Medical Advocacy

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is 'ghost' your fertility clinic when your intuition tells you their path isn't right for you

Marcy stopped responding to her fertility clinic after 2 years when they recommended IUI and IVF, choosing instead to trust her body's ability to conceive naturally - which it did at 39 after 4 years of trying.

Running to medical intervention first without checking in with yourself often stems from a foundation of feeling inadequate.

Liz immediately went to IVF after one miscarriage at 41, despite having perfect labs and ovarian reserve of a 30-year-old. Her husband wisely suggested trying naturally first, but she refused because she was convinced she 'couldn't do this on my own.'

Unexplained infertility is just laziness - it doesn't cut it. If they can't find an answer, I'll find one

Super Cat refused to accept unexplained infertility as a diagnosis, consulted dozens of fertility specialists, sent samples to Europe and the US, and ultimately conceived naturally at 38 after being told she needed donor eggs.

A day three embryo is better than zero embryo - I fought so hard for him

Super Cat refused to dismiss day three embryos as 'garbage' when specialists criticized their quality, having experienced four IVF cycles with zero embryos out of six total cycles before conceiving naturally.

Men can be powerful advocates and protectors during fertility treatment by speaking up when their partners can't advocate for themselves

Jon stood up to a dismissive fertility doctor who was rushing Kirsty through a procedure, telling the medical team they would proceed on their timeline, not the clinic's timeline.

Finding the right fertility doctor requires being willing to get multiple opinions and trust your instincts

Matt and Nicole saw four different doctors after three failed IVFs. The fourth doctor asked 'how do you guys know so much about this process?' and was 'more concerned about us than the whole process' - leading to their successful pregnancy.

Proper IVF technique with ultrasound guidance can make the difference between failure and success

Matt's first three IVF attempts used outdated methods with 'a tape measure' and no ultrasound. The successful fourth attempt used ultrasound-guided transfer where Matt filmed seeing 'this little white speck' - the embryo going in properly.

Fertility journeys require both partners to become their own medical advocates rather than blindly trusting authority

Matt had unnecessary surgery where one doctor said 'You're gonna have plenty of babies' but the fertility specialist said 'that was a waste of time. Why did you even go there and do that?' This taught them to question medical authority.

Medical advocacy means staying open to your doctor's suggestions even when you've done the test before

Jennifer's doctor suggested repeating a test she'd done 12 months prior. Though reluctant, Jennifer remembered the team approach and agreed. The test revealed endometritis from a previous miscarriage, which once treated, allowed her embryo to stick successfully.

Medical professionals have opinions, not gospel truth — you can tell them what you need from them

Lizzie insisted on getting Adam the best surgeon in the country for his cancer surgery, turning what would have been a 4.5-hour operation into a 9.5-hour operation that saved his life. Later, they were told his sperm was 'shot to hell' and Lizzie got pregnant the next day.

When you become the master of your own body, you can walk into a clinic and advocate for exactly what you need instead of being bullied into treatments

Lizzie went from crying in her car before clinic visits to calmly telling her doctor exactly what treatment she wanted. The doctor noticed the difference and agreed without pushback, leading to natural conception within one month.

You can't believe everything a doctor says - you have to do your own research

Erika sought multiple opinions from Columbia and NYU specialists before finding Dr. Andrea Badali, the right surgeon for stage 4 endometriosis who could preserve fertility, rather than just draining cysts as other doctors suggested.

Fertility doctors said this would never happen, but my body was in the game - she was doing what she knows to do

Caroline was told with 36.9 FSH and 0.07 AMH she'd never conceive naturally, but she got pregnant four times total and is now 24 weeks pregnant naturally at 33.

Don't feel bad about getting second, third, or even eleventh opinions - if a doctor doesn't feel right for you, keep searching

Jo changed doctors 11 times before finding the right team. Her final specialist found a genetic incompatibility and treated it with immune protocols, while Dr. Murhy in New York discovered the uterine septum that was causing her losses.

Sometimes the answer requires traveling across the world - be willing to go beyond local limitations

Jo flew from Australia to New York for surgery with Dr. Murhy, who was so confident about finding a uterine septum he offered to pay for her flight if he was wrong. He found exactly what he predicted and restored blood flow to half her uterus.

Becoming your own advocate means fighting for what you need, even when medical professionals say no

Diana fought for progesterone injections the night before transfer when doctors wanted to wait, insisted on transferring all 3 embryos instead of discarding one, and demanded genetic testing when initially denied.

One healthy embryo can be more than enough when you have the right mindset and medical support

Yasemin conceived at 41 with just one healthy embryo after multiple failed IVF cycles, traveling between Canada and Turkey for treatment, and overcoming polyp surgery complications.

Trust your intuition when medical advice doesn't feel right, even from highly regarded specialists

Yasemin rejected a Turkish doctor's recommendation to change the shape of her uterus, trusting her gut that it felt wrong. She sought a second opinion and found a gentler approach that preserved her uterine environment and led to successful implantation.

You can advocate for what feels right for your body, even when medical professionals doubt your choices.

Mette told her clinic she wanted a milder IVF protocol after seven failures, and despite their concerns about fewer eggs, she produced twelve eggs—double her usual number—and conceived naturally.

Sometimes the most radical thing you can do is go completely natural after multiple treatment failures.

After seven egg retrievals and hormone treatments failed, Mette chose a completely natural cycle with no hormones for her final embryo transfer and conceived successfully.

You have to take control back and set the terms of your own treatment instead of letting doctors make all the decisions

Marina created her own IVF protocol, told her doctor exactly what treatments to use, and called it 'the success protocol' instead of 'the panic protocol' - and that's the cycle that worked.

Medical misdiagnoses and mistakes happen frequently—Somaya experienced two major errors from the same London hospital within 12 months

Somaya's first ectopic was misdiagnosed as missed miscarriage leading to rupture, then a year later she was given wrong blood test results for her second ectopic pregnancy.

Advocate for yourself by asking questions when medical advice doesn't align with your values

Maria questioned ultrasound technicians saying her baby was underweight when she was exactly one pound at 23 weeks according to their own literature, then called four other OBs who confirmed this was normal.

When treatment isn't working, stepping back to reassess your approach can reveal better options that align with your heart

Agata had never heard of IUI despite two failed IVF cycles. When she trusted her instinct for less invasive treatment and tried IUI, she conceived on the fourth attempt.

Finding your voice and becoming your own advocate is essential - you are a key player in your fertility journey, not a passive recipient

Dr. Nisha discovered through the program that despite her medical training, she had been following what others told her rather than advocating for herself. She fired one specialist and found doctors who called her '44 years young' instead of dismissing her age.

Higher consciousness through meditation allows you to make intuitive decisions about your medical care

After her HSG showed a completely blocked right tube, doctors recommended exploratory surgery. Mel's intuition told her 'no. I'm perfectly fine with what I have, and I will meditate and visualize to heal this.' She conceived naturally without the surgery.

Refusing to accept medical labels like 'low quality embryo' and instead seeing every embryo as your baby can shift the energy of your entire cycle

Samana's successful pregnancy came from a 'low grade' embryo that she refused to see as inferior, instead viewing it as 'a chance to have a baby' and 'actually a baby for me' regardless of medical classifications.

As a physician, you cannot be the doctor treating yourself — you must become the patient and let your doctor lead

Dr. Mariève's first doctor let her call the shots which hurt her success. When she switched to a doctor who said 'you're not a doctor, you're a patient,' everything improved and she conceived.

When you get into alignment with yourself and your partner, divine intervention can show up in miraculous ways

Teresa's first doctor got brain cancer and went on medical leave, leading her to be reassigned to a 'love match' doctor who diagnosed an immune issue that no previous doctor had identified, resulting in successful pregnancy.

Being an engaged participant in your treatment changes everything about your results

Anne's first IVF cycle failed when she was completely disengaged and blocking the process. Years later, as an active, engaged participant at 21 weeks pregnant, her doctor celebrated with her and showed her beautiful embryo charts.

Stop being a passenger on your fertility journey and take control by building your own treatment team

Suzanne went from passively accepting doctor recommendations to researching recurrent loss treatments, bringing a list to her new doctor, and collaborating on her own treatment plan. Her doctor told her at delivery: 'This baby is here because of you. You came up with your own treatment plan.'

Having too much medical knowledge can create analysis paralysis where you research obsessively but become unable to make decisions

Dr. Kate spent years researching fertility literature obsessively, consulted three different doctors with conflicting opinions, and became paralyzed until she learned to trust her internal guidance.

Trust your instincts about medications and treatment protocols - you know your body better than anyone.

Anne Marie insisted on removing a medication that didn't feel right for her final transfer, even though it meant more monitoring. That cycle was successful after the previous one with the medication had failed.

Taking control of your health journey teaches you to be your own advocate and trust your instincts

Ali learned to say no to doctors who weren't aligned with her goals and trust her gut feelings, leading to better health outcomes and eventual pregnancy.

When you stop following other people's rules and start making your own, everything changes

Danielle's transformation happened when she insisted on doing her final transfer naturally against medical advice, saying 'It went from following all the rules to making the rules, that's when it changed.'

PGS testing may not be necessary and abnormal embryos can still result in healthy babies

Tracy only had 2 normal embryos from 3 retrievals, but conceived with an untested fresh transfer that could have tested abnormal. She now has a letter at her clinic to not discard abnormal embryos because other clinics will transfer them and research shows they can work.

You become your own silver bullet when you stop being a victim and start trusting your intuition about your medical team

Beth switched fertility doctors when her first doctor refused to do transfers without a drug that made her feel bad, leading to successful conception with the new doctor who accommodated her request

Listening to your intuition about timing can override medical protocols

Tracy insisted on doing her IVF transfer when her doctor wanted to cancel it, saying 'we're gonna do this shit.' She trusted her inner knowing and got pregnant. Later, she knew she needed a natural cycle approach.

Medical professionals can honor their training while still choosing the least invasive path by trusting their body's wisdom and the mind-body connection

Kate, a registered nurse, chose minimal intervention despite pressure for IVF and conceived naturally after 2.5 years by believing in her body's ability and the mind-body connection.

Statistics don't define your fertility destiny - you can refuse to let numbers become your truth and still conceive naturally against all odds

Dr. Lucy had an FSH over 100 and undetectable AMH at age 31, was told she was in menopause with less than 10% chance of natural conception, but conceived naturally and is now 37+ weeks pregnant with her baby boy.

Walking into treatment feeling broken versus walking in as a woman who trusts herself creates different results

Rosanne teaches that identity determines treatment outcomes. Women who shift from victimhood to partnership with their medical team - bringing the fullness of who they are rather than handing over power - achieve different results.

When doctors immediately recommend IVF based solely on age without proper testing, it's time to seek a second opinion

At age 36, Lavinia was told by a fertility doctor to do IVF without comprehensive testing. She walked away and sought other options, demonstrating the importance of advocating for proper evaluation.

You have sovereign authority over your mind and body - healthcare provider conversations should be peer to peer, human being to human being

While healthcare providers have medical degrees, you know yourself best and should take their opinions and information for what they are - opinions and information.

The experience you want on this journey was often just an ask away - just having the guts to challenge the rule

A recent client struggling with a clinic in her home country called an international clinic and asked for what she wanted - they immediately agreed and she's now on the path to success in 2026.

Nobody but you deserves authority in your life - you can call in experts but don't live by anyone's rules but your own

Too many people worship at the altar of limitations and let someone in a white coat be the ultimate authority instead of maintaining their own agency and decision-making power.

When you're serious about your goal, you need to build a team around you that believes in you and operates from the belief that fertility limits don't apply to you

Rosanne explains you must ensure anyone with a front row seat on your journey isn't 'a hating ass bitch' or 'quietly throwing shade on your ass in the chart' - you want everyone 'ovaries deep on a hell yes to you and your vision.'

Traditional medicine often dismisses women's health symptoms as psychological, even when serious conditions are present

Katie Keen went to her OBGYN multiple times with weight gain, fatigue, and menstrual problems. After blood tests showed 'normal' results, the doctor told her 'it's all in your head' and gave her a therapist's card, despite Katie having undiagnosed PCOS, insulin resistance, hypothyroidism, leaky gut, and severe inflammation.

The fertility journey transforms you into the mother your child needs - it's not just about making a baby

Sam's journey gave her the courage to advocate for her daughter by refusing vitamin K injection and making informed vaccine decisions, speaking up to consultants with conviction she wouldn't have had before.

In major investigations, families must advocate for themselves and not rely solely on law enforcement to solve everything

Olivia Gonsalves, Kaylee's sister, immediately dove into the investigation, grabbed Kaylee's phone, contacted the rideshare driver, got his statement, and provided it to law enforcement - becoming a crucial force in seeking justice

Small communities may lack the resources and experience for complex investigations, making outside expertise crucial

Moscow, Idaho had only about 25 sworn officers and hadn't had a homicide in 7 years, meaning investigators may never have worked a homicide case before facing a quadruple murder

Recent research shows women's eggs don't deteriorate as fast as previously thought, and we barely understand 10% of human health

An article within the past 60 days revealed eggs don't deteriorate as quickly as believed, and Dr. Andrew Huberman discussed with Bill Maher how medical understanding of human health is only about 10% complete.

Nobody knows you like you, and at the end of the day, doctors go home to their children - you have to do what you need to do to go home to yours

Super Cat was told she needed donor eggs and a gestational carrier after six failed IVFs, but by advocating for herself and doing her own research, she conceived naturally at 38 during a Christmas vacation in New York.

Being open to different solutions and experts gives you a strategic advantage - but mindset is the foundation that allows you to see these options

Jennifer's mindset work opened her up to working with fertility yoga instructor Jennifer Edmonds, medium Diane Crew, and even consulting an embryologist in Australia. She discovered she had endometritis only because she stayed open to her doctor's suggestion for additional testing.

Getting multiple medical opinions is not crazy but fucking smart when you're serious about achieving your goal

Serious goal achievement often requires going through multiple iterations of your medical team to find the right mix, not settling for the first opinion.

You have to be epic in your own advocacy because doctors often dismiss early concerns

Joycelinne's first OB refused to do an ultrasound in 2021 saying 'don't put things in your head,' but when she finally got one in 2023, they found fibroids and a blocked fallopian tube.

High risk pregnancy has no official medical definition and is often what makes your obstetrician uncomfortable rather than actual statistical risk

Dr. Stuart Fischbein explains that the American College of OB GYN considers pregnancy itself a high risk condition, and no single woman makes it through pregnancy without at least one problem on their medical list.

VBAC actual risk is one in twelve hundred for serious complications, not the inflated numbers doctors quote

Dr. Fischbein calculates that scar separation occurs in 1 in 200-333 cases, and only 5-16% of those result in bad outcomes, making the real risk 1 in 1200 - the same as Down syndrome risk at age 25.

Continuous fetal monitoring increases cesarean rates by 600% without preventing cerebral palsy

Dr. Fischbein states that after 50 years of continuous fetal monitoring, there is evidence of non-benefit and no prevention of cerebral palsy, yet it remains mandatory in hospitals.

Standard of care varies by location and doesn't necessarily mean best care

Dr. Fischbein shares how he was considered below standard of care for doing laparoscopic surgery in one community while it was cutting-edge at Cedars Sinai, showing standard of care is just what the average person in that community does.

Midwifery care with 30-60 minute visits creates healthier outcomes than 6-8 minute doctor visits

Dr. Fischbein explains that similar cohorts of women receiving midwifery care have less gestational diabetes and hypertension than those with brief obstetrician visits due to the preventative relationship-based model.

Induction at 39 weeks carries more risk than waiting until 41+ weeks naturally

Dr. Fischbein states that doctors will tell you induction at 39 weeks is safer than waiting until 41 weeks, but this is not supported by evidence and creates unnecessary intervention cascades.

Pregnancy is labeled as problem number one on every obstetrician's problem list

Dr. Fischbein reveals that the American College of OB GYN considers pregnancy itself a high risk condition, making it the first problem on every pregnant woman's medical chart.

Home birth studies show better outcomes in similar cohorts than hospital births

Dr. Fischbein mentions his published study on 100 sets of twins born at home and references multiple studies showing better outcomes for home birth in appropriate candidates.

When you go to fertility clinics with lack, scarcity, blame, and victimhood, nobody wants to touch your case with a ten-foot pole

Rosanne contrasts the reception patients get when they approach medical care from fear versus approaching with a beautiful life-giving obsession about their baby, noting the stark difference in treatment quality.

A 48-year-old woman trying to pinch pennies by going to an average clinic that doesn't consistently work with women in their forties is setting herself up for failure

At 48, you need cutting-edge specialists who consistently work with women in their 40s and 50s, treat you like a human being, and aren't limited by insurance constraints - even if it costs more upfront.

Crisis gives you an opportunity to start thinking out of the box and thinking resourcefully

Example of IVF medications being delayed - instead of being victim of FedEx, you become someone gathering people around you to solve problems, which immediately ratchets stress levels down.

What you tolerate in your fertility journey reveals the state of your self-esteem

Women who stay at clinics where they don't like the doctors and feel like numbers, or who won't travel for better care because they don't think they're 'worth' the expense, are operating from low self-worth.

Healthy self-esteem drives women to seek second opinions, travel for better care, and invest in support

Women with healthy self-image will go to 'high street clinics,' seek multiple opinions, tell themselves they're worth the coaching and extra expenditure, and demand better treatment instead of being bullied or ignored.

Nobody is going to come save you on this journey - you are the one who guarantees your success

Rosanne explains that looking to doctors, partners, family and friends for promises you won't make to yourself is hypocritical, and that all these people are just pieces of the puzzle while you are responsible for seeing your dream through.

IVF is not automatically the solution when the issue is staying pregnant, not getting pregnant

Kristen was able to get pregnant naturally but couldn't stay pregnant, yet fertility specialists recommended skipping IUI and going straight to IVF, which she rejected as not addressing her actual problem.

Unexplained infertility is not actually a diagnosis - it's doctors throwing their hands up instead of looking for root causes

Caryn Johnson experienced 'unexplained infertility' for years until she discovered she had some of the highest antibody levels her reproductive immunologist had ever seen, leading to successful pregnancies after immune protocol treatment.

Most women with unexplained infertility have underlying immune dysfunction and inflammation that prevents implantation and causes early pregnancy loss

Caryn Johnson discovered she had Hashimoto's-related antibody issues causing her body to reject pregnancies. After immune protocol including IVIG treatments, she successfully carried her son Elijah. She now has 17 documented pregnancies in women who addressed immune issues through BOND supplements.

Week 7-8 of pregnancy is placentification - the hardest part to get through if you have immune issues, which is why many losses happen then

Caryn Johnson lost multiple pregnancies around weeks 7-8, and explains this timing correlates with placentification when the immune system is most challenged. Her daughter's heart rate slowed at 7 weeks due to immune dysfunction.

OB-GYNs and reproductive endocrinologists only know reproductive organs - they don't practice full system health or understand immune, metabolic, or gut issues

Caryn Johnson explains that after years of failed treatments, she had to seek out reproductive immunologist Dr. Joanne Kwak Kim to address her immune issues. She had over 200 food intolerances indicating gut dysbiosis that no reproductive doctor identified.

You have to stop looking at doctors as your only source of truth and build a committee of many different practitioners

Caryn Johnson found success only after working with a reproductive immunologist, naturopath, and building her own research database of over 200 clinical studies on nutrients and immune function - not from her original reproductive team.

Most women with unexplained infertility are deficient in vitamin B and D, but doctors focusing only on reproductive organs won't test for this

Caryn Johnson discovered through her research database of over 200 clinical studies that vitamin deficiencies are common in unexplained infertility cases. Her BOND supplements address these foundational nutritional gaps that reproductive doctors miss.

Letting your insurance company decide whether you become a mom is victim thinking - successful women take their own authority

Rosanne challenges the common limitation of 'I only do as many IVFs as my insurance allows' as letting someone else decide your fate rather than taking responsibility for your dreams.

Individual protocols matter more than generic fertility treatments

Elise's fibroids quadrupled in size with standard IUI drugs, but she found success with a doctor who used low stimulation IVF protocols tailored to her specific condition, ultimately leading to pregnancy at 45.

Women sign away their health and future without reading fertility treatment consent forms because desperation overrides caution

Lyndsay describes signing 'the phone book of paperwork' without reading it, saying even if it said they were injecting plutonium, she would have signed because she thought it was her only path to motherhood.

Research your fertility medications thoroughly rather than blindly trusting that all treatments are safe

Lyndsay studied neurological journals and found that two specific fertility drugs she had taken for infertility treatment actually cause CRPS, the chronic pain condition she now lives with daily.

Success on this journey requires questioning medical authority in ways you've never done, even when doctors with credentials tell you it's impossible

Rosanne has coached countless women told by doctors they needed donor eggs or should give up, who then went on to conceive naturally and beat odds of less than 1%, proving that questioning authority can lead to success

Pregnant women face the highest risk of domestic violence during pregnancy, with homicide being the leading cause of death for pregnant women

Rosanne prosecuted multiple sexual assault cases against pregnant women around 8-8.5 months pregnant during her career as a prosecutor, and statistics show domestic violence escalates during pregnancy when women are most vulnerable

Advocating for yourself medically can uncover missing pieces in your fertility puzzle

Chrissie researched and requested a test her doctor hadn't run simply because insurance didn't cover it. The test provided answers and the medical journal about it was published on her birthday — what she calls a 'wink from Gus.'

Finding the right medical team that supports your vision is crucial for success

Heather left the first doctor who said she had no chance at 41 and found Dr. Chek's team who embraced her journey and helped her achieve pregnancy at 46.

Women deserve to be treated with respect and consideration for their fertility dreams rather than being dismissed as statistics

Rosanne challenges the current system where 'somebody just told me to give up, and it's no big deal. Just go adopt' and describes how women are treated 'like cattle call when it comes to fertility' instead of having their 'legitimate longing' respected.

Women who believe they can conceive take risks with boldness - making investments, asking questions, refusing to be bullied by statistics or age discrimination

Reviewing 15-20 success story episodes reveals not one woman was wishing and hoping - all were believing, which drove their willingness to bet on themselves and challenge medical authority.

You are either the authority in your life or you hand that authority to somebody else - claim your authority

Caroline was told by fertility doctors she'd never conceive naturally with 36.9 FSH and 0.07 AMH, but she listened to her inner voice saying 'my body can do this' and conceived naturally within a year of mindset work.

When doctors can't explain your fertility issues, it's often because they're not looking at root causes like autoimmune conditions that affect hormones and gut health.

Amanda had heavy periods and unexplained infertility for 2+ years until a functional medicine practitioner immediately identified her Hashimoto's autoimmune disease, which was attacking her thyroid and affecting her fertility through gut-hormone connection.

You must be willing to change doctors when they don't resonate with you or provide compassionate care - you're running this circus.

Amanda changed fertility specialists twice and switched hospitals mid-pregnancy when told 'here's a diaper, go home' at 10 weeks. Her willingness to advocate for better care directly contributed to her son's survival and her positive pregnancy outcome.

Medical professionals often give worst-case scenarios without empathy, but you don't have to accept their doom and gloom as your truth.

Amanda was told at 10 weeks pregnant 'here's a diaper, go home, this baby won't make it' due to a subchorionic hematoma. She chose not to believe this prognosis, surrendered to the highest good, and carried her baby to 36+ weeks successfully.

The third and most dangerous driver is fear that if you upset someone, you won't get what you want - which creates manipulative behavior especially with medical providers

Rosanne describes women who 'shut the fuck up and go with whatever thing they tell us to do' with doctors, even agreeing to 'that same protocol for the fifth time that hasn't gotten us anywhere' to avoid conflict.

You must be equals and in partnership with anyone helping you on your fertility journey - no one is better than you regardless of their credentials

Rosanne states 'I don't care if that person has seventy five letters coming after their name. They are not better than you. They might know a few things that you don't, but they don't know you.'

Nobody wants your baby more than you do - trust your instincts over medical authority when something doesn't feel right

Jo saw 11 different specialists before finding Dr. Murhy in New York who discovered a uterine septum that Australian doctors had missed despite multiple laparoscopies. Her persistence led to finding the root cause after years of 'unexplained' losses.

Smart fertility patients ask their clinics about backup plans including generator power for embryo storage and protocols for disruptions

Clinics shut down during COVID with no one able to get appointments, and there was a clinic in the San Francisco Bay Area where tons of embryos were lost due to system failures.

Lock down alternative fertility treatments now before you need them, including acupuncture, coaching, and clinics that don't operate from fear

Find clinics that remained open and welcoming during COVID rather than those that acted crazy and shut down at the slightest disruption.

Consider having backup fertility medications and explore egg freezing as insurance against uncertain times disrupting treatment access

IVF cycles become difficult when civil unrest makes medication delivery impossible, and medications can be stored in refrigerators for extended periods.

The one-year mark for trying to conceive is an arbitrary standard that doesn't account for individual differences, as no one is standard and we're all unique like snowflakes

Moy questions who decided that a year sets the standard for everyone, emphasizing that Chinese medicine focuses on personalized protocols rather than one-size-fits-all timelines.

The age 35 fertility cutoff is a completely made up number with no scientific basis - someone 34 years 11 months isn't suddenly different at 35

Dr. Fischbein states that at age 35, Down syndrome risk is only 1 in 200 (99.5% chance it won't happen), yet women are labeled 'high risk' based on this arbitrary number.

Pregnancy itself is labeled as the number one 'problem' on every medical chart, framing birth as pathology rather than normal biological function

Dr. Fischbein realized after 30+ years that when he asked 'Do you have any other medical problems?' he was implying pregnancy was the first problem - highlighting how medical language shapes perception.

Half of all cesarean sections performed in the US are unnecessary - 650,000 unnecessary major surgeries on women annually

Dr. Fischbein cites WHO recommendation of 10-15% c-section rate versus US rate of 30%, meaning with 3.8 million births annually, 650,000 unnecessary surgeries occur yearly.

No vaccines recommended in pregnancy (Tdap, flu, COVID, RSV) have ever been tested in randomized placebo-controlled trials for safety

Dr. Fischbein states that at 28 weeks, doctors want to give 5 vaccines simultaneously, none tested alone or in combination, violating the precautionary principle of not testing untested products on pregnant women.

Doctor salaries are often based on productivity from the previous year - the more codes filed and procedures ordered, the higher next year's salary

Dr. Fischbein explains that in HMO and corporate medicine, annual salary depends on previous year's billing, creating financial incentives to order more tests and procedures rather than providing reassurance.

The midwifery model of care focuses on time, listening, and shared decision-making - impossible in volume-based medical practices

Dr. Fischbein's collaborative practice with midwives achieved a 7% c-section rate over 15 years compared to 30% community rates, because midwives had time for proper counseling and education.

DIY approaches have severe limitations when it comes to fertility success—what takes professionals weeks can take you years to figure out on your own

Rosanne compares DIY fertility work to janky Home Depot bathroom renovations, explaining that DIY approaches will take ten times longer and cost ten times more due to what you'll have to redo.

You are the absolute boss and decision maker of your fertility journey - not the doctors

Diana applied this mindset shift to conceive her son and now has two daughters, ages 2 and 2 months. She uses these same techniques for career decisions and all life choices.

You know yourself and your body better than anyone - trust that over medical statistics

Danielle was told she was too old and would never conceive, but the last words from her doctor were 'I hope you prove me wrong' - and she did, now having a 3-year-old and 4-month-old.

The prove it mentality makes you hop from coach to coach or physician to physician, never giving anyone a legitimate opportunity to help

Fear-based women switch providers constantly because they're terrified of being wrong, preventing any professional from building the trust and continuity needed for successful treatment.

Make decisions based on your values, not what a doctor says

Natalia became more discerning and chose natural conception over IVF based on her intuition that her baby was coming naturally, despite medical recommendations

Fear-based choices suck - there's a difference between needing medical support and choosing it from a place of empowerment versus panic

Rosanne Austin mentions a 46-year-old woman who conceived naturally after IVF failed once she stopped making fear-based choices and started acting from consciousness.

Baby blues lasting more than 2-3 weeks may indicate postpartum depression, not just normal adjustment to motherhood

Suzy explains that baby blues are normal for about two weeks postpartum, but when symptoms persist for months, it indicates a mental health issue requiring professional help.

Your body knows its own timing better than medical protocols, and advocating for that knowing can be crucial for success

Claire insisted on doing an ERA test because she felt her body needed extra time, which showed she needed the transfer 2 days later than protocol suggested, leading to her successful pregnancy.

Medical gaslighting of women's symptoms is real, and you must advocate for proper diagnosis and treatment

Claire had PCOS and endometriosis symptoms for years but was dismissed by doctors who made her feel like she was 'making it up' until she finally got proper diagnosis and treatment at 43.

Ninety percent of medical school curriculum focuses on pharmacology, while 80% of medical schools don't require a single nutrition class for doctors to graduate

Calley Means, former pharma lobbyist, reveals that Stanford Medical School and Harvard Medical School are among the institutions that don't require nutrition education, despite food being the primary driver of metabolic dysfunction affecting fertility.

More than 50% of major medical school funding touches pharma, and food companies fund nutrition research 11 times more than the NIH

Calley Means documents that 95% of experts who created the 2020 USDA nutrition guidelines had direct payments from pharma or food companies, including the American Diabetes Association accepting millions from Coca-Cola while setting diabetes treatment standards.

Fertility clinics are financially incentivized for growth and would have to lay people off if fertility issues were actually prevented or reversed

Calley Means spoke with a leading fertility specialist who admitted that while he would cure infertility instantly if possible, the institutional loans and hiring plans are all underwritten assuming continued growth in fertility procedures, creating a perverse incentive against prevention.

The healthcare industry is the largest and fastest-growing industry in the United States, but the more we spend, the worse health outcomes become

Calley Means explains that unlike other industries where innovation leads to lower costs and better outcomes, healthcare profits from people getting sicker for longer periods, with 85% of costs now driven by chronic conditions that continue increasing.

Even basic lifestyle interventions like vitamin D supplementation and exercise were called 'misinformation' during COVID despite strong scientific evidence

Calley Means documents how podcast hosts like Joe Rogan were violently attacked by the medical establishment for discussing the clear statistical connections between metabolic dysfunction, vitamin D deficiency, and COVID outcomes, while Dr. Ryan Cole was crucified for recommending sunshine and vitamin D.

Doctor relationships are overcomplicated when women forget they can leave and find thousands of other doctors who think outside the box

Rosanne reminds women that 'nobody is holding a gun to your head' in fertility clinics and 'there are thousands of those doctors around the world' who will try different approaches.

You don't need permission from anyone - not governments, doctors, or family - to pursue your fertility dreams

Diana chose Cyprus over Belgium to avoid psychological evaluation requirements, fought for her medications and tests when doctors said no, and insisted on transferring all 3 embryos against medical advice.

Medical opinions can vary dramatically - you have the power to seek providers who believe in you

Yasemin was told by one clinic to use donor eggs after two cycles, while another doctor said 'I don't see why not' when reviewing the same case. She ultimately found success with providers who believed in her potential.

Medical panic becomes your panic when you're not grounded in your own truth

Carolyn noticed her doctor's panic voice 'was now becoming my panic' when she was told they needed to speed up testing after her second miscarriage, shifting her from confidence to fear.

Successful professionals often fail to apply their strategic thinking to fertility, instead relying on hope rather than creating a comprehensive plan with experts and resources

Somaya, a top legal recruiter in London, realized she would strategically involve experts for professional challenges but was just 'living on a prayer and hope' for her fertility journey.

When you're the most certain person in the room, everyone else will take a listen—you have just as much chance of being right as the doctors

Somaya challenged a renowned London fertility doctor with 40 years experience, saying 'Stop. This is all a red herring. I want you to run these tests,' and he agreed, leading to transformational results.

Following your true calling despite others' opinions prepares you for the self-advocacy skills needed in motherhood

Michelle left architecture despite family pressure, then later had to advocate for her patients and her own children against doctors pushing unnecessary interventions.

Always trust your patient's intuition over your clinical judgment - they know their body better than any expert can

Michelle explains she will pivot from her clinical assessment if a patient expresses they intuitively feel something different, believing the person is fully connected to their own body.

Your success or failure on the fertility journey ultimately comes down to you - you are in the most powerful position when you stop giving your power to experts and take responsibility for leading your journey

A 53-year-old miracle mama recently sent pregnancy photos because she stepped into her power and refused to compromise based on age or past failures.

If you settle into what someone tells you is possible, you're doomed - you have to burn the boats and search for your path

Wendee refused to accept doctors' initial assessment that her heart valves couldn't be repaired, continuing to search until she found a surgeon who said 'if you let me in there, I'm really good at what I do and I repair valves most people can never repair'

Conventional IVF protocols haven't changed in 46 years and fail 50% of patients because they use the same approach for everyone instead of individualized treatment

Dr. Merhi notes that nationwide IVF pregnancy rates are only 50%, with conventional protocols unchanged since IVF began 46 years ago, leading him to create individualized treatment plans at Rejuvenating Fertility Center.

Patients often know their bodies better than doctors and should be partners in treatment decisions rather than passive recipients

Dr. Merhi describes patients who accurately predict having ovarian cysts before ultrasounds and know which medications work for them, emphasizing that women understand their own reproductive patterns and responses.

Only accept information that helps you - if it's negative or irrelevant, ignore it completely

Claire told her actuary husband to only share statistics and research that would help their decisions, leading them to pursue experimental PRP treatment in Spain when UK clinics said no.

Anyone's opinion is just information - it's what you do with it that matters

Claire changed clinics multiple times when doctors weren't supportive of her treatment goals, ultimately finding providers who would perform PRP therapy and donor egg procedures.

You cannot limit yourself to one country or one approach when bringing your baby home

Ms. Dreamy traveled to Mexico for stem cell therapy and tubal reversal, researched treatments in Israel and Japan, and refused to limit herself geographically in pursuing her baby.

Trust your intuition when medical advice leads with fear - if it doesn't feel right for you, reject it

Maria walked out of an IVF clinic despite having pear-sized fibroids and a miscarriage because it felt cold and sterile, choosing naturopathic care instead and conceiving naturally at 34.

Don't abdicate your authority to machines or people who don't know what you're made of

At 23 weeks pregnant, Maria rejected ultrasound technicians trying to create fear about her baby's weight, calling four different OBs who confirmed one pound at 23 weeks is normal.

Courage takes non-traditional forms - it might mean standing up to a doctor you're uncomfortable with

Mr. Austin expected to protect his wife from physical danger but learned courage meant advocating against medical professionals who weren't serving them well.

Having the courage to tell medical professionals 'this doesn't feel right for us' is essential for protecting your relationship and wellbeing

The Austins learned to stand up together against medical professionals after early experiences where they subordinated their feelings to doctors' recommendations.

When a treatment cycle doesn't work, use the EMBRYO DIAMONDS framework to gather critical information before your next cycle

Dr. Eyvazzadeh's mnemonic covers day embryos were frozen/transferred, implantation rates, quality grades, abnormal embryos, mosaic embryos, genetic testing reports, official documentation, normal embryos, and sperm analysis - information many patients go through 4+ cycles without knowing.

You have a legal right to all your fertility data and test results - clinics cannot withhold this information from you

Dr. Eyvazzadeh explains that patients own their medical data by law, including genetic testing abnormality details, yet many patients report being denied this information by their clinics.

Some embryos labeled as 'abnormal' may actually be viable - segmental aneuploidies and up to 30% of chaotic embryos can become healthy babies

Dr. Eyvazzadeh cites recent studies showing that embryos dismissed as abnormal, particularly segmental aneuploidies and chaotic embryos, have success potential that patients should understand before making decisions.

Empowered patients who understand their cycle details feel like participants, not observers, leading to greater satisfaction regardless of outcome

Dr. Eyvazzadeh teaches patients her SPARKLE method (follicle size, protocol, pyramid, happiness assessment, retrieval timing, lining, estrogen levels) and provides IVF course access, noting patients feel more satisfied even with poor outcomes when fully informed.

When you shift to 'I get to do this,' everything changes - how you show up with your treatment team, professionals, friends and family

Rosanne observes that women who honor their feelings but refuse to live in self-pity experience something magical - everyone who's been featured on the podcast as success stories made this choice and is holding a baby today because of this decision.

You are the one fixing you, healing you—your medical team supports you, but ultimately you must believe in yourself

Agata went from trusting doctors completely through two failed IVF cycles to trusting herself and conceiving through IUI on the fourth attempt, now 26 weeks pregnant.

Finding medical providers who believe in you and your chosen path is essential for success

Agata's new doctor supported her IUI choice, never pressured her back to IVF, and encouraged her to keep trying even after a chemical pregnancy, leading to her successful fourth IUI.

The medical model of 'save me, rescue me, fix me' prevents couples from taking responsibility for creating optimal conditions for conception

Dr. Palevsky advocates for couples building a team including naturopaths, acupuncturists, and therapists while driving their own care rather than abdicating authority to doctors.

Fear-based programming from medical diagnoses has real toxic effects on your system

Ben Schwartz explains that when doctors tell you about percentage chances of death or failure, it puts toxic fear into your mind and body that becomes harmful programming affecting your well-being.

You must be willing to advocate for yourself medically and make changes when something isn't working

Teresa left her reproductive endocrinologist who she felt was letting her slip through the cracks, found a new doctor through friend recommendations, and ultimately found her 'love match' physician who solved her case.

Step back as a neutral third party when evaluating health information - don't look at bias, listen to all sides before forming conclusions

Dr. Ryan Cole, Mayo Clinic-trained pathologist who has seen 350,000+ patients, explains his diagnostic approach of looking at tissue samples without seeing patient names to avoid bias.

Statistics can be manipulated - vaccine effectiveness of 95% actually means 100-120 people need both shots for one person to have one less symptom

Dr. Cole explains that relative risk reduction versus absolute risk reduction shows that 100-120 people need vaccination for one person to benefit, demonstrating how statistics can be presented misleadingly.

Nine times out of ten, patients give you the diagnosis if you just listen - be a good storyteller when seeing healthcare providers

Dr. Cole, with 350,000+ patients seen, emphasizes that patients reveal their diagnosis through storytelling when clinicians listen, and patients should prepare their timeline and symptoms coherently.

Women should never give their age to medical professionals because we co-author each other's biology and you want to be around people who see you as fertile and capable

Dr. Northrup cites Mario Martinez's study of 700 healthy centenarians who lived in subcultures of wellness, and she personally has taken Pilates for 20 years without knowing her instructor's age to avoid age-related limitations.

Listening to women's stories is the best diagnostic tool on the planet, but modern medicine has replaced this with checking boxes on iPads for insurance codes

Dr. Northrup practiced OB-GYN for 25 years and found that taking detailed histories revealed missing pieces that standard medical protocols missed, calling current practitioners 'trained monkeys' focused on CPT codes.

Your dream matters and you can have your baby the way you want to - naturally, through IVF, whatever feels right for YOU.

Karen's dream was natural conception despite medical professionals pushing surgeries and hormone therapies. She held onto this vision and achieved it after six years of trying.

Standing by your values despite medical pressure leads to aligned conception

Tran and David, both medical professionals, chose natural conception over suggested endometriosis surgery and weren't bullied into treatments that didn't align with their values.

Believing the part of you that isn't going to take a provider blowing off your desires with 'just use a donor egg or surrogate' when the evidence doesn't support it is fucking valid

Rosanne conceived naturally at 43 after being told to use donor eggs, demonstrating that questioning medical recommendations when they don't align with evidence is valid

Healthcare should be a partnership where patients maintain their inner knowing and work collaboratively with providers rather than abdicating all authority

Dr. Wei notes that physicians love working with invested patients, and Rosanne shares her experience as an attorney who initially expected doctors to handle everything but realized she needed to serve herself on every level.

Taking two hours to listen to a woman's complete fertility story is therapeutic in itself because many have never had someone truly validate their experience

Dr. Wei contrasts functional medicine's 2-hour initial consultations with conventional medicine's 10-15 minute appointments, explaining how the extended listening process becomes part of the healing.

The minute we lose our compassion in our profession, we need to take a step back and ask ourselves what is going on

Anu observed her first fertility doctor wasn't wearing her wedding ring during their appointment but wore it in promotional videos, recognizing the doctor's personal issues shouldn't affect patient care.

Sometimes changing doctors isn't about medical competence - it's about what works for your mental state

Suzanne's first doctor helped them conceive their daughter but their relationship broke down after repeated losses. She said 'every time I step foot in that clinic, my heart sank' and they 'hated going' because it became 'the place where we got bad news.'

Building a bump squad that supports your values allows you to make unconventional choices with confidence

Sarah's surgeon supported her natural healing approach saying 'if what you're doing already is working, stick with it. Avoid surgery at all costs' which gave her confidence to continue her naturopathic protocol.

When you have a high opinion of yourself, you can go toe-to-toe with any expert or statistic and say that information has nothing to do with your potential

Women who beat the odds make choices that feel right to them, not decisions others shame them into. They hold loving thoughts and therefore make loving choices in furtherance of what they hold dear.

Medical professionals often understand the limits of medicine better than lay people because they see everyday miracles where people who shouldn't survive or heal actually do

Rosanne has coached physicians like Dr. Lucy who beat single-digit odds with FSH over 100, Dr. Rose, Dr. Melissa, and Dr. Kate who conceived with her last embryo against expert advice.

You can find an argument and success story for every fertility treatment option, which is why you must look inward to make decisions rather than seeking external validation

Dr. Kate consulted three fertility specialists who all gave different recommendations with complete certainty, demonstrating how conflicting expert opinions can paralyze decision-making.

Women hand their power over to experts instead of becoming experts on themselves because they lack confidence in their own inner knowing

Rosanne observed that Type-A professional women who excel in complex work environments often struggle to trust themselves on fertility decisions, defaulting to external authority rather than developing self-expertise.

When doctors dismiss your requests for testing or treatment options, you have every right to leave and find a provider who will partner with you in your care.

Anne Marie left her first clinic when they refused the ERA test, then left her second clinic when they pushed donor eggs without trying her own eggs first. At the third clinic, she got pregnant within 6 months using her own eggs at 40.

Without the agency of deciding what you believe about yourself and what's possible, no medicine will help you—belief must come first

Rosanne explains how women who don't decide they'll be successful often fail regardless of medical intervention, emphasizing that mindset work is essential whether conceiving naturally or with medical support

Success on this journey begins and ends with you alone - not statistics, physicians, or anyone else's opinions

Rosanne emphasizes this principle enabled her natural conception at 43 despite years of treatment failure and medical professionals suggesting it wasn't possible

Medical professionals often lead with statistics and fear rather than possibility, which can devastate women unnecessarily

Myrna's first gynecologist immediately showed her statistics about her age instead of exploring options, making her cry in the car and rush into treatments without trying naturally.

Doctors' predictions are not your destiny—they're just one opinion based on statistics

The same doctor who told Tracy she'd never conceive naturally witnessed her natural pregnancy at 42. Medical predictions are based on population statistics, not individual potential.

Building the right support team is crucial—some providers will champion you while others will limit you

Tracy's fertility specialist focused on limitations and statistics, while her OB said 'just chill, you'll get pregnant again' and guaranteed success. The OB's support led to natural conception.

You must be willing to fire providers who don't believe in your vision, regardless of their credentials or reputation

Dr. Lucy, despite being a physician herself, let go of medical providers who didn't support her natural conception goals and only worked with practitioners who believed in her body's ability to conceive naturally.

Taking your fertility future into your own hands is a gangster move that leads to success

Jennifer McAleer refused to accept her 0.05 AMH diagnosis and instead pursued acupuncture, meditation, and nutrition changes, resulting in natural conception at 43

Women must learn to trust their instincts and stop handing power over to experts expecting them to have all the answers

Rosanne was setting herself up to fail by handing power to doctors and other experts. Learning to trust her instincts and take responsibility for her results was essential preparation that led to her natural conception at 43 after years of treatment failure.

Jealousy sabotages fertility success by preventing strategic thinking and follow-through on important decisions like getting second opinions, following through on diet changes, or covering all bases

Rosanne outlines specific ways jealousy impacts strategy: reduced motivation for second/third/fourth opinions, poor diet follow-through, missed opportunities, victim thinking that prevents covering all bases, and fear-based cheap decisions leading to regret.

Most fertility clinics greet patients with long faces, long waits, and speeches about tempering expectations instead of joy and excitement about supporting the miracle of life

Rosanne observed physicians making furrowed brows and noncommittal vaguely cautious optimism an Olympic sport, when they should be excited about helping women make their dreams come true.

Fear-mongering extends to well-intentioned supplements and treatments that you get pressured into without proper evaluation

Rosanne was fear-mongered into drinking mysterious mushroom drinks with unreadable labels and believing that not boiling black chicken from her acupuncturist would single-handedly destroy her chances at motherhood.

The transformational question 'Is this true for me?' empowers women to think critically about fertility advice and treatments instead of blindly following what others recommend

Rosanne conceived naturally at 43 after years of fertility treatment failure by learning to evaluate what was actually right for her unique situation rather than following generic protocols.

Women on fertility journeys often abandon their critical thinking skills despite being successful professionals in other areas of their lives

Rosanne's coaching practice is loaded with physicians from around the world who struggle with decision-making on their own fertility journeys, proving that medical training doesn't exempt women from this phenomenon.

Women who beat the odds focus on what's right for them and their unique situation, not cookie-cutter shotgun approaches

Rosanne conceived naturally at 43 despite years of treatment failure by getting laser focused on what would actually help her rather than trying everything that worked for other people.

Asking 'Is this true for me?' requires ovaries of steel because it presupposes you are worthy of more than cursory consideration

This question puts everyone on notice that you are discerning and expect attention to be paid to your unique circumstances, which many women struggle to demand in medical settings.

Having clarity about what you want makes you a more effective leader of your fertility journey

Catherine learned that when she got clear on what she wanted and could communicate it precisely to her medical team, it made their job easier and her more assertive in decision-making rather than spinning in fear.

Statistics don't account for individual factors like fitness level, education, family history, and lifestyle choices

Chia challenged a midwife's statistical warnings by pointing out she was a D1 college athlete, never used drugs, had no family pre-existing conditions, regular periods, and was college-educated — none of which were factored into age-based statistics

Doctors telling you not to try again based on statistics are practicing hubris, not medicine

Yasmine was told by a doctor 'don't try again, you don't have what it takes' but went on to conceive naturally at 43 and carry to term successfully.

Why would you let what your insurance covers or what other people think is reasonable control your fertility journey when this is your dream to be a mom

Rosanne invested in her own fertility journey despite insurance limitations and conceived naturally at 43, proving that following your own rules rather than external constraints leads to success.

If you're a smart woman, you cannot possibly be entertaining whether your insurance company is going to cover your treatment - that is a bonus

Rosanne built her practice helping over 300 women across six continents by teaching them to fund their fertility journeys independently rather than being limited by insurance constraints.

Age-based fertility predictions are often premature and devastating, but not definitive verdicts

Heather was told at 41 she had 'no chance' of having a baby due to her age combined with endometriosis and low AMH, yet conceived naturally at 46 and delivered Emily at 47.

When you presuppose that others can't handle your truth, you are actually dishonoring them - we're all grown ups dealing with grown ups

Rosanne applies this principle with medical professionals and family members, teaching women to speak directly about their fertility choices without protecting others' feelings.

The fertility system generally treats us as broken rather than fertile people who simply need support—combining our self-criticism, mainstream medicine's scary statistics, and others' pity creates a perfect storm

Rosanne references Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's quote: 'Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you will help them become what they are capable of becoming'—the opposite of how the fertility world typically operates.

When you give your power over to experts, you're basically letting them decide what you will achieve in this life - that's victimhood, not leadership

The medical system has been exposed as profiting from dependency, while the physicians featured on this podcast are disruptors who empower patients through partnership, not poor me mentality.

Doctors' negative fertility assessments can be influenced by their business model rather than your actual potential

Alina's fertility doctor said her results were 'not promising' and IVF was the only way, but her acupuncturist said her AMH was normal for her age and partner's morphology could improve with lifestyle changes. The fertility doctor treated them like customers ready to pay for IVF rather than a couple wanting help to conceive naturally.

Physicians are not magicians - medical predictions are not absolute verdicts on what's possible for your fertility

Dr. Nisha, a physician with two doctoral degrees, was told at 44 she had undetectable AMH and was premenopausal with no chance of conception, yet conceived naturally in one cycle after changing her mindset approach.

Ask yourself: if this was your existing child's health, would you sit quietly and nod, or would you research every angle?

This analogy helped Suzanne realize she'd been treating fertility like a passenger instead of an advocate. She then researched recurrent loss treatments and brought a comprehensive list to discuss with her new doctor.

The medical system often uses outdated and misogynistic language that can psychologically damage women on their fertility journey

Danielle was labeled 'geriatric maternity' at 36 and told she had a 0.2% chance of natural conception, while European clinics don't consider women geriatric until 48.

Lab numbers and fertility test results are just information, not verdicts on your fertility future

Jennifer McAleer received an AMH of 0.05 (perimenopause levels) and was told IVF would be a waste of money, yet conceived naturally at 43 after taking control of her diet and mindset