Dr. Natalie Crawford, double board certified OBGYN and REI, provides an in-depth roadmap for anyone preparing to start their pregnancy journey, covering everything from fertility tracking to preconception health. Key Topics Covered: 1. Birth Control and Fertility Transition - When and how to stop different birth control methods - Impact of birth control on fertility - Recommended waiting periods before trying to conceive - Hormonal vs. non-hormonal contraception effects 2. Fertility Tracking Met...
Jun 24, 2025•30 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Dr. Natalie Crawford, double board certified OBGYN and REI, breaks down the complex world of reproductive hormones, providing you with a comprehensive guide to understanding their menstrual cycle, hormone function, and reproductive health. Key Topics Covered: 1. Hormone Basics -The HPO (Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Ovary) Axis -How hormones communicate in the body -Roles of key hormones: GnRH, FSH, LH, Estrogen, Progesterone 2. The Menstrual Cycle Explained -Egg development and ovulation process -Horm...
Jun 17, 2025•31 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Welcome to As a Woman: Fertility, Hormones, and Health. We are so excited to share season 3 of the podcast! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Tuesday. Plus be sure to follow along on Instagram @nataliecrawfordmd, check out Natalie's YouTube Channel, Natalie Crawford MD, and if you are interested in becoming a patient, check out Fora Fertility. As a Woman is part of the Pinnacle Podcast network. Learn more here! Want free CE C...
Jun 17, 2025•27 sec
Dr. Natalie Crawford answers your fertility questions, covering everything from frustrating OPK struggles and irregular periods to short luteal phases, PCOS, and managing endometriosis while trying to conceive. Whether you're wondering how to track ovulation more effectively, when to try naturally after surgery, or how supplements and hormones fit into your journey this episode is for you. Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter to receive update...
May 26, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 154
Dr. Natalie Crawford gives an in-depth look at male fertility, a topic often overlooked in discussions of reproductive health. She begins by explaining the spermatogenesis process, detailing how sperm develop over approximately 72 days, and how this timeline impacts fertility assessments and treatment planning. Dr. Crawford also answers listener questions, addressing important topics such as low testosterone, leukocytospermia, and how lifestyle choices—from diet and weight to substances like nic...
May 19, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 152
Dr. Natalie Crawford answers your voicemail questions about frozen embryo transfers. From transfer timing and uterine health to post-transfer activities and intimacy during treatment, this episode covers the essential insights every fertility patient needs to know. Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter to receive updates, Q&A, special content and my FREE TTC Starter Kit! Don't forget to ask your questions on Instagram for next week’s For Fert...
May 12, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 152
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses IVF and answers questions about fertility treatment preparation and potential challenges. She explains why starting early with suppression medications like birth control, progesterone, or Lupron can help align egg growth for a more effective cycle. She breaks down the benefits of using a low-dose gonadotropin protocol to reduce the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), and emphasizes the importance of checking hormone levels, particularly FSH and LH, be...
May 05, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 151
Dr. Natalie Crawford answers your fertility questions called into the voicemail. Questions Answered: -What happens if you lose your period after stopping birth control? -Is it normal to have low basal body temperatures during the luteal phase? -Should someone with regular cycles but a potentially short luteal phase consider taking Clomid? -How significant is a drop in AMH and increase in FSH between ages 29 and 31? -Can a past chlamydia infection cause long-term fertility difficulties? -Is it sa...
Apr 27, 2025•36 min•Season 2Ep. 149
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses her top tips for trying to conceive, emphasizing the importance of prenatal vitamins and the need for a preconception consult with an OB-GYN. She advises tracking cycles, using methods beyond apps, and considering genetic carrier screening. She also addresses listener questions, suggesting early testing and lifestyle changes to improve fertility outcomes. This episode offers practical, evidence-based insights to help optimize fertility and understand reproductive h...
Apr 20, 2025•40 min•Season 2Ep. 149
Dr. Natalie Crawford explains how individualized protocols can lead to better outcomes in IVF and egg freezing. She breaks down key fertility concepts, including ovarian reserve, AMH levels, follicle counts, and the roles of FSH and LH in egg development. Dr. Crawford also discusses how age affects egg quality, the potential impact of sperm genetics, and why multiple cycles are sometimes needed to achieve a healthy embryo. She emphasizes the importance of patient advocacy and lifestyle changes t...
Apr 06, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 147
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses uterine factor infertility, emphasizing the importance of understanding uterine development and potential abnormalities. She explains various uterine anomalies, including unicornuate, bicornuate, and uterine septums, and their impact on fertility. Dr. Crawford highlights the significance of proper diagnostic tools like saline sonograms and MRIs for accurate detection. She addresses common issues such as polyps, fibroids, and adenomyosis, and their effects on fertil...
Mar 30, 2025•40 min•Season 2Ep. 146
Dr. Natalie Crawford breaks down unexplained infertility in younger couples, addressing common misconceptions and answering your fertility questions. Knowledge is power, and Dr. Crawford's goal is to equip you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your reproductive health—because no one should have to let time or lack of data make the choice for them. Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter to receive updates, Q&A, special co...
Mar 24, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 145
Dr. Natalie Crawford breaks down the essential steps to take while waiting to begin your IVF journey and the timing of the process. She guides you through what you can do right now to boost your chances of success as well as understanding your insurance coverage. Dr. Crawford dives deep into the IVF process—unpacking protocols, timing, and embryo development. She also answers listener questions with personalized tips, highlighting the importance of tailoring every IVF plan. Want to receive my we...
Mar 16, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 144
Dr. Natalie Crawford explains the different types of cysts, including functional and non-functional cysts. She highlights the differences between endometriomas and dermoid cysts, and their respective implications for fertility. Dr. Crawford also covers the potential risks and considerations around surgical removal of cysts. Additionally, she provides guidance on fertility preservation options, such as embryo freezing, for women with a history of ovarian cysts. Natalie answers your questions in t...
Mar 09, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 143
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses what you need to know if you are considering or in the midst of fertility treatment. She walks through the key steps in the fertility evaluation process, including testing ovarian reserve, assessing reproductive anatomy, and analyzing semen quality. She explains the treatment options available for those with unexplained infertility, outlining the pros and cons of approaches like intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Additionally, Dr. Cra...
Mar 02, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 142
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses PCOS treatment options, emphasizing the importance of understanding the normal ovulation process. Letrozole is a common treatment for PCOS, working by reducing estrogen levels to stimulate FSH production. She advises monitoring with ultrasounds and progesterone levels. For those not responding to Letrozole, Clomid may be considered. Dr. Crawford also highlights the role of lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise, and stress reduction, in managing PCOS. She ment...
Feb 23, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 141
Dr. Natalie Crawford dives into the topic of fertility preservation. Recognizing the growing need for women to take proactive measures to safeguard their reproductive futures, she provides a comprehensive overview of the available options, from egg freezing to embryo banking. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the nuances between these methods and how they can empower women to make informed decisions about their family planning. Listen and gain valuable insights into the latest resea...
Feb 16, 2025•45 min•Season 2Ep. 140
Dr. Natalie Crawford addresses various aspects of pregnancy loss, including miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and implantation failure. In this episode, she answers voicemail questions about the best next steps after an ectopic pregnancy, the timeline for ovulation after a miscarriage, concerns over uterine lining after IUD removal, the use of specific IVF protocols, and how to approach multiple failed embryo transfers. Questions Answered: What are best next steps after a ruptured ectopic pregnanc...
Feb 09, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 139
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses PCOS and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), emphasizing their impact on fertility. She explains the menstrual cycle's hormonal processes and how disruptions in these pathways lead to conditions like PCOS and CAH. Dr. Crawford highlights the importance of thorough evaluations to differentiate between these conditions and avoid misdiagnosis. Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter to receive updates, Q&A, special conte...
Feb 02, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 138
Dr. Natalie Crawford covers common fertility myths and misconceptions. She addresses topics like the differences between birth control pills and IUDs, the limitations of AMH testing, the importance of exercise restrictions during fertility treatments, the role of male factor infertility, and the realities of IVF success rates. Natalie answers your fertility questions in FFS-For Fertility's Sake Is letrozole supposed to shorten my cycle? I'm still having a long cycle, and I have PCOS. What are yo...
Jan 26, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 137
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses the importance of fertility testing and the impact of early testing on reproductive decisions. She emphasizes that while guidelines suggest waiting a year before testing, individual circumstances may warrant earlier evaluation. Dr. Crawford outlines key tests for fertility, including menstrual history, ovarian reserve testing (AMH and antral follicle count), anatomical evaluation (HSG or saline bubble test), and semen analysis. She also advises that testing should ...
Jan 19, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 136
Dr. Natalie Crawford takes a deep dive into the science of ovarian reserve testing, exploring key indicators like AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) and antral follicle count. She walks listeners through the process of egg growth, ovulation, and how these tests offer crucial insights into a woman’s fertility potential. Dr. Crawford breaks down the importance of ovarian reserve testing—especially when it's not routinely recommended—and how it can be a game-changer for making informed family planning de...
Jan 12, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 135
Dr. Natalie Crawford addresses a listener's question about primary amenorrhea, discussing the absence of periods despite typical puberty signs and normal hormone levels. She explains the difference between primary and secondary amenorrhea, potential causes like ovarian failure, Mullerian aplasia, androgen insensitivity syndrome, and more. Most importantly, she emphasizes the importance of thorough evaluation and testing to determine the underlying cause. Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sig...
Jan 05, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 134
Dr. Natalie Crawford gives her advice for navigating infertility during the holidays. Whether you are going through infertility or treatment or you have a family member or friend who is, this episode is for you. You deserve support. Don't be afraid to set boundaries, and communicate why they exist. Make a plan and be prepared if you are spending the holidays with family and know they are going to have questions. Give yourself the gift of education. Control what you can. Natalie answers your fert...
Dec 22, 2024•47 min•Season 2Ep. 133
Dr. Natalie Crawford answers voicemail questions about male fertility. Questions included: I have been trying to get pregnant for 18 months, had a miscarriage, and am seeing a fertility specialist. My husband's sperm motility is 36% and morphology is 2%. The clinic says the numbers are minimally low and we can still try medicated cycles and IUI. I want feedback on whether we should stop the medicated cycles and focus on improving my husband's sperm first. I have two healthy children but have had...
Dec 15, 2024•40 min•Season 2Ep. 132
Dr. Natalie Crawford answers voicemail questions about TTC and fertility. Questions Answered: If you do a frozen embryo transfer and get pregnant, and you continue tracking your basal body temperature, if you have a large decrease in your basal body temperature, does that mean anything? And should you just stop tracking at all after you do have success and get pregnant with your basal body temperature to decrease any anxiety? Could working overnight and day shifts as a nurse impact my trying to ...
Dec 08, 2024•37 min•Season 2Ep. 131
Dr. Natalie Crawford answers voicemail questions about various aspects of IVF. Questions Answered: Is priming with birth control necessary for an IVF cycle, and should I try a different protocol for my next cycle? What is the difference between M1 and M2 eggs, and how often can M1 eggs reach maturity after retrieval? How does a mid-luteal IVF protocol work, and is it a good option for me? What are the benefits and drawbacks of waiting to fertilize eggs until after multiple retrievals, compared t...
Dec 01, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 130
Dr. Natalie Crawford answers voicemail question about ovulation. Questions Answered: How do high prolactin levels interact with progesterone and other hormones during pregnancy? Can stopping prolactin-lowering medication lead to miscarriage or other problems? What does it mean if I frequently get bleeding either the day after or the day of ovulation? Does this mean I can't get pregnant? I have PCOS and don't get regular periods. How long on average does it take someone like me to get pregnant, a...
Nov 24, 2024•37 min•Season 2Ep. 129
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses the importance of cycle tracking for reproductive health, emphasizing its relevance in the current political climate. She explains the menstrual cycle, including the roles of FSH, LH, estrogen, and progesterone. Various cycle tracking methods are detailed, such as the calendar method, rhythm method, standard days method, basal body temperature (BBT), cervical mucus monitoring, and urinary LH tests. Effectiveness rates for perfect and typical use are provided, highl...
Nov 17, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 128
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses the impact of the recent election on reproductive health, focusing on IVF and contraceptive options. She reassures listeners that current IVF practices remain unchanged and emphasizes the importance of understanding one's reproductive health. She also advises against making immediate changes but highlights the need to be informed and prepared for potential future restrictions. Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter to rece...
Nov 10, 2024•41 min•Season 2Ep. 127
