If your thyroid labs have been labeled “normal,” but you’re still struggling to conceive — this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Love & Science podcast, we break down the real relationship between thyroid function and fertility, including why standard lab ranges don’t always tell the full story.

You’ll learn when TSH levels may still be impacting ovulation, implantation, and early pregnancy — even when they fall within the “normal” range — and why thyroid antibodies can be an overlooked but important piece of the puzzle.

If you’ve ever wondered whether surrogacy could be part of your fertility journey—this episode will open your eyes.

Today, I’m joined by Dr. Alyssa Small Layne, a board-certified OBGYN and minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon, who shares both her professional expertise and deeply personal journey through infertility, loss, and ultimately becoming a mother through surrogacy.

In this episode, we cover:

• What surrogacy actually is (and what it’s not)

• Who may need a gestational carrier

• The emotional reality of infertility, miscarriage, and loss

• How Dr. Alyssa navigated IVF, pregnancy complications, and hysterectomy

• The true cost of surrogacy—and how to do it more affordably

• Independent vs agency surrogacy (what most people don’t know)

• Timeline, process, and what to expect step-by-step

• Common misconceptions about surrogacy

• How to know if surrogacy is right for you

If your period is late… your ovulation feels unpredictable… or your fertility treatments aren’t going as planned—this episode is for you.

Today, we’re breaking down LH surges and ovulation dynamics, especially in busy, high-achieving women. Because ovulation is not just “on or off”—it exists on a spectrum, and even subtle disruptions can impact your ability to conceive.

If you’ve ever looked at your fertility labs and felt confused by your FSH level, this episode is for you.

Today, we’re breaking down what FSH actually means, why timing is everything, and how estradiol plays a critical role in whether your results can even be interpreted accurately.

In this episode of the Love & Science podcast, Dr. Erica Bove is joined by Dr. Vanessa Calderon for a deeply honest conversation about infertility, miscarriage, secondary infertility, surrender, and what it means to stay empowered when the path to parenthood does not go according to plan.

Dr. Vanessa Calderon is a former emergency medicine department chief, educator, trauma-informed master coach, speaker, retreat leader, podcaster, and founder of Alderaan Co. Her work centers on helping women come home to themselves, reconnect with their power, and create lives that feel aligned, resourced, and deeply authentic.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a deeply important and often overlooked topic: AMH levels, diminished ovarian reserve, and infertility in female physicians.

While infertility affects about one in six couples in the general population, female physicians face significantly higher rates, with studies suggesting up to one in four experiencing infertility and even higher rates among surgeons.

Today we’re diving into one of the most important and often confusing topics in fertility care: endometrial thickness and uterine lining quality.

As embryo selection continues to improve, many patients are left asking the same question:

Why aren’t my high-quality embryos implanting?

In this episode, we walk through what the science actually says about endometrial thickness, what we know (and don’t know) about uterine lining quality, and how to think about your individual situation when preparing for transfer.

In this episode, we take a clear, evidence-based look at fertility supplements — what may support reproductive outcomes, what remains uncertain, and where it’s important to proceed thoughtfully.

We review foundational nutrients such as folic acid, vitamin D, iron, calcium, and DHA, along with commonly discussed supplements including CoQ10, melatonin, DHEA, and inositols. We also touch on supplements for sperm health and why lifestyle factors often play a much larger role than any single product.

This conversation is designed to help you make informed, balanced decisions and focus your energy on what truly matters throughout your fertility journey.

This episode is part of Season 1 of The Love & Science Fertility Framework: The Biology Beneath the Surface — a clinical series examining the physiology that drives reproductive outcomes.

In this thoughtful and deeply human conversation, Dr. Erica Bove is joined by integrative pediatrician Dr. Kirin Palmer to explore how we can prepare for parenthood emotionally, physically, and mentally.

They discuss the impact of anxiety and scarcity mindset on fertility and early parenting, how emotional health during pregnancy can influence child development, and why building self-trust before conception is essential. Dr. Palmer also shares insights from the pediatric side of the fertility journey, including common patterns seen in families after infertility and how integrative pediatrics supports long-term child health.

The conversation expands into a powerful reflection on grief, resilience, and learning to hold joy alongside loss, as Dr. Palmer shares her personal experience navigating her father’s illness while building her medical practice and raising her son.

This episode is for anyone preparing for parenthood, navigating fertility uncertainty, or moving through difficult seasons while still seeking meaning, connection, and hope.

Progesterone is one of the most talked-about — and most misunderstood — hormones in fertility care.

Patients are often told to “check their progesterone,” but what do these numbers actually mean? Can they predict whether a cycle will succeed or fail? And how should progesterone be interpreted in natural cycles, IVF, or early pregnancy?

In this episode, Dr. Erica Bove explains the physiology of progesterone, why levels fluctuate throughout the luteal phase, and why a single blood test often provides an incomplete picture.

She discusses how progesterone functions in ovulation, implantation, pregnancy maintenance, and assisted reproduction — and why clinical history frequently matters more than any single laboratory value.

In this episode of the Love & Science Fertility Framework, Dr. Erica Bove explores how environmental exposures may affect fertility, egg quality, sperm development, hormone production, and long-term ovarian health.

Environmental toxins and endocrine-disrupting chemicals are often overlooked in fertility care, yet growing research suggests they may influence IVF outcomes, fertilization rates, pregnancy rates, live birth rates, and even the timing of menopause.

In this episode of the Love & Science Fertility Framework, Dr. Erica Bove explores luteal phase defect and its impact on fertility and early pregnancy.

The luteal phase begins after ovulation and is sustained by progesterone produced by the corpus luteum. Adequate progesterone exposure is essential for implantation and maintenance of early pregnancy.