The Conception Channel Podcast

One of the hardest parts of fertility is feeling like you’re starting over every month. A period comes. Hope drops. Another cycle begins. And despite everything you’re doing, it can be difficult to know whether you’re actually moving forward. In this episode of **The Conception Channel**, Dr. Spence Pentland introduces the **Yinstill 3-Phase Fertility Roadmap**, a framework developed through more than 20 years of clinical experience to help patients understand where they are in their fertility journey and what their body may need next. The three phases are: 🌱 **SHIFT — Do** Restore the foundations. Sleep, nutrition, movement, hydration, breathing, nature, love and connection. Small changes practiced consistently begin creating greater capacity. ✨ **TRANSFORMATION — Become** As those foundations strengthen, the body begins to change. Energy, sleep, digestion, stress resilience, cycles and ovulation may improve. You begin to feel more like yourself again. ❤️ **MANIFESTATION — Manifest** This is about readiness. Maintaining what you’ve built while supporting conception, IVF, implantation, pregnancy or whatever the next expression of your healthier biology becomes. The roadmap isn’t a promise of pregnancy or a rigid timeline. It’s a way to stop measuring your entire fertility journey by one question: **“Am I pregnant yet?”** You are not starting over every month. You are moving through a process. **Do. Become. Manifest.**

What happens when the fertility testing looks reassuring, ovulation is happening, the tubes are open, and yet pregnancy still isn’t happening? In this episode of The Conception Channel, Dr. Spence Pentland shares the story of a woman in her late thirties who had been trying to conceive for several years and was beginning to feel the increasing pressure of time. Rather than searching for another hidden diagnosis, the conversation shifted toward a different question: What is this body asking for? Through her story, Spence explores the subtle opportunities that can sometimes be overlooked in fertility care — shorter menstrual cycles, circulation, movement, nourishment, sleep, recovery, male fertility, and the cumulative effect of our everyday rhythms. You'll hear why: • Regular doesn't always mean optimal • Fertility may not be the season for intermittent fasting • Movement can be an important part of supporting reproductive physiology • Small, consistent changes can matter more than dramatic interventions • Male fertility deserves attention even when a semen analysis looks reassuring • Age deserves respect - but it should never replace hope This episode also explores the philosophy behind the three phases of the Yinstill Fertility Method™: Shift → Transformation → Manifestation, and why preparing for pregnancy isn't simply about chasing conception. It's about creating the healthiest environment possible for new life to begin. If you've ever thought, “Everything seems normal… so why isn't this happening?”, this episode is for you. This episode is based on a real clinical case. Certain identifying details have been changed to protect patient privacy while preserving the clinical journey, emotional experience, and treatment principles.

The Biology of Preparing for New Life What if pregnancy doesn't actually begin at conception? In this episode of The Conception Channel, Dr Spence Pentland explores a perspective that blends modern reproductive science with thousands of years of clinical observation: that the journey toward pregnancy begins long before a positive test. We explore how the health of an egg is influenced by years of biology, why epigenetics is changing the way we think about fertility, and how preparing for pregnancy is really about preparing the healthiest possible beginning for another human being. In this conversation, you'll learn: 🧬 Why conception is only one moment in a much longer biological story 🌿 How lifestyle, stress, inflammation, sleep, and nutrition influence reproductive health ✨ What epigenetics teaches us about fertility and future generations ☯️ The fascinating connection between modern science and the Chinese medicine concept of Jing (Pre-Heaven Essence) ❤️ Why preparing for pregnancy is one of the greatest gifts you can give your future child This episode isn't about perfection or creating pressure. It's about understanding that every positive change you make today becomes part of the environment from which new life begins. To learn more about Yinstill's clinical philosophy and approach to fertility care, visit 👉 https://yinstill.com #fertility #infertility #getpregnant #modernfertility

Most fertility conversations begin with tests, diagnoses, timelines, and treatment plans. This one begins somewhere different. In this foundational episode of the Yinstill Fertility Method™, Dr. Spence Pentland explores a whole-person approach to fertility that looks beyond hormone levels and lab results to understand the broader patterns influencing reproductive health. Drawing from over two decades of clinical experience, Dr. Pentland explains why fertility rarely exists in isolation. Sleep quality, nervous system regulation, digestion, stress physiology, inflammation, emotional wellbeing, lifestyle rhythms, and recovery capacity all influence how the body communicates and functions. When these systems lose coherence, fertility often becomes more challenging—not because the body is broken, but because it is adapting to the demands being placed upon it. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why fertility is often a reflection of overall physiological resilience • The critical difference between preparation and outcome • How chronic stress and nervous system overload can influence reproductive function • Why rhythm and consistency matter more than intensity and perfection • The role of sleep, digestion, recovery, and emotional health in fertility care • How to think about "normal" lab work when symptoms persist • Why fertility treatment and IVF should be viewed as tools, not threats • The importance of supporting both partners throughout the fertility journey • How loss, disappointment, and uncertainty can impact the body long after the event has passed • Why progress often appears quietly before it becomes obvious Whether you are trying to conceive naturally, preparing for IUI or IVF, navigating unexplained infertility, recovering from pregnancy loss, or simply looking for a more grounded and compassionate approach to reproductive health, this episode provides a framework for understanding fertility through the lens of rhythm, readiness, and whole-person care. You do not need to have all the answers today. You do not need to control every variable. You do not need to carry the entire journey alone. Your job is not to force the outcome. Your job is to create the conditions that allow it to emerge. Welcome to the Yinstill Fertility Method™.

What happens when pregnancy came easily the first time, but the next attempt ends in loss? In this episode of The Conception Channel, Dr Spence Pentland shares a real clinical case that reflects a common and often confusing fertility experience. This episode follows a woman in her mid-30s who conceived her first pregnancy quickly and without difficulty. After birth, she moved through postpartum recovery while carrying ongoing sleep disruption, work stress, and the demands of early motherhood. When a subsequent unplanned pregnancy ended early, the question became not what went wrong, but what had shifted. In this conversation, you'll learn: • Why many early losses are chromosomal and not a personal failure • How nervous system load and sleep disruption influence implantation and early pregnancy stability • Why immune balance and inflammation matter after miscarriage • How acupuncture supports regulation, circulation, and recovery • Why male factor health still matters, even when conception happened before This episode is not about fear or urgency. It is about calming the system, rebuilding reserves, and supporting the body in doing what it has already proven it can do. Listener note: This episode is based on a real clinical case. To protect privacy, identifying details have been changed. The clinical journey, emotional experience, and treatment principles are real. To learn more about Yinstill's clinical philosophy and approach to fertility care, visit 👉 https://yinstill.com #fertility #infertility #getpregnant

What happens when everything looks normal, but pregnancy still hasn't happened? In this episode of The Conception Channel, Dr Spence Pentland shares a real clinical case that reflects a pattern many women experience quietly and often without a diagnosis. This case follows a woman in her early 30s with regular cycles, clear ovulation, and no alarming test results, yet conception had not occurred after many months of trying. When the full picture is explored, the missing piece is not egg quality, hormones, or timing, but nervous system load. You'll hear how chronic mental demand, ongoing life pressure, and subtle sleep disruption can keep the body in a state of readiness rather than receptivity, even when ovulation is consistent. Dr Pentland explains how fertility depends on physiological safety, why regulation matters for implantation, and how acupuncture supports the shift from sympathetic dominance into a more fertile state. This episode also explores the shared nature of fertility, including why male factor health matters even when cycles appear normal, and why early inclusion supports better outcomes over time. This conversation is not about quick fixes or guarantees. It is about understanding fertility as a state the body enters when it feels supported, settled, and safe. To learn more about Yinstill's clinical philosophy, educational resources, and approach to fertility care, visit https://yinstill.com. Listener note: This episode is based on a real clinical case. To protect privacy, identifying details have been changed. The clinical journey, emotional experience, and treatment principles are real.

Alice D. Domar, Ph.D. Hands down the most experienced and published mind in the field of reproductive psychology. This interview will introduce you to Dr Domar and her long standing dedication to influencing the reproductive health field and its need to integrate psychological care as standard practice in conventional fertility care and IVF.  So much valuable information tucked into this podcast, but she does boil it all down to 4 main recommendations… Do not suffer in silence, seek out mental health care Don't expect your partner to feel the same way you do Your relationship with your REI is important, switch doctors if necessary You do not have to go to that baby shower ABOUT DR. 'ALI' DOMAR Dr. Domar is a health psychologist 1987 who focuses on the application of mind/body medicine to women's health issues. Her plethora of research focuses on the relationship between stress and infertility, with a focus on the impact of cognitive behavioral interventions as well as access to care and patient retention. Alice "Ali" Domar, Ph.D., joined Inception Fertility in 2022 as Chief Compassion Officer. She is also a senior staff psychologist in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School.  Dr. Domar is on the board for Parents Magazine and served 10 years on the board of Resolve, the National Infertility Association. She is the author of eight books, including Conquering Infertility and Patient-Centered Assisted Reproduction: How to Integrate Exceptional Care with Cutting Edge Technology, and is the co-creator of the apps FertiCalm and FertiStrong. She is a former chair ASRM's mental health professionals group. RESOURCES / REFERENCES HARVARD CV  [https://connects.catalyst.harvard.edu/Profiles/display/Person/28392] - This includes a listing of all the research discussed & published by Dr. Domar.   INCEPTION [https://inceptionfertility.com/] - a network of brands that touches every stage of the fertility lifecycle (IVF centres, research, tech, financing, egg bank, cryo, Rx, supplements) PRELUDE NETWORK [https://www.preludefertility.com/dr-alice-domar] - Subsidiary of Inception, network of fertility centres in N America (offer compassionate care at every step of the patient journey) PACIFIC CENTRE for REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE [https://www.pacificfertility.ca] - Dr. Jon Havelock and his team at PCRM (Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton) are members of the Prelude Network.  CONQUERING INFERTILITY [https://a.co/d/dmzUCjP] - Dr Domar's landmark book, revised edition published January 2025.  OTO STRESS / FERTILITY RESEARCH [https://fertilitystudies.com/oto/] - OTO and Inception Fertility (Dr Domar) and its family of brands, including The Prelude Network®, are partnering in a research study investigating the impact (if any) stress has on IVF cycle outcomes. ----- #mentalhealth #ivf #infertility  Podcast Website page - https://yinstill.com/infertility-mental-health-superhero/ ----- For more Episodes & Videos visit The Conception Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@TheConceptionChannel YOU CAN ALSO LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE CONCEPTION CHANNEL PODCAST ON ALL YOUR FAVOURITE PODCAST PLATFORMS. ----- CONNECT WITH DR PENTLAND Private practice: https://drspencepentland.com/ Fertility Clinics: https://yinstill.com/

In this interview with Registered Clinical Counsellor, Alexandra Stewart, we dive into her personal fertility and miscarriage journey, challenges that come up for women and couples and how they can better support one another, and why it is important to seek out professional support throughout these challenging times (you do not have to do this all alone).  Alexandra's aim is to engage in meaningful work, to empower you in discovering your own ability to heal, and to guide you in the discovery of your inner wisdom. You can expect a down-to-earth, compassionate, and non-judgmental ally. Alexandra's private practice - https://illuminate-online.com/ Link to teaching webinar for Therapists: https://illuminate-online.com/webinars/  ----- #miscarriage #ivf #infertility  Podcast Website page - https://yinstill.com/mental-emotional-support-for-miscarriage/ ----- For more Episodes & Videos visit The Conception Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@TheConceptionChannel YOU CAN ALSO LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE CONCEPTION CHANNEL PODCAST ON ALL YOUR FAVOURITE PODCAST PLATFORMS. ----- CONNECT WITH DR PENTLAND Private practice: https://drspencepentland.com/ Fertility Clinics: https://yinstill.com/

Interview with Kara Kalin, RCC, EMDR. In this episode we dive deep into the trauma that is associated with infertility, IVF, miscarriage, stillbirth, and as well as birth itself. These traumas plant fear, sometimes to the point of paralysis, making life and the struggles at hand seem impossible to overcome.  The idea that trauma from your past may also be playing into your current challenges and traumas should not only be considered, but worked through with someone who has the right tools.  Kara uses EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) to help people process their trauma without having to talk about it. "In the realm of infertility many come to you already experiencing great loss in many contexts so what if we got curious about how we could treat that before the IVF journey begins?? The internalized belief systems that are connected to the small or big t traumas are held in the body. We can spend all this money trying to get our body pregnant and still not see how the mental-emotional part is actually a major factor. The AIP model according to Shapiro is clear that we cannot "out talk" trauma… so talk therapy can actually re traumatize a person. This is an important element to understand, and why EMDR is such a great tool." Kara's private practice - https://www.karakalin.com/ ----- #fertility #getpregnant #infertility #EMDR Podcast Website page - https://yinstill.com/treating-infertility-miscarriage-trauma-with-emdr/ ----- For more Episodes & Videos visit The Conception Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@TheConceptionChannel YOU CAN ALSO LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE CONCEPTION CHANNEL PODCAST ON ALL YOUR FAVOURITE PODCAST PLATFORMS. ----- CONNECT WITH DR PENTLAND Private practice: https://drspencepentland.com/ Fertility Clinics: https://yinstill.com/

Holly Yager and I have both worked in the reproductive health field in Vancouver for over 20 years now. I have known and trusted her for that entire time. Today we circle back and connect, with 20+ years of experience working with couples facing infertility, and talk about what we have learned, and what can help the mental-emotional journey of people struggling with getting pregnant and starting or expanding their family. Holly's private practice - https://reprohealthfertility.com/ ----- #fertility #getpregnant #infertility Podcast Website page - https://yinstill.com/mental-emotional-advice-for-couples-facing-infertility/ ----- For more Episodes & Videos visit The Conception Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@TheConceptionChannel YOU CAN ALSO LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE CONCEPTION CHANNEL PODCAST ON ALL YOUR FAVOURITE PODCAST PLATFORMS. ----- CONNECT WITH DR PENTLAND Private practice: https://drspencepentland.com/ Fertility Clinics: https://yinstill.com/