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IVF Failed You - The "So Now What?" Podcast

I am a Fertility Survivor.  The kind you enter into treatments hoping you will never be... childless.  After several rounds of IUI and IVF, at some of the leading Fertility Centers, I was told I was no longer a candidate for fertility treatment.  It left me asking myself...

So now what?

For the years that followed, I tried to put myself back together and tell myself I would be OK, but I wasn't.  I was shattered - I felt alone and failed by the whole process and especially, my body.  I yearned for others that felt the pain I felt and someone that could help me navigate a life without a child. 

I didn't find it, so I decide to create it.  

Fast forward to today. I am still childless, but my beliefs about my life have changed.  I decided that I can create meaning and purpose in my life even though I am not a mother.  I've learned to love myself and the body I felt failed me as a woman.

If you've been on this journey, hop on and join me as we create something we were not offered.  Let's create a sisterhood for the bravest women I know.  We brush ourselves off and don't let terms like: Failed, Unexplained, Miscarriage, Not-viable or Advanced Maternal Age define us anymore.  

 

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  2. Aging When You Are Childless

Aging When You Are Childless

Nov 12, 2024

In today’s episode of The 'So Now What?' Podcast, we’re tackling a deeply personal fear that many women who are childless after infertility and IVF struggle with: the fear of growing old alone. When the dream of motherhood doesn’t become a reality, it’s natural to worry about who will be there to care for us as we age. We often think that without children, we’re missing a safety net for the future. But what if that isn’t the whole story?

Lana Manikowski, certified life coach and advocate for women who are childless after infertility, shares a personal story about the recent outpouring of support she received after a sudden injury. From friends offering rides and food deliveries to unexpected check-ins, Lana’s experience highlights a powerful reminder: family, love, and care come in many forms — not just from children.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

- Why the fear of aging alone affects so many childless women after fertility treatments

- Practical ways to redefine what “family” and “support” can look like in our lives

- Steps to build intentional community and meaningful relationships that bring love, connection, and support

- How to ease the uncertainty of the future by planning and building a fulfilling life without the milestones of motherhood

 

Join us for this heartfelt discussion on shifting our perspective, letting go of the “what ifs,” and finding reassurance in the connections we’re building today.

 

Tune in to learn more about:

- How to embrace a fulfilling future as a childless woman after infertility

- Ways to find and nurture a support system beyond biological family

- Practical tips to let go of the fear of aging alone without children

- Strategies to build a strong, caring community after IVF and fertility treatments

Links Mentioned:

-Register for the Free Holiday MasterClass here

- Free Resource: “The Top 27 Things People Say When You’re Childless (…and how to respond)

   Download this helpful guide to handle common questions and comments that can feel intrusive or hurtful: https://lanamanikowski.com/thingspeoplesay