IVF comes with a lot of expectations… and even more unexpected twists.

For Lauren, that moment of total loss of control hit outside her office, sobbing in her car over a single number: four. Four follicles. Four possible eggs.

After weeks of injections, hormone fluctuations, and spending even more money on medications, her body had decided it was a slow grower—and there was nothing she could do about it.

In this episode, we’re unpacking the emotional rollercoaster of IVF stimulation. From injecting menopausal nun urine (yep, that’s a thing) to playing the will-my-follicles-grow waiting game, we’re sharing the highs, lows, and WTF moments of this stage of the journey. Plus, the shot that could make or break everything: the infamous trigger injection.

What to Expect:

IVF Meds 101: What’s actually in those hormone injections (and why some come from nun pee).

The Follicle Freakout: When your numbers are way lower than expected.

More Money, More Meds: The constant upcharges that make IVF even more expensive.

Shot Time Rituals: Ice packs, color-coded charts, and why Lauren refused to let Alex do the injections.

The Final Countdown: The anxiety of the trigger shot—and why one mistake could ruin everything.

Let’s Connect:

Hang out with us on TikTok and YouTube @HopefullyKidding

Connect with Alex on Instagram @HooperHairPuff

Got a story to share? Email us at hopefullykidding@gmail.com

If this episode made you laugh, cringe, or feel a little less alone in the madness of IVF, please rate and review Hopefully Kidding on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us share these raw, ridiculous, and painfully real stories with others navigating fertility treatment. 💛