S3 Ep. 115: C. NaTasha Richburg | Married to the Dream: A Mother-Daughter IVF Journey

Married to the Dream: A Story of IVF, Resilience, and Generational Hope with C. NaTasha Richburg

On this episode of The Mama Making Podcast, Jessica sits down with the brilliant and multifaceted C. NaTasha Richburg, a mother, professor, consultant, and the co-author of Married to the Dream: An IVF Story. With a warm heart and a truth-teller’s voice, NaTasha shares how her daughter’s deeply personal fertility journey became a book — and a testament to the power of hope, family, and staying committed to the dream of motherhood.

A 12-Year Journey to Yes

NaTasha’s daughter Erica spent nearly 12 years trying to conceive, experiencing heartbreak, divorce, and repeated medical disappointments. Her first marriage ended after years of failed attempts to get pregnant. But after remarrying, her second husband encouraged her to “just get checked out.”

That one suggestion led her to a top Johns Hopkins fertility specialist who discovered a physical condition — leaking fallopian tubes — that had made pregnancy impossible. The tubes were removed, and hope was restored. Soon after, she became pregnant through IVF. But the joy of a positive test was met with betrayal: her husband chose to walk away.

"You divorced him, but you stayed married to the dream," NaTasha said. And that sentiment became the title of their book.

The Birth of a Book — and a Mission

Married to the Dream is a mother-daughter collaboration. Erica journals her story, NaTasha adds her insight and humor, and together they shape the narrative. “Our writing strategy is: she writes, I type and juice it up, and she tells me what to cut,” NaTasha laughed.

The book doesn’t just tell the story of IVF. It’s a love letter to resilience, to finding the right doctor, to advocating for your health, and to trusting your gut. It’s also a candid look at what happens when relationships fracture and community shows up — or doesn’t.

Secondary Infertility, Sibling Dreams, and a Donor Path

Erica’s second pregnancy, years later, was even harder than the first. With her first child’s extroverted, people-loving personality, Erica knew she wanted a sibling close in age — even without a partner.

But the second time came with challenges: complications, hospitalizations, a cerclage procedure, and weeks on bed rest. Her second child was born six weeks early and spent time in the NICU.

Throughout it all, NaTasha stayed by her side. “If you’re married to the dream, your family has to be married to it, too,” she said.

Erica used donor sperm the second time — a decision met with judgment from some. But with her parents’ full support and a clear sense of purpose, she pressed on. That decision, NaTasha says, showed just how important it is to surround yourself with people who really support you.

The Power of Support Systems

From organizing sip-and-sees during COVID to hosting a cookout when the NICU baby came home, NaTasha and her husband created joyful events to help lift their daughter’s spirits — even when she didn’t want to celebrate. “Sometimes you have to hold the joy until they can catch up to it,” NaTasha said.

They also kept her connected to a broader IVF community, encouraging her to form bonds with others going through the same experience. “Your people might not be who you thought they were. But you’ll find them.”

Truth, Trauma, and Transformation

Throughout the episode, NaTasha offers insight into:

• How parent-child relationships evolve into coaching and support roles

• Navigating unexpected friendship loss during personal growth

• The difference between giving birth and becoming a parent

• The emotional impact of postpartum depression, isolation, and cultural judgment

• Encouraging others to find hope in the “yet” — it hasn’t happened yet, but that doesn’t mean it never will

She also shares how they learned about studies that helped cover treatment costs, the vitamins that helped increase embryo quality, and how Erica ultimately donated unused embryos to others.

Final Thoughts: Stay Married to the Dream

This story is more than one woman’s journey. It’s about the power of community, the strength in asking for help, and the radical act of believing in your dream — even when others don’t.

“If you’re in it, I’m in it,” NaTasha said, echoing the kind of unwavering love and encouragement that makes a difference.

If you’ve ever felt alone in your fertility story or doubted your path to motherhood, this episode is a heartening reminder: you’re not broken. And it’s not over. You’re just not there — yet.

TL;DR

Author, life coach, and proud mother C. NaTasha Richburg shares the powerful story behind her co-authored book Married to the Dream — chronicling her daughter's 12-year journey through infertility, IVF, and single motherhood. This episode is packed with hard truths, humor, and generational wisdom on holding on to hope and finding strength in family.

How to connect with the NaTasha:

IG: @cnatasharichburg

Website: www.cnatashaproductions.com

Extras: Book: Married to the Dream audiobook narrated by Erica on Amazon!)

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