FertiliTEA with Dr. D

IVF protocols are complicated! But understanding the basics can make the fertility journey a little less daunting. In this episode, we break down the most common IVF protocols, including antagonist, long Lupron, microdose flare, and natural cycle approaches. Dr. D breaks down why your fertility specialist may choose a protocol, what medications are involved, and how treatment plans are tailored to...

Dr. D chats with Lauren Berson, founder of Conceive , about her mission to make fertility support, education, and community more accessible for people navigating fertility treatment. Lauren shares the inspiration behind Conceive, tells us some common challenges fertility patients face, and offers insights on how to feel more informed and empowered throughout the process. More information on how to...

In this forward-looking episode, Dr. D explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the future of healthcare — and what that means for patients approaching fertility treatment in 2026. He breaks down the early history of A.I. in medicine and how machine learning is assisting healthcare teams in providing better care for patients.  Most importantly, Dr. D shares practical advice for pa...

We're walking you through exactly what to expect on the day of your egg retrieval!  Dr. D breaks down the entire process step by step, from when you arrive at the clinic to what happens during the procedure itself. We talk about anesthesia, OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome), and what happens while your eggs are being retrieved.  Dr. D also covers the recovery period and what to expect physi...

Dr. D sits down with investigative journalist and author Kathryn Blaze Baum to unpack the complex and growing world of the fertility industry.  Drawing from her new book, In Fertility: The Story of a Miracle and the Big Business Behind It , Kathryn takes us through her own personal fertility story and her journey finding surrogacy.  Dr. D and Kathryn also discuss the major differences in Canadian...

This week, Dr. D sits down with Tiffany Najjar from Fellow to unpack the growing shift toward at-home sperm testing and what it means for the future of male fertility care. Tiffany explains how Fellow , an at-home diagnostic tool, is making fertility testing more accessible, private, and convenient for anyone looking to test their sperm.  They discuss how at-home testing works, why male fertility...

Advances in reproductive genetics are pushing the boundaries of what's possible and raising profound ethical questions along the way. In this episode, we discuss PGT-P (polygenic embryo screening) and the emerging debate around so-called "designer babies."  We're joined by Jon athan Anomaly from Herasight Genomics to explore the science behind polygenic screening and the moral landscape surroundin...

In this episode, Dr. D sits down with Mike Snaric and George Moore, co-founders of Families Out Loud , a nonprofit dedicated to elevating the voices of those navigating infertility and family-building challenges.  Families Out Loud is the ultimate family building experience! Born from their own personal experiences, Families Out Loud focuses on advocacy, storytelling, and creating a positive envir...

This week, Dr. D is joined by Alease Daniel Barnes , known as Alease the Embryologist on TikTok and Instagram , to break down the most common misconceptions about embryology and the embryological process.  Alease and Dr. D cover what embryo grading really means, myths about "perfect" embryos, day 3 vs. day 5 transfers, and misunderstandings about what happens in the lab.    More from Alease the Em...

This week, Dr. D speaks with Jessie Jaskulsky, founder of Surrogacy Simplified, about her work supporting intended parents and surrogates through the surrogacy process. Jessie shares how her business helps simplify complex decisions, addresses common misconceptions about surrogacy, and provides guidance for those considering surrogacy as a family-building option. Whether you're pursuing surrogacy...

This week, Dr. D sits down with former patients Jason and Jay to discuss their journey to parenthood through IVF and third-party reproduction. As LGBTQ+ intended parents, they share how they accessed information, asked the right questions, and educated themselves on IVF options—including egg donation and surrogacy. Now proud dads of two children, Jason and Jay offer some great insight and encourag...

This week, Corey and Nakia share their IVF story, opening up about the realities of infertility, IVF, and their journey to parenthood through surrogacy. From the early decisions that led them to IVF, to the decision to move forward with surrogacy, they reminisce with Dr. D about their 10 year journey to creating their family.  Corey and Nakia reflect on the moments that challenged them most, the s...

The holidays can be joyful—but if you're going through IVF, they can also bring tough questions, unsolicited advice, and emotional conversations with family. In this episode, we're talking about how to navigate IVF conversations during the holidays in a way that protects your mental health and honors your boundaries. We'll cover how to decide what (if anything) you want to share about your IVF jou...

Dr. D sits down with his longtime friend and colleague, Dr. Andy Huang, known in the fertility world as the IVF Magician .  They break down recurrent implantation failure, what's driving the conversation around PGT-P, and how emerging technologies are reshaping the future of IVF.  Dr. Huang is  a board-certified reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist at Reproductive Partners Medical...

We've all heard the term "unexplained infertility" — but what does it actually mean when all your tests look normal and you're still not getting pregnant? In this episode, Dr. Daneshmand breaks it down and what might really be going on beneath the surface — from egg and sperm quality to hidden uterine factors — and why "unexplained" doesn't necessarily mean untreatable.  If you've ever felt stuck...

This week, Dr. D sits down with reproductive attorney  Rijon Charne to talk about how a cancer diagnosis changed the course of her life — and ultimately led her to her purpose. After being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma days before graduating from law school, Rijon faced the daunting reality of preserving her fertility before treatment. Through her own egg freezing journey, she discovered first...

Navigating fertility challenges can be one of the most emotionally taxing experiences in a person's life — filled with uncertainty, hope, and heartbreak. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dr. Sarah Oreck , reproductive psychiatrist and founder of Mavida Health, to explore the often-overlooked mental health aspects of fertility. Dr. Oreck shares her expert insights on how stress, anxiety,...

In this episode, Dr. D sits down with Cheri Bergeron, author, life coach, and founder of Cheri's Choice which explores what it truly means to build a family on your own terms. From navigating fertility treatments and foster care to winning a landmark Texas case that reshaped laws around assisted reproduction, Cheri's story is one of resilience, purpose, and redefining what motherhood looks like in...

Today we're joined by the legendary Esther Vergeer — widely regarded as one of the greatest wheelchair tennis players of all time. A seven-time Paralympic gold medalist, 48-time Grand Slam champion, and former world number one who held her title for over a decade with an astonishing 470 consecutive match wins, Esther's greatest win was her journey to parenthood. Beyond her extraordinary career, Es...

When patients say, "My body is rejecting my embryos," … what do they really mean? This week on FertiliTEA with Dr. D, we're diving into the fascinating (and often misunderstood) role of immunology in fertility and IVF. Dr. D breaks down: How the immune system protects the body, yet must "tolerate" an embryo during pregnancy The role of uterine NK cells, T-regulatory cells, and inflammation in impl...

Amy Weinblum has spent her career working alongside some of the most influential leaders and brands in the world, including serving as Oprah Winfrey's Chief of Staff, producing with Harpo Productions, and leading the sold-out Oprah's 2020 Vision Tour. But behind her incredible career, Amy was on another journey: her path to parenthood. In this episode of FertiliTEA with Dr. D, Amy opens up about h...

IVF expert Dr. Natalie Crawford shares fertility tips, hormone health insights, and lifestyle strategies from her new book The Fertility Formula.   This week on FertiliTEA with Dr. D, we welcome world-renowned IVF and fertility specialist Dr. Natalie Crawford, MD — co-founder of Fora Fertility and author of the brand-new book The Fertility Formula. In this episode, Dr. Crawford and Dr. D explore t...

Considering IVF outside the U.S.? You're not alone. Fertility tourism is growing, with patients traveling to places like Mexico, Greece, and Spain for more affordable fertility care. But is it safe—and is it right for you? In this episode, Dr. D breaks down what you need to know before you book that flight. You'll learn: ✈️ Which countries are most popular for IVF 💰 How international costs compar...

Ever wonder what your fertility labs actually mean? In this episode, Dr. D breaks down every major hormone test you're likely to see on your fertility journey—LH, Estradiol, AMH, Progesterone, TSH, and more. He explains what number ranges are ideal, what high or low levels might signal, and why the timing of your lab work matters. You'll also get answers to common follow-up questions like: Does lo...

IVF is no longer a whispered acronym—it's a mainstream fertility option that seems to be everywhere in 2025. But why is it suddenly so common? In this episode, we dig into the cultural, medical, and social shifts that have made IVF feel like a more common path to parenthood. We explore rising infertility rates, delayed family planning, improved technology, and the cultural shift of normalizing IVF...