In this heartfelt episode of Deepish, Chelsey and Sammy are joined by Aly Egan, who shares her incredible journey through infertility, loss, and ultimately, surrogacy. Aly opens up about the challenges she faced while managing her condition, PKU, and how it complicated her path to motherhood. After her first round of IVF was successful in having her son it followed by six miscarriages and lead Aly and her husband turned to surrogacy. Her inspiring story detailing emotional ups and downs, the financial and mental tolls, as well as the immense support she received from her loved ones, provides a poignant reminder of the strength and resilience one can exhibit in the face of adversity.00:00 Introduction and Guest Announcement00:15 Meet Aly Egan: A Journey Through Infertility02:18 Aly Background and Upbringing04:02 College and Career Path05:20 Love Story: Meeting and Marrying Matt10:56 Living with PKU: Challenges and Adaptations20:27 Infertility Struggles and Discovering PCOS25:32 The IVF Journey Begins33:54 Pregnancy and Managing PKU35:14 Romanticizing Small Joys35:39 Pregnancy Journey and Protein Intake36:25 Cravings and New Experiences38:09 Mental State During Pregnancy38:51 Birth Story and C-Section Experience41:41 Transition to Motherhood42:44 Postpartum Challenges43:31 IVF Journey and Miscarriages54:52 Considering Surrogacy01:00:41 Finding a Surrogate01:09:42 Navigating Guilt and Compassion01:10:54 Facing Miscarriages Together01:12:39 The Decision to Try Again01:13:33 The Challenges of Egg Retrieval01:15:01 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Surrogacy01:17:25 The Joy of Successful Pregnancy01:21:43 Preparing for Twins01:27:11 Reflections on Friendship and Support01:37:48 The Power of Sharing and Vulnerability01:40:49 Looking Forward with Hope
