At Fertility Friends Foundation, we’re honoured to highlight the deeply personal stories behind the families we help build. This month, we’re proud to feature Lauren Mozer, founder of elle cuisine and a dedicated NIGHT 1 sponsor for two consecutive years. Lauren has not only supported our mission but has also graciously opened up about her own fertility journey in hopes of helping others feel less alone.
Tell us about your fertility journey:
When my husband and I decided to grow our family, I thought it would happen easily. I had been on birth control for over two decades—most recently Mirena, which left me period- and PMS-free for 15 years. When I had my IUD removed, I expected my cycle to return and pregnancy to follow shortly after. It didn’t.
A year passed without a cycle or success, and I was referred to Dr. Weisberg at First Steps Fertility. There, I was diagnosed with a rare form of PCOS. We started ovulation induction with letrozole and got pregnant on our first cycle. But at our 20-week scan, we discovered there was no heartbeat. I had experienced a missed miscarriage. The trauma of that moment and what followed—including naturally passing the embryo at home the night before my D&C—left lasting emotional scars.
We learned the loss was due to triploidy, a rare chromosomal abnormality. Still, we tried again. And again. I had four miscarriages in six months. Though I could get pregnant easily, my body couldn’t maintain the pregnancies. It was devastating.
Eventually, we moved to IVF. After a failed first retrieval and hospitalization for OHSS, the second round gave us 10 viable embryos. But my uterine lining remained too thin for implantation. We tried everything—hormones, naturopathy, acupuncture, lifestyle changes—but my lining wouldn’t budge.
Month after month, we were told to wait. I felt like a shell of myself, failing my husband and my body. But I never stopped trying. When my lining finally hit 5mm, Dr. Weisberg suggested we try a transfer. It worked. I got pregnant and stayed pregnant. Our daughter Madeleine was born on May 6, 2023.
To our shock and joy, I got pregnant again shortly after and gave birth to Margot. The universe finally gave us our miracle(s).
Why are you sharing your story now?
I’m finally through the trauma and past the haze of having two under two. It feels like the right time.
What was the hardest part of your journey?
The 20-week loss. And the psychological toll of failed cycles and isolation. The emotional triggers came in the smallest moments—birthday parties, casual conversations about kids, seeing pregnancy posts online. Even holidays like Mother’s Day were crushing.
How did you balance work with treatment?
I didn’t. I worked non-stop and threw myself into the chaos. It was my only coping mechanism.
What advice would you give to others?
Find community. Be open with your people. Don’t carry this alone. You are not broken. Your pain is valid. And whatever path forward looks like for you, there is one. Keep going.
What did NIGHT 1 mean to you?
For so long, I felt completely alone. Then I found Day 1 and felt seen. NIGHT 1 brought that sense of community to life. Fertility challenges shouldn’t be shrouded in silence—we need to talk about them, support one another, and create space for healing. That’s why I’m proud to support FFF and NIGHT 1.
Thank you, Lauren, for your honesty, vulnerability, and strength. Your story is a powerful reminder that behind every success is a journey—often unseen, but never alone.
To support fertility care for those in need, visit: fertilityfriendsfoundation.com/donate