Fertility + Hormones + Health + Lifestyle
Welcome to the blog
Mini Stim IVF
Dr. Natalie Crawford explains minimal stimulation IVF also known as mini stim IVF or “natural” IVF. When does it make sense to do minimal stimulation IVF? It’s important to understand your options and what is best for you when it comes to your goals and how you want to get there. She also warns you about the marketing tactics you may see and why many of them are making false claims.
We have decided to move Fertility In The News to the weekly newsletter in order to keep the podcast more evergreen. If you want to sign up go to nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter to sign up!
Cycle Tracking and Hormone Imbalance
Dr. Natalie Crawford breaks down cycle tracking methods and what is normal when it comes to your cycle. This episode is for you if you are trying to conceive or plan to begin that journey in the near future. She also discusses PCOS, luteal phase deficiency, and other reasons why your hormone levels or cycles may be irregular.
Contraception and Future Fertility
Dr. Natalie Crawford explains different types of contraception, how they work, and what you should know if you are planning to get pregnant in the near future. She also discusses the many myths surrounding birth control. When you are making decisions about your family planning, it is important to understand your options and decide what works best for you.
Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses POI and what you should know about this medical condition. POI is also sometimes called premature ovarian failure or early menopause. This diagnosis means loss of ovarian function and running out of eggs before the age of forty. This diagnosis can be very difficult and it's important to understand what it means for you and your fertility.
Fertility Q&A
Dr. Natalie Crawford gathered the best fertility questions you left on her voicemail in this special Q&A episode! There are often so many fertility questions that go unanswered and Natalie is here to be a trusted source for your questions and concerns regarding fertility.
Religion and IVF
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses IVF and religion and explains the IVF process, options for modifications, and some things to think about. Many people have preconceived ideas of what IVF is and what it is not. This technology exists for you to have a family and it’s important for you to understand the process before making a decision.
Miscarriage Management
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses miscarriage management including what you need to know, what happens next, and your options when your ultrasound doesn't look like it should. She also shares her personal experience with miscarriages and ectopic pregnancy. Miscarriage is hard and being able to understand your options is important.
OHSS-Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
Dr. Natalie Crawford MD discusses OHSS or ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome including risks, warning signs, and how it’s treated. OHSS is a complication that can happen any time you stimulate the ovaries. Many decisions during fertility treatments are made based off the risk of OHSS as the symptoms can become severe.
Do You Have PCOS?
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses PCOS, how you know if you have it, and ways to manage it. Often providers have given patients’ birth control or progesterone as a band aid and avoided explaining the disease. If you have a disease like PCOS you deserve to know you have it, understand it, and have a discussion about how what you do daily may have an impact.
Uterine Birth Defects
Dr. Natalie Crawford explains how the uterus is formed and the different types of uterine birth defects including a transverse vaginal septum, bicornuate uterus, unicornuate uterus, uterine septums, and more. So often there are no warning signs until you reach infertility or are getting an evaluation. She also goes into detail about a uterine septum, which is the most common uterine birth defect, and the procedure to fix them.
Advanced Maternal Age
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses advance maternal age, what you should know, what it means for your fertility, and what should you do if you are waiting to start your family. She also discusses IVF success rates. You cannot make decisions based on data you don’t know. So, it’s important to know your age-related chances of having a child or multiple children if that is your goal.
Cancelled Cycles
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses cancelled cycles, why they happen, and why it shouldn’t always be a bad thing if your cycle gets cancelled.
When To Have Kids
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses planning your family and when to have kids. She tells you her story of becoming a parent and what that looked like in medical training. Natalie also shares what she wishes she would’ve prioritized when it comes to health before trying to get pregnant.
Fertility Q&A
It’s the last episode of 2022! And to end the year off, Dr. Natalie Crawford gathered the best questions you left on her voicemail in this special Q&A episode. Natalie answers all your burning questions, including:
- What the correlation between AMH results and antral follicle count is
- If an IUI procedure combined with ovulation induction is a good treatment plan
- If and why you need to supplement a form of estrogen in the luteal phase
- The process of becoming an egg donor or surrogate
- And more!
Frozen Embryo Transfers
In this week’s episode, Dr. Natalie Crawford offers an overview of the frozen embryo transfer. She discusses different protocols, why the timing is what it is, and what you should know if you’re preparing to undergo IVF and an embryo transfer. She explains that, no, your embryos won’t get freezer burn, and that you should keep them as long as you possibly can.
Getting A Fertility Second Opinion
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses when to get a second opinion and how to go about it. The relationship between you and your fertility doctor is important, and it is a very personal relationship, so it’s important you find the right fit.
Improving Your Egg Quality
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses egg quality improvement, including what it is, what you should know, and what you should do. There’s a lot we can do about fertility; however, there are no guarantees. But there are some interventions you can take now to improve the genetic normalcy of your eggs.
Fertility Preservation
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses fertility preservation, including egg vs. embryo freezing, lifestyle interventions, and what to avoid. Often people think of fertility preservation as an insurance policy, but it’s more like an investment for your future. When you know your options, you’re better prepared to plan your family goals at a time that makes sense for you.
Vitamin D and Fertility
Dr. Natalie Crawford chats about vitamin D and its relation to fertility, including why it matters, when you should get your levels checked, and how much you should supplement. There’s a lot we don’t know about vitamin D and its effect on fertility; but, studies show us that a deficiency in vitamin D can be associated with miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage.
Adenomyosis and Fertility
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses adenomyosis including, what it is, how it differs from endometriosis, why it occurs, and what having adenomyosis means for fertility. Adenomyosis changes the normal function and structure of the uterus; but, there is little research and evidence to guide us on treatments, so your period often acts as your sounding guide.