Meet Annie And Gene Carelli

We were lucky to catch up with Annie And Gene Carelli recently and have shared our conversation below.

Annie and Gene, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

My husband and I started Fertility Home Care after reflecting on our experience while holding our newborn and reminiscing about the process. I realized that despite the immense support of my family and friends, something was missing. It wasn’t just the medical care, the fertility clinics, or the countless hours spent researching; it was something deeper—understanding, compassion, and a sense of empowerment when it came to the injectables.

My journey through IVF was a rollercoaster of emotions. There were the highs of hope, the devastating lows of setbacks, and the relentless waiting. I had faced the physical and emotional challenges that so many women experience but never talk about. The isolation, the fear of failure, the weight of trying to stay strong when everything seemed out of my control. And through it all, I kept thinking, “I’m not the only one going through this.” This was even prior to starting the injectables!

As my IVF journey progressed, I found myself becoming more and more frustrated. The doctors were wonderful, the procedures were clear, but I craved something beyond the sterile, clinical aspect of it all. When it came to the training for the injectables, the process was very rushed and glazed over, it even had us questioning if we were given the abridged version because we were pharmacists. We were surprised to learn that was the standard training injection everyone received. We were left in wonderment how couples and women without a medical background handled the anxiety and administration of injections, the awkwardness of handling an all-consuming process while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy in everyday life.

That’s when it hit me: I could be that person for others. I realized that, while medical clinics provide the science behind IVF, the emotional journey is where I could make the biggest impact. I knew that the support available to women during IVF was lacking in ways that no one had truly addressed. So, I decided to create something that would offer more.

With a heart full of determination, we set out to build Fertility Home Care —a business with the sole purpose of helping women navigate their injectables during the IVF journey. It wasn’t just about the medical side of things; it was about empowering women emotionally, mentally, and physically. My mission became clear: to create a space where women could find the support they truly needed, not just during their IVF cycle, but every step of the way.

I began by crafting a platform that offered personalized injection coaching, injection administration, and created a space where they could confide in me. I worked with fertility experts, counselors, and other IVF warriors to curate a network where women could find understanding, advice, and encouragement. My goal was simple—help women feel seen, heard, and empowered.

But I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I had my doubts. Was I ready to take on something this big? Was my story enough to inspire others? Could I really make a difference? Yet, each time I spoke to another woman, heard her story, and saw how deeply she was affected by her journey, I found my resolve growing stronger.

I shared my own experiences, openly discussing the struggles, the moments of doubt, and the ways I found strength to these women. I connected women who had walked the same path, building a sisterhood of support where no one had to feel alone.

Slowly, my business began to grow by word of mouth since the IVF community is so niche. We reached out to clinics to share our services and they in turned shared our stories with their patients are other clinics. What started as a small website with a few resources turning into a thriving community. Women reached out, telling me how much they felt heard and understood. Some shared how they’d felt lost in the process and how our coaching and injection services had provided them with clarity and hope, taking away the main stressor of the process. Knowing that they had one less thing to think about allowed them to focus on themselves. Others shared how the emotional support they received helped them feel more in control of their journey. I saw women regain their confidence, begin to embrace the process instead of fear it, and, most importantly, realize that their worth wasn’t tied to the outcome of any medical procedure.

The more I connected with these women, the more I realized the depth of the impact my business was having. It was no longer just about helping them with the injections during IVF; it was about helping them reclaim their power. It was about teaching them how to advocate for themselves, how to prioritize their well-being, and how to navigate IVF with resilience.

Today, my business stands as a testament to the power of shared experience. It’s a space where women come together to heal, to learn, and to grow. We’ve expanded into cities throughout the nation and the areas of our reach are growing every day. And through it all, the most powerful aspect remains the community we’ve built—one woman at a time, supporting each other through the toughest journey of their lives.

As I look back, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for my IVF experience. It wasn’t easy, but it led us to Fertility Home Care —to a place where I’m able to make a real difference in the lives of others. It has taught me that sometimes, the greatest gift we can give is not just to survive our challenges, but to turn them into something that helps others thrive.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My husband and I are pharmacists by training. Our story isn’t unique in the grand scheme of things, we met, fell in love and got married in 2015. We wanted to have a few solo adventures before starting a family, so after a few years of marriage and traveling we started to plan to build a family. This story is also not unique, as we discovered we had some set backs and needed to continue with IVF treatment. Here is where our story becomes unique. As we reflected on our experience, we realized it could do something to help alleviate the physical demands of IVF injections for women. We quickly realized there was a significant gap in medication and injection training when we went to our appointments. While the clinics provided the basics, I felt there was a lack of hands-on, personalized guidance to ensure women felt truly confident and comfortable with the process. The stress and fear surrounding injections—along with the confusion over medications—was a common theme I heard from other women. I knew something had to change. So, we decided to create a company focused on offering comprehensive, step-by-step training on fertility medications and injections, and injection administration support. Our mission was to empower women with the knowledge and confidence they needed to manage this aspect of infertility with ease, providing tailored resources, video tutorials, and one-on-one coaching to bridge the gap and eliminate the anxiety many women face when it comes to self-administering injections. By filling this void, we aimed to help women feel more in control of their IVF journey and more prepared for every step along the way. We will be attending the ASMR conference in Nashville March 7-8th and WHIS conference in Boston end of November!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: The ability to understand and relate to the emotional challenges that women face during IVF, offering compassionate support and guidance.

Medical Knowledge of IVF Procedures and Medications: As pharmacists, we have a strong understanding of IVF medications, injections, and protocols to effectively train women on how to administer treatments and manage side effects.

Instructional and Coaching Skills: The ability to create clear, engaging training materials and provide one-on-one coaching to ensure women feel confident and empowered throughout their IVF journey.

For those who are early in their IVF journey, here’s some advice on how to develop or improve these essential qualities, skills, and areas of knowledge:

I think others can develop these skills by truly listening to their own emotions and to those of others around them. This will help you build empathy for yourself and others who are going through similar experiences. Journaling about your emotions can also provide clarity and help you better understand your feelings. Engage with support groups, either online or in-person, where you can share experiences and hear from others. This will help develop your emotional intelligence, allowing you to connect with others in a meaningful way.

Take the time to read reliable, up-to-date sources on fertility medications, the process, and possible side effects. Ask your doctor for educational materials, and don’t be afraid to ask questions until you understand the science behind your treatment. If you’re unsure about the injections or medications, request demonstrations from your nurse or clinic. Practice, even in the comfort of your own home, under guidance. The more informed and confident you are, the less stressful it will feel.

Many IVF centers and online resources provide step-by-step video guides. Watching these will help you feel more prepared. Practice, even on a mock object (like an orange or a practice syringe), to get used to the motions. Seek out someone who’s walked this path before, like a mentor, and ask if they can share their tips and techniques for handling the emotional and physical aspects of IVF. Learning from others’ experiences will give you valuable insights and build your confidence in both instruction and self-care.

As you walk through this journey, remember that the most important thing is to be kind to yourself. The more you equip yourself with these qualities and skills, the more you’ll feel in control and empowered to face infertility with confidence.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

We are always looking to collaborate with passionate, like-minded individuals and organizations who share a commitment to supporting women through their IVF journeys. Specifically, I’m eager to connect with:

1. Healthcare Professionals or IVF Clinics: Doctors, nurses, and fertility specialists who are dedicated to improving the IVF experience for their patients. If you’re someone who understands the complexities of IVF and wants to help provide support that goes beyond the medical side, we could create an amazing partnership to enhance patient care.

2. Mental Health Experts: Therapists, counselors, and coaches who specialize in fertility, mental health, or emotional wellness. IVF is as much an emotional journey as it is a physical one, and having mental health professionals onboard can offer the vital emotional support that so many women need throughout the process, we would love to have some experts to lead our patients to.

3. Content Creators and Educators: Writers, influencers, and educators who are passionate about spreading knowledge and raising awareness around IVF. If you’re skilled in creating educational materials, videos, or blogs that can help demystify IVF and empower women, I’d love to collaborate on content that makes this journey a bit easier.

4. Product Manufacturers or Service Providers: If you offer tools, supplements, services, or products that can make the IVF process smoother or more manageable—whether that’s fertility-related products, apps for tracking, or wellness tools—I’d love to explore how we can work together to offer these resources to the women who need them most.

If any of this resonates with you and you’re interested in exploring a collaboration, feel free to reach out! You can connect with me via [email protected] or IG: fertilityhc. We are always open to new ideas and partnerships that align with our mission to empower and support women through their IVF journeys. Let’s connect and make a difference together!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fertilityhc.com/
• Instagram: fertilityhc
• Facebook: Fertility Home Care
• Linkedin: Fertility Home Care
• Other: TrustPilot: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/fertilityhc.com

Image Credits

Brandon Walker
Brittany Breen