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Infertility and miscarriage are more common than we realize, and we need to talk about it. Whether it's interviews with experts or a deep dive into a reproductive health topic, every week on the Baby or Bust Fertility podcast, your host, Dr. Lora Shahine, gets real about education, emotional support, and shared fertility experiences. Listen now and learn how to advocate for your own care or support your loved ones with infertility, miscarriage, and early pregnancy. Baby Or Bust is produced by Bray's Run Production and Audiotocracy Podcast Production in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank.
How does your daily skincare routine impact fertility, pregnancy, or your overall health? Which products and sunscreen are ok while trying to conceive and pregnant and which are NOT? Can you do botox, filler, red light therapy while trying to conceive?
Dr. Heather Rogers joins Baby or Bust to answer these questions and give valuable advice on finding a safer skincare routine without compromising your safe care. Dr. Rogers is a double-board certified dermatologist and founder of Doctor Rogers Skin Care line. She knows building a family isn’t easy for everyone and can take longer than you might like. So her recommendations are in line with putting yourself first and making your skincare routine manageable and safer for the various stages of fertility, pregnancy, and all stages of life.
In the education-packed episode, Dr. Lora Shahine and Dr. Rogers discuss endocrine disruptors and toxins, tips for finding the right products for you, practical recommendations for using retinol, fillers, sunscreen, red light therapy, Botox, and IPL before and during pregnancy, and Dr. Rogers shares her top 5 products for your best skin.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[2:08] Meet Dr. Heather Rogers, founder of Doctor Rogers Skin Care
[4:38] So many choices for skincare: Find Safer Ones
[8:05] The truth about parabens and endocrine disruptors
[13:45] Navigating skincare product safety
[19:08] Dos and Don’ts for trying to conceive products and pregnancy products
[28:34] The five products you need for amazing skin
[35:09] Red light therapy
[37:35] Sunscreen recommendations
[41:35] Where to find more information from Dr. Heather Rogers
Resources mentioned:
www.doctorrogers.com Enjoy 15% discount with code DRSHAHINE at checkout
Follow Dr. Rogers on Instagram & Tiktok @drheatherrogers
Follow Doctor Rogers Skin Care @doctor.rogers
Ep 80 Finding Safer Products with Lanning Ardente: Let Sorette Do the Research for You
Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books
Have you seen the stories about surrogacy scams out this year? Are you considering using a gestational carrier or financing a fertility or IVF treatment and worried about making the right (or wrong) choice for next steps?
Reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Brian Levine is Dr. Lora Shahine’s guest for this episode of Baby or Bust. The founder of CCRM Fertility of New York and Nodal Surrogacy, Dr. Levine has a unique perspective, having been on the ground through the evolution of surrogacy in New York since it became legal in 2021.
In this conversation, you’ll learn more about the recent surrogacy scams and how to protect yourself. Dr. Levine shares the importance of transparency, addresses some common misconceptions about surrogacy, and shares some of the positive experiences families have had through this process.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[1:50] Meet Dr. Brian Levine
[2:30] The birth of Nodal and Surrogacy in New York
[6:15] Nodal’s approach to surrogacy
[8:53] Seam Escrow Agency Fraud
[15:23] Protecting yourself against fraud
[21:47] Common questions, concerns and misconceptions surrounding surrogacy
[47:54] Sharing stories and supporting others
[51:28] Connecting with Dr. Brian Levine and Nodal
Resources mentioned:
Follow Dr. Brian Levine on IG - @drbrianlevine
Stories mentioned:
Couple unable to bring baby home from Mexico Story
Chinese actress accused of abandoning 2 babies in the US
Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books
Many of us live for that first cup of coffee in the morning. But. How much caffeine is okay when you’re trying to get pregnant? Can cutting out caffeine completely positively impact fertility? What about when you’re pregnant — is caffeine ok then? Where do you find the best information for your situation?
Dr. Lora Shahine explores caffeine consumption and its effects on fertility from both Western and Eastern medical perspectives. You’ll get practical information on caffeine content in various beverages (including that o-so-important coffee), answers to the most common patient questions, and a personalized recommendation for those trying to conceive.
After this episode, you’ll feel more equipped to make the best decision for yourself. Be sure and review your personal situation with your doctor.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[1:55] A Western evidence-based approach to caffeine and fertility
[7:00] The Eastern medicine approach to caffeine and fertility
[9:27] How much caffeine is in your favorite pick-me-ups?
[10:30] Dr. Shahine’s personal recommendations
Resources mentioned:
Caffeine Chart - find how much is in what you’re having: www.cspinet.org/caffeine-chart
1988 Wilcox Study Caffeine Harms Fertility
Large Danish Study Reassuring Results on Caffeine and Fertility
Men's Fertility and Caffeine Study mentioned
Planting the Seeds of Fertility: An Integrative Approach to Fertility Care
Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books
Should we try for another child? Can we handle all the treatments, ups and downs, and possible heartbreak that comes with trying again? Will my child be okay without a sibling? Will our family feel complete with “just” one child?
Lauren Sandler, award-winning journalist and author, is joining Baby or Bust to share her thoughts and insights on parenthood and chat about her bestselling book One and Only: The Freedom of Having an Only Child, and the Joy of Being One. This is the book that ignited an international conversation about single-child families.
In this conversation, Lauren Sandler shares with Dr. Lora Shahine her experience as an only child and a mother of an only child. They explore the cultural pressure surrounding family size and society’s heavy expectations put on parents to have more than one.
You’ll hear Lauren share the importance of personal choice in parenting, debunk myths about only children, and highlight the significance of happiness and fulfillment in parenting. You’ll walk away ready to embrace your unique family dynamics and make empowered choices about your lives and families.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[2:29] Meet Lauren Sandler, author of One and Only
[5:13] Getting questions about family building
[8:43] 2 by 2––Society’s Expectation
[11:05] What does research say about single children?
[17:20] Pros of being an only child
[23:42] Assumptions about an only child’s life and future
[30:23] Lauren’s life today
Resources mentioned:
One and Only book: www.laurenosandler.com/the-book
Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books
How do you heal and move forward from miscarriage and stillbirth? Will you ever feel whole again after such heartbreak? Where do you even go from there after such a profound experience?
Dr. Kiley Hanish is joining Dr. Lora Shahine on Baby or Bust for this episode to share her story and the support community for loss she created. Kiley and her husband, Sean, shared their story of stillbirth in the Emmy-nominated film Return to Zero, starring Minnie Driver in 2014. The lack of care she received through her son’s stillbirth led her down the path to create the nonprofit organization Return to Zero: H.O.P.E., so that other families would have a better experience.
Kiley’s personal experience and insights into her own healing are profound. You’ll hear her share how to navigate a new reality, accepting that grief is a lifelong journey, the importance of education for healthcare workers to support grieving families, and the entire journey of founding Return to Zero foundations and creating the film.
If you or someone you know has experienced loss, find support at rtzhope.org
In this episode you’ll hear:
[2:17] Kiley’s story of the movie Return to Zero
[10:57] The impact of the film
[16:48] Return to Zero: H.O.P.E.––the organization
[24:00] Additional resources, for family and friends
[27:36] A message on loss, from Kiley
[29:44] Wave of Light Gathering
Resources mentioned:
Return to Zero the film: www.imdb.com/title/tt2538130/?ref_=fn_al_
Wave of Light Gathering: rtzhope.org/events-page/wave-of-light-gathering
RTZ Family & Friends resources: rtzhope.org/family
Recognition of Life Certificate: rtzhope.org/certificate
Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books
Can you relate to not feeling completely happy when you get a positive pregnancy result? Do you get really anxious while waiting for your routine checkups or ultrasounds? Are you having many mixed emotions, including negative ones, about your positive pregnancy test?
Guess what––you’re not alone. Many women who have experienced loss go through the ups and downs, the rollercoaster of emotions, waiting to see if this time it really will be okay.
In this episode, Dr. Shahine assures us that if you’re pregnant again miscarriage, and feeling nervous and anxious, you’re not alone. She gives tips on how to cope and how to find support. Sometimes that reassurance doesn’t come from your friends and family, so she shares some valuable resources that will help you.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[0:37] Story time
[1:52] A lesson on mixed emotions
[6:30] ALL feelings are valid
[7:37] Seeking help and finding support
[10:27] Two helpful resources
Resources mentioned:
Dr. Lora Sahine’s books - drlorashahine.com/books
RPLA Support Groups - https://rplassociation.org/events
Return to Zero Retreats and Support Groups - rtzhope.org/parents
RESOLVE Support Groups - resolve.org/get-help/find-a-support-group
Finding Calm for the Expectant Mom by Alice D. Domar
Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books
Have you or someone you loved experienced the heartbreak of miscarraige and feel desperate to know why it happened? Have you questioned food you ate, exercise you did, stress levels, and searched for answers from doctors, friends, and the internet? We still have so much to learn about pregnancy loss and recurrent miscarriage but there are people asking the questions and finding the answers!
Megan Hanson is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association (RPLA). Megan and her husband started RPLA in 2019 after their own experience of recurrent pregnancy loss. This nonprofit organization funds research into recurrent miscarriages and provides support to individuals and families who have lost pregnancies.
In this episode of the Baby or Bust Fertility Podcast, Dr. Lora Shahine and Megan go through the development and purpose of RPLA. They discuss challenges in miscarriage research and the need to raise awareness about how many women are impacted by recurrent miscarriage. Megan shares her personal journey with recurrent miscarriage, IVF, and gestational surgery, and the emotional toll all of this had on her path to parenthood.
Community support and advocacy are key for those who are struggling with recurrent miscarriages. Find out how to get involved, find support, or provide support for others at rplassociation.org.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[1:26] Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association (RPLA)
[6:41] Gaps in research for miscarriage and fertility
[10:21] RPLA and RESOLVE’s efforts for advocacy
[19:38] What is the latest research telling us?
[34:00] Megan’s journey
[44:00] Finding support and getting involved
Resources mentioned:
Megan’s blog: misbehavinguterus.com
Miscarriage Research: med.stanford.edu/lathi/research.html
Give to RESOLVE: resolve.org/take-action/donate/ways-to-give
Dr. Lora Shahine’s books: drlorashahine.com/books
RPLA Resources
Follow RPLA:
Facebook @rplassociation1
YouTube @rplassociation1
LinkedIn @rpl-association
Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books
Are you curious about reproductive rights in the US? Are you worried about access to IVF and medical treatment for your reproductive health?
On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, not only eliminating the federal right to abortion care but threatening access to contraception, IVF, and many aspects of reproductive health. It’s been two years, so where are we now?
In this episode of Baby or Bust, Dr. Shahine discusses the current state of reproductive rights in the US. She reviews exactly what lead to the Dobbs decision, why IVF stopped in Alabama for 3 weeks, and the resulting fallout of the overturn of Roe v. Wade over the last 2 years.
She leaves you with action items and resources to learn more.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[2:44] June 24, 2022
[3:52] Doctors for Fertility
[6:13] What is the Dobbs decision? And how does it impact reproductive rights?
[13:17] Challenges associated with accessing contraception
[16:18] Building a family & access to IVF in the wake of June 24, 2022
[24:00] Broader implications on maternal healthcare
[29:51] How to get involved & make a difference for future generations
Resources mentioned:
Follow @doctorsforfertility | Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, & TikTok
Please email hello@drlorashahine.com if you want a copy of resources for facts and updates shared in this episode.
Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books
Should you freeze your eggs? What age? What’s the success rate? How much does it cost?
Natalie Lampert has insight into women's top questions about egg freezing, and she is here to share it with you. An award-winning journalist and author of The Big Freeze, her work focuses on women’s health and the fertility industry. Her story will answer your questions and provide insight into the world of egg freezing.
In this conversation, Natalie and Dr. Lora Shahine discuss Natalie’s personal journey with fertility preservation, the historical context of egg freezing, the impact of big corporations' fertility benefits, the need for comprehensive information, and what to consider if you are thinking about freezing your eggs.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[3:00] Meet Natalie Lampert
[4:55] Historical context and the development of egg freezing
[11:55] Misinformation around egg freezing: be informed, not persuaded
[13:25] Egg freezing is assurance, not insurance
[16:33] Who is freezing their eggs? And why?
[22:53] Natalie’s personal decision
[42:52] Advice for women considering egg freezing
[46:50] Final thoughts and resources
Resources mentioned:
The Big Freeze by Natalie Lampert
Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books
How early have you done a pregnancy test?
Are you stuck questioning the result?
In this episode of Baby or Bust, Dr. Lora Shahine reviews pregnancy tests: when to test, how accurate tests can be, why testing too early can make things even more confusing, and what can cause both false negatives and false positives.
This episode is packed full of helpful information - save for reference and share!
In this episode you’ll hear:
[2:22] Understanding pregnancy tests and their importance
[4:52] When should you test?
[6:26] Information on specific tests
[7:35] False positives and false negatives
[12:56] Why do fertility clinics tell you not to test early?
[13:46] Closing thoughts
Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books
Amanda is a wife. A mother. A blogger. A Christian.
A charming, beautiful, bubbly, young woman who lives life to the fullest.
But Amanda is dying, with a secret she doesn’t want anyone to know.
She starts a blog detailing her cancer journey, and becomes an inspiration, touching and
captivating her local community as well as followers all over the world.
Until one day investigative producer Nancy gets an anonymous tip telling her to look at Amanda’s
blog, setting Nancy on an unimaginable road to uncover Amanda’s secret.
Award winning journalist Charlie Webster explores this unbelievable and bizarre, but
all-too-real tale, of a woman from San Jose, California whose secret ripped a family apart and
left a community in shock.
Scamanda is the true story of a woman whose own words held the key to her secret.
New episodes every Monday.
Follow Scamanda on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
Amanda’s blog posts are read by actor Kendall Horn.
