By Dr. Lora Shahine
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The podcast currently has 84 episodes available.
Do an internet search for “fertility supplements”... yeah, maybe don’t. You can easily get overwhelmed by an avalanche of supplement information and advice when you’re trying to conceive. But … what supplements can truly help you get pregnant faster? And whose advice can you trust?
Supplements and “super foods” go in and out of fashion faster than bangs-or-no-bangs, and the latest “hot” supplement is CoQ10. Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant our bodies make naturally, or that we can get from dietary sources. However, as with anything you add to your body in a concentrated fashion like a supplement, you need to know the benefits AND the risks.
In this episode, Dr. Shahine is separating fact from fiction when it comes to the supplement CoQ10 and your fertility. There are some benefits to CoQ10, such as improving egg quality and sperm parameters, but it’s important to understand the evidence is still not definitive.
This episode will arm you with information you can take back to your healthcare provider. Then you’ll know what questions to ask to get a supplement regimen that is most beneficial to you.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[2:04] What is CoQ10?
[3:41] How CoQ10 works
[4:45] Possible side effects
[5:47] Evidence of CoQ10 for female fertility
[14:55] Evidence of CoQ10 for male factor
[17:46] What Dr. Shahine tells her own patients about CoQ10
Resources mentioned:
Review article of nutrients for IVF, Hart et al. 2024 RBMO www.rbmojournal.com/action/showPdf?pii=S1472-6483%2823%2900869-6
Review article CoQ10 info, Rodriguez-Valera 2021 J Molecular Science www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/17/9541
CoQ10 levels decrease in levels with age, Ben-Meir et al. 2015 Fert Stert www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001502821500374X
Animal studies showing improved egg and embryo quality with CoQ10 supplementation journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.4137/CMRH.S14681
Randomized controlled trial CoQ10 aneuploidy rates in women doing IVF/ICSI, Bentov et al. 2014 Sage
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.4137/CMRH.S14681
Review article on antioxidants (including CoQ10) and male fertility, Kaltsas et al. Medicine 2023
www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/59/10/1769
Sperm motility improved in men given CoQ10, Balercia, G.2009 Fert Stert www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(08)00487-1/fulltext
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There is an overwhelmingly long list of what not to eat, use, or be around while trying to conceive and in early pregnancy. Knowing which products are safer — and which you should limit or avoid when pregnant — is challenging.
We know that toxins can be harmful, but what exactly is in the products you’re using? The ingredients are confusing. The marketing is confusing. What if someone were already researching pregnancy-safe products? Well, have we got good news for you….
Lanning Ardente, founder and CEO of Sorette, joins Dr. Shahine on this episode of Baby or Bust. Lanning explains toxins, so-called “blackbox” ingredients, and how to evaluate brands and products.
You’ll walk away from this episode with useful information to help you check products on your own. Lanning also shares three things you can do right now to find safer products to use on a daily basis.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[3:10] Meet Lanning Ardente
[8:41] Sorette’s mission
[16:30] How does Sorette choose their products?
[18:45] Reading the box of products you purchase
[21:39] Hidden ingredients
[26:44] Sorette’s brand partners
[28;15] Three things you can do today to find safer products
[31:27] Closing
Resources mentioned:
shopsorette.com (Get 15% off at shopsorette.superfiliate.com/DRSHAHINE15)
madesafe.org
www.ewg.org
Dr. Shahine Budget Friendly Ways to Decrease Toxins
Baby or Bust, Episode 19: Environmental Toxins and Reproductive Health
Podcast: Verified-Dust Up
Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter
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"Morning sickness" is a misnomer - nausea and vomiting in pregnancy can occur any time of day and night and leave you feeling miserable.
In this episode, Dr. Lora Shahine covers the causes of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. She’s also sharing her expert tips for prevention and relief. It’s everything you’ve wondered, and need to know, right in one place!
In this episode you’ll hear:
[01:48] How common is nausea in pregnancy?
[02:36] Risk factors for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
[03:49] Causes for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy
[07:26] Tips for prevention
[07:35] Treatment options & tips for relief
[17:55] When to worry or ask for help
Resources mentioned:
ACOG review of Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29266076
www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/morning-sickness-nausea-and-vomiting-of-pregnancy
Acupressure point for relief: www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/acupressure-nausea-and-vomiting
Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter
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Infertility is a deeply personal, often heart-wrenching experience. Suddenly, pregnancy and family building are completely out of your control. Fertility challenges can wreak havoc on your body, your mind, and your relationships.
In this episode of Baby or Bust, Dr. Lora Shahine talks openly with Carrie Hauskens, founder of Blooming with Care. Carrie is sharing her eight-year struggle with fertility — a journey that ultimately ended with the decision to live child-free.
Carrie talks about what she went through, why she and her husband decided to stop fertility treatment, and the ways they both dealt (and are still dealing) with their grief. Carrie found support in the infertility community, which is why she started sharing her own story.
Fertility treatment can be a roller coaster, and if the time comes when you need to say “enough” and step off, Carrie’s story may help you make peace with that decision.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[4:00] Carrie Hausken’s personal story:
[7:43] Honoring the grief
[9:58] Deciding to be child-free
[15:42] What does “stopping” really mean?
[17:27] The impact of trying, and stopping, on their relationship
[25:04] Being changed by Infertility
[31:49] Life for Carrie, now, child-free
[39:06] Connecting with Carrie Hauskens
Resources mentioned:
www.bloomingwithcare.com
IG - @bloomingwithcare
TikTok - @bloomingwithcare
Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books
June 2024 is the 50th anniversary of Pride in Seattle. In honor and celebration of LGBTQ+ family building, Dr. Shahine welcomes colleagues Dr. Stephanie Rothenberg and Dr. Darcy Broughton to talk about the Center for LGBTQ+ Family Building at Pacific NW Fertility.
Although the fertility community hasn’t always been inclusive and open to all family building options, Pacific NW Fertility (PNWF) has been proudly serving the Queer community since the organization opened its doors in 2005. In 2020, Drs. Rothenberg and Broughton co-founded the Center for LGBTQ+ Family Building at PNWF and they share what makes the Center unique.
‘It’s more than a website; it’s creating a safe place for all family building journeys with inclusive language, trained team members, and feedback from our patients.’
In this episode you’ll hear:
[1:00] LBGTQ+ Pride in Seattle, WA & at PNWF
[3:00] Meet Dr. Darcy Broughton
[4:20] Meet Dr. Stephanie Rothenberg
[6:15] The LGBTQ Center for Family Building at PNWF
[9:59] Learning to care for LGBTQ patients from a fertility standpoint
[12:14] Benefits of having a dedicated center for LGBTQ Family Builiding
[19:22] 50 years of Pride in Seattle
[21:42] What to look for in a clinic
Resources mentioned:
PNWF Center for LGBTQ+ Fertility: pnwfertility.com/center-for-lgbtq-fertility
Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books
If you’ve struggled to get pregnant, grappled through multiple IVF cycles, experienced a loss, or delivered early, you know first hand that pregnancy is NOT always blissful. Unfortunately for some, the process of building a family can border on traumatic.
If this is the case for you or someone you know, the information and insights from Parijat Deshpande could shed some light on how to work through the anxiety that lives alongside infertility and high-risk pregnancy.
Parijat is founder of Ruvelle, bestselling author, speaker, and high-risk pregnancy consultant. In this episode of Baby or Bust, Dr. Lora Shahine dives deep with Parijat into anxiety before and during a high-risk pregnancy and learning how to calm your nervous system so you can move through the trauma that causes your anxiety.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[3:30] Meet Parijat Deshpande - she’s been through it all
[8:15] An evolutionary benefit of anxiety in pregnancy
[10:41] Calming your nervous system when you’re anxious
[15:19] Tips for “completing the threat cycle” (calming down)
[21:33] Dr. Shahine answers a question from a YouTube listener about the HSG procedure
[25:00] Learning more about somatic trauma work
[30:04] Using somatic therapy to improve pregnancy outcomes
[32:50] Parijat’s business Ruvelle - support for high-risk pregnancy
[35:56] Leaning into hope and ways to connect with Parijat
Resources mentioned:
ruvelle.com
IG - @healthy.highriskpregnancy
Pregnancy Brain by Parijat Deshpande
Delivering Miracles Podcast
What Women Need to Know About Pregnancy Anxiety episode on Delivering Miracles Podcast
Dr. Lora Shahine on Delivering Miracles Podcast | Episode 54
Dr. Lora Shahine on Delivering Miracles Podcast | Episode 69
Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter
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It's not just the big traditional holidays that can be triggering when you’re struggling with fertility. It’s the softer, sneak-up-on you days too, Father’s Day being one of those.
So often the female partner is the focus of the fertility journey, but the male partner is on the ride too. It can be harder for men to express their feelings and take space for what they need when they are wearing the care-taker/problem-solver hat in the relationship.
So let’s make a little space for the “other” partner today. Dr. Lora Shahine opens up the conversation with her guest Dr. Erica Bove who is an OBGYN, Reproductive Endocrinologist and Fertility Coach.
Dr. Bove wears her doctor coat and coaching badge simultaneously, which allows her to care for the patient but also help couples navigate the impact infertility can have on their relationship.
With Father’s Day coming up in just a few days, you will walk away from this episode with tips on how to support the partner who isn’t getting the treatments but is still emotionally invested in the process. Or you can pass this episode along to that partner, providing self-care tips for a hard day.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[2:35] Meet Dr. Erica Bove–OBGYN, Reproductive Endocrinologist, & Fertility Coach
[9:20] Complicated feelings about Father’s Day
[10:51] How the fertility journey impacts men
[14:16] The emotions that show up during infertility
[19:19] Focusing on the relationship in the midst of it all
[32:42] Tips to support a loved one or to protect yourself on a hard day
Resources mentioned:
Love and Science Fertility Coaching w/ Dr. Erica Bove www.loveandsciencefertility.com
Love and Science Fertility Podcast: Mother’s Day Episode
Baby or Bust: The Real Cost of Fertility Episode
Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter
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Who should have the power to decide on your future fertility options? What becomes of frozen gametes and embryos in this new, post-Roe political climate? And if you are ready to get involved, how do you actually advocate for reproductive rights?
This is part 2 of Dr. Lora Shahine’s discussion with Barbara Collura, President and CEO of RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association. In this part of the discussion, Dr. Shahine and Barbara talk about the threats to IVF, access to fertility care, and effective ways to advocate for reproductive rights.
You’ll finish this episode more informed and ready to take action with one, two, or all three of the action steps Barbara provides.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[1:15] Review of part one & overview of part two
[2:30] RESOLVE’s purpose and mission
[3:54] The history of a threat to IVF
[7:25] Access to fertility care
[12:06] Advocacy for reproductive rights: Spotlighting Alabama
[17:21] Reproductive rights
[23:59] Next steps to make a difference; including federal protection for IVF
[28:11] Three actionable steps
Resources mentioned:
resolve.org
Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter
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What does advocating for reproductive rights have to do with IVF? Surely people who want to have a baby wouldn’t have to fight for that right in a post-Roe world?
Well, as it turns out, the reality is that the science behind IVF doesn’t always mesh with the idea that life begins at conception.
This week, Dr. Lora Shahine welcomes Barb Collura, President and CEO of RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association dedicated to advocating for fertility treatments and ensuring that building a family is attainable for all.
In this episode, Barb shares her fertility journey, details the issues IVF and other reproductive rights are facing, and explains why fighting to protect IVF is necessary.
Many in the reproductive space saw the writing on the wall long ago. Here, Barb and Dr. Shahine break down how the overturning of Roe vs. Wade has threatened the process of IVF. They also discuss how Personhood Bills in various states end up impacting IVF — intentionally or unintentionally.
There is much more to the conversation between Barb Collura and Dr. Shahine, so make sure to come back for part two on the next episode of Baby or Bust!
In this episode you’ll hear:
[1:06] Is IVF under threat?
[2:44] Meet Barb Collura, President and CEO of RESOLVE
[10:12] Learn about RESOLVE
[14:12] What does reproductive rights (and Roe vs. Wade) have to do with IVF?
[16:40] Personhood bills in different states
[22:06] A voice for infertility among the politics
[27:47] Stay tuned for more from Barb Collura
Resources mentioned:
resolve.org
Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books
Infertility changes a person, physically, mentally, and emotionally — it affects our identity, our relationships, our hopes and expectations for the future. How we manage these changes will be different for each person.
In this unique and personal episode, Dr. Lora Shahine is a guest on the Infertility Feelings podcast with hosts Doug and Jesse. Listeners will hear her share her own fertility journey and all the emotions she experienced being simultaneously doctor and patient.
Jesse and Doug also explain their process groups — safe spaces where members can talk about the issues and feelings that come with infertility. A great tool for managing the emotional toll that infertility takes, this form of group therapy could help members come out the other side understanding what their bodies and minds have gone through.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[:46] Meet the hosts of the Infertility Feelings Podcast
[2:35] Dr. Lora Shahine shares her fertility journey through 2 pregnancies
[7:04] Being a Fertility Doctor and Fertility patient at the same time
[10:28] The impact of fertility on other parts of your life
[13:51] Acceptance of a new reality
[16:24] Infertility as a first “real” struggle
[18:47] How infertility changes you
[23:27] The changes your body goes through during infertility
[28:24] Dealing with feelings of failure
[30:19] Doug & Jesse’s Process Groups
[36:06] Balancing patient’s dreams with best course of action
Resources mentioned:
Uniquely Knitted www.uniquelyknitted.org
Process Groups: www.uniquelyknitted.org/programs/process-groups
Infertility Feelings Podcast: www.uniquelyknitted.org/podcast/infertility-feelings-podcast
Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books
The podcast currently has 84 episodes available.
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