Creating Embryos With Your BFF: The Ultimate Friendship Pact

In this episode of "Quiet the Clock," host Beth Gulotta and her guest Kelsey Darragh, creator, filmmaker, and author, dive into the emotional and medical intricacies of fertility treatments. Kelsey shared that people were (even herself) surprised by this decision because she has always been open about not wanting kids, and even while she is still unsure, she acknowledges there are changes she has made that she never imagined possible and this too may change.  Or it may not, but making this choice allows her that option. Beth and Kelsey share personal stories, discussing the unexpected outcomes and the emotional toll of the process. Beth reveals her therapy experience with microdosing mushrooms before a transfer, while Kelsey talks about the stress of treatments during the pandemic. The episode also covers the challenges of medication protocols, the variability in egg retrieval results, and the supportive role of friends in decisions like sperm donation. They conclude by addressing the need for more open discussions on fertility and the hope for better fertility support in the future. Quotes Kelsey Darragh, '00:02:57', "Once I had that realization that I always said I was never going to quit drinking and then I did, it was a really powerful moment of like, I can really do anything now." Kelsey Darragh, '00:03:28', "Having kids is the only thing that I could think of that has a time limit on it." Kelsey Darragh, '00:09:54', "I didn't know some of this stuff. I never learned that you lose half your eggs before you hit puberty. No one tells you that." Kelsey Darragh, '00:15:57', "After I had the retrieval, I felt everything. It felt like my body was being depleted of all the hormones and the good stuff, and then I went through an insane heartbreak breakup." Kelsey Darragh, '00:17:40', "I was so angry about that, and my therapist at the time was like, 'Maybe you should let him be involved.' I'm really happy I did listen to her, but at first, I was like, 'I don't want no part of this.'" Kelsey Darragh, '00:20:05', "I've had a new awakening and awareness of the true struggle it is for women going through IVF because it is not easy. Even if you're having a good time and the hormones aren't affecting you much, it is still a process." Beth Gullota, '00:27:33', "It's really emotional, you know, because you're just hoping and you're wanting, and if you're going through that process, you've decided you want this." Beth Gullota, '00:30:43', "I realize, you know, hindsight is 20/20, but I realized that being in a place where you're emotionally, mentally, physically feeling good is so important going into it, whether it's egg freezing or embryos." Beth Gullota, '00:33:25', "Having all of that knowledge going through the first time, knowing what to expect, and what to think the second time has been tougher on my body, just because we're three days away from my retrieval." Beth Gullota, '00:42:08', "People are like, 'I never thought about this. I'm going to go get my eggs checked.' At least just go get your eggs checked." Kelsey Darragh, '00:48:39', "I don't ever want to regret this. I don't want to turn around at 45 and regret not having done this." Kelsey Darragh, '00:51:25', "Having a baby is a miracle. It is like that is crazy." Beth Gullota, '00:55:15', "I felt alone, unsure, confused, and uncertain, and when you're considering such a big decision, feeling those ways does not feel good." Beth Gullota, '00:55:44', "The goal is to not let anyone feel alone in this journey." Beth Gullota, '00:55:44', "This is a very big decision, so I don't want anyone to feel alone in it." Key Points Fertility, egg freezing, and decision-making around having children Personal experiences with fertility and egg freezing Importance of being proactive about fertility choices Need for more open conversations about women's health and fertility Journey of sobriety and its impact on fertility decisions Importance of having a supportive and knowledgeable gynecologist Impact of lifestyle choices on fertility Emotional challenges and impact of stress on reproductive health Challenges of fertility treatments during the pandemic Involvement of partners and siblings in fertility choices Resources Subscribe on YouTube Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Spotify