Are you curious about the latest weight loss drugs? Considering Ozempic or other semaglutides but also planning to try to conceive? With all the buzz around these medications, it can feel like everyone is trying them—but what do we really know about their impact on fertility?

In this episode of Baby or Bust, host Dr. Lora Shahine is joined by Dr. Spencer Nadolsky, a board-certified family physician specializing in obesity and lipidology, and co-host of the popular podcast Docs Who Lift. Together, they dive into the intersection of weight loss medications and fertility, answering your most pressing questions.

Topics include:

• The history and science behind semaglutides.
• Key differences between popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.
• Short- and long-term side effects of these medications.
• What fertility patients need to know about using semaglutides while trying to conceive.

Dr. Nadolsky shares expert insights and actionable tips, providing clarity on managing the chronic condition of obesity and navigating the latest advancements in weight loss medications. Whether you're on a fertility journey or simply curious about these treatments, this episode is packed with valuable information.

Tune in for expert guidance on how semaglutides and weight loss medications could impact your fertility goals!

In this episode you’ll hear:

[2:20] Meet Dr. Spencer Nadolsky

[5:26] Specializing in obesity medicine & lipidology

[8:10] The evolution of weight loss medication

[12:46] Patient access & experience with weight loss medications

[18:25] The reason people lose weight with semaglutides

[29:04] Weight loss medication & fertility

[41:52] The future of weight loss medication

[43:58] Listener questions from IG

Resources mentioned: 

drspencer.com 

Docs Who Lift Podcast 

Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

How does your daily skincare routine impact fertility, pregnancy, or your overall health? Which products and sunscreen are ok while trying to conceive and pregnant and which are NOT? Can you do botox, filler, red light therapy while trying to conceive?

Dr. Heather Rogers joins Baby or Bust to answer these questions and give valuable advice on finding a safer skincare routine without compromising your safe care. Dr. Rogers is a double-board certified dermatologist and founder of Doctor Rogers Skin Care line. She knows building a family isn’t easy for everyone and can take longer than you might like. So her recommendations are in line with putting yourself first and making your skincare routine manageable and safer for the various stages of fertility, pregnancy, and all stages of life.

In the education-packed episode, Dr. Lora Shahine and Dr. Rogers discuss endocrine disruptors and toxins, tips for finding the right products for you, practical recommendations for using retinol, fillers, sunscreen, red light therapy, Botox, and IPL before and during pregnancy, and Dr. Rogers shares her top 5 products for your best skin. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

[2:08] Meet Dr. Heather Rogers, founder of Doctor Rogers Skin Care

[4:38] So many choices for skincare: Find Safer Ones

[8:05] The truth about parabens and endocrine disruptors

[13:45] Navigating skincare product safety

[19:08] Dos and Don’ts for trying to conceive products and pregnancy products

[28:34] The five products you need for amazing skin

[35:09] Red light therapy

[37:35] Sunscreen recommendations

[41:35] Where to find more information from Dr. Heather Rogers

Resources mentioned: 

www.doctorrogers.com Enjoy 15% discount with code DRSHAHINE at checkout

www.mdinseattle.com

Follow Dr. Rogers on Instagram & Tiktok  @drheatherrogers 

Follow Doctor Rogers Skin Care @doctor.rogers

Ep 80 Finding Safer Products with Lanning Ardente: Let Sorette Do the Research for You

 Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

Have you seen the stories about surrogacy scams out this year? Are you considering using a gestational carrier or financing a fertility or IVF treatment and worried about making the right (or wrong) choice for next steps?

Reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Brian Levine is Dr. Lora Shahine’s guest for this episode of Baby or Bust. The founder of CCRM Fertility of New York and Nodal Surrogacy, Dr. Levine has a unique perspective, having been on the ground through the evolution of surrogacy in New York since it became legal in 2021.

In this conversation, you’ll learn more about the recent surrogacy scams and how to protect yourself. Dr. Levine shares the importance of transparency, addresses some common misconceptions about surrogacy, and shares some of the positive experiences families have had through this process. 

 In this episode you’ll hear:

[1:50] Meet Dr. Brian Levine

[2:30] The birth of Nodal and Surrogacy in New York

[6:15] Nodal’s approach to surrogacy

[8:53] Seam Escrow Agency Fraud

[15:23] Protecting yourself against fraud

[21:47] Common questions, concerns and misconceptions surrounding surrogacy

[47:54] Sharing stories and supporting others

[51:28] Connecting with Dr. Brian Levine and Nodal

 Resources mentioned: 

Follow Dr. Brian Levine on IG - @drbrianlevine  

www.nodal.com  

Stories mentioned:

SEAM Fraud  

Couple unable to bring baby home from Mexico Story 

Chinese actress accused of abandoning 2 babies in the US  

Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

Many of us live for that first cup of coffee in the morning. But. How much caffeine is okay when you’re trying to get pregnant? Can cutting out caffeine completely positively impact fertility? What about when you’re pregnant — is caffeine ok then? Where do you find the best information for your situation? 

Dr. Lora Shahine explores caffeine consumption and its effects on fertility from both Western and Eastern medical perspectives. You’ll get practical information on caffeine content in various beverages (including that o-so-important coffee), answers to the most common patient questions, and a personalized recommendation for those trying to conceive.

After this episode, you’ll feel more equipped to make the best decision for yourself. Be sure and review your personal situation with your doctor. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

[1:55] A Western evidence-based approach to caffeine and fertility

[7:00] The Eastern medicine approach to caffeine and fertility

[9:27] How much caffeine is in your favorite pick-me-ups?

[10:30] Dr. Shahine’s personal recommendations

Resources mentioned: 

Caffeine Chart - find how much is in what you’re having: www.cspinet.org/caffeine-chart

1988 Wilcox Study Caffeine Harms Fertility

Large Danish Study Reassuring Results on Caffeine and Fertility

Men's Fertility and Caffeine Study mentioned 

Planting the Seeds of Fertility: An Integrative Approach to Fertility Care 

Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

Should we try for another child? Can we handle all the treatments, ups and downs, and possible heartbreak that comes with trying again? Will my child be okay without a sibling? Will our family feel complete with “just” one child?

Lauren Sandler, award-winning journalist and author, is joining Baby or Bust to share her thoughts and insights on parenthood and chat about her bestselling book One and Only: The Freedom of Having an Only Child, and the Joy of Being One. This is the book that ignited an international conversation about single-child families.

In this conversation, Lauren Sandler shares with Dr. Lora Shahine her experience as an only child and a mother of an only child. They explore the cultural pressure surrounding family size and society’s heavy expectations put on parents to have more than one. 

You’ll hear Lauren share the importance of personal choice in parenting, debunk myths about only children, and highlight the significance of happiness and fulfillment in parenting. You’ll walk away ready to embrace your unique family dynamics and make empowered choices about your lives and families.

In this episode you’ll hear:

[2:29] Meet Lauren Sandler, author of One and Only

[5:13] Getting questions about family building

[8:43] 2 by 2––Society’s Expectation

[11:05] What does research say about single children?

[17:20] Pros of being an only child

[23:42] Assumptions about an only child’s life and future

[30:23] Lauren’s life today

Resources mentioned: 

www.laurenosandler.com/about 

One and Only book: www.laurenosandler.com/the-book 

Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

How do you heal and move forward from miscarriage and stillbirth? Will you ever feel whole again after such heartbreak? Where do you even go from there after such a profound experience?

Dr. Kiley Hanish is joining Dr. Lora Shahine on Baby or Bust for this episode to share her story and the support community for loss she created. Kiley and her husband, Sean, shared their story of stillbirth in the Emmy-nominated film Return to Zero, starring Minnie Driver in 2014. The lack of care she received through her son’s stillbirth led her down the path to create the nonprofit organization Return to Zero: H.O.P.E., so that other families would have a better experience.

Kiley’s personal experience and insights into her own healing are profound. You’ll hear her share how to navigate a new reality, accepting that grief is a lifelong journey, the importance of education for healthcare workers to support grieving families, and the entire journey of founding Return to Zero foundations and creating the film.

If you or someone you know has experienced loss, find support at rtzhope.org

In this episode you’ll hear:

[2:17] Kiley’s story of the movie Return to Zero

[10:57] The impact of the film

[16:48] Return to Zero: H.O.P.E.––the organization

[24:00] Additional resources, for family and friends

[27:36] A message on loss, from Kiley

[29:44] Wave of Light Gathering

Resources mentioned: 

rtzhope.org

Return to Zero the film: www.imdb.com/title/tt2538130/?ref_=fn_al_

Wave of Light Gathering:  rtzhope.org/events-page/wave-of-light-gathering

RTZ Family & Friends resources: rtzhope.org/family

Recognition of Life Certificate: rtzhope.org/certificate

Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter  on Fertility News and Recommendations

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

Can you relate to not feeling completely happy when you get a positive pregnancy result? Do you get really anxious while waiting for your routine checkups or ultrasounds? Are you having many mixed emotions, including negative ones, about your positive pregnancy test?

Guess what––you’re not alone. Many women who have experienced loss go through the ups and downs, the rollercoaster of emotions, waiting to see if this time it really will be okay. 

In this episode, Dr. Shahine assures us that if you’re pregnant again miscarriage, and feeling nervous and anxious, you’re not alone. She gives tips on how to cope and how to find support. Sometimes that reassurance doesn’t come from your friends and family, so she shares some valuable resources that will help you. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

[0:37] Story time

[1:52] A lesson on mixed emotions

[6:30] ALL feelings are valid

[7:37] Seeking help and finding support

[10:27] Two helpful resources

Resources mentioned: 

Dr. Lora Sahine’s books - drlorashahine.com/books

RPLA Support Groups - https://rplassociation.org/events

Return to Zero Retreats and Support Groups - rtzhope.org/parents

RESOLVE Support Groups - resolve.org/get-help/find-a-support-group

Finding Calm for the Expectant Mom by Alice D. Domar

Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

Have you or someone you loved experienced the heartbreak of miscarraige and feel desperate to know why it happened? Have you questioned food you ate, exercise you did, stress levels, and searched for answers from doctors, friends, and the internet? We still have so much to learn about pregnancy loss and recurrent miscarriage but there are people asking the questions and finding the answers!

Megan Hanson is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association (RPLA). Megan and her husband started RPLA in 2019 after their own experience of recurrent pregnancy loss. This nonprofit organization funds research into recurrent miscarriages and provides support to individuals and families who have lost pregnancies. 

In this episode of the Baby or Bust Fertility Podcast, Dr. Lora Shahine and Megan go through the development and purpose of RPLA. They discuss challenges in miscarriage research and the need to raise awareness about how many women are impacted by recurrent miscarriage. Megan shares her personal journey with recurrent miscarriage, IVF, and gestational surgery, and the emotional toll all of this had on her path to parenthood. 

Community support and advocacy are key for those who are struggling with recurrent miscarriages. Find out how to get involved, find support, or provide support for others at rplassociation.org.

In this episode you’ll hear:

[1:26] Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association (RPLA)

[6:41] Gaps in research for miscarriage and fertility

[10:21] RPLA and RESOLVE’s efforts for advocacy

[19:38] What is the latest research telling us?

[34:00] Megan’s journey

[44:00] Finding support and getting involved

Resources mentioned: 

Megan’s blog: misbehavinguterus.com

Miscarriage Research: med.stanford.edu/lathi/research.html

Give to RESOLVE: resolve.org/take-action/donate/ways-to-give

Dr. Lora Shahine’s books: drlorashahine.com/books

RPLA Resources

rplassociation.org

Follow RPLA:

• IG @rplassociation  

• Facebook @rplassociation1 

• YouTube @rplassociation1

• LinkedIn @rpl-association

Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

Are you curious about reproductive rights in the US? Are you worried about access to IVF and medical treatment for your reproductive health?

On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, not only eliminating the federal right to abortion care but threatening access to contraception, IVF, and many aspects of reproductive health. It’s been two years, so where are we now? 

In this episode of Baby or Bust, Dr. Shahine discusses the current state of reproductive rights in the US. She reviews exactly what lead to the Dobbs decision, why IVF stopped in Alabama for 3 weeks, and the resulting fallout of the overturn of Roe v. Wade over the last 2 years.

She leaves you with action items and resources to learn more.

In this episode you’ll hear:

[2:44] June 24, 2022

[3:52] Doctors for Fertility

[6:13] What is the Dobbs decision? And how does it impact reproductive rights? 

[13:17] Challenges associated with accessing contraception

[16:18] Building a family & access to IVF in the wake of June 24, 2022

[24:00] Broader implications on maternal healthcare

[29:51] How to get involved & make a difference for future generations 

Resources mentioned: 

doctorsforfertility.com

Follow @doctorsforfertility | Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, & TikTok

Please email [email protected] if you want a copy of resources for facts and updates shared in this episode.

Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

Should you freeze your eggs? What age? What’s the success rate? How much does it cost?

Natalie Lampert has insight into women's top questions about egg freezing, and she is here to share it with you. An award-winning journalist and author of The Big Freeze, her work focuses on women’s health and the fertility industry. Her story will answer your questions and provide insight into the world of egg freezing. 

In this conversation, Natalie and Dr. Lora Shahine discuss Natalie’s personal journey with fertility preservation, the historical context of egg freezing, the impact of big corporations' fertility benefits, the need for comprehensive information, and what to consider if you are thinking about freezing your eggs.  

In this episode you’ll hear:

[3:00] Meet Natalie Lampert

[4:55] Historical context and the development of egg freezing

[11:55] Misinformation around egg freezing: be informed, not persuaded

[13:25] Egg freezing is assurance, not insurance

[16:33] Who is freezing their eggs? And why?

[22:53] Natalie’s personal decision

[42:52] Advice for women considering egg freezing

[46:50] Final thoughts and resources

Resources mentioned: 

www.natalielampert.com 

The Big Freeze by Natalie Lampert 

Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

How early have you done a pregnancy test? 

Are you stuck questioning the result?

In this episode of Baby or Bust, Dr. Lora Shahine reviews pregnancy tests: when to test, how accurate tests can be, why testing too early can make things even more confusing, and what can cause both false negatives and false positives.

This episode is packed full of helpful information - save for reference and share!

In this episode you’ll hear:

[2:22] Understanding pregnancy tests and their importance

[4:52] When should you test? 

[6:26] Information on specific tests

[7:35] False positives and false negatives

[12:56] Why do fertility clinics tell you not to test early?

[13:46] Closing thoughts

Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books