Own Your Fertility

In this episode EDJ sits down with fertility Doctor Jaime Knopman to discuss IVF, egg freezing, miscarriage, endometriosis, and the realities of trying to conceive later in life.

Dr. Knopman shares why fertility conversations should begin much earlier than most people think, how egg freezing technology has evolved, and why infertility is not just a "women's issue." The conversation also explores IVF for same-sex couples, surrogacy, embryo freezing, and how fertility care changed during the pandemic.

This episode is an informative and compassionate look at modern fertility options, reproductive health, and family-building in today's world.

Key Points

• Women are born with all the eggs they will ever have.
• Fertility begins declining more significantly after age 32, with steeper declines after 35 and 40.
• Male infertility contributes to roughly one-third of infertility cases.
• Biochemical miscarriage and the commonality of miscarriage.
• Endometriosis can affect fertility through inflammation, reduced egg quantity, and physical obstruction.
• Egg freezing technology has dramatically improved through vitrification (rapid freezing).

• IVF success rates and misconceptions.
• IVF today often includes genetic testing of embryos to improve pregnancy outcomes.

• Surrogacy and reciprocal IVF.
• Fertility treatment and definitions of infertility are becoming more inclusive for same-sex couples and single parents by choice.
• Fertility insurance coverage changes.
• The emotional realities of fertility treatment.
• How the pandemic changed fertility care.

About the Guest

Dr. Jaime Knopman is a fertility specialist and co-author of Own Your Fertility. She works with individuals and couples navigating egg freezing, embryo freezing, IVF, surrogacy, and fertility preservation.

Podcast Update from EDJ:

The host shares a summer podcast schedule update, explaining that with children home during school holidays, episodes will continue on a lighter schedule through the summer months. Planned content includes:

• One episode of No Hard Feelings
• One episode of News and Views
• One RomCom Recap
• At least one interview episode each month

The host also mentions ongoing community conversations in "The Big Debrief" and invites listeners to connect there.