Dr. Tabatha Barber joins us today as we’re digging into what you wish your OB/GYN would have told you about fertility.
When I decided I was ready to start trying for a baby I went to see my OB/GYN to get some testing. Since I already had irregular cycles, I wanted to make sure everything was okay.
My OB/GYN gave me the diagnosis of POI/POF and literally handed me the brochure about IVF. Telling me that donor eggs were my only option.
I didn’t get a second opinion. I didn’t dig deeper as to why at 28 I was told I would never have biological children.
I am fortunate to have both my children with donor eggs.
But what if my OB/GYN had told me about the functional approach?
We’re digging into what tests/questions we wish were asked during an appointment with an OB/GYN and what is missed for someone who is struggling with infertility.
IVF is a big business. Globally the industry is estimated to be worth 25 Billion and predicted to grow to 41 Billion by 2026.
I’m excited to welcome Dr. Tabatha Barber, double board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, and is a Certified Menopause Practitioner through the North American Menopause Society. She has also completed training through the Cleveland Clinic’s Institute for Functional Medicine and The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
I asked Dr. Barber when would you recommend someone go to the fertility clinic and she said, “I wouldn’t”. And while this is a very personal decision, many times we don’t know – what we don’t know - and healing opportunities can be routinely missed.
In this episode you’ll learn:
1) The conventional testing for fertility (i.e. blood work, ultrasound, HSG etc.). We discuss the basics that should be done.
2) What tests/questions we wish were asked during an appointment with a gynecologist (for fertility). We discuss a mind, body, and spirit approach.
3) What is regularly missed with someone who is struggling with infertility?
4) We discuss the business of IVF. When should we refer to a fertility clinic? How long should we focus on preconception health?
5) What are some blood markers to focus on if someone has been struggling for 1 year/6 month if over 35?
6) We discuss the birth control pill, blood sugar imbalance, bioidentical hormones, DHEA, progesterone, and more.
Stress is the number one factor and the most ignored
It is okay to question your doctor
TIMESTAMPS:
6:00- DR. TABATHA BARTER BIO
7:05- DR. BARTER'S PERSONAL STORY
Getting pregnant in high school in 11th grade and having to drop out-- "I never really thought about my future" How she was treated as a pregnant woman, talked down to, and made to feel like she "had no voice" Traumatic labor and delivery process that "scarred her" Realized there must have been other women who felt that way- Asked herself, "How can I be a voice for women like myself?" The journey of becoming a doctor, struggling with her own health, stumbled across functional medicine when "conventional medicine had failed" her
11:17- CONVENTIONAL TESTING FOR FERTILITY
What are the basics? Is there a difference in testing at different ages? Which hormones are looked at during conventional tests Semen analysis and the importance of testing the male partner Other procedures for testing including looking at the fallopian tubes
16:00- WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU WISH THAT WERE SKED DURING AN OBGYN APPOINTMENT
The importance of talking about lifestyle and nutrition If your doctor is not concerned with holistic health it is a red flag The mental and spiritual elements in the journey of infertility "It's super common in conventional medicine for miscarriages to be downplayed" Making optimizing your HEALTH a priority "All of our systems are interconnected"
22:55- WHAT IS MISSED WITH SOMEONE WHO IS STRUGGLING WITH INFERTILITY?
"Stress is the biggest key. We are all over-stressed" "Stress is the number one factor and the most ignored."
Poor Sleep patterns and other often ignored factors
25:17- THE BUSINESS OF IVF
The history of IVF, and although there is a "place for it" it is overused The importance of investigating and "stepping back" The heartbreak of blind trust and using bandaid approaches "It is okay to question your doctor" "Once your eyes are open...you keep looking" "You know your body the best"
30:52- AT WHAT POINT WOULD YOU REFER SOMEONE TO THE FERTILITY CLINIC?
Taking the time to look at your nutrition and lifestyle
32:00- BIRTH CONTROL AND HOW IT IMPACTS HORMONES AND INFERTILITY
How it shuts down your hormone system and its' impact on young girls We need to use the pill for what it is- preventing pregnancy The importance of understanding the risks of the pill "Birth control pills are not the answer"
37:42- WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON SOMEONE WHO HASN'T HAD THEIR PERIOD IN A YEAR?
Considering your age The importance of a healthy period (embrace it!) "You should want to have a healthy period" Changing the dynamic of how you think about periods There are still things you can do to get your period back if you are under 45
40:58- BLOOD SUGAR AND HORMONE BALANCE
Inflammation and damage at the cellular level "Your fertility is microscopic" Stress hormones and how the body responds in a "vicious cycles" Vitamin D's role in fertility How vitamin D is needed for hormone conversion
46:09- CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE'S APPROACH TO HORMONES AND SUPPLEMENTS
Bioidentical hormones and the importance of still addressing the root cause "You can take the supplement but your body is still going to steal it" It matters what type you are taking
48:50- LISTENER QUESTIONS
Early ovulation (ovulating before cycle day 10) Increasing chances of pregnancy with a diminished ovarian reserve in the early 40s
50:21- SUCCESS STORY
53:09- FREE GUIDE
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Text For US residents text FERTILE to 55444 to access your free fertility yoga video.
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For the non-US residents go to www.yogafreebie.com to access your free fertility yoga video. In this 20-minute intro video, we focus on a calming and peaceful practice to connect back to our heart. These simple yoga poses can help quiet negative thoughts and make you feel more in control.
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Book your Free Supercharge Your Fertility Discovery Call here: https://intakeq.com/booking/cZ7XW6
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Related episodes:
Functional Medicine 101: https://fabfertile.com/blog/functional-medicine-101-and-your-fertility/
Why You Need To Know This If You Have POF/POI and low AMH: https://fabfertile.com/blog/why-you-need-to-know-this-if-you-have-pof-poi-and-low-amh/
3 Reasons Why Your IVF May Have Failed - https://fabfertile.com/blog/3-reasons-why-your-ivf-might-have-failed/
