The path to pregnancy isn't always about chasing the next test or searching for what's wrong. Sometimes, it's about pausing, trusting the information you have, and making intentional decisions one step at a time.

In this episode of The Mammal Mama Podcast, Cata shares a heartfelt update on her conception journey after receiving encouraging fertility test results. She opens up about the relief of learning that her reproductive health is functioning well, the small adjustments she and her partner are making to optimize their chances of conceiving, and why focusing on one change at a time has brought greater confidence and less overwhelm.

Cata also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of The C.A.T.A. Method, her upcoming fertility education program designed to help women understand their bodies through practical, evidence-informed tools rather than guesswork. She shares her vision for creating a learning experience that empowers women to build lasting confidence in their fertility and reproductive health.

Alongside these updates, this episode is a gentle reminder that the conception journey is deeply personal. It explores the importance of patience, self-compassion, and staying connected to your life beyond trying to conceive, even while holding onto hope for what's ahead.

If you're navigating fertility, learning fertility awareness, or looking for encouragement during your trying-to-conceive journey, this conversation offers reassurance that progress isn't always measured by immediate results—it can also be found in the clarity, resilience, and peace you build along the way.

Ready to take the first step?

Join the Fertility Program Waitlist and access Cata's free fertility class by visiting:

https://www.themammalmamaproject.com/waitlist

What happens after you've been trying to conceive for over a year? For many women, the next step involves fertility testing but it can also bring uncertainty, fear, and countless questions.

In this episode of The Mammal Mama Podcast, Cata shares the next chapter of her personal fertility journey as she prepares for and undergoes a hysterosalpingography (HSG), a common fertility test used to assess whether the fallopian tubes are open. She offers an honest look at the emotions surrounding fertility testing, what the procedure was like, and how understanding the purpose behind it helped her replace fear with confidence.

Cata also reflects on how her conception journey has evolved from simply trying to conceive to taking a more intentional, evidence-informed approach. She discusses the importance of comprehensive fertility evaluations, including ovarian reserve testing, hormone testing, sperm analysis, and cycle charting, while sharing how living with endometriosis has shaped her experience.

Throughout the episode, she reminds listeners that fertility is about more than one diagnosis or one test. Understanding your menstrual cycle, advocating for your health, and seeking the right information can help you feel empowered throughout your reproductive journey.

Whether you're trying to conceive, preparing for fertility testing, living with endometriosis, or learning fertility awareness, this episode offers practical insights, encouragement, and reassurance that you're not alone.

In This Episode

• A personal fertility journey update
• Preparing for an HSG (hysterosalpingography)
• What fertility testing involves
• Endometriosis and fertility
• Ovarian reserve, AMH, and hormone testing
• Why both partners should undergo fertility evaluation
• Sperm analysis and male fertility
• Fertility awareness and cycle charting
• Replacing fear with knowledge
• Empowerment through education and self-advocacy

Resources Mentioned

• The Mammal Mama Project
• Free Fertility Class
• Fertility Program Waitlist
• James Wedmore
• Quantum Leap Podcast

Learn more and join the waitlist: https://themammalmamaproject.com/waitlist

Keywords

Fertility testing, HSG, hysterosalpingography, trying to conceive, endometriosis, fertility awareness, cycle charting, ovarian reserve, AMH, hormone testing, sperm analysis, women's health, reproductive health, conception journey.

Episode Summary

In this deeply personal episode of The Mammal Mama Podcast, founder Cata shares a story she never expected to tell: her own fertility journey. From debilitating period pain as a teenager to years of uncertainty around endometriosis, hormonal birth control, and trying to conceive, she opens up about the experiences that have shaped both her life and her work supporting women through their own fertility journeys.

Cata takes listeners back to her first period and the severe pain that followed—pain she was told, as a teenager, was normal. She talks candidly about her years on hormonal birth control, the toll of chronic menstrual pain, and the long search for answers when her symptoms never fit a clear diagnosis.

She describes the turning point: how lifestyle changes, deeper education, and learning her menstrual cycle transformed her relationship with her health—and why cycle charting became one of the most powerful tools for understanding her hormones and fertility.

The conversation moves into the realities of trying to conceive. Cata speaks honestly about more than a year of trying with her partner, the unexpected male fertility factors they uncovered, and the reminder that fertility is never just one partner's responsibility. She introduces the idea of a "productive conception journey"—understanding that simply trying isn't enough without real knowledge of ovulation, sperm health, and timing.

She also unpacks common misconceptions about ovulation tests, fertile windows, and endometriosis, encouraging listeners to become informed advocates for their own care.

Whether you're dealing with painful periods, navigating endometriosis, or beginning your own path to conception, this episode is a grounding reminder: fertility rarely follows a straight line—and your story isn't over yet.

Resources Mentioned

• The Period Repair Manual — Lara Briden
• Sign up for the Waitlist on https://www.themammalmamaproject.com/waitlist

Key Takeaways

• Severe menstrual pain should not be ignored and deserves proper medical evaluation.
• Personal experiences with reproductive health can be complex and may involve years of uncertainty.
• Fertility challenges can involve both partners, making comprehensive evaluation important.
• Understanding your menstrual cycle can provide valuable insights into hormonal health and fertility.
• Ovulation tests detect the luteinizing hormone surge rather than confirming ovulation itself.
• The fertile window begins before ovulation, making timing an important part of trying to conceive.
• Endometriosis can make conception more challenging, but it does not automatically make natural pregnancy impossible.
• Lifestyle changes and increased awareness played an important role in the speaker's own health journey.
• Every fertility journey is unique, and compassion toward yourself is essential throughout the process.