Baby or Bust with Dr Lora Shahine

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: 

rtzhope.org

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

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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

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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

rplassociation.org

Follow RPLA:

• IG @rplassociation  

• Facebook @rplassociation1 

• YouTube @rplassociation1

• LinkedIn @rpl-association

Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations

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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: 

doctorsforfertility.com

Follow @doctorsforfertility | Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, & TikTok

Please email [email protected] 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: 

www.natalielampert.com 

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

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AshLeigh Meyer Dunham is one of five reproductive law lawyers in Alabama and the only one who has done IVF. She was front and center when IVF stopped for 3 weeks in early 2024 due to a lawsuit brought by IVF patients in front of the State Supreme Court. On this episode of Baby or Bust, Dr. Shahine asks AshLeigh to explain what happened in Alabama, how treatments restarted, and what the process means for access to IVF in the future.

AshLeigh explains why the way IVF restarted in Alabama is not a permanent solution and what this means for the future of IVF in Alabama and all of the United States. 

Threats, political and legal, against IVF have been all over the news lately. All the controversy and proposed legislation is downright terrifying because for some, as IVF may be the best or only option they have to build their families. 

One thing is very clear: people’s right to build their families how and when they choose — and sometimes to build them at all — is under attack. Please share this episode to educate and spread knowledge and awareness. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

[2:35] AshLeigh’s IVF journey

[5:40] Legal context around Alabama’s IVF ban

[15:15] Legal and clinical implications of an IVF ban

[36:55] Ongoing legal challenges

[42:00] Advocacy and legislative efforts

[47:20] Future prospects with reproductive rights

Resources mentioned: 

 Find AshLeigh Meyer Dunham on IG - @magiccityfertilitylaw and her firm www.magiccityfamilylaw.com

 The Case Discussed: LePage v. Center for Reproductive Medicine, P.C.: hlaw.justia.com/cases/alabama/supreme-court/2024/sc-2022-0579.html

 doctorsforfertility.com: nonprofit co-founded by Dr. Shahine 

 www.fightforalabamafamilies.org

Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations

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*Trigger Warning: Late Pregnancy Loss

The loss of a wanted pregnancy, at any stage, is utterly heartbreaking. How in the world do you pick yourself up again after such a devastating loss? There is not a right or wrong way to grieve; there’s only your way.

On this episode of Baby or Bust, therapist, author, and speaker Lindsey Henke joins Dr. Lora Shahine to discuss the impacts of miscarriage, stillbirth, and loss. The founder of Pregnancy After Loss Support, Lindsey has her own heartbreaking story of a loss very late in her pregnancy. Lindsey’s story is raw and real, and she is so gracious to share it with us. 

Lindsey talks through her experience and how she found ways to cope with her grief. She shares how she still honors her daughter, Nora. If you’ve been through your own loss, or if you’re trying to support someone after a miscarriage, this episode could help deepen your understanding of the grief that accompanies such heartbreak. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

[2:18] Meet Lindsey

[9:32] Dealing with loss

[19:34] Feeling “ready” to try again

[26:36] Pregnancy after loss

[31:17] Seeking support from loved ones

[43:38] 5 ways to honor loss

Resources mentioned: 

lindseymhenke.com

lindseymhenke.com/when-skies-are-gray-book

pregnancyafterlosssupport.org

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

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Women are often conditioned to sacrifice our own goals, health, and happiness in favor of everyone else’s. But does it have to be that way? In this unique and personal episode, Dr. Lora Shahine is a guest on the podcast Spilling the Tea with Dr. Joyce. 

With host Dr. Joyce Park, Dr. Shahine shares her story of finding her direction in life at the intersection of her infertility journey and her passion for women’s health. 

Both Dr. Park and Dr. Shahine became aware of the need for more education around infertility in the medical field. Their conversation also includes their experiences as fertility doctors on social media platforms, emphasizing the importance of connection, education, and innovation in the medical field. 

Finally, they discuss ethical challenges in reproductive medicine, including the tension between medical advancements and moral objections, and the need for compassionate care.

Dr. Joyce is a board-certified dermatologist, founder of virtual dermatology clinic Skin Refinery, and content creator and educator at Tea with MD and all of its associated social media channels. You can find her on YouTube, Tiktok, and Instagram: @TeawithMD

In this episode you’ll hear:

[3:38] Dr. Shahine’s ‘ah-ha’ moment of choosing medicine

[11:53] Education through Social Media platforms

[28:23] Faith, religion, and reproductive rights

[33:12] Managing expectations and ethical concerns with reproductive rights

[40:52] Fertility, family planning, and work-life balance for women in medicine 

[43:15] Being busy and professional AND staying sane

Resources mentioned: 

www.teawithmd.com

www.skinrefinery.co

@TeawithMD: YouTube, Tiktok, and Instagram

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

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

The biological clock, geriatric pregnancy, poor egg quality, diminished ovarian reserve  - if you’re trying to conceive in your 40s you’ve likely heard or been reminded of the link between age and fertility - but there is hope! 

In this episode of Baby or Bust, Dr. Lora Shahine provides insights on optimizing reproductive health and making informed decisions about family planning into your 40s. 

She covers age and fertility, family goals, the importance of early testing, practical tips for conception, and considerations for using IVF as a strategic family-building tool option. 

You’ll walk away from this episode feeling empowered with knowledge to maximize your chances of a successful pregnancy after 40. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

[1:47] Age & fertility

[9:40] An important first step: family building goals

[12:25] Next step: don’t wait for testing

[15:38] Tips for trying to conceive

[18:44] Is IVF right for me?

Resources mentioned: 

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

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books