Understanding Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, Infertility, and Hope: A Conversation with Dr. Melanie Ochalski of Shady Grove Fertility

Why does miscarriage keep happening even when everything appears “normal”?For families navigating recurrent pregnancy loss, the most painful part is often the unanswered questions. Being told it’s “bad luck” or “unexplained” can leave parents feeling confused, frustrated, and searching for deeper answers.In this powerful and in-depth episode of Cry It Out Loud, we’re joined by reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Ryan Martin to break down the real medical causes behind recurrent miscarriage and the critical factors that are often overlooked.This is not a surface-level conversation. We go beyond basic explanations and into the complex science of pregnancy loss, helping you understand what may actually be happening in your body. In this episode, we explore:When recurrent pregnancy loss should be fully evaluated and whether waiting for multiple miscarriages delays careWhat “chromosomal abnormality” really means, including aneuploidy vs. inherited conditions like balanced translocationsThe role of sperm health and DNA fragmentation in miscarriage and embryo developmentWhy miscarriage can still happen after IVF, even with genetically tested embryos (PGT-A)Uterine factors that may be missed, including septum, scar tissue (Asherman’s), and fibroidsHow endometriosis and chronic inflammation can impact implantation and early pregnancyThe truth about immune-related causes of miscarriage, including antiphospholipid syndrome and autoimmune conditionsThe role of progesterone and luteal phase defects in early pregnancy lossHow thyroid function, insulin resistance, and hormones influence pregnancy outcomesThe emerging role of epigenetics, stress, and environmental factorsWhat “unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss” really means and the limits of current testingWhen to see a reproductive genetic counselor and what advanced testing may provide answersIf you are navigating recurrent miscarriage or pregnancy loss, infertility, IVF failure, or pregnancy loss without clear answers, this episode will give you deeper insight, clarity, and validation.Your loss is real. Your questions are valid. And you deserve more than “we don’t know why.”Chasing the Rainbows provides free daily support and resources for families impacted by infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss.👉 chasingtherainbows.org

If you’ve ever been told ‘you can’t get pregnant because you have PCOS’ or ‘just lose weight and it will fix everything,’ this episode is for you.”Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects millions of women worldwide, yet misinformation, oversimplified advice, and fear-based myths continue to leave women feeling broken, hopeless, and confused about their fertility.The truth? PCOS does not mean you can’t get pregnant. But understanding what’s really happening inside the body is critical to restoring ovulation, regulating cycles, and preparing for a healthy pregnancy.In this powerful follow-up episode of Cry It Out Loud, we welcome back Dr. Angela Potter, a nationally recognized PCOS and fertility expert featured on CBS, FOX, ABC, NBC, and The CW. Dr. Potter specializes in helping women uncover the root causes behind PCOS-related fertility struggles so they can move from frustration and irregular cycles to ovulation, hormonal balance, and real hope for building a family.Together, we dive into the PCOS misconceptions that are keeping women from getting pregnant and what women actually need to know if they are trying to conceive.In this episode, we discuss:• The biggest myth about PCOS and infertility that keeps women feeling stuck• Why irregular cycles and anovulation happen with PCOS• The truth about weight, hormones, and fertility• The four biggest roadblocks to getting pregnant with PCOS• How to identify the root causes behind PCOS symptoms• What women can do to restore ovulation and prepare for pregnancy• Why many women with PCOS are given incomplete or outdated fertility adviceIf you are trying to conceive with PCOS, struggling with irregular periods, hormonal imbalances, or infertility, or have been told pregnancy may be difficult because of your diagnosis, this episode will give you science-based insight, clarity, and hope.You are not broken, and PCOS does not define your ability to build a family.Chasing the Rainbows provides free daily support and resources for individuals and families navigating infertility, pregnancy loss, miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss.If you are searching for support, want to volunteer, donate, or host an event in honor of your baby, visit: chasingtherainbows.org

Trying to conceive (TTC) after miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss can feel profoundly isolating especially when friends, family members, and influencers around you are announcing pregnancies or bringing home healthy babies. In this deeply honest episode of Cry It Out Loud, wellness advocate and social media influencer Sarah Berle (@sarahthedetoxcoach) shares what it means to navigate grief, trauma, and hope while trying to move forward after baby loss.Sarah opens up about the emotional reality of holding grief while watching others build families, why pregnancy announcements and due dates can trigger unexpected waves of sorrow, and how trying again after loss can feel both courageous and terrifying. Together, we discuss the mental health impact of TTC after loss, setting boundaries with loved ones, and honoring the baby you lost while still longing for another child.In this episode, we explore:Trying to conceive after miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant lossCoping when friends, family, and coworkers are pregnant or giving birthEmotional triggers around pregnancy announcements, baby showers, and due datesNavigating jealousy, guilt, fear, and hope after lossProtecting maternal mental health while TTC after traumaBreaking the silence surrounding grief, infertility, and pregnancy lossThis episode is for anyone navigating pregnancy after loss, secondary infertility, or the emotional weight of grieving while the world continues to celebrate new life.You are not broken. Your grief is valid. And you don’t have to carry this alone.Chasing the Rainbows provides free daily support, trauma-informed resources, and community for families impacted by infertility, pregnancy loss, miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss.👉 chasingtherainbows.org

Infertility, PCOS, and hormonal imbalance can leave women feeling confused, exhausted, and broken — especially when cycles are irregular, ovulation feels impossible to track, and pregnancy feels out of reach. In this powerful episode of Cry It Out Loud, we are joined by Dr. Angela Potter, nationally recognized PCOS and fertility expert, to bring clarity, compassion, and real answers to women navigating infertility and complex reproductive health conditions.Dr. Potter explains how PCOS is not a fertility dead end, but a condition that can often be managed with the right individualized care. She breaks down how women with PCOS can regulate irregular cycles, restore ovulation, and prepare their bodies for a healthy pregnancy and baby, while also protecting maternal mental health along the way.In this episode, we cover:Why PCOS is one of the most misunderstood causes of infertilityThe biggest misconceptions about PCOS that delay pregnancyHow hormonal imbalances affect ovulation, implantation, and miscarriage riskThe four most common roadblocks to getting pregnant with PCOS — and how to overcome themWhen to seek professional fertility support instead of “just waiting”How infertility and PCOS impact emotional well-being, grief, and mental healthThis conversation is essential listening for anyone struggling with PCOS, infertility, endometriosis concerns, pregnancy loss, miscarriage, or the emotional toll of trying to conceive. It offers evidence-based guidance, validation, and hope reminding listeners that they are not alone and their bodies are not broken.Every journey matters. Every loss matters. And support should never be out of reach.If you are seeking support for infertility, pregnancy loss, miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss or want to volunteer, donate, or host an event in honor of your baby. Chasing the Rainbows provides free, trauma-informed support to families nationwide.ChasingTheRainbows.org

Infertility affects millions yet so many are told to “just relax,” “wait it out,” or “stop stressing.” In this powerful and compassionate episode of Cry It Out Loud, we speak with Dr. Melanie Ochalski, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist at Shady Grove Fertility, about why infertility is a real medical condition, not a personal failure or mindset.Dr. Ochalski breaks down the myths surrounding infertility, explains when and why to seek professional fertility care, and discusses the emotional and physical toll infertility can take on individuals and couples trying to build a family.This episode also explores:When to seek help for infertility and recurrent pregnancy lossThe truth about home ovulation predictor kits and basal body temperature trackingHow long to try before seeing a fertility specialistThe emotional impact of infertility, IVF, miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant lossCompassionate, evidence-based guidance for next stepsWhether you are navigating infertility, IVF, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, stillbirth, infant loss, or pregnancy after loss, this episode offers validation, clarity, and hope.Every loss matters. Grief has no timeline. And no one should walk this journey alone.Chasing the Rainbows provides free daily support, trauma-informed peer groups, and resources for those impacted by infertility and baby loss. If you are seeking support, want to volunteer, donate, or host an event in honor of your baby, we invite you to connect with us at:👉 chasingtherainbows.org🎧 Listen now and share this episode with someone who needs to hear they are not alone.

In this deeply emotional episode of Cry It Out Loud, NBC News Chief Weather Forecaster Melissa Zaremba shares her personal journey through pregnancy loss, grief, and navigating the heartbreak of passing her baby daughter Evelyn’s due date.Melissa opens up about losing her baby at 16 weeks, going through the birthing process in the hospital, and the ways she honors her daughter every day. She talks honestly about the emotional trauma of miscarriage, the societal silence surrounding baby loss, and how she’s found the courage to speak openly giving her daughter a voice she never got to use.This episode is for anyone who has experienced:Miscarriage or early pregnancy lossStillbirth or infant lossPregnancy after lossGrief during the holidays or milestonesMelissa’s story reminds us that every loss matters, grief has no timeline, and healing can coexist with heartbreak.Listen for heartfelt guidance, validation, and hope because no parent should grieve alone.Resources Mentioned:Visit Chasing the Rainbows for free support groups, peer mentorship, care packages, journals, mindful movement, private chat communities and other trauma-informed support resources for infertility, pregnancy and infant loss families.

When you’re pregnant after loss, every appointment can feel overwhelming and every decision can feel high-stakes. In this powerful episode of Cry It Out Loud!, we’re joined by Savannah June, BSN, RN, C-EFM, the Savvy Legal Nurse, who assists attorneys nationwide by reviewing medical cases involving high-risk OB, maternal-fetal medicine, and electronic fetal monitoring.Savannah breaks down what every expecting parent needs to know when a birth plan doesn’t go as planned from understanding who is actually on your care team, to using your medical records and patient portals, to slowing down decisions and giving informed consent. Drawing from her experience bridging healthcare and medical-legal advocacy, she shares the language that empowers parents, the questions that protect you, and the rights too many families don’t realize they have until it’s too late.This episode is essential listening for anyone who is pregnant after miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, or birth trauma, as well as partners, doulas, and advocates who want to support families through informed, compassionate care.Knowledge is power and advocacy can be life-changing.👉 Learn how to honor your baby, share your story out loud, and get involved through awareness events and volunteering at ChasingtheRainbows.org

The holidays can be one of the most painful times of year for families grieving a baby lost through miscarriage, early pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or infant loss. In this powerful follow-up conversation, we welcome back Sarah (@SarahTheDetoxCoach) to talk about navigating grief through Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and every celebration that now feels different, quieter, and heavier.Sarah, who has experienced several early pregnancy losses, shares her personal journey, coping strategies, and emotional truth about facing family gatherings, holiday traditions, and joyful spaces when your heart is broken.This episode offers support, validation, and guidance for anyone grieving this holiday season.Because grief doesn’t take a holiday, and every loss matters.Please join BabyLossAwareness.org to find free support services, volunteer, donate or get involved.

Cry It Out Loud by Chasing the Rainbows is a compassionate, unfiltered podcast for anyone navigating grief, trauma, infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, pregnancy loss, or infant loss. Each episode brings together heartfelt storytelling, expert insight, and real conversations that break the silence around life after loss.Hosted by a loss parent from the nonprofit Chasing the Rainbows, this podcast creates a safe space to cry, heal, and find hope together. Featuring leading voices in reproductive health, grief counseling, and mental wellness — including experts like Dr. Roohi Jeelani of Kindbody, a double board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility Specialist. Cry It Out Loud explores the emotions behind trying to conceive after loss, living with infertility, and redefining parenthood after heartbreak.Whether you’re seeking comfort after a miscarriage, strength through infertility treatments, or connection following stillbirth or infant loss, this podcast is your reminder that every loss matters and every story deserves to be heard.Topics include:• Infertility & IVF journeys• Miscarriage & stillbirth support• Pregnancy & infant loss awareness• Healing after trauma and grief• Mental health, resilience & hope after loss• Pregnancy after loss & rainbow baby stories💗 Get involved, volunteer, or donate in honor of a baby at BabyLossAwareness.org. Every contribution helps Chasing the Rainbows provide free support services to families navigating infertility, pregnancy loss, and infant loss.

How do you learn to breathe again after the unthinkable—after losing a child? In this powerful episode of Cry It Out Loud, we sit down with Melissa Hull, grief advocate, speaker, and author of Dear Drew, who lost her 4-year-old son in a tragic drowning accident. Melissa opens up about the moment that changed her life forever, the trauma that followed, and her courageous journey to rebuild a life filled with meaning, purpose, and joy again.Together, we explore the reality of child loss, complicated grief, PTSD, trauma, anger, guilt, isolation, and society’s silence around bereavement. This conversation shatters stigma and gives language to a pain so many parents carry alone. Melissa also shares life-changing tools for healing, including how to:Coexist with grief while still choosing to liveIntegrate trauma instead of being defined by itRebuild self-identity after lossSupport grieving parents in ways that are actually helpfulFind purpose, connection, and hope againIf you or someone you love has experienced child loss, miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, or deep grief, this episode will help you feel seen, validated, and less alone. Grief doesn’t end but it can transform.This episode is for every grieving parent, every trauma survivor, and every person trying to support someone through a pain they can’t fix but refuse to ignore.Listen in and subscribe for more conversations on grief, trauma, healing, infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, and the lifelong journey of love after loss.Visit BabyLossAwareness.org to get involved, volunteer, give or honor your child.