My Fertility Podcast

Today we talk about Mother's Day and all the emotions this day brings. We welcome Brittany Marshall, Social Worker & Psychotherapist, to discuss coping mechanisms to you help navigate this day as someone going through a fertility journey, how partners can provide support and what it may be like for SMBC.Brittany Marshall is a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist with over a decade of experience providing psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and families across Ontario. She earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto in 2016 and has worked in a range of settings including hospitals, family health teams, post-secondary institutions, and private practice.Brittany brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to her work. Having personally navigated infertility and becoming a parent through IVF, she is deeply passionate about supporting people throughout their fertility journeys. She is also committed to supporting healthcare professionals working in this field, with a focus on emotional wellbeing, communication, and burnout prevention.Her approach is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in helping individuals build resilience and meaningful coping strategies.Connect with Brittany Marshall for psychotherapy, supervision or public speaking opportunities:Instagram: @brittanymarshallcounselling Website: https://brittanymarshallcounselling.ca/ Book a Free Consult: https://brittanymarshallcounselling.janeapp.com/Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Today we welcome back to our show, Dara Roth Edney (MSW, RSW), who is the Founder and Clinical Director Informed Fertility, Reproductive Counsellor, Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist. We speak about various forms of grief and navigating miscarriage and what may be referred to as "invisible loss". Dara joined us previously for EP57: Navigating Mother's Day. Dara is a Registered Social Worker and psychotherapist with over 20 years’ experience, and the founder and Clinical Director of Informed Fertility, a group counselling practice specializing in family building. Dara supports people navigating infertility, pregnancy and infant loss, 2SLGBTQ+ and solo parent family building, identity-based fertility planning, and complex medical or psychosocial histories. She provides grief and relationship counselling, third-party reproduction counselling, and practical tools for coping, communication, and boundary setting. Dara developed and teaches Canada’s first university-level professional development course in fertility counselling, is Past Chair of the Counselling Special Interest Group of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society, a board member of Donor Conception Canada, and a recognized leader in the field of reproductive mental health. Her work is grounded in inclusive, trauma-informed and evidence-based care - shaped by her clinical expertise and her personal lived experience with infertility, loss, and surrogacy.You can connect with Dara on Instagram @dara.informedfertilityWebsite: https://informedfertility.ca/Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

This week is Canadian Fertility Awareness Week (CFAW), and we are going talk about recent breakthroughs that have come about in the world of fertility. If you're trying to conceive, thinking about fertility treatment or already going through treatment, chances are that in the last year you may have seen many of these headlines such as: Neo IVF breakthrough increases success rates or AI chooses the best embryo, or scientists reverse egg aging, and more..Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Today we are continuing our reproductive immunology series, with a deep dive into cytokines — a topic that generates so many questions, confusion and honestly mixed emotions for patients. We cover cytokines in the context of recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).This Part 3 of our series on the immune system. You may also be interested in:EP78: Reproductive immunology Part 1: Testing and treatmentsEP83: Reproductive immunology Part 2: LAD & LIT (Leukocyte Antibody Detection & Lymphocyte Immunization Therapy)EP51: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) Part 1: Risk factors & the 5 categories of causesEP56: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) Part 2: Testing & management options EP72: Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) Part 1: What causes RIF? And why all the controversy?EP76: Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) Part 2: Diagnosis and treatment optionsFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Today we welcome Dr. Bev Young to our show! Dr. Young is the Co-Founder of BRIA, a one-stop shop for women's mental health care. She is a psychiatrist with over 25 years of experience, specializing in women’s mental health issues across the reproductive life cycle. Her career has focused specifically on mood and anxiety disorders relating to pregnancy, infertility, perinatal loss, and postpartum adjustment.Before co-founding BRIA, Dr. Young developed and led two of the largest perinatal psychiatry programs in Ontario and trained many perinatal psychiatrists across the province. As a leader in her field, she is relentlessly dedicated to improving access to high quality reproductive psychiatric care. With her new virtual clinic, BRIA, she hopes to provide access to mental health services to women across Canada.Connect with BRIA on Instagram @bria.health Visit the website https://betterbria.com/Book a free call https://betterbria.com/book-a-call/Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Superhumans! Welcome to My Fertility Podcast for the 85th time! If you are new here, we are so happy you found us and if you are a loyal listener, we are so so grateful for you! Today is special as the podcast turns 2 this week! We have turned to our listeners to guide the content for this episode - we answer your questions. THANK YOU all so much for your comments, reviews and engagement on social, and THANK YOU to our circle of supporters, we couldn't do this without you. Stay tuned - we can't wait to share what we have in store for the upcoming year! Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and we wanted to bring an expert onto our show to spread knowledge and insight on this topic. Today we welcome Dr. Mathew Leonardi, a specialist in complex gynecology and ultrasound with a focus on endometriosis. He is an Assistant Professor at McMaster University, an Honorary Adjunct Lecturer at Adelaide University and an Honorary Associate Professor at Western Sydney University.Dr. Leonardi is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in his field. He has published over 120 peer reviewed scientific articles, several textbook chapters, and presented globally on complex gynecologic conditions and ultrasound. He is also on the World Endometriosis Society Board and a founding member of the Next Generation Committee at the International Society of Ultrasound and Obstetrics and Gynecology. He's an associate editor for reproduction and fertility, and he's also on several editorial boards for other leading journals. Connect with Dr. Leonardi:Instagram @drmathewleonardi Youtube @MathewLeonardiMDPhD​Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Today we are continuing to explore the fascinating, mysterious and complicated topic: the immune system and fertility, with a focus specifically on LAD and LIT.You may also be interested in: EP78: Reproductive immunology Part 1: Testing and treatmentsEP51: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) Part 1: Risk factors & the 5 categories of causesEP56: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) Part 2: Testing & management options EP72: Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) Part 1: What causes RIF? And why all the controversy?EP76: Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) Part 2: Diagnosis and treatment optionsFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Today we welcome Rebecca Greenberg to our show! Dr. Greenberg is a Nurse and Bioethicist. She is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Greenberg Consulting. She specializes in helping individuals and organizations to navigate difficult decisions pertaining to healthcare. Dr Greenberg is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto. She has a PhD and Post-doctorate Fellowship in Biomedical Ethics from the University of Toronto and has worked at The Hospital for Sick Children and Mount Sinai Hospital as a Bioethicist. Regarded as a leader in the field, Rebecca sits on the Bioethics Committees of the Canadian Paediatric Society and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. Rebecca is committed to education and sharing her research through speaking internationally, publishing research papers and being featured in the media.Connect with Rebecca: Instagram @greenbergconsulting Website www.greenbergconsulting.caFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

 We are back with another episode in our series on frozen embryo transfers (FETs). We are going to walk you through the actual procedure and answer some frequently asked questions. You may also be interested in: EP68: Frozen embryo transfer (FET) Part 1: Natural cycle FET, medicated FET & stimulated FET explained EP67: Fresh embryo transfer (ET) Part 1: The procedure, timelines & pros and consEP80: Fresh embryo transfer (ET) Part 2: Choosing fresh vs frozen, fresh transfer success rates & FAQEP14: IVF Part 1: Let's talk about IVFEP20: IVF Part 2: Risks related to the egg producer, procedure, pregnancy & babyEP54: IVF Part 3: IVF add-ons/adjuvant therapies to improve egg quality and embryo qualityEP58: IVF Part 4: Low dose IVF or mini IVF, is it right for you?Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Happy New Year! We're excited to be back. Today we continue the series for fresh embryo transfer (ET) and discuss choosing fresh versus frozen, fresh transfer success rates and answer some common questions that come up during this journey. You may also be interested in:EP67: Fresh embryo transfer (ET) Part 1: The procedure, timelines & pros and consEP68: Frozen embryo transfer (FET) Part 1: Natural cycle FET, medicated FET & stimulated FET explainedEP14: IVF Part 1: Let's talk about IVFEP20: IVF Part 2: Risks related to the egg producer, procedure, pregnancy & babyEP54: IVF Part 3: IVF add-ons/adjuvant therapies to improve egg quality and embryo qualityEP58: IVF Part 4: Low dose IVF or mini IVF, is it right for you?Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Happy holidays from us! Thank you for listening superhumans and we'll be back on January 6th! Includes episodes recap for 2025.Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Today we welcome Molly to our show! Molly describes her 8 year fertility journey as long, full of surprises and a crazy rollercoaster. Molly and her husband started trying to conceive in their mid to late twenties. Fast forward to a few years ago when they found themselves under the care of Dr. Garcia here at Markham Fertility Centre. At MFC, they did one retrieval, multiple transfers, and unfortunately had multiple losses, immune testing and treatments, that resulted in their beautiful rainbow baby Nia born in 2022.In this particular episode, we refer a lot to fertility care and resources in Northern Ontario. We are very happy to announce that as of August 2025, which is the time of this recording, Markham Fertility Centre is officially offering satellite monitoring in partnership with NEO Women's Health Network in Sudbury. To learn more about the services we offer, please visit https://markhamfertility.com/locations. Connect with Molly on Instagram @__molly.edwards__ Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Welcome back! Today we dive into the highly requested topic of reproductive immunology. We cover: What is the immune system? What exactly is immune testing and treatments?, associated costs, why this topic is so controversial and what to expect in future episodes in this series. You may also be interested in:EP51: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) Part 1: Risk factors & the 5 categories of causesEP56: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) Part 2: Testing & management options EP72: Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) Part 1: What causes RIF? And why all the controversy?EP76: Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) Part 2: Diagnosis and treatment optionsFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

 Today we welcome to the show Marisa Bernardo. Marisa is an intended mother (IP), cancer survivor and surrogacy educator and advocate. Following a battle with cancer that took away her ability to become pregnant, she took on a surrogacy journey in the pursuit of motherhood. Along the way, she became an absolute pillar of the community, sharing her journey online with millions of people. Marisa is the founder of Defining Journeys: one space to go to for support from early surrogacy questions to matching all the way through to the postpartum phase. Connect with Marisa and Defining Journeys: Psychotherapy, Counselling, Fertility and Surrogacy SupportInstagram @definingjourneys Website https://www.definingjourneys.ca/You may also be interested in:EP13: Infertility support groups made possible with OasisFSN Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Today we continue demystifying infertility by talking about the second part of RIF, which is looking into the diagnostic workup and the treatment options. We will start with the diagnostic workup and what do we actually do when we see a patient where we suspect they may have recurrent implantation failure? Our approach is really stepwise. We think about, what was the quality of the embryos? What was the genetics of the embryos like? Were these genetically tested embryos? Were they not? Were they euploid, were they not? We're also going to think about the types of transfer protocols that were used; were these fresh transfers, were they frozen transfers? And so on..You may also be interested in:EP72: Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) Part 1: What causes RIF? And why all the controversy?EP11: The endometrium explained with Dr. ChanEP30: Pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) explained with Diane Myles Reid, Genetic CounsellorFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

 Welcome back superhumans and thank you for joining us. Today we're diving into a topic that is often overlooked, but really important: fertilization failure during an IVF cycle. The WTF appointment is an informal, for very appropriate term, for a follow-up consultation that happens after an unsuccessful IVF cycle. We're going to explore why sometimes even with egg and sperm in the lab, fertilization doesn't happen or doesn't happen as expected. We're also going to talk in detail about egg maturity and how it can affect the IVF outcomes, and in particular, fertilization outcomes. You may also be interested in:EP62: WTF Appt. Scenario 1: You get less eggs than expected at retrievalEP14: IVF Part 1: Let's talk about IVFEP16: PCOS Part 1: Symptoms, diagnosis & related risksEP20: IVF Part 2: Risks related to the egg producer, procedure, pregnancy & babyEP21: PCOS Part 2: Understanding treatment optionsEP33: The impact of decreased ovarian reserve (DOR) on fertility and IVF treatmentsEP44: Male factor infertility Part 1: Semen analysis & sperm DNA fragmentation explained with Dr. JarviEP52: Male factor infertility Part 2: Ways to improve sperm health for fertility with Dr. JarviEP54: IVF Part 3: IVF add-ons/adjuvant therapies to improve egg quality and embryo qualityFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Today we welcome Sara Cohen to our show. Sara is a leading fertility lawyer based in Toronto, working with clients across Canada and internationally. She advises intended parents, surrogates, donors, clinics, hospitals, and cryobanks on a wide range of fertility law matters.Named one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada by Canadian Lawyer Magazine and recognized by Lexpert as a Leading Lawyer to Watch, Sara combines deep expertise with a compassionate, collaborative approach. She serves on the ethics committee of a major fertility clinic, is past president of Fertility Matters Canada, and a fellow of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys.An internationally sought-after speaker and published author, taught reproductive law at Osgoode Hall Law School and has been invited by international and domestic governments to consult on legal reform in fertility and parentage law. She’s committed to helping families grow with compassion, legal security, and integrity. Connect with Sara Cohen; Instagram @fertilitylaw Book a complimentary consultation https://calendly.com/fertilitylawcanada/one-hour-meetingEmail: [email protected] contact page http://www.fertilitylawcanada.com/contact.html Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Today we welcome Black Fertility Agency or BFA. BFA was born from a deeply personal space, when Patricia, a black woman, navigating her own fertility journey in Canada, experienced firsthand the gaps and lack of representation in fertility care. She began documenting her journey and what started as a personal journal has since grown into a large movement! Today, Black Fertility Agency is co-led by Patricia, it's Founder and Ekene, a fellow black woman and a strategist dedicated to health equity and systemic change. Together, they're working to build a future where black individuals in Canada and beyond have access to culturally safe, trustworthy fertility care, and where their stories, struggles and successes are fully seen and fully supported.Connect with BFA; Website https://www.blackfertilityagency.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/blackfertilityagency/YouTube https://youtube.com/@blackfertilityagency Facebook https://www.facebook.com/blackfertilityagency/ Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Welcome back and happy Tuesday! Today we are tackling one of the most frustrating and emotionally difficult topics in reproductive medicine, and that is recurrent implantation failure (RIF). We'll cover definitions, causes (both known and unknown), the controversies, future directions, and of course some of the guidelines. The important thing to know, as you will hear from the data, the vast majority of patients do achieve a successful pregnancy, even after experiencing multiple implantation failures. You may also be interested in:EP11: The endometrium explained with Dr. ChanEP30: Pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) explained with Diane Myles Reid, Genetic CounsellorEP44: Male factor infertility Part 1: Semen analysis & sperm DNA fragmentation explained with Dr. JarviEP52: Male factor infertility Part 2: Ways to improve sperm health for fertility with Dr. JarviFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

We're back with another "I'm pregnant, now what?" series topic. Today we discuss beauty products and treatments. Are you enjoying this series? Drop us a review, comment or DM on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast.You may also be interested in:EP61: I'm pregnant, now what? Part 2: Nausea, medications, nutrition, exercise, weight & cats(!)EP55: I'm pregnant, now what? Part 1: Initial testing, vitamins & dietFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Happy Tuesday! Today we welcome Alexa and Kevin to our show to speak about their 6 year fertility journey. Alexa is a former professional violinist who now teaches Pilates. Kevin is an accomplished composer of classical music, whose works have been played and broadcast around the world. He is also an aspiring writer. They have welcomed a baby boy to the world and we congratulate them! Four months after giving birth to their son, Robin, they embarked on yet another journey – one in which Alexa donated part of her liver to save Robin’s life, and we'll speak about this today as well. You can connect with Alexa and Kevin on Instagram:Alexa https://www.instagram.com/alexa.wilks.lau/Kevin https://www.instagram.com/kevinwilkslau_composer/ Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

On today's episode we welcome Tom and Alexie to our show. Many of you know Alexie very well from her very popular Instagram account @wearethereillys (formerly @epicquest4babyreilly) and you may feel like you already know their journey so well, but we're going to get in depth about it. We speak about their 6 year fertility journey, the various clinics they went to and the many treatments that they tried. Tom and Alexie also get real with us about the emotional rollercoaster and what it means to take a break sometimes and to take time to focus on their own relationship. You can connect with Alexie on Instagram @wearethereillys (formerly @epicquest4babyreilly) and Tom on Instagram @partner_in_fertility. We previously hosted Tom on the podcast on EP49: Tom's story: Navigating a fertility journey as a male partner – support, resources & advocacy.Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Welcome back superhumans! We are so glad that you're joining us today for another episode of My Fertility podcast. The topic for this episode has been very wildly requested. We're going to talk about Frozen embryo transfers, otherwise known as FETs.If you're interested in learning about fresh embryo transfers, please refer back to EP67: Fresh embryo transfers (ET) Part 1: The procedure, timelines, the pro & cons. You may also be interested in:EP14: IVF Part 1: Let's talk about IVFEP20: IVF Part 2: Risks related to the egg producer, pregnancy, & babyEP30: PGT-AEP36: PGT-MEP54: IVF Part 3: IVF add-ons/adjuvant therapies to improve egg quality and embryo qualityEP58: IVF Part 4: Low dose IVF or mini IVF, is it right for you?Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Let's talk about fresh embryo transfers (ET), of course, a key step in many fertility journeys: how they work and what you can expect, timelines, the science behind them, the pros, the cons, and the challenges that come with fresh embryo transfers. Now, if you are interested in hearing about frozen embryo transfer (FET) – stay tuned for a series on this topic coming out soon! Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Today we welcome Jessica Chalk, Founder of myStoria to our show.  Jessica speaks to us openly about her 6 year fertility journey and how her experience led her to where she is today. She founded the myStoria to give patients the support, knowledge and tools to take charge of their fertility – transforming their journey into a patient-centered and empowering one. This is a conversation that you don't want to miss! Guest Bio: Jessica Chalk is a serial entrepreneur, patient advocate, and a passionate voice for change in the fertility world. After six years of failed treatments, emotional ups and downs, and over $100,000 spent out-of-pocket, Jessica turned her personal struggle into purpose — founding myStoria to help other patients feel less alone and more in control on their fertility journey. Before launching myStoria, Jessica built and sold a successful company. She’s been named Entrepreneur of the Year and Young Alumna of the Year, and completed the Entrepreneurial Masters Program at MIT through the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO). She also serves on several boards, including the Dean’s Advisory Council at the Lazaridis School of Business, and is deeply committed to giving back through community work.At her core, Jessica is someone who believes no one should have to navigate fertility care in the dark. She’s now on a mission to arm patients with the tools, information, and support she wished she had – creating a movement to bring more compassion, accountability, and clarity to fertility care.Learn more about Jessica and myStoria:Instagram @JessicalChalkInstagram @myStoriaFertility Website https://www.mystoria.com/ Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Today we welcome back Courtney and Aparnaa to speak about the importance of pelvic floor health in pregnancy and postpartum – this is a must listen – you can thank us later! Check out EP45 for the topic of pelvic physio treatments and the impact of vaginismus on fertility. Courtney is a Physiotherapist who works at Cornerstone Physiotherapy in Richmond Hill.  She has been working as a Physiotherapist for over 15years and in the specialization of Pelvic Physiotherapy for 10.  She loves working with all sorts of pelvic conditions including: incontinence, pelvic pain, vaginismus and helping women prepare their bodies for birth.  She finds it truly rewarding to get patients back to meaningful life activities and/or living a better quality of life.Aparnaa is a Physiotherapist at Cornerstone Physiotherapy in Richmond Hill, specializing in pelvic health. With 2 years of experience, she treats both male and female patients with varying pelvic floor conditions and supports those preparing for childbirth. As a CrossFit athlete, Aparnaa loves teaching patients how to engage their pelvic floor during exercise without the fear of weakening it, helping them incorporate pelvic health into their fitness routines. She is dedicated to restoring function, improving quality of life, and supporting her patients in achieving their goals—whether it’s overcoming pain, preparing for childbirth, or enhancing performance.Social Links:Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CornerstonePhysioInstagram https://www.instagram.com/cornerstonephysio Website https://cornerstonephysio.com/ Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

On today's episode we are joined by Zane. He is a keen relationship builder and he lives and breathes political outreach and fertility advocacy. Having spent years working at Queens Park, he now works in government relations consulting for one of Canada's premier boutique firms. Together with his wife, they launched the blog, Not my Yummy but I'm still Mummy in 2021 to chronicle their journey to building a family with the help of a gestational surrogate. Their daughter, Scottie, was born in July of 2023, and they are now in the midst of a sibling journey. For his work in advocating for equitable parent leave and ensuring Canada’s latest Time-to-Attach legislation included parents by surrogacy, Zane was named Fertility Matters Canada 2003 Change Maker of the Year. Zane is the proud Board Member of Conceivable Dreams - this is Ontario's fertility patient advocacy organization and was the champion behind Ontario's announcement to triple the funding for their fertility program and introduce a $5,000 fertility tax credit.You can follow;Baden and Zane on Instagram @notmytummy Scottie's Law https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-43/session-1/bill-229 Conceivable Dreams website https://conceivabledreams.org/ Conceivable Dreams on Instagram @conceivedreamsFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

June is Pride Month – a time to celebrate, uplift and advocate for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. At Markham Fertility Centre we are proud to support individuals and couples of all gender identities and sexual orientations on their journey to building a family. Whether through donor sperm, donor eggs, reciprocal IVF, surrogacy fertility preservation, we are committed to removing barriers, honouring diverse family structures, and ensuring every patient is seen, heard, and respected. Love makes a family and we're here for all of them.  Today we welcome Laine to our show! Laine Halpern Zisman, PhD is a certified Fertility Support Practitioner and Full Spectrum Doula, helping people navigate all stages of their perinatal journeys. She's currently the director of training and education at Birthmark and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the School of Public Health and Social Policy at the University of Victoria.Laine is also the author of Conceivable: A Guide to Making 2SLGBTQ+ Family. You may purchase this book at your local bookstore or online bookstore. Connect with Laine;Instagram @ConceivableFamiliesWebsite: https://www.lainehalpernzisman.comDr. Laine Halpern Zisman (she/her) | M.A., M.F.A, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor  | Full Spectrum Doula  |  Fertility Support Practitioner  Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

That's right – we're starting a series of WTF appointments that cover scenarios where you and your doctor are thinking "WTF happened?!". Today we cover WTF: You get less eggs than expected at your egg retrieval and talk through the reasons why this can be the case. You may also be interested in:EP02: The menstrual cycleEP33: The impact of decreased ovarian reserve (DOR) on fertility and IVF treatmentsFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

We're back with another "I'm pregnant, now what?" series topic. Today we discuss nausea, medications, nutrition, exercise, weight & cats(!). Are you enjoying this series? Drop us a review, comment or DM on Instagram @myfertilitypodcastYou may also be interested in:EP55: I'm pregnant, now what? Part 1: Initial testing, vitamins & dietEP45: Pelvic physiotherapy treatments and vaginismus explained with Courtney and Aparnaa from Cornerstone PhysiotherapyFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Today we welcome Baden and Zane to the show. Baden is the Founder of Not My Tummy, which turns traditional model of finding a surrogate on it's head using the power of public relations, marketing and digital media. Zane lives and breathes political outreach and fertility advocacy. Having spent years working at Queen’s Park, he now works in government relations consulting for one of Canada's premier boutique firms. the proud board chair of Conceivable Dreams - Ontario's fertility patient advocacy organization. Together, Baden and Zane take us through building their family through surrogacy. They are currently on their second journey and actively looking for a surrogate. You can follow Baden on Instagram @notmytummy Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

 Welcome back to My Fertility Podcast. Today we are tackling a topic that is not only medically significant, but also deeply personal, and that is ectopic pregnancy. While this condition affects only 1 to 2% of all pregnancy is impact extends far beyond statistics. For those that have experienced an ectopic pregnancy after infertility, the fear, the heartbreak can be really overwhelming.Our goal today is to provide clarity, support and reassurance. We want you to understand the causes, the risks, the treatments, all the options – all while giving you space and supporting you and acknowledging the emotional toll that it takes.You may also be interested in listening to:EP06: Lifestyle factors for womenEP07: Lifestyle factors for menFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Today we focus on low dose IVF or mini IVF. So many patients out there have lower egg reserve or are looking for something different, and this is where this discussion comes up a lot and we thought it'd be really helpful to break it down, talk about it, and go through some of the actual evidence. Have a great week and we'll be back next Tuesday!You may also be interested in:EP14: IVF Part 1: Let's talk about IVFEP20: IVF Part 2: Risks related to the egg producer, procedure, pregnancy & babyEP54: IVF Part 3: IVF add-ons/adjuvant therapies to improve egg quality and embryo qualityEP33: The impact of decreased ovarian reserve (DOR) on fertility and IVF treatmentsFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Today's episode is focused on talking about Mother's Day and specifically navigating Mother's Day as somebody who's experiencing infertility or somebody who's on a fertility journey. But really a lot of the things that we end up talking about are universal and can be applicable to anyone experiencing any kind of difficulties, whether it's the fertility journey, whether it's navigating secondary infertility, navigating life after miscarriage, or just navigating life and grief in and of itself. On today's episode we are very glad to be joined by Dara Roth Edney, who is the Founder and Clinical Director of Informed Fertility, a group counselling practice specializing in family building. With a master's degree in social work, as well as more than two decades of clinical and research experience, Dara has counselled thousands of intended parents, conducted assessments for countless donors and surrogates, and provided support through pregnancy and parenting as well as to donor conceived adults.Dara is also the past chair of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society's counselling Special Interest Group, a board member of Donor Conception Canada, and an instructor at Wilfred Laurier University, having developed their first course on Fertility counselling. On a personal note, Dara, after many years of infertility herself is a parent through surrogacy,  so she is not only a fertility expert in theory, but in practical terms as well, having gone through it herself. You can connect with Dara on Instagram @dara.informedfertilityWebsite: https://informedfertility.ca/Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

On today's episode we dive into Part 2 in our series about recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). For those of you who are interested see EP51: RPL Part 1: Risk factors & the 5 categories of causes.In this episode, we cover the testing options as well as the management options for recurring pregnancy loss and you will learn that it's not straightforward. As a matter of fact, different fertility specialists may have a slightly different panel for investigating for RPL. And the guidelines, which we're going to talk about, are really very restrictive in that there are a lot of tests that people hear about – that people request – that are actually not recommended in the guidelines.  You may also be interested in:EP51: RPL Part 1: Risk factors & the 5 categories of causesEP43: Miscarriage Part I: Symptoms, diagnosis, types & causesEP46: Miscarriage Part II: Management options & FAQEP53: Miscarriage Part 3: The psychological and emotional journeyEP13: Infertility support groups made possible with OasisFSNEP29: Carrier screening explained with Diane Myles Reid, Genetic CounsellorEP30: Pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) explained with Diane Myles Reid, Genetic CounsellorEP36: Pre-implantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) explained with Diane Myles Reid, Genetic CounsellorEP37: The many reasons why "unexplained infertility" is hard to explainFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

 Welcome back! On today's episode, we're starting a series all about "you're pregnant, now what?" Yay. First of all, congratulations, if you are listening to this and you just found out that you are pregnant. It's both incredibly scary, incredibly exciting, and we are here for you. We know it's like a big wave of emotions when this happens after you've waited so long for this moment. This episode dives into everything from the first thing that we do at Markham Fertility Centre, which is to confirm your pregnancy test with blood work to which vitamins to take to diet. Stay tuned for more on this series to come in the future! You may also be interested in:EP10: Prenatal vitamins: What to take while TTCEP42: Prenatal screening: eFTS, NIPT & Trisomy 13, 18, 21 explained with Diane Myles Reid, Genetic CounsellorFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Happy Tuesday superhumans. Today we're diving into a topic that is often surrounded not only by questions but a lot of controversy ... and we're talking about add-on treatments to in vitro fertilization (IVF) to maximize egg quality and embryo quality. You may also be interested in:EP14: IVF Part 1: Let's talk about IVF, for a deep dive into the basics on IVF and what to expect from the procedure including process, timelines and associated costsEP20: IVF Part 2: Risks related to the egg producer, procedure, pregnancy & babyFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

*Trigger warning: Before we start today's episode, I want to start with a trigger warning because we're going to be talking about pregnancy loss and miscarriage today. I want to acknowledge that this is a sensitive topic that may bring up strong emotions for some listeners. If at any point you feel the need to pause or take a break, please do so.If you recall, in episode 43, we talked about the symptoms, diagnosis, types and causes of a miscarriage. And in episode 46, we talked about management options. Today, we're going to step away from the medicine and we're going to dig into the psychological and emotional aspects of having a miscarriage. This is huge and is really important – and we could argue that in the vast majority of cases, it's way more of an emotional event than a physical event. Remember, a miscarriage is not your fault.You may also be interested in:EP43: Miscarriage Part 1: Symptoms, diagnosis, types & causesEP46: Miscarriage Part 2: Management options & FAQEP09: Coping with Mother's Day with Kristina VirroEP13: Fertility support groups made possible with OasisFSNEP23: Renee's story: A 4.5 year IVF journey, the power of Instagram & fertility advocacyEP35: Bianca's story: A 8 year IVF journey, mental health awareness & the power of sharing storiesFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Today we welcome back to the show, Dr. Jarvi, Head of Urology at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Canada. In a previous episode with Dr. Jarvi we talked about the semen analysis and sperm DNA fragmentation. Today we go deeper into the topic of sperm health and ways to improve fertility. Enjoy! Dr. Keith Jarvi, a Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Senior Clinician Scientist, Head of Urology at Mount Sinai Hospital and Director of the Murray Koffler Urologic Wellness Centre, the largest male infertility clinic in Canada, is working to develop less invasive ways to identify and treat male infertility.You may also be interested in:EP44: Male factor infertility Part I: Semen analysis & sperm DNA fragmentation explained with Dr. Jarvi EP07: Lifestyle factors for menFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

*Trigger warning: Before we start today's episode, I want to start with a trigger warning because we're going to be talking about pregnancy loss and miscarriage. I want to acknowledge that this is a sensitive topic that may bring up strong emotions for some listeners. If at any point you feel the need to pause or take a break, please do so.On today's episode, we are going to be talking about recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).  We're going to be talking about what really is recurrent pregnancy loss and some of the controversy around what the definition is, as well as risk factors and the 5 categories of causes.You may also be interested in listening to;EP37: The many reasons why "unexplained infertility" is hard to explainEP43: Miscarriage Part I: Symptoms, diagnosis, types & causesEP46: Miscarriage Part II: Management options & FAQFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

My Fertility Podcast turns one! A big THANK YOU to YOU, our listeners for listening, sharing and engaging with us on social. Your reviews are also very important to us.. if you have not submitted a review this is your sign to :) In today's episode we give you a deeper look into who Meivys and Marta are and of course, how we met and take you back to how this podcast began. Enjoy, superhumans! and until next Tuesday. Meivys & Marta, xoFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Today we welcome Tom to our show! Tom speaks about the fertility journey from a male partner's perspective and how he supports his wife during her fertility journey and now continuing on to their pregnancy, as well as and how fertility specialists can do better to see and involve male partner's during the fertility journey.As we navigate today's episode, you're going to hear us using the terms men and women while discussing partners and their roles in the fertility journey; these terms are reflective of Tom and his partner's personal journey, but of course we want to acknowledge the gender and family dynamics are beautifully diverse. Our intention is not to be exclusive or dismiss other genders, identities, pronouns, or other people's journeys. We know that fertility journeys come in many, different forms and our aim with this podcast is to offer insights and support that resonate  universally. You can connect with Tom on Instagram @partner_in_fertilityFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Today we are joined by Dr. Moira Kwok, a naturopathic doctor who has a very special interest in supporting couples throughout their fertility journeys. She struggled with her own fertility journey for five long years and this experience skyrocketed her passion and helping other couples navigate the world of infertility. Our conversation focuses on how naturopathic medicine can help to support one's fertility journey. Words from Dr. Kwok: I strive to help patients gain a better understanding of their bodies, hormones and overall health, and how all of the puzzle pieces of symptoms and test results click together to help create an achievable plan for each individual. I do this through the research-based use of nutrition, supplements, hormone therapy, acupuncture and IV therapy.Connect with Dr. Kwok on social;Website: https://www.moirakwoknd.comInstagram @drmoirakwoknd https://www.instagram.com/drmoirakwoknd Facebook @drmoirakwodnd https://www.facebook.com/drmoirakwokndLinkedIn @drmoirakwoknd https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmoirakwokndTikTok @drmoirakwoknd https://www.tiktok.com/@drmoirakwokndFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

On today's episode, we're excited to welcome Nazan, who shares her journey of secondary infertility, the challenges of fertility treatments, and the taboos surrounding fertility and mental health in South Asian communities. Nazan is a big advocate for women’s mental health and well-being and truly believe in the importance of unlearning generational and cultural norms for a better and healthier future. You can connect with Nazan on Instagram @motherhood_1moretime where she recently started to document her motherhood journey.Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

*Trigger warning: Before we start today's episode, I want to start with a trigger warning because we're going to be talking about pregnancy loss and miscarriage today. I want to acknowledge that this is a sensitive topic that may bring up strong emotions for some listeners. If at any point you feel the need to pause or take a break, please do so.Today we continue the discussion about miscarriages. We talk about, in detail, the various management options available as well as answer many of the common questions we hear from our patients. Remember, a miscarriage is not your fault.You may also be interested in:EP43: Miscarriage Part I: Symptoms, diagnosis, types & causesFollow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Today we welcome Courtney and Aparnaa to speak about pelvic physio treatments and the impact of vaginismus on fertility. Courtney is a Physiotherapist who works at Cornerstone Physiotherapy in Richmond Hill.  She has been working as a Physiotherapist for over 15years and in the specialization of Pelvic Physiotherapy for 10.  She loves working with all sorts of pelvic conditions including: incontinence, pelvic pain, vaginismus and helping women prepare their bodies for birth.  She finds it truly rewarding to get patients back to meaningful life activities and/or living a better quality of life.Aparnaa is a Physiotherapist at Cornerstone Physiotherapy in Richmond Hill, specializing in pelvic health. With 2 years of experience, she treats both male and female patients with varying pelvic floor conditions and supports those preparing for childbirth. As a CrossFit athlete, Aparnaa loves teaching patients how to engage their pelvic floor during exercise without the fear of weakening it, helping them incorporate pelvic health into their fitness routines. She is dedicated to restoring function, improving quality of life, and supporting her patients in achieving their goals—whether it’s overcoming pain, preparing for childbirth, or enhancing performance.Social Links:Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CornerstonePhysioInstagram https://www.instagram.com/cornerstonephysio Resources:Free virtual talk that happens 1x/month run by our group for expecting moms to learn more about their bodies and pelvic floor and how it pertains to pregnancy, birth and postpartum https://cornerstonephysio.com/resources/belly-birth-beyond-free-prenatal-class/ Blogs:What is vaginismus? https://cornerstonephysio.com/resources/what-is-vaginismus/Preparing for child birth https://cornerstonephysio.com/resources/prepare-for-childbirth/ Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Today we welcome, Dr. Jarvi, Head of Urology at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Canada. We go into detail about the topic of male factor infertility and sperm and break down the semen analysis report and sperm DNA fragmentation. Stay tuned for another episode with Dr. Jarvi all about how to improve sperm health for fertility.Dr. Keith Jarvi, a Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Senior Clinician Scientist, Head of Urology at Mount Sinai Hospital and Director of the Murray Koffler Urologic Wellness Centre, the largest male infertility clinic in Canada, is working to develop less invasive ways to identify and treat male infertility. Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

*Trigger warning: Before we start today's episode, I want to start with a trigger warning because we're going to be talking about pregnancy loss and miscarriage today. I want to acknowledge that this is a sensitive topic that may bring up strong emotions for some listeners. If at any point you feel the need to pause or take a break, please do so.Today we talk about the sensitive topic of miscarriages, which are unfortunately more common with infertility patients. We talk about, in detail, the symptoms, diagnosis, the 6 types of miscarriages and some of the causes. Remember, a miscarriage is not your fault.Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com 

Today we are excited to welcome back for a fourth time(!) Diane Myles Reid, the President of CAGC and the Lead Genetic Counsellor at Markham Fertility Centre to talk about prenatal screening, another aspect of genetic care that is also very important in the field of fertility. We talk about early first trimester screening or eFTS, non-invasive prenatal testing or NIPT, and Trisomy 13, 18, 21. Here at MFC, we're very lucky to have a full Genetic Counselling Department to help us navigate through these topics.You may also be interested in:EP29: Carrier screening explained with Diane Myles Reid, Genetic CounsellorEP30: Pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) explained with Diane Myles Reid, Genetic CounsellorEP36: Pre-implantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M)Follow us on Instagram @myfertilitypodcast, YouTube @MyFertilityPodcast, or reach out to us at [email protected] Markham Fertility Centre at markhamfertility.com