As a Woman

How long does it actually take to get pregnant? In this episode of the As a Woman podcast, Dr. Natalie Crawford breaks down the data behind the question she hears every single day. She explores why the rate of infertility is rising, now affecting one in five people in the US, and why we need to move beyond just looking at age to understand the science of our eggs. From the reality of ovarian reser...

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions. I’m 35, had a healthy pregnancy in 2022 followed by three miscarriages, and just found out I have 19% Turner mosaicism on karyotype. If I were your patient, would you recommend moving to IVF with PGT, or continue trying naturally? I’m 32 with an LH/FSH ratio of 2.6 and an AMH of 2.7. The labs were drawn around...

Life can really catch us off guard, and for many people, cancer teaches us about the uncertainty we all face. In this episode of the As a Woman podcast, Dr. Natalie Crawford chats with the inspiring Dr. Dawn Mussallem, a double board-certified physician, stage four cancer survivor, and heart transplant recipient. Dr. Mussallem shares her incredible journey through these challenges and how they ins...

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions. 1. My wife and I have been trying for a while. What tests should men take after a few failed attempts at 36+? 2. I just got off the pill, and my period came late. Is this normal, and will my cycle regulate soon? 3. My partner has low testosterone in the 200s. Should we focus on shots, lifestyle changes, or unde...

Ever feel like your environment is sabotaging your hormones? In this episode of the As a Woman podcast, Dr. Natalie Crawford uncovers the impact of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) that can be found in the air we breathe and the products we use daily. These "forever chemicals" interfere with the brain-ovary connection and affect egg quality. But you have the power to combat their effects. Joi...

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions. 1. I’m wondering how alcohol affects male and female fertility, and whether cutting back or abstaining can improve our chances with IVF or natural conception. 2. My wife has low estrogen, and we’re trying to conceive. What should we know before her upcoming doctor’s appointment so we can ask better questions? 3...

Ever feel like a different person during your luteal phase? In this episode of the As a Woman podcast, board-certified fertility doctor Dr. Natalie Crawford sits down with award-winning researcher and psychologist Dr. Sarah Hill, author of the groundbreaking new book The Period Brain. They move beyond "bikini medicine" to explain how estrogen and progesterone literally rewire your brain's prioriti...

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions.1. Husband has low sperm morphology. IUI didn’t work—how much does morphology really matter? 2. After 5 losses and 2 years trying, she’s scared to do IVF with genetic testing. What are her next steps? 3. Low AMH, 3 miscarriages, 3 IUIs, 1 IVF—doctor recommended DHEA without checking testosterone. Could her high...

Perfect for anyone undergoing IVF, this episode explains frozen embryo transfer (FET) protocols, IVF timelines, and how to prepare for transfer day. Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OBGYN and REI, simplifies the technical roadmap of an embryo transfer so you can feel informed instead of overwhelmed. You’ll learn how doctors optimize timing, safety, and your unique medical history to improve I...

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions. Questions Answered: 1. Not TTC yet but has very heavy bleeding with clots and normal labs/imaging. Could this be PCOS alone, or should clotting or other conditions be evaluated—and what tests should be considered? 2. Currently 9 weeks pregnant after 5 early losses and treatment for Asherman’s. Is it safe to con...

Dr. Natalie Crawford sits down with physician and muscle-centric medicine expert Dr. Gabrielle Lyon to explore why skeletal muscle is a powerful driver of hormones, metabolism, fertility, and long-term health, and how women can begin to support it at any age. Key Topics: 1. Muscle as an Organ of Longevity - How skeletal muscle influences hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and aging - Why “muscle...

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions. Questions Answered: 1. A 30-year-old in a same-sex couple with anovulatory PCOS managed on metformin, high AMH, and otherwise normal labs moved from failed IUIs to IVF and had 19 mature eggs but only 4 fertilized despite good donor sperm—what could explain low fertilization rates and how should the next steps b...

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, breaks down how your hormones shift across your 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond, and what you can actually do in each decade to protect your fertility, brain, bones, and long‑term health. Instead of reacting only when there’s a problem, this episode helps you use your cycle, symptoms, and lifestyle as data so you can make informed decisions at every...

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions. Questions Answered: 1. I’m 36 with an AMH of 1.1 and want three kids. I’ve lost 50 lbs on a GLP-1 but still have a BMI of 42. Should I try naturally now or focus on optimization first, and what’s the best plan for three healthy pregnancies? 2. I’ve been trying to conceive for 10 months and have a family history...

Dr. Natalie Crawford is joined by gastroenterologist Dr. Will Bulsiewicz to explain how gut health, inflammation, and hormones are connected—and what simple changes can support your energy, mood, and fertility. Key Topics: 1. The Gut–Hormone Connection - What the gut microbiome is and why it affects your whole body - How inflammation can quietly impact hormones, cycles, and fertility - Why symptom...

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions. Questions Answered: 1. How can I support my fertility now if I want kids later but not yet? 2. What should male partners focus on to support fertility when starting to try? 3. Can prenatals or DHA affect ovulation timing or cycle length? 4. How can I optimize my chances of pregnancy after surgery for stage 2 en...

Dr. Natalie Crawford is joined by registered dietitian and PCOS specialist Cory Ruth, author of “PCOS Is My Power,” to explain how PCOS, blood sugar, and nutrition all fit together. They talk about why PCOS is so misunderstood, what insulin resistance really means, and simple, realistic ways to eat and live that support your hormones, metabolism, and fertility, without cutting out everything you l...

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OBGYN and REI, unpacks how stress communicates with your brain and ovaries—and how that relationship can shape your cycles, egg quality, and fertility over time. This episode connects physiology with realistic strategies so you can better support your hormones in a chronically stressed world. Key Topics: 1. Stress & Your Brain–Ovary Connection - How your brain...

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OBGYN and REI, reframes fertility as a key health signal, not just about getting pregnant. Whether you want kids soon, someday, or aren’t sure, this episode helps you understand your cycle, your egg reserve, and what you can start doing today to protect your hormonal and reproductive health. Key Topics: 1. Ovarian Reserve - What your “egg reserve” really means...

Dr. Natalie Crawford, OBGYN and REI, sits down with licensed acupuncturist Sadie Minkoff to discuss how acupuncture fits into the bigger picture of hormones, stress, and fertility. They explore how this approach can work alongside traditional medical care so you can feel more informed and less alone on your fertility journey. Key Topics: 1. What Acupuncture Really Is - Rethinking what “needles” ac...

Dr. Natalie Crawford, a board-certified OBGYN and REI, guides listeners through the often misunderstood world of pregnancy loss. Using both her professional knowledge and personal insights, she helps you gain confidence in understanding this experience, whether you’re facing it yourself or supporting someone who is. Find out what’s actually happening, why it matters, and the important steps you ca...

Dr. Natalie Crawford is joined by Dr. Amanda Skillern to break down the IVF experience in a way that feels supportive, clear, and reassuring. Together, they discuss what to expect from beginning to end, choosing the best care team for your needs, and how to feel more confident and prepared during your fertility journey. Key Topics:1. Understanding IVF - What IVF is, and why it often takes more tim...

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OBGYN and REI, tackles the overwhelming and often misunderstood diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). If you've been told your egg count is low or your AMH levels aren’t ideal, you’re not alone. This episode provides clarity on what these numbers really mean, how to interpret your fertility options, and empowering next steps for anyone facing this dia...

Dr. Natalie Crawford, OBGYN and REI, sits down with pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Sara Reardon to dive into a part of women’s health that’s often overlooked—but incredibly important. In this conversation, they break down the mysteries of the pelvic floor, explore how hormones shape your daily experiences, and share actionable steps to help you feel empowered in your body. Key Topics:  1. Und...

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OBGYN and REI discusses the frustrating and often confusing world of unexplained infertility. If you’ve been told “everything looks normal” yet you’re still struggling to conceive, you’re not alone, and you deserve real answers. In this episode, Dr. Crawford breaks down what unexplained infertility really means, why so many couples receive this diagnosis, and...