Are you trying to conceive and feeling unsure about where to start? Wondering if you're making mistakes that could be delaying your journey to parenthood? Curious about what really impacts fertility—and what steps you can take today to improve your chances?

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine shares the five most common mistakes couples make when trying to get pregnant—and how to avoid them. Dr. Shahine also offers practical, evidence-based tips to support your fertility journey from the very beginning.

Surrogacy can be a beautiful and life-changing path to parenthood — but it’s also one that’s often misunderstood. In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine breaks down the most frequently asked questions and biggest misconceptions about gestational surrogacy with the Director of the Gestational Surrogacy Program at Pacific NW Fertility, Mollie Hyuck. 

From who the legal parents are, to whether the surrogate can keep the baby (spoiler: she can’t), to understanding the emotional, medical, and ethical realities — this episode is your evidence-based guide to what surrogacy is and what it isn’t.

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine has an eye-opening conversation with Mollie Huyck to explore the often complex and deeply personal world of surrogacy. Mollie is Director of Gestational Surrogacy Program at PNWF. Mollie's experience in the reproductive health field is deeply intertwined with a personal journey of unexplained infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss, which spanned a decade of medical treatments including use of gestational surrogacy.

Your egg retrieval is scheduled, and you’ve done what you can to prepare, but what about after? How many eggs is “normal” to retrieve—or what happens if it’s less than expected? What’s a typical recovery, what are signs of a complication, and when should you call the clinic? 

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine shares five essential things to know both before and after an egg retrieval. She’s covering egg count, how to manage post-procedure discomfort, and recognizing signs of possible complications like ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, constipation, and a heavy period.

Are you curious about what pelvic floor therapy actually involves? Have you ever wondered whether issues like bladder leaks, painful sex, or postpartum discomfort are just “normal” things you have to live with? Do men experience pelvic floor dysfunction? (hint: yes, men also have pelvic floors).

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine is joined by Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, a licensed pelvic floor physical therapist. Together, they’re taking the mystery out of pelvic health and explaining why it matters for everyone—not just postpartum women.

Are you preparing for an egg retrieval and feeling unsure about what to expect? Curious about what you should—and shouldn’t—do on the day of your procedure? 

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine walks through everything you need to know to feel confident and prepared for your egg retrieval. She’s covering the logistics, physical and emotional readiness, and what matters most before, during, and after the procedure.

Are you wondering whether freezing eggs or embryos is the better choice for fertility preservation? How has freezing technology changed and advanced? What are the ethical, financial, and emotional factors behind this important decision?

In this episode of Brave and Curious, host Dr. Lora Shahine takes a deep dive into the complex and personal decision of egg vs. embryo freezing. With a thoughtful look at the evolution of fertility preservation, she compares past practices with today’s cutting-edge technologies, helping listeners understand how far the field has come and what options are now available.

What role do prenatal vitamins play in fertility and pregnancy? When should you start taking them to support a healthy pregnancy? And how do you choose the best prenatal vitamin with the right nutrients?

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Shahine explores the essential role of prenatal vitamins in supporting both fertility and pregnancy. She explains the importance of these supplements, when to start taking them, the difference between folic acid and folate, and what key nutrients to look for. She also discusses recommended daily intakes and how different vitamins—like folic acid, iron, calcium, and DHA—contribute to the health of both mother and baby.

Have you ever wondered what a semen analysis actually measures? What do the numbers mean, and how do you know if the results are normal? If something is off, what are the possible causes, and what can be done about it?

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine breaks down everything you need to know about semen analysis and its role in fertility evaluations. She explains the key measurements, what’s considered normal, and why male factor infertility is an important part of the conception journey.

Have you ever wondered if your menstrual bleeding is heavier than normal? What are the key signs that your flow might be excessive? How can you best prepare for a doctor’s visit if you suspect something isn’t right?

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine covers the topic of heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) and how to determine whether your bleeding is abnormal. She explains what constitutes a normal period, highlights seven clues that signal excessive bleeding, and explores the various potential causes of menorrhagia.

Welcome to Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine: new name, same trusted information.

The mission behind Baby or Bust is not changing! It is still Dr.Shahine’s passion to educate and teach about women’s health and fertility. The new show, Brave & Curious, will continue to explore fertility and reproductive health. 

AND it is also expanding to include broader wellness topics that impact individuals on their reproductive journeys and beyond. With this evolution, Dr. Shahine aims to foster a space where listeners can embrace both bravery and curiosity in navigating their personal health experiences.

In this episode, Dr. Shahine shares her vision for Brave & Curious and what listeners can expect from the new format. The podcast will feature insightful expert interviews, providing medical and holistic perspectives on reproductive health and wellness. 

Are you in the dreaded two-week wait and wondering what symptoms to look for? How can you tell the difference between early pregnancy signs and normal cycle symptoms? What are the most common mistakes people make when testing for pregnancy too early?

In this episode, Dr. Lora Shahine is easing your uncertainty around the two-week wait, explaining the early signs of pregnancy and how they relate to different phases of the menstrual cycle. She explains the role of progesterone, potential implantation symptoms, and what to expect during this time.

How long does the IVF process take from start to finish? What are the key stages involved in egg freezing versus embryo creation? What factors can influence the overall timeline to pregnancy?

In this episode of Baby or Bust Fertility, Dr. Lora Shahine breaks down the IVF process and its timeline, to help you navigate this complex journey. She explains the four main stages of IVF: the compliance checklist, preparation for stimulation, the stimulation cycle, and for those pursuing embryo creation, the embryo transfer stage.

Are you wondering how to improve your egg quality for better fertility outcomes? What impact do toxins, stress, and lifestyle choices have on reproductive health? And how can you take proactive steps without feeling overwhelmed or restricted?

In this episode of Baby or Bust Fertility, Dr. Lora Shahine breaks down five actionable steps to support and improve egg quality.

Did you know there are ten types of miscarriage?! What are they? When it comes to a loss, does it really matter what kind of miscarriage you’ve experienced? (Hint: yes it does.) And how can proper diagnosis and evaluation help those facing recurrent miscarriages? 

In this episode, Dr. Shahine breaks down the ten different types of miscarriage, including early and late, clinical and biochemical, threatened, missed, inevitable, complete, septic, and recurrent miscarriages.

How does air pollution impact fertility and IVF success rates? What do recent studies reveal about the effects of wildfire smoke on reproductive health? What can you do to improve the air quality in your home to support fertility?

In this episode of Baby or Bust Fertility, Dr. Lora Shahine shares the latest research on air pollution and fertility. She talks about how environmental toxins, especially from wildfires and poor air quality, can influence reproductive health. Dr. Shahine sheds light on why controlled environments are essential in IVF labs and how similar principles can be applied at home.

What should you expect on the day of your embryo transfer? How can you best prepare to maximize your chances of success? What are some common misconceptions about the procedure? How soon will you know if you’re pregnant?

In this episode of the Baby or Bust Fertility podcast, Dr. Lora Shahine answers these questions to guide you through this critical step in your fertility journey.

Dr. Shahine walks through the embryo transfer process, offering insight and tips to help you feel confident and informed for transfer day. Dr. Shahine also includes why post-transfer care is an important part of the journey.

If your doctor has recommended an HSG (hysterosalpingogram), you may be feeling uncertain about what to expect.

How does an HSG work? Will it be painful? What might the results mean for your fertility journey? How can you best prepare to make the experience as smooth and stress-free as possible?

In this episode of the Baby or Bust Fertility Podcast, Dr. Lora Shahine goes into the details of the HSG test, a diagnostic tool commonly used to evaluate the health of the fallopian tubes and uterine cavity.

How do you know if you’re ovulating? What are the best ways to track ovulation? How can knowing your ovulation status help you optimize your chances of conception? 

In this episode of the Baby or Bust Fertility Podcast, Dr. Lora Shahine is talking all about ovulation––why it’s crucial for fertility, and how to when it’s happening.

You’ll hear how to recognize the physical signs of ovulation, how to use at-home tools like basal body temperature charting and ovulation predictor kits, and the purpose of ultrasounds and blood tests to confirm ovulation.

You’re in the two-week-wait, analyzing every single little cramp, possible symptom, any little difference that could indicate pregnancy. If you’ve been on a fertility journey and trying to get pregnant for any amount of time, this will probably be familiar.

Then comes some spotting or light bleeding–is this your period? Or could it be implantation bleeding? It can be hard to tell. 

So in this episode of Baby or Bust Fertility, Dr. Lora Shahine goes over how to tell the difference and what exactly to look for.