Today’s bonus episode guest is Dr. Allison Rodgers. She is board certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and has been practicing medicine since 2004. Dr. Rodgers currently practices at the Fertility Centers of Illinois. Her personal experiences with both secondary infertility and pregnancy loss have given her a unique insight into reproductive medicine in order to help you beat infertility.
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Dr. Rodgers begins by answering six listener questions. The full questions are read on the air, but here are brief summaries:
- Jocelyn asks how doctors know what will or won’t work regarding the next protocol to try. She also asks if certain protocols can negatively affect egg quality.
- Jessica experienced a recent missed miscarriage at 12 weeks after her first IVF attempt. The products of conception were found to be normal, but she’s feeling lost about the next steps. She asks about additional tests she should pursue.
- Ryan is six weeks pregnant following her third IUI, but she has a subchorionic hematoma and is on Lovenox. Since she experienced this condition once before–and had a subsequent miscarriage–she asks why this keeps happening and what protocol is best.
- Katie has a DOR diagnosis, and one spontaneous pregnancy ended in miscarriage due to Trisomy-22. She’s had surgery to correct her unicornuate uterus, and she asks whether she should request a mock transfer and what additional testing can be done.
- Sandra and her husband have been trying to conceive for two years and have had three losses. They have had problems with sperm DNA fragmentation, so she asks about the risks, what might be helpful, and if they can even expect to be successful.
- Jamie has secondary infertility and doesn’t wish to pursue IVF for religious reasons. She wants to know if her LH should be suppressed during a medicated IUI cycle and her likelihood of success.
Dr. Rodgers and Heather continue the episode by discussing ways to improve your fertility while taking a break:
- Get enough exercise (but not too much!) and sleep
- Eat better
- Get enough vitamins
- Limit caffeine intake
- Quit smoking
- Avoid excessive alcohol and drug use
- Avoid certain medications
- Take fertility-enhancing supplements
- Limit exposure to environmental toxins
- Reduce stress and improve overall emotional wellbeing
- Have lots of sex
- Register for the FREE Beat Infertility Virtual Summit
- Is there anything else you’d like to add?
- What words of hope would you offer to patients who are on a break from fertility treatments right now?
