256 - LGBTQ+, IVF, and 2nd Trimester Loss with Dr. Gloria Pope

Sisters in Loss Podcast: Miscarriage, Pregnancy Loss, & Infertility Stories

The road to parenthood looks different for many of us Sisters in Loss. This can be especially difficult for our masculine presenting LGBTQ+ sisters. Today’s guest has experienced parenthood in many forms, from step kids, birthing her own with a sperm donor, IVF, loss, and a successful birth with her partner.

Dr. Gloria Pope began to document her journey through her partner’s fertility treatments and IVF loss experience. She realized the importance of sharing her perspective as a partner and documented this in her book Hero: Memoirs of Infertility.

In today’s episode, Gloria shares her different perspectives on parenthood including carrying her own son via a sperm donor, being a supportive partner to her wife who lost a baby at 18 weeks via IVF, and then having a successful pregnancy of her daughter through another round of IVF. She shares her journey as a part of the LGBTQ+ community, how she was treated while pregnant with her son, how she supported her partner through infertility and IVF, and how parenthood is shared between both partners.

This episode is for you to listen if you identify with LGBTQ+, want to hear the perspective of someone who has given birth and supported their partner through loss and IVF, and want to be empowered about how to combat systemic racism for those masculine presenting in our healthcare system.

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