My name is Alison. I live in Colorado with my husband Roberto, two floofy cats, and a dog. I've been consistently doing IVF since 2024.
When we first married in 2018, we were so confident that we didn't want children, on our way skipping down the path to a forever child-free life. Fast forward to May 2024, to a personal retreat in the mountains alone when, truly, all of a sudden, the openness to welcoming a child into our lives came over me. It was strong and undeniable at that moment. I got home from the retreat on Mother's Day and nervously shared this with Roberto. A new era began from that moment when he also confessed that his 180-degree turn had begun, and he too was growing excited about what’s behind the door we had closed years ago.
Since we had made some very permanent decisions back when we were sure we didn’t want children, our path to trying looked different from the start. IVF became our doorway in.
Our first adventure took us abroad, due to U.S. costs, which I highly recommend.
My early observations of doing IVF cycles both in Mexico and the United States boiled down to something simple: IVF loneliness is real. This is something I can see and feel, even with a supportive partner. We need understanding, relatability, and no one attempting to fix the emotional lows on the roller coaster. Every person who broke the clinic waiting room silence to say hello, every private message on TikTok, and every person I met who knew someone struggling with IVF proved to me that the need is everywhere.
Looking back, I started speaking to the camera as catharsis, in part to solve the loneliness. I posted videos to YouTube, not sharing any of it with friends or family, but hoping to be heard and recognized by other people on the IVF path purely by algorithm.
After a year I realized I needed to move beyond myself and my own story. As my network grew, I wanted to share what I was learning. This is why I interview guests — so we can not only learn from one another, but experience a Q&A with acupuncturists, coaches, reproductive endocrinologists, therapists, and more. IVF Companion was born.
And now, we are at the early stages of a supportive meetup group. We’re small, finding our intention and being present to one another as a form of practice. Not as group therapy, but as a peer relating community. A place to be witnessed, not offered a fix.
While I do have 18 years of experience in the mental health field, and am actively in training in the method of Circling and as a fertility doula, the most important “credential” I’d love to share with you is this:
My goal is to be here, no matter what my life evolves to, cheering you all on to your next phase. I want to listen, learn from you, and bring real value to the IVF experience that we are unable to get from our clinics. And, I need you too!
Alison