The New Year often comes with the phrase “New Year, New You,” but for those navigating fertility challenges, that message can feel disheartening, like you are constantly starting from scratch. In this special New Year’s Day episode, Dr. Norbert Gleicher reframes the conversation: you are not starting over, you are starting forward. Drawing on decades of experience, Dr. Gleicher explains how every appointment, test, and treatment builds knowledge and resilience that carry into the future...
The holiday season is often described as joyful, but for many navigating infertility or pregnancy loss, it can also be a season of grief. In this episode, Dr. Sonia Gayete explores how joy and loss can exist side by side, and why it is important to create space for both. She shares compassionate insights on honoring grief during the holidays, finding small moments of joy, and giving yourself permission to experience the season on your own terms. Whether you are moving through loss, supp...
Navigating fertility treatment is not just a medical journey—it is an emotional one. In this episode, Dr. David Barad and Dr. Norbert Gleicher talk about the importance of protecting your peace during stressful seasons, including the holidays. They share practical ways to set boundaries, honor your emotions, and redefine joy on your own terms. With their unique blend of medical expertise and compassionate perspective, they explore how patients can create space for both resilience and hope whi...
More women are choosing to build families in their 40s, yet pregnancy at this stage brings unique challenges and opportunities. In this episode, Dr. Norbert Gleicher and Dr. David Barad come together to discuss the realities of pregnancy after 40, from fertility and egg quality to the importance of individualized treatment plans. They share what truly matters for success, why age alone should not determine your options, and how pregnancy at 40 and beyond is possible with the right care. Broug...
The holiday season can be especially tough for those facing infertility or loss. In this episode, Dr. Sonia Gayete sits down with a CHR patient to talk about one of the most common and frustrating holiday triggers: the phrase “just relax.” Together, they explore why comments like this miss the mark, how to respond (or not) when family or friends bring them up, and what it means to protect your peace during family-centered seasons. This candid conversation blends professional insight with live...
Hearing the words “low AMH” or “diminished ovarian reserve” can feel devastating, but they do not mean the end of your fertility journey. In this episode, Dr. Norbert Gleicher explains what ovarian reserve really means, how diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and premature ovarian aging (POA) are diagnosed, and why early intervention and individualized care matter. He also shares how research has shaped treatment approaches, offering hope to women told they have little or no chance of success.&n...
More women than ever are choosing to build families in their 40s, but pregnancy at this stage comes with unique challenges and opportunities. In this episode, Dr. Norbert Gleicher breaks down what makes pregnancy over 40 different, from fertility and egg quality to emotional resilience and medical care. He explains what matters most for success, how individualized protocols can make a difference, and why pregnancy after 40 is not only possible but increasingly common. Brought to you by the Ce...
What happens after egg retrieval? For many patients, this part of the IVF process feels like a mystery. In this episode, Dr. Norbert Gleicher sits down with Dr. Cari Nicholas, CHR’s Embryology Lab Supervisor, to walk through the crucial days after retrieval. From fertilization to embryo development, they explain each step inside the lab, how embryologists make decisions about monitoring and transfer timing, and why lab quality plays such an important role in IVF outcomes. This behind-the-scen...
Pregnancy and infant loss are often accompanied by silence, yet healing requires space for remembrance. In this episode, Dr. Sonia Gayete explores how rituals, both private and shared, can help families honor their babies and create meaning after loss. From simple acts like lighting a candle to community events and creative expressions, Dr. Gayete shares ways that families can find comfort, connection, and healing in remembrance. Brought to you by the Center for Human Reproduction (CHR) on th...
When pregnancy loss happens more than once, it is not "just bad luck." It is a medical condition that deserves answers. In this episode, Dr. Norbert Gleicher explains why recurrent pregnancy loss is often overlooked, what standard care misses, and which diagnostic tests can uncover hidden causes. From immune factors to hormonal imbalances, Dr. Gleicher highlights why a one-size-fits-all approach does not work and how deeper investigation can bring hope for the future. Brought to you by the Ce...
Pregnancy loss leaves behind not just grief, but difficult questions about when to try again. In this episode, Dr. David Barad explores the emotional and medical realities of pursuing pregnancy after loss. From navigating fear and uncertainty to holding space for hope, Dr. Barad offers compassionate insight and practical guidance for those considering their next steps on the path to parenthood. Brought to you by the Center for Human Reproduction (CHR) on the Upper East Side of New York City. ...
Grief after pregnancy or infant loss is often met with silence or words that miss the mark. In this episode, host Dr. Norbert Gleicher speaks with Dr. Simone Tomasi, consulting psychiatrist at CHR, about the power of language in supporting those who have experienced loss. Together, they explore what to say (and what not to say), how compassion can help families feel seen, and why holding space for grief is an essential part of healing. Brought to you by the Center for Human Reproduction...
In this episode, CHR’s physicians take a closer look at the long-term health effects of PCOS and what patients need to know beyond their 20s and 30s. At CHR, we believe in looking beyond short-term fertility treatment. PCOS is a lifelong condition that requires awareness, individualized care, and ongoing support. Brought to you by the Center for Human Reproduction (CHR) on the Upper East Side of New York City. With over 40 years of experience and a history of innovation, CHR has been at the f...
Success rates are one of the most common ways fertility clinics are compared—but what do the numbers actually mean? In this episode of The Egg Factor, CHR’s Medical Director Dr. Norbert Gleicher and Associate Medical Director Dr. David Barad break down the latest SART (Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology) outcome data. Together, they unpack: How SART collects and reports IVF outcomes across U.S. clinicsWhy success rates can be misleading—especially for patients over 40 or those with ...
As fertility declines with age, it's not just about egg quantity—it's about the entire hormonal and immune environment surrounding the ovaries. In this episode of The Egg Factor, CHR’s physicians break down the nuanced changes that happen in the late 30s and 40s, including shifts in estrogen, testosterone, and DHEA levels—and how these changes impact ovarian function and embryo quality. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Brought to you by the Center for ...
Not all PCOS is created equal. In this solo episode of The Egg Factor, CHR’s Medical Director Dr. Norbert Gleicher dives into one of the most misunderstood—and frequently missed—diagnoses in reproductive medicine: lean PCOS with low androgens, also known as D-phenotype PCOS. Often overlooked because these patients don’t fit the “typical” PCOS profile, women with D-phenotype are usually thin, have regular periods, and no obvious signs of excess androgens. But as they age—especially after 35—th...
In this solo episode of The Egg Factor, Dr. Norbert Gleicher, Medical Director of CHR, unpacks the complex relationship between nutrition, inflammation, insulin resistance, and reproductive outcomes in women over 40. Drawing on decades of clinical and research experience, Dr. Gleicher dives into how specific micronutrients and metabolic factors influence egg quality, implantation, and miscarriage risk. Our founder, Dr. Norbert Gleicher, reported the first successful transvaginal egg ret...
We’ve all heard it: after 40, your chances of conceiving with your own eggs plummet. But is the data behind the so-called "fertility cliff" as clear-cut as it seems? In this episode of The Egg Factor, CHR's Dr. Norbert Gleicher unpacks research, clinical experience, and patient outcomes to challenge the mainstream narrative. He explores how fertility statistics have been widely misinterpreted, why donor eggs are often recommended too quickly, and what ovarian potential really looks like in wo...
We often hear about the biological clock—but what does “ovarian aging” really mean? In this episode of The Egg Factor, Dr. Norbert Gleicher and Dr. David Barad explain the science behind ovarian aging, how it differs from chronological age, and what it means for fertility—especially for women in their late 30s, 40s, or those diagnosed with low ovarian reserve. Brought to you by the Center for Human Reproduction (CHR) on the Upper East Side of New York City. With over 40 years of experience an...
What really happens behind the microscope? In this episode of The Egg Factor, Dr. Norbert Gleicher, Dr. David Barad, and world-renowned embryologist Dr. David Albertini take you inside the fertility lab to demystify some of the most misunderstood parts of the IVF process. They break down: -How embryos are graded—and what those grades actually mean -What exactly about morphology is important -The truth about PGT-A (and whether it improves your chances) -How many times can you freeze a human ...