Brave & Curious with Dr Lora Shahine

Latest Episodes:

Ep 63 Are IVF babies endangered?: Perspective on the threat to IVF from the first IVF Baby in the US: Elizabeth Carr Mar 18, 2024

Show notes

In the wake of the Dobbs decision that effectively ended federal abortion rights protection under Roe v Wade, the fate of IVF and fertility treatments has been hanging in the balance.

In Alabama in February/March of 2024, a decision on the rights of a fetus brought IVF to a halt. Was this was the "pro-life" movement had in mind? To prohibit people from building the families they envision?

Fortunately, that outcome was "patched," thanks to activism by reproductive rights' advocates, among others. One of the most important voices in this ongoing conversation (and spoiler: this conversation didn't start when Roe v Wade ended) is that of Elizabeth Carr, the first IVF baby in the United States.

Elizabeth Carr, who has been "in the media since three cells old," chose a career in journalism, and she is now fully in as an advocate for fertility treatments like IVF. She has a podcast called The First, does public speaking, hosts events, and speaks out when needed to protect the rights of people to create their families as they choose. Learn more about Elizabeth on her website: https://ejordancarr.com/.

In this episode you'll hear:

[0:00] Introducing Elizabeth Carr, the first IVF baby in the United States.

[2:22] The timeline up and through the Alabama Supreme Court decision

Impacts of the AL Supreme Court decision
Governor Ivey's bill to protect IVF

[8:26] Impact of the AL decision on IVF access

[13:23] "Personhood" bills and their impacts on IVF and embryo freezing

Alabama shows the need for education around fertility treatments
Fertility treatments are not discussed accurately by media and politicians

[19:08] The truths of IVF

IVF helps those with infertility, cancer survivors, those who've suffered missed miscarriages, etc.
IVF stigma can cause pharmacists to refuse to provide needed medication for fear of repercussions

[24:14] Attending the President's State of the Union address

[26.18] Why is IVF so polarizing?

[33:30] Infertility advocacy and reproductive rights

[43:04] Calls to action

Resources mentioned:

doctorsforfertility.com

fightforfamilies.resolve.org

ASRM Advocacy

Find Elizabeth Carr

The First podcast

Elizabeth Carr on Instagram @ejordan12

Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter

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Ep 62 Miscarriage Support You REALLY Need with Early Pregnancy Loss Association Founder Emily Carrington Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

Learn about a different kind of support resource for miscarriage and pregnancy loss on this week's episode of the Baby or Bust Fertility podcast.

Dr. Shahine interviews Emily Carrington, founder of the Early Pregnancy Loss Association. Emily has turned her own story of confusion and payment plans for her miscarriages into a support system to educate women on the realities of miscarriage and navigate the medical bills that can pile up.

Learn about the unique miscarriage care kits that Emily's team ships anywhere in the US for FREE. These kits include self care items, education information, and real life needs for a pregnancy loss at home you didn't know you need - until you do.

Listen now - see links below to more resources.

In this episode you'll hear:

[0:00] What is "early pregnancy loss"?

Who are the EPLA and what do they provide?

[2:37] Early pregnancy loss and the financial burdens that come with it

Emily shares her personal story of loss and how the lack of resources convinced her to start an organization to help others.

[7:31] The toll of miscarriage

Dr. Shahine shares her own story of the emotional toll of miscarriage
Emily talks about why her organization focuses on early pregnancy loss

[12:32] Miscarriage care kits

How EPLA's miscarriage care kits differ from others in their contents
The necessity of more education to deal with miscarriage

[18:42] Financial support for miscarriage-related medical bills

EPLA has a program that offers financial support
Available in Michigan, but can be copied globally
Care kits can be shipped to anywhere in the US, overnight

Resources mentioned:

If you are experiencing pregnancy loss or know someone else who is, you can order a miscarriage care kit here: www.miscarriagecare.com/care-kit-request.

Early Pregnancy Loss Association: www.miscarriagecare.com

Dr. Shahine's books on miscarriage and recurrent pregnancy loss: drlorashahine.com/books

Episode 60: "There is no Heartbeat" What's Next and Options after a Diagnosis of Missed Miscarriage

Parent Support of Puget Sound: Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Infant loss support in Seattle and surrounding areas in Washington State: psofpugetsound.org

Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

Ep 61 Holding Both The Family You Have and Hope for Another Baby: Secondary Infertility with Allie Karagozian Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

Secondary infertility — difficulty conceiving or carrying a subsequent pregnancy — comes with a unique set of challenges. Being a parent with infertility can create tension between feeling grateful for the family you have yet grieving the family you desire.

In this episode, Dr. Lora Shahine talks with Allie Karagozian, occupational therapist, business owner, and podcaster. Allie shares her own fertility journey and why she created a special way to support those suffering with secondary infertility. Through her podcast, Secondary Infertility, and her support groups, Holding Both, Allie provides support for mothers struggling with secondary infertility.

In this episode you'll hear:

[0:00] What is secondary infertility?

[3:20] What are the unique challenges of secondary infertility?

Guilt for wanting "more"
Providing a sibling for an existing child
Age gaps between children and societal pressure to have more

[11:18] Secondary infertility support groups

Lack of support for those experiencing secondary infertility
The need for a safe space to discuss the challenges
The importance of emotional support and community

[20:07] Secondary infertility support for men

Men are often sidelined during fertility challenges
Men also need emotional support

Resources mentioned:

One and Only by Lauren Sandler: https://www.laurenosandler.com/the-book

Episode with Miscarriage Doula Arden Cartrette: drlorashahine.com/podcast/arden-cartrette-on-pregnancy-loss

Finding Allie Karagozian:

Allie on Instagram: @holdingboth

Allie's Website: www.holdingbothllc.com

Allie's Podcast on Instagram: @secondaryinfertility.pod

Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

Ep 60 "There is No Heartbeat" What's Next and Options after a Diagnosis of Missed Miscarriage Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

"I am so sorry, but the baby has stopped developing."

A "missed" or "silent" miscarriage is when the fetus has stopped developing, but the body hasn't gotten the message to end the pregnancy yet. It can be devastating, and unfortunately, there are often decisions that the pregnant person will need to make.

In this episode, Dr. Lora Shahine talks about what a missed miscarriage is, what actions you may need to take if diagnosed with a missed miscarriage, and what the pros, cons, and risks are of the different options.

In this episode you'll hear:

[0:00] What is a missed miscarriage?

What questions might you have for your doctor?
What are the symptoms that a missed miscarriage may be occuring?
Why is it sometimes referred to as an "abortion"?

[4:54] What are the medical options for proceeding after a diagnosis?

There are options to pursue, with pros and cons.
Will the body naturally miscarry the fetus? Is there a risk of infection?
What are the emotional impacts?

[10:22] Medical management of missed miscarriages

[13:22] Surgical management of missed miscarriages

Who might need surgical intervention?
What does it entail?
Diagnosing chromosomal imbalances

[20:22] Advocating for care

How to talk to your care team about interventions
Dr. Shahine's book Not Broken: drlorashahine.com/books
Understanding it's not the pregnant person's fault and how to advocate for care
Resources for support and healing

Resources mentioned:

Dr. Shahine's books: drlorashahine.com/books

Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

Ep 59 Getting to Baby with Nutrition, Diet, and Foods for Fertility with Authors Angela Thyer, MD and Judy Simon, RD Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

How much does what we eat impact our fertility?

Certainly food influences pregnancy and fertility much more than most of us know, possibly more than our doctors know! Fortunately, a book is coming that can change all that, and in this episode, Dr. Lora Shahine is talking with the authors about fertility, food, nutrition, the science of food and fertility, the myths surrounding nutrition and reproduction (hint: it's NOT all about BMI), and so much more.

Dr. Angela Thyer is a reproductive endocrinologist and Judy Simon is a registered dietitian and reproductive health nutritionist in Seattle, and together they've written Getting to Baby: A Food-First Fertility Plan to Improve Your Odds and Shorten Your Time to Pregnancy.

Getting to Baby is a deep dive into choosing the right foods to reduce inflammation and support a healthy body; eating to support conception, healthy pregnancy, and IVF treatments; and actually enjoying shopping, cooking, and eating.

In this episode you'll hear:

[0:00] Introducing the idea of fertility nutrition with a focus on plant-based foods

[0:51] Nutrition's impact on fertility with medical doctor and registered dietitian

[2:31] Nutrition and fertility with a focus on evidence-based information

[3:55] Creating a supportive community for people with fertility issues

[5:03] Fertility, nutrition, and cooking with guidance from a reproductive endocrinologist and a dietitian

[9:55] The importance of plant-based foods and limiting processed foods

[15:33] What does a "holistic approach" to nutrition and fertility look like?

[21:11] Avoiding restrictive dieting

[22:56] Nutrition accessibility

[31:03] Lifestyle tips for better health

Resources mentioned:

Getting to Baby by Angela Thyer, MD and Judy Simon, RDN (find at Penguin Random House Books)

Judy Simon, RD on Instagram - @fertilenutrition

Angela Thyer, MD on Instagram @angelathyermd

More education on nutrition and fertility:

Improving Fertility with Diet and Nutrition with Dr. Lora Shahine

https://youtu.be/Lxwv0VLZyEk

Foods that Improve Your Fertility with Dr. Lora Shahine

https://youtu.be/tBJo9ggmdzA

Foods to Avoid When You're Trying to Conceive with Dr. Lora Shahine

https://youtu.be/Ch86VS6yxPE

Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

Ep 58 How Did the Pineapple Become a Symbol of Hope for the Fertility Community? Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

Whether you're convinced of their medicinal properties or not, the pineapple is a wonderful and long-lived symbol of hope and strength in the fertility community.

In this episode, Dr. Lora Shahine explains a little about where the symbol comes from, a couple myths to watch out for, and how the pineapple symbol can help you on your fertility journey,

In this episode you'll hear:

[1:14] Pineapples are everywhere in the fertility community!
[2:37] The medical connection to the pineapple
[5:09] The symbolic connection the the pineapple
[6:02] Summary

Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

Ep 57 Is Needle-less Acupuncture the Latest Fertility Breakthrough? Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

Many people struggling with infertility are curious about the claims that acupuncture will improve fertility and decrease time to pregnancy, but they don't explore this option because of…needles.

What if you could get the potential fertility-boosting benefits of acupuncture without the sticks?

In this episode, doctor of acupuncture, teacher, researcher, and practitioner of integrative East-Asian Medicine Dr. Lee Hullender Rubin talks with Dr. Shahine about the recent research and claims that Laser Photobiomodulation (PBM) (or needleless acupuncture) can improve fertility, PCOS, male factor infertility, and more.

In this episode you'll hear:

[0:00] Innovative acupuncture treatment without needles: hooray for the needle-hesitant!

[2:04] Non-invasive acupuncture using laser therapy: what are the benefits?

[5:00] LED and laser therapy for fertility: how does it work?

[9:43] The effectiveness of laser therapy in fertility treatments

[14:46] Some results from laser acupuncture for fertility treatment

[21:25] Regulating hormones for fertility treatment: how laser can help regulate EMH levels for fertility benefits

PCOS patients
Egg quality for IVF cycles

[27:49] Using laser therapy to improve IVF outcomes

[27:58] What about sperm? Does laser affect sperm numbers or motility?

[32:18] Two fertility cases with different outcomes

[37:50] The future of acupuncture for fertility

Resources mentioned:

Baby or Bust, Episode 39: Dr. Lee Hullendar Rubin on Acupuncture and Fertitlity drlorashahine.com/podcast/dr-lee-hullender-rubin-on-acupuncture-and-fertility

Dr. Lee Hullendar Rubin's website: www.rosefinchhealth.com

Dr. Lee Hullendar Rubin on Instagram: @rosefinhhealth

Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

Ep 56 Can a Fertility Coach Help You Get Pregnant? with Ceire Nevins Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

Many say raising children "takes a village," but what about the team you create on your family building journey through infertility, miscarriage, IVF and early pregnancy? The "trying to conceive" village can include doctors, nurses, therapists, acupuncturists, friends, family, and maybe a fertility coach.

If you're curious about what a fertility coach is and are considering working with one, you'll learn all about it in this episode in which Dr. Shahine interviews fertility coach Ceire Nevins.

You'll finish knowing what's different about a fertility coach - how they help you meet your goals, support you on the journey, and more. Be sure to pay attention to the red flags Dr. Shahine and Ceire review, so you also know what you DON'T want in a fertility coach.

In this episode you'll hear:

[0:00] What is fertility coaching and how does it help?

[6:29] Fertility coaching and empowering clients to advocate for themselves

Non-medical advice and advocacy for patients undergoing fertility treatments
Ceire's personal journey with infertility and how it led her to become a fertility coach

[12:06] Fertility coaching and holistic health

[17:47] How to find a qualified fertility coach

Personal experience with infertility and credentials
Coaches who promise unrealistic results

[24:01] Fertility coaching and support for individuals undergoing IVF

The importance of support and self-care
Reframing the mindset from goal-oriented to system-based

Resources mentioned:

Ceire's Fertility Mama website: www.thefertilitymama.com

Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

Ep 55 One Test at a Time: Explaining the Confusing World of Genetic Testing in Fertility and IVF Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

PGT-A, PGT-M, PGT-SR, Carrier Screening, Karyotype — oh my! The options available for genetic screening in fertility testing and IVF treatment can get confusing.

Understanding testing available to you BEFORE treatment as well as DURING the IVF process is key. These tests can decrease risk of disease and miscarriage and improve success rates with a single embryo transfer, but there are pros and cons for every intervention. It can be difficult to keep it all straight and overwhelming to know what to do.

In this episode, Dr. Lora Shahine goes in depth on what tests are available, what they are screening for, who is a good candidate for genetic testing, and what your options are when the results come in.

You'll finish this episode understanding genetic testing and screening in fertility and IVF and knowing what questions to ask your doctor about what's right for your personal situation.

As always, please share this episode with others on or considering a fertility treatment journey — if you don't know anyone (or know you know anyone), consider leaving us a review to help others find the podcast.

In this episode you'll hear:

[0.00] Genetic testing of embryos for IVF patients.

genetic screening of embryos for infertility patients, including testing for specific mutations and benefits
genetic testing options for embryos, including PGT-A, PGT-M, and PGT-S

[3:10] Genetic testing for embryos before IVF

preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) for single gene disorders in IVF
genetic disorders and the importance of carrier screening before IVF
the option to test embryos for specific mutations
PGT Sr. is preimplantation genetic testing for structural rearrangement, which requires knowing what to look for before testing embryos

[10.23] Balanced translocations and their impact on pregnancy

what are balanced translocations and what is their effect on fertility
what are your management options
testing embryos for chromosome content to reduce miscarriage risk

[15:58] Genetic testing for embryos during IVF

preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A)
the risk of chromosomal abnormalities
what are your options when the results come in

[21:58] Karyotype test for people having recurrent pregnancy loss

this week's fertility story: couple with 10 miscarriages
both partners should test for a balanced translocation with a karyotype test
the importance of seeking a second medical opinion and not giving up hope on fertility treatments

Resources mentioned:

ASRM Committee Opinion of Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic Conditions

ACOG summary of Preimplantation Testing

ACOG FAQ's about Genetic Carrier Screening

Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

Ep 54 Talking Fertility Treatment and Challenges with Fertility Influencer Adelaide White Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

Infertility advocate and health enthusiast Adelaide White is an invaluable source of light and hope to so many on TikTok and Instagram, Dr. Shahine included.

In this episode, the tables are flipped as Adelaide interviews Lora on All Things Fertility Journey, from the educational journey of a reproductive endocrinologist to the differences among the fertility treatment choices to the many causes of infertility to the heartbreak of recurrent pregnancy loss.

Through it all, one message is clear: infertility and pregnancy loss are not your fault. Culturally, we have such a tendency to blame infertility on the partner who plans to carry the pregnancy, and that's both wholly inaccurate and hugely unhelpful. Shame and guilt have no place in this process, and that's why podcasts like Adelaide's and Dr. Shahine's exist, so please share widely to spread the word.

In this episode you'll hear:

[0:00] Fertility treatments with a reproductive endocrinologist — what to expect

[8:43] Fertility success rates with IVF

[14:16] Fertility treatments and hormone levels

[19:12] Fertility treatment options and miscarriage risk

[22:51] Miscarriage causes, egg retrieval pain, and IVF success and why recurrent pregnancy loss is not your fault

[28:06] Fertility treatments and when to seek medical help: is one year enough?

[33:30] Fertility treatment options and why advocating for oneself is so important

[40:40] Infertility and its impact on various cultures, races, and socio-economic groups

[43:37] The fertility journey and advocacy

Resources mentioned:

Adelaide's podcast The Waiting Room: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-waiting-room/id1588061814