Baby or Bust with Dr Lora Shahine Dr. Lora Shahine
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- Health & Fitness
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Infertility and miscarriage are more common than we realize, and we need to talk about it. Whether it's interviews with experts or a deep dive into a reproductive health topic, every week on the Baby or Bust Fertility podcast, your host, Dr. Lora Shahine, gets real about education, emotional support, and shared fertility experiences. Listen now and learn how to advocate for your own care or support your loved ones with infertility, miscarriage, and early pregnancy.
Baby Or Bust is produced by Bray's Run Production and Audiotocracy Podcast Production in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank.
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Fighting to Protect IVF with Barbara Collura, Head of RESOLVE, Part 2
Who should have the power to decide on your future fertility options? What becomes of frozen gametes and embryos in this new, post-Roe political climate? And if you are ready to get involved, how do you actually advocate for reproductive rights?
This is part 2 of Dr. Lora Shahine’s discussion with Barbara Collura, President and CEO of RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association. In this part of the discussion, Dr. Shahine and Barbara talk about the threats to IVF, access to fertility care, and effective ways to advocate for reproductive rights.
You’ll finish this episode more informed and ready to take action with one, two, or all three of the action steps Barbara provides.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[1:15] Review of part one & overview of part two
[2:30] RESOLVE’s purpose and mission
[3:54] The history of a threat to IVF
[7:25] Access to fertility care
[12:06] Advocacy for reproductive rights: Spotlighting Alabama
[17:21] Reproductive rights
[23:59] Next steps to make a difference; including federal protection for IVF
[28:11] Three actionable steps
Resources mentioned:
resolve.org
Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books
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Fighting to Protect IVF with Barbara Collura, Head of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, Part 1
What does advocating for reproductive rights have to do with IVF? Surely people who want to have a baby wouldn’t have to fight for that right in a post-Roe world?
Well, as it turns out, the reality is that the science behind IVF doesn’t always mesh with the idea that life begins at conception.
This week, Dr. Lora Shahine welcomes Barb Collura, President and CEO of RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association dedicated to advocating for fertility treatments and ensuring that building a family is attainable for all.
In this episode, Barb shares her fertility journey, details the issues IVF and other reproductive rights are facing, and explains why fighting to protect IVF is necessary.
Many in the reproductive space saw the writing on the wall long ago. Here, Barb and Dr. Shahine break down how the overturning of Roe vs. Wade has threatened the process of IVF. They also discuss how Personhood Bills in various states end up impacting IVF — intentionally or unintentionally.
There is much more to the conversation between Barb Collura and Dr. Shahine, so make sure to come back for part two on the next episode of Baby or Bust!
In this episode you’ll hear:
[1:06] Is IVF under threat?
[2:44] Meet Barb Collura, President and CEO of RESOLVE
[10:12] Learn about RESOLVE
[14:12] What does reproductive rights (and Roe vs. Wade) have to do with IVF?
[16:40] Personhood bills in different states
[22:06] A voice for infertility among the politics
[27:47] Stay tuned for more from Barb Collura
Resources mentioned:
resolve.org
Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books -
Infertility Changes You ... with Jesse and Doug from Infertility Feelings Podcast
Infertility changes a person, physically, mentally, and emotionally — it affects our identity, our relationships, our hopes and expectations for the future. How we manage these changes will be different for each person.
In this unique and personal episode, Dr. Lora Shahine is a guest on the Infertility Feelings podcast with hosts Doug and Jesse. Listeners will hear her share her own fertility journey and all the emotions she experienced being simultaneously doctor and patient.
Jesse and Doug also explain their process groups — safe spaces where members can talk about the issues and feelings that come with infertility. A great tool for managing the emotional toll that infertility takes, this form of group therapy could help members come out the other side understanding what their bodies and minds have gone through.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[:46] Meet the hosts of the Infertility Feelings Podcast
[2:35] Dr. Lora Shahine shares her fertility journey through 2 pregnancies
[7:04] Being a Fertility Doctor and Fertility patient at the same time
[10:28] The impact of fertility on other parts of your life
[13:51] Acceptance of a new reality
[16:24] Infertility as a first “real” struggle
[18:47] How infertility changes you
[23:27] The changes your body goes through during infertility
[28:24] Dealing with feelings of failure
[30:19] Doug & Jesse’s Process Groups
[36:06] Balancing patient’s dreams with best course of action
Resources mentioned:
Uniquely Knitted www.uniquelyknitted.org
Process Groups: www.uniquelyknitted.org/programs/process-groups
Infertility Feelings Podcast: www.uniquelyknitted.org/podcast/infertility-feelings-podcast
Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books -
The Real Price of Fertility Treatment: Financial Planning with Angela Rastegar From Sunfish
The cost of fertility treatments can be a huge stress on anyone navigating assisted reproduction. Unfortunately, those who are already dealing with the physical and emotional challenges of infertility may also be burdened with the financial challenge of fertility treatments. And it’s important that those facing IVF, IUI, egg retrieval, surrogacy or any of the many, often costly procedures have the resources they need.
Fortunately, there is help: Angela Rastegar is the cofounder and CEO of Sunfish, a financial solutions company for family building of all kinds. and she has helped individuals and couples plan for the cost of fertility, make it affordable and accessible.
In this episode, Dr. Lora Shahine and Angela share their own experiences and highlight the need for affordable solutions so those exploring fertility options can build the families they dream of.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[:59] Meet Angela Rastegar - founder and CEO of Sunfish
[3:48] Infertility is a disease; why is there such a gap between access and need?
[6:09] How much does IVF, donor egg, surrogacy, adoption really cost?
[10:34] What does Sunfish do?
[18:08] The IVF Success Program (Money Back) offered by Sunfish
[22:30] Financial Planning for building your family
[31:18] Closing
Resources mentioned:
www.joinsunfish.com
Follow Sunfish on IG @joinsunfish
Sunfish on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/joinsunfish
Sunfish on Twitter twitter.com/joinsunfish
Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books -
Mother’s Day with Infertility and Miscarriage: Tips for Coping, Surviving and Thriving
Mother’s Day is not a celebration for everyone. When struggling with infertility and miscarriage - this particular holiday can be full of many mixed emotions. In this special episode of the Baby or Bust Fertility Podcast, Dr. Shahine shares many personal reflections on how tough Mother’s Day can be for the fertility community and leaves you with tips on how to cope.
Finish this episode with ideas and inspiration to care for yourself this Mother’s Day weekend.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[:54 ] Mother’s Day is full of mixed emotions
[3:11] This episode is dedicated to those that are struggling with fertility
[3:51] Tip #1 - Recognize and feel the emotions
[6:51] Tip #2 - Just say no
[9:50] Tip #3 - Ask for help
[12:25] Tip #4 - Indulge
[14:01] Tip #5 - Make plans
[15:51] Recap
Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books -
Marijuana and Reproductive Health: What You Need to Know
Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans have tried marijuana at least once in their life? It is the most commonly used recreational drug in the U.S. but many do not realize how it impacts fertility, success with IVF, miscarriage risk, and pregnancy health.
It’s easy to assume that something that is legal medically and sometimes recreationally in many states could be harmful to your health, especially your reproductive health.
If you’ve been curious about marijuana use and fertility - this episode is a valuable resource full of studies on cannabis use on female and male fertility, time to pregnancy, menstrual cycles, IVF outcomes, and pregnancy risks.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[0:59] Marijuana use in the U.S - both recreational & medical
[2:19] Facts about cannabis - THC and CBD
Risks to general health Risks to reproductive health [4:17] Let’s review the evidence: Male fertility & marijuana
[9:13] Let’s review the evidence: Female fertility & marijuana
[13:03] Recap and suggestions for next steps
Resources mentioned:
Association Between Use of Marijuana and Male Reproductive Hormones and Semen Quality: A Study Among 1,215 Healthy Young Men pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov26283092
Modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for poor sperm morphology (regular marijuana use associated with poor sperm morphology) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24899128
Effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana, on human sperm function in vitro. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16500334
Human sperm express cannabinoid receptor Cb1, the activation of which inhibits motility, acrosome reaction, and mitochondrial function hpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15562018
A prospective study of the effects of female and male marijuana use on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) outcomes pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.ucsf.idm.oclc.org/16458631
Male Preconception Marijuana Use and Spontaneous Abortion: A Prospective Cohort Study pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33165011
Impact of Tobacco and Marijuana on Infertility and Early Reproductive Wastage pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.ucsf.idm.oclc.org/35125388
Cannabis use while trying to conceive: a prospective cohort study evaluating associations with fecundability, live birth and pregnancy loss pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33421071
Marijuana smoking and outcomes of infertility treatment with assisted reproductive technologies pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.ucsf.idm.oclc.org/31505640
A prospective study of the effects of female and male marijuana use on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) outcomes pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.ucsf.idm.oclc.org/16458631
Cannabis use during pregnancy and postpartum pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.ucsf.idm.oclc.org/32060189
Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events: Weekly Newsletter
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books
Customer Reviews
Worth Your Time
I have only listen to a handful of episodes at this point, and wow, have they been so helpful! This podcast has been an excellent blend of understanding the logistics of fertility treatment as well as the emotional side of such a hidden and misunderstood, yet common phenomenon. I have had my life and experience in this process validated so many times. Thank you Dr. Shahine for your wisdom and heart in helping us navigate such a transformative process.
Love this podcast
I love that Dr Shahine has so many amazing guests on her show that provide comprehensive perspectives on building a family and infertility. I learn something new from every episode. Thank you for being such a fertility warrior, so more women and men can continue to learn about fertility options and overall fertility health.
Best fertility podcast ever!
I couldn’t be more grateful for Dr. Shahine and her podcast… as a mom of one going through recurrent miscarriages she has made a pretty dark period of my life less isolating and has even brought me some hope for the future. By engaging with experts and other leaders in the fertility realm she has elevated the health issues affecting millions of women and created a safe space for connection and support. I even found a support group for moms with secondary infertility through this podcast (Holding Both, run by Allie Karagozian)! Thank you, Dr. Shahine, for all that you do for the field of fertility :)