Fertility for Type A Women: IVF, Burnout & Egg Quality with Dr. Natalie Crawford

What happens when a high-achieving woman hits her mid-to-late 30s, wants a baby more than anything… and realizes nobody ever taught her how fertility actually works?In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified in OBGYN and Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, and co-founder of Fora Fertility in Austin, Texas. We talk directly to the “Stephanie” archetype: the brilliant, driven, time-poor, high-performing woman who’s crushing her career… and now feels like fertility is the one thing she can’t outwork.We cover what to do before jumping into IVF, how to think about genetic testing, how many IVF rounds are “safe,” and the emotional reality of the two-week wait (and why you shouldn’t go through it alone). Dr. Crawford also breaks down the science of stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance, without the dismissive “just relax” narrative.If you’re trying to conceive, considering IVF, navigating pregnancy loss, or planning baby #2 in your 40s, this conversation will give you data, clarity, and a calmer way to make decisions.Timestamps 0:00 – Why fertility planning matters for high-achieving women5:18 – IVF at 38: should you fast-track or gather data first?10:42 – Family goals (1 vs 3 kids) and why strategy changes15:27 – Genetic testing: benefits, limits, and embryo expectations21:08 – IVF rounds, safety, and clinic age cutoffs28:54 – The emotional weight of the two-week wait34:36 – Chronic stress, cortisol, and egg quality41:22 – Support systems: therapy, hypnotherapy, acupuncture, community48:03 – Planning baby #2 in your 40s + embryo banking54:10 – Who The Fertility Formula is for + pre-order bonusesWhat We CoverFertility planning for high-achieving women with low time and high stressWhat to test before IVF: ovarian reserve, anatomy, semen analysis, cycle trackingIVF vs trying naturally at 38+: how to choose based on your family goalGenetic testing (PGT-A): pros, limitations, and decision-making benefitsHow many IVF rounds are safe + why “caps” aren’t one-size-fits-allThe two-week wait, infertility grief, and reducing isolationStress physiology: inflammation, glucose, insulin resistance, and egg/sperm qualityPlanning postpartum IVF/embryo banking for baby #2 in your 40sKey TakeawaysYour plan should reflect your family goal (one child vs multiple), not just “get pregnant now.”Data first: you can’t make good fertility decisions without testing and cycle awareness.Genetic testing can reduce time, cost, and heartbreak by prioritizing embryos with higher potential.Chronic stress has real biological effects, support and recovery time aren’t optional add-ons.If you want baby #2 in your 40s, embryo banking can keep the door open while you recover postpartum.Connect With NatalieWebsite: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/about Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NatalieCrawfordMDInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliecrawfordmd/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-crawford-mdPre-order Natalie’s “The Fertility Formula Book”: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/bookConnect With Me🌍 Website: https://charlenegisele.com📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/charlenegisele💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlène-gisèle-bourliout/✉️ Subscribe to my Life Less Burnt Out Newsletter📖Read Your Fertility-Ready Home