Snack 72: Listener Story: Julie's with Termination of Pregnancy for Medical Reasons

The Whole Pineapple

We often refer to fertility as a “journey” — but sometimes it can feel like a slog through disappointment, bewildering medical terminology, treatments, surgical termination, physical and emotional pain, and more horrors that you really don’t need us to list out.

One of the hardest parts may be feeling so isolated, like no one’s journey has been as complicated and fraught as yours, and no one will truly understand what it feels like to be you.

In this episode, reproductive psychology expert Dr. Julie Bindeman tells her story. It is a roller coaster that will probably feel all-too-familiar to many: miscarriages, bad news from the ultrasound, medical professionals who don’t have a proper sense of urgency (to put it politely, though we’re screaming on the inside).

But there are two very important takeaways here:

1. You are not alone. And you deserve to have safe spaces to talk about your experience with others who understand.
2. You need to advocate for yourself. It sucks. It really sucks that sometimes you may feel you’re the only one taking your concerns seriously, but if it happens, you have the right to stick up for yourself and insist on being heard.

A bonus takeaway: even professionals in the field find the fertility journey really tough. If someone in your life (maybe even you?) tries to make you feel you’re being “high-maintenance” or “too sensitive” or “hyper-vigilant” or any of the other ways we dismiss the concerns of those with uteruses, just refer to the takeaways above. You know your body best

We also urge everyone to know the reproductive rights (or lack thereof) in the state where you live. You can find up-to-date information on The Center for Reproductive Rights website: reproductiverights.org/maps/abortion-laws-by-state.

To learn more about Dr. Bindeman and find a whole host of resources, be sure to check the Pregnancy After Loss Support website: pregnancyafterlosssupport.org/author/juliebindeman. Find out more about hosts Anne and Ruby, and listen to more episodes, at thewholepineapple.com.

And of course, we hope you’ll share, rate, and review this episode. If you’re listening on a podcast app, you can rate and review right now! We hope you will; it makes it easier for others to find us.