Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman

Pursuit Network
Pursuit Network
  • 4.8 (24)
  • Medicine
  • Biweekly

As a double board-certified OB-GYN and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialist, I've dedicated my career to helping women understand and navigate their reproductive health, but my passion for this podcast goes beyond my clinical background. My own personal experience with infertility gives me a firsthand understanding of the emotional and physical weight of this journey, and it's what drives me to show up for this community every week. Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman has grown because the conversation needed to grow too. Yes, we still cover the trying-to-conceive journey: the IUIs, the IVFs, the unexplained infertility, the grief, and the hope. But we also go deeper: hormones, PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid health, perimenopause, egg freezing, cycle tracking, and everything in between. Every episode, I break down complex science in plain language with no jargon, no shame, no sugarcoating, through expert interviews, real patient stories, and the latest innovations in women's health. Because the more you understand your body, the more power you have.

  1. 5d ago

    What Every Woman Should Know Before Endometriosis Surgery

    What happens when a routine surgery turns into a life-threatening emergency, changing your plans for motherhood overnight? In this episode, Dr. Sasha sits down with actress Leven Rambin, known for Grey's Anatomy, The Hunger Games, and Fire Country, to discuss her deeply personal fertility journey and the surgical complication that nearly took her life. Leven opens up about stepping away from her acting career to prioritize starting a family, the realities of fertility after 35, and the devastating experience of suffering an aortic injury during laparoscopic surgery for suspected endometriosis. Together, they explore the importance of informed consent, choosing the right surgical specialist, fertility preservation, and navigating the emotional and physical challenges of trying to conceive. Through her experience, Leven hopes to empower women to ask questions, advocate for their health, and make informed decisions about their reproductive futures. In this episode, we cover: → Choosing motherhood over career: Why Leven stepped away from Fire Country after more than 20 years in Hollywood, and the difficult decisions women face when balancing professional ambitions with family planning → Fertility after 35: The realities of age-related fertility decline, why Leven wishes she had frozen her eggs earlier, and what she wants women in their late 20s and early 30s to understand about their reproductive timelines → Recognizing the symptoms of endometriosis: Leven's experience with chronic pelvic pain, painful intercourse, and difficulty conceiving, and why normal ultrasounds don't necessarily rule out endometriosis → A life-threatening surgical complication: How a laparoscopic procedure for suspected endometriosis resulted in an aortic injury, emergency surgery, blood transfusions, and a traumatic ICU recovery → Informed consent and surgical risks: Why understanding potential complications is essential before undergoing any procedure, and the questions patients should ask before agreeing to surgery → Choosing an endometriosis specialist: The difference between a general OB-GYN and a fellowship-trained minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon (MIGS), and why specialized surgical experience matters → Fertility preservation after medical trauma: Why Leven is pursuing embryo freezing while allowing her body to heal, and how she is navigating the fear of undergoing another medical procedure → Egg freezing vs. embryo freezing: Understanding fertility preservation options, chromosomal testing, and how many embryos may be needed when planning for multiple children → IVF success rates and fertility misinformation: How to evaluate fertility clinic success rates, why CDC and SART reporting matters, and the importance of distinguishing scientific evidence from online anecdotes → The financial and emotional cost of fertility preservation: Why access to egg freezing and IVF remains a challenge for many women, and the conversation around making reproductive healthcare more affordable → Pregnancy after a major vascular injury: Why Leven's medical team recommended delaying pregnancy, the role of maternal-fetal medicine (MFM), and the importance of specialized monitoring for high-risk pregnancies → Rebuilding trust after medical trauma: How Leven is processing her experience, finding resilience through therapy and humor, and continuing to pursue her dream of becoming a mother Follow Leven Rambin! Instagram: @levenrambin Follow Dr. Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingpod YouTube: @sashahakmanmd Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter for updates, Q&A answers and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every week. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more! Thank you to our sponsors! Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code DRSASHA to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models and receive a 3-year warranty for FREE! Why wear scrubs when you can wear FIGS? Take 15% off your first order at https://wearfigs.com with the code FIGSRX. If you’re ready to take the guesswork out of your cycle, head over to https://inito.com and enter code TRYINGPOD to get your starter pack for just $109. For a limited time, our listeners are getting a FREE full sized Mascara on their first purchase when they use code DRSASHA at https://Jonesroadbeauty.com. For a limited time, our listeners can get 40% OFF select Lola Blankets products with code TRYING at checkout. Just head to https://LolaBlankets.com and use code TRYING to get 40% OFF your order. Discover Uresta, trusted by more than 70,000 women, at https://uresta.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Oct 21

    Which IVF Add-Ons Actually Work? PRP, Growth Hormone, Intralipids & More

    Are IVF add-ons actually improving your chances of having a baby, or are you spending thousands of dollars on treatments that haven't been proven to work? In this solo episode, Dr. Sasha breaks down the science behind some of the most commonly offered IVF add-ons, from growth hormone and ovarian PRP to embryo transfer medications and endometrial receptivity testing. Using the latest research, clinical trials, and her own experience as both a reproductive endocrinologist and IVF patient, she explains which treatments may benefit specific patients, which lack convincing evidence, and why live birth rates, not just egg counts or positive pregnancy tests, should be the ultimate measure of success. Whether you're preparing for your first IVF cycle or navigating repeated failed treatments, this episode will help you better understand your options and have informed conversations with your fertility doctor. In this episode, we cover: → IVF add-ons explained: Why additional treatments aren't always better, how to evaluate the research behind them, and the difference between improving egg retrieval, fertilization, pregnancy, and live birth rates → Growth hormone during ovarian stimulation: How it works alongside FSH and LH, why it's sometimes used for diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) or poor ovarian response, and what the research actually shows about egg quality, embryo development, and live births → Rapamycin for ovarian aging: The emerging research on ovarian reserve, cellular aging, and the mTOR pathway, including why this treatment remains experimental despite promising preliminary findings → Ovarian PRP and ovarian rejuvenation: How platelet-rich plasma injections are intended to stimulate ovarian follicles, what the PROVA randomized controlled trial found, and why Dr. Sasha questions the cost and effectiveness of this procedure → Calcium ionophore and fertilization failure: How assisted oocyte activation works with ICSI, and why it may improve outcomes in cases of severe male factor infertility, previous poor fertilization, or globozoospermia → PICSI vs. ICSI: How hyaluronic acid binding is used to select sperm, the potential impact on miscarriage rates, and why PICSI hasn't consistently demonstrated improved live birth rates → Recurrent implantation failure: Why failed embryo transfers don't necessarily mean there's a problem with the uterus, and the role of embryo quality, chromosomal abnormalities, adenomyosis, fibroids, polyps, and uterine scar tissue → Intrauterine hCG wash and Neupogen (G-CSF): The theories behind improving endometrial receptivity, implantation, and thin uterine lining, and why evidence for improved live birth rates remains limited → Uterine PRP for thin endometrial lining: How platelet-rich plasma may support endometrial growth and implantation, why some studies are promising, and the limitations of the available evidence → IV intralipids and reproductive immunology: The theory behind suppressing natural killer cell activity, why intralipid infusions are offered for recurrent implantation failure, and Dr. Sasha's personal experience using them during her own IVF pregnancy → Corticosteroids and low-dose aspirin: When steroids are medically indicated, including Dr. Sasha's experience with partial 21-hydroxylase deficiency, and why baby aspirin may help prevent preeclampsia without necessarily improving embryo transfer success → Antihistamine protocols: Why some fertility clinics prescribe Claritin, Pepcid, and steroids as part of a "kitchen sink" protocol, and what the research shows about implantation and pregnancy outcomes → ERA, EMMA, and ALICE testing: Whether endometrial receptivity testing, microbiome analysis, and endometrial biopsies improve IVF outcomes, and why personalized embryo transfer timing hasn't consistently demonstrated a benefit → How to make informed IVF decisions: Understanding randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, Cochrane reviews, experimental treatments, and why an add-on that helps a specific subgroup of patients may not benefit everyone Additional episodes mentioned: → IVF Medication Protocols: Understanding stimulation protocols, including options for diminished ovarian reserve → Embryo Genetic Testing: Exploring the limitations of traditional preimplantation genetic testing and emerging approaches to embryo analysis Follow Dr. Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingpod YouTube: @sashahakmanmd Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter for updates, Q&A answers and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every week. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more! Thank you to our sponsors! Why wear scrubs when you can wear FIGS? Take 15% off your first order at wearfigs.com with the code FIGSRX Go to https://olliesmile.com and enter code TRYING at checkout for 10% off your order!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Oct 14

    Postpartum Depression, Anxiety & Psychosis Explained: What Every Woman Should Know

    Mental health during infertility, pregnancy, and postpartum is often misunderstood, and knowing what's normal, what's not, and when to seek help can make all the difference. In this educational episode, Dr. Sasha sits down with Dr. Kristin Lassiter, a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in reproductive psychiatry, to break down the mental health conditions women may experience throughout their reproductive years. Together, they explain the differences between anxiety, depression, OCD, postpartum baby blues, and postpartum psychosis, while addressing common misconceptions about intrusive thoughts and psychiatric medications during pregnancy. From understanding the safety of antidepressants and ADHD medications to recognizing warning signs and knowing where to turn for help, this conversation is designed to give women and their families the knowledge to make informed decisions and advocate for appropriate care. Mental health resources mentioned in this episode: Postpartum Support International: postpartum.net National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) for free, confidential support, available 24/7. If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of postpartum psychosis or an immediate risk of harm, seek emergency medical care. Medication decisions during pregnancy should always be made with your treating healthcare professional. Do not stop or change prescribed psychiatric medications without medical guidance. Follow Dr. Kristin Lassiter! Instagram: @the.reproductive.psychiatrist Follow Dr. Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingpod YouTube: @sashahakmanmd Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter for updates, Q&A answers and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every week. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more! Thank you to our sponsors! Go to https://olliesmile.com and enter code TRYING at checkout for 10% off your order!  For a limited time, try OneSkin with 15% off using code DRSASHA at https://oneskin.co/DRSASHA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Oct 7

    How to Make a Birth Plan: Induction, Epidurals, VBAC & Labor Explained

    A birth plan can help you feel prepared for labor, but birth does not always go according to plan. In this solo episode, Dr. Sasha Hakman shares her perspective as both a board-certified OB-GYN and a mom preparing for her third delivery after IVF. She breaks down birth plans, hospital vs. home birth, induction at 39 weeks, VBAC and TOLAC, epidurals, doulas, delayed cord clamping, cord blood banking, and the interventions that may come up during labor. Most importantly, she explains why informed decision-making, flexibility, and finding a care team you trust matter more than creating the "perfect" birth experience. In this episode, we cover: → How to create a realistic birth plan, why Dr. Sasha prefers a one-page list of preferences, and why shared decision-making and informed consent should be at the center of your delivery experience → The different approaches to birth, including low-intervention and unmedicated labor, epidural-focused plans, planned induction, scheduled C-section, and TOLAC (trial of labor after cesarean) with the goal of a VBAC → Home birth vs. hospital birth, the risks Dr. Sasha considers when choosing where to deliver, who should not consider a home birth, and why she personally prioritizes delivering at a hospital with a high-level NICU → Dr. Sasha's first two birth stories, including her scheduled C-section for a breech baby, her unexpectedly fast TOLAC and vaginal delivery, and what those experiences have changed about her birth plan for baby number three → 39-week induction vs. waiting for spontaneous labor, what the ARRIVE trial found about elective induction, and why Dr. Sasha personally hopes to deliver by 39 weeks → How an induction of labor actually works, including cervical ripening, Foley balloons, Pitocin (oxytocin), medication options, membrane sweeps, dates, nipple stimulation, and why some induction medications are not appropriate after a previous C-section → Low-intervention labor, when to go to the hospital, why active labor is now generally considered around 6 centimeters, intermittent vs. continuous fetal monitoring, eating and drinking during labor, and choosing the position that feels best for you → Why Dr. Sasha has changed her perspective on doulas, how the right doula can provide continuous support and advocacy, and why your partner may need support during labor too → Epidurals and pain management, including the benefits and risks of epidural anesthesia, whether epidurals increase C-section risk, IV pain medication, spinal headaches, blood pressure changes, and why Dr. Sasha plans to request an epidural early this time → What happens during pushing and delivery, including tearing vs. episiotomy, vacuum and forceps-assisted delivery, and when interventions may help avoid an emergency C-section → What happens immediately after birth, including skin-to-skin, delayed cord clamping for 30 to 60 seconds, placenta delivery, postpartum Pitocin, breastfeeding, and monitoring for postpartum hemorrhage → Cord blood banking vs. donation, why Dr. Sasha does not personally plan to use private cord blood banking, and why she prefers donating cord blood to a public bank when possible → Dr. Sasha's birth plan for baby number three: spontaneous labor if possible, delivery by 39 weeks, early pain control, continuous fetal monitoring, openness to intervention when medically necessary, and ultimately one priority, a healthy mom and healthy baby Follow Dr. Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingpod YouTube: @sashahakmanmd Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter for updates, Q&A answers and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every week. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more! Thank you to our sponsors! Use my link at thrivemarket.com/trying to get $20 off your first three orders —  That covers your membership fee! Sign up now before this exclusive offer ends.  Support your cells and how you age with Mitopure® Gummies from Timeline.Visit timeline.com/SASHA and 20% off your Mitopure® Gummies. That’s timeline.com/SASHA. Discover Uresta, trusted by more than 70,000 women, at uresta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Sep 30

    Dr. Mona Amin on Sleep Training, Co-Sleeping & Gentle Parenting (Part 2)

    What does it actually take to raise emotionally resilient kids without losing yourself in the process? In Part 2 of my conversation with pediatrician and PedsDocTalk founder Dr. Mona Amin, we move from her personal journey into some of the most debated topics in modern parenting: sleep training, co-sleeping, gentle parenting, attachment, boundaries, emotional regulation, and the pressure to get everything "right." Dr. Mona explains why parenting is rarely as black and white as social media makes it seem. We talk about what the research actually says about sleep training and attachment, why parental sleep matters too, and how families can think about co-sleeping through the lens of risk reduction rather than judgment. We also unpack the difference between gentle, permissive, authoritative, and authoritarian parenting. Dr. Mona shares why validation alone isn't always enough, why some children actually become more dysregulated when parents over-explain their emotions, and how loving limits can give children both the connection and boundaries they need. Plus, we get into tantrums, hitting, whining, yelling, parental guilt, repairing after you lose your cool, and why modeling emotional regulation may be one of the most powerful tools we have as parents. This conversation is such an important reminder that no parent is going to get every moment right. What matters is building a relationship where your child knows they are loved, their emotions are safe with you, and they can always come back to you. In this episode → How Dr. Mona's own birth trauma changed the way she communicates medical and parenting information → What the research says about sleep training, attachment, and the Ferber method → Why there is no one-size-fits-all approach to infant and toddler sleep → Co-sleeping, bed sharing, safe sleep, SIDS risk, and the importance of risk reduction → Why a child's temperament and "cuddle quota" can completely change what works for their family → Gentle parenting versus permissive, authoritative, and authoritarian parenting → Why over-validating a child during a tantrum can sometimes make things worse → How to set firm boundaries without shaming or dismissing your child's emotions → What to do when your child hits, whines, screams, or becomes completely dysregulated → Why parents need to regulate themselves before they can help regulate their children → How apologizing after yelling or losing your temper can model accountability → Why repair matters more than being a perfect parent → How positive reinforcement helps shape behavior without creating shame → What emotional resilience actually looks like as children grow → Dr. Mona's approach to evidence-based medicine without fear mongering → The parenting myths she is most tired of correcting online → What she hopes her own children understand about their childhood when they're adults Follow Dr. Mona!Instagram: @pedsdoctalk  Follow Dr. Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingpod YouTube: @sashahakmanmd Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter for updates, Q&A answers and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every week. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more! Thank you to our sponsors! Go to https://olliesmile.com and enter code TRYING at checkout for 10% off your order!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Sep 23

    Secondary Infertility After a C-Section: Dr. Mona's Journey to IVF

    WARNING: This episode includes detailed discussion of traumatic birth, a NICU stay, a newborn stroke and seizures, maternal sepsis, repeat surgeries, and fear of dying in childbirth. What happens when the birth experience you imagined becomes a medical emergency, and the journey to growing your family takes a turn you never expected? In this deeply personal episode of Trying, Dr. Sasha Hakman sits down for part 1 of 2 episodes with pediatrician and mother of two Dr. Mona Amin, known as Dr. Mona of PedsDocTalk, to discuss her journey through birth trauma, a NICU stay, secondary infertility, IVF, and the emotional work of healing after an unexpected birth experience. Dr. Mona shares the terrifying complications surrounding the birth of her son, including an emergency during her C-section, his neonatal stroke and seizures, and her own life-threatening postpartum complications. Despite being a physician herself, she describes what it felt like to have her symptoms dismissed and the importance of advocating for yourself when something doesn't feel right. When she and her husband decided to try for a second child, Dr. Mona discovered that scar tissue from her previous surgeries had caused a hydrosalpinx, a fluid-filled, blocked fallopian tube that complicated her ability to conceive. She takes us through the decision to pursue IVF, the emotional weight of having only one viable embryo, and the eventual birth of her daughter. Together, Dr. Sasha and Dr. Mona explore the grief that can accompany an unexpected birth experience, the impact of medical trauma on both parents, and why motherhood, bonding, and healing do not have to look the way we originally imagined. In this episode A C-section that turned into an emergency, and what her ER-doctor husband saw in the OR Spotting her newborn's seizures when staff first missed them Being dismissed as "dramatic" in the hospital where she worked Seeking accountability and protocol changes rather than a lawsuit Secondary infertility, hydrosalpinx, and choosing IVF Seven eggs, four fertilized, one blastocyst: her "miracle embryo" Why her second postpartum complication finally led to a diagnosis Deciding their family is complete Why doctor-patients may feel more fear, not less EMDR, therapy, and how both parents processed the trauma Naming grief as the loss of an expectation, and why bonding lasts a lifetime Follow Dr. Mona!Instagram: @pedsdoctalk  Follow Dr. Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingpod YouTube: @sashahakmanmd Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter for updates, Q&A answers and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every week. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more! Thank you to our sponsors! Go to https://olliesmile.com and enter code TRYING at checkout for 10% off your order!  Use my link at thrivemarket.com/trying  to get $20 off your first three orders —  That covers your membership fee! Sign up now before this exclusive offer ends Support your cells and how you age with Mitopure® Gummies from Timeline.Visit timeline.com/SASHA and 20% off your Mitopure® Gummies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Sep 16

    Fertility Q&A: IVF, Luteal Phase Defects, Embryo Testing, Exercise & More

    In this solo Q&A episode of Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman, Dr. Sasha answers listener questions across fertility, IVF, embryo transfer, hormone health, pregnancy, exercise, and reproductive genetics. From adenomyosis treatment before embryo transfer and ways to support a short luteal phase to whole genome sequencing, balanced translocations, IVF in your 40s, male factor infertility, and exercise during treatment, Dr. Sasha breaks down what the evidence tells us, where the research is still limited, and why fertility care often needs to be highly individualized. As always, this episode is for general education and is not personal medical advice. In this episode, we cover: ➜ Adenomyosis, why it can affect implantation, and when Depo Lupron and letrozole may be considered before embryo transfer ➜ Using Inito to track FSH, LH, estrogen, and progesterone, confirm ovulation, and potentially identify a luteal phase defect ➜ Whole genome sequencing of embryos, polygenic risk scores, monogenic conditions, Juniper Genomics, Orchid, Nucleus, and the limitations of embryo genetic testing ➜ Persistent chronic endometritis after doxycycline, when additional antibiotics may be needed, and where EMMA/ALICE testing may have a role ➜ Resistance training, powerlifting, pelvic floor health, urinary incontinence, prolapse, and what researcher Margie Davenport's work suggests about exercise in pregnancy ➜ Balanced translocations, genetic counseling, untested embryos, embryo biopsy and re-freezing, and how maternal age can influence decisions around PGT ➜ Vaginal estrogen and the vaginal microbiome, Evvy testing, and using progesterone supplementation to support a short luteal phase ➜ Reproductive immunology after miscarriage or failed embryo transfer, plus when a rheumatologist or reproductive immunologist may be helpful ➜ ICSI for male factor infertility, high AMH, reproductive urology, varicoceles, hypothalamic amenorrhea, restoring ovulation, and trying to conceive after losing your period ➜ Fertility and IVF in your 40s, including the realities of egg quality, ovarian reserve, repeated IVF cycles, and when donor eggs may enter the conversation ➜ Pregnancy symptoms that deserve evaluation, including ocular migraines, shortness of breath, severe fatigue, low ferritin, and iron deficiency ➜ IVF add-ons including Neupogen, hCG washes, steroids, IV intralipids, and uterine PRP, and why limited evidence does not always stop patients with recurrent implantation failure from considering them ➜ Luteal phase ovarian stimulation, estrogen and testosterone priming, diminished ovarian reserve, follicle synchronization, and individualized stimulation protocols ➜ Exercise during ovarian stimulation and after frozen embryo transfer, plus microdose Lupron protocols, FSH stimulation, hCG triggers, and OHSS risk CHAPTERS 00:00 Solo Q&A and a reminder about general medical advice01:00 Adenomyosis treatment before transfer and tracking ovulation with Inito08:03 Whole genome sequencing, embryo genetics and chronic endometritis13:55 Resistance training, pelvic floor health, balanced translocations and untested embryos20:44 Vaginal estrogen, the microbiome and lengthening the luteal phase23:44 Reproductive immunology, ICSI and male factor infertility27:29 Hypothalamic amenorrhea and trying for another baby in your 40s30:34 Migraines in pregnancy, iron deficiency and IVF success in the mid to late 40s35:22 Neupogen, IVF add-ons and luteal phase stimulation39:06 Exercise during IVF and after embryo transfer, plus microdose Lupron protocols Episodes and experts mentioned: Whole genome sequencing with Juniper Genomics CEO Jeremy Greco IVF medications Follow Dr. Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingpod YouTube: @sashahakmanmd Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter for updates, Q&A answers and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every week. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more! Thank you to our sponsors! Head to AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promocode DRSASHA  Go to Rula.com/ DRSASHA for quality therapy that’s covered by insurance.  Head over to Superpower.com and use code DRSASHA for $50 off. After you sign up, they’ll ask you how you heard about Superpower, tell them Trying sent you to support the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Sep 9

    Fetal Movement, Kick Counts & Stillbirth Prevention with Count the Kicks

    Stillbirth is a topic many expectant parents are afraid to talk about, but understanding your baby’s movement patterns can be an empowering tool during pregnancy. In this episode of Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman, Dr. Sasha sits down with Karina Bennett, ambassador for Count the Kicks, a stillbirth prevention program created by Healthy Birth Day, Inc. Karina shares the story of losing her son to stillbirth and how that experience led her to advocacy, education, and a mission to help other families recognize changes in fetal movement before it is too late. Together, Sasha and Karina break down what kick counting actually looks like, when to start, what counts as movement, and why knowing your baby’s individual pattern matters more than comparing your pregnancy to someone else’s. They also discuss anterior placentas, decreased fetal movement, advocating for yourself when something feels wrong, the limitations of at-home Dopplers, and why seeking evaluation is never an overreaction. This conversation is not about creating fear. It is about giving pregnant women information they can use to feel more connected to their baby, more confident in what is normal, and more empowered to speak up when something changes. In this episode, we cover: → Karina’s personal experience with stillbirth and how losing her son led her to Count the Kicks and stillbirth prevention advocacy → Why talking about stillbirth does not have to be fear-based and how education can help expectant parents feel more empowered during pregnancy → What fetal movement can tell you about your baby’s well-being and why changes in your baby’s normal pattern deserve attention → When to begin tracking fetal movement in the third trimester and how recommendations may differ for higher-risk pregnancies → What actually counts as a “kick,” including jabs, rolls, swishes, and other movements → Why the goal is not simply reaching a universal number of kicks, but learning how long it typically takes your individual baby to reach 10 movements → How the free Count the Kicks app tracks movement patterns, timing, and movement strength over time → How tracking fetal movement may reduce anxiety, create reassurance, and help parents bond with their baby during pregnancy → What an anterior placenta can mean for your perception of fetal movement and why knowing your own baby’s pattern is still important → Why hearing a heartbeat with an at-home Doppler does not replace evaluation for decreased fetal movement or testing like a nonstress test → What to do when your baby’s movement pattern changes and why you should never worry about being a burden for asking to be evaluated → How to advocate for yourself if you feel dismissed by a provider, including seeking another provider or going to labor and delivery when something does not feel right → The ripple effect of pregnancy loss on mothers, fathers, siblings, grandparents, and entire families, and why partners need space and support to grieve too → Finding support after stillbirth through therapy, community, advocacy, creative outlets, and giving yourself space to process an unimaginable loss Learn more about Karina + Count the Kicks Count the Kicks is a free fetal movement tracking resource designed to help expectant parents learn their baby’s normal movement patterns during the third trimester. Instagram: @countthekicksusDownload the free Count the Kicks app on iOS or Android. Stay connected with Dr. Sasha Follow Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman for honest, expert-led conversations about fertility, pregnancy, reproductive health, and everything that comes with trying to grow a family. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and on YouTube @tryingpodwithdrhakman. Have a question or a topic you want Dr. Sasha to cover? Leave it in the comments or submit it for an upcoming episode. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Want more from Dr. Sasha? Join the newsletter for fertility education, reproductive health insights, episode updates, and more from Dr. Sasha. Interested in becoming a patient? Visit Dr. Sasha’s practice information to learn more about consultations and fertility care. Thank you to our sponsors!  Machine Washable Rugs, Made Better. For a limited time only, our listeners get 10% off + free shipping at Tumbleliving.com/[DRSASHA]. Unlock your healthiest skin at OneSkin.co and use code DRSASHA for 15% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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About

As a double board-certified OB-GYN and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialist, I've dedicated my career to helping women understand and navigate their reproductive health, but my passion for this podcast goes beyond my clinical background. My own personal experience with infertility gives me a firsthand understanding of the emotional and physical weight of this journey, and it's what drives me to show up for this community every week. Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman has grown because the conversation needed to grow too. Yes, we still cover the trying-to-conceive journey: the IUIs, the IVFs, the unexplained infertility, the grief, and the hope. But we also go deeper: hormones, PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid health, perimenopause, egg freezing, cycle tracking, and everything in between. Every episode, I break down complex science in plain language with no jargon, no shame, no sugarcoating, through expert interviews, real patient stories, and the latest innovations in women's health. Because the more you understand your body, the more power you have.

Information

  • Channel
    Pursuit Network
  • Creator
    Dr Sasha Hakman
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Provider
    Pursuit Network

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