Women are more open now than ever before about how they ended up with that bun in the oven. In a prenatal yoga class, one yogi praises her acupuncturist, another extols IVF and another commends her beloved basal thermometer. One even stored her eggs for a future undertaking. As women navigate what’s often a fraught voyage toward conception, it’s vital we talk to each other. By doing so, we not only support a sisterhood, we also work to dispel unhelpful fertility myths, like the idea that eating yams will result in twins or launching into a full-blown handstand after doing the deed is a sure-fire guarantee of conception.
WOMEN IN NUMBERS: 6.1 Million
If you’re a gal who happily chooses to live the rest of her life without crayon donning the walls or a toddler shrieking down the hall, you probably think this whole fertility business doesn’t matter to you. But chances are you have a friend or co-worker who will need your support when her strategy for having kiddos doesn’t go as planned. In fact, that situation is more common than you may realize. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 6.1 million American women ages 15 to 44 have challenges becoming or staying pregnant. That’s about 10 percent of the entire female population in the U.S.
WOMEN TO WATCH: Afton Vechery and Carly Leahy, Co-founders of Modern Fertility
Let’s get one thing straight off the bat: Ladies, you are not your eggs! No self-punishing thoughts are allowed when it comes to fertility. And I know today’s Women to Watch agree with me. Afton Vechery and Carly Leahy are the co-founders of a wonderful business called Modern Fertility, which easily puts the intricacies of fertility at women’s fingertips.
No, it’s not the next hit spin-off of Modern Family, though I’d totally watch that show. Modern Fertility’s key product is an affordable at-home test that gives women the same kind of information fertility clinics provide. Specifically, you get a custom fertility report, and your results inform you of a number on their Fertility Measurement Index, allowing you to track it over the course of time. Year after year, women can check on their ovarian reserve, ovulation, hormones and general body systems that relate to fertility. And all test results are reviewed in an accredited lab and evaluated by a physician.
Modern Fertility is a lot more reasonable and accessible than being stuck for hours in a doctor’s office. Additionally, fertility clinics are often a luxury only the fortunate can afford. But Modern Fertility levels the playing field for all women. It’s the ideal product for women trying to conceive, as well as for women wondering whether they should freeze their eggs. As Afton and Carly note, “We have a way to track almost everything in our lives: steps, cholesterol, bank statements and family trees. Something as formative as fertility shouldn’t be a mystery.”
Afton and Carly are no strangers to the medical-tech world. Prior to developing Modern Fertility, Afton worked as a product manager at genetic service 23andMe, while Carly used to develop flu-shot delivery systems for Uber.
What stands out about Modern Fertility is that it doesn’t involve any new pseudoscience. Its objective is to simply make the process of obtaining information easier and less expensive, all while empowering women to take control of their own fertility. We’re all about giving women more options to take their future into their own hands—and wombs.
QUITE THE QUOTE
We know the process of trying to conceive a child can be a difficult and emotional experience. But if it’s truly what you want, don’t abandon your pursuit. Instead, take this anonymous quote to heart:
“When the world says, ‘Give up,’ hope whispers, ‘Try one more time.’ ”
This is Melinda Garvey signing off until next time. Remember, ladies, empowered women empower other women. Share On the Dot so more women can have a voice. Thanks for getting ready with us.
To learn more about our conversation, check us out at OnTheDotWoman.com and talk to us @OnTheDotWoman on Twitter and Instagram. We’d love to hear your voice.