The diagnosis of PTSD, until recently, has mostly been assigned to war veterans and victims of assault. However, the traumatizing struggle that many women and couples face when dealing with a diagnosis of infertility is ongoing. It’s not limited to an isolated event or circumstance. “Fertility PTSD”, by comparison to typical PTSD, subjects its patients to be re-triggered on a regularly repeating basis.As fertility patients “hang in”, month after challenging month, they develop a range of symptoms that include: an inability to trust, difficulty feeling safe, anxiety and panic, insomnia, isolation and physiological symptoms such as palpitations and in some cases, sympathetic shock which arises as they approach routine ultrasounds and exams, procedures and protocols.With each cycle attempt, they courageously tell themselves to “fight the good fight” and ignore bodily cues of dysregulation, in hopes of conceiving, staying pregnant and moving beyond the reproductive life chapter.This episode with Maternal Mental Health Psychologist, Dr Ivy Margulies, explains the physiological connection behind the metaphorical phrase “The Uterus Is Our Second Heart”; as the powerful connection between our mind’s perceptionand our body’s physiology can no longer be denied in this vulnerable community.Dr Ivy is an expert in the field of women’s reproductive psychology. She has dedicated her life to the mission of helping women during all stages of womanhood; including everything from infertility and childlessness, to loss of babies, infants and children, and including the grief that occurs due to the loss of their long held family building dream.As Dr Ivy explained, “When you’re stuck in feeling, you’re not thinking (rationally)”.This episode gives women (and their partners) a plethora of perspective, information, insights and effective strategies to better understand PTSD… as it pertains to baby-making and parenthood.Dr Ivy Margulies is taking new clients, in-person and virtually. Visit her website www.DrIvyLove.com to learn more; or reach out directly via email to schedule: drivylove@gmail.com.This episode was sponsored by SeedFertility.com, the original resource of online fertility education. For specific tools to reconcile pregnancy loss and grief associated with infertility, consider Healing After Loss — a course available inside SeedFertility.com that provides a downloadable workbook, a new perspective, and unique strategies to restore the hope that often gets lost along the way to motherhood. Use promo code BABYMAKERS and save 20%.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick Edwards

In this very personal episode, Danica recounts her experience with Family Constellations facilitator, Leah Kalish of Los Angeles, exposing the healing power that awaits us once we release **generational trauma we’ve inherited from our parents…If your fertility journey has solely consisted of discouraging lab values, poor egg counts, procedures and protocols, you’ll find this discussion about Family Constellations & Embodiment Processing (somatic work) refreshing; as Leah Kalish explains how this subtle form of healing reorganizes your physiology to create more order and more alignment with optimal health and abundance.Healing the “mother wound” is a big one for many of us struggling with fertility issues. Making the choice to open our hearts and wombs to a greater flow of energy within the field of consciousness and divine love allows old trauma to be integrated.This type of shifting feels like a new imperative, especially as we are consciously creating a more evolved future generation!Leah Kalish is accepting new clients. To construct your own Family Constellation and experience the somatic embodiment process explained in this episode, visit LeahKalish.com.The Babymakers Fertility Podcast is brought to you by SeedFertility.com. Listeners will receive 20% off the price of any Seed Fertility course using the promocode BABYMAKERS20 at checkout.

Thinking about hypnosis can conjure up a mental image of spinning eyes and possible manipulation (!!), but… allowingoneself to be guided into a trance state can be exactly what patients need in order to create important changes on the subconscious level;This episode will explain how certified hypnotherapist Iris Sutalo uses the science of neuroplasticity to calm her clients’ anxiety, and using very little “woo woo” flowery language, she moves them beyond their limited beliefs, outdated patterning and mental blocks — those nagging doubts that so frequently crop up when we’re on the path to baby.A session typically begins by creating a SAFE SPACE, staying attuned to what’s happening in the PRESENT MOMENT, and helping them to RELAX are the first steps in creating a successful hypnosis session that can play a valuable role in setting up a future that consists of a NEW story…

Making the bedroom safe again after IVF and infertility” is rarely talked about but it’s one of the more common and vulnerable topics that show up everyday in the treatment rooms of fertility acupuncturists.This interesting conversation between Danica and Dr Denise Wiesner, L.Ac., DACM, a fellow acupuncturist & author of Conceiving With Love, reveals how they serve the community, filling in as “wise women mystics”, with the unenviable task of keeping patients focused on what truly matters; especially when life starts to revolve around a new type of burning desire — the biological imperative to become parents.For fertility acupuncturists, life becomes rich with the rewards of helping patients pick themselves up after multiple cycle attempts fail and disappointment occurs month after month, when they face unexpected delays, and confront a myriad of tough life choices.Danica and Denise dish about their role to provide “holistic and emotional support” and what it means to help perspectivize their patients when they’re presented with controversial decisions and heartbreaking choices; such as: what to do with mosaic embryos, discovering a bicornuate uterus, conceiving multiples and selective reduction, facing new fertility changes in a post-pandemic era, and overcoming the anxiety/depression that arises when perimenopause looms…These are just a few of the stressful issues that can be less harrowing if you have a skillful holistic team in place. Our goal for this episode is to help you know that if you’re dealing with infertility, you don’t have to face it alone.To schedule or learn more about Dr Denise Wiesner, L.Ac., DACM, click here: https://naturalhealingacupuncture.com/To work with Danica and her team of holistic providers, either virtually or in-person in Los Angeles, visit wellpeoplehealing.com.This episode is sponsored by SeedFertility.com, the leader in online fertility education… Empowering fertility patients worldwide using a combination of Fertile Thoughts and Fertile Foods.Use promocode BABYMAKERS20 to receive 20% all courses at SeedFertility.com and take back some control in a journey that feels out of your control.

We’re kicking off Season 2 of The Babymakers by bringing back Larissa Laskin and getting inside Danica’s head — to understand how and why she created The Seed Fertility Masterclass.The two women dish about the emotions, the triumphs, the recipes, the twists & turns, and personal growth that occurs when we’re building a family.Truly understanding and accepting what’s happening and taking a completely different look at the process of trying to conceive — that’s what helps women become mothers.The wisdom, confidence and personal development that happens along the way is what makes our fertility journey worthwhile.Join Danica and Larissa now as they reconnect and reflect on the various applications of Danica’s online offerings, and what she’s learned about the women who’ve used her courses successfully.Babymakers listeners can receive 20% off any course at SeedFertility.com, using the promo code: BABYMAKERS at checkout.

If you’ve been trying unsuccessfully for one year or longer to conceive, you’re likely frustrated and scratching your head about what to do with a diagnosis of ‘UNEXPLAINED INFERTILITY’…In this episode Danica interviews Dr Nina Vyas of California Fertility Partners to discuss the rationale behind a step-by-step process of elimination to screen for impediments to pregnancy.You’ll appreciate this check list of sorts… as Dr Vyas starts with a thorough discussion of the OVARIES, then she covers all tests relevant to the UTERUS, and then MALE FACTOR.If you’ve been looking for answers, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.To contact Dr Nina Vyas, visit CaliforniaFertilityPartners.com or call 310.828.4008.

Fertility treatment can create heightened anxiety for even the most pragmatic women. Particularly during the quarantine, fertility anxiety went off the charts, and the layers of stress were correlated with poorer outcomes for the women and couples trying to conceive.What we learned from that era is valuable and so important now, as we face different life challenges and new sources of perceived stress.In this episode, Danica sits down with former fertility patient Sarah Adina to retell her story as a wild but beautiful adventure — now that she’s made it to the other side, a.k.a. Parenthood.This episode is sponsored by seedfertility.com - the first online resource for fertility. Save 20% of any fertility course using code BABYMAKERS at checkout.The episode is also sponsored by wellpeople Integrative Healing Center in Los Angeles.Follow for updates on Instagram @wellpeoplehealing. Or schedule a session here: www. Wellpeoplehealing.com.Thank you for listening! Please subscribe for notifications on next week’s episode. We welcome your questions and comments at @babymakers_podcast.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick Edwards

Trusting again in our body after multiple disappointments eventually leads to birthing ourselves as parents”, says world famous birth doula Lori Bregman.Finding areas of the babymaking journey where we can “reframe” what’s not happening into something that elevates us is so much better than being inauthentic with toxic positivity.This episode is a combination of woo woo and honest shares - we’re talking about what really happens during pregnancy, birthing and when things go so differently than planned.It’s a conversation that revolves around supporting women, helping them keep the faith when it’s hard, and introducing them to spiritual concepts, energy work and true healing after heartbreak.An open mind and an open heart help us to trust the process…Words matter, and what we THINK about our journey matters to us on a subconscious level. Using the power of visualization and repetition helps us attract what we desire and what we believe we deserve.Patient advocacy and birthing education that empowers patients? That’s how Lori steers her clients to avoid potential birthing trauma… she guides them to an experience they can reflect back on positively, many years later.Here you’ll learn about the “Aqua-dural” — a water birthing experience where women give birth at home with midwives; calmly welcoming a new baby into the world.After listening, you may want to join “The mama portal” - Lori’s virtual online community where members can get their questions answered and connect with other women making their way to pregnancy or onto a successful delivery.How we “show up” for this journey reveals where we are on our personal unfolding; so take a deep breath… sit back and prepare for the woo of baby-making, because taking this pathway really can make a positive difference.How to Contact Lori for an individual session? Email loribregman@loribregman.comOn Instagram @lbreggyBe sure to check out Needed.com for fertility, pregnancy, women’s health supplements for each stage of life.This episode is sponsored by seedfertility.com - the first online resource for fertility. Save 20% of any fertility course using code BABYMAKERS at checkout.The episode is also sponsored by wellpeople Integrative Healing Center in Los Angeles.Follow for updates on Instagram @wellpeoplehealing. Or schedule a session here: www. Wellpeoplehealing.com.Thank you for listening! Please subscribe for notifications on next week’s episode. We welcome your questions and comments at @babymakers_podcast.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick Edwards

This conversation takes listeners on a path inward to demonstrate how the process of “trying to conceive” has the potential to reveal a new version of ourselves.Mindfulness, consciousness, breathwork and personal discovery are highlighted as techniques that women (and couples) may find helpful in overcoming the anxiety and nervous system upregulation that occurs during fertility treatment, and later, preparation for giving birth.This episode describes how Danica met Lauren and how the two of them worked together to create “Yoga for the 4 Phases of the Menstrual Cycle” for people using the Seed Fertility Program.Lauren blended her love for science, teaching, coaching and Yoga to create FertileFromWithin.com, her virtual fertility coaching program that guides women from stress to self-love, within the safety of community.Fertility Yoga movements for each of the 4 Phases of the Cycle is an intuitive process; it has the power to take people out of their heads and into a more open part of their mind… allowing access to more “fertile potential.”To learn more about Lauren Enright or to receive her FREE Mind-Body Toolkit, visit BreatheWithLauren.com. Her Instagram account Is @FertileFromWithin.The 4-Phase yoga routine she created for Seed Fertility is now available and can found inside the SeedFertility.comMASTERCLASS.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)

This episode features Ali Prato, host of the award-winning podcast “Infertile AF”. As the co-founder of @fertilityrally, and the author of “Work of ART”, her new children’s book about family-building using IVF, Ali shares her own story and connects others through the power of storytelling and community. Anyone feeling alone, ashamed or scared to navigate the world of infertility will benefit from this empowering conversation filled with interesting perspective and insights that consistently help people move forward with support, increased fertile confidence, and a sense of resolve. You can follow Ali at @infertileAFstories; become a part of the @fertilityrally community, or purchase her book here: https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)

Dr. Michael Vermesh and Danica discuss memorable stories collected during 20 years of working together with IVF patients previously labeled as “tough cases”.Using "old school" IVF protocols and low doses of medication may offer women diagnosed with Advanced Maternal Age, Premature Ovarian Failure, or Diminished Ovarian Reserve, the chance to create a successful pregnancy where other protocols and approaches have failed.Dr. Vermesh explains the value of looking at “the whole person” (viewing patients holistically in terms of their stress levels, relationship, overall health and emotional state), which can put patients at ease while creating the feeling of working together as a babymaking team.The role of the immune system in reproductive medicine is highlighted in this episode; because it’s another area where treatment can make all the difference in creating a successful outcome.It can be difficult to predict or properly diagnose autoimmune issues that affect fertility because certain immune markers may not become elevated until fertilization and implantation take place. Dr Vermesh explains how he is using a simple infusion of Intralipids to reduce the number of pregnancy losses, by reducing an overactive natural killer cell response.To learn more or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Vermesh, visit www.center4fertility.com.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)

In this special episode, Ashley Marrs, daughter of IVF pioneer doctors Richard Marrs & Joyce Vargyas, shares what it was like to grow up in a family known internationally for creating the first human being in the United States from a frozen embryo!From an appearance on CNN News in her mother’s arms as a newborn baby, to the transition of her nursing career into the world of IVF, Ashley recalls the details of her own PCOS healing journey that led her to have kids despite hormone challenges.This conversation explains the important role of PATIENT EMPOWERMENT in the IVF process — and how empowered patients can address the myriad of emotions that accompany repeated disappointment and frustration from failed IVF attempts.Ashley’s work as an IVF nurse included helping patients understand the different IVF medication protocols, assisting in what we now call Individualized Care. Instead of “cookie cutter” cycles and repeating what wasn’t working, Ashley taught patients how to advocate for changes and how to face the deeper, personal discovery moments that show up on this medical pathway to baby.Join Danica and Ashley Marrs (Woods) as they discuss various IVF strategies learned along the way, while working in the trenches with thousands of fertility patients.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)

In this most soothing episode, Dr Samantha Munson, a PhD specializing in mindfulness and health psychology, explains how a meditation practice can really help when we want to turn to fear and give in to anxiety… Setting reasonable expectations, embracing the fact that our minds are made to wander, and becoming more comfortable with uncertainty are just a few ways to allow mindfulness to become a useful component of your babymaking journey. Dr Samantha Munson is the founder of Grow True Psychology; she also practices in Los Angeles at wellpeople Integrative Healing Center.Her focus in Health Psychology can bring healing benefits to clients experiencing:-life adjustment-health conditions, such as cancer, chronic pain, illness or infertility-relationship stress-anxiety-transitions-depressionTo schedule with Dr Munson or to learn more about her practice, please visit www.growtruepsychology.com (http://www.growtruepsychology.com/). This episode is sponsored by @wellpeoplehealing and @seedfertility. For a limited time, listeners can receive 20% off the price of any course inside SeedFertility.com, using the promo code BABYMAKERS Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick Edwards

Women on the fertility journey struggle with feeling alone, broken, confused and often will grapple with shame… This endearing conversation with Sally Hayes cracks open the hearts of listeners and helps them know that there’s a community here that’s got their back (and their womb!).Through the organizations she’s founded (@WomenInSelfHealing and @WeAreMatrikas) and her proprietary abdominal massage series (known as ”The WISH Method”), she has assisted countless women in creating a treasured collaborative healthcare team.In this episode you’ll learn why it’s important to prioritize self-care as a woman (before, during and after pregnancy); and learn the specific benefits of receiving abdominal massage if you’re dealing with menstrual pain, trying to conceive, preparing for IVF Embryo Transfer, experiencing pregnancy complaints or healing in the postpartum.To contact Sally Hayes for more info, please visit her websites:www.womeninselfhealing.com and www.womanwellbeingcollaborative.com.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)

Balanced hormones are essential for babymaking, so we interviewed integrative wellness expert Dr Taz Bhatia (author of The Hormone Shift and Super Woman Rx ) to learn more about optimizing ovarian potential and improving fertility. In this info-packed episode, Dr Danica and Dr Taz break down the three most common ovarian challenges for women on the fertility journey: hypothalamic ovulatory dysfunction PCOS Premature Ovarian Failure due to a diagnosis of premature menopause The first step in returning the ovaries to a state of balance involves understanding what creates imbalance in the first place. A pioneer in the field of integrative women’s reproductive health, Dr Taz shares her unique diagnostic system, innovative health strategies, and her unique experience as a holistic physician who transitioned her medical practice from the ER to the world of integrative medicine. Dr Taz is a “super woman” and a super doctor; she’s knowledgeable, innovative and incredibly passionate about helping other women become more empowered about their hormones. Whether you’re navigating preconception, muddling through a diagnosis of unexplained infertility, or navigating peri/post menopause, this conversation will provide new insights that point you in a solid direction forward. To see Dr Taz in Los Angeles, email hello@wellpeoplehealing.com, or learn more about her Centre Spring clinic in Atlanta: Sponsoredcentrespringmd.comhttps://www.centrespringmd.comDr. Taz Bhatia M.D. | Integrative & Holistic Doctor AtlantaExecutive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)

This is one of the best feel-good episodes of The Babymakers Podcast, as wives Toby & Lindsay share details about their VIRAL babymaking story — when they made headlines as “2 Lesbian Wives Pregnant At The Same Time!”This story involves many of the typical fertility hurdles and hiccups (ie. miscarriage, polyps, upsetting ultrasounds, and worry about male factor), but it drives home the idea that keeping an OPEN HEART & MIND is key to family building in today’s complicated world.You’ll love hearing how the two supported each other in a process that felt frustrating at times with so much uncertainty, and how the journey taught them to control what they could while allowing something bigger than themselves to handle the rest.Both women describe what the process was like for them — from the early days when they both used The Seed Fertility Program to improve their fertility, all the way to the moment when they delivered their babies within weeks of each other.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)

Endearing partnerships can be formed between medical doctors and holistic practitioners to provide fertility patients with a sense of cohesive support and a sense of deeper meaning to the overall experience of infertility treatment. This episode highlights many shared memories and points of connection between Danica and Dr Guy Ringler.In this interview, Dr Ringler acknowledges the positive impact of “patient empowerment” especially in this challenging field of medicine, the power of storytelling to provide inspiration at the right time, and the benefits to be gained by taking a holistic approach to baby-making.Dr Ringler is known internationally for helping gay men become fathers through surrogacy and egg donation. After 30 years and several thousand successful live births, Dr Ringler still feels passionate about his work, and the listeners will feel his dedication in this very heartwarming interview.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)

In this illuminating episode actress Brenda Strong, voice of Mary Alice from Desperate Housewives and the former Spokesperson of the American Fertility Association, emphasizes the power of energetic healing, breathwork and spiritual consciousness in downplaying fear, doubt and the need to control.Brenda describes the term “Divine Feminine” as empowering for both women AND men, because the act of surrendering, being patient, finding balance and embracing vulnerability can strengthen us as complete individuals.Sharing our stories and making our mess into our message, as ways to combat the shame that often accompanies the family-building journey.Watch Brenda’s TED Talk about breathing as a way to combat the stress and uncertainty that accompanies infertility, by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jQMTR_t8vgExecutive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)

Improving fertility often takes a village, and in this episode, Danica interviews one of her mentors, Dr Daoshing Ni, to discuss the role of the acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine in overcoming obstacles to family-building.A respected pioneer, teacher and specialist in the field of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for fertility, “Dr Dao” has imparted his wisdom and insights about this ancient form of energy medicine to help thousands of women conceive against the odds.If you’ve been struggling to get pregnant or stay pregnant, if you’re dealing with endometriosis or have a male partner with impaired sperm parameters, or if you’re considering a career as a fertility acupuncturist, you’ll gain deeper understanding and perspective from this heartwarming interview.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)

There’s an outdated paradigm occurring in the fertility space — it’s the assumption that miscarriage and failed attempts to conceive are mostly due to “bad eggs”. Turns out, male factor (sperm issues) are now believed to be causing 50% of the problem in poor fertility outcomes.When besties Ronit Menashe and Vida Delrahim experienced pregnancy loss within one week of each other, the search for answers began. This episode uncovers what they learned about prenatal vitamins, mens’ health, antioxidants, the thyroid and the value gained from emphasizing holistic health.All too often and for far too long, the burden of improving fertility outcomes has been placed primarily on the female partner. Ronit and Vida, as co-founders of WeNatal, are on a mission to help bring more balance to the equation and that’s resulting in more pregnancies and happier couples.For a FREE bottle of WeNatal fish oil with the purchase of a subscription of the him & her prenatal http://shrsl.com/2jge8-33xf-1f7o3Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)