Episodes

SpermQT™ goes beyond standard sperm analysis. This test uses epigenetics, a science
that analyzes the control mechanisms that turn the right genes on and off in sperm. 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 discussion with Kristin Brogaard, PhD, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Path Fertility. Kristin explains how epigenetic testing determines whether men have the right profile of gene expression in their sperm for fertility success. This information helps determine whether couples who are concerned about male factor infertility should choose IUI or ICSI for a better outcome.

Today, we are talking eggs—quality and quantity. 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 more about diminished ovarian reserve, a condition that occurs when your egg quantity and/or quality are lower than normal levels. Learn which tests our docs use to determine egg quality and quantity. Find out about the causes of DOR which include everything from age and gynecologic surgeries to chemotherapy and autoimmune conditions. Also, discover how smoking can cause diminished ovarian reserve.

Dealing with infertility can be tough on relationships. 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 talk about ways for you and your partner to get on the same page. Our docs have seen couples go through all the feels, all the struggles. From the first visit and testing to choosing a treatment plan, our docs have helpful tips and advice to help you work together and support each other during your fertility journey.

In the middle of the night, you experience pain or bleeding. Should you call your doctor or go to the ER? Can it wait until morning? 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 helpful discussion about which issues require immediate care and which ones are urgent, but not dangerous emergencies. For example, bleeding and pain after a very recent pregnancy test is always an emergency, but vaginal discharge during treatment rarely is. Learn the difference between emergency health problems and urgent issues in fertility care.

Name two things where more is always better. Our answer is chocolate, of course, and hCG! 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 discussion about human chorionic gonadotropin hormone, or hCG. Find out what normal vs. abnormal levels look like. Learn the reasons why doctors monitor this pregnancy hormone early in a potential pregnancy, the value and timing of tracking it and what information this hormone level provides. Our fertility experts also explain what terms like “blighted ovum” and “pregnancy of unknown location” mean.

Polyps may be small, but the fertility issues they can cause are pretty big. 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 scoop on polyps, those overgrowths that form on the uterine lining and can interfere with healthy implantation. Find out about saline sonograms and testing to find polyps, as well as outpatient procedures called hysteroscopies to remove the overgrowths. In addition, our docs talk about which factors increase your risk for developing polyps.

Today, we’re talking tubes. Not the London subway system kind, but fallopian tubes.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 talk about the tubal factor and infertility. Learn how we test for tubal problems and what healthy tubes vs. unhealthy tubes look like (our docs were really using their noodles on this one!). Find out which tubal factors make you a good candidate for IUI and which may make IVF a better option. 

Make some popcorn, grab your man and settle in because we’re all about the guys today. 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 listener questions about male infertility. Our docs discuss everything from Klinefelter’s Syndrome, low sperm motility and the new Sperm QT™ test to male hypertension, calcium channel blockers and male fertility vitamins.

When many patients begin fertility treatment, one of their biggest concerns is what they will do with their leftover embryos, known as embryo disposition. 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 discussion about the decisions IVF patients have to make about their remaining embryos. Should they donate their embryos to other couples or researchers or dispose of them? What happens in the case of divorce, death or a break-up with a partner? Can they limit insemination to create fewer embryos? Our docs tackle patients’ vital concerns.

To proceed or not to proceed, that is the question (at least when it comes to IVF).  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 discuss the many issues that can affect your decision to move to IVF. Ask yourself how important time is in your fertility journey. Think about illnesses and genetic conditions that could affect your pregnancy and your baby. Does IVF fit into your values and religious beliefs? Finally, can you afford treatment? If not, how can you finance your care, and are you comfortable with that? Food for thought!