As a Woman

Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses the emotional and practical challenges of unexpected outcomes in fertility treatments, emphasizing the importance of preparation and understanding. She highlights the need for clear expectations and the role of various treatments like ovulation induction, IUI, and IVF. Dr. Crawford shares a case study of a 31-year-old woman with low AMH levels who experienced a faile...

Dr. Natalie Crawford answers common questions about the uterus.  Questions answered: What are the implications of having uterine scarring now that I am done having children? What are your thoughts about finding fluid in your uterus after beginning your IVF cycle?  How long does it take for the body recover and go back to its normal period after hysteroscopy? Could having a tight uterus be a factor...

Dr. Natalie Crawford provides a comprehensive overview of egg and embryo donation options for those looking to grow their families. She delves into the basics of egg donation, including the IVF process, success rates, and reasons why someone may choose to use donor eggs. Dr. Crawford also explores the complex world of embryo donation, addressing the challenges and misconceptions surrounding this p...

Dr. Natalie Crawfords answers fertility questions.  Questions Answered: Will slightly elevated prolactin levels impact fertility? If you are married and ready to start a family NOW is it a good idea to freeze eggs for the second and third child, or can freezing eggs interfere with natural fertility? I have an embryo transfer scheduled for next week. What are things I can do to help the embryo “sti...

Dr. Natalie Crawford answers fertility questions exclusively from newsletter subscribers. Questions Answered: I was on the birth control pill for 13 years and now have irregular periods. My doctor wants me to start Clomid without any testing. Is this okay? Can we get a fertility workup before age 35 if we haven't been trying for a full year? What are the fertility options for women with a balanced...

Dr. Natalie Crawford addresses a question from an OB/GYN colleague about managing patients with unexplained infertility and high AMH levels. She explains that unexplained infertility is often due to undiagnosed issues, and a full workup is necessary to understand the underlying causes. The episode delves into the mechanisms of ovulation induction medications like Clomid and Letrozole, which are co...

Dr. Natalie Crawford answers voicemail questions about cycle tracking and fertility. I am a 32-year-old who just got off birth control. Should I see a fertility specialist sooner or continue trying naturally for 6 months, given my low AMH result of 0.336? What are the pros and cons of each approach? I have been on birth control for 15 years. What is the best way to track ovulation and time interco...

Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses the complex relationship between IVF and reproductive rights in the current political landscape. She provides an overview of IVF technology and its importance in helping people build families. She addresses misconceptions about abortion and fetal personhood, and how these issues directly impact the practice of IVF. The episode explores the potential dangers of restri...

Dr. Natalie Crawford answers a question from a listener about what the next steps are after freezing your eggs when you are ready to use them. She covers the nuances of the egg freezing process, debunking the misconception that it is an "insurance policy" for fertility. Dr. Crawford then goes through the step-by-step protocol for thawing, fertilizing, and potentially transferring the frozen eggs,...

In this exclusive Q&A episode, Dr. Natalie Crawford answers subscriber questions on a variety of fertility topics, including recurrent pregnancy loss, diet for conception, IVF and implantation issues, CoQ10 supplements, second trimester losses, and hirsutism treatment. Questions Answered: Does having recurrent pregnancy loss automatically put me in the high risk category once I have a viable or fu...

Dr. Natalie Crawford answers voicemail questions about hormones.  Questions answered: Should FSH, LH, and progesterone be tested during a fertility evaluation? I have hypo hypo. Why is my period starting 12 days after my trigger shot, even though she is taking progesterone supplements? Is this normal or a concern? Is breastfeeding once a day enough to impact fertility? Want to receive my weekly ne...

Dr. Natalie Crawford dives deep into ovarian failure, perimenopause, and hormones. She explores how ovarian function can cease at any age, even before puberty, and discusses the natural decline in ovarian reserve as women age. She highlights the significance of estrogen, its role in overall health, and how its decline impacts women during menopause. Dr. Crawford also covers essential tests like AM...

Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses the topic of unexplained versus undiagnosed infertility. Unexplained infertility is an official diagnosis when the standard fertility tests do not reveal a clear cause for the infertility. Many cases of "unexplained" infertility may actually be due to underlying issues like low ovarian reserve, endometriosis, autoimmune disorders, or other factors that are difficult...

Dr. Natalie Crawford answers voicemail questions about endometriosis. Questions Answered: TTC soon for second child and have endo. I recently got off BC and my periods are irregular. Should I see my doctor now? Can endometriosis outside of the uterine tract still impact fertility? My doctor gave me the option between surgery and trying a new medication, Lupron, before my embryo transfer. What are...

Dr. Natalie Crawford answers voicemail questions about natural fertility and TTC.  Questions Answered: Can having retained tissue for a few months cause endometrial lining changes that could impact implantation? Could I have asherman’s? What should your lining be throughout the cycle? Can a luteal phase defect lead to a chemical pregnancy? I spot for several days before my period. Is that first da...

Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses the various protocols and considerations surrounding embryo transfers in IVF treatment. She explains the key differences between fresh and frozen embryo transfers, the types of protocols, add ons, and what you should ask your doctor. Taking an active role in your fertility journey and asking questions and pushing for the approach that is best suited to their individu...

Dr. Natalie Crawford answers your fertility questions sent to the voicemail.  Questions Answered: I am having trouble TTC for my second child after a laparoscopic appendectomy and a mass removed from my peritoneum. Should I be concerned about any structural damage? Does my AMH alone explain my two miscarriages and short luteal phase? What is my likelihood of success with IVF with my low AMH? How m...

Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses testing your fertility and if and when it's something that you should do. She explains the different types of fertility testing including testing of ovarian reserve like AMH levels, anatomy like HSG tests of the fallopian tubes and uterus, and semen analysis for male partners. She also discusses how fertility and chances of pregnancy decline with age and the implicat...

Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses her top tips for trying to get pregnant including coming off birth control, cycle tracking, and lifestyle optimization. As a society, we have normalized the idea of spending most of our reproductive years preventing pregnancy. Then suddenly you make the decision to start trying to get pregnant. There is often not a game plan when it comes to trying to conceive in the...

Dr. Natalie Crawford answers your voicemails about PCOS. Questions Answered: How did I get PCOS in the first place? What is the likelihood that my daughters will also have it? What are some of the early symptoms I can look for? I am not quite ready to get pregnant but I am ready to start thinking about it. I was diagnosed with PCOS and my periods are irregular. What is your recommendation for trac...

Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses why and when it may be time to do IVF. IVF allows us to profoundly change your body and it’s environment. It’s important to remember that the two things that predict IVF success are your ovarian reserve or number of eggs and your age. So timing plays a key role in this decision and it also comes down to why you are in this position. Natalie answers your questions in...

Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses the data on the impact of marijuana and tobacco use on male and female fertility. Everyone’s body is different therefore will react to their environment differently. Understanding these impacts is crucial for individuals navigating infertility or treatment, as lifestyle choices play a significant role in reproductive health. By staying informed, individuals can make...

Dr. Crawford answers your voicemail questions. Questions answered: How common is infertility among male carriers of the cystic fibrosis gene? How do I have the conversation with my sons about it? I am 32, going through IVF, and just found out I have blocked tubes and a hydrosalpinx. My doctor doesn’t recommend surgery and wants to aspirate the fluid before an embryo transfer. Is this the appropria...

Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses whether or not you can get pregnant with one Fallopian tube. There are a lot of misconceptions and myths about the fallopian tubes when it comes to their function, how they are evaluated, and what it means if one is blocked. 30% of women with infertility have tubal disease, so listen and learn more about how the tubes are formed, their function, causes of tubal block...

Dr. Natalie Crawford shares her fertility story and the decisions she made when it came to lifestyle factors based on research projects she did in fellowship. In this episode she gives you a behind the scenes look into her journey and why she is so passionate about lifestyle and fertility. She also shares some exciting news! Listen and be the first to know! We have moved Fertility In The News to t...