Fertility Now with Dr. Spencer Richlin

Slightly switching gears, we talk about post-pregnancy. I welcome Susan Forrester, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) to discuss the best practices for successful breastfeeding. She walks us through how to prepare for baby, the benefits of breastfeeding, and common pitfalls people fall into. We also talk about formula feeding and pumping. A great listen pre-delivery!

Elective egg freezing has become very popular among my patients. Many are not able or ready to start a family right now. Alex Fontaine shares her egg freezing journey with us. She is a medical student who proactively froze her eggs as her academic journey is her priority for the coming years. Listen to her story to see how she removed the stress of 'what if' from her life in order to focus on current career goals and obligations. 

Ovarian cysts are a common finding on ultrasound during the reproductive journey. Many patients inherently assume the word 'cyst' is bad or something to worry about. In reality, reproductive physicians see them almost daily. Monica Moore NP and I explain what you need to know, the variety of cysts, how they initially form, and how to manage them during a reproductive cycle. 

This episode is all about embryo testing. Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) gives us the ability to test and transfer the most competent embryos. PGT is entering a whole new level where we can gain so much information from embryos prior to transfer. My distinguished guest on this episode is Nathan Treff PhD HCLD. Dr. Treff is the Chief Scientific Officer / Lab Director of Genomic Prediction. He walks us through the various PGT options available.  

Join me in a conversation with Gila Block, Executive Director of Yesh Tikva. Yesh Tikva is a community which focuses on raising reproductive awareness in the Jewish Community. They provide psychosocial services bringing hope to those facing infertility. Additionally, Yesh Tikva encourages families who already have children to help support those who are struggling with their journey. 

Why did my cycle not work? IUIs and IVF cycles are not always successful. Monica Moore NP gives us insight into the variety of reasons why fertility treatment(s) may not work. Often times we both hear patients putting too much blame on themselves or overthinking what they could have done. In this episode we discuss the reality of these fertility treatments and shed light on the many variables that can contribute to a cycle not working. Although daunting, we have remedies and solutions in place that can help uplift your spirits to give you confidence to keep pushing.   

I had the opportunity to speak with Dan Nayot M.D. in this week's episode. Dan is the Medical Director at The Fertility Partners (TFP). The field of reproductive medicine has improved so much over the years due to advancements in technology. Now, in 2022, the future looks even brighter. AI has been moving its way into many fields in medicine. The potential it has in store for reproductive medicine is incredible. Dan walks us through Violet, a non-invasive AI solution designed to detect features in eggs that are invisible to the human eye. This technology can forecast and predict the likelihood of fertilization and embryo (blastocyst) development. Dan and I discuss the technology in layman's terms, but really try to focus on how this will continue to improve the patient experience in reproductive medicine. 

In this episode, I speak with Chloe Nunez, one of Illume's Medical Assistants. We discuss the integral role the MA plays in our practice. Not only are they imperative to the physician's success, but they are the support system on the front lines of the patient journey. We demystify the various procedures you may experience from the perspective of a Medical Assistant. Giving you a glimpse into the common questions and concerns patients have before, during, and after a procedure(s). 

Monica Moore NP and I reframe how we all deal with and interpret stress. Family building is so important to many of us, when we are having a challenging time with it - treat yourself with compassion and acceptance. 

In this episode, Monica Moore NP gives a new way to think about exercise and definitely makes it more fun. Let's start moving our bodies!