Baby or Bust with Dr Lora Shahine Dr. Lora Shahine

Candles can be romantic, even sexy. But ironically, some can make it harder for you to get pregnant. Many common candles can have an impact on fertility, so if you’re trying to build your family, you may want to reconsider how you set the mood.
Candles and scents may impact fertility, but never fear: information is power. On this episode of Baby or Bust, you will learn what you need to know about fertility and candles. 
In this episode, Dr. Lora Shahine is chatting with Tristan Weholt, founder of Rox Hill Candle Co. Tristan is here to share her insight on parabens, paraffin wax, and the harmful chemicals that are present in some candles. 
Dr. Shahine and Tristan also discuss the differences between store-bought, mass-produced candles and those that are purchased through smaller companies – like knowing what ingredients are in the products you purchase. 
Protecting reproductive rights is more important now than ever. For National Infertility Awareness Week, here’s how you can help:
This pineapple candle (citrus scent) was created in honor of infertility and reproductive rights.

Proceeds for candles purchased this week (April 21-27, 2024) will be donated to three non-profit organizations working hard to educate, advocate, and protect reproductive rights:
ASRM (The American Society of Reproductive Medicine) Resolve  Doctors for Fertility
In this episode you’ll hear:
[1:40] Meet Tristan Weholt, founder of Rox Hill Candle Co.
[5:11] What you need to know about the wax that goes into candles
[8:57] The importance of the wick for candles
[10:47] Considering the scent of your candle choices
[14:02] How to know if a candle is safe
[17:30] A candle for fertility 
21:31] Closing 
Resources mentioned: 
www.roxhillcandleco.com
The Pineapple Candle: roxhillcandleco.com/products/roxhill-candle-co-x-dr-lora-shahine
Rox Hill Candle Co on IG: @roxhillcandleco
Fragrance & Oils from  makesy.com
National Library of Medicine - Phthalates and Their Impacts on Human Health
Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events:  Weekly Newsletter
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For many struggling with infertility, building a family may take more than two people. Egg donation, sperm donation, surrogacy or using a gestational carrier can be a beautiful way to build a family, but the process can be full of many questions and misconceptions along the way. 
Why do egg and sperm donors donate? Can third-party donors really be anonymous in this age of in-home genetic testing? Should parents be open with their children about their biological origins? If so, when is the right time to share or disclose this? Finally, is it possible a parent won’t bond with their baby if there’s no biological connection between them?
In Part Two of their discussion on the myths and misconceptions around fertility, Dr Shahine and licensed therapist Lisa Schuman tackle questions about third-party family building.
Lisa Schuman is an award-winning researcher, therapist, author, and expert in donor conception, surrogacy and fertility treatment. Her organization, The Center for Family Building, is dedicated to helping people have an easier journey to becoming parents.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[0:00] What is “third-party reproduction”?
Why do egg and sperm donors donate? The healing power of donation, a patient story Lisa discusses the growing trend of knowing gamete donors [6:24] Do you disclose to your children that they are the result of donation?
Is anonymity even possible any more? Should you disclose to your child? Why and when? Practice the conversation to make it easier for parent and child Why it’s a good and powerful thing to “own your story”  [13:50] Bonding with your child
Dealing with the continuing stigma of infertility Understanding parents’ concerns over bonding with donor-conceived children Where does that bond truly come from? Developing trust between parents and children [20:29] Myths around third party family building
The role of genetics How family bonds happen Resources mentioned: 
Center for Family Building
familybuilding.net/author/lisa-schuman-lcsw
Subscribe to Lisa’s podcast, “Building Your Family”: spotify.com/show/1iPTI62w2fANnkOLaSjsCe
Pacific Northwest Fertility Center Egg Donation Program: 
httpnwfertility.com/donor-egg-program/
Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events:  Weekly Newsletter
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Trying is supposed to be the fun part, right? Ask anyone struggling with infertility and they may share that intimacy can start to feel like a job after a while. Many fertility patients have found that at-home inseminations can be an option for trying to conceive at home.
At-home inseminations are not the same as intrauterine inseminations in a fertility clinic and cannot substitute for consults, testing, and guidance from a reproductive endocrinologist. However, they can be an option to consider as a first-line treatment, for those who have difficulty with intimacy, and for some people using frozen donor sperm from a sperm bank.
On this episode of Baby or Bust, Dr. Lora Shahine is talking all about at-home inseminations with Mauren Brown, founder of Mosie Baby. The Mosie Baby Kit for At-Home Insemination is the first FDA-cleared insemination syringe kit, and it has helped over 100,000 people access a fertility option that can take place in the comfort of their own home. 
Dr. Shahine and Maureen discuss the inspiration of Mosie Baby, how the syringe is designed, who might benefit from this option, and the future of at-home insemination. 
This episode of Baby or Bust Fertility Podcast was not sponsored by Mosie Baby. 
You can learn more at the Mosie Baby website and by watching Dr. Shahine’s YouTube video on at-home inseminations. 
In this episode you’ll hear:
[1:02] Meet Maureen Brown – founder of Mosie Baby
The inspiration for Mosie Baby 
Frank, Maureen’s son is the first Mosie Baby
[5:42] Mosie Baby vs. IUI in the clinic 
[8:03] The Mosie Baby design
[10:20] FDA clearance of Mosie Baby
[15:10] Is Mosie Baby right for you?
[19:27] When is a good time to try Mosie Baby?
[22:51] A few basics about conceiving
[25:49] The future of at-home insemination
[27:07] Other groups that could benefit from Mosie Baby
[29:08] Closing 

Resources mentioned: 
Mosie Baby: At Home Insemination Kit by Mosie Baby FSA/HSA approved 
Dr. Shahine’s YouTube Video on at-home inseminations: youtu.be/vQF1EL7u96I?si=LCnCiSg-4b7kDgXw 
Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events:  Weekly Newsletter
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There are many fertility misconceptions, but when you’re trying to conceive, it is tough to tell the truth from the myths.
What really will help you get pregnant?
Stay pregnant? 
And have a healthy baby? 
Your friends can be convinced that certain positions helped them. Instagram can make you feel you are to blame for your miscarriage.
In this episode, first shared on Lisa Schuman’s podcast, Building Your Family, Dr. Lora Shahine and host Lisa debunk some common fertility myths. 
You’ll finish this valuable episode knowing not only more about 5 common fertility assumptions but the why and rationale about why people can get so confused.
Host Lisa Schuman is an award-winning researcher, therapist, author, and expert in donor conception, surrogacy and fertility treatment. Her organization, The Center for Family Building, is dedicated to helping people have an easier journey to becoming parents.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[0:00] Meet Lisa, founder of The Center for Family Building and host of Building Your Family
[3:25] Myth #1 - Positions matter for getting pregnant and determining the baby’s sex
[8:40] Myth #2 - Myths around miscarriage, including the biggie: “It’s the pregnant person’s fault.”
[12:12-15:35]  Myth #4 Stress and Infertility 
[16:36] Myth #4 - The body is “just an oven,” and if it’s not your egg, even though you’re carrying it, you have no influence on the baby.
[16:36- 21:21] Myth #5 "Women Using Donor Egg Aren’t Really Mothers"
 
[22:04] Dr. Shahine reflects on how humbling infertility can be and why she loves educating on the topic
Resources mentioned: 
familybuilding.net/author/lisa-schuman-lcsw
Subscribe to Lisa’s podcast, “Building Your Family”: spotify.com/show/1iPTI62w2fANnkOLaSjsCe
Pacific Northwest Fertility Center: pnwfertility.com
Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events:  Weekly Newsletter
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

Endometriosis is a common yet often misdiagnosed chronic inflammatory disease associated with pain and infertility..
Never heard of endometriosis? You’re not alone. Despite it being a painful condition, it can take, on average 7 - 8 years to get a correct diagnosis. 
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and given the often debilitating pain this condition can cause — and how hard it can be for people in pain to be HEARD by medical professionals — we think it’s really important for everyone to be aware of it.
If you know someone who experiences excessive pain during their period, please share this episode. And if that person is you, please continue to advocate for yourself and your health care — find a doctor who will listen and conduct the necessary tests. 
In this episode you’ll hear:
[0:00] What is endometriosis, and how common is it?
[3:38] What are the symptoms, and how is it diagnosed?
[7:23] What is the connection between hormonal contraception and endometriosis?
[10:02] Signals that endometriosis may be present
[14:46] The importance of advocating for yourself 
Resources mentioned: 
American Society of Reproductive Medicine: 
www.asrm.org/news-and-events/asrm-news/latest-news/resource-roundup-endometriosis
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists:
www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/endometriosis
National Institutes of Health:
medlineplus.gov/endometriosis.html
Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events:  Weekly Newsletter
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In the wake of the Dobbs decision that effectively ended federal abortion rights protection under Roe v Wade, the fate of IVF and fertility treatments has been hanging in the balance.
In Alabama in February/March of 2024, a decision on the rights of a fetus brought IVF to a halt. Was this was the “pro-life” movement had in mind? To prohibit people from building the families they envision?
Fortunately, that outcome was “patched,” thanks to activism by reproductive rights’ advocates, among others. One of the most important voices in this ongoing conversation (and spoiler: this conversation didn’t start when Roe v Wade ended) is that of Elizabeth Carr, the first IVF baby in the United States.
Elizabeth Carr, who has been “in the media since three cells old,” chose a career in journalism, and she is now fully in as an advocate for fertility treatments like IVF. She has a podcast called The First, does public speaking, hosts events, and speaks out when needed to protect the rights of people to create their families as they choose. Learn more about Elizabeth on her website: https://ejordancarr.com/.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[0:00] Introducing Elizabeth Carr, the first IVF baby in the United States.
[2:22] The timeline up and through the Alabama Supreme Court decision
Impacts of the AL Supreme Court decision Governor Ivey’s bill to protect IVF [8:26] Impact of the AL decision on IVF access
[13:23] “Personhood” bills and their impacts on IVF and embryo freezing
Alabama shows the need for education around fertility treatments Fertility treatments are not discussed accurately by media and politicians [19:08] The truths of IVF
IVF helps those with infertility, cancer survivors, those who’ve suffered missed miscarriages, etc. IVF stigma can cause pharmacists to refuse to provide needed medication for fear of repercussions [24:14] Attending the President’s State of the Union address
[26.18] Why is IVF so polarizing?
[33:30] Infertility advocacy and reproductive rights
[43:04] Calls to action
Resources mentioned: 
doctorsforfertility.com
fightforfamilies.resolve.org
ASRM Advocacy
Find Elizabeth Carr
The First podcast
Elizabeth Carr on Instagram @ejordan12

Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events:  Weekly Newsletter
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books