Building your family

You don’t need to stop exercising before or during fertility treatment—pause near the end of the cycle and right after retrieval. Here’s how to train smart, read your body, and know when it’s too much (or not enough)—plus high‑level pregnancy guidance.    Dr. Sheeva Talebian (REI and competitive athlete) breaks down what’s safe, when to modify, and the signs you need more fuel, sleep, or hydration.
- You’ll learn    - What’s safe around IUI/IVF (and why you pause near trigger/retrieval)    - New understanding: don’t stop entirely—train smart, then resume    - Body signals: sleep, eating, hydration—signs of over/under‑doing it    - Two‑week wait mindset + movement    - Pregnancy: high‑level modifications and red flags
Learn more about Dr. Sheeva Talebian: https://www.ccrmivf.com/Follow Dr. Sheeva Talebian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stalebian/

Get evidence‑based answers on endometriosis—what it is (and isn’t), how it’s diagnosed, and what actually helps, so you know where to start today.Dr. Jessica Ryniec explains symptoms, diagnosis (what to expect from imaging vs surgical confirmation), treatment options (medical vs surgical), pain management, and fertility considerations—practical steps you can use now.
You’ll learn:
What endometriosis is (and common misconceptions)How doctors think about diagnosis and when to escalate careTreatment paths that actually help (meds, surgery, lifestyle)Fertility implications and decision pointsFirst steps this week and questions to ask your clinicWant live workshops and expert Q&A? Join the community: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/
Learn more about Dr. Ryniec: https://www.ccrmivf.com/boston/jessica-ryniec-md/Follow Dr. Ryniec on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaryniecmd/
#Endometriosis

What genetic tests actually do—and what they don’t—so you know when to use them (and when not to). Practical next steps.Chapters below. For step-by-step guides + live Q&A, join the community: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/
You’ll learn:
Screening vs diagnostic: what each actually tells youCarrier testing, NIPT, and embryo testing (PGT‑A/M): when it helps vs overkillLimits: false positives/negatives, VUS, and context (why “a result” ≠ a decision)Donor gametes: brief considerations for donor sperm/eggQuestions to ask your clinic + first steps this week
📚 Learn more about Dr. Thakur: https://www.genomeally.com/
#GeneticTesting #CarrierTesting #NIPT #PGT #Preconception #FamilyPlanning #WomensHealth #Fertility #TryingToConceive

If you could reduce medical risks for your future child, would you? A reproductive medicine doctor + geneticist explains what actually helps before pregnancy—so you know where to start today.You’ll learn: what genetic screening covers (and doesn’t), how to think about carrier testing and embryo testing, practical preconception steps to lower risk, and how to talk with your care team.Want live workshops and Q&A? Join the community: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/
Guest: Dr. Mili Thakur, MD/Geneticist • Host: Lisa Schuman, LCSW
📚 Learn more about Dr. Thakur: https://www.genomeally.com/
0:00 What you’ll learn1:12 Who is Dr. Mili Thakur3:15 Understanding the basics of genetics8:43 Screening vs diagnostic (what each does)11:52 How to approach genetic testing in a family building journey15:23 How to assess genetic risk in family building19:50 Carrier testing (how to use results)25:45 Questions to ask your clinic + first steps
#GeneticTesting #CarrierTesting #NIPT #PGT #Preconception #FamilyPlanning #WomensHealth #Fertility

A fertility doctor who also has PCOS shares exactly what she does herself—and what she recommends to patients. Dr. Roohi Jeelani (MD, PhD) also breaks down ovarian aging, environmental toxin exposure, and the emotional/practical tools that actually help when you’re trying to conceive.
You’ll learn: how to recognize symptoms and pursue diagnosis, what really helps (lifestyle, meds, support), how to think about toxins and ovarian aging, and first steps to start with confidence.
Want live support and replays? Join the community: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/Guest: Dr. Roohi Jelani (MD, PhD) • Host: Lisa Schuman, LCSW
Follow Dr. Roohi Jeelani on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roohijeelanimd/

Ashley “PCOSgurl” Levinson shares her PCOS journey—from diagnosis to national advocacy—and what actually helps when you’re overwhelmed.You’ll learn: how to recognize symptoms and pursue diagnosis, evidence‑aligned lifestyle and medical steps, advocacy lessons, and where to start if you think you might have PCOS.Want live support and workshops? Join our community: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/
Guest: Ashley Levinson (PCOSgurl) • Host: Lisa Schuman, LCSWFollow Ashley Levinson  on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcosgurl/
Why watch now: clear next steps and practical guidance you can use immediately—no fluff.

PCOS Awareness Month is coming—get the facts from a veteran reproductive endocrinologist. Dr. Kristen Cain shares evidence‑based steps that actually help PCOS patients improve fertility and overall health.Want live support? Meet Dr. Cain in our workshop and get expert guidance, stress‑reduction strategies, and community support. Join here: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/
📚 Learn more about Dr. Kristen Cain: https://www.drkristencain.com/Follow Dr. Kristen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkcain/

Emily Patel, founder of Hopeful Mama Foundation and a mother through donor eggs, joins me to share a not-so-typical path to parenthood, one that reveals the stress, doubt, and decision-making traps families face during donor conception. Emily discusses why family is more than genetics, what she’s learned from the many women who seek support through her foundation, and how to find clarity when the stakes feel sky-high.
You’ll learn
    How stress can derail good decisions—and practical ways to slow down and choose well
    What “family beyond genetics” looks like in real life
    Themes Emily hears from women at Hopeful Mama 
Resources & Links
    Hopeful Mama Foundation: https://hopefulmamafoundation.org/
    Follow Emily Patel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilympatel/
    Building Your Family Community (courses, workshops, community):https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/
    10 Things Donor Conceived Children Want Their Parents To Understand (free):https://familybuilding.net/new-newsletter-page/
    Contact Lisa: www.familybuilding.net
About the showThe Building Your Family podcast is a free service of the Building Your Family Community. Building Your Family Community is the only expert-created educational & support community for people using donor conception, surrogacy, or fertility treatment to build their families. Educational content only; not medical or therapy advice.

In this episode of Building Your Family, we explore a bold and different approach to IVF — one focused on streamlining treatment to make it more affordable while still maintaining quality care.
Our guest explains why, for many patients, a standard IVF protocol can deliver the same results as highly customized treatments — in less time and at a lower cost. While a personalized approach that considers nutrition, sleep, and overall wellness is valuable for some, others could start treatment sooner and still achieve success without added complexity.
If you or someone you care for is considering IVF, this episode is essential viewing. It’s a powerful reminder of why it’s so important to arm yourself with the right information and understand all of your choices.
📌 What You’ll Learn:
When streamlined IVF is an effective option
How standard protocols can save time and money
Why not every patient needs an extensive customized plan
How to talk with your doctor about your treatment choices
🎧 Listen on the Building Your Family podcast or watch here to get expert insights and help you make informed decisions.
📚 Learn more about Dr. Arredondo: https://pozitivf.com/Follow Dr. Arredondo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pozitivfertility/

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know how strongly I believe in giving people evidence-based, trustworthy information — not myths or marketing.
In this episode of the Building Your Family podcast, I introduce you to someone you probably haven’t heard of — but should. She’s a behind-the-scenes powerhouse in reproductive medicine who will walk you through what really happens in a fertility clinic lab.
🎧 You'll learn:
    How decisions are made
    What new technologies are promising — and what still needs evidence
    The difference between hype and help when it comes to treatment success
Whether you’re going through fertility treatment or just curious how it all works, this episode is packed with insights from someone who has built many labs and is driving advances in reproductive medicine and science..
👉 Subscribe for more expert-led content: https://www.youtube.com/@buildingyourfamily💬 Let me know in the comments — what surprised you most?
📚 Learn more about Cynthia Hudson:Tomorrow Lab Sciences: https://www.tmrwlifesciences.com/NOVA Genomics: https://www.novagenomics.org/Perch Fertility: https://perchfertility.com/