The Whole Pineapple

A little stress isn't a bad thing: it can motivate us to do what needs to be done.

But too much stress is definitely NOT good — not for our sleep, mood, life choices, health, or fertility.

In this episode, Ruby and Anne talk with Jamie Mammenga, MS, LMHC, and mental health provider at Seattle Reproductive Medicine, about how to manage stress for better health.

Jamie graduated with a Master of Science degree in mental health counseling from Montana State University and began her path as a licensed mental health counselor with at-risk youth and families.

It wasn't until she experienced her own fertility journey that her focus began to shift more toward women's health and fertility. At Seattle Reproductive Medicine, she specializes in fertility-specific care and couldn't be happier to be a part of a team that is working so diligently to provide a more holistic, wellness-based approach to family building.

Right now, in Washington state, there's no legislative requirement that insurance companies cover infertility care. This leaves a lot of people paying out-of-pocket for services that can be quite expensive, putting treatment out of reach for many, if not most. A bill that would authorize coverage of infertility treatment in Washington was finally introduced this month, but it needs all the support it can get. This bonus episode is to tell you about the bill and the virtual advocacy day on February 2nd. (Register here: https://bit.ly/3Iwnd6D) Bill sponsors and advocates want people to contact their state representatives, share their infertility stories, and educate them on why it is so important to move this bill forward. However, registration for the event closes a week before! So you must sign up by Wednesday, January 26. Ruby and Anne are planning a full episode later to dive further into why advocacy is important and how you can push for mandated coverage. They'll also discuss how to talk with your employer about adding it to your company's health plan. Be sure to subscribe to The Whole Pineapple now, so you won't miss it! If you have an infertility journey story to share, we'd love for you to share it, to help make treatment possible for all. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3Iwnd6D.

A semen analysis is a snapshot in time, so what can it really tell you? In this short snack episode, Ruby and Anne reveal the story behind the numbers, debunk some common misconceptions, and take us on the sperm's journey.

How are sperm counted? What does that tell you about your fertility? Is there such a thing as an ideal sperm? Hear it all on this episode.

#SpermEverywhere

When you deal with fertility in all its ... humanness, things can get messy.

Hang on — you haven't heard the story yet!

Enjoy this little bit of extra content we couldn't quite leave on the cutting room floor. We hope it gives you as hearty a laugh as it did us!

#SpermEverywhere

When it comes to ovarian reserves, aka egg supply, there's a lot of gray area. What can tests really show? And what can you do with the information they reveal?

In their first "snack: episode, Ruby and Anne dig into the details – and clarify some of the confusion – of AMH testing, antral follicle counting, and the impact of genetics on fertility. Tune in to learn about the state of your ovaries.

How did pineapples — once a way of displaying one's wealth — become a symbol of infertility?

In this first episode of The Whole Pineapple, Nurse Practitioners, fertility experts, and podcast hosts Ruby Booras and Anne Judge talk about how pineapples and fertility came to be associated, and whether or not you have to eat the chewy pineapple core to help IVF be more successful.

About one in eight women or couples will experience infertility in their lives, making difficulty conceiving much more common than many believe.

The Whole Pineapple is about helping couples and those with uteruses optimize their health and wellness, both for themselves and for the family they hope to build.

Hear the history and the science, then visit TheWholePineapple.com to learn more!

Nurse Practitioners Ruby Booras (DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC, DipACLM/DipIBLM, she/they) and Anne Judge (DNP, ARNP, WHNP-BCare, she/her) know a lot about fertility and wellness in general.

And they want to help you be as ready as possible when it's time to start or extend your family.

Meet the team who will share information on physical and emotional wellness, including nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress, and more — all viewed through the lens of fertility.

Learn more about Ruby and Anne and The Whole Pineapple at thewholepineapple.com!

What do you get when you add two nurse practitioners, a healthy serving of science, a heaping scoop of kindness, a dash of fun, and a microphone?

The Whole Pineapple podcast takes a whole-person approach to fertility. Join co-hosts Ruby Booras and Anne Judge as they discuss a variety of fertility and wellness-related topics including nutrition, physical activity, mindfulness, stress management, toxic habits, environmental exposures, mental health, sleep, sexual health, relationships, self-care and so much more.

From thought-provoking interviews with leading experts and straight-forward conversations about scientific research to inspiring real-life infertility stories from listeners like you, The Whole Pineapple is sure to become a source of reliable, knowledgeable support, guiding you through your journey and inspiring your WHOLE life.