Building your family

Your donor conceived child almost certainly has donor siblings. That is not a maybe — it is one of the realities of donor conception that every family needs to understand. In this episode Lisa Schuman, LCSW covers the three realities of donor siblings, what the research actually shows about donor conceived children and sibling relationships, why families connect with sibling pods and what they are looking for, how these relationships evolve over time, and how to use the Zoom Out framework to make this decision with clarity rather than panic. Whether you are just starting to think about this or you are already navigating a pod — this episode will help you think it through. Resources mentioned in this episode: Building Your Family Community: familybuilding.net Take the free quiz: https://familybuilding.net/welcome-quiz/ Privacy vs Secrecy episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg1sLYzkvWo&t=239s

When Dana and Ben received a diagnosis of zero sperm count they had no idea what came next. Donor sperm? Adoption? And how do you make that decision together as a couple when everything feels impossible? In this episode of the Building Your Family podcast, Lisa Schuman LCSW sits down with Dana and Ben to talk about their journey through male infertility. They cover the diagnosis, the emotions, the decision to use donor sperm, the process of choosing a donor, and what it has been like to build their family and share their story with their children and the people around them. What you will learn in this episode: What it actually feels like to receive a zero sperm count diagnosis as a couple, how Dana and Ben navigated the decision to use donor sperm, how they chose their donor and what that process was really like. They also talk about how open communication and humor helped them get through the hardest moments, how they prepared to share their story with their children from the very beginning and what they want other couples navigating male infertility to know. This is one of the most honest and generous conversations about male infertility and donor conception you will hear. It is one that could change everything for someone navigating this right now. Resources: Building Your Family Community: familybuilding.net Take the free quiz: familybuilding.net/welcome-quiz

Could you have PMOS and not know it? For many women the answer is yes, and the wait for a proper diagnosis can take up to ten years. In this episode of the Building Your Family podcast, Lisa Schuman, LCSW talks with Dr. Elizabeth Gardner about PMOS, formerly known as PCOS, a complex hormonal disorder that affects millions of women and goes far beyond fertility. What you will learn in this episode: What PMOS actually is, and why it starts as a communication problem in the brain Why diagnosis can take up to ten years and what to do if you suspect you have it The biggest misconceptions about PMOS that are still causing harm The role of genetics and environment in PMOS. Also discussed are serious health risks beyond fertility, including uterine cancer and metabolic issues, current treatment options and what is on the horizon including KIS peptin How to advocate for yourself with your doctor and get the individualized care you deserve. Whether you have been diagnosed with PMOS or PCOS, are struggling with irregular cycles, or are navigating fertility treatment, this episode will give you information and tools you can use immediately. Take the free quiz: familybuilding.net Lisa Schuman, LCSW is the founder of The Center for Family Building, author of Building Your Family: The Complete Guide to Donor Conception, and host of the Building Your Family podcast. Your feelings deserve attention. And your decisions deserve clarity. #PMOS #PCOS #fertility #womenshealth #reproductivehealth #hormonalhealth #reproductivetherapist #ivf #fertilityjourney #endocrinology #donorconception #buildingafamily

Talking to your child about donor conception can feel terrifying. What do you say? When do you say it? And how do you do it without creating shame or confusion? In this episode, reproductive therapist Lisa Schuman, LCSW, shares her Zoom Out Theory for talking to donor‑conceived children about their story. Instead of getting stuck in today’s anxiety, Lisa helps you think about your child’s long‑term emotional health and sense of self. You’ll learn how to acknowledge your own feelings, and start (or continue) the conversation in a way that builds connection rather than fear. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why talking to your donor‑conceived child can feel so stressful and lonely What it means to “zoom out” and think about who your child is becoming over time How to balance your emotions with what your child actually needs to hear Why “waiting until they’re older” often makes conversations harder, not easier Practical steps to move from feeling stuck to feeling clearer and more confident Episode Resources: https://familybuilding.net/events-page/

If you’re doing IVF or thinking about it, will more technology in the lab actually be better than a human embryologist handling your eggs and embryos – and what do two new breakthroughs mean for your chances? In this episode of Building Your Family, I’m joined by Dr Richard Paulson, former president of ASRM and early IVF pioneer, to unpack what’s really happening behind the lab door: automation, AI, robotics, and why the lab may matter more than almost anything else for your IVF success rates and safety. We cover: How IVF labs have evolved since the 1980s and why embryology is so sensitive Where technology, AI and automation are already helping embryologists A new system that finds extra oocytes humans miss in follicular fluid What “automated day‑0” actually means and why it could be a turning point How these advances might change success rates, safety and standardization 2–3 smart questions to ask your clinic about their lab and technology What an IVF lab could look like 10–15 years from now Whether you’re in the middle of IVF or just starting to research fertility treatment, this episode is designed to translate complex lab science into clear, humane decisions about your reproductive health and reproductive freedom. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to IVF and Technological Advances 02:15 Historical Context of IVF 04:50 The Role of the Laboratory in IVF 07:21 Automation and Future of IVF 10:55 Recent Advances in IVF Technology 20:04 Finding More Oocytes in Follicular Fluid 25:47 Implications for Success Rates in IVF 26:16 Practical Applications for Patients 31:27 Safety and Reliability in IVF Technology 33:36 Conclusion and Future Outlook Subscribe to Building Your Family for more expert‑led conversations that turn IVF science into real‑world guidance you can actually use. Episode resources School USC: https://keck.usc.edu/faculty-search/richard-j-paulson/ Medicine USC: https://www.keckmedicine.org/provider/richard-j-paulson/ F&S Reports: https://www.fertstertreports.org/