Conceive Baby

Episode Summary:In this inspiring episode of the Conceive Baby Podcast, I am joined by World Renowned Entrepreneur Lisa Messenger and Seasoned Lifestyle Columnist and Finance Expert Sarah Megginson who share with us special insights into their story detailed in their book, "The Power of Two." Lisa, a dynamic force in the business world as the CEO of Collective Hub, opens up about her challenging path to motherhood, spanning eight years and 18 rounds of IVF. Sarah, a respected lifestyle columnist and financial expert, joins her as both co-author and the incredible surrogate who carried Lisa's child. Their story is not just about overcoming fertility challenges; it's a testament to the power of connection, resilience, and unwavering support.Lisa’s candid recount of living a "private hell" while maintaining her successful career is a sentiment many can resonate with. Sarah’s empathetic leap into surrogacy, highlights the beautiful nature of a true friendship and of mutual empowerment. Both Lisa and Sarah share insights into the nuances of asking for help and maintaining open communication and boundaries, not only through their personal journey but also as invaluable life lessons for listeners facing any form of adversity.About the GuestsLisa Messenger: Lisa Messenger is a renowned entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker. She is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Collective Hub, a multimedia brand dedicated to empowering individuals to pursue their passions. With over 40 books to her name, Lisa is a leading figure in business innovation and positive psychology. Her journey through diverse professional landscapes and personal challenges, including an extensive fertility journey, culminates in her new book, "The Power of Two."Sarah Megginson: Sarah Megginson is a seasoned lifestyle columnist, editor, and financial expert with notable works appearing in Cosmopolitan, Mamma Mia, and Yahoo Finance. She is dedicated to simplifying finances for a broader audience, using her platform to educate and empower. Sarah’s transformative experience as a surrogate mother for Lisa Messenger frames the heart of "The Power of Two," where friendship and resilience shine through adversity.Key Takeaways:Lisa’s journey through 18 rounds of IVF highlights the emotional and financial strains associated with fertility struggles and the importance of support systems. Surrogacy in Australia is an altruistic process deeply embedded in trust and mutual respect, as exemplified by Sarah's unwavering support.Open communication and clearly defined boundaries can strengthen relationships and ensure mutual understanding in challenging journeys.Empowerment stems from shared experiences, as Sarah and Lisa illustrate the power of sharing struggles to inspire and uplift others.Notable Quotes:"Sometimes the unthinkable becomes thinkable." — Lisa Messenger"The power of possibility is really what our book is all about." — Sarah Megginson"If you have tried that yourself or watched that path yourself, then that's when advice is helpful." — Lisa Messenger"There's so much that went into it…for me it was about open communication and understanding each other's needs." — Sarah Megginson"Hugo is my baby. He is the one I was always meant to have." — Lisa MessengerResources:Check out the book "The Power of Two" for a detailed narrative of Lisa and Sarah's extraordinary journey - https://www.panterapress.com.au/product/the-power-of-two/Mentioned in this episode:The 5 Game...

In this episode of the Conceive Baby Podcast, I speak with Dr Scott Pearce about early pregnancy and the role of HCG and progesterone.Early pregnancy can be such a wonderful yet nerve wracking time. Waiting on that next test result, looking for symptoms and so many questions. What exactly is HCG? How reliable is an at home test over a blood test? What level should it be? What should my progesterone level be? How do you know if it’s too low or too high and what does that mean? What changes are normal? How quickly should my HCG be rising? Is it rising quickly enough? We answer all these questions and more in this informative episode. So if you’re currently in early pregnancy or hope to be soon, then this is for you!Key Takeaways:HCG's Role: HCG, produced by the placenta, supports early pregnancy by stimulating progesterone production. Monitoring its levels helps assess pregnancy health.Testing HCG: HCG levels can be tested as early as ten days post-conception. Home urine tests are reliable, but blood tests provide detailed quantification.Interpreting HCG Levels: Focus on the rate of increase rather than absolute values. Ideally, HCG should double every 48 hours in early pregnancy.Progesterone Importance: Progesterone supports the pregnancy by maintaining the uterine lining. Supplementation may be necessary in some cases of fertility treatment or recurrent miscarriage.When to Seek Help: Spotting can be normal, but cramping paired with heavy bleeding should prompt a medical consultation. An early ultrasound can provide vital reassuranceDr Scott Pearce is a caring, approachable, and experienced fertility specialist, gynaecologist and obstetrician who spends quality time with his patients to explain, reassure and answer questions. Scott completed advanced laparoscopic, fertility and IVF training at Monash health and The Womens’ hospital. He is a Director of Monash Endosurgery, senior trainer of gynaecological surgery at Monash Health and an accredited Australasian Gynaecological Endoscopic Surgery Society trainer for advanced laparoscopic surgery.Scott thoroughly enjoys being an obstetrician, providing immense joy helping to create families. He has delivered over 3500 babies. How wonderful. Welcome Scott!Mentioned in this episode:The 5 Game Changing Supplements Reversing the Impact of Ageing on FertilityIf you are trying to conceive over 35 or over 40, I have something for you! One of the most common questions I get, is what are the best supplements to boost my chances of conceiving over 40? So, I’ve put together a comprehensive FREE guide for you - The 5 Game Changing Supplements Reversing the Impact of Ageing on Fertility. In this guide I deep dive into the top 5 supplements including doses, specific forms of nutrients, ideal reference ranges you should be looking for and more, that have been proven to help reverse the affect of aging on fertility and boost your chances of conceiving and carrying your healthy baby over 35 or 40. If you would like a FREE copy, head to tashajennings.com.au/fertilitysupplements to get your FREE copy now

Episode Summary:When we think of medical fertility options, we often jump straight to IVF. While IVF often seems like the immediate next step if you’re facing difficulties in conceiving naturally, there are other options that may be worth considering. In this episode of the Conceive Baby Podcast, I explore fertility treatments before IVF with Dr. Sascha Edelstein. Dr. Edelstein shares his insights into less invasive options that could be suitable depending on individual circumstances. Our discussion not only navigates through these alternative treatments but also demystifies the entire treatment process, providing you with valuable insights and empowering you with a deeper understanding of fertility options.Dr. Edelstein brings his extensive knowledge and personal empathy into the conversation, discussing methods such as ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination (IUI), and explains the diagnostic steps to determine the most appropriate treatment. He talks about the importance of understanding the underlying causes of infertility, enabling couples to make informed decisions. Dr. Edelstein also emphasises the significance of overall health, diet, and lifestyle adjustments as integral parts of the fertility journey. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to explore their fertility options comprehensively before considering IVF.About the Guest(s):Dr. Sascha Edelstein is a highly skilled gynecologist with subspecialty training in reproductive medicine. With an impressive background, Dr. Edelstein has undergone training in Cape Town, South Africa, and has contributed significantly to the field of fertility. He has personal experience with IVF, having successfully conceived two children with his wife through the procedure. Dr. Edelstein launched his own fertility practice and now leads Thrive Fertility in Melbourne, aiming to make IVF more accessible and affordable. His approach emphasizes a comprehensive and patient-centered treatment methodology, leveraging state-of-the-art technology and practices.Key Takeaways:Understanding Ovulation Induction: Ovulation induction helps women who are not ovulating naturally. This involves certain medications and requires careful monitoring through blood tests and ultrasounds.Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): IUI is another less invasive treatment where prepared sperm is injected into the uterus at the time of ovulation. Both fallopian tube patency and sperm quality are prerequisites.Assessing Fertility: A thorough assessment of the underlying causes of infertility is crucial before deciding on the treatment. Factors like ovulation, tubal patency, and sperm viability are key areas of focus.Holistic Treatment Approach: Emphasizing the importance of general health, diet, and lifestyle changes, Dr. Edelstein advocates for a holistic approach to improve egg and sperm quality before proceeding to more invasive treatments like IVF.Patient-Centered Care: Dr. Edelstein's practice is about providing patient-centered care, ensuring couples are fully informed and comfortable with their fertility journey, whether through less invasive methods or advanced treatments like IVF.Resources:Thrive Fertility: Thrive Fertility Clinic (Mentioned for those based in Melbourne seeking accessible fertility treatments)Medications Mentioned: Clomid (clomiphene), Femara (letrozole) for ovulation inductionMentioned in this...

Episode Summary:In this latest episode of the Conceive Baby Podcast, I speak with Dr. Haider Najjar about advanced fertility surgical options, specifically focusing on laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Najjar is a leading expert in single incision laparoscopic surgery, and provides his insights into the reasons surgery may be recommended for certain infertility challenges and the benefits it may provide. Dr Najjar outlines the surgical process, potential benefits, recovery times, and possible complications of laparoscopic interventions, offering valuable insights for those undergoing or considering surgical fertility options.We also discuss the significant advancements in surgical techniques over the past decades and how these improvements have enhanced patient outcomes. Dr. Najjar shares his personal journey into fertility surgery, inspired by his sister's struggle with infertility, underscoring the empathy and dedication he brings to his practice. With detailed explanations and professional advice, this episode will empower you with knowledge to make informed decisions about surgical options on your fertility journeyAbout the Guest:Dr. Haider NajjarDr. Haider Najjar is a prominent fertility surgeon specialising in laparoscopic and single incision laparoscopic surgery. Known as a pioneer of these procedures in Australia and internationally, Dr. Najjar is esteemed for his work in improving fertility outcomes through minimal invasive surgery. With over a decade of experience as a principal fertility specialist at Melbourne IVF and co-founder of Create Fertility, Dr. Najjar focuses on tailored infertility care, particularly managing conditions such as endometriosis and fibroids. He's also a globally recognised speaker at prestigious medical conferences, including AGES Annual Scientific Meetings and AAGL Global Congress.Key Takeaways:Understanding Laparoscopy: Laparoscopy involves minimally invasive surgery through small incisions, primarily to diagnose and treat conditions like endometriosis and fibroids, essential for enhancing fertility.Advanced Techniques: Single incision laparoscopic surgery offers better cosmetic outcomes and faster recovery, allowing couples to resume fertility efforts quickly.The Importance of Teamwork: Successful fertility treatments often involve a multidisciplinary team, including surgeons, anesthetists, physiotherapists, and naturopaths.Empowering Patients: Informed consent and patient empowerment are crucial, with an emphasis on understanding the purpose and benefits of any surgical intervention.Technological Advances: Recent advancements in medical technology, such as 3D imaging and robotic surgery, have significantly improved the precision and outcomes of fertility surgeries.Mentioned in this episode:The 5 Game Changing Supplements Reversing the Impact of Ageing on FertilityIf you are trying to conceive over 35 or over 40, I have something for you! One of the most common questions I get, is what are the best supplements to boost my chances of conceiving over 40? So, I’ve put together a comprehensive FREE guide for you - The 5 Game Changing Supplements Reversing the Impact of Ageing on Fertility. In this guide I deep dive into the top 5 supplements including doses, specific forms of nutrients, ideal reference ranges you should be looking for and more, that have been proven to help reverse the affect of aging on fertility and boost your chances of conceiving and carrying your healthy baby over 35 or 40. If you would like a FREE copy, head to tashajennings.com.au/fertilitysupplements to get your...