Your Health Unlocked Episodes

Ep 014: Part 2 – The I In Family – Anna’s Infertility Story + Anna Frank

Publication Date: March 06, 2023

By: NWHN Staff

Episode Trailer

Listen Now

In Part 1 of Anna Frank’s honest and emotional infertility story, we learned about her experiences with IVF and the challenging complications she faced along the way, including a devastating pregnancy loss.

In what can only be described as an unbelievable test of resilience, the remainder of Anna’s remarkable story is filled with grief, anguish, and miraculous strength. In Part 2 of Anna’s story, we learn about the consequences of her heartbreaking HELLP diagnosis and the inspirational story of a best friend who went out of her way to ensure a happy ending to Anna’s birth journey.

For someone who is diagnosed as infertile, the path to holding your baby in your arms can be a turbulent one, with many unexpected twists and turns. Nobody knows that better than Anna Frank, who shares with us just how all-consuming the process is.

After suffering two heartbreaking losses, Anna decided to explore the route of surrogacy. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 17,000 births took place by surrogate in the United States in 2019, steadily growing at 15% per year.

In the second installment of Anna’s infertility story, you’ll learn:

  • The impact of Anna’s HELLP syndrome diagnosis on her pregnancy
  • How Anna coped with the loss of her daughter
  • The outcome of Anna’s surrogacy experience
  • The financial burden of Anna’s pregnancy journeys
  • What advice Anna would give to someone worried about infertility

More about Anna:

Anna lives in Dallas with her husband, Steve, and two daughters. She works in risk management and compliance for a large bank. Anna is also on the Board of The Ruth Cheatham Foundation – a non-profit that supports teens who have fought or are fighting cancer and provides scholarships and support for college.

Anna and Steve suffered five agonizing years of infertility, which included a mixture of medications, IUIs, IVF cycles, a miscarriage at eight weeks, and the loss of a daughter at 24.5 weeks as a result of early onset pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome.

Following this, they began exploring alternative options, including domestic infant adoption and surrogacy. While Anna and Steve found success through surrogacy, they are aware that not everyone battling with infertility has the same happy ending that they did.

Anna’s journey and experiences ignited her passion for supporting, helping, and acting as a sounding board for friends and strangers who may be suffering infertility or pregnancy loss. Through sharing the intimate details of her story, she wants to give hope to others going through the same and help them feel less alone.

Sponsors:


 data-no-lazy=

Resources for Episode 014:

Some Terms and Linked Definitions: 

References Mentioned:

Find out more about the Gladney Center for Adoption here

The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and entertain. All views expressed by the persons featured on the Your Health Unlocked podcast are their own and do not reflect the opinions of the NWHN or its affiliates. Information provided in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. Consult your own provider for any medical issues that you may be experiencing.

Get Involved

New ways to empower health care consumers across the nation.