Women have long tracked their ovulation to optimize their chances of conception – based on observation and understanding of their bodies’ cycles. I teach these science-based strategies in my online fertility program and in my clinic, including how to track basal body temperature to identify your peak...

Long-covid is the unwelcome gift that keeps giving. While better known for persistent fatigue and inflammation, a high frequency of long-covid has been established among patients with infertility, including lower success rates of assisted reproductive technologies (IVF and IUI). In a recent Ukrainian study,...

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a hot topic of conversation at our household these days, as both of my teenage boys are competitive cross-country skiers, and this year was the first to have an enforced ban on PFAS (“fluoro”) in ski wax. My...

Here’s a fun post as many Canadians have been glued to their screens to follow their favourite hockey teams through the NHL playoffs this spring: an interesting new study from St. Mary’s University in Halifax and UBCO in Kelowna has examined the link between...

Perineal massage – the gentle stretching of a woman’s perineum – has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of perineal injuries during childbirth and improving postpartum pelvic floor function. A new study has looked at the relative benefits of perineal massage...

The importance of folic acid in female fertility is well documented. Not surprisingly, new supportive research from Iran’s Isfahan University of Medical Sciences has highlighted the importance of folate levels in male fertility as well. The study found that males with sufficient serum folate...

The role a healthy microbiome plays in fertility and pregnancy maintenance is a favourite subject of mine, as seen in many prior blog posts and my online pregnancy course. New research from Ukraine’s Bukovinian State Medical University has taken a deeper look specifically at...

Melatonin supplementation is a frequent recommendation for fertility preservation – well supported by research due to its antioxidant effects on preserving egg quality. Now, evidence from international studies is focusing on the important role melatonin also plays in implantation rates, fetal health and pregnancy...

As I have shared in prior blog posts and in my online pregnancy program, it is essential to treat iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy, when iron demands are higher – especially in the second and third trimesters. Anemia in pregnancy increases the risk of difficult outcomes...

Male fertility is a complex issue, especially when coupled with IVF procedures. Beyond standard sperm analysis (count, shape and motility), analyzing the integrity of the DNA insider the sperm cells – using the DNA Fragmentation Index, or DFI, is a topic that I’m seeing...