Conceive Baby Tasha Jennings - Fertility Naturopath

In this episode of the Conceive Baby podcast IVF and Fertility Specialist Dr. Daniel Lantsberg joins me to dive into the evolving topic of genetic carrier screening in preconception care and IVF. 
Dr Lantsberg shares valuable insights into what genetic carrier screening is and who should consider testing. We also explore how genetic carrier screening can influence reproductive outcomes and the options available to couples who are found to be carriers of genetic conditions. Dr. Lanstberg highlights the accuracy and limitations of genetic testing and discusses the future of genetic screening and potential advancements in the field. This informative episode empowers you with valuable information, enabling you  to make informed decisions.
Key Takeaways:Genetic carrier screening is a form of preconception care that can identify the risk of passing on genetic conditions to offspring, even if there’s no known family history of illness.Screening is meant for the general population and is ideally done before starting a family to maximize the available preventative options.Basic genetic carrier screening in Australia covers the three most common conditions and is now bulk billed by Medicare.Expanded screening can test hundreds of genes, offering a higher chance of detecting carrier status but at a higher cost.Knowledge from these tests empowers prospective parents to make informed reproductive choices, including IVF with pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) to select healthy embryos.
About the Guest:Dr. Daniel Lantsberg is a respected consultant gynecologist with a specialization in fertility, reproductive endocrinology, and fertility preservation. He serves as the clinical director of education at Melbourne IVF and has a rich professional background with special interests that include elective egg freezing, age-related infertility, unexplained infertility, male infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and fibroids. Dr. Lantsberg’s commitment to reproductive health extends to his role at the Reproductive Services Unit at the Royal Women’s Hospital, as well as a senior lecturer position at the University of Melbourne’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
You can find out more about Dr Daniel Lantsberg at the links below.
Website
Facebook Page
Instagram
Egg Freezing Melbourne Instagram

In this episode of the Conceive Baby podcast, my wonderful colleague, fellow Fertility Naturopath Rhiannon Hardingham joins me to discuss the unique challenges and solutions involved in managing endometriosis and creating a healthy pregnancy.  



Endometriosis is common yet often misunderstood condition that impacts millions of women, yet diagnosis can take an average of 7 years or more, with considerable suffering in between. 



We dive into the complex nature of endometriosis, and explore how this condition extends far beyond its diagnosis of ‘misplaced endometrial tissue’. With a focus on practical resolutions, we unpack the underlying drivers including immune dysregulation, inflammation, and the intertwining of genetics and microbiome health and draw a clear picture of what you can do to reduce symptoms, improve fertility, and increase your chances of conceiving a healthy baby. 



Expert Guest - Rhiannon Hardingham is a renowned naturopath, presenter, practitioner, educator, mentor, and author with over 16 years of experience specialising in infertility and IVF support. She has made significant strides in the integration of natural and conventional medicine, often working alongside top fertility doctors in Melbourne to achieve the best outcomes for patients. Rhiannon is a respected voice in her field, routinely invited to present on collaborative patient care to medical specialists and naturopaths. She also fulfils her passion for education by providing professional mentoring to functional medicine practitioners. Authorship is among her achievements; co-authoring "Create a Fertile Life," a preconception healthcare guide, stands as a testament to her commitment and expertise in fertility health.



Website: https://www.rhreproductivehealth.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhihardingham/




Endometriosis is more than just tissue growth outside the uterus; it involves immune dysregulation and microbiome dysbiosis, making it a multifactorial condition.


Diagnostic strategies for endometriosis include ultrasound, laparoscopy, CA-125 blood tests, and there is an emerging role for MRI assessments.


Diet and lifestyle modifications, such as consuming high-fibre foods and omega-3-rich fish, avoiding processed foods, and engaging in regular exercise, can have significant impacts on managing endometriosis.


The microbiome plays a pivotal role in the regulation of inflammation and immunity; specific probiotic strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus, reuteri, and crispatus are beneficial for uterine health.


Individualised approaches in treatment, testing, and supplementation, including considerations for hormone clearance pathways, are critical for optimal outcomes in managing endometriosis and fertility challenges.

We are exposed to hundreds of thousands of chemicals each and every day. What impact is this having on our ability to create a healthy pregnancy?

As my guest today, embryologist Lucy Lines explains, it has a big impact and we need to take action now.

Lucy is an embryologist who likes to describe herself as a Fertility Educator and an IVF Advocate, with her sole purpose being to help women and couples find the information they’re searching for, in the knowledge that it is science based, comes from a reputable source and from someone who isn't trying to sell you anything more.

I have previously interviewed Lucy about the biology of what’s needed to create a healthy pregnancy. Today, we’re discussing all the chemicals we are exposed to in our modern world and how they can:

• Reduce egg quality

• Reduce sperm health

• Affect our risk of miscarriage

• Reduce our ability to create a healthy pregnancy.

In this episode Lucy explains what endocrine disrupting chemicals and the specific impact they are having on the creation of healthy sperm, healthy eggs and a healthy pregnancy.

Unfortunately, the release of chemicals to market is largely unregulated, which means we need to take matters into our own hands.

If you would like to work further with Lucy or join her DetoxWTF Program, you can find more details here.

In this episode of the Conceive Baby Podcast I have the pleasure of speaking with one of my lovely patients Emily Gentles.



Emily started her fertility journey at 41 and was greeted with some pretty scary statistics about her chances. After failed IVF cycles and miscarriage, it felt like a near impossible task.



Emily is kindly sharing her story to help others who are on their journey to pregnancy over 40.



Emily he openly shares

• The challenges she faced trying to conceive over 40

• Being told her test results were all ‘fine’

• Advised that IVF was really her only option

• In Emily’s words “we failed really badly at IVF!”

• Her struggle through multiple miscarriage

• The toll it took, physically and emotionally

• The specific steps she took to improve her chances

• The importance of having her partner involved in the journey

• Her joy at conceiving naturally

• Her journey through a healthy pregnancy and birth at 43




If you would like to take the steps Emily did on her journey to pregnancy over 40 - Join the Your Fertile Pantry Program now

In this episode, I welcome Dr. Tamara Hunter, a Certified Specialist in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (CREI) based in Perth. Dr Hunter is dedicated to identifying and addressing reproductive health concerns and guiding her patients through personalized treatment options.

We discuss the updated ESHRE guidelines on recurrent implantation failure and implantation failure testing and treatment. Dr Hunter shares her insights into these updates around recurrent implantation failure.

We discuss

• What the new guidelines really mean for you

• Which testing options are best

• Alternative testing methods, their evidence and efficacy

• The impact of the uterine microbiome on implantation

• PLUS proactive ways you can help advocate for yourself, overcome recurrent implantation failure and create your healthy pregnancy

I hope you enjoy this informative discussion!

You can find out more about Dr Hunter at her website https://www.drtamarahunter.com.au/

In this episode, I welcome back the lovely Dr. Genia Rozen. Genia is a Gynaecologist and Fertility specialist based in Melbourne, Australia. She has a special interest in in medical fertility preservation, and she is the deputy head of the Fertility Preservation Service at the Royal Women’s Hospital.

Genia, in collaboration with her colleagues recently published a paper titled, ‘The ovarian hyperstimulation that truly matters: Admissions, severity and prevention strategies’ and she kindly shares her research insights with us.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a common but serious complication of IVF. This episode, Genia provides strategies to manage OHSS, the role of medications, severity classifications, symptoms and prevention.

We discuss medications, triggers and doses and why freezing embryos instead of transferring them in a fresh cycle can provide a healthier environment for implantation. We also dive into the essential role doctors play in personalising the medication regimen for individual patients, allowing for a safer, more effective IVF journey.

Genia also reiterates the importance of preconception health and proactive prevention strategies for OHSS, the benefits of being well-informed and the role your Health Care team play in providing optimal care throughout the IVF journey.

I hope you enjoy this informative discussion!

You can find out more about Dr Rozen at her website http://www.geniarozen.com.au