BABY OR BUST PODCAST
I’m tired of infertility and miscarriage being full of shame and silence.
When 1 in 6 couples are struggling to build their family and 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage—these issues are more common than we realize. With my experience as a fertility doctor for almost 20 years and a former infertility patient myself, I don’t shy away from the tough questions and raw issues we all need to explore. Listen to Baby or Bust weekly for interviews with experts, stories from infertility warriors, and educational segments on all things fertility.
New! My podcast was recommended by HeyReprotech’s “Good Listens 2022” - check it out!
Weight Loss Drugs and Fertility: What You Need to Know with Dr. Spencer Nadolsky
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.
Safer Skincare for Fertility and Pregnancy: Essential Tips with Dermatologist Dr. Heather Rogers
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.
Protecting Yourself from Surrogacy Scams with Dr. Brian Levine
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.
Caffeine & Your Fertility: Does It Really Matter?
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.
One and Done? The Benefits and Drawbacks of Having an Only Child with Author Lauren Sandler
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.
Return to Hope After Stillbirth with Dr. Kiley Hanish
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.
Roller Coaster of Emotions After Miscarriage and Stillbirth
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.
The Future of Miscarriage Treatment with RPLA founder Megan Hanson
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.
Two Years Post-Roe: Current State of Reproductive Rights in the US
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.
Promise vs. Reality: Egg Freezing with Author Natalie Lampert
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.
How to Get an Accurate Pregnancy Test Result EARLY
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!
Alabama Was a Warning: Fertility Law and Politics with Attorney AshLeigh Meyer Dunham
AshLeigh Meyer Duhham is one of five reproductive law lawyers in Alabama and the only one who has done IVF. She was front and center when IVF stopped for 3 weeks in early 2024 due to a lawsuit brought by IVF patients in front of the State Supreme Court. On this episode of Baby or Bust, Dr. Shahine asks AsLeigh to explain what happened in Alabama, how treatments restarted, and what the process means for access to IVF in the future.
AsLeigh explains why the way IVF restarted in Alabama is not a permanent solution and what this means for the future of IVF in Alabama and all of the United States.
Support After Miscarriage with Author, Therapist, and Speaker Lindsey Henke*Trigger Warning: Late Pregnancy Loss
The loss of a wanted pregnancy, at any stage, is utterly heartbreaking. How in the world do you pick yourself up again after such a devastating loss? There is not a right or wrong way to grieve; there’s only your way.
On this episode of Baby or Bust, therapist, author, and speaker Lindsey Henke joins Dr. Lora Shahine to discuss the impacts of miscarriage, stillbirth, and loss. The founder of Pregnancy After Loss Support, Lindsey has her own heartbreaking story of a loss very late in her pregnancy. Lindsey’s story is raw and real, and she is so gracious to share it with us.
Balancing Act: Career, Family, and Infertility with Dr. Joyce Park
With host Dr. Joyce Park, Dr. Shahine shares her story of finding her direction in life at the intersection of her infertility journey and her passion for women’s health.
Both Dr. Park and Dr. Shahine became aware of the need for more education around infertility in the medical field. Their conversation also includes their experiences as fertility doctors on social media platforms, emphasizing the importance of connection, education, and innovation in the medical field.
Finally, they discuss ethical challenges in reproductive medicine, including the tension between medical advancements and moral objections, and the need for compassionate care.
5 Tips for Getting Pregnant After 40
The biological clock, geriatric pregnancy, poor egg quality, diminished ovarian reserve - if you’re trying to conceive in your 40s you’ve likely heard or been reminded of the link between age and fertility - but there is hope!
In this episode of Baby or Bust, Dr. Lora Shahine provides insights on optimizing reproductive health and making informed decisions about family planning into your 40s.
She covers age and fertility, family goals, the importance of early testing, practical tips for conception, and considerations for using IVF as a strategic family-building tool option.
Ectopic Pregnancy Explained
In this episode, Dr. Lora Shahine explains ectopic pregnancies — what they are, why they happen, and who may be most at risk. She discusses everything from how they are diagnosed to treatment options to what comes next.
No matter the circumstances, pregnancy losses are difficult. Please take care of yourself during this emotional time. And remember that your doctor is the best person to discuss your options with you.
What You Need to Know About the First Trimester
Do you find yourself Googling everything you feel or don’t feel to find out if it’s ‘normal’ in the first trimester of pregnancy? You’re not alone.
In this episode devoted entirely to the first trimester, Dr. Shahine talks about common experiences and things you might want to get checked out. She answers the top questions she hears from her own first-trimester patients and gives expert tips for a healthy start to your pregnancy.
Can CoQ10 Help You Get Pregnant Faster?
Supplements and “super foods” go in and out of fashion faster than bangs-or-no-bangs, and the latest “hot” supplement is CoQ10. Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant our bodies make naturally, or that we can get from dietary sources. However, as with anything you add to your body in a concentrated fashion like a supplement, you need to know the benefits AND the risks.
In this episode, Dr. Shahine is separating fact from fiction when it comes to the supplement CoQ10 and your fertility. There are some benefits to CoQ10, such as improving egg quality and sperm parameters, but it’s important to understand the evidence is still not definitive.
This episode will arm you with information you can take back to your healthcare provider. Then you’ll know what questions to ask to get a supplement regimen that is most beneficial to you.
Finding Safer Products with Lanning Ardente: Let Sorette Do the Research for You
We know that toxins can be harmful, but what exactly is in the products you’re using? The ingredients are confusing. The marketing is confusing. What if someone were already researching pregnancy-safe products? Well, have we got good news for you….
Lanning Ardente, founder and CEO of Sorette, joins Dr. Shahine on this episode of Baby or Bust. Lanning explains toxins, so-called “blackbox” ingredients, and how to evaluate brands and products.
You’ll walk away from this episode with useful information to help you check products on your own. Lanning also shares three things you can do right now to find safer products to use on a daily basis.
Top Tips for Nausea & Vomiting in Pregnancy
Morning sickness is a misnomer - nausea and vomiting in pregnancy can occur any time of day and night and leave you feeling miserable.
In this episode, Dr. Lora Shahine covers the causes of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. She’s also sharing her expert tips for prevention and relief. It’s everything you’ve wondered, and need to know, right in one place!