The Repro Files Podcast

The conversation with Dr. Sherman Silber provides a comprehensive understanding of Mini IVF, its principles, misconceptions, patient criteria, and future innovations. Dr. Silber explains the goals of Mini IVF, the use of birth control pills, and the synchronization of stimulation cycles. He also discusses patient preferences, innovations in IVF, and the future of IVF, including the potential for s...

The conversation explores the portrayal of abortion on TV and its impact on public perception. It delves into the need for diverse and inclusive representation of abortion storylines, challenges in depicting abortion on TV, and the influence of TV portrayal on research. The discussion also highlights the impact of TV portrayal on public perception and the need for realistic portrayal of abortion c...

The ongoing legal battle over the abortion pill in the United States has created chaos and confusion, impacting access to healthcare for women. The issue extends beyond abortion to medication access, regulatory power, and interstate enforcement. The financial barriers to healthcare and the impact on family planning are also highlighted. The conversation covers a range of topics related to healthca...

The conversation with Elizabeth Carr, the first IVF baby born in the United States, delves into the challenges and triumphs of her parents' journey to conceive her through IVF. It also explores the ongoing struggle for insurance coverage, the impact of IVF advocacy, and the personal experiences and feelings of IVF children. Elizabeth shares her concerns and hopes for the future of reproductive med...

The conversation explores the impact of language on fertility patients and the challenges of managing uncertainty in fertility treatment. It delves into the use of specific phrases and terminology in the context of failed cycles and the two-week wait, highlighting the emotional and psychological effects on patients. Additionally, it discusses the societal and generational influences on self-blame...

The conversation delves into the world of IVF and PGT, exploring the ethical, financial, and societal implications of genetic testing. It highlights the challenges and complexities of decision-making, access, and the impact of cost on patient choices. The discussion also touches on the role of regulatory oversight and the need for greater accessibility to genetic testing. Takeaways PGT and PGTM te...

The conversation covers a range of topics including personal updates, a case of forced C-section, the psychological impact of labor and delivery, the role of doulas in labor and delivery, the impact of birth control misinformation, reproductive coercion and historical context, discussion on the SAVE Act and legislative impact, and fetal death certificate and heartbeat registration. The speakers di...

The conversation features the founders of Cove Family, Allie and Jenn, who share their personal experiences with infertility and the founding of Cove Family. They discuss the challenges they faced, the need for support, and the changing landscape of fertility support. They also highlight the importance of human connection and the role of peer support in infertility treatment. The conversation cove...

In this episode, the hosts discuss the reproductive news that has come out this past week. Elizabeth and Ann Marie spoke on endometriosis awareness last week and the film "This is Endometriosis" won a BAFTA, coincidence? Perhaps. The AHA has a new study on the link between pregnancy complications and cardiovascular health. AI is all the rage- how will it impact nursing? The Repro Files reacts to t...

The episode begins with a podcast milestone celebration and a discussion about Henrietta Lacks and HeLa cells. It then transitions to Endometriosis Awareness Month, followed by an exploration of endometriosis, its symptoms, and challenges in diagnosis. The conversation delves into the difficulties in diagnosing and treating endometriosis, as well as the insurance and healthcare challenges associat...

Elizabeth and Ann Marie are back at it with the newest episode of The Repro Files. This week they tackle the pressure of young people to procreate. The conversation covers the government's messaging on fertility and the financial implications of having children. The conversation delves into the challenges of the healthcare system, its impact on family planning, the societal shift, and the need for...

Join Elizabeth and Ann Marie and guest, Dr. Julie Bindeman as they weave a tapestry about reproductive mental health. They touch on the psych consult that some clinics require or recommend, what a reproductive psychologist's role is, men's mental health in regard to infertility, how the outside world has influence on our mental health.

Our conversation covers a range of topics related to health awareness, genetic mutations, and personalized decision-making. It delves into the impact of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations on cancer risk, the importance of individualized choice, and the role of support systems in decision-making. Additionally, it explores the question of insurance coverage for testing and prophylactic surgery, spark...

We see the headlines- embryo mix-ups at a fertility clinic. These stories are tragic. Are these mix-ups common? How can this happen? We explore this emotional topic and speak with a senior embryologist to get a better understanding of the embryology lab.

Elizabeth and Ann Marie are joined by guest, Heather Hester, author of Parenting With Pride: Unlearn Bias and Embrace, Empower, and Love Your LGBTQ+ Teen and podcaster of More Human More Kind. The conversation delves into the importance of representation and the power of open-mindedness and acceptance, highlighting the journey of acceptance and understanding, parenting and supporting LGBTQ+ childr...

The conversation delves into the challenges and uncertainties of the year 2026, highlighting the impact on reproductive health legislation and the complexities of navigating fertility medication costs. The hosts discuss the overwhelming news cycle, the need for reliable information sources, and the potential implications of new legislation on fertility treatment access and affordability. The conve...

In Elizabeth's absence, Ann Marie takes over the studio and covers a retrospective of 2025, including legislative impact on reproductive health, National Infertility Awareness Week, maternal health monitoring, a fertility clinic bombing, federal advocacy day, state legislators, ASRM Congress, reproductive health misinformation, federal guidance, pharmaceutical discounts, California Senate Bill 729...

In this episode of The Repro Files , Elizabeth and AnnMarie sit down with Dr. Eric Chang, DO, a reproductive endocrinologist with CNY Fertility in Rochester, New York, to explore what it truly means to care for patients when the odds are not in their favor. Dr. Chang shares his personal journey into medicine, why he chose osteopathic training and how he ultimately found his calling in reproductive...

A recent New York Times Magazine investigation exposed a disturbing reality within parts of the global surrogacy industry: women recruited under false pretenses, coerced across borders and exploited through loosely regulated reproductive labor arrangements. In this episode of The Repro Files, nurse advocates Elizabeth Lee and AnnMarie Luft unpack what happens when surrogacy moves from ethical fami...

This week, Elizabeth and Ann Marie break down one of the most chaotic stretches in reproductive health news. From Congress quietly stripping IVF coverage for military families to men literally placing bets on WNBA players’ menstrual cycles, America continues to prove it is not serious about reproductive autonomy. We get into: • The NDAA IVF debacle and why military families are being left behind •...

Ever been told to eat pineapple core before transfer? Lie flat for 20 minutes? Wave essential oils toward your cervix? Welcome to the wild world of fertility urban legends. In this episode, Elizabeth and AnnMarie break down the funniest, strangest, and most persistent myths they’ve heard in clinic and online, then separate fact from fiction with ASRM-aligned science. Come for the chaos, stay for t...

The holidays can be a time of light, ritual, and family. They can also be a season of sharp grief for anyone navigating infertility, miscarriage, IVF cycles or infant loss. In this episode, Elizabeth and Ann Marie unpack the emotional, clinical and relational pressures that collide during this time of year and offer evidence-informed strategies to approach the season with gentleness, boundaries an...

In this powerful Men’s Health Month episode, Elizabeth and Ann Marie pull back the curtain on the issues men face but rarely discuss. From the silent rise of cardiovascular disease and diabetes to the deep connections between testosterone, metabolic health, mental wellness, and fertility, this conversation offers an evidence-driven and compassionate look at men’s whole-person health. Listeners wil...

This week, AnnMarie and Elizabeth are back from an unforgettable trip to San Antonio for the 2025 ASRM Scientific Congress & Expo — and they’re spilling all the tea! From the science that moved them to the conversations that changed them, the hosts share their favorite sessions, big takeaways, and a few hilarious behind-the-scenes moments (including what really happens when thousands of fertil...

In this powerful pre-ASRM 2025 episode, hosts Elizabeth Lee and AnnMarie Luft unpack one of the most consequential moments in reproductive medicine’s modern history. With the field under mounting political, economic, and ideological pressure, they break down the week’s biggest headlines — from new federal guidance on fertility coverage to EMD Serono’s sweeping drug discounts — and what those moves...