Fertility Docs Uncensored

Endometriosis remains one of the great mysteries in infertility and questions about it abound. Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center as they answer your inquiries about endometriosis. They cover questions regarding endometrioma management before IVF, treatment options for adenomyosis, and when Receptiva testing can really help. They dive into surgery versus medical management prior to transfer in a patient with endo, as well as options when endometriosis is just one component of a couple's infertility. Listen in as the docs answer your questions! Have your own questions about infertility?  Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today's episode is brought to you by Needed and Cicero Diagnostics 

Listen to guest, Emily Patel, founder of Hopeful Mama Foundation as she joins the Fertility Docs, Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center share her fertility journey and how it led her to create the Hopeful Mama Foundation. Emily learned at an early age that she had premature ovarian insufficiency. For many years she never realized carrying and delivering a baby was still possible. She shares her story and coming to terms with a body that could not produce a child genetically her own. Ultimately, she was able to conceive using donor eggs and now has two young daughters. Her infertility struggle was the spark that led her to found Hopeful Mama. This organization was developed to help women in similar circumstances who are searching for answers by advocacy, education, and respect. Emily wants to provide opportunities for women who need financial assistance resources, and education. Check out this inspiring and informative episode. Have questions about infertility?  Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today's episode is brought to you by Needed and Cicero Diagnostics 

For those going through the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, the journey can be a challenge. This week, Dr. Erica Bove, an REI at the University of Vermont and founder of a fertility coaching practice called Love and Science, Thriving Through Infertility joins Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center. Dr. Erica Bove discusses how to have authentic hope and self-compassion during the process. Dr. Bove also addresses relationships and boundaries in regard to the infertility journey. Have questions about infertility?  Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today's episode is brought to you by Needed and Cicero Diagnostics 

The fertility journey poses enough challenges without worrying about your teammates throughout the process. Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center as they reveal the credentials needed for your Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialist. They delineate the differences in training between REIs, OB/GYNs, medical endocrinologists, urologists, and other professionals. The docs begin to dive into clinic success rates and nuances of those rates. They offer tips on when to obtain a second opinion and considerations for patients living in remote locations. Join us for a useful episode helping listeners make one of the most important decisions of their fertility journey! Have questions about infertility?  Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today’s episode is brought to you by Theralogix and Cicero Diagnostics and Progyny

This week we turn our attention to your questions about egg reserve. Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center as they take a deep drive into your ovarian reserve in an educational question and answer episode. They help listeners determine how decreased ovarian reserve is defined and what you need to consider when you get the diagnosis. You will understand what type of workup should be done by your physician and when to pursue ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination versus more aggressive fertility treatment. Find out why your age is important when fertility decisions are made. You will hear about conditions that can lead to decreased ovarian reserve and others that may be present if you have the diagnosis. The docs help you determine how to balance your goals for a family with treatments that will give you success in the most expedient way. If you choose to do IVF the types of stimulations aimed at producing the best results are teased apart by each physician. Come join us for this interesting discussion. Have questions about infertility?  Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today’s episode is brought to you by Theralogix and Cicero Diagnostics and Progyny

While potential parents struggle to get pregnant, managing abnormal periods with irregular, heavy, or absent menstrual bleeding frustrates an already complicated process. Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center as they explain how strange bleeding patterns influence and inform fertility treatment. They set the stage of normal menstrual bleeding patterns and the common disruptions to those patterns. They review how to approach light spotting and heavy bleeding from the fertility perspective. The doctors discuss reasons for extremely heavy or non-stop bleeding and how that influences getting pregnant, as well as reasons for very minimal or completely absent bleeding. "Ask the Docs" questions this week focus on flying with IVF medications and supplementing trying to conceive naturally with progesterone. Join us as we decipher the event that kicks off every round of testing and treatment during the infertility journey! Have questions about infertility?  Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today’s episode is brought to you by Theralogix and Cicero Diagnostics and Needed

Have you ever wondered why you need all of those tests? And why the timing of them is so important? Listen as the Fertility Docs, Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertlity Center of Las Vegas, Dr.Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center, and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center take a deep dive into the questions listeners have about fertility tests. These ladies will discuss the basic tubal assessment tests, like the saline sonogram and the hysterosalpingogram (HSG). You will hear about antimullerian hormone and the role it plays in treatment decision making. Tests more pertinent to in vitro fertilization are discussed such as the Reciptiva assay. The Reciptiva assay is a newer test that looks at an inflammatory marker in the endometrium and may be of interest if you have nad endometriosis in the past. Male partners are not left out. The Sperm QT has been available for a couple of years and may help determine if his swimmers have the right stuff.Check out this episode to hear about these tests. Have questions about infertility?  Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today’s episode is brought to you by Theralogix and Cicero Diagnostics and Needed

The decision regarding the status of embryos in the recent Alabama Supreme Court case threatens the future of reproductive medicine, fertility treatments, and IVF. Rebecca O'Connor, JD, the Director of Policy and Leadership for the American Reproductive Society of Medicine, explains how this case evolved and the potential repercussions of these decisions. The docs review the process of IVF and how embryo attrition happens in the real world, and what that means for patients undergoing in vitro fertilization. They also review the statistics of natural conception and how the fate of every potential embryo unfortunately does not result in a live birth. Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center to learn how you can advocate for fertility care rights. Have questions about infertility?  Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.

The fertility journey heavily focuses on the reproductive system, but every other system counts too! Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center as they go head to toe reviewing how non-reproductive medical problems influence fertility. With emphasis placed on the heart, lungs, and GI system, they discuss how and why the rest of your body influences your fertility. They highlight particularly concerning conditions that require attention prior to becoming pregnant. Listen in for helpful information about your general health and how it relates to fertility. Have questions about infertility?  Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today’s episode is brought to you by Theralogix and Cicero Diagnostics and Needed

Carrier screening is an important part of your pre-conceptual evaluation that looks for inherited medical conditions that hide in the family tree. Join Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center as they discuss how carrier screening can impact your fertility journey. They define how carrier screening is different from other genetic testing and share treatment options you can use if you are affected by carrier screening results. Have questions about infertility? Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today's episode is brought to you by Theralogix, Cicero, and Needed 

IVF cycles offer enough challenges without the added drama of a cycle that fails to create a pregnancy.  Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center as they dissect real-world IVF cycles and potential changes to protocols that may help patients. The fabulous listeners submitted a ton of questions that illustrate potential points of change within a given IVF cycle. The doctors touch on the subtleties of protocols using different types and doses of gonadotropins. They review pretreatment techniques and nuances of different medications to alternately suppress or slingshot hormone levels to greatness. And of course, not everything in a failed IVF cycle is due to the IVF itself - questions of uterine abnormalities, aberrant hormone levels like prolactin, potential causes of recurrent implantation failure and the influence of embryo grading all receive in-depth commentary on different approaches to management. Listen in as we evaluate and offer suggestions on how to improve your next cycle! Have questions about infertility?  Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today’s episode is brought to you by Theralogix and Cicero Diagnostics and Needed

A critical part of pregnancy is location, location, location, and when a pregnancy presents outside the uterus, it is an ectopic pregnancy that is serious and, in some cases, life-threatening, so experienced care matters. Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center as share their expertise about where ectopic pregnancies can appear, associated risk factors that leave women more susceptible to ectopic pregnancy and clues they look for when suspecting an ectopic pregnancy. The docs also share medication options and recent research to treat ectopic pregnancies as well as surgical procedures that safeguard a woman’s health. Have questions about infertility?  Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today’s episode is brought to you by Theralogix and Cicero Diagnostics

This week, we let our informed listeners lead the way as we field varied questions ranging from IVF testing considerations for men and women, to education about endometriosis and some specifics about PCOS in a bit of a fertility-free-for-all. Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center for an informative and thoughtful conversation giving listeners the unique opportunity to receive multiple informed opinions on their most pressing personal questions. This includes addressing the misnomer of empty follicle syndrome, what to do if insurance just says no and why the definition of a “successful” fertility treatment means different things to do different people. In addition, you’ll learn about an exciting collaborative project our terrific trio is taking on. Come learn with us! Have questions about infertility?  Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today’s episode is brought to you by Theralogix and Cicero Diagnostics

While potential parents facing fertility challenges are anxious to get pregnant, rushing through a complex process such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) can often result in speed bumps that can actually slow the process. Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center as they try to set patient expectations by explaining from start to finish, that individual timelines are truly unique for each step of IVF. They emphasize first laying groundwork which includes navigating financial considerations and insurance is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Treatment timelines involve the careful choreography of priming and preparing your hormone levels which vary, the different lengths of time it can take to stimulate ovaries to develop eggs and the all-important timing of your trigger shot to induce ovulation leading to eventual fertilization, genetic testing and embryo transfer. We’ll unpack the process and give you tips to deal with unexpected life circumstances that often pop up along the way! Have questions about infertility?  Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today’s episode is brought to you by Theralogix and Cicero Diagnostics

Patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes often have specialized health considerations that ideally are addressed before a baby is on the way. Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center as they break down the basics of diabetes and prediabetes and how they relate to pregnancy as well as the distinctions between type 1 and type 2 diabetes and how they are managed differently. The doctors also detail the importance of A1C levels and the story behind those numbers in support of a healthy pregnancy. The doctors further explain how diabetes links to fertility including how insulin influences egg production, when it is safest for a diabetic patient to get pregnant and why optimizing pre-pregnancy health is vital to minimize diabetic risk factors to ensure the best outcome for mother and baby. Have questions about infertility?  Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today’s episode is brought to you by Theralogix and Cicero Diagnostics

As some fertility patients also face challenges with weight, recent research has allowed for a better understanding of obesity as a health issue and the importance of providing medically based, compassionate care. Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center for an enlightening Q-and-A session with Dr. Lauren Lemieux from Form Health who explains the psychological impact of obesity and fertility and how important it is to understand the biological causes of obesity to counter societal stigmas. Dr. Lemieux, an internist and obesity medicine specialist who is board certified in internal medicine, obesity medicine and as a physician nutrition specialist, details important data points, such as a patient’s dietary history and how understanding current food cravings can provide insight to future success. Dr. Lemieux also provides useful tools and innovative strategies to empower patients including the use of food photos to give a clear picture of how to achieve a healthy, sustainable weight for you and your future family. Have questions about infertility?  Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today’s episode is brought to you by Theralogix, Progyny, and Cicero Diagnostics

Recent research has changed the narrative about obesity, debunking the myth that it is a lifestyle choice and recognizing it as a medical condition. With a better understanding of the role of the brain in weight regulation, more effective medications are available, some of which are taken by women facing fertility issues. Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center for an informative discussion with Dr. Florencia Halperin, a board certified endocrinologist specializing in weight loss as chief medical officer at Form Health. Dr. Halperin explains the latest advances in anti-obesity medication, cost considerations in new vs. older drugs and the multi-faceted approach to weight loss including diet and exercise. For those taking anti-obesity medication who are considering fertility treatment, Dr. Halperin explains the importance of developing a transition plan to safely support the pathway to pregnancy. Have questions about infertility?  Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today’s episode is brought to you by Theralogix, Progyny, and Cicero Diagnostics

Balanced nutrition plays an important role in preparing the body for pregnancy and supporting a baby on the way! Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center for a wide-ranging discussion with Julia Axelbaum, director of clinical nutrition at Form Health. As a registered dietician who is board certified in obesity and weight management, Julia discusses pre-pregnancy nutrition including what you might miss if you cut carbs or dairy, the fallacy that all fats are created equal and why being underweight or overweight matters when trying to conceive. By promoting a wholistic approach to health, including all-important vitamins such as folate, Vitamin D and Vitamin B12, the patient perspective can shift from looking at food through the lens of a “diet” and instead focus on this unique time to support the body for pregnancy preparation and beyond. Have questions about infertility?  Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today’s episode is brought to you by Theralogix, Progyny, and Cicero Diagnostics

The amazing breadth of knowledge offered in your OBGYN office (obstetrics and gynecology), and the subspecialty expertise provided by an REI (reproductive endocrinologist) play a key role in your first fertility appointment. Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center for the nitty-gritty about what these medical abbreviations are all about and how these docs work cooperatively. In cases where fertility is more complex, understand why your reproductive endocrinologist might request similar testing to your OBGYN, and why a second look is beneficial. The doctors also detail what to consider in transferring your medical records from your OBGYN, why all ultrasounds are not created equally and how REIs are attuned to the tricky timing of hormonal testing. Have questions about infertility?  Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today’s episode is brought to you by Progyny, Cicero Diagnostics and Seattle Sperm Bank

Using donated sperm is an effective option for some individuals and couples wanting to start a family, but there are plenty of questions about sperm banks, and this week we provide answers! Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center for a lively and informative question-and-answer session with Alyse Mencias, clinic relations manager at Seattle Sperm Bank. Alyse, who has a master’s in reproductive and clinical science, explains who donates sperm, why they donate and the vital health, genetic and psychological screenings that Seattle Sperm Bank requires. Alyse also details what types of traits prospective parents might consider, the age requirements for donors, and why the transparency of open identity (open ID) for sperm donors and offspring born from sperm donation is important to understand. Have questions about infertility?  Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today’s episode is brought to you by Progyny, Cicero Diagnostics and Seattle Sperm Bank