Welcome to the 34th episode of the Mom Mentality Podcast! This guest episode is with Lauren Antonucci, the creator of Simply Lauren Rose! Lauren shares candidly about her journey through infertility and IVF. We get deep into the emotional challenges she faced, and how she navigated the complexities of becoming a mother. We also get into her experience with pregnancy after having fertility challenges and the hurdles that come along with that. Our conversation highlights the importance of community support, the impact of mental health on the journey to motherhood, and the significance of open communication in relationships during challenging times. Lauren's story serves as an inspiration for many women facing similar struggles, emphasizing that they are not alone in their experiences. I know this episode will resonate with so many, come on in!    Chapters   00:00 Introduction to Lauren's Journey 02:22 Navigating Infertility and IVF 12:16 The Emotional Rollercoaster of IUI 23:58 The IVF Process and Personal Reflections 25:38 Faith and Spirituality in the Journey 27:40 Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Fertility Challenges 32:49 Support Systems: Friends, Family, and Community 37:11 The Impact of IVF on Relationships 45:34 Pregnancy After Struggles: Emotions and Realities   About our Guest   Lauren is the creator and voice behind Simply Lauren Rose, a fashion and lifestyle brand and community that inspires women to find joy in everyday style. With over 300K followers across Instagram, TikTok, and Substack, she shares approachable fashion, home décor, beauty finds, and glimpses into her life as a soon-to-be mom and new homeowner. After openly sharing her journey through infertility and IVF, Lauren has become a trusted voice for women navigating similar paths, blending vulnerability with inspiration. Known for her authentic connection with her audience and her tagline “Never gatekeeping the best deals and sales,” she has built a platform rooted in both style and community.   I look forward to seeing you back here next week for another episode! Until then, be gentle with yourself!   About the Host  Dr. Natalia Rappa is a holistic psychologist. Her private practice focuses on working with adolescents and adults in transitional life phases dealing with anxiety, depression, and trauma. She holds a doctoral degree in school/clinical psychology from Hofstra University. She has specialized  training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). In addition, she pursued further training in EMDR, an evidenced based treatment for trauma.  She integrates these different approaches to meet the unique needs of each of her clients. The belief at the core of her work is that our mind and bodies want to heal and have an innate wisdom to do so. With a non-judgmental environment, strong therapeutic rapport, and supportive coping techniques, clients are able to access this wisdom within them.    Connect on Instagram: @drnataliarappa    Check out my website: https://www.drnataliarappa.com Email: drnataliarappa@gmail.com