This episode features Karalyn Connolly, a longtime New Englander, parent of three, and professional in the fertility space. Over the course of the conversation, Karalyn recounts the unexpected challenge of facing unexplained secondary infertility after her first pregnancy was achieved easily. She describes the process as scary and isolating, leading to feelings of self-blame, immense pressure, and guilt. After initial conversations with her OBGYN and waiting the mandated 12 months of trying (as she was under 35), Karalyn moved through medicated cycles, timed intercourse, and eventually four unsuccessful IUI cycles. The lack of spousal agreement on continuing treatment added an additional layer of complication, forcing Karalyn to question if she should be satisfied with the family she already had.
Karalyn’s eventual IVF journey was extensive and emotionally draining, involving travel outside of New Hampshire due to insurance mandates. She underwent four retrievals and seven transfers, four of which ended in chemical pregnancies. At her breaking point, she tried one last retrieval, and though the fresh transfer failed, she transferred her final two frozen embryos, which resulted in the birth of her healthy boy/girl twins. She notes that the worry and fear associated with the losses never fully disappeared until she held her babies. After the delivery of her twins, Karalyn felt closure and knew her family building journey was finally complete.
Her personal journey came full circle when, years later, she joined Femasys, a biomedical company dedicated to women’s health and fertility. Karalyn found this move fulfilling, giving her the opportunity to help families achieve their parenting goals.
Karalyn is a Regional Sales Director at Femasys, where she leads with empathy and a deep commitment to advancing women’s health. A graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in Industrial Engineering, she began her career as an engineer before discovering her passion for connecting with people and helping patients through healthcare innovation. Over the years, she has held various sales roles supporting areas ranging from serious mental illness to cancer screening and diagnostics, and now focuses within the fertility space. Having navigated her own journey with secondary infertility, Karalyn brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to her work.
Originally from Arlington, Massachusetts, she now lives in southern New Hampshire with her 16-year-old son and (almost) 12-year-old boy/girl twins.
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