The Surprising Health Risk Every Aspiring Parent Needs to Know—And How It Changed My Perspective on Fertility Tech

What if everything you thought was ‘just a pregnancy symptom’ was actually something bigger?

Let’s get real for a second. If you’re reading FertilityTechie, you probably know what it’s like to be hyper-attuned to every twinge, cramp, or bodily change while trying to conceive. I’ve been there—tracking everything, googling like my life depended on it, and wishing my body came with a user manual. But after reading Jenna Scott’s story on Business Insider, I can’t get this one question out of my mind: What if we’re missing signs our bodies are desperate for us to notice?

Jenna’s Story: More Than Just “Pregnancy Symptoms”

Jenna Scott was 31, fit, and apparently healthy. She started having abdominal cramping. Her doctors? They brushed it off as “pregnancy symptoms” or IBS. It took a year before she was diagnosed—with stage 4 colon cancer. My heart dropped reading that. If you haven’t checked out her full story, here’s the article. I can’t recommend it enough—it’s raw, real, and a wakeup call.

We talk so much about “listening to your body” on the fertility journey, but what happens when nobody else is listening with you? When “pregnancy symptoms” become a catch-all answer for real health issues?

The Fertility Symptom Overload (And How We Silence Ourselves)

If you’re in conception mode, you probably know this dance:

  • You get cramps, you wonder, “Am I pregnant? Is it implantation?”
  • You get bloated, you think, “Is this just hormones?”
  • You feel tired, you ask, “Is this a sign of something good…or something bad?”

Too often, we’re told to wait, to brush it off, to “just relax”—and that’s when real problems can be missed. Jenna’s story isn’t unique, and it terrifies me to think how many people are quietly dismissed or misdiagnosed at a critical time.

Why Fertility Tech Isn’t Just About Getting Pregnant

So, here’s where I want to flip the conversation. Fertility tech isn’t just about sperm meets egg. It’s about information, empowerment, and advocating for yourself.

When I first started using at-home insemination kits, I was honestly just excited to take things into my own hands. No awkward clinics, no judgmental stares. But I realized something deeper: these tools are letting us understand our bodies so much better.

With data from tracking cycles, ovulation patterns, and even how our bodies react to insemination kits, we start to notice what’s normal—and what’s not. When something feels off, we have the info to back up our gut instincts when talking to our doctors. The more tech puts the power in our hands, the less likely we are to have our health brushed off.

What I Wish I’d Known—And Why I’m Thankful for Smart, Supportive Products

I’ll admit it: Before tech made at-home insemination accessible, I felt lost. I had no clue how many variables there were—sperm motility, cycle timing, product sensitivity. No one size fits all, right? Discovering companies like MakeAMom’s thoughtfully designed insemination kits was a game changer. Not only do they offer specific solutions—like the CryoBaby for frozen sperm or the BabyMaker for people with vaginismus—they put education front and center on their website and resources.

But here’s what I appreciate most: these companies respect our privacy (plain packaging, nothing identifying), and they provide community stories, so you don’t feel so alone. It’s about more than just the product—it’s about feeling seen and supported during a journey that can feel so isolating at times.

Bulletproofing Your Fertility Journey: Lessons From Jenna’s Experience

If there’s one big takeaway from Jenna Scott’s story, it’s this:

  • Never ignore ongoing symptoms. If your body keeps signaling you, don’t settle for “it’s just stress” or “early pregnancy.”
  • Document everything. Use your tracking apps, journals, and any data your fertility tech provides. The more you record, the more you can advocate for yourself.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion. Medical gaslighting is real—especially for people trying to conceive.
  • Lean on the community. Other users’ stories can help you spot patterns and feel more confident challenging dismissive answers.

My Challenge to You: Demand More, Expect Better

We deserve better than having our concerns brushed away. And with modern fertility innovation, we have more tools than ever to demand better care—at home, in clinics, wherever our journeys take us.

So, as you move forward with your own fertility tech, I challenge you: Be your own advocate. Trust your gut, trust your data, and never stop pushing for answers. Share Jenna’s story. Start the tough conversations in your group chats. And if you’ve had your own experience brushing off “just a symptom” that turned out to be something more, I want to hear it. Drop a comment below or reach out. You’re not alone—and your story could save someone else.

Stay curious. Stay bold. And keep listening—to your tech, your gut, and most importantly, yourself.