Episodes

Balanced nutrition plays an important role in preparing the body for pregnancy and supporting a baby on the way! 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 wide-ranging discussion with Julia Axelbaum, director of clinical nutrition at Form Health. As a registered dietician who is board certified in obesity and weight management, Julia discusses pre-pregnancy nutrition including what you might miss if you cut carbs or dairy, the fallacy that all fats are created equal and why being underweight or overweight matters when trying to conceive. By promoting a wholistic approach to health, including all-important vitamins such as folate, Vitamin D and Vitamin B12, the patient perspective can shift from looking at food through the lens of a “diet” and instead focus on this unique time to support the body for pregnancy preparation and beyond.

The amazing breadth of knowledge offered in your OBGYN office (obstetrics and gynecology), and the subspecialty expertise provided by an REI (reproductive endocrinologist) play a key role in your first fertility appointment. 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 nitty-gritty about what these medical abbreviations are all about and how these docs work cooperatively. In cases where fertility is more complex, understand why your reproductive endocrinologist might request similar testing to your OBGYN, and why a second look is beneficial. The doctors also detail what to consider in transferring your medical records from your OBGYN, why all ultrasounds are not created equally and how REIs are attuned to the tricky timing of hormonal testing.

Using donated sperm is an effective option for some individuals and couples wanting to start a family, but there are plenty of questions about sperm banks, and this week we provide answers! 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 lively and informative question-and-answer session with Alyse Mencias, clinic relations manager at Seattle Sperm Bank. Alyse, who has a master’s in reproductive and clinical science, explains who donates sperm, why they donate and the vital health, genetic and psychological screenings that Seattle Sperm Bank requires. Alyse also details what types of traits prospective parents might consider, the age requirements for donors, and why the transparency of open identity (open ID) for sperm donors and offspring born from sperm donation is important to understand.

For those wanting to start a family in their 40s, age matters mightily in the quantity and quality of available eggs. 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 explain why the odds are slim for getting pregnant later in life, and for those who do, the special care they take to monitor risks. The doctors also explain why sometimes the clearest path to parenthood for women 45 and older might include donor eggs or donor embryos, the differences between those two options and the importance of talking openly to your child about their birth story.

Fretting over fibroids? 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 explain how very common fibroids are, how they differ from polyps and why in many cases fibroids do not pose serious fertility problems. For those fibroids needing additional attention, the doctors discuss fibroid diagnostic techniques including ultrasounds and MRIs, why location matters mightily in deciding if fibroids need to be removed and if removal is needed what surgical options they do, and do not, recommend.

This episode explores the egg donation process and its many facets, beginning with who uses donor eggs, and why in some cases it is obvious and in others, it is less clear cut.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 speak to where donor eggs come from and the important physical and psychological screening as well as legal considerations for both donors and potential parents. The doctors also explore important questions such as securing a known versus anonymous donor, using fresh or frozen eggs and how many eggs intended parents might choose.

For some patients, IUI is a good starting point in their fertility journey because it is less involved and less expensive than 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 to better understand who is (and who isn’t) a good candidate for IUI, what information is considered in making those determinations and a step-by-step explanation of what to expect in the IUI process. The doctors also discuss how your “big picture” family goals need to be considered with IUI and additionally, how new advances in sperm testing look beyond the mere numbers of sperm count. Come learn with us!

If you’re having trouble getting pregnant on your own, you may have Asherman’s Syndrome. This simply means that there is scarring or adhesions within the endometrium, or the lining of the uterus. A healthy endometrium is vital for implantation. 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 provide all the details you need to know about this condition. Learn about the warning signs that cause our fertility docs to suspect Asherman’s, which tests and treatments you may need, and how the treatment procedure works.

This week, we turn things over to our listeners and answer your many questions about
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). 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 wide-ranging, educational Q&A session. They help listeners understand the wide-ranging diagnostic criteria of PCOS, talk about the impact of certain medications and supplements for those with PCOS and take a deep dive examining PCOS (and beyond) in addressing fertility challenges. Come learn with us!

The choreography of hormones that rise and fall to direct your menstrual cycle can provide valuable fertility information and be a key indicator of your overall health. 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 simplify the science before, during and after your period. They define what constitutes a “normal” period, what a missed period could mean and possible reasons periods are too short, too long, too heavy or too light.