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From IVF To Empowerment: Rewriting The Path To Parenthood
Manage episode 521162913 series 3691211
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What if the story you were handed about motherhood—find a partner, marry, then try for kids—was never the only way? We sit down with author and coach Cheri Bergeron to unpack how she pursued a corporate career, watched the clock get louder, and then chose a different path: IVF with donor eggs, navigating loss, and ultimately becoming a single mother by choice. The conversation is raw and generous, tracing the moments that broke her heart, the legal fight that tested her rights, and the decisions that rebuilt her life on her own terms.
We get practical about fertility timing and why so many of us misread success stories in the media. Cheri explains ovarian reserve, the realities behind “pregnant at 45” headlines, and why proactive choices like egg freezing can preserve options without dictating your future. We also go deep on the emotional side: the isolation of infertility, the friendships that fracture after loss, and the boundaries that protect your mental health when hope and grief coexist month after month. If you’ve ever felt behind, defective, or trapped by the timeline, this is a clear-eyed, compassionate reset.
Together we reimagine family structure and support. Single motherhood by choice isn’t settling—it’s an intentional, empowered model that often creates a stronger village than a traditional nuclear setup. We explore chosen family, co-parenting realities, and the legal pitfalls of presumed parenthood when separation and assisted reproduction intersect. Cheri’s nonprofit, Cheri’s Choice, offers resources, workshops, and coaching to help women define their non-negotiables, map their options, and move forward with confidence.
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Chapters
1. From IVF To Empowerment: Rewriting The Path To Parenthood (00:00:00)
2. Opening And Host’s Perspective (00:00:05)
3. Introducing Cherie And Her Mission (00:02:04)
4. Career Dreams Versus Traditional Timelines (00:03:29)
5. Fertility Wake‑Up And IVF Realities (00:06:40)
6. Donor Eggs, Twins, And Loss (00:09:45)
7. Isolation And Mental Health In Infertility (00:12:38)
8. Friendship Strain After Pregnancy Loss (00:16:47)
9. Becoming A Single Mother By Choice (00:20:05)
10. Legal Shock: The Custody Challenge (00:22:42)
11. Court Decision And Lessons Learned (00:26:10)
12. Resilience, Purpose, And Redefining Fulfillment (00:28:20)
13. Make A Fertility Plan And Freeze Eggs (00:31:20)
14. Educating Younger Women About Options (00:34:00)
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