Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses the emotional and practical challenges of unexpected outcomes in fertility treatments, emphasizing the importance of preparation and understanding. She highlights the need for clear expectations and the role of various treatments like ovulation induction, IUI, and IVF. Dr. Crawford shares a case study of a 31-year-old woman with low AMH levels who experienced a failed IVF cycle, explaining the potential causes and next steps. She also addresses common questions about fertility treatments, such as estrogen dosing for frozen embryo transfers and the impact of lifestyle changes on sperm count.

Dr. Crawford discusses how your fertility can be linked to your overall health and well-being. So often, people view fertility and reproductive health as a separate entity, unconnected to the rest of their body and wellbeing. But the reality is that your hormones, your menstrual cycle, and your fertility are deeply intertwined with your whole-body health.

Dr. Natalie Crawford answers common questions about the uterus. 

Questions answered:

1. What are the implications of having uterine scarring now that I am done having children?

2. What are your thoughts about finding fluid in your uterus after beginning your IVF cycle? 

3. How long does it take for the body recover and go back to its normal period after hysteroscopy?

4. Could having a tight uterus be a factor in unexplained infertility?

5. Should I consider surrogacy after multiple failed transfers?

Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses basal body temperature or BBT for tracking your cycle. While it may seem old-fashioned in our digital age, BBT can provide incredibly valuable insights into your reproductive health.

Dr. Natalie Crawford provides a comprehensive overview of egg and embryo donation options for those looking to grow their families. She delves into the basics of egg donation, including the IVF process, success rates, and reasons why someone may choose to use donor eggs. Dr. Crawford also explores the complex world of embryo donation, addressing the challenges and misconceptions surrounding this path to parenthood. She introduces Era Embryos, a new program, to bring more transparency and medical soundness to embryo donation.

As a fertility doctor, I've dedicated my career to helping women understand their bodies and optimize their reproductive health. One of the most important aspects of this is learning to track your menstrual cycle and pinpoint ovulation. This information is invaluable whether you're trying to conceive or simply want to be more in tune with your natural rhythms.

Dr. Natalie Crawfords answers fertility questions. 

Questions Answered:

Will slightly elevated prolactin levels impact fertility?

If you are married and ready to start a family NOW is it a good idea to freeze eggs for the second and third child, or can freezing eggs interfere with natural fertility?

I have an embryo transfer scheduled for next week. What are things I can do to help the embryo “stick”?

One of the most common concerns I hear from patients is about low progesterone levels and how that might be impacting their ability to get pregnant or maintain a healthy pregnancy. It's an understandable worry, as progesterone plays such a crucial role in fertility and early pregnancy. However, the reality of low progesterone is often more nuanced than many realize. Let me break it down for you.

Dr. Natalie Crawford answers fertility questions from newsletter subscribers

Preparing for an embryo transfer, whether fresh or frozen, requires a comprehensive medical workup, attention to lifestyle factors, and realistic emotional expectations. Open communication with your fertility team is crucial, as is allowing yourself to grieve a failed transfer while also remaining proactive about next steps. By taking a holistic approach to physical and mental preparation, you can increase your chances of a successful embryo transfer and pregnancy.

Double board-certified REI and OBGYN, Dr. Natalie Crawford, explains how the aging process impacts the chromosomes and health of our eggs. As we get older, many women worry about their "biological clock" and fear they are running out of eggs. However, the real issue with age-related infertility is not just the quantity of eggs, but the quality. She provides insights on evaluating ovarian reserve, the role of inflammation and lifestyle factors, and strategies to optimize fertility as you get older. Whether you're just starting to think about family planning or navigating fertility challenges, this video offers essential information to better understand the complex relationship between age and fertility.

Dr. Natalie Crawford addresses a question from an OB/GYN colleague about managing patients with unexplained infertility and high AMH levels. She explains that unexplained infertility is often due to undiagnosed issues, and a full workup is necessary to understand the underlying causes. The episode delves into the mechanisms of ovulation induction medications like Clomid and Letrozole, which are commonly used to induce ovulation in patients with conditions like PCOS. Throughout the episode, Dr. Crawford emphasizes the importance of patient advocacy and education, encouraging patients to ask questions, understand the reasons behind treatment recommendations, and seek a second opinion if they feel their current treatment plan is not effective or appropriate.

As a fertility doctor, I have the privilege of guiding patients through one of the most important and personal journeys of their lives - building a family. Each person who walks through my clinic doors has a unique story, unique needs, and unique goals. That's why I'm so passionate about providing personalized fertility care - because a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn't work when it comes to something as complex and delicate as human reproduction.

Double board certified OBGYN and REI, Dr. Natalie Crawford, explains the development and depletion of eggs in the ovaries. She discusses the role of hormones and the brain-ovary-adrenal gland axis during puberty. Dr. Crawford also covers how hormonal contraception, pregnancy, and breastfeeding impact egg loss, as well as the changes seen in the menstrual cycle as women approach menopause, including shorter cycles and irregular periods. Lastly, she explains ovarian reserve testing and what the results mean about your fertility.

Dr. Natalie Crawford answers voicemail questions about cycle tracking and fertility.

As a fertility doctor, I frequently evaluate the uterus to identify any issues that could be preventing pregnancy or contributing to pregnancy loss. One common uterine abnormality I encounter is a condition called a uterine septum. In this blog post, I'll explain what a uterine septum is, how it's diagnosed, and what can be done about it.

Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses the complex relationship between IVF and reproductive rights in the current political landscape. She provides an overview of IVF technology and its importance in helping people build families. She addresses misconceptions about abortion and fetal personhood, and how these issues directly impact the practice of IVF. The episode explores the potential dangers of restricting access to IVF and other reproductive healthcare services, highlighting personal stories and the need for informed decision-making.

As a fertility doctor, I see patients with endometriosis on a daily basis. This inflammatory condition is one of the leading causes of infertility, affecting 25-50% of women struggling to conceive. Yet, it remains a widely misunderstood and underdiagnosed disease. I want to break down what endometriosis is, how it impacts fertility, and the various treatment options available. My goal is to empower you with the knowledge to advocate for your reproductive health, whether you are trying to conceive now or planning for the future.

Double board-certified OBGYN and REI, Dr. Natalie Crawford, warns about the potential dangers of excessive biotin intake when it comes to fertility treatments and hormone testing. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is an important nutrient that helps the body convert fats, carbs, and proteins into energy. Dr. Crawford explains that high biotin levels can cause falsely high or low results for a wide range of hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones, and more. This can lead to incorrect diagnoses and inappropriate treatment decisions, especially for those undergoing fertility treatments like IVF.

Dr. Natalie Crawford answers a question from a listener about what the next steps are after freezing your eggs when you are ready to use them. She covers the nuances of the egg freezing process, debunking the misconception that it is an "insurance policy" for fertility. Dr. Crawford then goes through the step-by-step protocol for thawing, fertilizing, and potentially transferring the frozen eggs, including the importance of sperm quality and genetic testing of embryos. The episode emphasizes the need to understand one's long-term family building goals and consider strategies like additional egg retrievals to increase the chances of success.