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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

In this episode of Baby or Bust, Dr. Lora Shahine talks openly with Carrie Hauskens, founder of Blooming with Care. Carrie is sharing her eight-year struggle with fertility — a journey that ultimately ended with the decision to live child-free.

Carrie talks about what she went through, why she and her husband decided to stop fertility treatment, and the ways they both dealt (and are still dealing) with their grief. Carrie found support in the infertility community, which is why she started sharing her own story.

June 2024 is the 50th anniversary of Pride in Seattle. In honor and celebration of LGBTQ+ family building, Dr. Shahine welcomes colleagues Dr. Stephanie Rothenberg and Dr. Darcy Broughton to talk about the Center for LGBTQ+ Family Building at Pacific NW Fertility.

Although the fertility community hasn’t always been inclusive and open to all family building options, Pacific NW Fertility (PNWF) has been proudly serving the Queer community since the organization opened its doors in 2005. In 2020, Drs. Rothenberg and Broughton co-founded the Center for LGBTQ+ Family Building at PNWF and they share what makes the Center unique.

‘It’s more than a website; it’s creating a safe place for all family building journeys with inclusive language, trained team members, and feedback from our patients.’

If you’ve struggled to get pregnant, grappled through multiple IVF cycles, experienced a loss, or delivered early, you know first hand that pregnancy is NOT always blissful. Unfortunately for some, the process of building a family can border on traumatic.

If this is the case for you or someone you know, the information and insights from Parijat Deshpande could shed some light on how to work through the anxiety that lives alongside infertility and high-risk pregnancy.

Parijat is founder of Ruvelle, bestselling author, speaker, and high-risk pregnancy consultant. In this episode of Baby or Bust, Dr. Lora Shahine dives deep with Parijat into anxiety before and during a high-risk pregnancy and learning how to calm your nervous system so you can move through the trauma that causes your anxiety.

With Father’s Day coming up in just a few days, you will walk away from this episode with tips on how to support the partner who isn’t getting the treatments but is still emotionally invested in the process. Or you can pass this episode along to that partner, providing self-care tips for a hard day.

Let’s make a little space for the “other” partner today. Dr. Lora Shahine opens up the conversation with her guest Dr. Erica Bove who is an OBGYN, Reproductive Endocrinologist and Fertility Coach.

Who should have the power to decide on your future fertility options? What becomes of frozen gametes and embryos in this new, post-Roe political climate? And if you are ready to get involved, how do you actually advocate for reproductive rights? This is part 2 of Dr. Lora Shahine’s discussion with Barbara Collura, President and CEO of RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association. In this part of the discussion, Dr. Shahine and Barbara talk about the threats to IVF, access to fertility care, and effective ways to advocate for reproductive rights.

You’ll finish this episode more informed and ready to take action with one, two, or all three of the action steps Barbara provides.

This week, Dr. Lora Shahine welcomes Barb Collura, President and CEO of RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association dedicated to advocating for fertility treatments and ensuring that building a family is attainable for all.

In this episode, Barb shares her fertility journey, details the issues IVF and other reproductive rights are facing, and explains why fighting to protect IVF is necessary.

Many in the reproductive space saw the writing on the wall long ago. Here, Barb and Dr. Shahine break down how the overturning of Roe vs. Wade has threatened the process of IVF. They also discuss how Personhood Bills in various states end up impacting IVF — intentionally or unintentionally.

Infertility changes a person, physically, mentally, and emotionally — it affects our identity, our relationships, our hopes and expectations for the future. How we manage these changes will be different for each person.

In this unique and personal episode, Dr. Lora Shahine is a guest on the Infertility Feelings podcast with hosts Doug and Jesse. Listeners will hear her share her own fertility journey and all the emotions she experienced being simultaneously doctor and patient.

Unfortunately, those who are already dealing with the physical and emotional challenges of infertility may also be burdened with the financial challenge of fertility treatments. Fortunately, there is help: Angela Rastegar is the cofounder and CEO of Sunfish, a financial solutions company for family building of all kinds. and she has helped individuals and couples plan for the cost of fertility, make it affordable and accessible. In this episode, Dr. Lora Shahine and Angela share their own experiences and highlight the need for affordable solutions so those exploring fertility options can build the families they dream of.

Mother’s Day is not a celebration for everyone. When struggling with infertility and miscarriage - this particular holiday can be full of many mixed emotions. In this special episode of the Baby or Bust Fertility Podcast, Dr. Shahine shares many personal reflections on how tough Mother’s Day can be for the fertility community and leaves you with tips on how to cope.

Finish this episode with ideas and inspiration to care for yourself this Mother’s Day weekend.

Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans have tried marijuana at least once in their life? It is the most commonly used recreational drug in the U.S. but many do not realize how it impacts fertility, success with IVF, miscarriage risk, and pregnancy health.

If you’ve been curious about marijuana use and fertility - this episode is a valuable resource full of studies on cannabis use on female and male fertility, time to pregnancy, menstrual cycles, IVF outcomes, and pregnancy risks.

Candles and scents may impact fertility, but never fear: information is power. On this episode of Baby or Bust, you will learn what you need to know about fertility and candles.

In this episode, Dr. Lora Shahine is chatting with Tristan Weholt, founder of Rox Hill Candle Co. Tristan is here to share her insight on parabens, paraffin wax, and the harmful chemicals that are present in some candles.

Dr. Shahine and Tristan also discuss the differences between store-bought, mass-produced candles and those that are purchased through smaller companies – like knowing what ingredients are in the products you purchase.