Love and Science Fertility

Have you ever felt like you were merely surviving on the fertility journey?  What would it feel like to thrive instead? In this episode I reveal my top 5 strategies for navigating the fertility journey (and life for that matter) in a way that allows us to thrive instead of merely survive. We discuss: emotional sobriety a broader sense of identity healthy relationships the ability to set loving and...

Have you been struggling with your weight along the fertility journey?  Perhaps someone has even suggested a GLP-1, however you were worried about how this might affect your timing and potentially your future pregnancy? Dr. Sarah Stombaugh debunks a lot of myths in this evidence-based conversation. We discuss the following: GLP-1s and the different half lives / recommendations for discontinuing pr...

Have you ever looked at an IVF calendar and wondered how you are going to make it all work? In today's episode, we discuss: The typical appointment schedule for oral cycles, IVF, and frozen embryo transfer protocols Creative solutions for getting to all of your appointments while still working as a physician The champion's mindset which is the real driver to make this all possible Hopefu...

If weight concerns on the fertility journey are taking up your mental space, do not miss this episode. Dr. Toomer generously shares her own journey of navigating type 2 diabetes, an elevated BMI, and a potentially fatal diagnosis of heart failure early in her career.  She discusses how being an early adopter of a GLP-1 literally saved her life. She gives an overview of GLP1’s and shares her though...

Encore of the 2024 Mother's Day episode. Today we explore how to approach Mother's Day, which is this coming weekend. We discuss how our expectations can set us up for additional suffering, and how to handle triggers in the best way possible.  We invite you to connect with your feminine divine energy and to acknowledge the women in your life who have mothered you, even if you do not shar...

There's no way around it: Mother's Day is complicated for most people, especially while on the fertility journey. Truly, most people approach this day with trepidation and dread, however this robs us of our power. In today's episode, we discuss the following: Why Mother's Day is so painful My Top 10 strategies to make Mother's Day more tolerable How to hold the tension of...

For many of us, when things get stressful, the first thing we do is lean on old habits of body loathing and disordered eating. This becomes especially challenging on the fertility journey, however, when we know that egg health and the ability to ovulate depend on our nourishing ourselves.  This is further complicated by the weight gain which accompanies the fertility journey for most people. Altho...

Have you ever felt like sex is a chore while on the fertility journey? Or like you are so stressed about when to have sex and when to abstain, that any notion of an enjoyable and life-giving sex life is gone?   If so, listen to today's episode with Dr. Sadaf Lodhi, a board certified OBGYN who focuses on sexual health and intimacy in her concierge gynecology practice.  In this mind-blowing epi...

Have you ever felt that your fertility journey is longer than you thought it would be? Or like you didn't realize how much inner strength and resilience you would need to keep showing up every day as a physician patient? My patients and clients know that I mark off the steps of an IVF journey like miles in a race. I see so many parallels between long distance running and the wisdom we need to...

Have you ever wondered how your REI chose your specific protocol, and how they think about reducing your chances of getting OHSS?  Some people are more at risk for OHSS than others, and a lot can be done on the front end in terms of prevention. We have learned so much about OHSS prevention and treatment over the last 10-15 years. In this episode, I share my thought process when thinking about how...

We are told that the rate limiting step in IVF is usually embryo creation. However, we are also learning that the uterine environment needs to be optimal to allow for an embryo to implant and thrive.  In this episode, I cover the following: the definition of adenomyosis why we should care as pertains to fertility treatment imaging findings suggestive of adenomyosis clinical situations in which lup...

I'm feeling all the feels--grateful, inspired, empowered.  In this episode, we celebrate together!  I discuss the wins that clients of mine have experienced, not just in terms of pregnancy success, but also in terms of living more empowered, joyful lives. What would it look like if you, too, could overcome limiting beliefs, access joy and lightness, and end the rumination loops which currentl...

How many times has a test result or bad news completely destroyed your day or week? It's human nature to allow external events to influence our emotions and moods. However, there may be more tools available to help us through these times than we currently realize.  At Love and Science, we talk a lot about embodiment, feeling our feelings, and calming our nervous system. And yet, so many of us...

How are you feeling on the scale of overwhelm? Do you find yourself second guessing seemingly simple decisions such as what to eat and when (or when not) to have sex? If so, you're not alone. Every day I am asked dozens of questions about how not to mess up an IVF cycle. In this episode we cover decisions about the following: Food Alcohol Sex Illness Travel My hope is that I can empower you t...

In this motivating and inspiring conversation with Dr. Sara Ionescu, we discuss: maintaining an exercise routine while undergoing fertility treatments mindset shifts which can help expand our definition of exercise tips for exercising consistently, and also within the guidelines of your fertility doctor how we can increase our tools for navigating the fertility journey with mindful movement, and n...

Today we discuss a sad and sensitive topic: how to move forward after being diagnosed with a miscarriage. We discuss: the epidemiology of miscarriage the treatment options once a miscarriage is diagnosed special circumstances such as euploid embryos and pregnancies of unknown location potential next steps in terms of testing and/or treatment finding emotional support to deal with the grief and mov...

Have you ever worried about being THAT patient, with too many questions and off-putting your REI? You don’t want to be a “difficult patient,”  but you also feel you’re not quite getting what you need in terms of your fertility care.  How do we navigate being physician patients—transitioning from being responsible for everyone’s care, and yet finding a safe space to let go and trust another physici...

Perhaps you’ve been told the maxim that you need 2-3 euploid embryos per desired live birth before you can start transferring embryos.  In this controversial episode, I challenge that thinking and provide my more nuanced view of this important and complicated topic. Let us all move toward an abundantly practical mindset. Support the show As always, please keep in mind that this is my perspective a...

Please join us as we discuss how understanding our bodies can uplevel our fertility journey, wherever we're at in the process.  We discuss: How understanding our bodies can increase our fertility both inside and outside of traditional fertility treatments How lifestyle changes can lead us to our highest fertile potential How sharing the work of cycle awareness can bring couples closer and cre...

Have you ever wondered if you have diagnosable anxiety or depression? Have you ever considered starting medications, however you didn’t want to negatively affect your fertility journey in any way? Have you ever wished that you weren’t bounced between physicians who had no good answers when it came to mood disorders in the preconception period (of course these people were well meaning, but didn’t q...

We have a very special guest today, Rosanne Austin. She is a former prosecutor turned fertility coach through a transformational journey when she was able to align her mind and body and conceive her son, against all odds.  We will discuss: her own fertility journey embodiment and how to experience joy balancing the feminine and masculine energies in a way which allows us to be receptive how the fe...

Are you sick and tired of fertility treatments not working? Are you stuck in a vicious cycle of hopelessness, despair, anxiety, and isolation?   If so, today’s episode is for you. Listen to learn how you can bring together your “A” Team for your fertility journey. We will discuss the differences and complementarity with an REI physician and me as your fertility coach.  We will also discuss what I...

Download The Physician Fertility Roadmap - a 6-step, evidence-based plan to optimize your fertility over the next 6-12 months.  https://support.loveandsciencefertility.com/The-Physician-Fertility-Roadmap Have you ever had the experience of seeing numerous follicles on your ultrasound, only to wake up from your retrieval with a much lower number than you expected? If so, this episode is for you.  I...

Join us today for a deep and inspiring conversation with Dr. Isabelle Amigues. What a beautiful way to conclude this year's podcast episodes by sharing her story of hope. Dr. Isabelle was once in your shoes--powerless, without control, and feeling threatened by not having a family of her own.  She even tried IVF, which did not work for her. However, by believing in possibility and letting go...

Most sentient humans have at least some complex emotions around the holidays. Today's podcast normalizes that complexity and provides tools for navigating the triggers.  I discuss a framework which helps to prevent most triggers, deal with them in the moment, and then use them as a learning opportunity to better navigate future triggers.  I also discuss how to look for gratitude and progress...