Fertility Nurses Unfiltered

Ashlee Laroue, BSN, RN and Laura Weppler, BSN, RN
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

Fertility Nurses Unfiltered is a nurse-led podcast for people navigating infertility and fertility treatment who want clarity, honesty, and support beyond the clinic walls. Hosted by former fertility clinic nurses Ashlee Laroue and Laura Weppler, co-founders of Rooted Fertility Co., we pull back the curtain on IVF, fertility care, transfers, medications, canceled cycles, burnout, and the emotional realities patients aren't always prepared for. Two nurses. One mic. No b******t. https://www.rootedfertilityco.com/

  1. 1d ago

    Oncofertility 101: How The Chick Mission Helps Cancer Patients Protect Their Fertility

    "You don't qualify. You're not infertile yet." That is what Amanda Rice heard from her insurance company when she called, diagnosed with cancer for the third time before age 40, asking for help freezing her eggs before chemotherapy. Instead of accepting that answer, she built a movement. This week, just in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we sit down with Amanda Rice, three-time cancer survivor and founder and CEO of The Chick Mission, a nonprofit helping cancer patients protect their fertility before treatment begins. Amanda shares her story from the very first symptom she had to push to get checked, to the fertility decisions she had to make while facing her own mortality, to the rejection that sparked The Chick Mission. We talk about why so many patients are never told that cancer treatment can affect fertility, how fast these decisions really have to happen, and why every patient deserves the chance to make an informed choice about their future family. In this episode, we cover: Amanda's journey through three cancer diagnoses and how she navigated fertility preservation along the wayHow quickly fertility preservation can happen after a cancer diagnosis, and why oncology and fertility teams need to be talking to each otherHow The Chick Mission's Hope Grants work, with no essays, no upfront copay, and clinics submitting on your behalfThe legislative progress that has brought fertility preservation coverage to nearly half of U.S. states, and how one phone call can helpWhy egg freezing vs. embryo freezing is a bigger decision than many people realizeWhy choosing not to pursue fertility preservation, or not to have children at all, is just as validHow The Chick Mission is teaching fertility education to high school and college studentsAmanda's call to be the CEO of your own body, from self breast exams to showing up prepared for every appointment More than anything, this conversation is a reminder that cancer takes a lot of control away, but it does not get to make every decision for you. You deserve to know your options, and you deserve support in choosing what is right for you. If you or someone you love is facing a cancer diagnosis, if you work in oncology or fertility care, or if you just need a reminder this October to schedule that mammogram, this episode is for you. Connect with The Chick Mission:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chickmission/Website: https://www.thechickmission.org/

  2. Sep 29

    Rebuilding Surrogacy: An REI's Honest Take on Fixing a Broken System

    "The biggest red flag for an agency is when they say we have a tiered program where the more you pay, the faster you'll match." That's how Dr. Brian Levine sums up what's broken in American surrogacy, and he has spent the last several years trying to fix it. This week we sit down with Dr. Brian Levine, double board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and OB/GYN, founding partner and practice director of CCRM Fertility New York, and founder of the surrogacy platform Nodal. Dr. Levine walks us through his winding path into fertility medicine, the mentors who shaped him, and the ethical frustrations that pushed him to rethink how surrogacy works. Whether you're considering surrogacy, supporting someone who is, or working in the fertility space, this is an honest look at a part of family building that is still too often wrapped in secrecy. In this episode, we cover: How a single medical school lecture on genetic testing of embryos changed his career plans overnightThe bold escalator moment that led to the founding of CCRM New YorkHow surrogacy becoming legal in New York changed the market, and why he started NodalWhy Nodal lets the surrogate make the first move, and the meaning behind the nameThe changing policy landscape around IVF and surrogacy, from state-level legal questions to recent efforts to lower fertility medication costsWhy the words we use matter, and why "use a surrogate" should be retiredRed flags and green flags to look for when you vet a surrogacy agencyWhy he keeps his clinic and his surrogacy company completely separate More than anything, this conversation is a reminder that surrogacy should put the surrogate first, because she's the one doing the heavy lifting. For everyone involved, that means transparency, fair fees, and a real person on the other end of the phone when something goes sideways. If you're exploring surrogacy, feeling overwhelmed by what you're seeing in the headlines, or want to understand what a good agency relationship should look like, this episode is for you. Connect with Dr. Brian Levine:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbrianlevine/Nodal: https://www.nodal.com/Nodal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nodalhealth/CCRM New York: https://www.ccrmivf.com/ccrm-fertility-doctors/brian-levine/

  3. Sep 22

    How to Actually Show Up for Someone Through Infertility, Pregnancy & Postpartum

    While everyone else was focusing on the baby, she focused on me." That is how Lauren Dewey describes the moment her sister-in-law handed her a care basket after her son was born, and it is the moment that changed the course of her life. This week we sit down with Lauren Dewey, founder of brooksybox, for an honest conversation about all the parts of the motherhood journey that people forget to show up for. After struggling with infertility and welcoming her son Brooks through IVF, Lauren realized how much attention goes to a new baby and how little is left for the mother recovering behind the scenes. That realization became brooksybox, thoughtfully curated care packages for every stage a woman is actually in, from infertility to loss to pregnancy to postpartum, all sourced from or created with women-owned businesses. Whether you are in the thick of it yourself or trying to support someone who is and have no idea what to say, this one is full of real talk and practical ways to show up. In this episode, we cover: How a single care basket from her sister-in-law sparked the whole idea, and where the name brooksybox came fromLauren's fertility journey, from a Hashimoto's and PMOS diagnosis to IUIs, IVF, and a retrieval complicated by ovarian hyperstimulationThe complicated emotions of a spontaneous pregnancy after infertility, including guilt, and the very real weight of deciding what to do with remaining embryosWhy toxic positivity ("just relax, stay positive, you're so strong") so often misses the mark, and what actually helps insteadHer husband's simple game-changing question, "do you want comfort or do you want solutions?"How infertility and loss can quietly strain friendships, and how to keep showing up without taking distance personallyWhat goes into the boxes and why every product is clean, intentional, and made for the stage she is in More than anything, this episode is a reminder that showing up does not have to be complicated or expensive. Even the strongest women need support, and women never forget who showed up when they were barely hanging on. If you are navigating your own journey, loving someone who is, or you just want to be the person who shows up well, this episode is for you. Listener offer: use code UNFILTERED15 for 15% off your first care package. Connect with Lauren & brooksybox:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooksybox/ Website: https://brooksybox.com/

  4. Sep 15

    AMH Explained: What Fertility Testing Really Tells You (and Doesn't)

    "A low AMH does not mean you can't get pregnant on your own." Dr. Roy Handelsman says it more than once in this episode, on purpose, because it may be the single most misunderstood number in fertility care. This week we sit down with Dr. Roy Handelsman, a board-certified OB/GYN and fellowship-trained reproductive endocrinologist at HRC Fertility, for a clear, honest, and genuinely fascinating deep dive into anti-Müllerian hormone, aka AMH. If you have ever had your AMH tested and walked away more confused or more anxious than before, this one is for you. Dr. Handelsman has an engineering background and a gift for the "why," and he uses both to explain what AMH actually measures, what it can't tell you, and how to think about your own number without spiraling into comparison. In this episode, we cover: What AMH really is, where it comes from in the ovary, and why fertility providers test itThe difference between egg quantity and egg quality, and why age, not your AMH, is most closely tied to qualityWhy a low AMH does not mean you can't conceive, and why a high AMH is not a guaranteeWhether you can actually raise your AMH, and which lifestyle factors genuinely matterHow birth control affects your AMH result, and how long to wait after stopping before you testThe other ovarian reserve tests (FSH, estradiol, and antral follicle count), and what to do when they disagreeWhy AMH runs high in PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, the new consensus name for PCOS) and what that means for egg qualityWhat an "average" AMH looks like by age, and why average is not the same as normalWhy seeing a fertility doctor does not automatically put you on the path to IVF More than anything, this episode is a reminder that one number was never meant to define your fertility. Your AMH is a snapshot, not a verdict, and understanding it is a way to take your reproductive goals into your own hands rather than a reason to panic. If you have had your AMH tested, are thinking about it, or just want to finally understand what all of it means, this episode is for you. Connect with Dr. Roy Handelsman:Website: https://havingbabies.com/physicians/roy-handelsman-md/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/royhandelsmanmd/

  5. Sep 8

    Military, First Responders & Family Building: A Fertility Journey Not Talked About Enough

    "We became our own island." That is how Kyle Herman describes the years he and his wife spent navigating infertility in near silence, and it is exactly the isolation this conversation sets out to break. This week, in the window between Labor Day and the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we sit down with Kyle Herman, an Army veteran, police officer, and first responder who is becoming one of the few loud male voices in the fertility space. Kyle deployed to Iraq in 2006, and years later, when he and his wife Meg started trying to build their family, they came face to face with a reality neither of them saw coming. What followed was years of IUI, IVF, and eventually donor eggs, and the long, quiet grief that so many couples carry alone. This is where Laura and Ashlee's clinical perspective meets Kyle's lived experience, and it makes for one of the most honest conversations we have had about what men go through too. In this episode, we cover: How toxic exposures during military service, including burn pits, can quietly affect male fertility, and why men are so under-studied in this areaThe reality of years of IUI and IVF, false positives, and the emotional toll of trying to build a family in silenceWhy male-factor infertility carries its own stigma, and what it takes for men to finally speak upKyle's trip to DC, meeting members of Congress, and the push for better fertility coverage for veterans and first respondersFertility preservation, sperm and egg freezing, and why these conversations need to happen early, before deployment or treatmentPractical resources and grants for military and first responder families, and where to start looking before you open your wallet More than anything, this episode is a reminder that men belong in the fertility conversation, that no one should have to navigate this alone, and that speaking up, as hard as it is, is what starts to change things for the next person walking in the door. If you or someone you love wears a uniform, or if you have ever felt alone in your fertility journey, this episode is for you. Connect with Kyle Herman:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-herman-877339304/ Resources mentioned in this episode:RESOLVE: The National Infertility AssociationBuilding Military Families NetworkRoaring AdventuresThe Chick MissionBob Woodruff Foundation

  6. Sep 1

    The Real Cost of Trying to Conceive: Options Like Fertility Grants for Affording IVF When Insurance Doesn’t Cover It

    "I did hyperventilate because of the cost. That, to me, was one of the most overwhelming parts." That is how Lauren Clements describes the moment she realized IVF was her only path to a family, and it is exactly why this conversation matters so much. This week we sit down with Lauren Clements, founder and CEO of Brilora Fertility Foundation, and Charla Grimm, the organization's Community and Brand Relations Director, for an honest and hopeful look at the real cost of trying to conceive. We get into how fertility grants actually work, what they cover, what they don't, and how families can find real financial support when insurance falls short. Whether you are facing the cost of IVF yourself, supporting someone who is, or work in the fertility space, Lauren and Charla bring both hard-won expertise and deep personal experience to a topic that carries so much financial and emotional weight. In this episode, we cover: What Brilora's IVF and surrogacy grants actually cover, and the costs (like medications and anesthesia) that often fall outside themHow Brilora protects grant recipients' privacy and autonomy, and why sharing your story is always optionalThe states where Brilora's grants are currently available, and where the organization is headed nextWhy genetic testing (like PGT) matters more than people often realize, especially for conditions like Huntington's disease and cystic fibrosisHow the name Brilora came to be, and the story behind its predecessor, Chosen FertilityHow to apply for Brilora's upcoming fall grant cycle, open September 1st through November 1stWays to get involved, whether you are a patient, a provider, or simply someone who wants to help More than anything, this episode is a reminder that the financial side of fertility care does not have to be carried alone, that there are people and organizations built specifically to help, and that asking for support is not something to feel guilty about. If you are facing the cost of fertility treatment, know someone who is, or want to understand what financial support actually looks like, this episode is for you. Connect with Brilora Fertility Foundation:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brilorafertility/Website: https://www.brilorafertility.com/Grants: https://brilorafertility.com/grants/

  7. Aug 25

    Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Explained: Causes, Testing & Hope

    "You are losing control. You are losing something you had hoped for." That is how Dr. Vasiliki Moragianni describes what a pregnancy loss actually takes from you, and it is exactly why this conversation matters so much. This week we sit down with Dr. Vasiliki Moragianni, double board certified reproductive endocrinologist and the founder and director of the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Center at Johns Hopkins, for an honest and compassionate look at recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). We get into what RPL actually is, why the definition just changed, what a thorough evaluation really looks like, and what hope looks like on the other side. Whether you are a patient, a partner, or someone caring for people walking through this, Dr. Moragianni brings both rigorous evidence based medicine and real warmth to a topic that far too many people carry in silence. In this episode, we cover: The brand new definition of recurrent pregnancy loss and why two losses now open the door to a full evaluationHow common RPL really is, and why so many cases come back "unexplained"The most common causes, from chromosomal factors to thyroid, uterine issues, and antiphospholipid syndromeThe real evidence behind controversial tests and treatments like NK cell testing, intralipids, and IVIGWhy recurrent pregnancy loss is almost never your fault, no matter how many times you have asked yourself that questionWhen it is safe to try again after a lossThe case for a multidisciplinary team, and why mental health support belongs at the very center of it More than anything, this episode is a reminder that you are not alone, that pregnancy loss is far more common than anyone lets on, and that the data on hope is real. Having multiple losses behind you does not mean a healthy pregnancy is not still ahead of you. If you have experienced loss, love someone who has, or simply want to understand this better, this episode is for you. **A gentle note before you listen: this episode discusses pregnancy loss and grief. Take it in whatever size pieces feel right, pause and come back to it if you need to, and if anything heavier comes up, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional. If you are in crisis, you can call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Connect with Dr. Vasiliki Moragianni: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmoragiannifertility Website: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/gynecology-obstetrics/specialty-areas/fertility-center/recurrent-pregnancy-loss-center

  8. Aug 18

    Egg & Embryo Storage 101: Cost, Shipping, Quality & Keeping the Patient First

    You pay it every year. Sometimes for years. And most people have no idea where their embryos, eggs, or sperm are actually stored, what they're really paying for, or what happens if something goes wrong at 2am on a weekend. This week we're getting unfiltered about fertility storage, one of the least talked about pieces of so many people's journeys. Our guest is Charlie Boyer, co-founder and CEO of Generations CryoVault, who came up through operations, logistics, and risk management before building an independent storage company. We got into the parts of this industry that patients almost never get a clear look at, and some of it may make you angry. That's kind of the point. In this episode we cover: The real difference between in-clinic and off-site storage, and why the price gap is so bigWhat annual storage actually costs to provide versus what you're chargedWhy your tissues may not even be at your clinic, and how often they're stored somewhere else entirelyHow genetic material gets shipped across the country, and what safe transport really looks likeWhat happens when a storage tank fails, and the alarms that are supposed to prevent itHow private equity is reshaping fertility care and what it means for patientsThe questions you should be asking before you trust any facility with something irreplaceable Storage isn't the sexiest part of fertility care, but it's one of the most relevant, because it touches nearly everyone who freezes anything. And whether you store with a clinic, an independent provider, or somewhere you haven't chosen yet, you deserve to understand what you're paying for and where your tissues actually are. You have a choice. This episode is about making sure you know that. If you've ever stared at a storage invoice and felt confused, frustrated, or just unsure what you're really paying for, this episode is for you. Connect with Charlie and Generations CryoVault:https://www.instagram.com/generationscryovault/https://gencryo.com/

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9 Ratings

About

Fertility Nurses Unfiltered is a nurse-led podcast for people navigating infertility and fertility treatment who want clarity, honesty, and support beyond the clinic walls. Hosted by former fertility clinic nurses Ashlee Laroue and Laura Weppler, co-founders of Rooted Fertility Co., we pull back the curtain on IVF, fertility care, transfers, medications, canceled cycles, burnout, and the emotional realities patients aren't always prepared for. Two nurses. One mic. No b******t. https://www.rootedfertilityco.com/

Information

  • Creator
    Ashlee Laroue, BSN, RN and Laura Weppler, BSN, RN
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ashlee Laroue, BSN, RN and Laura Weppler, BSN, RN
  • Show Website
    Fertility Nurses Unfiltered

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