Baby or Bust with Dr Lora Shahine Dr. Lora Shahine

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
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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
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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
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books
 

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
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

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
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

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