#174. Family Diversity and Childhood Conversations, with Andrea Ali-Panzarella

In this episode of the Fertility Confidence Podcast, Kelsey Duncan speaks with Andrea, a pediatrician and author, about her personal journey through infertility and the decision to use a surrogate. They discuss the emotional challenges of infertility, the importance of open conversations with children about family dynamics, and the role of therapy in navigating these experiences. Andrea shares insights on representation in literature for diverse families and emphasizes the need for kindness towards oneself during difficult times. The conversation highlights the significance of breaking the silence surrounding fertility issues and fostering a supportive community.   Grab your copy of Every Family is a Tree here or find out more about Andrea over on her website https://www.andreaali-panzarella.com/   Fertility Confidence Bootcamp is happening 09/22 - 09/26 - save your spot TODAY at ttc.kelseyduncan.com/bootcamp !   —-----   Chapters   00:00 Introduction to Andrea's Journey 02:45 The Struggles of Infertility 05:18 Exploring Surrogacy as an Option 08:19 Navigating Conversations with Children 10:54 The Importance of Representation in Literature 13:38 Therapy and Emotional Well-being 16:16 Breaking the Silence on Fertility 19:16 Final Thoughts and Advice

I got to sit own with herbalist Liane Moccia to talk about all things herbal medicine and fertility. I can shy away from herb in my fertility protocols, but Liane’s passion and story encouraged me to reinvigorate the passion I once had for herbal medicine and the power it can have on your fertility journey! We covered everything from how to use herbs, why they maybe haven’t worked for you in the past, the impact herbs can have one stress management and male fertility plus so much more.    Pre-order Liane’s book, The Herbal Fertility Handbook, today! Shipping September 23rd.   Join our Conceive Together Challenge to build out your fertility care plan with your partner using the latest research in our easy-to-listen podcast format! Snag for just $9 at ttc.kelseyduncan.com/ctchallenge   

In this episode of the Fertility Confidence podcast, Kelsey Duncan addresses listener questions covering a range of topics including male factor fertility, reproductive immunology, AMH levels, and natural cycle IVF. She emphasizes the importance of understanding male fertility metrics, the role of immunology in fertility treatments, and the misconceptions surrounding AMH levels. Kelsey also discusses the potential benefits of natural cycle IVF and the significance of community support for individuals navigating their fertility journeys.   Thank you to our amazing podcast sponsor, Needed. Check out their TTC and pregnancy products at thisisneeded.com and use the code DRKELSEY for 20% off your first order.   00:00 Introduction and Overview of Topics 03:11 Understanding Male Factor Fertility 05:51 Exploring Reproductive Immunology 13:50 The Controversy of AMH Levels 19:54 Natural Cycle IVF and Its Benefits 27:08 Community Support in Fertility Journeys

In this episode of the Fertility Confidence podcast, Kelsey Duncan addresses common questions about caffeine consumption and its effects on fertility. She emphasizes that while there is some research indicating a potential increase in miscarriage risk with high caffeine intake, moderate consumption (under 200 mg per day) is generally considered safe. Kelsey advocates for a personalized approach to caffeine, encouraging listeners to find a balance that brings them joy without compromising their fertility journey. She also discusses the importance of measuring caffeine intake accurately and considering alternatives, while ultimately promoting a mindset of balance and joy in the pursuit of fertility.   Want the replay of our Explaining Unexplained Infertility Masterclass? Get your copy at ttc.kelseyduncan.com/unexplainedinfertility   00:00 Introduction to Caffeine and Fertility 01:17 Understanding Caffeine's Impact on Conception 04:40 Personalized Approach to Caffeine Consumption 09:27 Measuring Caffeine Intake 13:34 Caffeine Sources and Their Effects 19:07 Finding Joy in Moderation

This week’s episode of the Fertility Confidence Podcast I got to sit down with Dr. Aumatma Simmons, double board certified Naturopathic Endocrinologist, to bust the most common myths to see circulating in the fertility world. We chat about everything from testing, to age, to getting your partner involved. Dr. Aumatma shares her insight into how important being proactive is on the fertility journey and that personalized care is truly the way to go.   Check out more from Dr. Aumatma over on her Instagram @holisticfertilitydoctor or at any of the resources linked below!   Instagram: @holisticfertilitydoctor Facebook: Facebook.com/DrAumatmaND  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HolisticFertilityExpert TT: @holisticfertilitydoctor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aumatma/ Website: https://holisticfertilityinstitute.com/ TedTalk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVv-O-SDXe0   Thank you to our amazing podcast sponsor, Needed. Check out their TTC and pregnancy products at thisisneeded.com and use the code DRKELSEY for 20% off your first order. 00:00 Introduction to Fertility Myths 04:49 Dr. Aumatma's Journey into Fertility Care 09:29 Debunking Common Fertility Myths 14:02 Understanding Male Fertility and Aging 19:02 The Impact of Age on Female Fertility 23:31 The Role of AMH Testing in Fertility 28:01 The Importance of Comprehensive Hormonal Testing 32:42 Misconceptions About Menstrual Cycles and Ovulation 37:28 Final Thoughts on Fertility Testing and Advocacy

We’re talking about this critical yet often overlooked role of the uterine microbiome in fertility. If you’re struggling to get pregnant, understanding chronic endometritis and its impact on implantation and pregnancy loss. Today we’re going to cover the basics of the microbiome, how to maintain a healthy bacterial balance and what type of testing to seek out if you’re hoping to understand more on your fertility journey.    Grab a copy of Labs 101 to understand what labs to advocate for and how to interpret them based on optimal levels for conception. Grab your copy of this comprehensive program at https://ttc.kelseyduncan.com/fertility-labs   Ready to dive in and get support on your fertility journey - so that you can finally get off the trial and error carousel, get real answers with real results? Schedule your free clarity call to see how we can support you at downloads.kelseyduncan.com/results   Podcasts Mentioned In This Episode: #115 Bacterial Infections and Male Factor Fertility #134 Is it Unexplained Infertility or Is It Endometriosis?   Save 5% on the Full Female Microbiome Testing through Fertilysis with the code FCM.  

This week I sat down with Jaimie Kelton, host of The Queer Family Podcast, and she shared her personal journey through infertility as a queer woman. We discussed the complexities of family building, the importance of community support, and the unique challenges faced by queer couples. We chatted about her process of selecting a sperm donor, the significance of representation, and the legal hurdles that often accompany queer family building that I hadn’t even thought of for my LGBTG+ clients. Jamie emphasizes the need for open conversations about donor conception with children and offers valuable advice for queer couples navigating their own paths to parenthood.   Find more amazing conversations over on The Queer Family Podcast and on Instagram @thequeerfamiliypodcast    Join our 7-day Conceive Together Challenge to start building out the foundational aspects of fertility with your partner and reconnecting along the way. Learn more at ttc.kelseyduncan.com/ctchallenge   Our new webinar Explaining Unexplained Infertility is happening live on July 17th, register at ttc.kelseyduncan.com/unexplainedinfertility   Thank you to our amazing podcast sponsor, Needed. Grab 20% off at thisisneeded.com with the code DRKELSEY. Read more about their prenatal study at thisisneeded.com/thrive and see how many women are still nutrient depleted, despite taking a prenatal vitamin.  

 In this episode we’re chatting about the significance of mindfulness in the fertility journey. I share personal reflections on self-care and how mindfulness practices can enhance emotional well-being, reduce stress, and improve pregnancy rates. Plus, I highlight the research findings that demonstrate the positive impact of mindfulness on both men and women facing fertility challenges, advocating for community support and resources to foster confidence and resilience throughout the process.   Ready for support on your fertility journey? Together we’ll dig deep to find the root cause and evidence-based solutions to improve your chances of conceiving. Get all the hands on support you’re looking for to release the stress of going it alone and figuring it all out yourself. Learn more at downloads.kelseyduncan.com/results 

This week’s episode I sat down with Ryan Woodbury, co-founder and co-CEO of one of our favourite supplement company’s Needed who are championing radically better nutrition for women, their families and the earth. Ryan shared with us the shocking discoveries of Needed’s IRB-approved clinical study, and that they found 95% of women were nutritionally depleted, even if they were taking a standard prenatal already. We chatted about the importance of tailored nutrition support, why we’re seeing these nutrient deficiencies basically across the board in women, and how we can support women through fertility and pregnancy in a more well-rounded way.    You can read more about Needed’s clinical study at thisisneeded.com/thrive or learn more about why this is important and how to help at neededacademy.com    Needed also has generously offered our podcast community 20% off their first order of supplements with the code DRKELSEY over at thisisneeded.com  Ready to lay the foundational groundwork to optimize your chances of getting pregnant, and include our partner in the process with research-driven support? Join our Conceive Together Challenge and walk away with both of your next steps! Check it out at ttc.kelseyduncan.com/ctchallenge

In this week’s episode, I got to sit down with Victoria Myers, period recovery specialist, RDH and  host of the Nourishing Women Podcast to chat about all things Hypothalamic Amenorrhea and fertility. Victoria shares her personal experience and advocates for a better understanding of eating disorders in the fertility space. We covered common misdiagnoses, the need for a supportive care team, and the recovery process when a fertility journey is involved. Learn so many valuable tips and strategies for your own period recovery journey!   Find more from Victoria Myers over on Instagram @nourishingmindsnutrition and make sure to  check out her podcast Nourshing Women Podcast.   Ready to dig deeper on your fertility journey but don’t know where to start? Fertility Labs 101 walks you through the full assessment we do with our clients, what the labs mean and how to interpret your results based on optimal guidelines for fertility. Grab your copy for just $17 over at ttc.kelseyduncan.com/fertility-labs    **Please note that Victoria mistakenly stated "low estrogen" instead of "high estrogen" when discussing PCOS lab work in comparison to HA lab work.**