IVF Protocols Explained

A semen analysis is one of the first steps in evaluating male fertility—but what do all those numbers actually mean? In this episode, Dr. D. breaks down sperm count, motility, morphology, and more, explaining what your results can (and can't) tell you about fertility.  He also talks about DNA fragmentation and things you can do to enhance your sperm health! Follow us on Instagram @fertiliteawithdrd for more fun facts about fertility! Hosted by Said Daneshmand, MD FACOG Produced by Phoebe Gurrola Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

In this French-only episode of FertiliTEA with Dr. D, we sit down with Maxime Lebouteiller, founder of Guiding Nest, to talk about the unique barriers French intended parents can face when pursuing IVF and surrogacy in the United States. Maxime has guided hundreds of families from around the world through the U.S. surrogacy process, helping intended parents navigate the cultural, legal, logistical, and communication challenges that can arise when building a family across borders. We discuss what French intended parents need to know before embarking on their journey, why navigating the U.S. fertility system can be particularly challenging from abroad, and how the right guidance can make an overwhelming process feel more manageable.   Dans cet épisode exclusif en français de FertiliTEA avec le Dr D, nous rencontrons Maxime Lebouteiller, fondateur de Guiding Nest, pour parler des obstacles spécifiques auxquels peuvent être confrontés les couples français souhaitant recourir à la FIV et à la GPA aux États-Unis. Maxime a accompagné des centaines de familles du monde entier dans leurs démarches de GPA aux États-Unis, les aidant à surmonter les difficultés culturelles, juridiques, logistiques et de communication liées à la construction d'une famille à l'étranger. Nous abordons les points essentiels à connaître avant de se lancer, les difficultés rencontrées pour s'orienter dans le système de procréation médicalement assistée américain depuis l'étranger, et comment un accompagnement adapté peut rendre ce processus complexe plus accessible.   More from Maxime at Guiding Nest Consulting   Follow us on Instagram @fertiliteawithdrd for more fun facts about fertility! Hosted by Said Daneshmand, MD FACOG Produced by Phoebe Gurrola Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!  

In this episode of FertiliTEA with Dr. D, we sit down with Danielle Melfi, CEO of RESOLVE, to talk about fertility advocacy, education, and making fertility care more accessible. Danielle shares resources available to patients in the US, the growing challenge of fertility deserts, and the importance of empowering people with accurate information throughout their fertility journey. We also discuss what can be done to close gaps in access and ensure that everyone has a fair chance at building the family they dream of.   For more information on resources and education on fertility access, click here! Get involved with RESOLVE through local advocacy in your community!   Follow us on Instagram @fertiliteawithdrd for more fun facts about fertility! Hosted by Said Daneshmand, MD FACOG Produced by Phoebe Gurrola Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!      

Sleep is one of the most underdiscussed factors in fertility, yet it has a powerful impact on hormone balance, egg and sperm quality, stress, and overall health. In this episode, Dr. D sits down with Sleep Dr. Chris Allen to explore the critical connection between sleep and infertility. They discuss how poor sleep affects fertility, common sleep disorders and signs to watch out for, and practical strategies to improve sleep quality. Even if you're not actively trying to conceive or going through IVF, this episode has TONS of tips to help you optimize your reproductive health—starting with a good night's sleep.   Follow Sleep Dr. Chris on Instagram @sleepdrchris or contact Quality Sleep and Neurology for more information.   Follow us on Instagram @fertiliteawithdrd for more fun facts about fertility! Hosted by Said Daneshmand, MD FACOG Produced by Phoebe Gurrola Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

What can endangered species teach us about the future of human fertility? Dr. D sits down at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park with Dr. Elena Ruggeri of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance to explore the groundbreaking work being done to preserve some of the world's most vulnerable species. Learn how the Frozen Zoo, one of the world's largest collections of living cell lines from rare and endangered animals, is helping scientists protect biodiversity while advancing reproductive science. Dr. Ruggeri explains how fertility preservation, assisted reproduction, and cutting-edge biotechnology are giving threatened species a fighting chance—and how many of these innovations overlap with the technologies used in human fertility care. In this episode, you'll learn all about: What the Frozen Zoo is and why it's so important How fertility preservation is helping save endangered species The role of assisted reproductive technologies in wildlife conservation Surprising similarities between animal and human fertility science Why protecting biodiversity is so important for all of us   Credit to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance for allowing us to film this episode on site at the Beckman Center for Conservation Research.  Learn more about the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance & The Frozen Zoo   Follow us on Instagram @fertiliteawithdrd for more fun facts about fertility! Hosted by Said Daneshmand, MD FACOG Produced by Phoebe Gurrola Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!    

This week, Dr. D sits down with Stephanie Levich, Founder and President of Family Match Consulting, to discuss the many paths to parenthood, including surrogacy and egg/sperm/and embryo conception.  Stephanie shares her own personal story of being an adopted child and pursuing IVF treatment to build her own family.  They explore how modern families are created through third-party reproduction and why there is no one-size-fits-all approach to building a family.  Stephanie is also the co-author of the children's book, From the Start: A Book About Love & Making Families   Follow us on Instagram @fertiliteawithdrd for more fun facts about fertility! Hosted by Said Daneshmand, MD FACOG Produced by Phoebe Gurrola Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

IVF protocols are complicated! But understanding the basics can make the fertility journey a little less daunting. In this episode, we break down the most common IVF protocols, including antagonist, long Lupron, microdose flare, and natural cycle approaches. Dr. D breaks down why your fertility specialist may choose a protocol, what medications are involved, and how treatment plans are tailored to individual patients.    Follow us on Instagram @fertiliteawithdrd for more fun facts about fertility! Hosted by Said Daneshmand, MD FACOG Produced by Phoebe Gurrola Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!  

Dr. D chats with Lauren Berson, founder of Conceive, about her mission to make fertility support, education, and community more accessible for people navigating fertility treatment. Lauren shares the inspiration behind Conceive, tells us some common challenges fertility patients face, and offers insights on how to feel more informed and empowered throughout the process. More information on how to work with Conceive HERE   Follow us on Instagram @fertiliteawithdrd for more fun facts about fertility! Hosted by Said Daneshmand, MD FACOG Produced by Phoebe Gurrola Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!  

In this forward-looking episode, Dr. D explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the future of healthcare — and what that means for patients approaching fertility treatment in 2026. He breaks down the early history of A.I. in medicine and how machine learning is assisting healthcare teams in providing better care for patients.  Most importantly, Dr. D shares practical advice for patients on how to responsibly use AI tools throughout their fertility journey in order to become more informed advocates for their care.   Follow us on Instagram @fertiliteawithdrd for more fun facts about fertility! Hosted by Said Daneshmand, MD FACOG Produced by Phoebe Gurrola Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!  

We're walking you through exactly what to expect on the day of your egg retrieval!  Dr. D breaks down the entire process step by step, from when you arrive at the clinic to what happens during the procedure itself. We talk about anesthesia, OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome), and what happens while your eggs are being retrieved.  Dr. D also covers the recovery period and what to expect physically after the retrieval.   Follow us on Instagram @fertiliteawithdrd for more fun facts about fertility! Hosted by Said Daneshmand, MD FACOG Produced by Phoebe Gurrola Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!