Fertility Nurses Unfiltered

Ashlee Laroue, BSN, RN and Laura Weppler, BSN, RN

Fertility Nurses Unfiltered is a nurse-led podcast for people navigating infertility and fertility treatment who want clarity, honesty, and support beyond the clinic walls. Hosted by former fertility clinic nurses Ashlee Laroue and Laura Weppler, co-founders of Rooted Fertility Co., we pull back the curtain on IVF, fertility care, transfers, medications, canceled cycles, burnout, and the emotional realities patients aren't always prepared for.

Two nurses. One mic. No bullshit.

https://www.rootedfertilityco.com/

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20 episodes
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Avg 1 hr 5 min
English

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S1 · E1
Tuesday · 1 hr 3 min
How to Actually Show Up for Someone Through Infertility, Pregnancy & Postpartum
While everyone else was focusing on the baby, she focused on me." That is how Lauren Dewey describes the moment her sister-in-law handed her a care basket after her son was born, and it is the moment that changed the course of her life. This week we sit down with Lauren Dewey, founder of brooksybox, for an honest conversation about all the parts of the motherhood journey that people forget to show up for. After struggling with infertility and welcoming her son Brooks through IVF, Lauren realized how much attention goes to a new baby and how little is left for the mother recovering behind the scenes. That realization became brooksybox, thoughtfully curated care packages for every stage a woman is actually in, from infertility to loss to pregnancy to postpartum, all sourced from or created with women-owned businesses. Whether you are in the thick of it yourself or trying to support someone who is and have no idea what to say, this one is full of real talk and practical ways to show up. In this episode, we cover: How a single care basket from her sister-in-law sparked the whole idea, and where the name brooksybox came from Lauren's fertility journey, from a Hashimoto's and PMOS diagnosis to IUIs, IVF, and a retrieval complicated by ovarian hyperstimulation The complicated emotions of a spontaneous pregnancy after infertility, including guilt, and the very real weight of deciding what to do with remaining embryos Why toxic positivity ("just relax, stay positive, you're so strong") so often misses the mark, and what actually helps instead Her husband's simple game-changing question, "do you want comfort or do you want solutions?" How infertility and loss can quietly strain friendships, and how to keep showing up without taking distance personally What goes into the boxes and why every product is clean, intentional, and made for the stage she is in More than anything, this episode is a reminder that showing up does not have to be complicated or expensive. Even the strongest women need support, and women never forget who showed up when they were barely hanging on. If you are navigating your own journey, loving someone who is, or you just want to be the person who shows up well, this episode is for you. Listener offer: use code UNFILTERED15 for 15% off your first care package. Connect with Lauren & brooksybox:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooksybox/ Website: https://brooksybox.com/
S1 · E1
September 15 · 1 hr 1 min
AMH Explained: What Fertility Testing Really Tells You (and Doesn't)
"A low AMH does not mean you can't get pregnant on your own." Dr. Roy Handelsman says it more than once in this episode, on purpose, because it may be the single most misunderstood number in fertility care. This week we sit down with Dr. Roy Handelsman, a board-certified OB/GYN and fellowship-trained reproductive endocrinologist at HRC Fertility, for a clear, honest, and genuinely fascinating deep dive into anti-Müllerian hormone, aka AMH. If you have ever had your AMH tested and walked away more confused or more anxious than before, this one is for you. Dr. Handelsman has an engineering background and a gift for the "why," and he uses both to explain what AMH actually measures, what it can't tell you, and how to think about your own number without spiraling into comparison. In this episode, we cover: What AMH really is, where it comes from in the ovary, and why fertility providers test it The difference between egg quantity and egg quality, and why age, not your AMH, is most closely tied to quality Why a low AMH does not mean you can't conceive, and why a high AMH is not a guarantee Whether you can actually raise your AMH, and which lifestyle factors genuinely matter How birth control affects your AMH result, and how long to wait after stopping before you test The other ovarian reserve tests (FSH, estradiol, and antral follicle count), and what to do when they disagree Why AMH runs high in PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, the new consensus name for PCOS) and what that means for egg quality What an "average" AMH looks like by age, and why average is not the same as normal Why seeing a fertility doctor does not automatically put you on the path to IVF More than anything, this episode is a reminder that one number was never meant to define your fertility. Your AMH is a snapshot, not a verdict, and understanding it is a way to take your reproductive goals into your own hands rather than a reason to panic. If you have had your AMH tested, are thinking about it, or just want to finally understand what all of it means, this episode is for you. Connect with Dr. Roy Handelsman:Website: https://havingbabies.com/physicians/roy-handelsman-md/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/royhandelsmanmd/
September 8 · 1 hr 4 min
Military, First Responders & Family Building: A Fertility Journey Not Talked About Enough
"We became our own island." That is how Kyle Herman describes the years he and his wife spent navigating infertility in near silence, and it is exactly the isolation this conversation sets out to break. This week, in the window between Labor Day and the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we sit down with Kyle Herman, an Army veteran, police officer, and first responder who is becoming one of the few loud male voices in the fertility space. Kyle deployed to Iraq in 2006, and years later, when he and his wife Meg started trying to build their family, they came face to face with a reality neither of them saw coming. What followed was years of IUI, IVF, and eventually donor eggs, and the long, quiet grief that so many couples carry alone. This is where Laura and Ashlee's clinical perspective meets Kyle's lived experience, and it makes for one of the most honest conversations we have had about what men go through too. In this episode, we cover: How toxic exposures during military service, including burn pits, can quietly affect male fertility, and why men are so under-studied in this area The reality of years of IUI and IVF, false positives, and the emotional toll of trying to build a family in silence Why male-factor infertility carries its own stigma, and what it takes for men to finally speak up Kyle's trip to DC, meeting members of Congress, and the push for better fertility coverage for veterans and first responders Fertility preservation, sperm and egg freezing, and why these conversations need to happen early, before deployment or treatment Practical resources and grants for military and first responder families, and where to start looking before you open your wallet More than anything, this episode is a reminder that men belong in the fertility conversation, that no one should have to navigate this alone, and that speaking up, as hard as it is, is what starts to change things for the next person walking in the door. If you or someone you love wears a uniform, or if you have ever felt alone in your fertility journey, this episode is for you. Connect with Kyle Herman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-herman-877339304/ Resources mentioned in this episode: RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association Building Military Families Network Roaring Adventures The Chick Mission Bob Woodruff Foundation
S1 · E27
September 1 · 1 hr 6 min
The Real Cost of Trying to Conceive: Options Like Fertility Grants for Affording IVF When Insurance Doesn’t Cover It
"I did hyperventilate because of the cost. That, to me, was one of the most overwhelming parts." That is how Lauren Clements describes the moment she realized IVF was her only path to a family, and it is exactly why this conversation matters so much. This week we sit down with Lauren Clements, founder and CEO of Brilora Fertility Foundation, and Charla Grimm, the organization's Community and Brand Relations Director, for an honest and hopeful look at the real cost of trying to conceive. We get into how fertility grants actually work, what they cover, what they don't, and how families can find real financial support when insurance falls short. Whether you are facing the cost of IVF yourself, supporting someone who is, or work in the fertility space, Lauren and Charla bring both hard-won expertise and deep personal experience to a topic that carries so much financial and emotional weight. In this episode, we cover: What Brilora's IVF and surrogacy grants actually cover, and the costs (like medications and anesthesia) that often fall outside them How Brilora protects grant recipients' privacy and autonomy, and why sharing your story is always optional The states where Brilora's grants are currently available, and where the organization is headed next Why genetic testing (like PGT) matters more than people often realize, especially for conditions like Huntington's disease and cystic fibrosis How the name Brilora came to be, and the story behind its predecessor, Chosen Fertility How to apply for Brilora's upcoming fall grant cycle, open September 1st through November 1st Ways to get involved, whether you are a patient, a provider, or simply someone who wants to help More than anything, this episode is a reminder that the financial side of fertility care does not have to be carried alone, that there are people and organizations built specifically to help, and that asking for support is not something to feel guilty about. If you are facing the cost of fertility treatment, know someone who is, or want to understand what financial support actually looks like, this episode is for you. Connect with Brilora Fertility Foundation:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brilorafertility/Website: https://www.brilorafertility.com/Grants: https://brilorafertility.com/grants/
S1 · E26
August 25 · 1 hr 8 min
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Explained: Causes, Testing & Hope
"You are losing control. You are losing something you had hoped for." That is how Dr. Vasiliki Moragianni describes what a pregnancy loss actually takes from you, and it is exactly why this conversation matters so much. This week we sit down with Dr. Vasiliki Moragianni, double board certified reproductive endocrinologist and the founder and director of the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Center at Johns Hopkins, for an honest and compassionate look at recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). We get into what RPL actually is, why the definition just changed, what a thorough evaluation really looks like, and what hope looks like on the other side. Whether you are a patient, a partner, or someone caring for people walking through this, Dr. Moragianni brings both rigorous evidence based medicine and real warmth to a topic that far too many people carry in silence. In this episode, we cover: The brand new definition of recurrent pregnancy loss and why two losses now open the door to a full evaluation How common RPL really is, and why so many cases come back "unexplained" The most common causes, from chromosomal factors to thyroid, uterine issues, and antiphospholipid syndrome The real evidence behind controversial tests and treatments like NK cell testing, intralipids, and IVIG Why recurrent pregnancy loss is almost never your fault, no matter how many times you have asked yourself that question When it is safe to try again after a loss The case for a multidisciplinary team, and why mental health support belongs at the very center of it More than anything, this episode is a reminder that you are not alone, that pregnancy loss is far more common than anyone lets on, and that the data on hope is real. Having multiple losses behind you does not mean a healthy pregnancy is not still ahead of you. If you have experienced loss, love someone who has, or simply want to understand this better, this episode is for you. **A gentle note before you listen: this episode discusses pregnancy loss and grief. Take it in whatever size pieces feel right, pause and come back to it if you need to, and if anything heavier comes up, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional. If you are in crisis, you can call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Connect with Dr. Vasiliki Moragianni: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmoragiannifertility Website: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/gynecology-obstetrics/specialty-areas/fertility-center/recurrent-pregnancy-loss-center
S1 · E25
August 18 · 1 hr 1 min
Egg & Embryo Storage 101: Cost, Shipping, Quality & Keeping the Patient First
You pay it every year. Sometimes for years. And most people have no idea where their embryos, eggs, or sperm are actually stored, what they're really paying for, or what happens if something goes wrong at 2am on a weekend. This week we're getting unfiltered about fertility storage, one of the least talked about pieces of so many people's journeys. Our guest is Charlie Boyer, co-founder and CEO of Generations CryoVault, who came up through operations, logistics, and risk management before building an independent storage company. We got into the parts of this industry that patients almost never get a clear look at, and some of it may make you angry. That's kind of the point. In this episode we cover: The real difference between in-clinic and off-site storage, and why the price gap is so big What annual storage actually costs to provide versus what you're charged Why your tissues may not even be at your clinic, and how often they're stored somewhere else entirely How genetic material gets shipped across the country, and what safe transport really looks like What happens when a storage tank fails, and the alarms that are supposed to prevent it How private equity is reshaping fertility care and what it means for patients The questions you should be asking before you trust any facility with something irreplaceable Storage isn't the sexiest part of fertility care, but it's one of the most relevant, because it touches nearly everyone who freezes anything. And whether you store with a clinic, an independent provider, or somewhere you haven't chosen yet, you deserve to understand what you're paying for and where your tissues actually are. You have a choice. This episode is about making sure you know that. If you've ever stared at a storage invoice and felt confused, frustrated, or just unsure what you're really paying for, this episode is for you. Connect with Charlie and Generations CryoVault: https://www.instagram.com/generationscryovault/ https://gencryo.com/
S1 · E24
August 11 · 1 hr 9 min
Microplastics, Toxins & Fertility: What the Research Actually Shows
You threw out the plastic cutting board. You swapped in the steel water bottle. You stopped microwaving your leftovers in the takeout container. And you are still lying awake wondering if it was enough, or if the plastic that has been part of your life since before you can remember has already made a decision your body has to live with. If that spiral sounds familiar, this episode is for you. Laura and Ashlee sit down with Dr. Shruthi Mahalingaiah, a reproductive endocrinologist at Mass General Fertility Center and the Mark and Catherine Winkler Associate Professor of Environmental, Reproductive and Women's Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her research looks at how everyday exposures like air pollution, household chemicals and plastics actually intersect with ovulation, fertility and long-term health. In other words, she is exactly the person to help you tell the difference between what the science supports and what the internet is selling you. Together they get honest about the anxiety that microplastics are stirring up in fertility patients, and why the answer is almost never to burn your whole house down and start over. In this episode: What we actually know about microplastics and fertility, and the big gap between correlation and causation Why "detox everything" can quietly become the most harmful choice of all when it delays the treatment you need The small, sustainable swaps that are genuinely worth making, and the ones that are mostly marketing How to spot fear-mongering, from yoga-pant panic to supplement claims aimed at a vulnerable audience Why healthy behaviors and fertility treatment are not either-or, and can move forward at the same time Where the research is headed, including the dream of a personalized calculator that tells you what is worth your ten minutes today The throughline is the one Laura and Ashlee come back to again and again: two things can coexist. You can get your testing done, start your treatment plan, and make calm, realistic changes to your environment all at once. You do not have to choose between doing something and doing everything. This episode is for you if you have ever stood in your kitchen holding a plastic container, unsure whether to feel fine or afraid, and just wanted someone with the actual data to tell you where to start. Connect with Dr. Shruthi Mahalingaiah: https://www.instagram.com/smahalingaiahmd https://www.massgeneral.org/doctors/20661/shruthi-mahalingaiah
S1 · E23
August 4 · 1 hr 5 min
When Fertility Becomes a Relationship Issue: Couples & Infertility
Nobody drops off a casserole when your transfer fails. If a friend got a cancer diagnosis, you would expect the world to rally. Meals would show up. Someone would think to ask how the partner was holding up. But couples going through fertility treatment carry a comparable weight in near total silence, and the person standing right next to them carries it silently too. This week we sat down with Batya Novick, LCSW, founder of Calla Collective and one of the very few therapists whose entire practice is reproductive mental health. She has been on both sides of the clinic door. In 2010, while already specializing in maternal and reproductive mental health, she went through her own fertility journey and found herself sitting in a waiting room full of people who were obviously going through the same thing, feeling completely alone. She asked her doctor why there wasn't a single mental health person in the building. He told her she should do something about it. Calla Collective is what came of that. We talked about what fertility struggles actually do to a relationship, and how couples get through it together instead of quietly drifting apart. We get into: Chicken or egg: does fertility surface relationship struggles, or create them Why "I'm broken, he should just find someone else" is one of the most common things happily married women say out loud The internalized shame of unexplained infertility, and why uncertainty is the hardest thing for a brain to hold Time, expectations, and money (Batya's take on writing a $20,000 check with no guaranteed return) The three things every couple should be doing: name the stress, calendar the check-in, and protect time that has nothing to do with fertility Why calm does not mean not sad, and why yelling is often fear Intimacy when trying to conceive is, in her words, the unsexiest thing ever Why sex only for reproduction is the fastest way to kill a couple's sex drive Fantasy vs real life, and what romantasy is doing to expectations Where the breaking points actually show up, including what Laura has watched happen in the consent room over embryo disposition What to do when one partner will not go to therapy Same sex couples, and where the dynamics are the same and where they are not Grief after loss, outside tears and inside tears Pregnancy and postpartum after a journey, and why you do not have to be happy The throughline of this whole conversation is permission. Permission to say this is hard without saying it is bad. Permission to grieve differently than your partner grieves. Permission to not be glowing at your eight week scan after four losses. Batya's point is that resilience is not something you either have or you don't. It is a muscle, and this is the muscle nobody wanted to build. But you are building it. And the relationship you are protecting right now is the same one that has to hold up long after the family building part is over. This episode is for you if you and your partner have stopped talking about it. If you are the one crying and they are the one who has gone quiet. If sex has become a task on a calendar. If you are pregnant after loss and cannot find the joy everyone insists you should feel. If you have ever thought, even silently, that they would be better off with someone else. 💛 Connect with Batya & Calla Collective: https://www.instagram.com/callacollectivehq https://www.calla-collective.com
S1 · E22
July 28 · 1 hr 10 min
Surrogacy From Both Sides: An Intended Mom & Her Surrogate Tell All
Some stories begin with heartbreak. This one begins with hope. After three and a half years of infertility and four devastating losses, Jessica Butcher was searching for a path to motherhood built on trust and real connection, not paperwork and price tags. Amanda Konko felt called to carry for another family, but the traditional agency process left her feeling like a number in a pen. Then the two women met, first as coworkers, then as friends, and eventually as intended mother and surrogate. Amanda carried Jessica's daughter Olivia, delivered her in a peaceful home water birth, and somewhere along the way they discovered that the relationship itself was the most meaningful part of the entire journey. That experience inspired Little Seed Match, a private platform helping intended parents and surrogates connect through shared values, transparency, and authentic relationships. In this episode, we cover: Jessica's journey through recurrent loss and the moment surrogacy entered the conversation Why the traditional agency model can feel transactional, and what it costs intended parents before a match is ever made How Little Seed Match flips the script with full profile transparency, mutual vetting, and autonomy for both sides The shocking things seasoned surrogates have shared about being made "marketable" Amanda's experience as a surrogate, from telling her three little boys to delivering Olivia at home The embryo transfer, the home birth, and what true alignment looks like at every step Postpartum depression in non-birthing mothers, and why nobody warned Jessica it could happen Grief and joy living side by side after loss, and why "you should just be happy" needs to be retired Surrogacy is so often reduced to logistics, legal agreements, and headlines that get it wrong. Jessica and Amanda's story is proof that when the match comes first, everything else falls into place, and that the relationship between an intended parent and a surrogate can be one of the most beautiful partnerships there is. If you're an intended parent weighing your options, a hopeful surrogate wondering what this journey could look like, a fertility nurse supporting patients through third party reproduction, or someone who simply wants to understand surrogacy beyond the myths, this episode is for you. Connect with Little Seed Match: https://www.instagram.com/littleseedmatch/ https://www.littleseedmatch.com/
S1 · E21
July 21 · 1 hr 5 min
Pregnant After Fertility Treatment: Real Talk About the Gaps in Care
One week you're being seen every few days with bloodwork and ultrasounds. The next, you're told "see you at 12 weeks" and sent out the door. So what happens in between? This week, Laura and Ashlee sit down with Dr. Alecia Fields, a board certified OBGYN, FACOG, and trained doula, to talk about one of the most jarring transitions in the entire fertility journey: the handoff from your fertility clinic to your OB. Dr. Fields is the creator of DoulaDoc, where she blends evidence-based medicine with real emotional support, and she pulls back the curtain on what OBs actually see when a fertility patient lands in their office (spoiler: it's usually one or two pages). Together they dig into why the first trimester feels like such an invisible, isolating waiting place, and what patients and providers can both do to close the gap. In this episode, we cover: Why fertility clinics discharge you around 8 weeks and why your OB may not see you until 12 The "invisible trimester" and why so few people talk about the hardest stretch of early pregnancy What your OB does and doesn't know about your fertility journey, and why sharing your story matters Spotting and bleeding in the first trimester: what can be normal and when to call Pregnancy after loss and the anxiety of having no symptoms Why the US maternal mortality crisis makes this more than a comfort issue How patients can advocate for themselves at every appointment, because you are not a burden The system wasn't built to see the whole you, and it's not going to fix itself. But between providers who care, better handoffs, and patients who feel empowered to speak up, we can start closing these gaps one conversation at a time. If you're navigating that scary stretch between your fertility clinic and your OB, pregnant after loss, or just tired of feeling like you're too much for the system, this episode is for you. Connect with Dr. Alecia Fields: https://www.instagram.com/mydouladoc/ https://mydouladoc.com/
S1 · E20
July 14 · 1 hr 8 min
Choosing Yourself: The Truth About Single Parenthood by Choice
She came to the conclusion that she was probably going to get children or a marriage, but not both. So she chose children. Dr. Meggie Smith is a reproductive endocrinologist at Nashville Fertility Center and a single mom by choice, currently pregnant with her second daughter, both conceived from eggs she froze at 31. In this episode, she sits down with Laura and Ashlee to pull back the curtain on what it actually looks like to make that choice, plan for it strategically, build a support system from scratch, and navigate the very fertility system she works in every single day. Topics covered in this episode: Why Dr. Smith chose single parenthood over waiting for the "right" relationship Freezing eggs at 31 and using them at 37: what that planning process actually looked like Choosing a sperm donor and the 85% rule she shares with her own patients Genetic anonymity, donor-conceived children, and why that landscape has changed forever Building a support bench as a single parent working full time The broken healthcare system, straight from a physician living it Why your insurance coverage might actually cost you more than paying cash How the lack of reimbursement incentive makes it harder to be a thorough doctor Dr. Smith brings something rare to this conversation: she has sat in the REI chair as both clinician and patient. Her perspective is unfiltered, deeply practical, and genuinely validating for anyone navigating fertility on their own terms. This episode is for you if you've ever wondered whether single parenthood by choice is really possible, felt overwhelmed by insurance and financial decisions, or just needed to hear someone say out loud that the system is a racket and they're doing their best anyway. Connect with Dr. Meggie Smith and Nashville Fertility Center: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbsthinks/Website: https://www.nashvillefertility.com/about-us/fertility-specialists/meghan-smith-md/
S1 · E19
July 7 · 1 hr 8 min
Acupuncture For Fertility: What Happens When Eastern and Western Medicine Work Together
Western medicine tells you what's broken. Eastern medicine asks why. And when the two actually work together? That's where fertility patients stop feeling like a number and start feeling supported. Dr. Mary Sabo has spent 20 years building bridges between worlds that too often stay divided. As a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine and founder of Lillian Horn in New York City, she's done the quiet, deliberate work of earning physician trust one patient letter at a time, and the results speak for themselves. She now practices on-site at CCRM New York on embryo transfer days, collaborates with REIs across Manhattan, and has co-authored published research on complementary medicine. She also navigated her own IVF journey, conceiving her son at 43 using eggs she froze at 38. In this episode, we get into all of it: Why Eastern and Western medicine are better together, not in competition How acupuncture works as a signaling mechanism and what it actually does in the body The evidence behind acupuncture for IVF, including live birth rate data Why the Eastern/Western divide often comes down to ego and how to spot red flags on both sides How Mary built trust with physicians over 20 years by speaking their language Navigating acupuncture if you're needle-phobic or working with a tight budget Why fertility is as much an art form as a science Mary's video game analogy for getting through the hardest parts of the journey The fertility space is noisy, and patients are vulnerable. The antidote isn't choosing a side. It's building a team that trusts each other enough to share the load. If you've ever wondered whether acupuncture is worth it, felt caught between your doctor and a wellness practitioner, or just needed someone to remind you that you don't have to figure this out alone, this episode is for you. Connect with Dr. Mary Sabo and Lillian Horn:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilyandhorn/Website: https://www.lilyandhorn.com/
S1 · E18
June 30 · 57 min
Egg Freezing Unfiltered: Freeze Your Eggs, Own Your Fertility
You've been told fertility is a birthright. It isn't. And the sooner you understand that, the more power you have to actually do something about it. This week, we sat down with Dr. Jaime Knopman, double board certified OBGYN and reproductive endocrinologist at CCRM New York, national director of fertility preservation for the entire CCRM network, and author of the new book Own Your Fertility. Dr. Knopman is also the medical director of Chick Mission, a nonprofit providing grants to young adult cancer patients so they can preserve their fertility before treatment. Ashlee worked alongside her at CCRM, and this conversation feels exactly like that history, honest, funny, and unguarded. We covered a lot of ground, including: Why Dr. Knopman shifted from calling herself an "infertility doctor" to a "fertility doctor," and why that distinction matters The truth about egg freezing attrition, and why comparing it to a Hail Mary versus a modern day high percentage play changes how you should think about your numbers Egg freezing versus embryo freezing, and the one scenario she says is worse than not knowing if your eggs are healthy Major misconceptions she debunks constantly, including birth control and infertility, IUDs, atresia, and whether egg freezing depletes your future fertility Why she calls ovarian rejuvenation and "trimester zero" narratives a setup for disappointment The reality of physician burnout, why she only personally calls patients with bad news, and what it means to grieve a cycle that didn't work Chick Mission's mission to close the access gap for cancer patients who need fertility preservation but don't have coverage This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like a number in this process, anyone considering egg freezing and wondering if they're doing it at the right time, and anyone who just wants to hear a physician talk about this work with real honesty. Resources mentioned in this episode: Dr. Jaime Knopman at CCRM New York: https://www.ccrmivf.com/ccrm-fertility-doctors/jaime-knopman/ Chick Mission: https://www.thechickmission.org/ Dr. Knopman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjaimeknopman/ Dr. Knopman's website: https://drjaimeknopman.com/
S1 · E17
June 23 · 1 hr 2 min
Love Builds a Family: LGBTQIA+ Fertility, Inclusive Care, & Pride Month with an REI Who Gets It
Dr. Keri Bergin didn't start her career in medicine. She started at the front desk of a fertility clinic. From a Craigslist job listing that landed her at the front desk of RMA New York at age 21, to completing her fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at that same institution, Keri's path to becoming an REI is unlike almost any other in the field. She's also a member of the LGBTQIA+ community who has personally navigated fertility treatment with her wife. That combination of lived experience, clinical expertise, and deep patient perspective is exactly why we had to have her on the show. This week, in honor of Pride Month, Laura and Ashlee sit down with Dr. Keri Bergin of IVI RMA Southern California for a conversation that goes well beyond the basics of LGBTQIA+ family building. We get into: Why LGBTQIA+ patients are often assumed to have an easier path, and why that assumption misses the full picture The real emotional and logistical layers involved in using donor sperm, donor eggs, and gestational carriers What reciprocal IVF looks like legally, and the state-by-state gaps that can leave one parent off their own child's birth certificate How Keri and her wife navigated choosing a known sperm donor, and what that relationship looks like now Insurance coverage for LGBTQIA+ fertility treatment, and why only a handful of states actually have inclusive mandates Fertility preservation for trans patients, and what the research says about undergoing egg freezing while on testosterone What the future of reproductive technology could mean for same-sex couples, including in vitro gametogenesis Why providers who have been through it themselves show up differently for their patients This field is moving fast. The barriers are real. And the people working inside this system care more than patients sometimes get to see. This one is for all of you who are building your family on your own terms. This episode is for you if you're an LGBTQIA+ individual or couple navigating fertility treatment, a healthcare provider working toward more inclusive care, or anyone who has ever felt like the system wasn't quite built with them in mind. 📍 Find Dr. Keri Bergin: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keriberginmd/ Website: https://rmanetwork.com/staff/keri-bergin-md/
S1 · E16
June 16 · 1 hr 4 min
It's Not Just a Women's Issue: A Fertility Doctor Gets Real About Male-Factor Infertility
Dr. Callum Potts knows what it feels like to want a family and wonder if it's ever going to happen. As the founder and medical director of CCRM Miami, he's one of the leading voices in reproductive medicine. He's also someone who has navigated infertility firsthand alongside his partner, gone through IVF, and is now a proud dad of twin boys. That combination of clinical expertise and lived experience is exactly what makes this conversation so worth having. Male factor infertility affects 40 to 50% of couples dealing with fertility challenges, and yet it remains one of the most underrepresented conversations in the space. This episode changes that. We cover: What an unexplained infertility diagnosis actually means and why it's more common than you think The male experience of fertility treatment and why even a fertility doctor felt like "just a passenger in the process" Why male partners often go missing from the clinic and what we can do about it Semen analysis 101 and what those numbers do and don't tell us DNA fragmentation, who it matters for, and what can actually be done about it The truth about supplements, lifestyle changes, heat exposure, and what the evidence actually supports Why testosterone therapy could be silently tanking fertility and what to do instead Paternal age and the risks that don't get talked about enough At-home semen analysis kits, are they worth it? The guilt, grief, and identity hit that comes with a male factor diagnosis Father's Day when you're still waiting and how to support the men in your life on that day Infertility is never one person's journey. It belongs to both partners, and it's time the conversation reflected that. Whether you're in the thick of treatment, supporting someone who is, or just trying to understand what male fertility actually looks like, this episode is for you. Find Dr. Potts on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cal.potts.md/ Learn more about CCRM Miami: https://www.ccrmivf.com/location/us/florida/miami/
S1 · E15
June 9 · 1 hr 10 min
Fertility & Nutrition: What to Actually Eat, What Supplements Are Worth It, and What's Pure Marketing Hype
If you've ever Googled "what should I eat to get pregnant," this episode is for you. We're sitting down with Jillian Beck Rogers, a fertility nutrition and wellness coach who brings both lived experience and science-backed strategy to her work with women navigating the fertility journey. Jillian has her own story with unexplained infertility, and it's exactly what led her to niche into preconception nutrition and build her signature program, Fueling Your Fertility. Here's what we get into: Why the nutrition guidance most women receive at their fertility clinic falls embarrassingly short The real reason so many women are under-eating and why that's working against their fertility What the Mediterranean and anti-inflammatory diets actually mean and how to apply them realistically Why fat is not the enemy (and why full fat dairy might actually be your friend) The truth about pineapple core, seed cycling, and other trends you've probably seen all over your feed How to balance blood sugar without giving up dessert What to actually look for in a prenatal vitamin and why price doesn't equal quality The connection between gut health, inflammation, and your emotional wellbeing during treatment The internet is full of people trying to sell you something. Jillian cuts through the noise and gives you the kind of honest, practical guidance most women never get from a pamphlet in a waiting room. If you're in the thick of your fertility journey and wondering what else you can do, this one's for you. Follow Jillian on Instagram at @jillianbeckrogers_health and visit her at www.JillianHealthAndWellness.com to learn more about working with her.
S1 · E14
June 2 · 1 hr 5 min
Moving Your Body (Safely): Through IVF, Egg Freezing, and Beyond
You've probably been told to rest during your IVF cycle. Maybe even to stop exercising completely. But what if that advice is more outdated than helpful? This week we're sitting down with Julia Neto, a pre and postnatal fitness specialist and founder of Her Move Wellness, who has spent years working alongside REIs, acupuncturists, and nutritionists to bridge the gap between fertility treatment and movement. Julia created the only free, REI-approved workout program designed specifically for the IVF stimulation phase, and in this episode she's breaking down everything you actually need to know about exercising during your cycle. Why the "just stop exercising" recommendation may be doing more harm than good How Julia structured her program around the different phases of stimulation and retrieval The real reason ovarian torsion is a concern and what movements are actually safe Exercise during the two week wait and after your frozen embryo transfer The guilt and control spiral that so many IVF patients experience and how to navigate it Julia's own egg freezing journey, including what surprised her most Why "just freeze your eggs" is not as simple as it sounds The case for routine fertility testing long before you're ready to try Whether you're in the middle of a cycle, thinking about fertility preservation, or just trying to understand your options, this one is for you. Website: ⁠www.hermovewellness.com Email: julia@hermovewellness.com Instagram: @her_move_
S1 · E13
May 26 · 1 hr 5 min
The Unseen Weight: Burnout, Belonging, and Who's Taking Care of Your Care Team
Nobody talks about what it costs to be the person on the other side of the exam room. Kate Ryan walked into the fertility world as a patient. She went through failed IUIs, pregnancy loss, and a long road that eventually led her to donor egg IVF and the son she has today. But what she found along the way was bigger than her own story. She saw patients losing themselves in the process, providers running on empty, and a massive gap between the clinical experience and the human one. So she built something to fill it. In this episode, Kate shares her full fertility journey and the moment she realized the system was missing something for everyone inside it. We get honest about provider burnout in fertility care, what it actually looks like from inside the clinic, and why the people taking care of you deserve to be taken care of too. Kate also introduces The Provider Sanctuary, launching this June, and explains why a community built for providers is something patients should care about just as much. In this episode we cover: Kate's personal IVF journey, including pregnancy loss and the path to donor egg IVF What it feels like to lose yourself in the control spiral of fertility treatment The emotional weight fertility nurses and providers carry that rarely gets acknowledged Why fertility nursing is one of the highest turnover nursing specialties in the country What The Provider Sanctuary is, who it is for, and why it exists How supporting providers ultimately creates a better experience for patients Why resources and community support should be offered from day one, not just at the end Caring for the caregiver is not a luxury. It is how we make the whole system better, for patients, for providers, and for every family being built inside it. If you are in the middle of fertility treatment and have ever felt like a number, if you are a nurse or provider running on fumes and wondering if anyone sees you, or if you have ever wanted to understand what is really happening on both sides of that exam room, this episode is for you. Website: www.storyofus.love Sanctuary info: https://sanctuary.storyofus.love/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestoryofkateryan/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@storyofus.love?lang=en Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thestoryofkateryan
S1 · E12
May 19 · 53 min
One Woman's Mission: Inside the Jewish Fertility Foundation
What would you do if you found out the treatment you needed to build your family could cost $20,000, $40,000, or even $200,000 out of pocket? For most people, that number is the end of the road. For Elana Frank, it was the beginning of something bigger. Elana is the founder and CEO of the Jewish Fertility Foundation, a nonprofit that has allocated over $3.25 million in fertility grants to more than 560 families, trained over a thousand community and healthcare leaders, and watched 377 babies come into the world as a result. But before any of that, she was a patient herself, navigating infertility in Israel, cycling through embryo after embryo, and fighting for a third child in a way that nearly cost her her marriage. In this episode, Elana pulls back the curtain on all of it. What it was like to receive IVF for free in Israel and return to the U.S. to find almost no financial support The conversation in a JCC baby pool that sparked the founding of JFF A real breakdown of what fertility treatment costs, from IUI to IVF to donor eggs to surrogacy Why fertility treatment is a medical necessity, not a luxury, and what needs to change in the insurance landscape How JFF's grant program works, who it serves, and how to apply The emotional toll infertility takes on relationships, and what it looks like when partners are not on the same page What nurses and clinic staff can do right now to better connect patients with financial resources Laura and Ashlee bring their nursing perspective to this one in a big way, reflecting on what they wish they had known about financial resources when they were working in the clinic, and why proactive education from care teams can change the trajectory of a patient's journey. If you or someone you love is facing the financial and emotional weight of fertility treatment, this episode is for you. Connect with the Jewish Fertility Foundation: Website: https://jewishfertilityfoundation.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jewishfertilityfoundation/
S1 · E11
May 12 · 1 hr 12 min
We Used to Do What?! Let’s Talk Past, Present & Future of Fertility Tech
You've heard your doctor's perspective. You've heard your nurse's perspective. But what about the person who is literally holding your embryos in their hands? For most patients, the IVF lab is a black box. You hand over your eggs, your sperm, and your hope, and then you wait. What happens on the other side of that door is rarely explained, rarely demystified, and rarely talked about with the kind of honesty that actually helps people feel less alone in the process. That changes today. This week, Laura and Ashlee sit down with Dr. Joe, embryologist, lab director, and member of the leadership team at CCRM Fertility, who has spent nearly 40 years in the IVF lab. From his early days in London doing egg retrievals by laparoscopy in the middle of the night, to the cutting edge of AI-assisted embryo selection, Dr. Joe takes us on a full journey through the past, present, and future of reproductive science. And he does it in a way that is equal parts educational, eye-opening, and genuinely fun to listen to. In this episode, you'll learn about: What IVF looked like in 1988 and why it would shock you by today's standards The invention of ICSI and why it was one of the biggest revolutions in fertility history How embryos are graded, what the numbers and letters actually mean, and why a BB embryo is not a bad embryo Mosaic embryos, what they are, what they mean for your transfer, and why they exist in a gray area Why even a genetically normal euploid embryo does not always result in a pregnancy How AI is already being used in IVF labs and why it is being underutilized (the Betty Crocker cake mix analogy will make so much sense) Sperm selection and why Dr. Joe thinks this is one of the areas where AI can make the biggest impact The future of fertility science, including gametes from skin cells, non-invasive genetic testing, and where the ethical lines start to blur Dr. Joe reminds us that the embryology lab is full of scientists who are rooting for you at every single step. When a transfer doesn't work, they feel it too. When an embryo doesn't fertilize the way it should, they want answers just as badly as you do. Opening that black box a little wider is exactly the kind of conversation this podcast was built for. If you've ever stared at an embryo report and had no idea what you were looking at, if you've ever wondered what actually happens to your eggs after retrieval, or if you're just fascinated by where IVF is headed next, this one is for you.

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