The winter solstice reminds us that even in the darkest season, the light begins to return. In this episode of the Love and Science Podcast, Dr. Erica reflects on the symbolism of light overcoming darkness and how this truth can offer comfort and perspective during the fertility journey. Drawing from personal experience, seasonal rhythms, and wisdom traditions, she explores how hope and possibility can exist even when the path feels uncertain. This conversation is an invitation to soften into...
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The winter solstice reminds us that even in the darkest season, the light begins to return. In this episode of the Love and Science Podcast, Dr. Erica reflects on the symbolism of light overcoming darkness and how this truth can offer comfort and perspective during the fertility journey. Drawing from personal experience, seasonal rhythms, and wisdom traditions, she explores how hope and possibility can exist even when the path feels uncertain. This conversation is an invitation to soften into...
The winter solstice reminds us that even in the darkest season, the light begins to return. In this episode of the Love and Science Podcast, Dr. Erica reflects on the symbolism of light overcoming darkness and how this truth can offer comfort and perspective during the fertility journey. Drawing from personal experience, seasonal rhythms, and wisdom traditions, she explores how hope and possibility can exist even when the path feels uncertain. This conversation is an invitation to soften into...
Have you ever felt like you suffered in silence? Like no one else understood your situation or your struggles? Dr. Trina Dorrah is a certified physician coach who shares her experience of the fertility journey before she discovered coaching. She shares: how coaching tools could have helped her navigate the process with much less shame, blame, self-judgment, and overwhelmmindset shifts which could be applied to women physicians undergoing this processher eating disorder journey including tak...
What is the hardest part about forgiving ourselves? How can we better support physicians navigating trauma and burnout? Join us as we welcome the insightful and inspiring Dr. Kathy Gibney, a mentor, friend, and PhD psychologist whose career spans decades of dedication to physician wellness. Dr. Kathy shares her wisdom on the emotional landscape of medicine and the powerful simplicity of genuine human connection. Topics we discuss: Building relational trust in medicineAddressing moral ...
Dr. Sarah Wittry was just a resident when she realized she and her husband had infertility. In this deeply personal and reflective episode, she shares: her initial journey of unsuccessful fertility treatments and deciding to pivotthe heartache of navigating her fertility journey without emotional supportbeing open to many different pathways to parenthoodhow she wished she had discovered self compassion soonerher experience with IVF towards the end of her journeyhow she grounds herself daily t...
Is the holiday season, especially while navigating a fertility journey, stealing your joy? Learn practical, actionable strategies to manage stress, set boundaries, and cultivate moments of joy, even when faced with expectations and triggers. Discussion Points: How to define joy and cultivate more of itTips for preventing triggers and also dealing with them in real timeSuggestions on setting boundariesUnderstanding gratitude and how it relates to stress management My goal is for you to...
Choosing between a Fresh and a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)? Join us as we explore the history, current success rates, and the specific clinical and practical reasons why one approach might be better for your unique situation. Topics Covered: The evolution of IVF success rates and the role of freezing technologyClinical indications for a Freeze All/FETPractical factors like cost savings and streamlined timing/efficiencyNatural, Modified Natural, and Fully Medicated Cycles As research continu...
Love & Science Fertility was founded two years ago this November. I’m deeply grateful for everyone who listens to this podcast, trusts me to walk with them on their fertility journey, and for the community of professionals who help bring this mission to life. Sunny Smith graciously shares her wisdom and experience on today's episode, both in terms of her personal and ongoing journey finding wellness as well as how she empowers other women physicians to do the same. We discuss the fo...
Have you ever wondered what will happen if your fertility treatments don't end up working? If at some point you decide to stop treatments and live a childfree life? I believe deeply that we need to consider these questions much earlier in the process. It does not mean that we are giving up, but rather that there are many meaningful ways to live this life, both with and without children. Lana generously shares her journey with us, in terms of the following: her IVF journey which did not ...
Have you ever been told that your rheumatologic disease precluded you from trying to conceive? Or that the medications you needed were unsafe in pregnancy and that would dictate your trajectory? Or that nothing could be done for your diminished ovarian reserve in the context of a rheumatologic diagnosis? Please join us today as we challenge previously held assumptions about the following: The crossover between infertility and rheumatologic disease, and the "why" of it all Diagnosis...
In this very moving and powerful episode, my mentor, Dr. Una, shares her wisdom so generously with our community. We discuss the following: her mission of helping 100,000 physicians live life on their own terms possibility thinking mindset work for creating belief and then massive resultscultivating your "A" teamthe power of communityWe can be vision boards for each other, if we allow ourselves to dream. Guest Details Dr. Nneka Unachukwu is the founder of EntreMD, a company o...
Can you really “test” your fertility? Is everything you’ve heard about fertility assessments kind of a myth? This week I’m revealing why “fertility testing” isn’t what most people think it is and how they don’t actually define your fertility or your worth. Topics in this episode: AMH numberssemen analysisanatomy scansholistic care and coaching toolsturning survival mode off You’ll leave with more clarity, more hope, and the sense that you’re not as far off as you think. Listen to find...
Today's episode is very dear to me-- a Love and Science graduate shares her successful fertility journey. Although she joined less than a year prior to the date of this recording, her next transfer was successful, and now she is a mother. Please listen with the understanding that someone just like you has walked this journey and, with the help of a trusted guide, is on the other side of parenthood--whole, supported, and grateful. We discuss the following: her personal story prio...
Have you ever done an IVF cycle and lost a good amount of your hair? Or suffered from adult acne which you don't remember ever having before? Or how about noticing new wrinkles and gray hair and being told you can't use certain products like Botox, Retin A or hair dye? How can you feel good in your own skin while going through this process? In this episode we discuss: hair loss and strategies to prevent ithormonal acne and safe and effective treatmentsBotox and fillers Melasma ...
Have you ever asked your fertility physician if you should eliminate gluten and/or dairy? Have you wondered if your diet and gut health are optimal enough for a successful outcome? Have you done all of the elimination diets and then beat yourself up after having a pastry or something similar? You are not alone. The majority of people in your situation have these recurrent thoughts, and the question is--how do we sort what is evidence-based and what is not? How do we live our lives with some e...
This episode explores the complex factors behind recurrent implantation failure. I take an evidence-based approach to the role of endometrial health, different types of testing, and the impact of conditions like endometriosis and chronic endometritis. We will discuss: Recurrent implantation failureWhat makes the uterine lining receptive to an embryoVarious tests, including the ERA (Endometrial Receptivity Analysis)Strategies for addressing silent endometriosis and adenomyosis befo...
Have you ever gone back and forth about whether to do PGT-a testing? This podcast goes over what is known in 2025 about when PGT-a testing might add benefit to your treatment planning, and also when it might be best to leave it out. We will discuss: evolving science factors in your history future planning considerationshow to make the best choice for you and your situationJoin me as we discuss the science in detail. As always, please keep in mind that this is my perspective a...
Have you ever wondered if there was a guidebook for the IVF journey? Have you ever felt lost during the process, like there was no roadmap? For most women physicians on the fertility journey, even seemingly simple questions can be a cause for stress and worry. IVF is such a complex process, and up until now, no one resource has addressed the various aspects in one place. My colleagues Drs. Hudson, Bedient and Eben have done just that. They are all double board certified REIs with tremen...
Did you originally envision a large family with your spouse, and at this point you would be happy with 1-2 children? Or perhaps you are single with advanced reproductive age, and you're thinking about having one child instead of more, like you originally envisioned. Or perhaps you're like me--an abrupt divorce changed your family building vision, and we all know that egg freezing is not a solution in and of itself. On the fertility journey, there are all sorts of unanticipated forks in ...
If you're like me, you have a complex relationship with food and body image. Back in the day, I even had a diagnosable eating disorder and received treatment for it. Thankfully, I've been in recovery for quite some time, but more stressful phases of life have challenged my ability to stay in recovery. Let's consider the fertility journey. Most of us gain some weight while undergoing treatments, and as female physicians we are taught that the lower the BMI, the better (in most cases). Th...
Have you ever been diagnosed with a cavity and then realized your egg retrieval was only a week away? Or perhaps you were in the two week wait, and your dentist told you that you needed antibiotics for a dental infection. Were their recommendations compatible with a possible pregnancy? Is it worse to treat or not to treat in these circumstances? These questions can cause so much stress unless they are handled with expert-level care and concern. Dr. Valerie Mukanga elucidates these...
The winter solstice reminds us that even in the darkest season, the light begins to return. In this episode of the Love and Science Podcast, Dr. Erica reflects on the symbolism of light overcoming darkness and how this truth can offer comfort and perspective during the fertility journey. Drawing from personal experience, seasonal rhythms, and wisdom traditions, she explores how hope and possibility can exist even when the path feels uncertain. This conversation is an invitation to soften into...
