Fertility Forward

When intended parents and gestational carriers enter into an agreement, there's a lot to consider, from carrier compensation to the expectations intended parents may have about the carrier's lifestyle during pregnancy. In this episode, Dr. Michelle J. Bayefsky and Dr. Erkan Buyuk of RMA of New York discuss their study, ‘Evolving Trends in Gestational Carrier Agreements: A Mixed-methods Study of Reproductive Attorneys in New York and California’. Drawing on interviews with attorneys in both states, they explore rising carrier compensation, how carriers are advocating for greater flexibility, and the increasingly specific requests some intended parents are making. They also examine the challenge of balancing fair compensation for gestational carriers with affordability for intended parents, the role of previous pregnancy experience, and differences in state regulation. As surrogacy becomes more widely used, the conversation raises important questions about protecting everyone involved while keeping this family-building option accessible.

When should women start learning about the impact of age on fertility? In this episode, Dr. Michelle J. Bayefsky, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellow at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and RMA of New York, and Dr. Maya Korin, Associate Professor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, discuss their study, ‘Expert Views on Preventing Age-Related Infertility Through Improved Counseling in Primary Care and Gynecology: A Qualitative Study.’ They share what interviews with experts revealed about gaps in fertility education, who should be having these conversations with patients, and why there is still no consensus on when they should begin. Drs. Bayefsky and Korin also explore the challenges of fitting fertility counseling into routine care, the importance of understanding how patients want to receive this information, and their hope for clearer guidance for healthcare providers. Tune in to learn how earlier, more thoughtful conversations can give women the information and options they need to make informed decisions about their fertility. 

Turning 35 doesn’t suddenly change your ability to get pregnant, but age does matter when it comes to fertility. In this episode, Dr. Cary Dicken, reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at RMA of New York Long Island, explains what really happens to fertility after 35 and why this age has become such an important milestone. She breaks down how egg quantity and quality change over time, why age can tell us more about egg quality than AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone), and what fertility testing can and cannot reveal. Dr. Dicken also explains the difference between freezing eggs and embryos, when fertility preservation may be worth considering, and why the number of eggs needed varies with age. She discusses how age affects conception and pregnancy differently, when to seek help from a fertility specialist, and why your future family goals should factor into fertility planning. Listen in for a clearer understanding of fertility after 35 and the options available to help you plan ahead. 

What if slowing down is not something you earn after burnout, but a practice you can begin in seconds? In this episode, Rena and Dara welcome meditation teacher and retreat facilitator Carlos Diaz. His work combines meditation, mindfulness, conscious living, and personal transformation to help people slow down, gain clarity, and reconnect with themselves. In their conversation, they explore how simple, consistent practices can bring the benefits of a calm nervous system into everyday life. They discuss why effort and consistency matter when building a sustainable wellness practice, how small choices can create more space for stillness, and how recognizing what adds or releases tension can support a more intentional way of living. Carlos also shares the deeply personal turning point that led him to self-love and meditation, clears up a common misconception about quieting the mind, and guides listeners through an accessible meditation practice. Tune in to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and discover how even a few intentional breaths can begin to shift your day! 

PCOS has a new name, but what does that actually mean for patients? In this episode, Dr. Kimberley Thornton, reproductive endocrinologist at RMA of New York, explains why polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) and why the change better reflects the condition. She clarifies what has changed, what hasn't, and how the new terminology may reduce confusion and lead to earlier diagnosis. Dr. Thornton breaks down the current diagnostic criteria for PMOS, its metabolic and hormonal features, and why irregular ovulation affects fertility. She also addresses common misconceptions, including why not everyone with PMOS has ovarian cysts, and reviews treatment options ranging from lifestyle changes and medications to fertility treatments. Discover what this updated definition means for patients and fertility care! 

How do we bridge the gap between Eastern and Western medicine and create a holistic approach to patient care in order to get the best possible fertility results? Today on Fertility Forward, we welcome the founder of NYC Acupuncture + Wellness, Dr. Ting Wu, to discuss her integrative East Asian medicine approach to women’s health, fertility, and reproductive wellness. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about how research and perception of East Asian medicine have changed over the last decade, her unique approach to HPA (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal) axis and how it helps with fertility issues, and more! We delve into how Dr. Wu is working to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western medicine within her patient care and the power of collaboration, before discussing the importance of listening to your own body above anything else when it comes to your health. Our guest even challenges us to do an internal audit of our lives. Finally, and as always, we all talk about what we are grateful for today. Thanks for listening!  

What if the biggest barrier to building a family is not medical, but financial? In this episode, Angela Rastegar, CEO and co-founder of Sunfish, joins the conversation to share how her own fertility journey inspired her to create a company designed to help patients better navigate the financial and logistical challenges of fertility care. Angela opens up about spending more than $50,000 out of pocket on her own treatments and explains how that experience revealed major gaps in fertility care that extend beyond the clinical side. The conversation explores how Sunfish helps patients manage the financial realities of fertility care, better understand insurance coverage, access personalized planning tools, and receive support throughout every stage of family building. The episode also dives into the emotional weight of fertility treatment, the need for more personalized care, and why having better guidance before and during treatment can make all the difference. Join us for an insightful conversation about reimagining fertility care and how Sunfish is helping reshape the patient journey. 

Imagine living with debilitating pain for years, only to be told it’s “just a normal period,” before discovering that endometriosis and adenomyosis have been affecting your body all along. In this episode of Fertility Forward, Dr. Zoran Pavlovic (Dr. Z) joins Rena to unpack these complex inflammatory conditions and explain why they require far more than hormone-based treatment alone. Together, they discuss the key differences between endometriosis and adenomyosis, as well as the two primary treatment approaches: excision surgery and lesion burning. Dr. Z also explores the role of dynamic ultrasounds in accurate diagnosis, how long-term oral contraceptive use may impact these conditions, and why building a multidisciplinary care team is essential. Most importantly, he offers hope, encouraging patients to advocate for themselves and emphasizing that with early intervention and proper care, building a family is absolutely possible. Thanks for listening! 

Infertility can be isolating, but sharing the story can help people feel less alone. In this episode of Fertility Forward, Rena and Dara sit down with Erin Bulcao, a wife, mother of three, and content creator. In their conversation, Erin shares how she discovered she was not ovulating in her twenties, the steps to getting pregnant with triplets after intrauterine insemination (IUI), making the difficult decision to have a medical reduction, and later going through years of failed transfers and miscarriage before welcoming her youngest daughter. She also talks about her marriage, therapy, friendship, and the pressure of trying to live normally while going through fertility treatment. They also delve into how infertility can affect relationships, why support looks different for everyone, and how honest conversations can create connection. Hear about Erin’s current content around motherhood, women’s health, perimenopause, and normalizing the conversations many people are still afraid to have. Tune in for insights into navigating infertility, resilience, friendship, and the value of being open about the hard parts of life with Erin Bulcao. 

Choosing a sperm donor can feel overwhelming, emotional, and deeply personal, especially when you’re not sure where to begin. In this episode of Fertility Forward, hosts Rena and Dara are joined by Lisa Lightbourne, Clinic Relations Manager, and Andrea Darrington, General Manager at Fairfax Cryobank, for a behind-the-scenes look at how donor sperm programs really work. Lisa and Andrea explain how intended parents navigate the donor selection process, what goes into screening and approving donors, and why only a small percentage of applicants are accepted. They also discuss donor identity release, how to approach narrowing down donor choices, and the emotional realities many patients face when considering donor conception. Along the way, the conversation explores the growing openness around donor conception, the importance of diversity and representation, and how more insurance coverage is helping improve access to care. Tune in for an insightful conversation about donor conception and modern family building!