Podcasts about asherman

Send us a textWhat if your uterus looked normal on the outside—but inside, it was glued shut? In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down the rarely discussed but deeply impactful condition known as Asherman's Syndrome. From why some women are more likely to develop intrauterine adhesions (think “keloid-level healing”) to how it affects menstruation and fertility, you'll learn everything you need to know.We cover:What causes Asherman's Syndrome and who's at riskHow to know if you have it (hint: it's often missed!)The difference between mild “cobweb” scarring and complete uterine cavity obliterationThe gold-standard treatments, including hysteroscopic surgery, estrogen therapy, and balloon/IUD separationEmerging therapies like stem cells, PRP, and amniotic graftsFertility options beyond surrogacy—including IVF and uterine transplantThe emotional toll of Asherman's and why psychological support mattersWhether you're a patient, a partner, or a medical provider, this is the Asherman's deep dive you didn't know you needed. Don't miss it.Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at TBFT@NewDirectionFertility.com. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

Today Ali is talking to Libby Wicks, a surrogacy mama who went through a five-plus year struggle to have her baby girl. Libby talks about her not one, but two ectopic pregnancies, her emergency tube removal, and being diagnosed (wrongly, she would find out much later) with Asherman's Syndrome. She also talks about IVF and how her infertility journey affected her mental health. "I was suffering from anxiety," she says. "There were many days I wasn't able to leave the house. I wasn't able to work, and it was absolutely devastating. I was a shell of myself. And I want other women to know that that is actually normal." Libby talks about pivoting to surrogacy and finding NewGen Families, which is known for their thoughtful matches and their empathetic and expert care when it comes to both surrogates and future parents. She talks about bonding with her surrogate, the group text she had with her husband and her surrogate; and after going through so much heartache, finally bringing home her baby girl.For more, follow them on IG @newgenfamiliesOr go to: https://newgenfamilies.comTOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: Infertility; TTC; ectopic pregnancies; trauma; IVF; normalizing the conversation around ART; anxiety and depression; Asherman's syndrome; surrogacySupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donationsEPISODE SPONSORS:WORK OF ARTAli's Children's Book about IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technologyhttps://www.infertileafgroup.com/booksDo not miss Ali's children's book about IVF! It's been getting rave reviews. “Work of ART” is the story of an IVF kiddo the day he learns he is a “work of ART” (born via IVF and ART). For young readers 4-8. Hardcover. Written by Ali Prato; Illustrated by Federico Bonifacini.Personalized and non-personalized versions are available. Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/booksFor bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-requestFERTILITY RALLYIG: @fertilityrallywww.fertilityrally.comNo one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membershipEXTEND FERTILITY IG: @extendfertilitywww.extendfertility.comFertility shouldn't be dictated by a timeline. Extend Fertility offers cutting-edge egg and embryo freezing, infertility care, and IVF—all designed to put you in control. Their approach? Research driven, transparent, and personalized. With a world-class lab, exceptional verified success rates backed by nearly a decade of egg freezing results, and pricing lower than the national average, Extend Fertility is making reproductive care more accessible and effective than ever. Whether you're preserving fertility for the future or actively trying to conceive, they're here with expert support every step of theway. BELIIG: @belibabywww.belibaby.com Are you thinking about growing your family? Whether you're just starting to plan or are actively trying to conceive, preconception health is key. Beli has vitamins to help both women and men optimize their health before pregnancy. With essential nutrients like Folate, Iodine, and Zinc, Beli ensures your body is ready for this exciting next step. Give yourself and your future baby the best foundation for a healthy start.Visit Belibaby.com today and use code IAF15 for 15% off your first order. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyOur Sponsors:* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out My Life in a Book and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://mylifeinabook.comOur Sponsors:* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out My Life in a Book and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://mylifeinabook.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Turning to ancient wisdom that is tried and true over centuries is one of the surest ways to help your health in the long run. Today, Nicole Kruck, one of the first practitioners of the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy, joins us today. Combining her degree in Oriental Medicine with massage therapy has helped her be one of the best holistic practitioners in NYC. Nicole discusses how her treatments can help people with fertility issues, easier labor/delivery, and other Women's Health issues. She discusses massage and acupuncture for the treatment of scar tissue, Asherman's Syndrome, blocked fallopian tubes, thin lining, fertility, labor/delivery, among other commonly found conditions.As the founder of Fertile Garden Wellness in NYC, Nicole has over 40 years of experience providing holistic treatments such as acupuncture, The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy®, herbal medicine, and nutrition to treat women at any age and stage. Nicole focuses on getting to the root cause of the problem. Focusing on an integrative approach to treat women's health (fertility, menstrual issues, assisted and natural fertility cycles, menopausal concerns, pre and postnatal care) and abdominal issues (digestion, IBS, constipation, incontinence, and acid reflux). She also provides emotional support for anxiety, depression, stress, injuries, and sleep disorders. Her mission is to provide women with caring and personalized support to achieve their optimal health goals and live out their dreams. Her private practice is located in New York City, a city very close to her heart.If you would like to work with Nicole her office is in Greenwich Village, NYC or you can work with her via Telehealth sessions. Connect with her:www.nicolekruck.com @FertileGardenWellness

In this episode of The Egg Whisperer Show, Dr. Amy interviews Dr. Jessica Mann, an expert in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, about Asherman's syndrome. Dr. Mann shares her impressive academic background, her personal journey into medicine inspired by her stepfather, and her reasons for specializing in fertility medicine. The discussion delves into Dr. Mann's practice in New Jersey, the causes and symptoms of Asherman's syndrome, and the different diagnostic and treatment methods available. Dr. Mann also opens up about her personal experience with the condition, shedding light on the emotional and physical challenges she faced. The episode concludes with Dr. Mann offering advice to patients and detailing where they can find her for further consultation. This informative session provides valuable insights into Asherman's syndrome from both a medical and personal perspective.   Do you have questions about IVF? Join Dr. Aimee for The IVF Class at The Egg Whisperer School. The next live class call is on Monday, June 17, 2024 at 4pm PST, where Dr. Aimee will explain IVF and there will be time to ask her your questions live on Zoom. Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh is one of America's most well known fertility doctors. Her success rate at baby-making is what gives future parents hope when all hope is lost. She pioneered the TUSHY Method and BALLS Method to decrease your time to pregnancy. Learn more about the TUSHY Method and find a wealth of fertility resources at www.draimee.org  where you can schedule a consultation. More ways to connect with Dr. Aimee: Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more fertility tips! Subscribe to the newsletter to get updatesFollow on Instagram   00:00 Introduction to the Episode and Guest Expert 00:47 Dr. Mann's Impressive Background and Journey into Medicine 03:36 Choosing the Path of Fertility Medicine 04:53 Addressing Common Questions About Fertility 06:47 Deep Dive into Asherman's Syndrome: Definition, Causes, and Diagnosis 12:47 Treatment Options and Surgical Techniques for Asherman's Syndrome 16:24 Exploring Additional Therapies and Patient Advice 21:14 Personal Experience with Asherman's Syndrome 24:15 Final Thoughts and Where to Find Dr. Mann

In this episode of The Worst Girl Gang Ever, hosts Bex Gunn & Laura Buckingham talk to community member Minerva about her experience with secondary infertility and Asherman's syndrome.  They discuss Minerva's journey from postpartum symptoms and multiple miscarriages leading to an Asherman's diagnosis, the various fertility treatments she underwent including IVF and XE, the ups and downs encountered during the process, and how she manages her physical and mental health while also mothering a young child. In this episode you will hear: Minerva's personal story of her Asherman's syndrome diagnosis and treatment journey. Details about the IVF and XE process including embryo development challenges. The emotional toll of secondary infertility and ups and downs of fertility treatments. Nutrition, supplements and alternative therapies Minerva uses to support her endometrial lining. Advice for advocating for yourself if experiencing similar fertility issues. The importance of support groups for those struggling with infertility conditions. The Warriorship is a membership to help you navigate life after baby loss. It covers every stage of the recovery pathway, and provides support, advice, and a range of emotional tools to help you through this difficult time. This is more than a support group. For more information and to join The Warriorship go to: https://theworstgirlgangever.co.uk/warriorship/ The Worst Girl Gang Ever is a real, honest emotive podcast that covers the heartbreaking subject of miscarriage, infertility and baby loss, expect honest conversations about unspoken experiences. Hosted by TWGGE founders Bex Gunn and Laura Buckingham, this show is a chance to break the silence and really open up the dialogue around the topic of miscarriage and pregnancy loss. No more shame, no more taboo - let's ditch that for our children; the ones that will come, the ones that are and the ones that never came to be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On tomorrow's episode of The Wholesome Fertility Podcast, Alana McGlashan of @thenurturedwomban_ shares her personal fertility challenge story and experience with Asherman's syndrome. She discusses the complications she faced after a miscarriage and the diagnosis of severe Asherman's syndrome. Alana shares her journey of healing and preparing her body for conception, as well as her experiences with pregnancy and loss. She emphasizes the importance of connecting with the heart and womb, and the power of self-trust in the healing process. I was deeply moved by her story of hope and how she found strength to listen deeply to her soul's calling and knowing that she was meant to have her children. Be sure to tune in!   Description:   Alana experienced miscarriage, Ashermans Syndrome & infertility on her journey to conceive. Navigating Asherman's Syndrome was one of the hardest times of her life as she was told due to the severity she may not be able to have children. Sending her on a healing journey that although may have taken 2 years, she now has 2 children later. The medicine she found on her journey she now shares with women in her 1:1 energetic womb explorations, helping women to rewrite the story they have been told on their own fertility journey & setting the foundations for profound healing. You can find her on Instagram @thenurturedwomban_     For more information about Michelle, visitwww.michelleoravitz.com   Click here to find out how to get the first chapter of "The Way of Fertility" for free.   The Wholesome FertilityFacebook group is where you can find free resources and support:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2149554308396504/   Instagram: @thewholesomelotusfertility   Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/thewholesomelotus/     Transcript:     [00:00:00] Michelle: Welcome to the podcast, Alana. Alana: Hi, how are you going? Michelle: Good. So I'd love for you to share your story. I know that it's been a very personal fertility challenge story and definitely defied the odds from what you were told. And I love stories of hope. So I'm very excited to have you on and share your story and your experience with Asherman's syndrome, which I think a lot of people aren't really aware or may not even be aware that they actually have. Alana: Yeah, absolutely. And at the time, you know, I had no idea what it was and it was something I was searching for in the hopes to hear hope, because I was just hearing a lot of stats and a lot of Let's say stories that I didn't, I didn't want to hear at the time. So I felt pregnant and lost that little baby at 10 weeks. Alana: And I was a scientist working in Sydney, which is from [00:01:00] where I live, two hours travel away. And I went to the early early pregnancy. room, and they gave me all these options of what you can do next. And. At the time, everything, I would say I was heavily in my masculine energy. Like all just do the things, list out the steps and we will follow them to become parents. Alana: And because I traveled so far away, I took the option of a DNC, which is a dilation and curette. I'm not sure if that's called anything else anywhere else. And it's just basically the surgical removal. Yeah. Okay, cool. And yeah, and I woke up to complications after that. And, you know, after being told like, it's so routine and I just thought, you know, it would be simple. Alana: We do this and then I have a bleed and we can start trying again. And I woke up to, yes, as I said, complications. And [00:02:00] feeling really disorientated and I just felt really in my gut like wow what what just happened and they kind of just brushed me off and My doctor, then later, just was like, okay, well it's been six weeks, you haven't got your bleed back. Alana: Sometimes women need a little bit longer. And I just knew in my gut things weren't right. And for me, I had no period. So 12 weeks, post that surgery. I still had no period. Yeah. And I think maybe around the eight weeks I, I was like, no, my gut's telling me something's not right. I'm going to book a specialist appointment and because they take so long to get into, I thought I'm just going to book it now. Alana: And if I don't need it, then I can cancel it.  Michelle: Did you, did you know anything at the time? Did they say something was off or you just kind of felt Alana: yeah, they, there was nothing ever mentioned of Ashman syndrome. The only thing that they mentioned, I mean, they obviously mentioned some risks that can happen and the risks, risks are a perforated uterus, but it's so [00:03:00]routine that if that was to happen, that was really negligence. And that was all that they had described as a potential risk. Alana: So I hadn't even heard of Ashman's by this point, like, and so I followed my gut, made this appointment and it must have been around the four month mark after surgery and I told him my story thinking I was just going in there to get a tablet that would just help kickstart everything. Maybe I just needed some help to get things along. Alana: And again, you know, I was, I was very naive at that time on, of my cycle and understanding my body. And I walked in and told him my story. And basically he said, we, there's something called Ashman syndrome, and I feel that this is, this is your situation. And. We need to get in and have a look like, cause he could do it via scans and then go in and do surgery, but he's like, due to the nature of how long you've already waited and the scar tissue that would be there if it was [00:04:00] confirmed. Alana: We need to get this cleaned up ASAP basically. Michelle: Before we continue on the details, I want people to know like, what is Asherman's syndrome? Alana: So Ashman's syndrome is basically where scar tissue grows inside the uterus and reduces your fertility as a result from some form of surgery. So they might try and say just from DNC, but if you have a baby and maybe there's retained placenta and they clean it out that way, any sort of surgical intervention within your uterus, Could potentially scar. Alana: And I think what's important for women to know right now is that any change in your period. Or if you're experiencing difficulties falling could be a sign. I have no women after, so the percentage is actually quite low. I forgot to look it up before we jumped on today of Ashermans. But The other women that I had sort [00:05:00] of searched for to bring awareness to our local hospital and their procedures, they had their period, but their periods just were different, a little bit lighter, maybe they didn't go as long, there was just a lot less. Alana: small signs, which they quite easily then got fobbed off as just being paranoid in a sense. And then all turned out to have different stages of Ashman's, whereas I had none and my stage was quite high. Actually the highest he had seen in my local area. So that was not good news for me. Michelle: Yeah. Alana: yeah, so long story short, he said we need to operate and Confirm, and if so, it's a 20 minute procedure, I'll be in and I'll be out. Alana: And, I thought, oh, I thought my legs were pulled out from me at that moment, but from that surgery I woke up and I felt really disorientated, as you do, and he's standing there waiting for me to wake up to tell me that, [00:06:00] yes, I've confirmed it's Ashman's Syndrome, however, it is so severe, I I've been in there for four hours and I can't see without risking damage to your uterus. Alana: And I need to do some further tests before we continue. And I remember the first thought I thought of was, am I going to be able to have children? And he had this solemn look on his face and he goes, I have no idea what's possible right now. And I was just. Gutted. Absolutely gutted. Michelle: Wow. That is so real. I mean to be in a situation like that and just thinking, okay, I'm going to go in and have the surgery and everything's going to be fine, it's going to be, what did he say? 20 minutes? And to actually see that it's really severe so what happened after that?  Alana: Yeah, so I then had to go you have to allow a little bit of [00:07:00] time for some healing and they put in, I think it depends for the surgeon, but I got a gel put in that just kind of tried to help what he did pull away with the scar tissue not to reform because there is a risk that as he opens it up, like the little spindles might. Alana: touch and then start to pull together. So they put in this gel that lasts, I think, for four weeks. So I had to wait a month. And then he sent me for a we call it here a sonar histogram. So it's just a ultrasound where they insert water into your uterus. And then they can see like a good picture, the flow, if there's any blocks. Alana: And I think for women that might have blocked fallopian tubes, sometimes they use this and it can either unblock or at least identify that the fallopian tubes are blocked. And, I'm just going to say that was the worst pain I had ever been in getting that. And again, no one warned me that it could be uncomfortable. Alana: And I wouldn't say uncomfortable [00:08:00] was the word. And I was just so lucky. I had a girlfriend who came with me and just said, look, I can, I can sit here and hold your hand while they do this. And it probably turned out the reason why for me it was so painful, but I have now heard many other women describe it as quite excruciating. Alana: Is that my, most of my uterus? was scarred to the point that it was nearly completely shut. Michelle: Oh, wow. Alana: And so they were trying to obviously shove water in it and like open it up when it could not. And so that again was like a really hard thing to take. And the specialist had said that he will have to do this with multiple surgeries. The good news is there is a side, there's a little part that is open and he believed if he could get to there, then he could. Remove the rest and it may take a few surgeries, but he just wanted to take his time. Alana: He didn't want to [00:09:00] cause more damage. And so we had just resigned to the fact that this is a process that needs to be done and there's no rushing it. And the good news was the next surgery, he was able to remove all the scar tissue. And again, he inserted the gel so that the hopes that nothing would close back up. Alana: And then I had another follow up, just normal ultrasound, because I said, I was too scarred to have that other ultrasound again and yeah. And then from there he's like, okay, this is great. You know, we've got, we've got rid of it. The uterus has opened back up. It's gone to normal shape again. Let's work on your lining. Alana: So a. Do I call it a symptom afterwards? Is that Your lining may not become thick again. And he is also an IVF specialist. So he was really [00:10:00] wanting my lining to get to a certain thickness that he would put his, or would want his IVF patients to be on which just was not happening. And at first it was really disheartening. Alana: And so he'd reached out to, there's a guru in Sydney, and then he went further. I think it was It was overseas and he just said, you know, like some of them don't come back, you know, any thicker. And that is, that is their lining. And so obviously being a scientist, I had read all the papers, read all the stats and nothing was looking great to have a baby. Alana: Some women had not many in the severity that I had. And if they did have one that were high risks the risk was the placenta could attach to your uterus muscle. And just a whole heap of other things that you really don't want to hear when all you want to do is be a mom. [00:11:00] And yeah, so it was like, I just kept going to this place and this place just kept giving me the answers that did not agree with what was in my heart. Alana: And I just thought this can't be my story. This can't be my only story. And I just had this feeling to expand where I was looking. And so I started to research other modalities. And I thought, you know what, if I can just help support my body, who knows what's possible. And I ended up finding a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner who specialized in fertility and I went there weekly for two years. Alana: Yes. And I felt good. I felt like this was where I was meant to be, but it was really hard to hear the things that she[00:12:00] was saying. Like your body can be trusted. Your body can self heal. Everything's possible because at the time I was so, as I said, in my masculine energy of stats and facts that. Michelle: hmm. Alana: how, how, and it wasn't until obviously with the, with the acupuncture and the herbs, my mind started to heal, my heart started to heal, that then my womb had a chance to heal. Alana: And of course it sent me on this huge journey, deep dive into energetics of the womb and its capacity, its ability. And I started to believe that, whoa, okay. She's a powerful organ, and not just organ, portal for creation. And, Alana: Right? Tingles! Yeah! Michelle: Yeah. When you said heart, that struck me. 'cause I know that the heart's connected to the uterus. Alana: And, [00:13:00] it wasn't, it took me a long time to put two and two together. And, your emotional state. And like, the womb is the element of water, so your emotions. And it's the sister heart, right? So of course, our emotions are going to get stored in our uterus. And if she's too busy trying to hold our emotions that we're not processing, how was I giving her the space she needed to heal in the timeframe I wanted, you know? Alana: And it was just, my world had opened up. I still had at that time stayed close to the medical system. There was still fears, you know. that if I had fallen pregnant what that then might look like, what that journey may look like. And we decided to focus not on a baby at the moment, just focus on healing, get married. Alana: And I fell pregnant on my honeymoon or I found out on my honeymoon and we were so excited. But [00:14:00]again, I decided not to get a scan until a bit later, but that, that Bubby had decided only six weeks was it's time on this earth. And as, Sad as that was. It actually gave me the biggest sense of hope. And I realized the message was just give me time, Michelle: Oh, Alana: me time. Michelle: wow. Alana: And so I was like, okay, this is possible. That was without intervention. That was without any other, cause I had a lot of fear around anyone going in my uterus again, because of course I trusted someone to go in there and do their job. And I came out damaged and that really, and that like, not just you were hurt from that. Alana: That changed the projection of my life completely. And so I had a lot of mistrust. I didn't want anyone to go near it if I could help it. So I really wanted that natural approach. And as I said, as that strength between [00:15:00] heart and womb grew, I knew that that was going to be possible and I just had to trust that you know, the divine timing of trusting and surrender is not the easiest thing to fall into or follow, but. Alana: I just had to trust that my heart was guiding me on the path that, that then needed to be. Alana: Sorry, that brings up lots of emotions thinking about back then. Alana: And so, yeah, it was, it was actually quite interesting that the divine timing of the, that baby that I then lost the second time, my family suffered a significant loss in like my immediate family not long after. And. I believe that that baby also knew that it wasn't the time because I needed to be there for my little brother. Alana: And it was, I was just, [00:16:00] you know, at the time you just think, wow, I'm cop and blow after blow. But when you had the little bit of space, you just thought, well, how would I have been able to grow a baby right now? Like I am in so much grief. It, it was insane. And then once He was better. I went on a Bali trip with a best friend and we just, she's like, you just need to, you know, live life a little bit. Alana: And we went on this retreat and it was when we came back from that, we were like, okay, I feel like we're in a good place now. Like I'm in a good place. Let's just see what happens without the pressure and the timing and the scheduling. I didn't want conceiving to be a job. I really wanted it to be from the heart. And it was about, yeah, because I feel like when you're struggling, you really take the heart out of conceiving and conception. Michelle: is, you are, every single thing is a quote. I'm like, this is amazing. This is really, I'm [00:17:00] feeling this. Alana: Conception isn't just the creation between man and woman, Michelle: Yes. Alana: It's a co creation with the spirit of that baby and what it, what fuses that love, you know? And. I wanted the next baby to be strong, strong enough to like, whatever we needed to go through, we had each other. And.  Michelle: Like the stuff that you're telling, like it's making me emotional. Just so you know, like I'm really feeling every word that you're saying, not to interrupt, but continue. Alana: I probably needed that pause for a second. Yeah. And so then we found out in February I was pregnant and you know what? I knew, I knew instantly this was the baby, that this baby was going nowhere, that they were here and. My dreams had come true. There were still fears around the placenta attaching to my uterus and what that could mean. Alana: And at the end of the [00:18:00] day, I have resided to the fact that if this was going to be my only baby, so be it because I wanted this baby. And. Yeah, I was in, I was, I had an OB because if things did start to go south, we wanted to be on that early. But anyways, I had a beautiful pregnancy. No complications. Alana: The placenta was in a great spot. And it even got to the point, because most, the stats had suggested that women with Ashmans have. a caesarean. And again, that fear of do not go near that part of my body. I don't want you there. I really didn't want it if I didn't have to. And I said, can I, can I try, can I try and go natural? Alana: Like everything is going well. There is no indication of anything wrong. And it was looking good and she thought possibly, but then my son decided to stay in the breech position and [00:19:00] I was not in the place that I am in now where I would continue with a vaginal birth. I mean, I was born a breech baby vaginally. Alana: And so I found it really hard that the quote I was told was that we have lost the art to birth a breech baby or the skills, not the art. And I was like, Oh, okay. And then today I think, I'm sorry, who's birthing the baby? Michelle: Mm hmm. Alana: The mom, Michelle: Right? Alana: the mom is birthing the baby. Not you. Yes, you're assisting, but yeah, so, You know, my views today would have changed on that. Alana: But at the time, again, as I had mentioned, I, we just wanted the baby. And she did give me options to do that, like manipulation, my traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, she was doing all the things to create the space. Yeah. Everything. I had everything going. I had it at home on my toes. I was doing the [00:20:00] upside down poses, which mind you made me feel absolutely terrible. Alana: And so I just said to my husband, I can't do this. Like. This feels wrong. And and I have to resign to the fact that. He found his position and he was not moving and that's where he wanted to be. And then it was my choice to decide how then that, that became our birth together. And so we had a cesarean beautiful little boy, everything great. Alana: It all went great. And so afterwards, because of the scarring and that fear that I had around my uterus, I didn't want to fall back in a place of like dissociation and detachment from it. Like I had. Started to rebuild this relationship with my womb. And now they've just. Also added another scar. And I was like, well, I've had one baby who's to say I can't have another like, and so I went on another deeper journey again. Alana: And with my practitioner of healing this scar tissue and softening it before it has the chance to [00:21:00] really harden in preparation for the next baby. And. Michelle: And this was acupuncture or another Alana: Acupuncture at the beginning. And then it was probably for the first six months I did acupuncture and she showed me how to self massage my scar tissue. And what else did we do? There was just a lot of hands on touch. And I think her focus was to remind me that you can still have loving touch on your body. Alana: After everything I had gone through. And after six months, It got a little bit hard with a little baby cause she was in Sydney where I had found it cause it was close to where it was really hard to get up to her. And now that he was starting to move and be mobile, it was a lot harder to have a session on my own. Alana: And so then I started looking at other modalities. I thought, well, okay, I've done all the acupuncture. Let's see what else there is. And I come across a lady who did Yoni steaming and she did energetic [00:22:00] support. Consultations beforehand. And it became just a really beautiful practice where I could turn within and I could nourish myself and just steam and just visualize the blood flow going back to my uterus and everything being soft and really in that feminine essence, that feminine energy to allow that nurturing to happen to my womb. Alana: And I went weekly. Until my bleed came back, which was 14 months post as I was a breastfeeding mom postpartum. And, you know, we were kind of on this urgency, let's, let's fall pregnant straight away because of everything we had. We didn't expect it to take two years to get our son. And I'm already in my thirties. Alana: So there was like that time pressure to, all right, if we want more children, cause you know, we had always talked about having four and we're like, Oh gosh, I don't know if four is going to happen now, but if we can get. You know, on the roll, we'll see what happens. And so I had to reduce my breastfeeds to get my bleed [00:23:00] back so that we could fall pregnant. Alana: And when we decided to start consciously conceiving, so I think it was just the month of that I ended up with my bleed. I started to feel this essence, this person, this spirit around me. And it was the first time I had really started to attune into these senses. And. I just could feel this girl, this pink. Alana: I could see pink around me when when she'd just show up. And it was really interesting because the month I fell pregnant. So obviously that two week wait, I couldn't feel her. I didn't know where she was. And I was like, Oh, I feel like she's here. And I was pregnant and I didn't tell anyone apart from the lady that I went to Yoni steaming, because we'd always talk about, you know what, what do I feel like a baby might be? Alana: And I was like, to be honest, I can actually sense this female around me. And I just get these glimpses of[00:24:00] pink like a pink orb and yeah. And then it turned out I had a daughter and what was beautiful about that pregnancy, I mean, we didn't find out. I like to just wait till birth to find out what the gender of our babies are. Alana: And. I did not want to go back to the hospital system. I didn't want to be put in a place where they would just see my history and then start to implement things that then of course would lead to other interventions that I didn't want. I didn't want to be supported in that way. I knew the capability of my body. Alana: I, like my pregnancy was again, a really gentle, easy pregnancy. I mean, I was very sick, but overall easy. And. I decided to home birth. And again, that was like a huge thing. Like in my immediate community, you know, no one does that. And so I didn't want to tell anyone cause I didn't need anyone's opinion [00:25:00] to discourage me from this because I had, I think it was just before I tested on a stick and I only tested on the stick to show my husband, like I didn't, I already knew I was pregnant. Alana: I had this vision that the birth would be at home. And so I really just wanted to trust that That was again, where I needed to go and I needed to trust. And that took a lot of self confidence to be able to say, no, this is, this is what I want to do and why. And yeah, I had my daughter at home and now I always knew that like my journey was. Alana: A lesson to be learned. It was a, because if I continued on the path I had continued, I would not be the woman I am today. I wouldn't be the mother I am today. I wouldn't be making the choices I've been making for myself and my family today. And it was like a realignment, but also a [00:26:00] gift for medicine for me to be able to share with women. Alana: And, you know, I want my story to be heard, but I've also then set up my own business so that I can still be at home with my babes because I want to raise my children. And I want to help women who feel like their story is just hurdle after hurdle. And what I've learned in this, this journey is like what we see in our physical body is only the tip of the iceberg. Michelle: Oh, yes. Alana: Yeah, and like when we're looking and talking about our womb, the energetic womb, there is so much she holds and there's so much healing that needs to start there. And the first thing I like to check with women is that connection between heart and womb, is there coherence and resonance? How are they emotionally feeling? Michelle: my language. Alana: right. And, [00:27:00] and that's why I, I love listening to your podcast because I just was like, you get this.  Michelle: I feel the same way about you, by the way. Alana: And now I, I want women to like know how important it is to care for your womb and what we're seeing as manifestations on the physical side, the root cause. The reason that you may not be seeing change is not in the physical. It's in your energetics. Yeah. Michelle: 100 percent Oh my God. I mean, I'm telling you, like, I'm so moved by your story, but also it just fascinates me like beyond fascinates me. When you were saying that you're a scientist, like from somebody who came from a science perspective and background, and yet, even though you were still there, you still had your inner voice. Michelle: Letting know something was off, like the doctors didn't tell you anything was off. Nobody came to you after[00:28:00] the surgery and said, you know, something looks off. You figured it out. You knew it from the inside out. The wisdom within your body spoke to you Alana: Absolutely. Michelle: heard it. Alana: Yeah. And I think sometimes for women, if you allow that external noise to be too loud, you're going to feel it in your heart. You're going to feel it as grief, as sadness, as like, why is this happening? But that noise is too loud. Michelle: Mm Alana: And. You know, if, if all you take away from my story is that deep knowing it's okay to know that your path could be different and maybe that's your sign to go searching elsewhere Michelle: I mean, yeah, it's incredible. First of all, it takes a lot of courage. Oh, I mean, it takes a [00:29:00] lot of courage to hear something from an authority figure, especially if it's like people you're relying on and in the medical community and I'm just FYI, I'm not saying not to listen to your doctors but for your specific journey, your journey Had twists and turns and part of it did rely on you listening to your own gut and, and really getting to the bottom of it. Michelle: And you remind me a lot of a patient who came on the podcast, her name was Amy and she was in her forties. And she also was told she couldn't get pregnant with her own eggs and that she was approaching menopause. And she ended up having two babies afterwards, healthy babies. And she had this determination in her. Michelle: She was just, there was this. Kind of strength. And her voice was so loud, like her inner voice and not her voice. Her inner voice was so loud in telling her, no, no, no, no, no, you gotta, and she had this [00:30:00] determination within her that I see in you. And it's not something that is easy for everybody to answer that call. Michelle: Like it's not an easy call to answer Alana: No. And it's, it's a fire within, but it doesn't mean it's an easy path. And it's like, you have to have the courage to continue to choose, to continue to choose what you know to be true. And I had many challenges. There was many times where I was like, well, I feel like the universe sometimes goes, are you sure? Alana: Because you can choose here if you want to, because we were given choice on this, on this earth. Right. And you can choose to go this way because maybe you believe this is easier. Or keep going as a reminder, you know, just to, to, to choose and yeah, that fire and that courage, like there was a lot of times where I felt like, I don't know, [00:31:00] you know, because you don't know, there's so much unknown and the world really like thrives on structure because that brings safety and that brings knowing and this path can be so unknown and all, all you can do is put one foot. Alana: In front of the other and trust yourself, just trust in yourself, because then the pieces will start to fall and they will start to come. Yes, you may need to choose yourself, but keep choosing yourself and your baby. Because if you desire a baby, that desire is meant for you. Can you trust that? Michelle: You know what they say, there's that Rumi quote, it says, what you seek is seeking you. Alana: Yeah. Because otherwise, why would we? Why would we have that desire to do so? Michelle: I really believe that. That, thank you for saying that because I really, really believe that to be true. And I think a lot of people. learn from so many different opinions and so much of that noise, outside [00:32:00] noise, it dilutes their faith in that being true. Just because we don't have proof for something doesn't mean it's not true. Alana: Yeah. And you get to, you get to decide what's true for you. And I think that's when you come back to the medical system and your doctors is just having a place of discernment. Is this really true for you? And you know, if you can come from a place of self-trust and that self-trust guided you to go there, absolutely listen to that. Alana: Like my message is, listen and guide from within. Michelle: And when you talk about that heart, well, like there's this heart brain coherence, but the heart has. An energy field that's stronger than any other organ in our body. And people think it's all in the brain, but the heart actually has a way larger magnetic field. It has such an important role on our mind and it has such an important role on our uterus, [00:33:00]which is life giving and love gives life, breathes life. Michelle: So talk about that resonance and that coherence and what you've learned about it. When it comes to the heart and the uterus. Alana: so I want to start with a quote from Joe Dispenza that I had just recently heard, and it kind of just put the words to place of what I was feeling, and it, he says, We only accept, believe, and surrender to the thoughts that are equal to our emotional state. We only accept, believe, and surrender to the thoughts that are equal to our emotional state. Alana: And I was like, they're the words that I'm kind of searching for. Right. Because a lot of my sensations that come through me are feelings. So I knew the heart needed to heal and healing the heart allows for the womb to heal and this relationship, this agreement between the two, like the womb holding on temporarily to [00:34:00] emotions, to. Alana: then return to the heart so the heart can process and leave our body. And so there was a lot of practices that I have incorporated and I still do them daily where I will do a little visualization and my intention is always love. And You can still have love and gratitude, even if you're feeling deep sadness. Alana: And it's not about, I don't want to be sad anymore. Let's reject that. This is grief is one of the deepest emotions you can have that has profound healing when you allow it to run its course. Michelle: Yes. Alana: And I think for women who are trying to conceive, when you're struggling, the thoughts that start to come up why me? Why is my womb not working? I can't, I [00:35:00] can't fall pregnant. I can't do this. You know there is anger, there is a disconnection and disassociation from your womb and really. In this society, we are already starting from a place of disconnection from our first bleed and reconnecting, honing in. And sometimes it's as simple as 30 seconds, close down your eyes, put your hand on your womb. Alana: You take a deep belly breath, Alana: visualizing your hands that are warm. That mama hug that you just love to feel. Wrapping around your womb. Alana: And then telling it, I love you. Thank you for everything you are doing. [00:36:00] I know you want this too. Alana: And then bringing your hand back to your heart space. Alana: Feel that heartbeat. Alana: Your own rhythm. beating in your womb Alana: and feel the love between the two. Alana: Maybe you like to envision a rope, a golden cord, connecting, vibrating, Alana: sending out this beautiful white light. That's so strong and so pure.[00:37:00] Alana: Feel it wrap around your body, Alana: feel it encapsulate you. Alana: And then on your next inhale, breathe it all back in, breathe it into your cells, every inch of your being, physical, emotional mental and spiritual Alana: and opening your eyes and practicing a simple visualization I found daily was strengthening this reconnection. It allowed my inner voice to be heard. It built trust and surrender to the process because pregnancy, birth, motherhood, it is all setting you up. It is not something that you can plan out. Alana: The key is surrender. Michelle: hmm. Oh, [00:38:00] yeah. Alana: I get reminded of that every day. Michelle: Yeah, I think we all do, even though we've been on the path for a long time, the spiritual path really, that is in the path of truth and alignment. It doesn't matter. We get reminded every single day and I can literally talk to you for hours. I mean, There's just so much, so much information, so many things, so many ahas that I felt talking to you and I really truly think that you are so aligned in, I mean, I literally think that you're channeling wisdom. Michelle: You're very much connected to that. I can feel it. I could feel the truth in your words. I can feel the alignment I feel the awareness and the knowing and the true knowing of thyself. I think know thyself that's like the key and the only way to do that is to get quiet and To connect with your inner wisdom and to hear what your body is telling you because the more you hear it The more your connection with it gets stronger. Michelle: And of [00:39:00] course I can talk to you for hours, but we don't have as much as I wish, but, but I would love for you to share how people can find you and how people can work with you. Alana: Yeah, absolutely. Michelle: are inspired, which I know they are from your story. Alana: So you can find me on Instagram at the nurtured woman. Womb, W O M B A N and currently the way to work with me is through my one on one sessions and they're energetic womb explorations for one hour where we can just dive into your current state, your desire, and really start honing into this connection between heart and womb with then obviously the opportunity to extend. Alana: But That is the point of contact. Michelle: Awesome. Well, I definitely feel you are connected to that womb. wisdom and I know that womb wisdom does actually speak to us. So Alana, [00:40:00] thank you so much for coming on here today. Sharing your incredible story, like really incredible. Like I felt it on every level of my being. It got me emotional listening to your story. Michelle: And I thank you so much for coming on today. Alana: you so much for having me. It was such a pleasure.

In this episode, I'll be talking with Susana Puelles, a licensed acupuncturist and a holistic hormone and fertility specialist who's been helping women heal their wounds and get pregnant for over a decade. As a functional and Chinese medicine practitioner, she helps women reverse decades of damage and replenish reserves to fix their cycle, live pain and medication free while boosting their success at a safe natural pregnancy. We discuss the holistic approaches that you can take to optimize egg and sperm quality via the traditional Chinese medicine lens. >>⁠Join the 7-Day Fertile Womb Embodiment Immersion HERE!⁠

Het verhaal van Marlies begint met een miskraam. Ongeveer 1 op de 8 zwangerschappen eindigt in een miskraam, dus dit is iets wat helaas veel vrouwen meemaken. De nasleep van haar miskraam wordt alleen wel gecompliceerd door een zeldzame aandoening, namelijk het Syndroom van Asherman. Door verklevingen in haar baarmoeder ondergaat ze ingrepen en kan zwanger worden moeilijk gaan. Gelukkig is ze snel zwanger en ze geniet ervan met volle teugen. Toch zijn er ook in de zwangerschap risico's en volgen er extra's echo's en controles. Marlies is zelf eerstelijns verloskundige, maar kiest bewust om zich op haar eigen bevalling, samen met haar man, voor te bereiden. De vraag is of het een vroeggeboorte, een inleiding of toch een spontane bevalling wordt. En Marlies wil graag in bad bevallen! Als het dan eindelijk zover is, loopt alles misschien niet helemaal zoals de perfecte bevalling op papier, maar de ervaring is enorm positief. www.marlieskoers.nl en https://tr.ee/4keBvSE_D9 https://www.instagram.com/medisien/  Ik vind het altijd leuk als je mij een berichtje stuurt met opmerkingen of vragen! Ik kom graag met je in contact.   Wil jij een grandioos geboorteplan? Dan kan je nu maar voor €27,- mijn mini cursus aanschaffen om in 1 dagdeel jouw plan met een plan B te maken! https://medisien.nl/grandioosgeboorteplan/

We began today's show with a Morning Focus listener who wanted to highlight what she described as the “awful silent fertility issue”. Emily Mounsey Woods, who lives in Ennis, suffers from Asherman's syndrome. She has been suffering from this condition since 2014, but was diagnosed with it in 2020. To donate, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/q3ckt4-fertility-issue Picture (c) GoFundme

In this episode I interview Dr. Jennifer Mercier @dr.jennifer.mercier, creator of the Mercier Abdominal Therapy technique. Dr. Mercier shares about her personal experience navigating endometriosis and fertility challenges. She was able to significantly improve the pain she was experiencing and to conceive her babies through working deeply on her abdomen. The techniques that she used on her own body are the same that she uses in her practice today. She has now also trained many other practitioners in this technique as well. Dr. Jennifer Mercier has so much to share both personally an professionally... Some highlights from the episode: Dr. Mercier's personal experience with stage 4 endometriosis & hormonal birth control Trying ALL the things for pain relief - but not finding long term solutions Working deeply on the abdomen providing relief at last Mercier therapy for optimal fertility Increase blood flow + pelvic organ mobility How Mercier differs from other styles of working on the abdomen Mercier for - endometriosis, endocrine issues, Asherman's, improving fertility and more The beauty of journaling on the fertility journey Improving egg quality with abdominal work How scar tissue from surgeries can impact fertility How to structure an effective treatment plan when receiving Mercier therapy Connect with Jennifer: IG - https://www.instagram.com/dr.jennifer.mercier/ Website - https://www.expectamiracle.life/ Find a Mercier practitioner - https://www.merciertherapy.com/mercier-therapy-providers Connect with Holly: Website -⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rosebudwellness.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/rosebud_wellness/⁠⁠ Conscious Conception Course - ⁠⁠https://rosebudwellness.com/holistic-fertility-awareness-course⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefertilewomb/message

Lisa McCarty experienced four miscarriages before finally being diagnosed with Asherman's Syndrome, a condition where scar tissue forms in the uterus or cervix. She and Dr. Sigal Klipstein, a reproductive endocrinologist, explain the signs of Asherman's – and when you should see a specialist. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/the-infertility-causing-disease-that-may-not-be-as-rare-as-we-thought Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When we last talked to Kristyn, in January 2020, she shared how "nothing on the road to motherhood was easy" for her, from the "Clomid crazies" to her first failed frozen embryo transfer. At the time, her IVF twins were toddlers. Today, her twins are five years old, and Kristyn fills us in on what's happened since our last podcast episode, including two more years of fertility treatments. "In total, I did five embryo transfers over two years," she says. "Two losses and three that didn't implant at all. I just can't believe I'm here. I was so sure two years ago that we were gonna have three kids. Now I'm in this limbo period where I don't know what to do next." In addition to her family building journey, Kristyn shares how she pivoted from founding The Fertility Tribe to co-founding Rescripted, which covers women's health and wellness from first period to last period.  For more, go to www.rescripted.com/ TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: Twin pregnancy; Asherman's Syndrome; PCOS; embryo transfers; IVF; miscarriage; blighted ovum For podcast sponsorship or partnership inquiries, please email infertileafstories@gmail.com EPISODE SPONSORS: FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 4 to 5 support groups per week, 4 private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey. Join now at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com RECEPTIVA DX ReceptivaDx is the only test that can identify endometriosis, progesterone resistance and endometritis in a single sample, all causes for unexplained infertility and thus success rates of IVF treatments. ReceptivaDx includes BCL6, a marker that identifies uterine inflammation most often associated with asymptomatic (silent) endometriosis. BCL6 is found in more than 50% of women with unexplained infertility and over 65% of women with two or more IVF failures. If positive for the ReceptivaDx test, treatment options can improve the chances for a successful live birth 5 fold! Learn more at receptivadx.com or download our app “Receptivadx" -- and USE CODE INFERTILEAF23 for $75 off the test BINTO Today, Binto gets you your supplements in individual daily packets with your name on them. Binto makes it easy to stick to your supplement routine and enjoy taking them every day. Along with your supplements, Binto's health providers offer online chat support and telehealth appointments to make sure you feel supported, informed, and empowered when it comes to your health. Take the quiz and get started on your prenatal supplement routine! Head to mybinto.com, take the quiz and enter promo code INFERTILEAF for 20% off your first month. For more, go to mybinto.com S'MOO  S'moo's  best-selling hormone balance powder is formulated with 7 essential vitamins, minerals, and herbs that are all highly recommended for Hormone Balance, Fertility, and PCOS. Now is the perfect time to give it a try, with an exclusive early Black Friday offer just for Infertile AF podcast listeners. Go to thesmooco.com enjoy a generous 20% off sitewide using code 'InfertileAF' at checkout Support this podcast at: https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Our Sponsors: Check out Mosie Baby and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://mosiebaby.com/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you're having trouble getting pregnant on your own, you may have Asherman's Syndrome. This simply means that there is scarring or adhesions within the endometrium, or the lining of the uterus. A healthy endometrium is vital for implantation. Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center as they provide all the details you need to know about this condition. Learn about the warning signs that cause our fertility docs to suspect Asherman's, which tests and treatments you may need, and how the treatment procedure works. Have questions about infertility?  Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today's episode is brought to you by Needed and Cicero Diagnostics. 

Jacqueline is joined by Jessie Jaskulsky, the founder of Surrogacy Simplified. Jessie shares her personal story of loss, Asherman syndrome, IVF, and surrogacy. Her company, Surrogacy Simplified, is changing the surrogacy experienced for Intended Parents with their passion of helping navigate the complexities of surrogacy with compassion, expertise, and personalized care.*Trigger warning* Premature delivery, miscarriage, and stillbirth are discussed.In this episode...Jacqueline and Jessie discover the parallels of their fertility storiesMiscarriage, stillbirth, and the complications to followAsherman syndrome explainedIVF and genetic testing of embryosSurrogacy; agency vs independent, sibling journeyWhat is Surrogacy Simplified and how can they help you?Grab my *FREE* Month-by-Month Roadmap to Your Fertility Success!•  Connect with Jessie: Surrogacy Simplified website and Instagram•  Leave a review for the podcast•  Join the Motherhood Intended Community•  Follow @motherhood_intended on Instagram•  Reach out to Jacqueline via e-mail: hello@motherhoodintended.comIf you're interested in helping give the absolute greatest gift to deserving parents, learn more about becoming a surrogate (and earn up to $650 just for taking the first few simple steps!): share.conceiveabilities.com/hello12#FertilityFact source found here.Support the showLoving the podcast? Then we would love YOUR support with the continued production of this show! With the help of our audience, the podcast will be able to bring you the best content, most interesting guests, fun events, and helpful resources for women everywhere. Show some love here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/motherhoodintended

The road to parenthood has been challenging for Ali's guest today, Jessie Jaskulsky. In 2016, Jessie lost her son, Luke, at 22 weeks gestation. After their unimaginable loss, Jessie went through a series of surgeries and treatments, until she was diagnosed with Asherman's Syndrome (a rare complication from her early delivery). On this episode, she tells Ali all about her journey, including how, after lots of ups and downs, they eventually decided to pursue surrogacy. Jessie tells Ali how they navigated the surrogacy road, how she had her two daughters, Lily and Luna, and why she started Surrogacy Simplified, which is passionate about helping Intended Parents navigate the complexities of surrogacy with compassion, expertise, and personalized care. For more, go to https://surrogacysimplified.com/ Follow her on IG: @surrogacysimplified TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: Pregnancy; still birth; surrogacy; gestational carrier; Asherman's Syndrome; retained placenta; emergency D&C; secondary infertility; pregnancy and motherhood after loss For podcast sponsorship or partnership inquiries, please email infertileafstories@gmail.com EPISODE SPONSORS: FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 4 to 5 support groups per week, 4 private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey. Join now at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com RECEPTIVA DX ReceptivaDx is the only test that can identify endometriosis, progesterone resistance and endometritis in a single sample, all causes for unexplained infertility and thus success rates of IVF treatments. ReceptivaDx includes BCL6, a marker that identifies uterine inflammation most often associated with asymptomatic (silent) endometriosis. BCL6 is found in more than 50% of women with unexplained infertility and over 65% of women with two or more IVF failures. If positive for the ReceptivaDx test, treatment options can improve the chances for a successful live birth 5 fold! Learn more at receptivadx.com or download our app “Receptivadx" -- and USE CODE INFERTILEAF23 for $75 off the test BINTO  Today, Binto gets you your supplements in individual daily packets with your name on them. Binto makes it easy to stick to your supplement routine and enjoy taking them every day. Along with your supplements, Binto's health providers offer online chat support and telehealth appointments to make sure you feel supported, informed, and empowered when it comes to your health. Take the quiz and get started on your prenatal supplement routine! Head to mybinto.com, take the quiz and enter promo code INFERTILEAF for 20% off your first month. For more, go to mybinto.com RITUAL Daily essentials with good intentions — for living life or creating it. Ritual is offering my listeners 30% off during your first month. Visit ritual.com/INFERTILEAF to start Ritual or add Essential for Women 18+ or Prenatal to your subscription today. Our Sponsors: * Check out Mosie Baby and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://mosiebaby.com/ Support this podcast at: https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on BackTable OBGYN, Drs. Mark Hoffman and Amy Park are joined by Dr. Barbara Levy to discuss the latest advancements in endometrial ablation using cryotherapy. Dr. Levy, a professor at George Washington University and a volunteer at the University of California San Diego OBGYN and reproductive sciences department, has dedicated her career to gynecological advancements. --- CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR Cerene Cryotherapy https://cerene.com/healthcare-professionals/ --- SHOW NOTES Initially, the physicians delve into the history of endometrial ablation, originally conceived as an alternative to hysterectomy for severe menstrual bleeding. The early method involved using a fiber to ablate the entire cavity, followed by electrosurgery using a roller ball, which has various control-related challenges. This approach necessitates operating room time, anesthesia, and prolonged recovery with significant pain. As techniques advanced, complications, including burns and bowel injuries, emerged. The introduction of cryotherapy marked a significant breakthrough in ablation. However, it initially had a steep learning curve. Barbara then details the new Cerene handheld cryoablation device, highlighting its advantages over traditional rollerball electrocautery. The primary benefit of cryotherapy is the improved healing pattern of the uterus compared to electrocautery. Electrocautery often results in Asherman's syndrome, leading to scarring and adhesions, making visualizing the uterine cavity for concern of future pathologies very difficult. Cryotherapy offers over 90% visibility into the cavity, making assessment for uterine or endometrial cancer much easier. Barbara emphasizes that cryotherapy minimizes or avoids complications such as abnormal vaginal discharge, prolapsed fibroids, dyspareunia, persistent bleeding, and post-ablation pain syndrome when compared to heat-based methods.She outlines various patient-centric advantages, notably in pain management. Cryotherapy numbs nerves before ablation, allowing in-office procedures without sedation or anesthesia. Patients can tolerate the procedure well, typically requiring only NSAIDs for comfort during device insertion through the cervix. The accessibility of this procedure through telehealth and brief in-office appointments reduces the impact on patients' daily lives and costs, eliminating the need for operating room time and anesthesia. Instead, patients only pay a copay in the office. Barbara highlights specific patient populations that can benefit from this therapy, including those with heavy menorrhea leading to iron deficiency anemia. It is also suitable for women unable to use additional hormones due to breast cancer concerns or those who prefer not have an IUD but suffer from heavy menorrhea. Patients facing barriers to healthcare, such as those in rural areas, those with time constraints due to work, or financial constraints, may significantly improve their quality of life. Additionally, women in their forties, no longer in their childbearing years, with heavy periods and an alternate form of long-term contraception, can particularly benefit from this therapy.

Lisa McCarty, a passionate writer and a tireless advocate for women's health and infertility, courageously opens up about her journey, which has been marked by multiple diagnoses, including post-amenorrhea and PCOS. Her story takes a heartbreaking turn as she grapples with secondary infertility, recurrent loss, and the challenging Asherman's Syndrome.   In this emotionally charged conversation, Lisa sheds light on the profound toll infertility has taken on her mental well-being. She candidly discusses the relentless battles with anxiety, panic attacks, and depression that have accompanied her on this arduous path.    For almost a decade, Lisa and her devoted husband were led down a path that ultimately resulted in the miracle of their first child, conceived through the remarkable journey of IVF. This is a story of resilience, love, and unwavering determination in the face of adversity.*Connect with Lisa on Instagram here!Full Show Notes Here: infertilityandmepodcast.comSupport Our Show Sponsors:*Learn more about the Mosie Baby Kit and read some of the amazing stories from the Mosie Community. *Use code INFERTILITYANDME for [15% off] your order at checkout and join the 100,000-plus families who have included Mosie on their journey to conceive.*You can help support the continuation of I.A.M by Buying A CoffeeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, hosts Dr. Mark Hoffman and Dr. Amy Park invite Dr. Linda Bradley to discuss advanced hysteroscopy. Linda is a professor of OB/GYN and Reproductive Biology at Cleveland Clinic as well as the Director of Center for Menstrual Disorders, Fibroids, and Hysteroscopic Services. --- EARN CME Reflect on how this Podcast applies to your day-to-day and earn free AMA PRA Category 1 CMEs: https://earnc.me/9tWZ3D --- SHOW NOTES The episode begins with Linda describing the utility of hysteroscopy: it is a great option to visualize the endocervix, endometrium, uterine healing after complicated surgeries, foreign bodies, broken IUDs, and hyperplasia. It should be used for uterine bleeding, retained products of conception, evaluating women for Asherman's, and evaluating why the endometrium is thick on ultrasound. Hysteroscopy has two main roles: diagnosis and therapeutics. Hysteroscopic surgery allows for the uninterrupted visualization and removal of pathology, as opposed to other measures like D&C where the uterus is scraped blindly. It is also great for visually-directed, targeted biopsies and treating pathologies like fibroids and polyps. Linda emphasizes that it is a disservice to women to go in blind because fibroids or cancer can be missed with blind biopsies--in fact, pipelle biopsies picked up zero polyps in their study. Hysteroscopy surgery has a faster recovery, is less invasive, has less risks of bleeding or damaging other structures, and has low risk of infection. The physicians then discuss techniques involving hysteroscopy. Linda prefers using a flexible hysteroscope that is 3.2 mm wide because dilation isn't needed. She also explains that there isn't a need for a paracervical block (just oral ibuprofen) as the patients have minimal pain when the walls of the uterus are appropriately avoided. Linda focuses on the need to believe women when they are bleeding. It takes 3-5 doctors and 3-5 years for many women to get their bleeding appropriately treated instead of trying the same medicines without success. We have the technology to do something different, and hysteroscopy is the best option to look into the uterus and understand what is going on. Mark asks about the training of physicians in hysteroscopy, and Linda responds that simulators are key in addition to having courses and mentors to teach the technique properly. Finally, the doctors finish by talking about future applications of hysteroscopy. --- RESOURCES Orlando, Megan S. MD; Bradley, Linda D. MD. Implementation of Office Hysteroscopy for the Evaluation and Treatment of Intrauterine Pathology. Obstetrics & Gynecology 140(3):p 499-513, September 2022. | DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004898

Lisa, a Women's Health Advocate shares her journey of infertility, reoccurrent loss and how she was diagnosed with Asherman's Syndrome.IG: mccarty717pr

Lisa McCarty is a women's health and infertility advocate who has been through so much, including 14 IVF transfers. Today, Lisa tells Ali the whole story, including IUIs, moving on to IVF, discovering she had Asherman's syndrome, the anxieties of pregnancy after recurrent miscarriage and loss, and so much more. She also talks about the benefits of therapy during infertility, including Cognitive Based Therapy, and how her therapist used to say "You can't change the thought going into your mind, but you can change your response to it." Decide how you want to react. Am I in danger? Or is it perceived danger? Reassure yourself you are pregnant now, don't worry about tomorrow. Lisa believes it's critical to be your own best advocate, especially when it comes to your health. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: Infertility; IVF; IUIs; failed IUIs; failed IVF; recurrent miscarriage; therapy; CBT; pregnancy after infertility and loss For sponsorship or partnership inquiries, please email infertileafstories@gmail.com EPISODE SPONSORS: FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 4 to 5 support groups per week, 4 private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey. Join now at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com RECEPTIVA DX ReceptivaDx is the only test that can identify endometriosis, progesterone resistance and endometritis in a single sample, all causes for unexplained infertility and thus success rates of IVF treatments. ReceptivaDx includes BCL6, a marker that identifies uterine inflammation most often associated with asymptomatic (silent) endometriosis. BCL6 is found in more than 50% of women with unexplained infertility and over 65% of women with two or more IVF failures. If positive for the ReceptivaDx test, treatment options can improve the chances for a successful live birth 5 fold! Learn more at receptivadx.com or download our app “Receptivadx" -- and USE CODE INFERTILEAF23 for $75 off the test Support this podcast at: https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listen to our newest podcast with Dr. Jovana Tavcar, the author of "Incidence and Clinical Implications of Placenta Accreta Spectrum after Treatment for Asherman Syndrome," where we discuss the relationship between intrauterine adhesions and placenta accreta spectrum! See below for publication details and be sure to join discussion on this topic through our social media platforms.Publication details:JMIG VOLUME 30, ISSUE 3, P192-198, MARCH 2023Full text linkConnect with the JMIG Social Media Team!Twitter: @AAGLJMIGInstagram: @AAGLJMIGFacebook: AAGLJMIG

Dr. Natalie Crawford answers what you should do with your embryos if you no longer need them. She goes over embryo storage, your options, and how abortion laws impact your embryos and IVF. All clinics have different contracts when it comes to embryo storage and what they do with them if you forget to make your payment. If you are doing IVF or did IVF in the past and have embryos left, this episode is for you. We have decided to move Fertility In The News to the weekly newsletter in order to keep the podcast more evergreen. If you want to sign up go to nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter to sign up! Finally, Natalie answers your social media questions during her segment FFS—For Fertility's Sake. Is it possible to have a healthy pregnancy after an Asherman's diagnosis? Anything I should do differently to get pregnant after a miscarriage? Can a cervical polyp cause infertility or miscarriage? What are your thoughts on melatonin while TTC? When is a pregnancy test after an IVF transfer? Fertility Fraud Episode with Eve Wiley Don't forget to ask your questions on Instagram for next week's For Fertility's Sake segment when you see the question box on Natalie's page @nataliecrawfordmd. You can also ask a question by calling in and leaving a voicemail. Call 657–229–3672 and ask your fertility question today!      Thanks to our amazing sponsors! Check out these deals just for you: Green Chef- Go to GreenChef.com/aaw60 and use code aaw60 to get 60% off plus free shipping. Liquid IV- Go to liquidiv.com and use code AAW at checkout for 20% off BetterHelp - Go to BetterHelp.com/AAW today to get 10% off your first month. If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Sunday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram @nataliecrawfordmd, check out Natalie's YouTube channel Natalie Crawford MD, and if you're interested in becoming a patient, check out Fora Fertility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm delighted to be joined by Dr. Jessica Mann for a discussion about Asherman's Syndrome. As a fertility doctor at IRMS Reproductive Medicine in New Jersey, Dr. Mann is sharing her professional expertise and personal experience with Asherman's Syndrome.    Also known as "intrauterine scarring," Asherman's is an acquired condition (meaning you're not born with it). Some patients with Asherman's have difficulty getting pregnant. The good news is that there are ways to diagnose this syndrome and treatments are available. I'm excited to have Dr. Mann explain both to us in today's episode. Read the full transcript on my website. Do you have questions about IVF?Click here to join Dr. Aimee for The IVF Class. The next live class call is on Monday, May 1, 2023 at 4pm PST, where Dr. Aimee will explain IVF and there will be time to ask her your questions live on Zoom.   Get Dr. Aimee's brand new Conception Kit here. Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh is one of America's most well known fertility doctors. Her success rate at baby-making is what gives future parents hope when all hope is lost. She pioneered the TUSHY Method and BALLS Method to decrease your time to pregnancy. Learn more about the TUSHY Method and find a wealth of fertility resources at www.draimee.org. Other ways to connect with Dr. Aimee and The Egg Whisperer Show: Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more fertility tips!Subscribe to the newsletter to get updates

Hello, and welcome to the start of season 7!Today I'm speaking with Tracy Gilmore-Nimoy. Tracy is a psychotherapist based in California, USA. She had her own 3rd trimester TFMR three years ago. The difficult labour ended up seeing Tracy haemorrhage, the resulting physical trauma of interventions to save her life has meant she's been left with Asherman's Syndrome (scarring of the uterus). Tracy has unfortunately had a further miscarriage from a spontaneous pregnancy, and then a further miscarriage after trying IVF.She shares a bit about her experiences and how she's dealing and coping with secondary infertility.You can find her on Instagram @TGNtherapy and her website can be found here.I hope you enjoy listening. Get in touch and let us know what you think. Social media: Instagram and Facebook @TimeToTalkTFMR and Twitter @TalkTFMREmail is TalkTFMR@yahoo.comThis episode is supported by Antenatal Results and Choices. For more information on how they support women and couples click here or call them on 0207 713 7486.

Alex Kornswiet is an infertility advocate, a mental health advocate, a miscarriage survivor and a surrogacy warrior, and today, she and Ali are getting into all of her family building deets. Alex talks about marrying her high school sweetheart, finding out they had infertility issues, doing a fresh IVF transfer with her first son (it worked!), and why, at one point, she felt like a  "fraud" in the infertility community. She also talks about her devastating miscarriage and how she navigated the grief, realizing her doctor wasn't the right fit for her and switching clinics, using a courier service to transport her embryos, the crush of a cancelled cycle, and being diagnosed with Asherman's syndrome. Alex also discusses her surrogacy journey, including how they matched quickly with a surrogate, the surprise pregnancy that rocked their world, and how today, she is a proud mama of three boys.  TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: Infertility; IVF: Asherman's Syndrome; miscarriage; embryos; cancelled cycles; lining issues; mental health; surrogacy; intralipid infusions; pregnancy after loss; IVF surrogacy.  EPISODE SPONSORS: FERTILITY RALLY @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 4 support groups per week, 3 private Facebook groups, tons of curated events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey. Doors open the 1st of every month! Join at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at fertilityrally.com RECEPTIVA DX ReceptivaDx is the only test that can identify endometriosis, progesterone resistance and endometritis in a single sample, all causes for unexplained infertility and thus success rates of IVF treatments. ReceptivaDx includes BCL6, a marker that identifies uterine inflammation most often associated with asymptomatic (silent) endometriosis. BCL6 is found in more than 50% of women with unexplained infertility and over 65% of women with two or more IVF failures. If positive for the ReceptivaDx test, treatment options can improve the chances for a successful live birth 5 fold! Learn more at receptivadx.com or download our app “Receptivadx" -- and USE CODE INFERTILEAF23 for $75 off the test Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I'm delighted to be joined by Dr. Jessica Mann for a discussion about Asherman's Syndrome. As a fertility doctor at IRMS Reproductive Medicine in New Jersey, Dr. Mann is sharing her professional expertise and personal experience with Asherman's Syndrome.    Also known as "intrauterine scarring," Asherman's is an acquired condition (meaning you're not born with it). Some patients with Asherman's have difficulty getting pregnant. The good news is that there are ways to diagnose this syndrome and treatments are available. I'm excited to have Dr. Mann explain both to us in today's episode. Read the full transcript on my website. Do you have questions about IVF?Click here to join Dr. Aimee for The IVF Class. The next live class call is on Monday, January 9th, 2023 at 4pm PST, where Dr. Aimee will explain IVF and there will be time to ask her your questions live on Zoom. Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more fertility tips! Subscribe to the newsletter to get updates Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh is one of America's most well known fertility doctors. Her success rate at baby-making is what gives future parents hope when all hope is lost. She pioneered the TUSHY Method and BALLS Method to decrease your time to pregnancy. Learn more about the TUSHY Method and find a wealth of fertility resources at www.draimee.org.

In today's episode I'm talking with two women, Rachel and Georgia, about their TFMRs for maternal health reasons.Rachel had a TFMR due to preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome and Georgia experienced an 'eccentric' pregnancy and Asherman's Syndrome which put her at serious risk of uterine abruption.This year, we featured TFMR for maternal health reasons during baby loss awareness. I learnt from speaking to many of you that it can feel that your experience isn't valued in the same way, or that you aren't included within the TFMR community in the same way. Let me say right now, you belong here. We all have individual experiences, and no path is easy, they are just different. My hope with this podcast is that we can shed light on these different paths within the TFMR community and show each other empathy, compassion and support.Get in touch and let us know what you think. Social media: Instagram and Facebook @TimeToTalkTFMR and Twitter @TalkTFMREmail is TalkTFMR@yahoo.comThis episode is supported by Antenatal Results and Choices. For more information on how they support women and couples click here or call them on 0207 713 7486.

Today Ali is talking to a dear friend of hers who she met through Instagram. Her name is Jess Veit,and she is an IVF Warrior and advocate, a bright light in the IG community, and mama to her rainbow baby, whose nickname is Sunny. You probably know her from IG @onesunnystory. On this episode, Jess tells Ali how she got to where she is today, including 9 years of trying, 

Dr. Heather Huddleston joins Jillian this week to break down everything you need to know if you're struggling with hormonal function, infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), recurrent pregnancy loss, and uterine disorders like Asherman's syndrome. From diet, lifestyle, medications and more – Dr. Huddleston shares all kinds of possible treatments.Guest Links:UCSF PCOS Clinic Website: https://www.ucsfhealth.org/clinics/pcos-clinicIG: https://www.instagram.com/ucsf_pcos_clinic/UCSF PCOS Challenge: https://pcoschallenge.org/ucsf-pcos-research-study/Virtual Medical Care for PCOS: https://allarahealth.comFor 25% off The Fitness App by Jillian Michaels, go to www.thefitnessapp.com/podcastdealFollow us on Instagram @JillianMichaels and @MartiniCindyJillian Michaels Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1880466198675549Email your questions to JillianPodcast@gmail.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we are joined by Emma who takes us through her story of recurrent miscarriage which has lead to a diagnosis of Asherman's Syndrome. Emma has had an intense past 12 months involving a lot of heartache and medical intervention. Her story involves; Recurrent miscarriage (3)Spontaneous miscarriageHCG blood test indicating miscarriage Multiple scans to diagnose miscarriage MVAC (Manual Vacuum Aspiration Curettage)Miscarriage with no bleeding Missing period (for 5 months)Cycling with no bleedingAsherman's Syndrome diagnosis Surgery to repair Asherman's Asherman's Syndrome medical management Therapy to help with her lossesWe learnt a lot from her story as I am sure many of you will too!

“I hope I give you some hope.”All around, Lauren's stories are different. Her birthing journey includes Asherman's syndrome, infertility for over 10 years, two rounds of IVF treatments (each with only one viable embryo), a miscarriage, placenta accreta, and significant hemorrhaging after her first Cesarean delivery. Lauren miraculously got pregnant naturally with her second son. She was committed to having a VBAC even with her complicated medical history. When her water broke at 32 weeks, Lauren made her desires known loud and clear to every person who entered her birthing space that a Cesarean was not an option. Sure enough, Lauren was able to successfully VBAC with no signs of placenta accreta or hemorrhaging. After years of so much heartache and holding onto hope, Lauren was finally able to see one miracle unfold after another.Additional linksThe VBAC Link Community on FacebookHow to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for ParentsFull transcriptNote: All transcripts are edited to correct grammar, false starts, and filler words. Meagan: Good morning, good afternoon, or good evening, whatever time it is where you are at, welcome. You are listening to The VBAC Link podcast. This is Meagan and we have our friend, Lauren, today. You guys, she is currently in Vietnam and it is 4:10 a.m. where she is recording. I cannot believe that she is up and ready to record an episode. We are so grateful for her for being with us today. She has a lot of great things in her story, a lot of great things that sometimes we don't talk about or know of. There's a certain thing in her story where I hadn't even ever heard the word before until I saw it in her story. So I can't wait to dive into her story and have her tell more about all of the things about her story.Review of the WeekMeagan: Of course, we have a Review of the Week so I will read that and we will dive right in. This is from saraalbinger and she says, “One month ago, I had a successful VBAC induction just 18 months after a Cesarean section. I almost called to schedule a repeat on my due date because I was so scared. Then I found your podcast and listened to it for two days straight. It gave me the courage to go through with the induction and I am so glad I did. I hope more people find this as a resource.”She actually emailed us, which is awesome. Congratulations, Sara, on your VBAC. So happy for you. Like I said, she emailed. You can email us your reviews if you would like or if you have a moment, maybe push “pause” really quickly and jump onto your podcast whether it be Apple or Google Play, and leave us a review. We would really appreciate it and again, we always read one on the episodes, so your review might be next. Lauren's storyMeagan: Okay. Lauren, I'm so excited to have you. Seriously, I cannot believe that you are up. I don't know if I could get my tushy out of bed at 4:00 a.m. to record a podcast. I'm so grateful. Lauren: It is early. Meagan: Yes, it is so early. Oh my gosh. We just talked about it. You just had a baby not long ago, so you're not only up at 4:00 a.m. but probably sleep-deprived within those few hours that you did get to sleep. So seriously, thank you so much for being with us today.  Lauren: No problem, I'm excited to share my story. Meagan: Well, I'm excited to hear it. I would love to turn the time over to you. Share all of the amazing things. You have had such a journey that has led you here today. Lauren: Yeah. Well, thank you so much for having me. This is a wonderful opportunity for me to go back and remember what has happened to me over the last couple of years. My story started, I feel like, way back when. I was a Montessori teacher and at that point, I knew exactly what I wanted out of my birth at the age of 18 or 19 years old. I wanted a water birth. I wanted all-natural and I wanted to have all my kids by the time I was 25. Anyways, that didn't happen. I got married. I got married when I had just turned 23. Kids did not happen right away. My 25th birthday was the most depressing birthday I've ever had. It turns out I was struggling with some infertility there. At that time, I had sought some, I don't know. I will tell you that I pondered on it and it just didn't feel right. The time to take care of our infertility didn't feel right, so we ended up moving our family abroad. My husband and I taught English abroad, then we came back to America. We just so happened to live in Boston. We had some contacts there, but we felt, I don't know the right word, we felt very inspired to move to Boston. We didn't start working on the family thing right away because you have to have insurance for that but on the east coast, they pay for infertility treatment. If you have insurance, it's covered. I didn't know that at the time. Meagan: That's amazing. For real?Lauren: Yes, for real.  Meagan: I need to tell my sister who just moved to Boston and is having fertility issues. Lauren: Oh my goodness. Yes, the insurance coverage is amazing. So then I started finding out about other people who had moved there just to get the insurance just to seek infertility treatment. Meagan: Wow, cool. Lauren: Yeah, it was amazing. Exactly. I feel like the right people were put in our path at the right time. They shared the doctors and I was like, “Okay, let me go to your doctor. Okay.” So then pieces started to fall into place to figure out, “What the heck is wrong with me?” I think it had been thirteen years at that point in time of not stopping from having children. Everything was the way it is. So I go and they do this huge check-up on me. My doctors just couldn't believe the long list of all the crap that was wrong with me especially because I was in my thirties.I ended up having what was called Asherman syndrome. It's adhesive. It's scar tissue and they can exist in the cervix or in the uterus. Mine was everywhere. I was 100% scarred over through my cervix and my uterus. It took multiple surgeries to try to remove it. It's called hysteroscopies. Here's the miracle here. Asherman syndrome is not well known. It's still, “Oh, hush-hush.” A lot of women hear the word “adhesive” and that's exactly what it is. It's the scar tissue that's in the uterus and it usually happens after D&C or if you've had a miscarriage, there's a percentage of women who scar over. There are specific doctors out there that will take care of it. One is in Boston and the other one lives in California. I got to see that very specialized doctor and that was just a huge miracle. I felt like I was being taken care of. So we went there and my scar tissue was just so severe. I'm pretty sure I still have it. It's something that doesn't really go away, but it was blocking my tubes. That, and we had a diminished ovarian reserve, so my eggs were like I was a 44-year-old woman. I think I was 32 at this time and going through all this. I'm like, “My eggs are old. I'm old.”Then they did a biopsy of my uterus. It showed that it was inactive.Meagan: What?Lauren: It was menopausal. I was like, “So I've gone through menopause and here I am.” It turns out that if you don't have a period for over a year, you're considered in menopause. I didn't realize that because I hadn't had one in seven years at this point. Meagan: Wow. I didn't even know that either. I mean, I didn't have a period but I have an IUD, so I'm guessing that's a little different, right? Lauren: Mhmm, yeah. Meagan: I didn't know that. Lauren: Yeah, I had no idea. I was learning so much so quickly. There were a lot of emotions. I cried and cried because I felt like my journey of having children was completely over. I had a very slim chance of having a baby and so I was like, “Okay. We're doing this. I'm jumping head-in.” So I jumped and with IVF, I had only one good embryo out of my first round. It ended up in a miscarriage. It was nonviable and it ended up that it had something wrong with the chromosomes in it. They did some testing. This is where I feel like, “Oh, I had this journey.” Here it comes now. With IVF, they watch you and so after my two-week wait, I had a positive test. Okay. Then, they watch it grow. Mine wasn't growing, so then I had my ultrasound. They were like, “Oh, this isn't right. There is no heartbeat. This doesn't even look right. Whatever.” I'm bawling my eyes out because it's really hard.They waited an extra week until I was seven weeks when I went in for my D&E. The doctor told me it was because of my Asherman's that it was going to cause a huge, big problem. So he goes in. He scoops it out. That's the way I like to think of it. He just scoops it out and he's done. Lo and behold, my HCG levels were still the same, if not going up. I was still feeling very sick. The next two or three days later, I'm like, “Something is really wrong. Something is really wrong.” I went back and they drew my blood. Come to find out, my levels are still going up. I'm like, “Something is wrong.” I went back to my Asherman syndrome doctor. They did an ultrasound and then they did an in-office, I was wide awake, hysteroscopy. They took little scissors and they tried to go in and take out what they could see. Meagan: What?! This is giving me chills right now thinking about going through that. Lauren: Uh-uh. It was so painful. Meagan: Oh my goodness.Lauren: It was so bad. I'm just bawling my eyes out on this table and they were like, “This is too much.” I was like, “Yeah. This is too much.” I was scheduled for surgery the next day and that's when I was told about my accreta. That teeny, tiny little sac had grown into my lining. Again, my Asherman's syndrome was worse than the first time I went, which is saying something. I had a few more surgeries after that one just to clean it up. It took a long time, a lot of hormone therapy, and a ton of estrogen to try to get my uterus back up and running. They called it “jump starting” because I was still not having periods. They were forcing them through medication. Anyway, it was just a crazy time of my life. The second round of IVF was maybe six to nine months later. Again, I only had one little embryo. It turned out to be my son. At the time, we didn't know the sex of our child until he was born, so it was a really fun surprise. I was so excited. Well, and surely hesitant because you are like, “Oh my goodness, is this going to stick? What's going to happen?” He stuck and he continued to grow. His percentile growths every ultrasound were still 13% and 15%, so I had a small baby. It always worried me. We got flagged for genetic testing. We got flagged and we got called. It was like, “You've got to come in right now. We've got to do this ultrasound.” The worry that comes over your face is like, “Oh my gosh.” You just start breaking down and immediately crying. We drove straight to the hospital to do a two-hour-long ultrasound of just laying on the table. They don't talk to you, by the way, in this clinic. They just look. They look. They look. They look, and then at the very end, they may say something or you have to go to your doctor and your doctor will tell you but the ultrasound tech does not say anything to you.So it's just nerve-wracking. We ended up seeing a genetic counselor right after who then gave us the results of, “Oh, it's not anything. You're fine.” You had a little bit of leakage that could have caused this. It's not Down syndrome. You're okay. I was like, “Whew.” So other than that, my pregnancy was pretty normal. We got a doula right away, super grateful for her, and then my baby just wouldn't turn. He wanted to be feet down. I don't know how to explain it. He just wanted to be breech. We were doing our birthing classes. I just remember the doula who was doing them was like, “Well,” I don't know I was probably at 30 weeks. She was like, “Oh, he should really be head down.” I'm like, “Really? At this point, he should really be?” She was like, “Yeah. You really need to get on it more.” I was like, “Okay, I need to get on it.” At that point, I was like, “Okay.” So my doula and I worked on Spinning Babies. I spent so much time upside down every day. I was on an ironing board. I was doing all of these things for Spinning Babies. You buy the stuff. All of the stuff, I bought it. It wasn't working, so then someone was like, “Okay, you should go to the acupuncturist and do this epoxy–”. I was like, “Okay.” So then I'm burning this thing on the outside of my pinky toe on my right foot for 20 minutes. Meagan: Mhmm. Bladder 06.Lauren: Yeah, but I'm very pregnant, so to bend over for 20 minutes to do one toe and to do 20 minutes on the other toe was excruciating. I did it every morning and every night. I was like, “Okay. This is a lot. I am very dedicated to spinning this baby.” That didn't work, so I started chiropractic. I started seeing a chiropractor during my last month of pregnancy. I saw her every other day, and then I started seeing her every day. Again, nothing, and then I just got this gut feeling. It was, “Your baby's going to be born the way he needs to be born. You just need to accept that and you need to go with it.” When that happened, it just clicked in my brain. I was like, “Okay. I can still have a birth plan for a Cesarean. I can still do this and that's okay.” But that switch when you have planned something and you believe in something so hard– to make that switch in your brain, it's so difficult. I still was holding hope that somehow this baby is going to flip. They wanted to try an inversion at 37 weeks. I was like, “No,” because they were like, “If you spin the baby in the hospital and it works, then you are having a baby. If it doesn't work, you are still having a baby.” I was like, “Oh, then I'm waiting.” I'm very grateful. So we went in on my scheduled day with my big, long list of everything I wanted for my Cesarean which was wonderful. My doctor was very supportive and she made sure everything on my list got crossed off. I got to completely watch my baby being born, the surgery, and everything which was really unique for me. I didn't realize I was going to get emotional about my little Oden. Anyway, I just remember laying there and having my surgery. My husband was right beside me and my doula was also in the room with her essential oils. He comes out and it was announced that he was a little boy. He gets cleaned up. My husband goes over. My husband gets to do skin-to-skin with him. It was such a beautiful birth. It's like, I don't regret it at all. I'm just like, “I did everything I could.” Once you see that little baby, he was just, oh wow. He was on my husband's chest and he was rooting and making rooting noises. My doctor and everyone in the room just stopped. They were like, “We've never seen this before.” We've never seen a baby come out Cesarean and literally be banging his head on a chest wanting the breast. I knew right away. I was like, “That's my baby. He's hungry. He knows where it's at.” My doula was really excited. So anyways, I remember at this point that my doctor mentioned something about blood. “Oh, there's a lot of blood,” but I was dismissive because I had this cute baby over here rooting. It wasn't even until after I was in recovery and I started breastfeeding that my doctor came in and told me that I had hemorrhaged. I had an MFM who specialized in accreta and percreta and all of these things because I was just so worried that if I had a seven-week sac that stuck to my uterus, then what is it going to look like at full-term? I had done all of this research and I was prepared to lose my uterus with this birth. It didn't happen. I just felt so blessed. I felt so blessed that I got to keep it and that my child was born at full term. I just remember, “I can't wait for baby number two.” Anyway, I enjoyed this birth so much and him so much. The hemorrhage only added to my list. I had forgotten about it until baby number two and then it starts adding on, right?Okay, miscarriage, baby number one, baby number two comes and I really wanted my VBAC. I don't necessarily– my pregnancy was baby number two. I had accepted a job that paid for my insurance and I was going to go back to my doctors, but I ended up getting pregnant before. I mentioned before that I stopped having periods sometime in my twenties and went through menopause. I had gotten the COVID vaccine and gotten both shots. After my second shot, 17 days later, I started the first period I had in years and years and years and years and years and years. I was so shocked. I had no idea what was happening to my body. I was like, “This can't be happening to me. This is so weird and so foreign to me.” I remember just calling my doctor like “What is going on?” She was like, “You are not the only woman to report this. It's okay, just go with it. Track it. Let's see if we can have a natural pregnancy. Let's see if you can get pregnant naturally.” I'm like, “Wow. This is insane.” So, in the third month, I was pregnant. I just couldn't believe it. Meagan: Wow. Lauren: I'm like, “But my eggs are crap.”Meagan: Wow, wow. Lauren: Yeah! I'm like, “My eggs are crap. Everything is crap, right?” She's like, “Lauren, we are just going to go with it.” I'm just like, “Okay. Just going with it.” So yeah. Third month, boom, and I was pregnant. And yeah, wow. But it started off–Meagan: I'm sure. Yeah. Lauren: You just don't believe it. After you've been through everything, you don't believe it. So I just couldn't believe it. I started having a lot of pain and this is where I was like, “I'm going to lose this baby.” I just had this gut feeling like something was really wrong. I ended up going to the emergency room the day I took a pregnancy test. I was going. I was like, “It had better not be ectopic. I need to make sure this is in the right place. There's something going on.” They're like, “You're not pregnant.” That's what they told me. I was like, “Okay.” This little, dinky hospital. They did a urine test and they told me I wasn't pregnant. I literally had to tell them, “Listen. I've been through infertility treatment and I know that you could do a blood test to tell me if I'm pregnant or not. Come on.” And so then they do a blood test but in the meantime, it's been an hour and I'm a mess. I am crying. I am just an emotional, crazy mess. They come back and they're like, “Oh yeah, your levels are 100, so most likely, you're going to lose this baby. It's very early.” They already put this on me. So then they gave me a doctor because I am new to this facility because, sorry. I had moved from Boston to Connecticut to work and buy a house during the pandemic. So I am in little Podunkville with Podunk doctors. There's nothing wrong with Podunk doctors, sorry! But it's just different when you go from downtown Boston, top-notch to country, okay?So we were there and he kept telling me that my levels weren't rising. They weren't doubling. They are supposed to double and they weren't. Baby wasn't growing and nothing was happening for two weeks. So they did an ultrasound, but no heartbeat, nothing. There was something there, but they were like, “Lauren, we will give you another week before we do something.” I'm just a mess. I'm a complete mess. They drew my blood again and my progesterone levels were decent, but my pregnancy hormone was just not growing.And so a week or two weeks went by, I can't remember. I had a heartbeat. I just remember feeling so relieved. I looked at the doctor. I was like, “I'm never going to see you again. I'm so sorry, but I'm never going to see you again. I'm going to go to the best of the best.” So I jumped right back to my MFM up in Boston. The first thing out of my mouth was, “Okay, I'm pregnant. Will you support me with a VBAC?” And she said, “Yes.” She said, “Yes, 100%.” This was the kicker. She was like, “But Lauren, you have to know that because of all your issues, we are aiming for a vaginal birth. You can't sit there and go, ‘I want it to be unmedicated.'” She was like, “What we are aiming for is a vaginal birth.”I was like, “Okay.” And then I go home, I'm like, “I want an unmedicated birth!” I'm like, “I don't care.”Meagan: You're like, “Joke's on you guys, I'm going to do that anyway.”Lauren: Yes, exactly. So my pregnancy is progressing. Baby is head down the whole entire time. I'm super excited. I remember at 28 weeks, I had this very distinct feeling come over me that I was going to have this baby early. I didn't know what that meant. So I was like, “Okay.” So around week 30, I started prepping my house. I bought all of the baby things, got baby things out, just little things like that. In the meantime, I'm teaching kindergarten, I'm still working full time. I still have a toddler now and I'm just resuming life.This is when I really started hitting hard on The VBAC Link. I was listening to every podcast every chance I got. I was listening on my lunch break just to prepare myself. I did a class with you guys. There was an OB that was there. I had a ton of questions that I got answered, so that was really wonderful. I just really appreciate this podcast being there. I feel like that's why I really want to share because it was just so helpful, but no one had anything like what I had gone through. I'm like, “Maybe that means something.” I'm like, “Am I crazy? Can I do this?” sort of a thing. Anyway, so I didn't feel very prepared. My 32-week doctor's appointment was on a Friday. I drove to Boston which was an hour and a half away from where I live. It was a devastating doctor's visit. My sweet little baby boy was not growing. I had what is called, I have it in here because I'm like, “What? I forget everything.” It was fetal growth restriction.Meagan: Was it IUGR? Intrauterine growth restriction?Lauren: Yeah, but they called it FGR here. It was like fetal growth restriction, yes. Meagan: FGR, fetal growth restriction, yeah. Lauren: Thank you for that. I forget all of the things. And so then I was like, “Okay. Tell me exactly what that means.” My baby was measuring in the 1st percentile. So then she goes back and she was like, “Well, he's barely been over a 10th percentile this whole time. He's always been very, very small.” He was in the 10th and the 13th. I was like, “Where do we need to be to get out of this?” She was like, “You have to be at 10% to not have this label.” I was like, “That's not going to happen, is it?” She was like, “No, I'm sorry.” And I'm like, “Oh man.”So at this point in time, I was like, “Okay.” I was visiting her every week. I had her visit plus I had a blood draw, plus I had an ultrasound, so now it was moving up to three visits a week and I was having to drive an hour and a half. I'm like, “This is not going to be sustainable. I cannot work full time and do this.” I had made all of my appointments for that next week. I go home that Friday and then Saturday morning at 3:00, my toddler wakes up and I go in to tend to him. A big thing about FGR was that I had to count my movements. I wasn't feeling my baby move because he was so small that there were times that I didn't feel pregnant. I was like, “This is really weird.” It was one of those times when I was up at 3:00 a.m. and I noticed that there were zero movements. I'm like, “Okay, maybe he's asleep.” So I spent time with my toddler, put him back to bed, go back to my room and I'm starting to feel him move. So then I start kick counting, kick counting, kick counting, and then my toddler gets up again. I'm like, “Oh my goodness, you've got to be kidding me.” He comes into my room. He wants to snuggle, so I let him in my bed and he's holding me. I'm holding him and my husband gets out of bed. He doesn't do that. Anyway, next thing I know, I just feel this gush between my legs and I'm like, “What the heck? I am not prepared for this. This is not okay.” We have Google in my home, so I was like, “Okay, Google. Broadcast.” I'm screaming at the top of my lungs, “My water just broke! You have to come right now!” My husband runs in and he's freaking out. I don't know. It was a really wacky picture in my mind. He has his arms and legs sprawled out like, “What's going on?” I'm like, “Take our son. Take our son and get me a cup because this is gushing out and I don't know what to do.” It was crazy. I started contracting, but they weren't painful at all. They were like Braxton Hicks. My belly was tightening and then it was just gushes of water. I was like, “This is so crazy.”So I immediately called my doctor. This was the part that made me nervous because here I am preparing for a VBAC and the doctor immediately said, “You need to get to the hospital right now. You will have a repeat Cesarean and we will get this baby out. Something is wrong.” Meagan: Whoa. Lauren: I immediately started crying. Yes. Meagan: Scary. So scary. Lauren: Oh, 100%. The good thing is that I had 40 minutes for someone to drive to be with my son to ponder, sit down, and try to process this. Meanwhile, I'm walking around the house with a cup between my legs trying to catch all the water that is coming out of me. My husband and I were talking back and forth like, “This is not anything I had ever ever ever thought of.” I'm like, “Okay. I'm going to go in. I'm going to have a VBAC.” And so we both agreed that we were going to be open to what the doctors were saying. “This a bunch of learning. We are on a learning curve now. This is not on our terms. It's on this baby's terms. We are now open-minded and learning.” It took us an hour and nine minutes to get to the hospital. We passed five policemen. One actually passed us. We were way speeding. We were easily doing 90-100 the whole way. No one pulled us over, thank goodness. It turned out to not be that much of an emergency. We got there and the first thing that they did was they took me back to confirm that I broke my water. I was like, “You guys can't see the stuff gushing out of me?” I'm like, “Is this not water?” They're like, “Well, it could be urine.” I was like, “No, no, no, no, no.” I know what urine is. This is not urine. They were laughing because I was like, “This is not pee, or else I have been continually peeing on myself for two and a half hours now.”And so anyway, I'm like, “Okay, whatever.” And then they were like, “Yes. Okay. This is the fluid.” They came to my room and they talked to me about everything. PPROM is what it's called. It's a premature rupture of membranes. Now, I was a PPROM. Meagan: Yeah. PROM is just premature rupture of membranes but PPROM is premature meaning that the baby is before 37 weeks. Lauren: Exactly. Meagan: Premature premature rupture of membranes. Lauren: It was happening way too early. And because I was 32 weeks, they weren't going to stop it, so I did not receive any magnesium or anything like that to stop it which I was kind of grateful for because after I read, I was like, “Oh, I don't want that in my body.” It burns like fire. But they did start me on penicillin and steroids and all of these things because they wanted the steroids for the baby's lungs. The penicillin was because the risk of infection goes significantly higher when you have PPROMd or when you have PROM'd early because now I'm just sitting there with open stuff and it's easier to get an infection.They refused to check me, which was nice. They would not check my cervix to see how dilated I was or anything like that, but I do remember at the very beginning, she guesstimated that I was about a 1, so it was nothing. And so I sat there. They were like, “You're being admitted to the hospital. You will be here until you have your baby. Since you are 32 weeks, we will induce you. If you get to 34 weeks, you will be induced and you will have your baby.” The reality was that they go through my chart and this is where my past kicked me in the butt. They were like, “Okay, you have a chance of accreta. You have hemorrhaged with your previous Cesarean. You have to put in your mind that most likely you are going to have another Cesarean.” I was like, “No, I'm not.” This whole entire time, I was like, “No, I'm not.” I was like, “No, I'm not. I'm having a VBAC and that's it.” I kept telling every doctor that came into my room. I was like, “Listen, I'm having a VBAC.” I was like, “I'm having a VBAC. It's happening, so I don't even want to discuss another Cesarean unless it really gets to that point. I don't want to discuss it.” I was like, “I want to discuss how I can have this baby vaginally. That's what I want.” They were very supportive. I'm just so grateful and they were just like, “Yeah. Okay. This is awesome. This woman has opinions.” And so every new resident– I was at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Sorry, I don't know if I'm allowed to say that.Meagan: You can totally share. You can totally share. Lauren: Okay. Okay, so it's a learning hospital. You have a lot of residents and interns. I don't know exactly what you call them all. Every morning, there were ten doctors that would visit my room a few times a day. It was a lot of doctors. Anyway, so Wednesday comes and before that, they were like, “Okay, listen. You're either going to have this baby within 48 hours or it's going to be a week or two. It's either one or the other. We don't really have people in the middle.”Guess what? I was in the middle, so whatever. Meagan: Way to be different.Lauren: Right? All around, I'm different. The thing that really worried me is that I was like, “Okay, I want a VBAC,” but at the same time, I had these NICU doctors who were right there on my case like, “Okay. Here are the chances of this. Here are the chances of this. Your baby might be dealing with all of these different things.” Anyway, they were updating me every day on where my baby's development was for that day and what could be possibly wrong with him when he was born. “Oh, by the way, our NICU is full. We don't have any beds. So if you go into labor, we will be transferring you to a different hospital with your child,” or however it works. I'm like, “What? Are you serious?” They're like, “Yep. We're full and so is the hospital next to us, so it will be the hospital down the street.” I'm like, “Oh wow. This is incredible.” Anyway, so right then and there, I started praying, “Okay. Listen to me. If I'm going to go into labor, it better be the day that someone gets sent home.” It's got to work out. It's got to work out. It did, by the way. It worked out. On Wednesday, I started to have more pain. It was like, “Okay. I'm still contracting by the way. I keep having what I call Braxton Hicks contractions because they were not painful. It was just that my whole belly would tighten and my water would continue to spew out. That's the best way I can say it. I remember distinctly that I woke up at 1:00 in the morning on Wednesday and I started having pain. I called my nurse right away and I was like “Listen, they shifted. My contractions have shifted now, but they are still 10-14 minutes apart.” We just kept an eye on it. In the meantime, every time I have a contraction, my baby's heart disappears. They can't find him. I'm like, “Okay. Baby, cut this out.” So when that happens, guess what they start talking about? They talk about a Cesarean. They're like, “Oh, Lauren. His heart rate is really dipping really low. We are going to end up. You need to prepare.” I'm like, “Nope. I'm not preparing.” And so I finally get up out of my bed. I've been in a bed this whole entire time. A friend came and visited me. It was 1:00 in the afternoon at this point. I was standing up during the whole visit which was the most I had stood in two or three days. I'm starting to have regular contractions. They were easy, 4-6 minutes apart, somewhere around there. They started being really painful and I had to breathe through them. I'm this way. I'm like, “Listen. I'm not going to call my nurse in here because she's just going to prepare me for a Cesarean.” So I go for an hour with my friend and my friend is like, “Lauren, you really need to call your nurse.” I'm like, “Fine. You leave. I'll call my nurse.” So I called my nurse and, sorry I'm laughing. She's freaking out because she is like, “Why didn't you call me?” I was like, “Listen, I didn't call you because I don't want to have a Cesarean.” They called the doctor. He guesstimates and he says I'm about a 1 or a 2. I haven't changed much. Now, they have increased and they're back to back. I could not. I was like, “What? A natural birth? I wanted that? That's crazy.” They wouldn't let me out of my bed because of the heart rate and everything that was going on with the baby, so I was stuck and confined to my bed. I was just holding the railing and turned to my side. Every contraction was worsened by a million because my nurse was like, “Listen, if you don't want a Cesarean, I have to find the heart rate of this baby.” And so she is literally, in the middle of my contractions, I'm screaming and she has got that monitor and she is searching for the baby's heart rate to prove that he is okay. This continues and she calls the doctor back in here because my contractions were literally on top of each other for 2-3 minutes. It was so intense. I really didn't feel like I had time to breathe. I was like, “Listen. I am having this baby. I am going to have this baby.” My doctor– he's not really my doctor. He's the resident of my doctor. He walks back in and he basically tells me to suck it up and that lots of moms go through this. I'm not having this baby. He will check me for real this time. So he goes in and I'm about 3 centimeters dilated, but I'm 90% effaced. He was like, “Oh. Hmm. This could change. We're going to send you to labor and delivery, but don't put it in your mind that you're having a baby today because this could stall.” He was like, “I've seen this stall so many times.” I was like, “How would this stall? I'm in so much pain.” He was like, “No. This could still stall.” I'm like, “Okay, whatever. I've PPROMd. I have no idea what I'm talking about. This is all new to me. Okay, fine. This can stall. This labor can stall, sure. Okay.”I am put in labor and delivery and my labor nurse looks at me. She was like, “You're going to be having this baby in a couple of hours. I don't know what your doctor is talking about.” She is bad-mouthing him so hard. She's like, “I don't know what he's talking about. This is insane.” She was like, “Listen, I know. I don't want you to be infected,” but she was like, “I am going to check you right now. There is no way that with the amount of pain you are in and your contractions are on top of each other.” She was like, “I'm going to check you. I'm going to call the anesthesiologist. We're going to get him in here. We're going to get you an epidural,” because I was in so much pain. Anyway, I can't believe it. This is where I'm like, “I wanted a natural birth?” So my anesthesiologist comes in right after my doctor had come in again to check me. He was like, “It's only been 30 minutes. Stop paging me.” Those were his exact words. “Stop paging me. It's only been 30 minutes.” And now, I've progressed to a 5. His eyes got really wide because before that, he yelled at my anesthesiologist, “You're not needed here. You need to leave. This is not happening,” like that. My nurse was like, “What?!”And then he checked me and he was like, “Umm, this is happening. I'm so sorry. Anesthesiologist, please come back in the room.” He's yelling, “Please come back into the room. Help her! This is happening and it's happening very, very fast.” They were like, “Where's your husband?” I was like, “Oh my gosh, my husband's not with me.” At this point, I'm panicking. He's not even with me.Meagan: Oh no!Lauren: Yeah and I'm like, “Oh my gosh, I've got to call him right now.” They were like, “Call him.” So I call him. I was like, “Listen, I know I called you an hour ago and things were progressing slowly, but you have to be here now.” He was like, “Lauren, I've got an hour and a half.” I was like, “Permission to speed. Permission to put your cute little sports car to work. Go fast.” He was there in 45 minutes. He showed up. They were like, “Hold the baby.” There are the funniest things that you remember. It's like, “Okay.” My epidural half-worked. I was still having pain, but it was this weird floating area of, “I can feel pain on my left side, but not on my right side,” and so it was this weird state of where I was. I'm actually kind of grateful for it because I still got that natural birth feeling that I wanted. I still very much felt the ring of fire and the birth and at the same time, I feel like the hard contractions were taken away.So it was a nice in-between that I felt. But as soon as my husband got there, my labor nurse was like, “Listen, Lauren. I just need to tell you that because of your long list,” here it comes again, “because of this long list, you might end up with a Cesarean. I want you to know that they are preparing for it.” This time now, I'm uncontrollably crying because this is not what I wanted. She was like, “I need to also tell you something else.” I was like, “What?” She was like, “There are going to be probably 12-15 people in this room as you give birth.” I was like, “What? How many people?”Meagan: Why? Why so many people?Lauren: Exactly, because it was a learning hospital. Meagan: Oh, okay. Lauren: My doctor had his two doctors and my labor nurse had three assistants, and then I had the NICU team for the baby, and that's what it was. So I had the NICU doctor plus his three assistants or residents, and then they brought people in to watch me have this VBAC after accreta and after hemorrhaging. I wanted to be fully present for this birth. I told the nurse, “I want to grab my baby and I want to pull my baby out. That's what I want. I want to pull him out. I want him out on my chest.” They were like, “Lauren, the realization of that happening– if he cries, sure. If he doesn't cry, we are so sorry. We have to take him. We have to.” I'm praying. Long story short, the baby comes straight out. I mean, he's 4 pounds. They estimated him to be 3 pounds, but he was 4 pounds. He comes out. I got to watch the whole thing with the mirror. I had one of those resident people taking pictures the whole time, so I got really good pictures of my birth and here he is. He's screaming, so he has healthy lungs. I was just so happy that he had healthy lungs. I was like, “Okay. We're good.” Anyway, I got to hold him for about one minute while we did delayed cord clamping, and then I had to hand him over. I didn't get to see him again for hours and hours which was really hard, but I had done it. I had done it and I had my VBAC. It was successful. I'm just so grateful through my whole entire story that it had gone the way I really wanted it to go. I feel like I was prepared for so many things. Right after he was born, they were like, “Okay, the placenta is not stuck, Lauren. There's no accreta. Check. Lauren, you're not hemorrhaging. Check. Now, we just have to stitch you up.” I remember him taking way too long to stitch me up, but I just remember what I always wanted. I was able to jump out of my bed. The epidural got turned off and I was able to get up and start walking within an hour and a half. That's the whole reason for me. I want this vaginal birth, but I want to be present whereas, for my Cesarean, it took me almost a full 12-24 hours before I could really get out of my bed. It's just very different and I'm very grateful. I'm very grateful for the information that I received through this podcast to help me get the birth story that I wanted. I'm hoping that my story can help some of you out there that are listening that maybe struggle with infertility and any of the same things I did. I hope I give you some hope. Meagan: Yes. Oh my gosh. So many miracles in your story. So many miracles.Lauren: So many. Meagan: From moving to Boston and finding the doctor that you did find because that in itself, there are so few doctors out there who even know much about this, and then to go through all that you did to get pregnant and then trusting that, “Okay. This baby is just wanting to be this way and this is the journey.” And then again, not getting pregnant and what a crazy thing that all of a sudden, you are pregnant after months and then years!Lauren: Mhmm. They did a pathology. They did testing on my placenta to see why this all happened and why I PPROMd. It was because, I don't even know what they are called, but the placenta has the phalanges that attach to the uterus and it pumps the vitamins and nutrients in. Mine were scarred over and adhesive. They had adhesives and they were swollen. He wasn't getting the proper nutrition that he needed, which was why he came early. I can't help but think, “Oh, maybe that's my Asherman's.” They tell me it's because of COVID because I had COVID.Meagan: That's another question I was going to ask. Have you had COVID? From what I have heard, even the vaccine, which is interesting how yours is linked to the opposite with starting your period. They are saying that COVID vaccines are related to changing cycles and things like that. But sometimes, if they get the vaccine, then they go into premature labor. We've been seeing a lot of people get COVID and then their placentas are just like, “Hey, I'm done,” and they send the message to the body that they need to have a baby. I'm curious. Maybe it's a little bit of all of it. I don't know. COVID stuff is all a mystery. It's all very a fascinating thing.Lauren: Well, I'll tell you that the NICUs are definitely full. The doctors are definitely telling people that it's because of COVID that so many of these women are having early, premature births. Meagan: So interesting. How long before did you have COVID?Lauren: I had COVID at Christmas and I PPROM'd in late February. He was born on February 23rd. Meagan: Crazy, so a couple of months. Lauren: A month and a half-ish. Meagan: Yeah. Interesting. So interesting. Well, I am so grateful for you for getting up at not even dawn, for getting up in the middle of the night to share your beautiful stories with us. We are so happy for you and grateful for you. I will promise you this. You are going to touch someone out there. I know you will. Lauren: Thanks. I really appreciate that and again, thank you so much for having me. ClosingWould you like to be a guest on the podcast? Tell us about your experience at thevbaclink.com/share. For more information on all things VBAC including online and in-person VBAC classes, The VBAC Link blog, and Julie and Meagan's bios, head over to thevbaclink.com. Congratulations on starting your journey of learning and discovery with The VBAC Link. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode covers Asherman's syndrome.Written notes can be found at https://zerotofinals.com/obgyn/gynaecology/ashermans/ or in the gynaecology section of the Zero to Finals obstetrics and gynaecology book.The audio in the episode was expertly edited by Harry Watchman.

In Episode 23 we talk with one of our lovely listener's Sally. After being on their trying to conceive journey for 10 months, Sally suffered through her first miscarriage and just a few short months later, another one after that. Wanting some answers Sally started exploring the route of IVF and underwent a hysteroscopy procedure where her surgeon discovered some unexplained scar tissue on her womb called asherman's syndrome. Fast forward another miscarriage, a laparoscopic surgery and the discovery of stage 3 endo Sally was feeling more than defeated. Sadly, her first 3 IVF rounds did not end in a single transfer and they felt like they were not receiving the best model of care from her ever so pricey fertility specialist. After changing clinics Sally and her partner finally had some successful results and they now have 2 beautiful girls that keep them on their toes. Sally's key take away from her very long and hard journey has been that just because one doctor thinks a certain way, doesn't mean that way is the right way. If you haven't already, please jump over to our Instagram page @infertilityandbeyond_ and show us some love!! & If you enjoyed this podcast don't forget to subscribe and leave us a glowing review!

Thank you to our episode sponsor Peanut, you can meet likeminded women, trying to conceive and find support. Be sure to visit peanut.app.link/fertilitypoddy or via your app store.  You'll hear from Dr. Ingrid Gran, Senior Research Fellow in Reproductive Medicine and a Consultant at The John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford talking about the reasons why miscarriages happen, explaining in more detail about chromosomal abnormalities and it's linked to female age. Listen in full here Zara Dawson shared her heartbreaking experience of having to have a medical termination which you can hear in full. We also heard from Jen Coates, the Director of Bereavement Care at Sands, the Stillbirth and neonatal death charity  explaining just how challenging dealing with Baby loss is for everyone involved and the peer to peer support they have created with bereaved parents who become ‘Befrienders' and that they also have an app you can get instant access to get the much-needed support you need. Listen in full here. We also talked Dr. Adrian Lower talking about Asherman's Syndrome which is caused by the surgical procedures women have to go through when they have a miscarriage,  it was part of a conversation was part of an earlier one with Guest host Katy Lindermann Emilie Jones-Ransley listen in full here And we also asked Kelly Da Silva, who has founded the Dovecote Childless Support Organisation about the immune tests she had ahead of further fertility treatment and how she then went ahead with treatment with immune therapy as well as intralipid infusions yet still miscarried and decided to stop treatment. Listen in full here SOCIAL MEDIA: @fertilitypoddy @yourfertilityjourney

This week, we hear from our guest presenter Katy Linderman in conversation with Emilie Jones-Ransley. We asked Katy to have this conversation for us as both ladies have had infertility struggles, due to thin lining issues and talk about being members of 'The Thin Lining Brigade' Missed Miscarriage Emilie talks about her experience of missed miscarriage and the surgery she had to had, to remove it ( https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/information/miscarriage/the-physical-process/ ( ERP C))and how after that she didn't feel right two months later and she had to have further treatment. She explains how traumatic this period of time was for her.  Katy shares her experience of also having to have an ERPC and the issues around her hormones levels being high, 5 weeks later and how awful the experience was as your body still thinks you are pregnant. Hysteroscopy Medical procedures can cause scaring and Emile talks about how she only found out by chance after having further fertility investigations by chance. A conversation with her doctor about her periods being regular saw Emilie being booked in for a https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hysteroscopy/ (hysteroscopy), a procedure to look at your uterus with a tiny camera to check your lining.  This was seven months after her second ERPC. Ashermans  Syndrome Emilie found out that half her Uterus was full of scars which means there is a layer of scaring on the endometrium meaning it doesn't shed properly. Both Katy and Emile talk in details about the types of blood changes in your period and how important it is to realise that if it has changed significantly as it could be a sign of Ashermans. Scaring almost makes it very difficult for an embryo to impact and it can also be dangerous and could cause a miscarriage. The scaring can be removed with a laser, however, in Emilie's case, they punctured her uterus. The A-listers Specific Doctors who specialise in these procedures. Medical insurance does cover miscarriage and gynaecology - as these surgeries can be covered. The Ashermans Facebook group shares a list of these people. Knicker Watch and IVF Permanently wanting your period and wanting ‘red blood' when you are having treatment for Ashermans or thin lining treatment. Emilie had three unsuccessful rounds of funded IVF and then they moved onto having further private rounds with PGS testing. After her fourth round, Emilie had the summer off and talks about the importance of having a break during treatment. They then attempted frozen embryo transfers but Emile was still struggling with lining issues. ‘Decent Lining' We're talking thickness and appearance as the ladies discuss that 'Triple' means -  three layers, so it looks white and the thickest part should be measured and ideally, for IVF it should preferably be 8 mm or above. Normal is 13 or 14mm. Both Katy and Emilie talk about feeling like they couldn't get off the starting line due to their lining issues and how difficult that is. Feeling like your body isn't working and the feelings of anger towards your body. Deciding to use a surrogate After 10 failed IVF rounds, Emilie and her husband decided to go down the surrogacy route with a Ukrainian Surrogacy and hope to bring their baby girl home in August. Dr. Adrian Lower  - Asherman's expert explains Adrian explains how Ashermans is caused and how it impacts the endometrium. We discuss the number of women who are diagnosed and undiagnosed and Adrian explains how and why Asherman's is largely unrecognized. It could be up to 5% or more of people who have surgical procedures and then have scarring. The problem is that people question if it exists and Adrian says he sees four or five people a week with the condition and how it is important that people look for it. Saline infusion scan or Hysteroscopy. Adrian explains how pumping saline into the womb to dilate it helps to see the scaring or tissue as does a hysteroscopy. Women don't realize as...

Emily submitted a great question to AskTheEggWhisperer.com: “What can I do to thicken my uterine lining? (I'm 37 and we've been TTC for over 6 months. Obgyn wanted me to try progesterone before going to specialist. My issue is a thin lining of 5mm. What can help my lining?” My answer to her was: Let's start by asking your doctor if Asherman's syndrome has been ruled out. An HSG, saline sonogram and hysteroscopy can all help make this diagnosis and ultimately may help treat it too. You can also add medications and supplements  like: estrogen, aspirin, l-arginine and vitamin E that may help. And get your TUSHY checked as well! #TUSHYMethod includes the 5 fertility tests you should do.  To hear the answer to 20+ other questions, tune in! Do you have questions about IVF?Click here to join Dr. Aimee for The IVF Class. The next live class call is on Monday, January 24, 2022 at 4pm PST, where Dr. Aimee will explain IVF and there will be time to ask her your questions live on Zoom.   Click to find The Egg Whisperer Show podcast on your favorite podcasting app.   Watch videos of Dr. Aimee answer Ask the Egg Whisperer Questions on YouTube.  Sign up for The Egg Whisperer newsletter to get updates Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh is one of America's most well known fertility doctors. Her success rate at baby-making is what gives future parents hope when all hope is lost. She pioneered the TUSHY Method and BALLS Method to decrease your time to pregnancy. Learn more about the TUSHY Method and find a wealth of fertility resources at www.draimee.org.

I spoke to the lovely Becca of @chickensbeforetheegg fame in October. Very grateful to her for sharing such a tough story and talking to us about two issues we haven't covered yet: molar pregnancy and Asherman's syndrome.Can't wait to hear what you think! Want to support the show? Why not buy me a coffee? ;)https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waiting4margotAll production, guest sourcing & liaison, website & social content, and sound editing are done by me, Natasha Saint-Geniès. :)Waiting for Margot:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waitingformargot/Website: http://www.waitingformargot.com/

This episode we are joined by Jessica Veit, IVF warrior and mom of one.    Jessica's infertility journey was long and full of complications. After 7 years, multiple doctors, 6 rounds of IUI's, and IVF treatments, she was finally blessed with her son. But unfortunately this wasn't the end of her difficult journey.   Complications delivering the placenta resulted in a DNC which left Jessica's uterus scarred. Just a few weeks later she began hemorrhaging. After another, more complicated surgery and a stay in the hospital, doctors told Jessica that she would likely develop Asherman syndrome where scar tissue in the uterus causes it to close.   Join us this week as Jessica shares her fertility story and talks about the challenges of living with Asherman's.    If you enjoyed this episode of the Pretty Little Tribe Podcast, make sure you rate us five stars wherever you're listening, and we'll see you next week!    Find Jessica: Instagram: @onesunnystory Follow us on Instagram! @prettylittletribe Music:  Miss Summer by Roa Music | https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031 Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US  

O episódio #30 do Podcast Sonho BemVindo, é o quarto da nossa edição especial: Scientific update. O Scientific update, aborda temas que são retirados das reuniões clínicas que acontecem com os nossos médicos, trazendo temas relevantes para a área de reprodução humana. O convidado especial de hoje é o Professor Dr. Carlos Simón, diretor científico da Igenomix Mundial e é um das figuras mais importantes no meio da Reprodução Assistida. Juntos, os especialistas abordaram: [01:20] Black box (Caixa preta). [02:31] Qual tempo médio que a janela de implantação fica aberta? [03:40] Qual é o valor sérico de progesterona, que as janelas começam a se abrir?[04:45] Quando o resultado do Teste ERA vem alterado pode haver alguma causa tratável?[05:57] Pacientes com síndrome de Asherman. [08:14] Indicação para o Tete PGT-A. [09:23] Artigo Cientifico “A verdadeira taxa de falha de implantação de recorrência é baixa”[11:18] O teste não invasivo vai substituir o teste com biopsia, no futuro? [12:55] Qual foi o maior desafio em sair da assistência médica e ir para área de pesquisa e inovação? [14:32] Como encontrar um equilíbrio para não fazer “tudo para todo mundo”? [16:50] Qual a visão para o futuro da medicina reprodutiva? Para saber mais sobre aEntrevista com Professor Dr. Carlos Simón, ouça o episódio completo em sua plataforma de áudio preferida ou em nosso YouTube (link na bio). Um conteúdo ARTE Academy e Clínica VidaBemVinda. #DarVidaASonhos

De menstruatie. Voor de ene vrouw is het iets waar ze nauwelijks over hoeft na te denken, voor de andere vrouw is het een maandelijks terugkerend probleem met buikpijn en stemmingswisselingen. Het is een onderwerp waarover heel veel vragen binnenkwamen, en gynaecoloog Mark Hans Emanuel geeft in deze podcast alle antwoorden. Is het wel zo natuurlijk om elke maand te menstrueren? En wanneer moet je met je klachten naar de huisarts of specialist? Luister naar deze aflevering en je weet alles. En: ook voor mannen erg leerzaam!  Mark Hans Emanuel is werkzaam in de Bergman Kliniek, deze kliniek heeft een samenwerking met het UMC Utrecht. Hij is gasthoogleraar aan de universiteit van Gent. Zijn speciale interesse heeft de ziekte van Asherman, een aandoening waarbij je juist minder menstrueert dan gebruikelijk.  Gezond Gesprek wordt gepresenteerd door Karine Hoenderdos en geproduceerd door Jonne Seriese namens Dag en Nacht Media. De tune is van The Yearlings. Abonneren op Gezond Gesprek kan via Itunes. En natuurlijk kun je (en dat vinden we fijn!) een recensie achterlaten. Ook kun je mailen naar gezondgesprek@gezondheidsnet.nl. Al voor € 1,50 per maand word je Vriend van de Show en steun je onze podcast.

De menstruatie. Voor de ene vrouw is het iets waar ze nauwelijks over hoeft na te denken, voor de andere vrouw is het een maandelijks terugkerend probleem met buikpijn en stemmingswisselingen. Het is een onderwerp waarover heel veel vragen binnenkwamen, en gynaecoloog Mark Hans Emanuel geeft in deze podcast alle antwoorden. Is het wel zo natuurlijk om elke maand te menstrueren? En wanneer moet je met je klachten naar de huisarts of specialist? Luister naar deze aflevering en je weet alles. En: ook voor mannen erg leerzaam! Mark Hans Emanuel is werkzaam in de Bergman Kliniek, deze kliniek heeft een samenwerking met het UMC Utrecht. Hij is gasthoogleraar aan de universiteit van Gent. Zijn speciale interesse heeft de ziekte van Asherman, een aandoening waarbij je juist minder menstrueert dan gebruikelijk. Gezond Gesprek wordt gepresenteerd door Karine Hoenderdos en geproduceerd door Jonne Seriese namens Dag en Nacht Media. De tune is van The Yearlings. Abonneren op Gezond Gesprek kan via Itunes. En natuurlijk kun je (en dat vinden we fijn!) een recensie achterlaten. Ook kun je mailen naar gezondgesprek@gezondheidsnet.nl. Al voor € 1,50 per maand word je Vriend van de Show en steun je onze podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today, Ali hears all about Rachel's long and winding road to motherhood, including her diagnosis of Asherman's Syndrome and the "missed miscarriage" she suffered at the beginning of her fertility journey. Rachel goes on to talk about all the things, including the frustrations of starting IVF in March 2020 right as the world was shutting down, a pregnancy that included placenta previa, and why, at one point, her doctor said to her, "Rachel, this organ, your uterus, is not serving you well, and I don't think you should ask any more of it." Listen until the very end, because Rachel's story also includes a surprise twist ending!EPISODE SPONSORS:FERTILITY RALLY LIVENo one should go through infertility alone. Our all-day virtual event is happening on 10/23. Get your tickets at https://www.accelevents.com/e/fertilityrallylivefall2021This fall's topics include infertility and mental health, male factor infertility, endo, environmental toxins, IVF abroad, recurrent miscarriage, late term loss, surrogacy, donor conception, pregnancy and motherhood after infertility and much more. The best part? If you can't make it live, your ticket gives you access to all sessions for 30 days after the event—so you can watch it all at your leisure!FIRST REPUBLICWith a best-in-class banking app that allows you to bank anywhere, anytime, and a dedicated personal banker when you need one-on-one service, First Republic is uniquely positioned to offer the best of both worlds. With this combination of personal attention and convenience, it's no wonder that First Republic Bank has a client satisfaction rating, two times the industry average.So whether you're opening a Personal Line of Credit or planning for your retirement, you can count on First Republic to be there for you, every step of the way. Visit FirstRepublic.com today to learn more. That's FirstRepublic.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.Support this podcast at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infertileafhttps://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Born with a crippling uterine birth defect (nonvascular uterine septum) and severe endometriosis. After seven miscarriages, eight surgeries, a false Asherman's Syndrome diagnosis, failed frozen IVF, experimental endometrial lining therapy and deep mental health struggles, Bethany finally conceived and delivered her daughter in 2016. Now she shares her story of feeling like a lost cause to inspire others. Despite the uterine septum and many other significant challenges, she conceived against all the odds.  Tune in for hope, inspiration and one hell of a story! “I literally delivered my fully-formed baby dead in a bedpan by myself.”  In this episode: Uterine Septum The realities of miscarriage The deep impact of miscarriage Asherman Syndrome - nearly Failed Frozen IVF (FET) Endometrial lining therapy The mental health and relationship struggles caused by infertility  You may also like: EP51 - Getting real and raw about miscarriage with Sam - https://yourfertilityhub.com/podcast-51-miscarriage-support/  EP11 - Rememberance for miscarriage and baby loss - https://yourfertilityhub.com/podcast-11-remembrance-for-miscarriage-and-baby-loss/ EP37 - Bianca's strategies for surviving infertility - https://yourfertilityhub.com/podcast-37-bianca-surrogacy/  Links mentioned in the podcast: Your Fertility Toolbox - Free resources, tools and exclusive community for emotional support during infertility - https://yourfertilityhub.com/toolbox/  Connect with us on social media: Join us on social media for our regular inspiration and information and so much more! Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/yourfertilityhub Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yourfertilityhub/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com.au/yourfertilityhub/  YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEG761nvI3WNT9J3j0IYw  For more insight, subscribe to the show for regular episodes and please leave a review on i-tunes so we can share the message and help more women find their way through and out of infertility. https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/your-fertility-hub/id1281991003?mt=2

On today’s podcast, I’m sharing an Ask The Egg Whisperer episode. CJ writes in after having a miscarriage. Here’s part of her question, “I’m 37 yrs old, have 13 months of infertility! I've been through the ANGEL method tests and nothing screams out – My periods are very light (not a new thing post-D&C) - only 1.5 days and 2 tsp of blood; often brown and small clots.  OB doesn't think this is an issue- called me "lucky.”  I'm trying baby aspirin and vitamin E this month, but I've tried baby aspirin in the past. Does a light period mean thin lining? Any thoughts?” Here are some of my thoughts for CJ, and anyone who is going through something similar. Listen to your gut. Your uterus is telling you a story. Your uterus is saying “pay attention to me.”  Of course, what I talk about here on Instagram and on The Egg Whisperer Show is just for educational purposes and not meant to replace medical advice from your personal physician. So if you're a patient of mine, I would say this: sounds like we need to rule out Asherman's syndrome. Asherman's Syndrome is when your lining gets really thin, and one of the risk factors for Asherman's syndrome is a D+C procedure. You also shared that even before the D+C maybe your lining was a little light. It's very possible that the thin lining is interfering with the healthy implantation and might increase your risk of having implantation issues and a miscarriage. To submit your own question to Dr. Aimee for a future episode of Ask The Egg Whisperer, click here.  Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more fertility tips! Join Egg Whisperer School

Like many women, Anna Buxton’s journey to motherhood was far more complicated and painful than she had ever realized was possible. Two missed miscarriages and subsequent surgeries to remove the pregnancies left Anna with severe scarring of the womb -- a condition known as Asherman’s Syndrome. Five operations over 16 months failed to correct the scarring and Anna was told that she would never be able to carry a pregnancy. Anna is now Mum to three children born through surrogacy. She is also part of the team behind a new non-profit UK surrogacy organization that is doing things differently – My Surrogacy Journey. About My Surrogacy Journey: My Surrogacy Journey is a UK surrogacy organization unlike anything that exists. We offer the most extensive emotional, practical, and logistical support that has ever been available to intended parents, surrogates, and egg donors for both domestic and international surrogacy. Listen to Anna as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her complicated and medically harrowing attempts to conceive. • After multiple miscarriages and surgeries, the decision to move to surrogacy. • The restrictions, and exceedingly long wait times, with surrogacy in the UK. • Looking at surrogacy in other countries. • Moving forward with surrogacy in India. • Going through a second journey in the US. • A double embryo transfer and twins. • Being inspired to give back and get involved with My Surrogacy Journey. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about My Surrogacy Journey: https://www.mysurrogacyjourney.com

In BONUS Episode 297 of Beat Infertility, Dr. Allison Rodgers answers six listener questions (endometriosis, Asherman's Syndrom, lean PCOS, and more) and then we discuss the diagnosis and treatment of male factor infertility. Infertility coach Heather Huhman helps warriors like you make scientifically-based, well-informed decisions about your next steps. To schedule your free 30-minute call, go to https://beatinfertility.co/hope.  

In BONUS Episode 297 of Beat Infertility, Dr. Allison Rodgers answers six listener questions (endometriosis, Asherman's Syndrom, lean PCOS, and more) and then we discuss the diagnosis and treatment of male factor infertility. Infertility coach Heather Huhman helps warriors like you make scientifically-based, well-informed decisions about your next steps. To schedule your free 30-minute call, go to https://beatinfertility.co/hope.  

Today's Anonymous Infertility Warrior is with Veronica. Veronica is an ambitious woman who never foresaw struggling to conceive naturally. Reconnecting after some years, Veronica and her husband dated and married. Self-proclaimed pro-science, Veronica was gung-ho about IVF treatment. Creating the perfect environment to carry new life was all she focused on. She was devastated, to say the least, when she experienced miscarriage after multiple egg retrievals. During an emergency D & C, it was discovered that Veronica had a mild case of Asherman's Syndrome. Asherman's syndrome, which is also referred to as intrauterine adhesions or intrauterine synechiae, occurs when scar tissue (adhesions) forms inside the uterus and/or the cervix. Asherman syndrome occurs primarily after a dilation and curettage performed for elective termination of pregnancy, a missed or incomplete miscarriage, or to treat a retained placenta after delivery. It may occur with or without hemorrhage after delivery or elective termination of pregnancy. Less often, it results after a dilation and curettage for a non-obstetrical procedure for excessive bleeding, sampling for endometrial cancer, or removal of endometrial polyps. It can also occur after surgery to remove uterine fibroids. In patients with persistent excessive uterine bleeding (hypermenorrhea), specific procedures to create these adhesions throughout the uterine cavity is the desired goal to control the bleeding.[3][4] These procedures are done to ablate the endometrium and create scarring. It may also occur in the developing world due to infections from schistosomiasis or tuberculosis(genital).  Links to things talked about: Visit the website to submit to be a guest on #AnonymousInfertilityWarriors (scroll to the bottom of "Homepage") Visit the website to submit to be a public guest on the show and share your story. Send letters to Monique at infertilitysndme@outlook.com If you enjoy Infertility And Me Podcast, subscribe now (it's free), and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like Infertility And Me Podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (maybe even two).  Affiliate Links: Meditate with Josephine Atluri Use promo CODE: MONIQUE for 25% off Natalist Prenatal for Her: The Natalist Prenatal for her was thoughtfully formulated with 21 high-quality, gentle ingredients to nourish and support your body at every stage of your pregnancy journey.‡ One month supply: 30 daily packs Vegan and gluten-free Made with optimal dosages of 21 high-quality, bioavailable ingredients including vegan DHA, choline, folate, iron, B6, B12, iodine, biotin, and selenium Free from milk, eggs, fish, crustacean, tree nuts, soybean, peanuts, wheat yeast, gluten, corn, sodium, sugar, starch, artificial coloring, preservatives, or flavoring Natalist Belly oil:  Light coconut and rosemary scent 4 fl. oz. bottle with easy-to-use spray pump Contains no parabens, phthalates, or sulfates and cruelty-free Formulated, produced, and packaged in a GMP-certified facility in Charleston, SC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emily submitted a great question to AskTheEggWhisperer.com: “What can I do to thicken my uterine lining? (I’m 37 and we’ve been TTC for over 6 months. Obgyn wanted me to try progesterone before going to specialist. My issue is a thin lining of 5mm. What can help my lining?” My answer to her was: Let’s start by asking your doctor if Asherman’s syndrome has been ruled out. An HSG, saline sonogram and hysteroscopy can all help make this diagnosis and ultimately may help treat it too. You can also add medications and supplements  like: estrogen, aspirin, l-arginine and vitamin E that may help. And get your TUSHY checked as well! #TUSHYMethod includes the 5 fertility tests you should do.  To hear the answer to 20+ other questions, tune in! To submit your own question to Dr. Aimee for a future episode of Ask The Egg Whisperer, click here.  Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more fertility tips! Join Egg Whisperer School

Dr. Jessica Opoku-Anane is a gynecologist who specializes in the minimally invasive treatment of fibroids, abnormal uterine bleeding, chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, intrauterine scarring (Asherman's syndrome), pelvic organ prolapse and ovarian pathology.Opoku-Anane's research interests include making gynecologic surgery safer and improving treatments for endometriosis and fibroids.In the episode, Dr Opoku-Anane talks about uterine fibroids and covers:Difference between uterine fibroids vs. endometriosis vs. adenomyosis, including the symptoms for eachUterine fibroid symptoms, diagnosis, and treatmentQuality of life and fertility impactQuestions to ask your doctorReferenced in the podcast:Take the HUM Nutrition Quiz and Use FEMPOWER to get 15% off your first $29+ order Leverage Fempower Health's find a doctor resource to find a minimally invasive surgeon (or other specialist)Learn more about endometriosis in this episode where I interview Dr Tamer SeckinFollow Fempower Health on Instagram.Share feedback by emailing me at georgie@fempower-health.comSpread the word. Women in the know is how we will transform women's health!NOTE: Fempower Health may receive a nominal fee for products purchased. The purpose of the podcast, however, is for education purposes only. Always go to a medical professional of your choosing.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/fempowerhealth)

Asherman syndrome youtube Gynwcologist Medical lectures

Asherman syndrome is intrauterine adhesions it causes hypomenorrhoea

Continued information on Asherman's, how it develops and the consequences. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dr-mcdaniel/message

In this episode, we are honoring pregnancy and infant loss awareness month. Caitlin and Sophia are digging in deep about this topic with OBGYN and Reproductive Endocrinologist Sasha Hackman, MD. While we know this may seem like a downer, this is purely to inform all of you about statistics, where pregnancy loss is most common, and how we can try to stop this from happening. We all realize most people don’t feel comfortable talking about this, but if this has happened to you, this is NOTHING to be ashamed about.  This is something that happens frequently. You are not alone, you do not need to keep your feelings to yourself, and you are not a failure. In this episode we are trying to educate more people to know how to approach situations like these, become more informed about miscarriages, to open up the conversation and how to hold space for someone who has gone through a pregnancy or infant loss.   Sasha starts talking about how women in early pregnancy can tell the difference between normal discharge or if they are having a pregnancy loss. She says that unfortunately, sometimes a miscarriage can be completely asymptomatic so many women do not find out until they go in for an ultrasound. Some symptoms do include cramping, vaginal bleeding, spotting, low back/ pelvic pain, and sometimes more. The symptoms are very nonspecific and can lead to stress especially with a woman who has had a miscarriage in the past. Truth be told, spotting is not necessarily normal when pregnant, but it is common. If you are having bleeding or spotting, there is a really good chance it is completely benign and will still lead to a healthy pregnancy! Additionally, discharge can be very normal and does not indicate a miscarriage at all.    We had a question about what normal HCG values would be for women before their first ultrasound, around 4-6 weeks pregnant. Sasha explained how HCG should be doubled, or at least increased, after the first few days. Sometimes women only see a 20% increase and will still have a healthy pregnancy. However, the typical minimum cut off where they are absolutely confident about a healthy pregnancy is 53% or more.    Sasha dives into telling us what the main cause is for early pregnancy loss. She say by far, the main cause is genetic abnormality. With technology now, they can do something called a “Microarrye Test” that doesn’t require them to culture a tissue, but instead, they can ID small, little deletions rather than chromosomal duplications or lack of entire chromosome. They have distinguished that at least 75% of pregnancy losses are because of chromosomal abnormality. This is practically nature’s way of removing and absorbing pregnancy that eventually would not result in a relatively healthy child. That being said it doesn’t make this loss any easier.   We asked if someone has experienced early pregnancy loss, what would be the medical model of care, when should they do extra testing, and do they have to experience multiple pregnancy losses before going through diagnostics. Sasha said that technically, there should be 2-3x more losses before you start evaluation. However, it is all patient orientated. If a patient wants to get tested after one loss, that’s great. If a patient has had over 3x miscarriages, doesn’t want any tests done at all, and still wants to try to get pregnant again on their own, then that is totally fine, it’s her autonomy. She describes her role as a reproductive endocrinologist and how they see pregnancy as a very sacred thing that doesn’t come easy to many people. They understand that one loss is too many and they want to see how they can prevent another loss. In this case, they will always do a workup for their patients. This mentality is how they (and us as dietitians) are trying to handle medicine now. They are trying to shift away from paternalistic mentality where the doctors just give recommendations based on past evidence. She says everyone’s body is different, so this “old school” way of thinking needs to get thrown out the window. It should always be about the patient and what they want. Catering to their needs can make a world of difference.    Frequency of pregnancy loss, you ask. Well, Sasha gives us a very descriptive answer on what is really going on in terms of how many miscarriages are happening. Even though this is a “loaded question”, the general number of pregnancy losses would be 12-15% of clinically recognized pregnancies (pregnancies actually recognized by an ultrasound). However, if you were to actually count, a lot of the miscarriages happen before that first ultrasound or before the couple even knows they are pregnant. If you were to combine the clinically recognized pregnancy losses with the clinically unrecognized losses, the incidence rate would be around 30-60%. This HUGE range depends on multiple factors such as age and pregnancy history.  If under 30 years, and you have already had a live birth and/ or abortion your changes of miscarriage is LOW at a 4-6%. Generally, if you are under 30 years of age, your chances are only 7-15%. If 35-39 years old, your risk is about 30% and if you are over 40 years, your risk is about 35-50%. If you have a history of pregnancy loss your risk for reoccurrence is about 25%. With each miscarriage, the risk will go up slightly and will usually plateau at 50%. Yes, this seems high, but there is STILL a substantial chance of a live birth! Sasha also says that there is not really a difference in natural conception, IUI, or IVF in terms of miscarriages. Pregnancy loss really just depends on medical and pregnancy history, and age. And unfortunately, age is the biggest prognostic factor and is NOT a modifiable one (say what?!).    Some other reasons why someone might miscarry other than genetic factors is Asherman’s syndrome, developmental abnormalities, translocation of chromosomes, and well as other disorders. Asherman’s syndrome is when some women develop scar tissue within their uterus which can be caused by a history of abortion or miscarriages and need a DNC or any other type of instrumentation of the uterus. This can increase risk of scar tissue, poor vascularization, and the risk of miscarriage. Probably the developmental abnormality of the uterus that increases the risk of miscarriages the most is called a septum. With this septum, there is not enough vascularization to support a pregnancy, which can easily be fixed by removing the septum, the procedure being minimally evasive, and a patient can go home after. Although not as common, the translocation in one of the parent’s chromosome, meaning two pieces of chromosomes switch in both parents’, causes chromosomal abnormalities which can lead to a miscarriage or having a child with a developmental disability. IVF with genetic testing is a good option for parents having this issue. Clotting disorders, endocrine disorders (poorly controlled diabetes), thyroid disease, luteal phase deficiency, PCOS, and age can also increase the risk of a pregnancy loss. These are known things that will increase risk before going into a pregnancy so Sasha always want to tell these patients to not get pregnant until they can optimize their conditions first so they can decrease risk of miscarriage in the future.   Chemical pregnancy versus miscarriage? Sasha explains that a chemical pregnancy is an actual pregnancy with the presence of HCG, but there is nothing in the ultrasound to show sac is being formed. On the other end, there is something called a “blighted ovum” meaning that there is a gestational sac present but no embryo present. Both of these conditions are considered spontaneous abortions. Again, with all of these conditions, whatever they may present as, women should not be ashamed with themselves because IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT.    Does obesity increase risk of miscarriage? Sasha tells us that studies have shown that once you are in the range of obesity it definitely increases the risk. There is a huge correlation there. Sometimes even very mild weight loss, even 5% of total body weight, will show improved outcomes in pregnancies. This is when it is important to remind women it is not just the weight that matters, it is their overall lifestyle. Being dietitians, we had a few things to say in regard to obesity and pregnancy. We want to tell our listeners that if you are a woman of a larger body size are not eating things that are helpful for fertility, that it is possible to change the way you are eating into a way that DOES support fertility. This will make your fertility completely transformed but your body size does not have to change. This is why the "just lose weight" statement from doctors is not realistic or the issue, we need to talk about how to change the diet and lifestyle with the nutrients that are going to support a healthy baby. Sometimes this will result in a natural weight loss. What we want is to get your hormones under control, blood sugar more regulated, thyroid supported, digestion under control, and stress and inflammation reduced. Sometimes body size will change and sometimes body size will not. Your chances of having a healthy pregnancy will be dramatically increased but it will not always impact your body size.     Let’s say you are experiencing a loss in pregnancy. What can you expect in terms of medical intervention, managing it on your own, and how long should you wait before seeking medical care? The best practices are giving the women the option between 3 interventions. Do nothing. Sit and wait to see if your body will take care of it on its own. Advantage: is there is minimal risk. Downside: if it doesn’t happen right away, you may be waiting several weeks to actually complete the miscarriage and even then, it might not happen, and intervention would be needed.  Medical intervention would involve medication like Misoprostol where it can be given orally/ vaginally. Downside: cramping is really intense. Advantage: avoid having to go into surgery. Another medical intervention would be having a plastic tube inserted into the uterus which would suck everything out. Advantage: all products of conception can go for genetic testing so you can get a better answer (especially now with “microarraye” testing) which really helps with closure for patients. Surgery: if you are experiencing hemorrhaging of if you develop an infection.    What is an ectopic pregnancy and how would someone know if they are having one?  Ectopic pregnancy is different than a miscarriage because the embryo is actually implanted outside of the uterus. There is medication to manage an ectopic pregnancy if the woman is stable, but if unstable, then surgery would most likely be needed. You can tell if its ectopic when you go into doctor’s office and the HCG levels are fairly low compared to what is expected. Also, if the HCG levels are high, then they wouldn’t be rising as quickly as it should. The suspicions would either be a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or sometimes it can even turn into healthy baby. (Wouldn’t it be nice if we could scoop up the ectopic pregnancy and plant it in healthy uterus???)   If someone has an early pregnancy loss, how long can they wait until they can start trying again? What about a further- along pregnancy loss (around 27 weeks)? Sasha says that for an early pregnancy loss the answer would be to start trying whenever you are emotionally and physically ready. Generally, she tells her patients to go for whenever they want, but it might be helpful to wait until they have their next period. For a further along pregnancy loss, also called a fetal demise, you really just want to give months for physical and emotional recovery and grieving. However, she really recommends looking into why this may have happened and if there is something specific that can be changed, then you want to work to see how you can change that and try to reduce risk for the next pregnancy.    Sasha explains that trying to prevent a miscarriage can be tough because the majority of the time it is chromosomal. Sometimes it can be stress related, which no one knows for a fact, but why they believe in this is because there is one intervention for recurrent pregnancy loss that’s called TLC (tender love and care). This is when they will bring patients in for weekly ultrasounds (or really whenever they just want it) to reassure them that their pregnancy is still viable and ongoing. Studies have shown that the live birth rate with this intervention is significantly higher. (Wow!) There is something to be said about constant reassurance, really being there for a patient, and allowing them to get as many ultrasounds that they need. This treatment may help you if you have been through a pregnancy loss more than once and might be scared it will happen again. Reassurance that everything is okay will reduce your stress. Staying active, staying distracted, including lifestyle interventions like proper sleep, mindfulness, mediation, eating whole foods, and doing things that make you feel good, will help you enjoy your pregnancy more, as well as taking care of your mental health and your growing baby.   To end on a happy note, to any woman who has gone through a miscarriage/ recurrent loss, the chances of you holding a baby in the next pregnancy is 70%. THAT’S HUGE. Just remember that and that will help bring you back some optimism.

This week I am talking to Sarah Gwonyoma who has a lot to share and jumps straight in, talking about her ectopic pregnancy and the removal of her fallopian tubes. After meeting her husband to be and moving to Fiji Sarah was surprised by how easily she conceived her son, Isaiah, who was born abdominally in a very supportive and respectful space. This joyful initiation into motherhood was followed by dark and difficult times. Sarah lost her twin pregnancy at around 12 weeks, underwent treatment for Asherman's syndrome and IVF. All of this was followed by the sudden and unexpected passing of her husband Tim while she was out of the country, about to undergo their finally IVF embryo transplant. Sarah has shared her story as a way of chipping away and shattering the silence around miscarriage and baby loss. Sarah shares her story with such openheartedness. I hope you enjoy listening in and connecting with Sarah's story.

Do you have Asherman syndrome? (also known as uterine scarring) Many women have scarring and this is a question I get asked often. When you’re ready, here are 3 ways I can help you finally get pregnant a healthier, easier, faster and more affordable way: 1. Get My FREE Simply Fertility Activation Checklist. Make sure you’ve ticked all the right boxes. Follow these simple steps on the path to pregnancy that many women overlook. Grab it here: http://heidibrockmyre.com/fertility-activation-checklist 2. Save your seat: Join my FREE Online Masterclass: My #1 Fertility Secret to Getting Pregnant Now Without IVF or Drugs Want to know the exact steps I teach my clients to finally get pregnant even after they had tried everything else? Learn my method to renew your faith in your ability to conceive and take back control of your body and health. (And if you are using fertility treatment, this will work for you too.) Click here to save your seat: http://heidibrockmyre.com/fam-webinar 3. Get on the list: The doors to my signature program Fertility Activation Method are opening soon. Get on the waitlist here: http://heidibrockmyre.com/fam Let’s get you happy, healthy and holistically pregnant already! 

Welcome to Episode 3 My guest today is Toyin Lolu-Ogunmade. She went through infertility journey of 13 years and had her twins through Surrogacy in India. She had several surgeries and treatment to resolve Fibroids, PCOS and Asherman's syndrome (adhesions that resulted from fibroid surgeries). During her 2 year stay in India, she trained as a fertility counsellor. The training equipped her with the necessary education and hands on learning she needed to start a fertility management  consultancy. Upon her return to Nigeria, She founded Precious Conceptions; Nigeria's foremost holistic Family Building Consultancy. They provide services in areas of Fertility counselling, Fertility  specialist referrals, wellness, ovum donor and gestational surrogacy management. She is the author of the book; Mom At Last, which details her journey with Infertility. You can contact Toyin via email: info@preciousconceptions.com and via Instragram @toyinloluogunmade Remember to subscribe, leave a review and give this podcast a 5*rating to help spread more awareness about In(Fertility).  Follow me on Instagram @fertilityconversations Read my blog : www.fertilityconversations.com

Alicia Young (aka AP) is a writer, blogger and public speaker who lives her life out loud and unfiltered. She has built her platform to include in-depth, first-hand experiences of mental health concerns, body diversity, being a special needs mom (one of her sons has Tourette’s syndrome, ADHD, and is on the autism spectrum), and navigating life with chronic illness and disability (including autoimmune disease and osteoarthritis). Like Lauren, she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease — but by the time she was treated, she had to have her thyroid removed because it had formed a goiter. Additionally, she has had harrowing birth experiences as a plus-size Black woman, and candidly shares her story — from multiple miscarriages to birth itself — here. Alicia has a vested interest in teaching plus size women how to advocate for their health care in the face of weight-discriminatory culture in healthcare (and beyond). As a fat woman living with disability, she has been told she has to lose weight (via a gastric sleeve) before she will be given a much-needed hip replacement — and has been navigating the experience with grace, honesty, and total candor. AP also has a passion for fashion and beauty, specifically for women of extended sizes. Through her blog and social media platforms, she encourages and inspires women to shed stereotypes and step out of the boxes society has dictated for them — whether they exist in larger bodies, or not. Tune in as Alicia shares: that she was diagnosed with seep apnea in 2010 that in 2016, she started having pain in her body during a pregnancy — and was diagnosed with osteoarthritis that she grew a goiter in her neck and was later diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease that she miscarried her son’s twin and has had 8 miscarriages, as well as a blighted ovum that despite all her miscarriages, no doctors ever flagged fertility issues in her medical file until she had her last son the medical PTSD she developed in relation to her fertility because of her many miscarriages that fat women have to fight harder to be treated normally when it comes to pregnancy — because so many doctors resort to C-sections before they become necessary that as a fat Black woman, she has been discriminated against in multiple medical scenarios — from being told to lose weight, to being put on unnecessary medications, to being ignored and not believed (re: pain, labor, and more), to procedures performed while she was unconscious that were not communicated — to facing her own mortality that in hindsight, many of her later birth experiences were likely influenced by mounting thyroid concerns that she developed Asherman’s syndrome in the midst of her pregnancy issues how her weight, age, and race played into delays in treatment tantamount to medical malpratice that she’s been told she needs a hip replacement because of her osteoarthritis, but her doctors are requiring her to get a gastric sleeve (to lose weight medically) in order to give her the replacement how she feels about weight loss surgery as a proud fat woman — and how this new experience relates to her struggles with eating disorders how food deserts affect health — and how food deserts often surround Black communities and communities of color why it’s so important to know your family medical history why she uses mobility aids what it’s like to be a special-needs mom in the midst of her many personal health concerns that she’s been committed to the psych ward before (for a week, about a decade ago) — and recognizes the importance of mental health in her total wellness journey her tips for living a full, self-aware life — from one’s own health, to being a special needs momma

In BONUS Episode 260 of Beat Infertility, Dr. Allison Rodgers answers six listener questions (egg quality, Asherman's syndrome, PCOS, and more) and then we discuss Mullerian anomalies. If you need additional support, consider joining Hope University or our Infertility Warrior Tribe. For details on both, please visit https://beatinfertility.co/hopeu.  

In BONUS Episode 260 of Beat Infertility, Dr. Allison Rodgers answers six listener questions (egg quality, Asherman's syndrome, PCOS, and more) and then we discuss Mullerian anomalies. Infertility coach Heather Huhman helps warriors like you make scientifically-based, well-informed decisions about your next steps. To schedule your free 30-minute call, go to https://beatinfertility.co/hope.  

Hello! Are you a new listener? It might be better to go back and start from the beginning - you'll get to know us better that way.Emilie Ransley thought she had won her infertility battle: after pregnancy loss, Asherman's syndrome and 10 rounds of IVF, she and her husband opted to use a surrogate in Ukraine. It was good news - until Coronavirus hit and Ukraine closed its borders. Emilie talks about what happens next. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick get a second opinion, while Professor Tim tackles unexplained infertility.Some swears. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In Episode 231 of Beat Infertility, Cordelia shares her triumph over Asherman's Syndrome. Infertility coach Heather Huhman helps warriors like you make scientifically-based, well-informed decisions about your next steps. To schedule your free 30-minute call, go to https://beatinfertility.co/hope.

I'm delighted to be joined by Dr. Jessica Mann for a discussion about Asherman's Syndrome. As a fertility doctor at IRMS Reproductive Medicine in New Jersey, Dr. Mann is sharing her professional expertise and personal experience with Asherman's Syndrome.    Also known as "intrauterine scarring," Asherman's is an acquired condition (meaning you're not born with it). Some patients with Asherman's have difficulty getting pregnant. The good news is that there are ways to diagnose this syndrome and treatments are available. I'm excited to have Dr. Mann explain both to us tonight.   Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more fertility tips! Join Egg Whisperer School Subscribe to the podcast Subscribe to the newsletter to get updates

Welcome back to our weekend Cabral HouseCall shows! This is where we answer our community's wellness, weight loss, and anti-aging questions to help people get back on track! Check out today's questions:  Makenzie: Hello!My name is Makenzie, I have been listening to the Cabral Concept for years and have learned so much! I am not sure if I am asking this question on the right platform but I don’t have Facebook so therefore can’t be a part of that private group. I had my third baby a year and a half ago and hemorrhaged pretty badly after and had to have a d & c to retrieve a piece of my placenta that was left behind after the birth. Fast forward a year and a half and I still haven’t gotten my period back, but I have cyclic pains as if they were a period. I have tentatively been diagnosed with Ashermans ‘a Syndrome but it hasn’t been confirmed through a hysteroscopy. My doctor wants me to go on estrogen supplements for two months and then go on for a hysteroscopy, but I am wondering if there is another way. I recently started taking systemic enzymes in hopes that it would clean up the scar tissue that may have built up. I have been reading that there are some aruveydic herbs that might help. I am just wondering if anyone in your office has any experience with anything like this.Thank you!! K: Hello Stephen,What is your opinion on children taking polyethylene glycol solution (PEG)? My child was diagnosed with a bowel obstruction and an enlarged large intestine. She has been recommended to take PEG daily for the next 6 months to help reduce the size of her colon.Since an initial intestinal cleanse, mega dosing PEG, her bowel motions are now very loose and multiple times a day. She has completed the parasite and CBO products before. She has a very high fibre diet, mostly cooked and puréed vegetables, legumes, chicken, fruit and nuts & seeds.What would your advice be for treatment and prevention of future bowel obstructions? And also what is your advise regarding her loose stools.Thanks Leslie: I was working with Julia and she said I should ask you, Dr Cabral. I don’t methylate my Bs, according to a DNA test. I have mold toxicity and did the Equilibirum mold protocol retook the mold test, and unfortunately, my mold count went up, so I may have been around new mold or possibly just having problems getting it out of my system.It was suggested I sweat more and also take a B Complex. When I take it, my body odor smells terrible after a few days. I used Dr Google to figure this out, but only came up with a smell for some people of “fish”. My armpits don’t smell like fish..I’m talking terrible and I’m a woman. So, I stopped taking it, stopped smelling bad, and tried it again a few weeks later and voila…not showered smell is back. So I stopped taking it. Any thoughts?I take the daily foundational shake mix, omega, probiotic, green drink and don't have that smell. Stephanie: I have a question regarding my 11 year old son. We recently found out that he has low IGF-1 and growth hormone serum. My MD is more holistic and has pulled lots of blood work to test thyroid, celiac, blood sugar, zinc copper ratio and more and all other results are normal . We have seen an endocrinologist who wants to do a growth hormone stimulation test and potentially start growth hormone injections. I don't love the idea of this, wanting to know your take. Can he increase his IGF-1 and growth hormone naturally or might injections be necessary? Could there be a "root cause" we should be looking into as to why his numbers are low? Wanted to add that I heard your podcast about increasing IGF-1 by fasting and let you know that he does fast one Sunday a month religiously already. Thanks so much! Pam: I just received some lab results back however I don't quite understand them and I'm not sure what to do next for a correct diagnosis. I have been dealing with a lot of joint pain for approximately 6 months I spoke to a physician at Dr. On Demand due to the fact my pcp doesn't take things seriously unless you are dying I believe. My insurance covers Dr. On Demand completely so I had them order the blood work. My results show a positive speckled ana titer test , I would attach it but it doesn't appear that I can through this process. I hope you can help me!!!Thank you!!!Pam   Thank you for tuning into today's Cabral HouseCall and be sure to check back tomorrow where we answer more of our community’s questions!  - - - Show Notes & Resources: http://StephenCabral.com/1527 - - - Get Your Question Answered: http://StephenCabral.com/askcabral   - - - Dr. Cabral's New Book, The Rain Barrel Effect https://amzn.to/2H0W7Ge - - - Join the Community & Get Your Questions Answered: http://CabralSupportGroup.com - - -   Dr. Cabral’s Most Popular Supplements: > “The Dr. Cabral Daily Protocol” (This is what Dr. Cabral does every day!) - - - > Dr. Cabral Detox  (The fastest way to get well, lose weight, and feel great!) - - - > Daily Nutritional Support Shake  (#1 “All-in-One recommendation in my practice) - - - > Daily Fruit & Vegetables Blend  (22 organic fruit & vegetables “greens powder”) - - - > CBD Oil  (Full-spectrum, 3rd part-tested & organically grown) - - - > Candida/Bacterial Overgrowth, Leaky Gut, Parasite & Speciality Supplement Packages - - - > See All Supplements: https://equilibriumnutrition.com/collections/supplements  - - -   Dr. Cabral’s Most Popular At-Home Lab Tests: > Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (Test for mineral imbalances & heavy metal toxicity) - - - > Organic Acids Test (Test for 75 biomarkers including yeast & bacterial gut overgrowth, as well as vitamin levels) - - - > Thyroid + Adrenal + Hormone Test  (Discover your complete thyroid, adrenal, hormone, vitamin D & insulin levels) - - - > Adrenal + Hormone Test (Run your adrenal & hormone levels) - - - > Food Sensitivity Test (Find out your hidden food sensitivities) - - - > Omega-3 Test (Discover your levels of inflammation related to your omega-6 to omega-3 levels) - - - > Stool Test (Use this test to uncover any bacterial, h. Pylori, or parasite overgrowth) - - - > Genetic Test (Use the #1 lab test to unlocking your DNA and what it means in terms of wellness, weight loss & anti-aging) - - - > Dr. Cabral’s “Big 5” Lab Tests (This package includes the 5 labs Dr. Cabral recommends all people run in his private practice) - - - > View all Functional Medicine lab tests (View all Functional Medicine lab tests you can do right at home for you and your family!)

On this episode host Allison talks with Camille Pendley and Laura Asherman. Pendley is the director of The Home Team Film. Asherman is co-director and director of photography for the film.  They discuss the documentary which details the story of residents who live in Vine City and English Avenue, two areas located in Atlanta's westside. The importance of Tracy Bates in the film and the impact of Mercedes Benz Stadium on the community. They also discuss the social issues addressed in the film. The Who's that Lady (from History)? is Jane Jacobs. Resources: The Home Team Film

The field of reproductive medicine is about much more than in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination. Patients may require surgery for an array of uterine conditions, including fibroids, polyps, chronic endometritis, and Asherman's disease. The good news is that many of these procedures, including a hysteroscopy, can now be done as outpatient procedures in the doctor’s office, making it more comfortable, less intimidating, and often less expensive than in the hospital.In this episode, John Preston Parry, M.D., fertility specialist and director of Positive Steps Fertility, joins host Mark P. Trolice, M.D., to breakdown when women would need a hysteroscopy and how it is performed. Dr. Parry also discusses other diagnostic and operative procedures to detect and treat uterine conditions affecting a woman’s fertility.Tune in to discover:What a hysteroscopy is and why it is performedThe differences between hysteroscopy and laparoscopyThe drawbacks of a hysterosalpingogram (HSG)Why women get less accurate, more painful OB-GYN care as a result of disparities in access to technologyA breakdown of different uterine conditions that can cause infertility and the procedures to treat them

In this new series, we are investigating the major causes of infertility. In this episode, I spoke with my infertility warrior friend, Kelsie, who shares her experience with miscarriage, infertility, and her diagnosis of Asherman Syndrome. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for listening to our podcast! I hope that by talking about what we've been though, others who may be struggling with infertility know they are not alone. Whether you're interested in our journey or you're seeking information to begin your own, I hope this podcast is both informative and entertaining! If you are looking for infertility support or advice, visit www.theinfertilitea.com. IG: @operationbabybump YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/operationbabybump  ---------------------------------------------------------------- About Me: I met my husband in 2009, we married in 2010, and we've been a couple of parental wannabes ever since. Years of trying to conceive have brought confusion, frustration, sadness, bitterness, and heartache. We've gone through multiple failed fertility treatments over the years, including an IUI and three rounds of IVF, multiple canceled cycles, seven losses, and still seem to be no closer to getting pregnant (and staying pregnant) than when we first started. Our only option now is to keep going and never give up on our dreams of becoming parents.   Music Credit: "Teddy Bear Waltz" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Deb is the Founder and CEO of Embryo Connections. She personally manages matching families looking for a future for their remaining embryos, with those turning to embryo donation to conceive. Tune in as Deb talks about: -Why she left her high-powered position managing brands and launching new products for companies such as Quaker Oats and Coca Cola to pursue her passion of helping to create families. -The moment she realized that life doesn’t have to go in order—meet person of dreams, get married, have baby—and decided to become a single-mom-by-choice. -The heartbreaking story of how an egg retrieval with 60(!) eggs still didn’t result in a child. -Her difficult experience with a miscarriage and a chemical twin pregnancy. -Her diagnosis of Asherman’s Syndrome and how it affected her ability to carry a baby. -How her amazing infertility journey led her into starting Embryo Connections and then helping so many other people have families! -How she is addressing embryo donation with her son. To hear another great podcast episode about embryo donation, tune into Episode 16: One More Shot - Noah and Maya (https://soundcloud.com/iwtpabiy/episode-16-one-more-shot-maya-and-noah). Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com 
Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com
Learn more about Embryo Connections: embryoconnections.org/

Collision Course Conversations are deeper, authentic discussions with my community about their journey to achieve success leveraging the 4F Model illustrated in my book, Collision Course. Cozy up and learn about real people with real stories doing incredible things in the world!

In the episode, Lauren Brunswick Turner walks us through her experiences with PCOS, miscarriages, failed IVF's, scarring, and 100 eggs retrieved! Not until she took control of her own body, did she ultimately conceive naturally. This was a huge surprise as she was meeting her surrogate the same day she took a pregnancy test.  Lauren's journey defines why it's so important to do your homework and read your medical records. In the episode, Lauren mentions her doctor that specializes in intrauterine scarring (Asherman’s Syndrome) and believe if it wasn't for his expertise she might not have been able to get pregnant again. Here is his information: Dr. March https://www.havingbabies.com/about-hrc/staff/charles-m-march-md/ You can reach Lauren via email. She is a book of knowledge and will do her best to guide you in the right direction. Any question, she will probably know.  laurengbrunswick@gmail.com   This episode is sponsored by my FREE Fertility Yoga Pose E-Book. Download my 10 Favorite Fertility Yoga Poses to help guide you on your path to conception. These poses are designed for all levels of yogis. The intention behind these poses is to help start you on a daily fertility yoga routine. 

Team BFN are back for their second series.Emma gives us an update on her pregnancy, while Gabby takes her first steps in IVF. They talk to Clare Johnson, who discusses her experiences of Asherman's and her subsequent decision to use a surrogate, while Professor Tim Child of Oxford Fertility is on hand to explain whether jumping up and down before sex will really put your cervix in a better position for conception.Some swears. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hi everyone, Thanks for joining us again, this week I am joined by my colleague Prof Yee Leung, Head of Gynaecological Oncology in Western Australia, to discuss the obstetric and surgical aspects of managing the patient with an abnormally invasive placenta (accreta / increta / percreta). Please join us, listen to our conversation on the podcast and let us know if you have any comments or questions. Definitions: Accreta = the chorionic villi are in contact with the myometrium (78%) Increta =  the chorionic villi invade the myometrium. (17%) Percreta = the chorionic villi penetrate the uterine serosa. (5%) Risk factors: Previous caesarean delivery: The authors of one study found that in the presence of a placenta previa, the risk of placenta accreta was 3%, 11%, 40%, 61%, and 67% for the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth or greater repeat cesarean deliveries, respectively. Placenta previa (without previous uterine surgery): 1–5% risk of placenta accreta. Any condition resulting in myometrial tissue damage followed by a secondary collagen repair, eg myomectomy, vigorous curettage resulting in Asherman syndrome, submucous leiomyomas, thermal ablation , and uterine artery embolization. ACOG https://www.acog.org/Clinical-Guidance-and-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Obstetric-Practice/Placenta-Accreta RANZCOG https://www.ranzcog.edu.au/RANZCOG_SITE/media/RANZCOG-MEDIA/Women's%20Health/Statement%20and%20guidelines/Clinical-Obstetrics/Placenta-Accreta-(C-Obs-20)-Review-March-2014,-Amended-November-2015.pdf?ext=.pdf Diagnosis - Imaging Modalities: https://radiopaedia.org/articles/placenta-accreta USS or MRI Surgical management Surgical management of placenta accreta: to leave or remove the placenta? A Perez-Delboy, JD Wright 2014 Timing of Delivery Placenta Accreta: When is the optimal time to deliver? Manual Aortic Occlusion Our podcast discussion on this topic Interventional Radiology 3) REBOA during unexpected uterine rupture https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5628233/ 2) Comment urging caution before embracing interventional radiology techniques: http://www.obstetanesthesia.com/article/S0959-289X(16)30075-9/pdf Communication and Having an Effective Team Fostering a culture of safety: The OR team huddle Conservative Management Leaving the placenta in situ, Methotrexate, En bloc resection, Hysteroscopic resection

En el 33º congreso anual de la Sociedad Europea de Reproducción Humana (ESHRE por sus siglas en inglés) celebrado en Ginebra se ha presentado un prometedor estudio en el que se han utilizado células madre para hacer crecer endometrios atróficos.El resumen del artículo se puede citar aquí:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/27005892/?i=1&from=CD133+%20bone%20marrow-derived%20Asherman’s%20syndrome%20and%20endometrial%20atrophy:%20a%20pilot%20cohort%20st

In Episode 66 of Beat Infertility, Rachel shares an update on her journey with Asherman's Syndrome and Protein S deficiency.  Infertility coach Heather Huhman helps warriors like you make scientifically-based, well-informed decisions about your next steps. To schedule your free 30-minute call, go to https://beatinfertility.co/hope.

Our success story today is Candace, who has a daughter via surrogacy after many ups and downs.  Her story includes her husband’s brain tumor, several failed IUI and IVF rounds, many rounds of Clomid, several surgeries, uterine cancer, a hysterectomy, plans for adoption, and finally---the switch to surrogacy.  Candace’s unusual story also involves being documented for an MTV special, closing the door to reproductive assistance, and using Facebook to raise the needed funds for adoption.  You’ve never heard a more intriguing infertility story, so join us to hear more from Candace! Words of Hope:  Seek help and resources.  Explore EVERY option.  DON’T let a doctor say NO.  Do your research, join support groups, and read blogs. Advocate for yourself. We are also following Rachel’s story.  Rachel lives in the UK; she got married, planned a family, and “just thought it would happen.”  Rachel has had four miscarriages, all in the early stages of pregnancy.  She has been diagnosed with “protein S deficiency,” which is a blood-clotting disorder.  Rachel is also dealing with Asherman’s Syndrome, which results in scars and fibroids from aggressive scraping during a D&C.   Rachel is hopeful that further treatments will work for her, and has written a book as a way to better connect with other women about staying positive on this journey to BEAT INFERTILITY.  

Our success story today is Candace, who has a daughter via surrogacy after many ups and downs.  Her story includes her husband's brain tumor, several failed IUI and IVF rounds, many rounds of Clomid, several surgeries, uterine cancer, a hysterectomy, plans for adoption, and finally---the switch to surrogacy.  Candace's unusual story also involves being documented for an MTV special, closing the door to reproductive assistance, and using Facebook to raise the needed funds for adoption.  You've never heard a more intriguing infertility story, so join us to hear more from Candace! Words of Hope:  Seek help and resources.  Explore EVERY option.  DON'T let a doctor say NO.  Do your research, join support groups, and read blogs. Advocate for yourself. We are also following Rachel's story.  Rachel lives in the UK; she got married, planned a family, and “just thought it would happen.”  Rachel has had four miscarriages, all in the early stages of pregnancy.  She has been diagnosed with “protein S deficiency,” which is a blood-clotting disorder.  Rachel is also dealing with Asherman's Syndrome, which results in scars and fibroids from aggressive scraping during a D&C.   Rachel is hopeful that further treatments will work for her, and has written a book as a way to better connect with other women about staying positive on this journey to BEAT INFERTILITY. Infertility coach Heather Huhman helps warriors like you make scientifically-based, well-informed decisions about your next steps. To schedule your free 30-minute call, go to https://beatinfertility.co/hope.  

Ali's guest this week is Leah, an incredible woman whose story has so many twists and turns that it seems like a movie. But it's not. It's her real life. Her journey, which she is still in the midst of, includes blocked fallopian tube surgery, a tragic miscarriage and a diagnosis of Asherman's Syndrome. (Never heard of it? She hadn't either.) Through it all, she says: "There've been setbacks, but then there've been miracle moments where things aligned and it was a clear sign for me: 'Don't give up. Keep going.'" Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations