263: You Are Not Alone: The Story Behind the Hopeful Mama Foundation

June 17, 2026Dr. Stephanie GrayPodcastNo Comments

What happens when the future you’ve imagined gets rewritten in a single doctor’s appointment?

Today, I’m excited to welcome Emily Patel as my guest. Emily is the founder of the Hopeful Mama Foundation. At 25, she was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure after years of misdiagnosis. Today, she’s a mom of two through donor egg IVF, and a leading voice in infertility advocacy.

Join us as we explore self-advocacy, community as medicine, and why reproductive health is longevity.

How to advocate for your fertility when your symptoms are dismissed:

Write down questions before appointments and bring them into the consultation
If a waiting period is required, ask your provider to explain why
Request earlier or additional testing if your symptoms seem abnormal
Ask about alternatives to standard treatment pathways, including less invasive options
Seek second opinions or an additional evaluation when the answers you receive don’t align with your experience

Bio: Emily Patel

Emily Patel is the founder of the Hopeful Mama Foundation and a nationally recognized infertility advocate and speaker dedicated to normalizing conversations around infertility, reproductive health, and the emotional realities of family building. At 25, after years of misdiagnoses and unanswered questions, Emily was diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Failure, a life-changing diagnosis that reshaped everything she envisioned for her future. After navigating infertility, a failed adoption, and the emotional complexities of family building, Emily became a mother to two daughters through donor egg IVF. Determined to ensure other women never feel alone in their journey, Emily founded Hopeful Mama to provide connection, education, and financial support for women navigating infertility. Through her work, she has built a national community of support that combines education, emotional care, and financial assistance for individuals navigating infertility. Known for blending vulnerability with empowerment, Emily speaks on infertility in the workplace, resilience, women’s health advocacy, and turning personal hardship into meaningful impact. Her story and advocacy have inspired millions through social media, speaking engagements, and national awareness initiatives.

Listen to the Episode

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In this episode:

How, at around 16, Emily’s cluster of symptoms was assumed by the doctor to be “just hormonal changes”
How, after being diagnosed with ovarian insufficiency, Emily was left without any guidance or emotional support
The shock and grief Emily experienced after being told she could not conceive naturally
The disappointment Emily and her partner experienced after the birth mother reversed their adoption
How Emily finally had two daughters, via donor egg IVF across multiple cycles, with one failed cycle in between
How Emily’s infertility experience led her to create the Hopeful Mama Foundation
The type of support offered by the Hopeful Mama Foundation for people facing infertility