGYN during a friend’s baby shower. This led to a visit to her office and, soon after, a diagnosis that changed her path to parenthood. “Had I not had that exchange, I wouldn’t have known what was going on. It made me wonder how many other women are in the same position.”
April, which includes both Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17) and National Infertility Awareness Week (April 20-26), provided the perfect opportunity for Cobb to launch a new podcast series, Fertility Unfiltered. The series features conversations with friends and colleagues who have also faced infertility, shedding light on their personal experiences.
Cobb kicked off the series with a candid discussion with her husband, Anthony, about their journey through IVF and their search for a gestational carrier. She also featured CNN anchor Abby Phillip, who has become a reproductive justice advocate after her own experience with pregnancy. Cobb also spoke with reality TV star Colton Underwood and his husband, Jordan Brown, to discuss the unique challenges LGBTQIA couples face when pursuing parenthood.
Through these conversations, Cobb has learned a lot. “Talking with Colton and Jordan was eye-opening,” she says. “They discussed concerns about discrimination at clinics, and I realized that as a Black woman, I had similar fears. We can all strengthen each other through these conversations.”
The response from listeners has been overwhelmingly positive, with Cobb receiving emotional messages from those who have found solace in her podcast. “It gets me a little emotional,” Cobb reflects on the outpouring of gratitude. “This is such a blessing.”
By sharing her own story and encouraging others to do the same, Erica Cobb is helping break the silence around infertility, creating a more inclusive and supportive space for all women.
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