Why are we taught so little about something that happens every single month for decades of our lives?

In this episode of Fertility Café, Eloise Drane sits down with fertility awareness educator and author Lisa Hendrickson-Jack to unpack one of the most overlooked truths in women’s health: the menstrual cycle is not just about getting pregnant. It is a vital sign.

From heavy periods and birth control prescriptions in her teens to becoming a pioneer in fertility awareness education and podcasting, Lisa shares how charting her cycle transformed her understanding of her body and ultimately her career.

This conversation goes far beyond basic sex education. It breaks down what is actually happening during your cycle, how ovulation impacts overall health, what hormonal birth control really does to the body, and why so many women feel confused or dismissed when something feels “off.”

If you have ever been told your symptoms are normal when they do not feel normal…
If you have ever come off birth control and wondered why your body felt different…
If you want to better understand what your cycle is actually telling you…

This episode is for you.

You’ll Learn

• What it really means when we say “the menstrual cycle is a vital sign”
• What’s happening hormonally from your period to ovulation to the luteal phase
• Why the 28-day cycle myth is misleading — and what’s actually normal
• How cervical fluid works (and why most of us were never taught about it)
• The key role ovulation plays in bone density, mood, and long-term health
• How hormonal birth control suppresses ovulation — and what that means for your body
• Why there can be a temporary period of subfertility after coming off the pill
• What research shows about post-pill cycle normalization
• Why women often feel dismissed by providers — and how to advocate for yourself
• The importance of learning your body before trying to conceive

About Our Guest

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack is a certified fertility awareness educator, host of the Fertility Friday podcast, and author of The Fifth Vital Sign and Real Food for Fertility (co-authored with Lily Nichols, RDN).

Lisa has been charting her cycle since age 18 and was one of the first voices to bring fertility awareness education to the podcast space in 2014. Today, her work focuses not only on educating women directly but also on training health practitioners to use the menstrual cycle as a diagnostic and health tool.

Her mission is simple but powerful: to help women understand their bodies in a way that is informed, practical, and grounded in research.

Resources & Links

Fertility Friday Podcast (look for the pink cover)
Website: fertilityfriday.com
Book: The Fifth Vital Sign
Book: Real Food for Fertility (realfoodforfertility.com — free first chapter available)
Instagram: @fertilityfriday

Connect with Eloise & Family Inceptions: familyinceptions.com

Related Episodes

Ep 129 – Acupuncture for Fertility: Supporting Hormones, Cycles & IVF Success
A conversation on how acupuncture supports hormone balance, regulates cycles, and complements fertility treatment.

Ep 126 – What Your OBGYN Isn’t Telling You
A candid discussion about the gaps in reproductive health education — and why so many women leave appointments without real answers.

• (00:00:00) - The Fertility Cafe
• (00:00:59) - Fertility Cafe: The Cycle
• (00:01:42) - Unpacking Fertility Awareness
• (00:02:29) - Fertility Awareness For Women
• (00:08:41) - You Talk About Your Period on the Podcast
• (00:11:48) - Maiden's menstrual cycle as a vital sign
• (00:16:07) - How to Tell When You're Expecting Ovulation (Cycle
• (00:20:44) - How much variation is normal in your menstrual cycle?
• (00:26:28) - What is the normal range of period bleeding?
• (00:28:40) - How Does Birth Control Work?
• (00:35:34) - There's a temporary period of subfertility post pill
• (00:41:29) - Coming off the Pill
• (00:47:23) - Trust Your Intuition
• (00:49:25) - Lisa On Real Food For Fertility
• (00:51:24) - How to chart your cycle

What does it take to navigate a U.S. surrogacy journey from abroad—and how do you stay grounded when the internet offers either too little or way too much information?

In this episode of Fertility Café, host Eloise Drane talks with Richard Westoby and Julio Gaggia of IVF Daddies about Richard’s 14-year journey to fatherhood, the realities international parents face (legal, financial, and logistical), and why transparency and the right team matter more than glossy promises.

Whether you’re two dads, a heterosexual couple, or a solo parent exploring options, this conversation offers practical steps, candid cost talk, and a framework for picking trustworthy partners.

You’ll Learn

• Why many international families choose the U.S.—and the state-by-state legal factors that matter
• A realistic all-in cost range for U.S. surrogacy today and where surprises tend to appear
• How to structure your “team” (agency, clinic, attorneys, insurance) to reduce conflicts of interest
• The first questions to answer before you start (home-country legal path, embryos, sperm/egg/uterus plan)
• How to sort signal from noise when there’s “too much information”—and build your own decision tree
• An ethical, human-centered approach: what it looks like when things go right—and when they don’t

About Our Guests
Richard Westoby & Julio Gaggia (IVF Daddies) are the creators of the IVF Daddies podcast and community, focused on demystifying fertility and surrogacy with straight talk and heart. Richard is the author of Our Journey: One Couple’s Guide to US Surrogacy (Amazon). Together, they advocate for informed choice, dignity for surrogates, and truly transparent care.

Resources & Links

• Website: ivfdaddies.com (episodes, anonymous confessions, community)
• Instagram/YouTube: @ivfdaddies
• Book: Our Journey: One Couple’s Guide to US Surrogacy by Richard Westoby (Amazon)
• Connect with Eloise & Family Inceptions: familyinceptions.com

Related Episodes

• Ep 93 U.S. Surrogacy for International Parents
• Ep 103 Choosing Your Family Building Team

• (00:00:00) - Why More People Are Going to the US for Reproductive Treatment and
• (00:00:56) - Fertility Cafe
• (00:01:47) - Fertility Cafe: Surrogacy
• (00:02:42) - ICF Daddies
• (00:03:20) - Tom Selleck on Surrogacy
• (00:06:16) - The Surrogacy Process in the US
• (00:10:21) - Why Do People Consider Doing Surrogacy Outside Their Home Country?
• (00:17:53) - US Surrogacy: The Process
• (00:19:19) - What Does a Typical Surrogacy Journey Look Like?
• (00:23:39) - Surprise Costs of Surrogacy
• (00:30:48) - US surrogacy and the birthright citizenship
• (00:36:11) - The Importance of Surrogacy

What does it mean to grow up “the first” of anything—especially the first IVF baby born in the United States?

In this episode of Fertility Café, host Eloise Drane talks with Elizabeth Carr about her parents’ journey through early, experimental IVF, what has—and hasn’t—changed in 40+ years, and how media attention shaped her advocacy.

With clarity and compassion, Elizabeth unpacks common misconceptions (“test tube baby,” “miracle baby”), why patient autonomy matters, and the very real barriers families still face: geographic access and uneven insurance coverage.

Whether you’re a patient, provider, or policymaker, this conversation offers a grounded look at assisted reproduction—past, present, and what’s next.

You’ll Learn
• How Elizabeth’s parents navigated early IVF and why parts of today’s protocol are still similar
• What it was like growing up under a media spotlight—and how that informed her advocacy
• The biggest barriers to care: fertility deserts, travel burdens, and inconsistent insurance coverage
• How to talk with kids about IVF from toddler to teen—age-appropriate, stigma-free language
• Where innovation (PGT, freezing, AI) meets ethics—and why informed consent should lead
• Why the conversation about IVF stigma feels the “same volume” today, just amplified by social media
• What providers and lawmakers can do to center education, consent, and access

About Our Guest
Elizabeth Carr is the first baby born via IVF in the United States and a long-time advocate for fertility access and patient education. She works in PR/marketing for a PGT company and dedicates personal time to answering patient questions and engaging lawmakers on coverage and access. Find her on Instagram @EJordan12 and at EJordanCar.com.

Resources & Links
Follow Elizabeth on Instagram: @EJordan12
Visit Elizabeth’s website: EJordanCar.com

Related Episodes
Ep 119 – The Grief of Waiting: Invisible Losses in Family Building
Ep 118 – Surrogacy and the Emotional Journey to Motherhood

• (00:00:00) - Is IVF Expensive?
• (00:00:36) - Fertility Cafe: The Legacy of IVF
• (00:02:38) - In the Elevator With IVF
• (00:04:14) - Born in a Test Tube Baby:
• (00:06:01) - The Secret Life of My Birth
• (00:09:23) - Elizabeth's Birth Through IVF
• (00:11:05) - What IVF Was Like in the 1980s
• (00:15:20) - Multiple barriers to IVF in the US
• (00:20:42) - I Was Conceived Through IVF
• (00:25:36) - Marriage and the Future of Reproductive Tech
• (00:31:46) - What message would you share with fertility professionals and even lawmakers
• (00:33:41) - Elizabeth Jordan on What She Does Now

What does it mean to consciously choose not to have children, especially in a culture that often defines womanhood by motherhood?

In this episode of Fertility Café, host Eloise Drane welcomes back filmmaker Chiquita Lockley, creator of the documentary Eggs Over Easy: Black Women & Fertility. This time, Chiquita shares her personal journey and decision to live childfree by choice. It is a thoughtful, often emotional, and deeply grounded conversation about identity, legacy, caregiving, and the path not taken.

With clarity and compassion, Chiquita speaks about what it means to opt out of motherhood on her own terms, while still living a life rich in love, purpose, and community. The conversation invites listeners to reflect honestly on their own desires, pressures, and timelines.

Whether you are questioning your path, navigating reproductive decisions, or seeking affirmation for a choice that goes against the grain, this episode offers space to breathe and consider what a full life looks like for you.

You’ll Learn

• What distinguishes being childfree from being childless, and why the difference matters
• How Chiquita’s thinking shifted over time through research, health challenges, and aging
• The emotional weight of redefining motherhood and letting go of a lifelong checklist
• Why caregiving does not require parenting, and how mentorship and godparenting fill her cup
• What legacy means beyond biological children
• Common misconceptions about childfree women, including the myth of selfishness
• Practical and emotional advice for those in a space of uncertainty or transition

About Our Guest

Chiquita Lockley is a writer, filmmaker, and producer known for her feature documentary Eggs Over Easy: Black Women & Fertility, which aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Her work centers on storytelling that uplifts Black women’s experiences and expands the public understanding of reproductive health and autonomy.

She continues to serve as a mentor, advocate, and board chair for multiple nonprofit and creative initiatives. Her voice is a vital part of the cultural shift toward more inclusive and informed conversations about fertility, family, and freedom.

Resources & Links

Visit Chiquita’s Website: www.chiquitalockley.com
Follow Chiquita on Instagram: @chiquitalockley

Watch and learn more about Eggs Over Easy: www.eggsovereasyfilm.com
Follow Eggs Over Easy on Instagram: @eggsovereasyfilm
Like Eggs Over Easy on Facebook: Eggs Over Easy Film

Related Episodes

Ep 119 – The Grief of Waiting: Invisible Losses in Family Building
Ep 118 – Surrogacy and the Emotional Journey to Motherhood

• (00:00:02) - 9 Stories of People Who Choose Not to Have Children
• (00:00:54) - Fertility Cafe: The Journey to Parenthood
• (00:02:44) - Eggs Over Easy: Will I Be Happy With My Decision
• (00:09:00) - Mariah Carey on Being Good Without Having Children
• (00:11:22) - I Had A Hysterectomy To Have Kids
• (00:16:45) - How To Get Out Of Your Mid-30s
• (00:22:41) - When You Decided To Not Have Children,
• (00:25:44) - I Said I Don't Want A Parent in My Life
• (00:32:24) - Black Women Who Don't Have Kids
• (00:36:51) - Do you have a lot of People similar to that made the same
• (00:38:32) - Sarah Fawn on Legacy
• (00:40:20) - Kalei Stewart on How To Decide If You Want Kids
• (00:44:56) - Olive Winfrey on Reproductive Health
• (00:45:57) - Black Women Speak Out About Reproductive Health

When we talk about fertility care, we often focus on the patient experience—what it’s like to navigate appointments, insurance, cycles, and emotional ups and downs. But what happens when we zoom out?

In this episode of Fertility Café, host Eloise Drane sits down with Griffin Jones, founder of Inside Reproductive Health, to explore what’s really happening behind the scenes of the fertility industry. From private equity takeovers to digital automation and AI-driven care, Griffin breaks down the trends shaping the future of IVF, patient access, and provider autonomy.

He also shares how he went from generalist marketer in Buffalo, NY to creating the leading trade media company in the fertility field—one that now serves clinics, labs, executives, and innovators across the globe.

Whether you’re a fertility patient, donor, surrogate, or someone working in the industry, this conversation offers a rare and honest look at the systems shaping reproductive care—and what needs to change for the better.

You’ll Learn

• Why more fertility clinics are being bought by private equity—and what that means for patient care
• What Griffin is hearing from behind the scenes about AI, automation, and remote fertility care
• The disconnect between how clinics say they’re improving patient experience vs. what’s actually happening
• Why many REIs (reproductive endocrinologists) are seeing their roles change—sometimes drastically
• The risk of fertility care becoming too "factory-like"—and how to preserve patient-first care at scale
• What Griffin hopes patients will start doing to drive real, lasting change
• Why leaving honest, specific reviews (yes, even 3 stars!) might be the most powerful tool for reform
• What the future may hold for access, affordability, and scaling care for everyone—not just the privileged few

About Our Guest

Griffin Jones is the founder of Inside Reproductive Health, a trade media company serving the fertility industry. He began his journey in marketing, helping small clinics with branding, websites, and video before expanding into podcasting and industry journalism. Today, his platform covers the business, clinical, and policy trends shaping reproductive health care across the U.S. and beyond.

Griffin also hosts the Inside Reproductive Health podcast, where he interviews key players—from embryologists and clinic execs to policymakers and startup founders—about the future of fertility medicine.

Resources & Links

• Visit Inside Reproductive Health for podcasts, articles, and industry updates
• Listen to the Inside Reproductive Health podcast
• Follow Griffin on LinkedIn: Griffin Jones

Related Episodes

• Ep 100 – The Gut-Fertility Connection
• Ep 118 – Surrogacy and the Emotional Journey to Motherhood
• Ep 90 – Eastern Medicine and Egg Quality
• Ep 103 – Fertility Supplements: What Works and What Doesn’t

• (00:00:00) - The fertility industry's growth, challenges
• (00:00:48) - Fertility Cafe: The Business of Infertility
• (00:01:59) - Fertility Cafe
• (00:02:45) - A Taste of Your Hot Takes
• (00:02:57) - Inside Reproductive Health: From Marketer to Industry Leader
• (00:06:24) - The Future of Fertility Clinics
• (00:13:35) - Obamacare: Do the Networks Tell Doctors How to Practice Medicine?
• (00:18:17) - Patient Care: Quality and Accountability
• (00:23:54) - The Future of Fertility Care
• (00:26:34) - Will Remote Care Increase the Need for IVF?
• (00:29:56) - Venture Capital and Private Equity: The Future of Infertility
• (00:36:13) - What Do We Need to Change in the Fertility Space?

When it comes to fertility care, we often hear about IVF protocols, medication regimens, and surgical procedures. But what about the tools that help prepare the body for conception and support healing along the way?

In this episode of Fertility Café, Eloise Drane sits down with Dr. Beck Hoehn, licensed acupuncturist, reproductive health expert, and founder of Mighty River Wellness, to talk about how acupuncture can be a game-changing part of your fertility journey.

Dr. Hoehn shares how her own personal health crisis led her into the world of Eastern medicine, and how she now helps people optimize their hormone health, support IVF cycles, manage painful periods, and navigate menopause with more ease and empowerment.

From egg quality and low ovarian reserve to painful periods and PCOS, this conversation is packed with practical insights and refreshingly honest takes on what it really means to care for your body while trying to conceive.

You’ll Learn

• Why acupuncture is more than just needles and how it supports hormonal balance, stress reduction, and blood flow
• How acupuncture can improve IVF outcomes, egg quality, and follicular development
• The difference between Western and Eastern approaches to painful periods, PCOS, and endometriosis
• What to expect during your first acupuncture visit
• How to find a fertility-focused acupuncturist with the right training
• The role of herbal medicine in regulating cycles, calming hot flashes, and reducing cramps
• What data-driven hormone tracking tools are helping acupuncturists personalize care
• Why symptom relief is just the beginning. This is about whole-body support for every phase of reproductive health

About Our Guest

Dr. Beck Hoehn is a licensed acupuncturist, reproductive health specialist, and the founder of Mighty River Wellness in Los Angeles. After a career in the film industry and a personal injury that left her seeking alternative healing methods, she discovered the profound impact of acupuncture.

Now, with a doctorate in fertility research and over a decade of clinical experience, Dr. Hoehn helps individuals and couples navigate fertility challenges, menstrual health, and menopause transitions. She is also the creator of the Make a Baby Bundle, an educational resource for those looking to optimize their fertility health from home.

Resources and Links

• Mighty River Wellness: https://www.mightyriverwellness.com
• Dr. Beck on Instagram: @drbeckhoehn
• Make a Baby Bundle Course: https://www.mightyriverwellness.com/bundle
• ABORM Certified Acupuncturists Directory: https://www.aborm.org

Related Episodes

• Ep 118 – Surrogacy and the Emotional Journey to Motherhood
  https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-118-surrogacy-and-the-emotional-journey-to-motherhood/
• Ep 103 – Fertility Supplements: What Works and What Doesn’t
  https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-103-fertility-supplements-what-works-and-what-doesnt/
• Ep 100 – The Gut-Fertility Connection
  https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-100-the-gut-fertility-connection/
• Ep 90 – Eastern Medicine and Egg Quality
  https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-90-eastern-medicine-and-egg-quality/

• (00:00:00) - Fertility Cafe
• (00:00:45) - Amy Poehler on Acupuncture and Reproductive Health
• (00:03:55) - What Kind of Support Can Acupuncture Offer During IVF or i
• (00:07:21) - What Would An Acupuncturist-Endocrinologist Relationship
• (00:12:17) - How Herbs and Acupuncture Work Together
• (00:15:46) - How to help with period cramps with acupuncture
• (00:19:45) - How to improve your fertility with acupuncture?
• (00:21:06) - How to Supplement Your Body
• (00:22:00) - Do acupuncturists help with low ovarian reserve?
• (00:27:39) - How to Manage Menopause
• (00:32:01) - How to Get pregnant
• (00:33:04) - Wonders of the World Chat

Surrogacy is often talked about as a beautiful and rewarding journey, but what happens when that journey takes an unexpected turn?

In this episode, Eloise Drane sits down with Pamela Marshall, a gestational surrogate whose experience challenged everything she thought she knew about pregnancy, risk, and resilience.

Pam shares her deeply personal story of entering surrogacy with excitement and confidence, only to face a rare and serious medical complication that changed the course of her pregnancy. From being hospitalized for weeks to navigating separation from her own children, her journey reveals the emotional and physical realities that many never see.

Pam explains what carried her through the hardest moments and why, despite everything, she would make the same decision again. This conversation offers an unfiltered look at the realities of surrogacy and the extraordinary people who choose to walk this path.

Guest Bio:

Pamela Marshall is a mom of 3 boys, living in Pennsylvania and she is a licensed social worker. She has been a surrogate and loves helping build families! She is also currently a journey manager at Family Inceptions.

You’ll hear about:

• Why Pam chose to become a surrogate
• What happens when a pregnancy becomes high risk
• Being hospitalized for weeks away from family
• The emotional toll of unexpected complications
• How support systems make all the difference
• Why she would still choose surrogacy again

Related episodes:

Ep 118 – Surrogacy and the Emotional Journey to Motherhood
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-118-surrogacy-and-the-emotional-journey-to-motherhood/

Ep 93 – U.S. Surrogacy for International Parents
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-93-u-s-surrogacy-for-international-parents/

Ep 85 – Surrogacy for Same-Sex Couples: Carnell Roberts Tells His Story
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-85-surrogacy-for-same-sex-couples-carnell-roberts-tells-his-story/

Ep 49 – Social Surrogacy
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-49-social-surrogacy/

Ep 37 – Husband’s Are You Prepared (Partner Involvement in Surrogacy)
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-37-husbands-are-you-prepared/

• (00:00:00) - Surrogacy: The Journey to Parenthood
• (00:01:26) - The Unfortunate Journey of Surrogacy
• (00:02:43) - Surrogacy in the US
• (00:04:30) - What Were You Hoping For Your Baby's Journey?
• (00:05:07) - The Secret To A Match
• (00:05:38) - The Matching Process For Your Baby
• (00:06:18) - The Process of Choosing an Agency
• (00:07:09) - The Surrogate's First Egg Transfer
• (00:08:28) - Pregnant Woman on Her First Week
• (00:09:04) - The Baby's First Anatomy Scan
• (00:10:39) - What Happened When I Learned I Had a High-Risk
• (00:16:18) - Baby's umbilical cord rupture forced me to be hospitalized from
• (00:21:33) - How Did Your Husband Manage the Surrogacy?
• (00:23:20) - How to Keep Yourself From Going Insane While In the Hospital
• (00:28:45) - Baby's birth disrupts parents' life
• (00:29:13) - C section for my first baby
• (00:34:23) - The Surrogacy Experience
• (00:36:52) - Having been a surrogate myself
• (00:37:44) - Pamela's story of surrogacy