Fertility Forward

Today on the Fertility Forward Podcast, we welcome a very special guest, Elizabeth Carr. Elizabeth was the very first baby born, in the United States, via in vitro fertilization! Elizabeth has been in the media since she was 3-cells old and is a passionate advocate for those fighting for fertility rights. From battles over insurance coverage to educating doctors on how to interact with patients going through fertility treatments, to advice for parents on how to talk to children about assisted reproduction technologies. She is proud to share her voice and story in order to fight for those who may not be able to fight for themselves. As a dynamic speaker, Elizabeth’s passion lies in education, from helping companies craft fertility benefits packages, and parental leave policies, to keynote speeches, to sitting one-on-one with people facing fertility questions head-on. Tune in to hear more about this remarkable story, you don’t want to miss out! 

We often hear questions about ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) and its role in fertility. So to answer them, today we are joined by Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility Specialist Dr. Matthew Lederman, who operates from the new RMA of New York clinic in Westchester. Dr. Lederman explains what ICSI is and how it can help to improve fertilization rates in male-factor infertility. Tuning in you’ll hear what three parameters they look at when doing a semen analysis and how ICSI differs from traditional IVF. We cover the role of ICSI when there is no sperm in the ejaculate, why they do the ICSI for patients who are having PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing), and the role of PGT in the success rates of fertilization. You’ll also hear why ICSI is used to fertilize eggs that have been frozen, what ZyMōt is, and how it works, as well as insight into the prevalence of unexplained infertility issues. For some fascinating insights from an empathetic expert on all things ICSI, tune in today!  

Traditionally, infertility has been seen as a woman's issue, to the point where even infertility centers focus predominantly on the female evaluation. But we all know that it takes two to tango: not only does this impact women's mental health in an already stressful situation, but it also doesn't acknowledge the impact that sperm quality has on miscarriages or the health of the child. Today we are joined by two experts who are here to talk about a really exciting initiative called Project AIM, which addresses this issue and brings access and inclusion to men. Returning guest Dr. Natan Bar Chama from RMA, and Dr. Barrett Cowan, a reproductive urologist and the founder of Posterity Health, share with us the really exciting work Project AIM is doing, as well as the advantages of the at-home kit that they have created. We discuss the vast psychological benefits that such telehealth provides, including compassionate and supportive care around an issue that can feel sensitive or shameful for many men. The conversation also covers the importance of simultaneous evaluation at the onset, not only because time is of the essence, but also because it creates a bridge between the couple that supports the mental health of both partners. To discover more about where and how you can get this kit and begin your journey today, tune in, and let's dive in.  

There is a growing consumer awareness about the negative health impacts of various commonly-used chemicals, but not many people link this to their fertility. When Dr. Jenna Hua was facing her own fertility struggles, this is exactly what she did, and she has not looked back. As a dietician, environmental health scientist, and founder and CEO of Million Marker, Jenna is an expert on the toxins we are exposed to every day. She founded Million Marker to give consumers insights into our own health so that you can start making the changes that policy will take decades to implement, today! Join us for this fascinating episode to find out what endocrine-disrupting chemicals are, how they affect our health, and why they continue to be used by industry. Jenna gives some great tips on the simple changes you can implement straight away to start lowering your toxin load, and why taking baby steps is important when you start. We find out what you can expect when you take the Million Marker test, and why establishing a baseline is key. We also learn what the literature says about toxins and human health (correlation not causation), and why the dietary education provided to medical doctors is insufficient. So, to find out how to optimize your fertility journey and overall health through avoiding toxins, tune in today!

The COVID-19 pandemic has not made things any easier for pregnant women, or those who are planning to conceive. Pregnant women are at higher risk for severe infection from COVID-19 as well as an increased likelihood of ICU admission, deaths, preterm labor, stillbirth, and other complications. While the development of COVID-19 vaccines has posed its own questions, due to its novelty, a new study offers robust reassurance that vaccines are not only safe for pregnant women and their fetuses, they are also a beneficial protective measure. Today on the show we speak with Dr. Devora Aharon about her most recently authored manuscript Early Vitro Fertilization, and Pregnancy Outcomes After COVID-19 Vaccination, and its findings. Tuning in you’ll hear Dr. Devora describe which vaccines were included in the study and why, how the data was collected, and why their findings are so robust and trustworthy. To learn more about the details of the study and why pregnant women can feel safe getting vaccinated, make sure you tune in today!

The dialogue around infertility is filled with cultural myths and enduring stereotypes that significantly shape the experiences of Black women. As a result, there are few spaces for marginalized individuals to discuss their fertility struggles and, as today’s guest explains, this could actually be impacting their access to care. For this thought-provoking discussion about Black fertility, we welcome recurring guest, Dr. Tia Jackson-Bey, a dedicated Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility Specialist at RMA of New York. Dr. Jackson-Bey recently gave a talk at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai on ‘The Black Fertility Myth’ as part of their Diversity Rounds and, in today’s episode, she shares some of her research with us, from what the Black fertility myth is to who it affects, how it has evolved, and how it impacts fertility and reproductive health. We also touch on why infertility or the decision to go child-free can be more isolating for some cultural groups than others, the connections that modern gynecology has with the enduring legacy of slavery, and the importance of bias training in continuing education for medical professionals. Dr. Jackson-Bey also shares some resources for those who wish to learn more. Make sure not to miss this important conversation that encourages us to embrace discomfort and address our biases with Dr. Tia Jackson-Bey!

When one starts IVF and fertility treatments, it can be a lot to take in. There’s tons of jargon to familiarize yourself with and seemingly endless academic articles on every topic imaginable. This can be especially overwhelming when you are presented with embryo options and you don’t know which one to choose, or whether the single option you’re being presented with is worth pursuing. Here to help us make sense of embryo grading and offer much-needed peace of mind is Christine Briton-Jones, a clinical embryologist and Director of Laboratory Services at Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York (RMA of New York). In our conversation with Christine, we discuss the intricacies of embryo grading and why it requires years of experience to fully grasp its nuances and the subjectivity involved. Tuning in you’ll hear Christine break down how the day of an embryo affects its grading, what each of the letters represents in embryo grading, and why a C grading is something to celebrate. Be sure to tune in to learn about the intricacies of embryo grading and why it merely serves as a snapshot of the process, and why that should make you feel hopeful.

One of the hottest topics in IVF is mosaic embryos, but not many of us understand what this means, or how mosaic embryos happen. Joining us in conversation is genetic counselor at RMA New York, Teresa Cacchione. Teresa’s position at the junction of science and reproductive medicine gives her unique insight into the latest research and clinical outcomes of mosaic embryos in IVF, and she shares this expertise today. We discuss how mosaic embryos are formed, debunk common myths surrounding them (no, age is not a factor!), and dissect how the testing to identify a mosaic embryo works as well as its shortfalls. Using simple analogies, Teresa brings this hot topic within easy understanding of anyone with a high-school biology background, and shares some comforting statistics on the birth outcomes should you choose to transfer a mosaic embryo. The goal of a genetic counselor is to enable you to make an informed choice, and Teresa certainly provides answers to all sorts of questions in today’s fascinating episode.  

Women from Latina and African-American communities are the least likely to seek medical advice when struggling with infertility. Today we talk to community leader, businesswoman, advocate, professor, writer, and mother, Dr. Anna Flores Locke about her new book (Body Betrayal: Understanding and Living with Infertility) and how she came to terms with her fertility struggles as a Latina woman. We hear how the COVID-19 lockdown allowed Anna the time to finally put her experience into writing, and how this was cathartic for her. We break down the stereotypes that are responsible for African-American and Latina women seldom seeking fertility advice, and how family members within these communities unknowingly commit reproductive microaggressions. Tune in to find out how to include men in the fertility conversation, and why Anna feels infertility is simply like a detour during a car journey. Join us to hear why acceptance of things out of your control is key to your recovery, and how to handle your body betrayal. 

From a career in finance before her foray into food, facing her fertility battles and more, join us as we talk to the inspirational Chloe Lafosse. Chloe launched her flagship zero-waste café, Ancolie, and her plastic-free vending machines, Fresh Bowl, in 2016… And then embarked on her pregnancy journey in 2017! After suffering two miscarriages and subsequently throwing herself into her work, Chloe realized that this was not a sustainable route to motherhood. By taking a step back, opening up to friends and family, and starting a blog, Chloe reached a healthy space, and she talks to us today about what this looks like. We dive into how making healthier choices for the environment can positively affect your health, and how making small changes in your own life can influence those around you. Find out what Chloe is doing to lift the taboo on discussions around reproductive health and her exciting plans for creating a community and safe space where women can open up about their fertility struggles. Don't miss out on this engaging episode!