Building your family

By Lisa Schuman

Welcome to Building Your Family, the only expert-guided community platform designed for parents and parents-to-be using reproductive medicine to build their families. We provide unique strategies to h... more

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FAQs about Building your family:

How many episodes does Building your family have?

The podcast currently has 149 episodes available.

Building your family episodes:

October 26, 2025 Donor Embryos: Is It Still My Baby? (Patient Story) | Lauren Tassi
The most‑asked question: “If I don’t use my genetics, will the baby be mine?” Lauren Tassi (Your IVF BFF) shares her three‑year journey—how she moved from repeated IVF to choosing donor embryos—and what finally made the decision feel 100% hers.
Practical insights on identity, language, epigenetics (carrying/parenting), hidden costs/expectations, and what to consider if you’re weighing donor embryos vs more IVF or donor eggs.
You’ll hear:
- The turning point from IVF/donor eggs to donor embryos
- “Is it still my baby?”—belonging, language, and epigenetics
- Surprises: money, timelines, emotions, and partner dynamics
- Scripts that helped (family/friends and self‑talk)
- Advice if you’re considering donor embryos now
Follow Lauren on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefullykidding/
Follow Lauren on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hopefullykidding
#DonorEmbryos #DonorConception #Fertility #IVF #TTC #PatientStory #YourIVFBFF #WomensHealth #ThirdPartyReproduction
...more
39min
October 19, 2025 Fertility Myths vs Facts: What To Trust Online (Doctor Explains) | Dr. Lowell Ku
Cut through fertility misinformation. Dr. Lowell Ku (REI; leads ASRM’s technology professional group) separates myths from facts so you know what to trust online, from influencers, and in clinic—plus how to think about supplements and opinion vs evidence.
We cover TTC with IUI/IVF and decisions using donor conception or surrogacy—what matters most and where to find reliable guidance.
- What to trust online: source hierarchy (guidelines/studies - summaries - opinions)
- Red flags vs green flags (absolute claims, miracle fixes, cherry‑picked “proof”)
- Supplements: evidence vs hype; how to sanity‑check a claim
- Influencers vs doctors: personal stories vs clinical guidance (how to weigh both)
- Questions to ask your clinic about protocols, testing, and add‑ons
- Where to get reliable info for IVF/IUI, donor conception, and surrogacy
Learn more about Dr. Lowell Ku: https://dallasivf.com/
Follow Dr. Lowell Ku on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drknockedup/
#Fertility #IVF #IUI #FertilityMyths #EvidenceBased #ASRM #WomensHealth #TryingToConceive #DonorConception #Surrogacy
...more
36min
October 12, 2025 Exercise & Fertility: Keep Training — When To Pause (Doctor + Athlete) | Dr. Sheeva Talebian
You don’t need to stop exercising before or during fertility treatment—pause near the end of the cycle and right after retrieval. Here’s how to train smart, read your body, and know when it’s too much (or not enough)—plus high‑level pregnancy guidance.
Dr. Sheeva Talebian (REI and competitive athlete) breaks down what’s safe, when to modify, and the signs you need more fuel, sleep, or hydration.
- You’ll learn
- What’s safe around IUI/IVF (and why you pause near trigger/retrieval)
- New understanding: don’t stop entirely—train smart, then resume
- Body signals: sleep, eating, hydration—signs of over/under‑doing it
- Two‑week wait mindset + movement
- Pregnancy: high‑level modifications and red flags
Learn more about Dr. Sheeva Talebian: https://www.ccrmivf.com/
Follow Dr. Sheeva Talebian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stalebian/
...more
40min
October 05, 2025 Endometriosis: What Actually Works (Doctor Explains) | Dr. Jessica Ryniec
Get evidence‑based answers on endometriosis—what it is (and isn’t), how it’s diagnosed, and what actually helps, so you know where to start today.
Dr. Jessica Ryniec explains symptoms, diagnosis (what to expect from imaging vs surgical confirmation), treatment options (medical vs surgical), pain management, and fertility considerations—practical steps you can use now.
You’ll learn:
What endometriosis is (and common misconceptions)
How doctors think about diagnosis and when to escalate care
Treatment paths that actually help (meds, surgery, lifestyle)
Fertility implications and decision points
First steps this week and questions to ask your clinic
Want live workshops and expert Q&A? Join the community: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/
Learn more about Dr. Ryniec: https://www.ccrmivf.com/boston/jessica-ryniec-md/
Follow Dr. Ryniec on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaryniecmd/
#Endometriosis
...more
43min
September 28, 2025 Genetic Testing: Myths Busted (What Helps vs Hurts) | Doctor + Geneticist
What genetic tests actually do—and what they don’t—so you know when to use them (and when not to). Practical next steps.
Chapters below. For step-by-step guides + live Q&A, join the community: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/
You’ll learn:
Screening vs diagnostic: what each actually tells you
Carrier testing, NIPT, and embryo testing (PGT‑A/M): when it helps vs overkill
Limits: false positives/negatives, VUS, and context (why “a result” ≠ a decision)
Donor gametes: brief considerations for donor sperm/egg
Questions to ask your clinic + first steps this week
📚 Learn more about Dr. Thakur: https://www.genomeally.com/
#GeneticTesting #CarrierTesting #NIPT #PGT #Preconception #FamilyPlanning #WomensHealth #Fertility #TryingToConceive
...more
38min
September 21, 2025 Genetic Screening 101: How To Reduce Risk Before Pregnancy (Doctor + Geneticist)
If you could reduce medical risks for your future child, would you? A reproductive medicine doctor + geneticist explains what actually helps before pregnancy—so you know where to start today.
You’ll learn: what genetic screening covers (and doesn’t), how to think about carrier testing and embryo testing, practical preconception steps to lower risk, and how to talk with your care team.
Want live workshops and Q&A? Join the community: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/
Guest: Dr. Mili Thakur, MD/Geneticist • Host: Lisa Schuman, LCSW
📚 Learn more about Dr. Thakur: https://www.genomeally.com/
0:00 What you’ll learn
1:12 Who is Dr. Mili Thakur
3:15 Understanding the basics of genetics
8:43 Screening vs diagnostic (what each does)
11:52 How to approach genetic testing in a family building journey
15:23 How to assess genetic risk in family building
19:50 Carrier testing (how to use results)
25:45 Questions to ask your clinic + first steps
#GeneticTesting #CarrierTesting #NIPT #PGT #Preconception #FamilyPlanning #WomensHealth #Fertility
...more
28min
September 14, 2025 PCOS: What I Do Myself (Doctor + Patient) | Dr. Roohi Jelani
A fertility doctor who also has PCOS shares exactly what she does herself—and what she recommends to patients. Dr. Roohi Jeelani (MD, PhD) also breaks down ovarian aging, environmental toxin exposure, and the emotional/practical tools that actually help when you’re trying to conceive.

You’ll learn: how to recognize symptoms and pursue diagnosis, what really helps (lifestyle, meds, support), how to think about toxins and ovarian aging, and first steps to start with confidence.

Want live support and replays? Join the community: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/
Guest: Dr. Roohi Jelani (MD, PhD) • Host: Lisa Schuman, LCSW
Follow Dr. Roohi Jeelani on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roohijeelanimd/
...more
41min
September 07, 2025 PCOS: Real Patient Journey + What Actually Helps | Ashley “PCOSgurl” Levinson
Ashley “PCOSgurl” Levinson shares her PCOS journey—from diagnosis to national advocacy—and what actually helps when you’re overwhelmed.
You’ll learn: how to recognize symptoms and pursue diagnosis, evidence‑aligned lifestyle and medical steps, advocacy lessons, and where to start if you think you might have PCOS.
Want live support and workshops? Join our community: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/
Guest: Ashley Levinson (PCOSgurl) • Host: Lisa Schuman, LCSW
Follow Ashley Levinson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcosgurl/
Why watch now: clear next steps and practical guidance you can use immediately—no fluff.
...more
38min
August 31, 2025 PCOS Fertility: What Really Works (Evidence‑Based) | Dr. Kristen Cain
PCOS Awareness Month is coming—get the facts from a veteran reproductive endocrinologist. Dr. Kristen Cain shares evidence‑based steps that actually help PCOS patients improve fertility and overall health.
Want live support? Meet Dr. Cain in our workshop and get expert guidance, stress‑reduction strategies, and community support. Join here: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/
📚 Learn more about Dr. Kristen Cain: https://www.drkristencain.com/
Follow Dr. Kristen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkcain/
...more
33min
August 24, 2025 Donor Conception & Donor Eggs | Emily Patel (Hopeful Mama Foundation)
Emily Patel, founder of Hopeful Mama Foundation and a mother through donor eggs, joins me to share a not-so-typical path to parenthood, one that reveals the stress, doubt, and decision-making traps families face during donor conception. Emily discusses why family is more than genetics, what she’s learned from the many women who seek support through her foundation, and how to find clarity when the stakes feel sky-high.
You’ll learn
How stress can derail good decisions—and practical ways to slow down and choose well
What “family beyond genetics” looks like in real life
Themes Emily hears from women at Hopeful Mama
Resources & Links
Hopeful Mama Foundation: https://hopefulmamafoundation.org/
Follow Emily Patel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilympatel/
Building Your Family Community (courses, workshops, community):https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/
10 Things Donor Conceived Children Want Their Parents To Understand (free):https://familybuilding.net/new-newsletter-page/
Contact Lisa: www.familybuilding.net
About the show
The Building Your Family podcast is a free service of the Building Your Family Community. Building Your Family Community is the only expert-created educational & support community for people using donor conception, surrogacy, or fertility treatment to build their families. Educational content only; not medical or therapy advice.
...more
57min

FAQs about Building your family:

How many episodes does Building your family have?

The podcast currently has 149 episodes available.

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