Belonging When You're Infertile and Childless
What happens when fertility treatments end and there's no baby?
It's a question that rarely gets discussed in the infertility world, yet it's the reality so many women face after IVF fails, fertility treatments end, or you make the painful decision to stop trying.
In this episode of The "So Now What?" Podcast, I'm sharing the exact speech I recently gave at the Seeds of Hope Fertility Luncheon.
What made this event especially powerful is that many women in the room ultimately became mothers after infertility. Their stories looked different than mine, but so many came up to me afterward and said:
"I've never thought about what happens when fertility treatment ends without a baby."
And that's exactly why this conversation matters.
If you're infertile and childless, navigating life after IVF failed, or trying to figure out how to rebuild your identity when motherhood didn't happen, this episode will remind you that you still belong.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• Why there's a major gap in fertility care when treatment ends without a live birth.
• Details about the new research study I'm supporting with Northwestern University focused on women whose fertility treatments ended without a baby.
• Why being handed brochures for adoption, donor eggs, or more treatment is not the same as actual support.
• The friendship brunch moment that made me question whether I still belonged.
• Why so many women feel like motherhood is what makes them feel relevant or included in adulthood.
• How one of my clients stopped disappearing from her own life after infertility.
• Why creating new traditions and redefining your future matters when motherhood is no longer part of your path.
• Why I created The Other's Day® for women who need a place to belong around Mother's Day.
• How to stop waiting for life to begin and start creating a life you feel proud of.
Your story may not look like what you planned.
That does not make your life any less meaningful.
And it absolutely does not make you any less worthy of belonging.
Links Mentioned in This Episode
Participate in the Northwestern Research Study
This anonymous survey is open worldwide for women whose fertility treatments ended without a live birth. It takes about 20 minutes.
https://redcap.nubic.northwestern.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=LM4TX4MJN3HRR7ER
Get Tickets to The Other's Day® (May 8–9 in Chicago)
Friday: The Foundation (yoga, guided meditation + sound bath)
Saturday: The Other's Day® Brunch
Attend one event or both.
https://lanamanikowski.com/othersday
Read Chapter 1 of "So Now What?"
https://lana-manikowski.myflodesk.com/chapter1
Buy "So Now What?"
https://www.lanamanikowski.com/book
Free Guide: Top 27 Things People Say When You're Childless
https://lana-manikowski.myflodesk.com/thingspeoplesay
Book a Thrive Call
https://calendly.com/lanamanikowski/strategy-session
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/lana.manikowski/
TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@lana.manikowski
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@lana.manikowski
If this episode resonated with you, share it with another woman navigating infertility, IVF failed cycles, or life after fertility treatments end.
And if you haven't already, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so more women searching for support after infertility can find this conversation.
I hope you have a beautiful week. I love you, and remember that it's never too late to discover your meaning. I'll talk to you next week.
