Less Straightforward is a podcast for folx in queer community who are ready to plunge into parenthood. There's no baby dancing or sperm-meets-egg plans in this podcast. If you're missing one of the necessary components to creating life in your body, Less Straightforward is for you! New episodes weekly on Thursdays
This week I'm discussing a little more about what I'm doing differently to support my journey to conception. Gentle reminder, this is not medical advice and I am not a medical professional. Only you (and your doctor, midwife, or nurse practitioner) know what is right for you body.
Find me on IG @Less_Straightforward. If you'd like to share your story, please get in touch! less.straightforward@gmail.com (mailto:less.straightforward@gmail.com)
6 May 2021
Episode 14--Mary on Midwifery Care
This week I chat with Mary about Midwifery and why it might be an option for you to consider on your journey. Mary shares her own story through pregnancy, birth, and beyond, with a midwife as her care provider.
Get connected with Mary:
IG: @mommy.mary
RISE: http://www.renoinitiative.org/ (http://www.renoinitiative.org/)
Living Room Project: http://www.renoinitiative.org/living-room/ (http://www.renoinitiative.org/living-room/)
29 Apr 2021
Episode 13 - My personal story
This week I share my last three cycles of our attempts at conception. I've been recording little "journal entries" and I'm ready to share them with listeners. Content note: I do discuss miscarriage in this episode.
Find me on IG @Less_Straightforward. If you'd like to share your story, please get in touch! less.straightforward@gmail.com (mailto:less.straightforward@gmail.com)
22 Apr 2021
4/29 Preview...My Personal TTC Journey
Less Straightforward is still on break this week... Please enjoy this little sneak peak of next week's episode: My personal TTC journey (part of it, anyway)
IG: @Less_Straightforward
8 Apr 2021
Episode 12--Donnie Talks Trans Pregnancy--Part 2
This is the conclusion to last week's episode with Donnie Weaver about his surprise trans pregnancy. If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, head over to last week's first!
Get connected with Donnie on Twitter @autiedonnie or you can email him at donovanvweaver@gmail.com (mailto:donovanvweaver@gmail.com)
Find the podcast on IG @Less_Straightforward.
1 Apr 2021
Episode 11--Donnie Talks Trans Pregnancy - Part 1
This week I talked with Donnie about his unexpected pregnancy as a trans man, and the effects of the medical mistreatment he sustained before and during his pregnancy. Content warning: we talk about some heavy topics including medical trauma, depression, and shame. This is Part One of a two part episode special.
25 Mar 2021
Episode 10--Briana, Sabra, and Second Parent Adoption
This week I chatted with Briana and Sabra, who share their conception journey to three wonderful children. We also talk about second parent adoption, and some of the necessary steps to take in California for families who use a known donor.
Get connected! Find the pod on Instagram @Less_Straightforward
18 Mar 2021
Episode 9--Infertility, IVF, and Embryo Donation with Erin and Maria
In this week's episode I sat to chat with Erin and Maria, who's journey to parenthood included unexplained infertility, IUI, navigating military healthcare, and embryo donation.
https://resolve.org/ (https://resolve.org/)
Get connected on Instagram! @Less_Straightforward
11 Mar 2021
Episode 8 - What do you need for at-home insemination?
This week I give a brief overview of necessities for at home insemination!
Please note: I do not discuss where to get sperm or when to inseminate in this episode. If you are brand new to trying to conceive, please listen to those episodes before coming here :)
IG: @Less_Straightforward
4 Mar 2021
Episode 7--Marlene and Jess Share Their Story
Listen in to Jess and Marlene's story. We talk about trying to conceive, gender identity, birthing in a pandemic, pregnancy complications, and more.
Get connected on Instagram (@less_straightforward). If you're interested in sharing your journey, I'd love to hear from you!
18 Feb 2021
Episode 6--Amplifying Black Voices
This week's episode is a list of Black folx I think would be a great place to start in diversifying your social media feeds. Go with respect! Head over to Instagram for quick links to all the folx listed below (@Less_Straightfoward):
National Association to Advance Black Birth
Black Midwives Alliance
All About Pregnancy & Birth (@drnicolerankins)
Natal (@natalstories)
@theeducatedbirth
@blackdoulaproject
@birthingtheblock
@blackwomenbirthing
@birthingadvocacydoulas
@queerbirthworker
@birthingjustice
@yourcommunitymidwife
4 Feb 2021
Episode 5-- Mothers of Gynecology
Content Warning: In this episode I discuss heavy topics including rape, slavery, and medical mistreatment.
Paying respects to the Mothers of Gynecology this week, the Black women who we owe our gynecological foundations too.
Find me on Instagram @less_straightforward
28 Jan 2021
Episode 4-- Talking Trans Conception with Dylan
In this week's episode, I sit down with my friend Dylan and we talk about what trying to conceive, pregnancy, and postpartum means for trans bodies. Bonus crow content at the end of this week's chat!
Get connected with Dylan on Instagram: @dylanthegay; @seahorsedoula
21 Jan 2021
Episode 3--Cycle Tracking for Conception
In Episode 3 I talk about some basics to tracking your cycle with conception in mind.
I am not a medical professional, these are things I have learned over the years working as a full spectrum birth worker, as well as things I've learned throughout my own conception journey.
Get connected on Instagram! @less_straightforward
14 Jan 2021
Episode 2--Jax and Dulce speak on their conception journey
This week I sat down with my friends, Jax and Dulce to hear about their conception journey. Jax was the gestational carrier for their 15 month old son.
Glossary of terms:
OPK: Ovulation Predictor Kit, a test that looks for luteinizing hormone (LH), the hormone that predicts ovulation
Surge: The time of your cycle where you LH levels are rising, indiciating that ovulation is coming soon.
Peak: The time of your cycle where your LH levels are at their highest, indicating that ovulation is going to occur in 24-36 hours.
PPD/PPA: Postpartum Depression and Postpartum Anxiety: two mood disorders that can follow childbirth
BT/BBT: Basal body temperature, the lowest temperature your body reaches during periods of rest.
7 Jan 2021
Episode 1--What Are My Options??
Episode 1 talks about how to get your hands on the one thing same-sex baby makers are missing: sperm. Known vs anonymous? Fresh vs frozen? ICI? IUI? Jumping in head-first when beginning TTC (trying to conceive) can be overwhelming. Listen now for a brief overview of all the options in front of you. Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. This podcast should not be considered medical advice.
6 Jan 2021
-Trailer!- Queer Families TTC
Less Straightforward is a resource for queer families who are currently, about to, or just thinking about expanding their families.
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