Podcasts > Pursuit of Wellness > Husband & Wife Q&A: Pregnancy Nutrition, His Experience & Do We Know The Gender?

Husband & Wife Q&A: Pregnancy Nutrition, His Experience & Do We Know The Gender?

By Mari Llewellyn

In this episode of Pursuit of Wellness, Mari and Greg share their personal journey with IVF treatment, discussing the physical and emotional challenges they faced along the way. They talk about their experience with egg retrieval, managing an early pregnancy HCG scare, and their approach to supporting the pregnancy through various methods.

The couple also explores how they've navigated pregnancy while maintaining boundaries on social media, including Mari's decision to take a break from online platforms. They discuss their preparations for parenthood, addressing topics like body image during pregnancy, creating a natural nursery environment, and their philosophy on raising a child in the age of social media.

Husband & Wife Q&A: Pregnancy Nutrition, His Experience & Do We Know The Gender?

This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jun 9, 2025 episode of the Pursuit of Wellness

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Husband & Wife Q&A: Pregnancy Nutrition, His Experience & Do We Know The Gender?

1-Page Summary

Mari and Greg's IVF Journey

Mari and Greg share their personal experience with infertility and IVF treatment, offering insights into both the challenges and triumphs of their path to parenthood. Mari describes her egg retrieval process as particularly difficult, leading to her decision not to repeat it. Despite the challenges, both Mari and Greg express gratitude for their access to IVF treatment, while acknowledging its significant cost. Their journey was marked by an early pregnancy HCG scare, which Mari describes as "the worst thing ever," though the couple supported the pregnancy through various methods including acupuncture and red light therapy.

Managing Privacy and Social Media

During her pregnancy, Mari took a break from social media, finding comfort in fantasy novels, particularly the Queen of Shadows series. Upon her return to social media, she adopted a more cautious approach to sharing. Greg reflects on their decision to maintain privacy during significant moments, such as their engagement. Mari emphasizes her commitment to sharing their fertility journey authentically, without commercializing it, even declining press opportunities for exclusive pregnancy announcements.

Preparing for Parenthood

Mari openly discusses her evolving relationship with body image during pregnancy, experiencing both excitement about her growing baby bump and emotional challenges with physical changes. The couple is actively preparing for their child's arrival, focusing on creating a natural, toxin-free nursery environment. They express clear views on their child's future, valuing international experiences while being mindful of privacy concerns in the social media age. Mari and Greg state they won't use their child for content creation but remain open to supporting their child's own interests in content creation when older.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can explore alternative wellness practices by researching and trying out one new method, such as floatation therapy or sound baths, to support your well-being during challenging times.
    • Start by finding local wellness centers or practitioners that offer these services. Experiment with one session and note any changes in your stress levels or overall well-being. This personal experiment can be a way to discover what works for you, similar to how acupuncture and red light therapy were used in the podcast.
  • Create a personal policy for social media use by setting clear boundaries, such as designated no-phone hours or specific days of the week for a digital detox.
    • Decide on the times or days when you will disconnect from social media and stick to this schedule for a month. Observe how this change affects your mental health and relationships. This mirrors the cautious approach to social media sharing mentioned in the podcast but focuses on your use and consumption.
  • Develop a plan for a child-friendly home environment by choosing one room to transform with sustainable and non-toxic materials.
    • Research eco-friendly and low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) products like paint, furniture, and toys. Gradually replace items in the chosen room with these alternatives. This initiative aligns with the desire for a natural, toxin-free nursery and can be expanded to other areas of your home over time.

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Husband & Wife Q&A: Pregnancy Nutrition, His Experience & Do We Know The Gender?

Mari's Pregnancy Journey, Including Ivf and Early Stages

Mari and Greg have shared their personal journey through infertility and IVF, providing first-hand insight into the emotional toll it takes, as well as their path to becoming parents.

Mari and Greg's Ivf Journey: The Emotional Toll

Mari's Challenging Egg Retrieval and Her Resolve to Avoid Repetition

Mari’s experience with egg retrieval was notably painful, and she determined to never undergo it again. Despite this, both Mari and Greg are grateful for IVF, recognizing it as a privilege given its high cost and speaking highly of their clinic and Dr. Mogadon. Greg notes that Mari enjoyed a level of control in the process and suggests that in hindsight, starting IVF sooner might have been beneficial.

Anxiety and Uncertainty in Early Pregnancy: Hcg Scare

Mari's pregnancy was met with challenges from the start, including an HCG scare during the early stages that caused immense stress. Mari describes the scare as "the worst thing ever." The couple waited anxiously through various stages of the IVF process and employed a slew of holistic and scientific methods to support the pregnancy, such as acupuncture and red light therapy. Fortunately, Mari's efforts were fruitful, and she describes herself and Greg becoming a tight-knit team through this experience.

Mari's Break From Social Media and Insights Gained

Mari's Retreat Into Fantasy Novels

During her social media hiatus, Mari immersed herself in the Queen of Shadows book series, finding solace from her pregnancy-related anxiety in a world of fantasy. She describes her mind as quiet during this time and, upon returning to social media, is more cautious about what she shares.

Greg's Struggle to Balance Sharing and Preserving Privacy

Greg reflects on the balance between sharing and privacy, specifically during significant life events like their engagement. Deciding not to record these moments allowed for more privacy and an undisturbed personal experience. Mari emphasizes her desire to control her narrative and to share her fertility journey without commercializing it, highlighting her decision to decline an exclusive pregnancy announcement with the press.

Preparing For Parenthood: Changes and Considerations

Adjusting To Mari's Body Image During Pregnancy

Mari candidly discusses the adjustments to ...

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Mari's Pregnancy Journey, Including Ivf and Early Stages

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can create a personal support plan for challenging life events by identifying a trusted friend or family member to confide in and establishing regular check-ins for emotional support. For example, if you're going through a difficult medical procedure, arrange weekly coffee meetups with your support person to discuss your feelings and experiences in a safe space.
  • Develop a self-care routine that includes activities unrelated to your current challenges to maintain mental health. If you're facing a stressful period, schedule time each week to engage in a hobby that allows you to escape, such as painting, hiking, or learning a musical instrument, to provide a mental break from your stressors.
  • Cons ...

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