Fertility + Hormones + Health + Lifestyle
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Episode 96: Donor Egg IVF
Join host, Dr. Natalie Crawford, as she talks about donor egg IVF. The path to choosing donor oocytes is often filled with heartache and this choice is difficult for so many. Listen as she talks about questions to ask your clinic, things to consider, and the difference between fresh and frozen eggs. Should you do genetic testing? What does your clinic offer? Will you tell your future children? Learn more here.
How Do You Get Pregnant? How To Get Pregnant Naturally Faster
Are you ready to get pregnant but not sure what to do? Want to make the most out of trying to get pregnant? How do you get pregnant faster?
Dr. Natalie Crawford, MD, board-certified OBGYN, and REI reviews the basics she wants you to know BEFORE you start trying to conceive. How do you get pregnant? What do you need to do when trying to conceive? This will help you optimize the chance of pregnancy per month when you are ready to get pregnant fast.
Topics covered include:
1. What do I do if my periods are irregular and I want to get pregnant?
2. When do I stop birth control if I want to conceive?
3. Which prenatal vitamin is best?
4. Is methylated folate better than folic acid?
5. Fertility diet and environmental toxins
6. How do you know when you are ovulating?
7. What is your fertile window?
8. When do you have sex of trying to conceive? (5:46)
9. How do you use an ovulation predictor kit? (OPK)
10. What is cervical mucus monitoring? (CMM)
11. What is basal body temperature? (BBT)
12. When should you see a fertility specialist?
Egg Freezing
Egg freezing can be a life-changing opportunity, but it’s important that you know all of the basics. Often we don’t really understand what it means, what the process entails, who is a good candidate, and what your chance of success is. It is expanding our reproductive options. I’m a huge believer that you have to have data that is given in a transparent way.
Episode 095: Habits and Goals
Join host Dr. Natalie Crawford as she talks about habits and goals. Think through goal setting but in a way that will create actionable change. Identify what in your life can help you work toward achieving the things you need. Listen as she discusses taking an honest assessment of your dreams and goals and learning what habits need to change to see results.
Should Doctors Be on Social Media or Talk About Politics?
I've been told my entire career to stay in my box and to live up to the expectations that others have set for me. To not be controversial, not talk about politically charged topics, not show my personality, not allow my personal life to mix with my professional life. But I don't believe in any of that. I've been honored to have a platform that allows me to educate and talk about stigmatized topics and empower people to make the best decisions for their lives. I like talking about the things we don't talk about - fertility, conception, periods, reproduction, abortion, reproductive rights, and more.' And sometimes this bleeds into politics and I feel it is not only my place but my need to make my opinions on these controversial topics known. And people sure have something to say about this. That as a doctor, I shouldn't be there. I need to be neutral. This is not my place. This is not why people come to my pages.
Look, it is my place and I will stand up for the things I believe in.
I will advocate for others.
Black lives matter.
COVID is real.
LGBTQ+ rights deserve attention.
There is no place for hate.
Racism exists in this country.
We must not stand silent and accept the inequity around us, we must first start with our voice.
Thank you for listening.
Episode 94: Social Media with Mama Doctor Jones
Join host, Dr. Natalie Crawford, as she talks with Mama Doctor Jones, Dr. Danielle Jones about life as a prominent social media advocate. Danielle and Natalie are internet besties who met IRL after becoming friends on IG. Together they advocate for women's health education and empowerment. As founders of Pinnacle Conference, they take this desire to the next level - stay tuned for an exciting Pinnacle announcement for 2021.
When Should I Have Kids?
Let’s talk about your fertility, understand how age impacts reproduction, and discuss when an evaluation by a fertility specialist is recommended. Even if you already have kids, learn more about what your friends and family may be going through.
How Long Can Embryos Be Frozen?
Double board-certified fertility doctor, Dr. Natalie Crawford, MD, reviews the recent news breaking case of Molly - a baby who was born after being frozen for 27 years. In this video, she answers one of the top questions she hears: How long can embryos be frozen? Do embryos degrade over time? What is donor embryo IVF? What is a frozen embryo transfer (FET)?
Also in this video: A top cause of infertility: male factor Cystic fibrosis carriers and CBAVD
What are donor embryos?
What are embryo donation and embryo adoption?
Where can I get donor embryos?
What type of regulations are there?
What do I need to know if I am interested in embryo donation?
Ethical principles in the field of reproductive medicine and third party reproduction. Resources: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifest...
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/a...
https://www.asrm.org/globalassets/asr...
https://www.asrm.org/globalassets/asr...
Episode 093: Secondary Infertility with Dr. Flora Sinha
Join host, Dr. Natalie Crawford, as she talks with Dr. Flora Sinha about secondary infertility. Listen as this board-certified internal medicine physician talks about balancing motherhood and medicine, decisions about having children in a 2 physician household, and what it was like struggling with secondary infertility. Learn why she decided to leave treatment and celebrate life as a family of 3 for now, and maybe forever.
Breastfeeding and the COVID Vaccine: Is it Safe? Should You Get it?
Board-certified OBGYN and fertility doctor. Dr. Natalie Crawford, MD, talks about the COVID vaccine in breastfeeding and lactating women. Listen to quick, evidence-based information and protect yourself so you can make the choice right for you.
Is it safe to get the vaccine when lactating?
What antibodies are in breastmilk?
Will the COVID vaccine harm my child?
Will COVID be passed onto my child if I get the vaccine?
Are there any benefits to getting the COVID vaccine if I am breastfeeding?
Also - did I get my COVID vaccine?
What are the side effects?
Resources: CDC: Vaccination Considerations for People who are Pregnant or Breastfeeding | CDC
ACOG: @l/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2020/12/vaccinating-pregnant-and-lactating-patients-against-covid-19
AABM: @tement-considerations-for-covid-19-vaccination-in-lactation
SMFM: @mily
Episode 092: The COVID Vaccine
Join host Dr. Natalie Crawford as she talks about the COVID vaccine and the latest updates. She is discussing the false claim that the COVID vaccine will cause infertility or sterilization and breaking down where that rumor came from. She reviews the ASRM guidelines regarding vaccination in pregnancy, trying to conceive or undergoing fertility treatments. Learn more so you can make the best decision for you.
Trying to Conceive, Fertility Treatments, or Pregnant? New Guidelines for the COVID Vaccine
Double board-certified OBGYN and fertility doctor, Dr. Natalie Crawford, MD, reviews the latest guidelines from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) to help guide recommendations for those people trying to conceive, undergoing fertility treatments, or pregnant.
How does the COVID vaccine work?
Should you get the COVID vaccine if you are pregnant or trying to conceive?
Should you delay your fertility treatments like IVF or embryo transfers?
What about the risk of fever and miscarriage or birth defects?
Who should get the vaccine?
Does the COVID vaccine cause infertility, birth defects, or miscarriage?
What if you are breastfeeding?
Does the COVID Vaccine Cause Female Infertility or Sterilization?
Board-certified fertility doctor, Dr. Natalie Crawford, MD, busts myths surrounding the current Pfizer COVID vaccine and female infertility.
Does the COVID vaccine cause infertility?
Is it female sterilization?
What is syncytin-1 and why does it matter?
How does the spike protein impact a placenta?
What about male fertility?
Does COVID cause miscarriage?
Does the COVID vaccine cause implantation failure?
Is the COVID vaccine safe in pregnancy?
Who should get the vaccine?
This is a decision that should happen between patients and doctors, and scare tactics, medical misinformation, and conspiracy theories are harmful to us all.
Episode 091: PCOS and Acne, with Dr. Shari Marchbein
Join host Dr. Natalie Crawford as she interviews Dr. Shari Marchbein, board certified dermatologist and expert in adult female acne, about PCOS and acne. Listen as they discuss hormones, mediations, topics, and more. PCOS and acne are both diseases with significant associated stigmas, and sharing your story can help provide more attention to these medical diseases which impact women.
Unexplained Infertility
Board-certified OBGYN and REI, Dr. Natalie Crawford, MD, reviews unexplained infertility. Unexplained infertility is when couples do not have a known reason for their infertility. After testing sperm, ovarian reserve, ovulation, and uterus, tubes - and everything come back normal, many couples are frustrated! Learn about the research guiding us in making infertility treatment decisions.
Reviewed in this video:
What is unexplained infertility?
How is unexplained infertility diagnosed?
Can you still get pregnant with unexplained infertility?
What are your treatment options with unexplained infertility?
Clomid Injectable hormones (gonadotropins) Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) In vitro fertilization (IVF) In this episode discussed:
Fritz and Speroff, Clinical Gynecology Endocrinology and Infertility, 8th edition, 2011
Reindollar, Richard H. et al. A randomized clinical trial to evaluate optimal treatment for unexplained infertility: the fast track and standard treatment (FASTT) trial. Fertility and Sterility, Volume 94, Issue 3, 888 - 899. https://www.fertstert.org/action/show...
Goldman, Marlene B. et al. A randomized clinical trial to determine optimal infertility treatment in older couples: the Forty and Over Treatment Trial (FORT-T). Fertility and Sterility, Volume 101, Issue 6, 1574 - 1581.e2 https://www.fertstert.org/action/show...
Episode 090: Resilience
Join host Dr. Natalie Crawford as she talks about resilience. In this episode, she talks about the infertility community and the inspiration which can be found after surviving loss and tragedy. She shares her own story of finding her way back after loss. Resilience is the capacity to recover or toughness, and she believes we are all more resilient than we believe. One step ahead.
Fertility Doctor Reacts to the Funniest Infertility Memes
Infertility is not something to joke about, but sometimes laughter is the best medicine. Having infertility at the holidays is hard. Fertility specialist Dr. Natalie Crawford reacts to some of the funniest fertility memes from the Instagram account Hilariously Infertile. If you are trying to conceive, trying to get pregnant, undergoing fertility treatments or more - give yourself a minute to laugh at the unique experience infertility brings to those TTC.
Episode 089: Parenthood and Prematurity
Join host Dr. Natalie Crawford as she is joined by Brittany Velebil to tell the story of Yates who was born at 24 wks and 3 days old, weighing just over 16 oz and 9 inches long. Prematurity is personal to me, but even more so to my family. Yates is my nephew and I remember clearly the day he was born and all the uncertainty and fear. I can’t thank my sis Brittany enough for coming on the podcast and sharing their story with all of us in support of Prematurity Awareness Month.
How Do Lesbians Get Pregnant?
Fertility physician Dr. Natalie Crawford, MD reviews options for lesbian couples who want to grow their family. Learn about choosing donor sperm, ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF). reciprocal IVF, and INVOcell. TTC as a lesbian couple? How do queer people have kids? How do you get pregnant as a lesbian? What do you need to know before using donor sperm? Can same-sex female couples have infertility? What does it look like if you go to the fertility doctor as a lesbian couple wanting a baby? **must know information before you start your fertility journey.
Episode 088: The Failed IVF Cycle
Join host Dr. Natalie Crawford as she talks about failed IVF cycles. Success is a complicated idea in the fertility world - IVF cycles have many different metrics for success: eggs retrieved, mature eggs, fertilization, embryo formation, genetically normal embryos, and transfer success. Learn about breaking down the process in order to optimize success. What to do when it doesn't work - what does it mean and how to approach your doctor.