As a Woman

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions.


I’m almost 35 and currently going through IVF. I have PCOS and insulin resistance and have had four early miscarriages despite normal testing and blood work. I’ve also had two laparoscopic surgeries for cysts, one showing mild endometriosis, and a uterine biopsy that showed no inflammation. Given this history, how successful might IVF be for us?


What transfer protocol do you recommend after Lupron and letrozole suppression for positive ReceptivaDX results—modified natural or medicated—and what factors guide that decision?


Can autoimmune conditions contribute to secondary infertility? I have a four-year-old but have since experienced five miscarriages and have diminished ovarian reserve. After four cycles I’ve only had one embryo tested and it was aneuploid, and my doctor says autoimmune testing may be the next step if endometriosis testing is negative.


In a 28-day cycle, is it concerning if a positive LH surge happens around days 15–16? And when tracking cycles, do you count day one as the first day you see bleeding even if it starts midday, or the following day?


I’m 35 and planning for pregnancy. What are the most important first steps I should take now to set myself up for success?

Pre-order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, now! https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book

Want your questions answered on the next episode? ⁠Ask them here! https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/qa-submissions
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Dr. Natalie Crawford breaks down the profound, often overlooked connection between what ends up on your dinner plate and the cellular environment where life begins. As a former nutrition major and a fertility specialist who navigated her own complex path to parenthood, she moves past the basic food is fuel talk to show how your gut acts as the primary gatekeeper for your hormones. This conversation is for anyone who wants to stop feeling like a passenger in their own reproductive health and start using evidence-based nutrition to quiet the inflammation that could be standing in the way of their future family.

What You’ll Learn:


The specific interaction between your intestinal lining and the bloodstream that can turn your body’s defense system into a silent hijacker of reproductive success.


Why a common metabolic salesman knocking at your cellular door might be the hidden reason behind poor embryo quality and ovulation struggles.


The misunderstood relationship between plant-based fiber and the specific gut enzymes responsible for regulating your estrogen levels.


How certain high-fat dairy choices and complex carbohydrate swaps act as biological signals to optimize your progesterone production.


The way your daily hydration habits and evening routines collaborate with your gut microbiome to either fuel or extinguish chronic systemic inflammation.

Resources:


Pre-Order The Fertility Formula ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠


Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter


Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd


Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD


Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility


Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App

This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions.

1. When taking a prenatal vitamin, how should we interpret the amount of choline listed on the label? If a prenatal lists 300 mg of choline, is that the full amount counted toward the recommended intake, or does it refer to elemental choline?

2. Is sucralose safe to consume while trying to conceive or during pregnancy, or should it be avoided?

3. I’ve heard that high levels of biotin can interfere with certain blood tests. If a prenatal contains 1000 mcg of biotin and someone is going through IVF with frequent lab work, is that amount considered too high? Should they consider switching prenatals?

4. I’m 38, recently diagnosed with PCOS, and have experienced eight miscarriages. I’ve also been told I have a weak and shortened cervix and have already had a vaginal cerclage twice without success. Are there any additional options or treatments that could be considered?

5. I’m 38 and recently had a baby conceived naturally, though it took some time to get pregnant. I know the general recommendation is to wait about 18 months before trying to conceive again, but I’m worried that waiting too long could make it harder to get pregnant because of my age. How should someone balance recommended spacing between pregnancies with age-related fertility considerations?

Pre-order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, now! https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book

Want your questions answered on the next episode? ⁠Ask them here! https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/qa-submissions
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It isn’t about being an expert on the medical details of infertility; it is about being a phenomenal, loving advocate for someone walking through a season of loss and lack of control. In this episode, host Dr. Natalie Crawford sits down with Alison Cheperdak, founder of Elevate Etiquette and author of Was It Something I Said?, to bridge the gap between those struggling and the people who want to show up for them. They unpack the human element behind the awkward silences and ill-advised jokes, offering a roadmap for navigating one of life’s most delicate social and emotional experiences with grace.

What You’ll Learn:

The specific "limitation acknowledgment" phrase that transforms frozen, awkward silences into safe spaces for connection.

Why "social media self-preservation" is a valid friendship tool and how to manage digital triggers without guilt.

The unique "etiquette of the out" when sending invitations to major milestones like baby showers or holiday gatherings.

Strategic ways to "switch gears" as a host or ally when the conversation turns insensitive at the dinner table.

The critical difference between offering vague help and the "Tuesday school pickup" method of specific, tangible support.

Find Alison Cheperdak


Book: Was It Something I Said?


Website: https://elevateetiquette.com/


Instagram: @elevateetiquette

Resources:


Pre-Order The Fertility Formula ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠


Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter


Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd


Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD


Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility


Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App

This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions.


I’m preparing for IVF and have heard about ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). What steps can be taken during treatment to reduce the risk of developing OHSS?


My cycles are about 28–30 days, but I tend to ovulate around day 19 or 20 and my luteal phase is only about nine days. My progesterone level was just above 3, though the rest of my labs look normal. I’ve had two miscarriages in the past and previously used progesterone after ovulation. If I’m trying to optimize my cycle before a future pregnancy, what tests, questions, or treatments should I discuss with my OB?


After someone stops breastfeeding, how long does it usually take for prolactin levels to return to normal?


If someone wants multiple children, what is the recommended minimum amount of time to wait between pregnancies for maternal and reproductive health?


I’m 37 with diminished ovarian reserve and a history of thin uterine lining. My first FET failed, and I only have one embryo left. I’ve had ReceptivaDX, TRIO testing, and hysteroscopy, all normal, but I’m feeling stuck at a high-volume clinic where care feels very protocol-driven. What would you recommend as the next steps in this situation?


What is your perspective on using calcium ionophore to help activate eggs after retrieval during IVF?

Pre-order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, now! https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book

Want your questions answered on the next episode? ⁠Ask them here! https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/qa-submissions
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices