40 and Infertile - A Fertility Podcast for the 40 and older

Today, we have episode 30 with Infertility Man Jon Summers.  I first heard about Jon after I saw a repost talking about male factor infertility.  He was a voice for those who were male and going through infertility.  It got me thinking that I had not covered any topics on male factor infertility and I had not had many male voices speaking about their experiences with infertility. &n...

Dr. Vicki Chan, MD, is an ophthalmologist and fellow infertility warrior.  Today, she shares her own infertility story and some of the struggles of building a career while expanding her family.  We discuss the demands that may come with a profession like medicine, how to deal with the expectations that come with that career, and how to ultimately find a work-like balance.  She share...

Chiemi and I were brainstorming about what we could talk about on the episode and we decided that it was important to share what was normal to experience emotionally and mentally during this process as well as how to quiet expectations of either ourselves or the expectation of others.  So, we talk about that that means when you’re working with colleagues or have demanding family members or wh...

Today's episode is around legal considerations with fertility treatments or fertility preservation.  Rijon joins us today to tell us when we need a lawyer and the things we should think about during our fertility treatments.  Come listen to see how or if a fertility attorney can help you!   Resources: More about Rijon:  https://sunrayfertility.com/about/ Connect with Rijon: &nb...

This is episode 26 and it’s another Warrior Story. Today, our focus is going to be the emotional ride of infertility over 40 as well as seeking treatment outside of the US. I wanted to talk to Emily because she has a unique point of view being a therapist.  I think that it’s important to point out that even though she has all the skills and tools to help others who are struggling and grieving...

This is episode 25 and for this episode we have a warrior story.  Today we have Bring Home Baby Bax  - Alex.  She shares with us her story and experience with adenomyosis, poor egg quality, 9 egg retrievals, 2 transfers, and a cookie fundraiser! I think it’s so important to share these stories because we can still learn from each other.  We assume those who are under 35 are goi...

This is episode 24 and today we’re talking about weight gain with IVF.  Our guest is Dr. Stephanie Fein, MD.  She is an internist turned weight loss specialist working exclusively with fertility patients. She was one of my first experts on the show back in Episode 5 where we talked about how weight loss can optimize fertility. One of the reasons that I wanted to talk about this topic is because I...

This is episode 23 and today’s a very special episode for me. Today’s guest is Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh the egg whisperer. For those who have not met her, you’re missing out on a great human! If you haven’t figured it out yet, her patients are her biggest fans because she listens to us. I first found out about Dr. Aimee from a friend of mine. I encouraged her to get her eggs frozen because she was tur...

Welcome to Episode 22.  This is a requested episode from Instagram.  Today, we talk about Donor Eggs and IVF/Egg Donation Abroad. When I originally recorded this episode it was back around the end of April.  In light of recent events, considering IVF abroad may be something that is coming up for you.  Luckily, Sarah Kowalski of Motherhood Reimagined shares some of her experienc...

All right folks.  Ever wonder what the heck is going on in the lab and what all that jargon means?  Well, if you're wanting to know more about your eggs, embryo, and sperm and what happens to them in the lab, this is the episode for you.   Today, we have Alease the Embryologist, who has been featured on Good Morning America and ABC News for her work on educating us patients about wh...

Ask the Expert Series. Whether you're 40 or not, this is the episode for you.  We go granular with all things related to stimulation protocols.  Ever wonder what your stimulation medications do or why you're taking a certain medication or why you're being stimulated in a particular part of your cycle?  Dr. Rahi Victory reveals his favorite protocols and why he uses them and which protocols he no l...

Episode 19 is all about sperm!  Dr. Allison Rodgers, MD of Fertility Centers of Illinois joins us to talk about all things sperm!  I invited her to join me on the podcast because I saw these videos she was doing on her Instagram every Monday and I just loved what she would talk about it.  I don't know much about sperm, so you'll need to forgive some of the rudimentary questions, but if you're as c...

Dr. Merhi comes back and this time he talks to us about At Home IVF and Ozone Sauna.  He discusses who might benefit from these treatment options.  Dr. Merhi helped create the At Home IVF system where you can get your stimulation medications without injections, monitoring or labs.  He explains this further as not all patients are candidates for this method of IVF.  We also disc...

We typically have stories where we’re talking about struggling to get pregnant.  This story is a little different today. Today, we’re talking to Christina @christinawangdmd on instagram about how her autoimmune disease, how progression of her disease and her medications have kept her from getting pregnant.  Because of her autoimmune disease, she has had to use a gestational carrier. &nbs...

For those of us who are over 40, there is a higher likelihood that we may need the help of third party reproduction like egg donor.  If we have chosen to be independent parents and are over 40, we may need both egg and sperm donor.  Those who are in same sex partnerships will also need to explore this as an option.  To help us navigate this from the physician point of view is Dr. Ti...

Episode 15 is a warrior story and our guest is Monica of waitingforbabywunder Monica is a warrior is so many ways, but today we talk about her challenges on her IVF journey.  Monica has some anatomic variations that make carrying a pregnancy difficult, but add on to that infertility and this makes for a very unique journey. This episode is a longer episode because we just had a great time cha...

This fertility journey is filled with triggers.  One trigger that affects many people is the occurrence of Mother's Day.  It will occur every year in May and there will be other triggers that we will encounter along this journey and beyond.  Because of this, I wanted us to have a conversation around grief, trauma, and triggers and ways we can manage our response to them.   Dr....

There is no doubt that IVF is challenging and difficult in itself, but add in the complex dynamics of a relationship and it can get so much more challenging.  Today, Jenn of Cute4Fertility joins us with her husband, Aaron to discuss a few things.  We explore the role of a supporting partner not undergoing stimulation and the male perspective.  We then discuss what struggles they have as a couple a...

If you follow her you know that she’s one of the most supportive and helpful people you can have in your corner.  She is kind, knowledgeable and will literally hold you up when you feel like the weight of this journey is bringing you down. She shares her journey with us today.  She’s had a long and difficult journey.  We cried and we laughed today together today.  Along the way, she’s learned a lo...

Sheri Johnson is a coach out of Canada and she shares her own fertility struggle and the work and decisions that helped her to find joy and peace with the childless life. On this episode, we dig into what it takes to really feel comforted not only on the childless path but the fertility journey in general. As the discussion progressed I realized we weren’t really talking about the childless life....

Today, Emma Grønbæk shares with us her journey through life as a donor conceived person.  She provides advice on how recipient parents can help their donor conceived children have a positive upbringing.  She shares stories of how her parents have helped cultivate a positive environment the supported both growth and curiosity.  She also talks about her book that chronicles the story...

Today we talk about how the philosophy and practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine may impact your fertility.  I have Dr. Mimi Le, DACM of Better Balance Acupuncture shares with us her knowledge of how acupuncture can impact your fertility journey.   During this episode we talk about some of the basics and philosophy behind Chinese Medicine and the recommendations for timing during your...

Grab a pen and paper (We're 40, we say get a pen and paper, but if you'd prefer to start a Google Doc or use your Notes app, fire those up too!) because you'll want to take notes!  This one is a must listen to!  Dr. Jenna Hua, PhD of Million Marker shares with us research and an abundance of information as well as her top 5 tips to life a cleaner lifestyle.  She gets into the chemis...

Today, Sarah Kowalski of Motherhood Reimagined joins us to share her own fertility journey, discusses her decision to solo motherhood and her experience with donor conception and raising a donor conceived child.   More information on Sarah can be found here: Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/motherhoodreimagined/ Website:  https://motherhoodreimagined.com/ Also mentioned on this episode:   Dr....

What a jam packed episode with Dr. Zaher Merhi of the Rejuvenating Fertility Center!  In this episode we started off discussing fertility at 40 and some things to consider.  We then do a deep dive into PRP and who PRP is helpful for and when PRP should be done.  We close the episode with some of your questions and topics we'll go into greater detail when he comes back on the show.   You can reach...