Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of pregnancy loss and fertility challenges. Please take care while listening, and pause if you need to.

Motherhood doesn’t always follow a traditional script, and you don’t need a fairytale to build a family. In this powerful episode of Fertility Forward, best-selling author, speaker, and life coach Cheri Bergeron joins us to share her extraordinary journey to parenthood on her own terms. From navigating IVF and donor conception to facing unimaginable loss and ultimately winning a landmark custody case in Texas, Cheri opens up about the decisions, detours, and resilience that shaped her family. She reflects on the emotional toll of fertility struggles, the importance of genetic testing, and the support systems that made all the difference. We also explore how Cheri’s experiences inspired her nonprofit, Cheri’s Choice, and her memoir, Mission Motherhood, both of which were created to help women explore alternative paths to parenthood. Tune in to hear how one woman turned pain into purpose and why hope and self-advocacy are essential companions on the fertility journey! 

Discoveries made during fertility testing can sometimes reveal more than patients expect. In this episode of Fertility Forward, Dr. Emily Clarke, a third-year fellow in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at RMA of New York, shares new research on Mosaic Turner syndrome and what it can mean for patients undergoing IVF. She explains how many people discover this chromosomal condition incidentally, why it can vary so widely in presentation, and how understanding it helps improve counseling and care. We explore the emotional impact of unexpected genetic results, the reassurance that information from these types of studies can bring, and how compassionate counseling empowers patients to move forward. Tune in to learn how clearer data and compassionate communication can empower patients on their path to parenthood. 

Joining Rena and Dara on the podcast today are two special guests, a reproductive endocrinologist and partner, Dr. Daniel Stein, who leads a team at our West Side office, as well as an RMA Fellow and native New Yorker, Dr. Jensen Reckhow. Our guests have co-authored an abstract titled ‘Predicting treatment futility in patients undergoing autologous IVF’, which they’ll be presenting at the ASRM Conference. Join the conversation today as they expand on their study, diving into what inspired the topic, what they based their research on, the details of the study, and the intended application-related goal of the outcome. They also share the most surprising takeaways from their findings, how their findings will influence future treatment plans, and we end our podcast by sharing what we are grateful for today. Thanks for listening! 

Welcome back to another sneak peek of the upcoming ASRM Conference. Today, we welcome Dr. Erkan Buyuk back to the show to hear about his abstract at the ASRM Conference titled, ‘Time to Undetectable HCG Following Early Pregnancy Loss in ART Pregnancies: A Comparison of Management Strategies.’ Tuning in, you’ll hear about this one-of-a-kind study, the delicate way doctors have to handle miscarriages, the three options patients have after finding out a pregnancy isn’t viable, and so much more! Our guest shares what inspired him to conduct this study before delving into some of its findings. We even discuss how this study has helped us have a better understanding of when HCG levels will reduce after miscarriage. Finally, our guest tells us what we can expect in the future from this study and shares what he is grateful for today. Thank you for listening!  

Is fertility preservation worth it for women over the age of 35? In this episode of Fertility Forward, we welcome Dr. Michelle Bayefsky to discuss her ASRM Abstract, ‘Outcomes for Patients Who Underwent Oocyte Cryopreservation at Age 35 Years and Older: Results from a Large, Multi-Centre Cohort’. Tuning in, you’ll hear about the study, who was involved, what she discovered from it, and how she hopes to further her studies on fertility preservation in women over 35 in the future. We even touch on the power and importance of providing patients with data so they can make decisions for themselves. Finally, and as always, we share what we are grateful for today. Thanks for listening!  

Dr. Jessica Vernon is a board-certified OBGYN who has cared for thousands of people throughout their reproductive journeys over the past 15 years. She is an Associate Medical Director and Director of Mental Health at Oula, a women’s health startup in New York City offering comprehensive maternity care, from expert midwives to board-certified OBGYNs. It was Dr. Vernon’s personal experience that first inspired her to start Oula, and our conversation begins with unpacking the circumstances that followed the birth of her daughter. Next, we unpack the perinatal mental health work that inspired Dr. Vernon’s first book, Then Comes Baby, and the experiences as client and consultant that informed its content. Dr. Vernon shares some fundamentals of her approach to care, all centered around finding grace for yourself and your body after giving birth. Join us today to hear from a truly informed and compassionate guest!  

What if your pregnancy care was centered on your values, offering personalized support every step of the way? In this episode of Fertility Forward, licensed midwife Casey Selzer shares her two decades of experience advocating for holistic, patient-focused maternity care and demystifies the role of midwives in today’s healthcare landscape. We explore how midwifery offers a holistic approach to pregnancy and birth that complements nursing and doula care. Casey explains different care models and encourages early reflection on birth values to help patients choose the best provider and setting. You’ll also learn how innovative practices like Oula Health (where Casey is Senior Director of Patient Programs) integrate midwives, OBGYNs, doulas, and specialists in a team-based model that prioritizes education and continuity of care, ultimately transforming maternity care to be more accessible, supportive, and aligned with patient needs. Tune in for valuable insights on navigating pregnancy care options, dispelling misconceptions, and advocating for your unique journey toward parenthood! 

Surrogacy is often considered a ‘last resort’ for people dealing with infertility, but it can be an incredibly beautiful (and challenging) way to start a family. In this episode of Fertility Forward, Carly Joseph joins us to share her surrogacy journey and to talk about her surrogacy concierge service that gives families going through surrogacy the support they need. Tuning in, you’ll hear about Carly’s infertility and IVF experience, what inspired her to start her surrogacy business, how she helps her clients, and so much more! We delve into the first steps to take when considering surrogacy before discussing how you can make the decision to go that route. Carly even tells us the one thing she wishes she had done differently in her surrogacy experience. Finally, our guest does not hesitate to share gratitude for her wonderful nanny. Thanks for listening in!  

Couples journeying through infertility often grieve differently and find themselves disconnecting. Our guest’s solution to this was to write a book for his beautiful wife. Joining Rena and Dara on the Fertility Forward podcast today is Jared Walker, the Founder and Executive Director for Dollar For. Dollar For, founded in 2015 in Portland, Oregon, is a national non-profit organization that helps patients access financial assistance. Jared is on a mission to eliminate as many medical bills as possible, while making charity care accessible, easy, and fair. His latest accomplishment is the release of his book on fertility, titled The Empty Nest. Tune in to hear Jared share their infertility journey and the inspiration behind writing his book, why readjusting to your reality is part of the journey, and his thoughts on being the partner sharing the experience. Jared expands on starting Dollar For, what they do, and how the process works, and gives details on how to get your hands on his book. For all this and more, don’t miss this episode! 

Insurance coverage, healthcare benefits, and navigating the fertility journey from a cost perspective are incredibly important topics of discussion. Today on Fertility Forward, we welcome Dr. Taraneh Nazem and Carissa Simek back to the show to share their perspectives on this issue, as well as the co-founder of Sheer Health, Ben Howard. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about what Sheer Health is, how they alleviate financial and logistical pressure from both the patient and the doctor, and the importance of taking advantage of healthcare benefits. We delve into how Carissa tracked the financial side of her own fertility journey before hearing all about exactly how Sheer Health works for both patient and doctor. Finally, Ben tells us about his personal journey with fertility, how to access Sheer Health, and we share what we’re grateful for today. Thanks for listening!