Egg Meets Sperm

Preparing for pregnancy starts long before a positive test — and today, pediatrician Dr. Gator (Dr. Joel Warsh) reveals why the preconception period may be the most important window for your baby’s future health.In this powerful conversation, we explore how nutrition, toxins, lifestyle, stress, and resilience shape fertility, conception, and the long-term well-being of your future child. Whether you're trying to conceive, struggling with fertility, or planning ahead, this episode will give you practical steps you can begin using today.This conversation was also featured from the summit I hosted last year. Since this conversation is powerful and a must-listen, I am now featuring it here on Egg Meets Sperm! Joel Warsh, aka Dr. Joel Gator of the popular parenting Instagram, is a Board-Certified Pediatrician in Los Angeles, California, who specializes in Parenting, Wellness, and Integrative Medicine. He grew up in Toronto, Canada, and completed degrees in Kinesiology, Psychology, Epidemiology, and Community Health before earning his medical degree from Thomas Jefferson Medical College. He completed his Pediatric Medicine training at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA) and worked in private practice in Beverly Hills before founding his current practice, Integrative Pediatrics and Medicine Studio City, in 2018.Dr. Gator has published research in peer-reviewed journals on topics including childhood injuries, obesity, and physical activity. He has been featured in numerous documentaries, films, summits, podcasts, and articles, including CBS, Fox, LA Parent, MindBodyGreen, and many others. He is also the founder of the Parenting Masterclass Series, Raising Amazing, which can be found at RaisingAmazingPlus.com✨ Topics we cover:00:00 – Opening excerpt00:18 – Why children’s health begins before conception02:10 – How parental health influences fertility & baby’s future wellness04:40 – Why small lifestyle changes can dramatically increase conception rates06:30 – What “healthy eating” really means (beyond dieting)08:05 – How toxins impact fertility & how to reduce exposure11:25 – Air, water & household products: where to start14:10 – Stress, hormones & conception — what the research suggests17:40 – Building resilience in kids: what it actually means20:15 – Dr. Gator’s top preconception tips for future parents23:00 – Encouragement for parents who feel “it’s too late”24:50 – Final thoughts from a pediatrician’s perspective💚 Key Takeaways:Your baby’s health begins before pregnancyEven 5–10% improvements in stress, diet, or toxin load can dramatically support fertility“Healthy eating” = eating real, minimally processed foodYour mindset and daily choices create the foundation for your child’s resilienceSmall shifts → big impact over time👶 Who this episode is for:Anyone trying to conceiveWomen & couples experiencing fertility challengesThose interested in natural, holistic fertility supportParents planning for a healthier future childrenAnyone wanting to understand how lifestyle shapes lifelong healthFollow Dr Joel on:IG: drjoelgatorWebsite: www.raisingamazingplus.com🧡 Don't miss out on this in-depth episode filled with practical...

Endometriosis is finally being understood for what it truly is: a whole-body inflammatory, immune-dysregulating disease that affects far more than the pelvis—and far more than just your period. If you’ve ever felt dismissed by doctors, confused by contradictory information, or overwhelmed by your symptoms, this conversation is going to feel like someone finally turning on the lights.In this interview, I sit down with Dr Jessica Drummond! Dr. Jessica Drummond, DCN, CNS, PT, NBC-HWC, has been passionate about supporting, caring for, and empowering people who struggle with women’s and pelvic health concerns throughout her 24 year career working as a physical therapist and clinical nutritionist.Dr. Drummond’s trademarked approach is holistic, multi-pronged, and comprehensive, which combines science-informed research, functional nutrition application, lifestyle medicine strategies, nervous system regulation, mind-body connection, hormone balance, physical & manual therapy, and so much more. While her private clients hold a special place in her heart, Dr. Jessica Drummond is equally passionate about educating and supporting clinicians and wellness professionals to become certified health coaches so they can confidently and safely provide integrative tools and treatment to their clients.In this in-depth interview, we unpack 20+ years of clinical experience and research to help you understand:🌿 What Endometriosis Really IsEndo is NOT just uterine lining growing outside the uterus. Lesions are molecularly distinct tissue with the ability to:Create their own estrogenDevelop their own blood supplyHijack the immune systemTrigger systemic inflammationThis explains why endo can show up:On the ovaries & fallopian tubesThe bowel & bladderThe diaphragm & lungsEven the nose, joints & musculoskeletal tissuesEndo is a full-body disease. And it’s far more common than most people realize.🔍 Why Diagnosis Takes 10–12 YearsSymptoms can appear as:Digestive issuesAnxietyFatigueHeat intoleranceBloatingIrregular painPain with sex or bowel movementsOr no pelvic pain at allMany girls begin having symptoms at 8–12 years old—long before their cycles stabilize—making it even harder to recognize.Add medical gaslighting, misdiagnosis, and birth control masking symptoms… and it’s no surprise women go a decade or more without answers.🧡 Endometriosis & Fertility: The Hidden Immune ConnectionEndometriosis doesn’t just affect pain—it deeply impacts fertility because:It alters egg qualityIt influences DNA integrityChronic inflammation damages ovarian tissueImmune dysregulation interferes with implantationThe body may perceive an embryo as “foreign”This means endometriosis is often more of a reproductive immunology issue than a hormone issue.💥 The Estrogen Dominance MythYou’ll learn:Why lesions can create their own estrogenWhy some respond to estrogen suppression—and most don’tWhy saying endo is “estrogen dominance” oversimplifies the conditionThe 4 types of lesions (estrogen receptor–dominant, progesterone-dominant, mixed, neither)Why you can’t know your lesion type without surgical histologyThis is the clarity women desperately deserve.🔪 Excision Surgery: Who Needs It & Why It Helps FertilityWe explore:Why excision is the...

Most people think of dentistry as separate from fertility, pregnancy, hormones, gut health, or baby development — but today’s guest, Dr. Stacey, is here to show why the mouth may be the most important part of the entire body when it comes to conception, pregnancy, and your child’s long-term health.This conversation is from the summit I hosted a year ago, and since this conversation is powerful, I am now featuring this here! Additionally, Dr Stacey was interviewed by my co-host in the summit, Dr Carrie Jones. Dr. Stacey is a board-certified pediatric dentist and functional dentistry expert who works at the intersection of oral microbiome health, airway development, systemic inflammation, and childhood wellness. Her work reveals how oral bacteria, nutrient deficiencies, mouth breathing, and early feeding patterns influence everything from infertility to early childhood cavities.If you’re trying to conceive, pregnant, or raising babies or toddlers, this is a must-watch masterclass on how mouth health is truly whole-body health.🌱 Topics We Dive Into ✔ Why dentistry and medicine should NEVER have been separated✔ How gum disease delays conception by 3–12+ months✔ The oral pathogens that impact sperm mobility & egg implantation✔ Preconception must-do’s: flossing, mineral optimization, oral microbiome care✔ Why saliva is your “golden elixir” — and how mouth breathing destroys it✔ The problem with conventional mouthwashes & over-sanitizing the mouth✔ Why fluoride is controversial during pregnancy & childhood✔ Hydroxyapatite vs fluoride: which is safer and more effective?✔ Pregnancy-induced gum changes, pH shifts & mineral loss✔ How your oral microbiome becomes your baby’s oral microbiome✔ Oral ties, breastfeeding, tongue posture & airway development✔ Why cavities are the #1 chronic disease in kids — and still rising✔ Baby oral care: when to start, what tools to use, and what foods matter most✔ Why first foods like crackers & puffs are causing early cavities✔ Mineral deficiency epidemic: how depleted soils impact our kids✔ Functional oral care routines for newborns, toddlers, moms & dads🕒 Expanded Timestamps0:27 – The dental–medical divide & why it harms families3:12 – Dr. Stacey’s journey from general dentistry to pediatrics6:40 – Why she switched to a root-cause model9:55 – Fertility and the oral microbiome: the hidden link12:40 – Australian study: gum disease delays conception15:10 – Oral pathogens that affect both male & female fertility18:45 – Preconception: minerals, micronutrients & gum health22:30 – Daily habits: brushing, flossing, water picking, tongue scraping27:20 – Oil pulling: what it does, how often, and myths32:00 – Why mouthwash may be harming your microbiome35:25 – Mouth breathing, pregnancy, snoring & cavity risk41:10 – Oral pH, acidity, and why saliva matters47:50 – Fluoride deep dive: neurotoxicity, pregnancy, and alternatives55:35 – Hydroxyapatite explained & why Dr. Stacey prefers it1:01:40 – Pregnancy tooth changes, morning sickness & acid exposure1:08:00 – Mineral depletion during pregnancy & postpartum1:13:00 – How moms pass their oral bacteria to babies1:19:40 – Baby oral care from day 1: wipes, brushing, feeding1:27:00 – Fermentable carbs in baby foods & why they cause decay1:33:10 – Airway health,

Today’s episode is one of the most eye-opening fertility conversations we’ve ever had — and honestly, it’s the one we wish every woman could hear in her 20s. This is not fear-based, not medical-jargon-heavy, and not judgmental. It’s a raw, honest, compassionate conversation about fertility preservation, egg freezing, AMH, ovarian reserve, and the real options women have — if they get the information early enough.We talk openly about what’s happening biologically, socially, and clinically, and why so many women are blindsided by fertility challenges in their 30s… even the healthiest ones.You’ll hear real patient stories (anonymized), real numbers, real frustrations, and real hope.Get ready for an incredible episode! 🎙️I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Jaime Knopman — a powerhouse in reproductive endocrinology and one of the leading experts in IVF, IUI, PCOS treatment, gestational surrogacy, and so much more.Jaime M. Knopman, M.D., is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist with years of experience in IVF treatment, IUI treatment, PCOS treatment, gestational surrogacy, and many other areas. She serves as the Director of Fertility Preservation for CCRM Fertility of New York. Dr. Knopman received her medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, where she was elected to the AOA honor society.You won’t want to miss this conversation — packed with insights, expertise, and inspiration for anyone on their fertility journey! 💛✨ 🌿 What We Cover in DepthWhy fertility challenges are becoming more commonWhy women aren’t taught the basics of AMH, ovarian reserve, or reproductive agingHow OB/GYNs often delay testing — and how that impacts women’s choicesThe emotional frustration many women feel once they finally get their numbersThe surprising effects of long-term birth control on ovarian appearance & AMHHow fertility doctors interpret ultrasounds, follicle counts & hormone panelsWhat makes someone an ideal candidate for egg freezing vs someone who urgently needs itHow many eggs do you realistically need to freeze for 1, 2, or 3 future childrenMedication protocols: why some women need more meds than othersThe truth about over-medication & whether it’s harmfulHow lifestyle, supplements, and underlying health can support egg qualityWhy some women with very low AMH may need donor eggs — and how to emotionally reframe thatSuccess rates: How many frozen eggs = one live birthThe role of a good lab & embryology teamWhy fertility education is empowerment, not pressure🌱 A Powerful Case StudyWe discuss a 25-year-old whose AMH was already low, what her options were, and how early testing changed her entire timeline.We also walk through a 39-year-old patient who waited too long — and the heartbreaking reality of trying to “pause fertility” when ovarian reserve is already nearly gone.These stories matter because they reflect thousands of women’s experiences. 💡 The Big Question: Why aren’t we testing earlier?We challenge the outdated model of waiting a full year of trying before allowing hormone testing — and why this harms women who just want to make informed decisions.🌸 For anyone considering donor eggs…We break down the stigma, the genetics, the epigenetics, and why donor conception is far more biologically connected than people think. ⏱️ Extended Timestamps00:00 – Opening music: Red Life, Green Life01:20 – Why we’re passionate about fertility preservation04:10 – Why fertility challenges are rising07:55 – How delayed education impacts women10:48 – The AMH conversation EVERY woman should have14:32 – Birth control suppression: what...

If you’ve ever been told you’re “too old,” your AMH is “too low,” your eggs are “gone,” or that donor eggs are your only option—you must listen to this episode.This is one of the most comprehensive, honest, science-based fertility conversations ever recorded.I sit down with one of the most innovative fertility specialists in the field to discuss breakthroughs that are changing possibilities for women at ANY age, including those with low ovarian reserve, recurrent loss, failed IVF cycles, or unexplained infertility.Today's guest is Dr. Zaher Merhi. Dr Merhi is the founder and the medical director of Rejuvenating Fertility Center (RFC). He is an internationally recognized fertility doctor, lecturer, editor, and grant reviewer. His training and faculty appointments included Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, and University of Vermont. He was a Professor at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University and the Director of the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) Fellowship program (ACGME accredited). He is currently a Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Maimonides Medical Center in New York. He has 3 American Board certifications in OB/GYN, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, and High-Complexity Laboratory Director (HCLD). Dr Merhi is one of the few Reproductive Immunologists in the country and is an active researcher with an interest in women older than 40 with Low Ovarian Reserve (low AMH or high FSH), Stem Cell ovarian rejuvenation, gentle stimulation IVF, natural IVF, and IVF without injectables. He was named “ONE OF THE TOP 2% SCIENTISTS IN THE WORLD.”For the first time publicly, you’ll hear the truth about:✨ Environmental toxins are damaging eggs across generations✨ The rise of premature ovarian insufficiency✨ Microplastics found in the brain, ovaries & food supply✨ How inflammation drives aging, poor egg quality & failed implantation✨ Why diet absolutely impacts fertility (despite what many doctors say)✨ Cutting-edge ovarian rejuvenation options backed by published research✨ Stem-cell therapies are being used internationally to revive ovarian function✨ Why embryo testing is NOT black-and-white✨ The link between sperm DNA fragmentation & miscarriage✨ And why low AMH should NEVER be treated as an “infertility diagnosis”This conversation empowers couples with answers, hope, and real science—not fear.💡 WHAT MAKES THIS EPISODE SO IMPORTANTMost fertility patients are not told the full picture.They're rushed into high-dose IVF, pressured toward donor eggs, or dismissed when asking about immune issues, holistic approaches, diet, inflammation, toxins, or egg rejuvenation.This episode pulls back the curtain on:The actual biology of egg qualityThe misuse of IVF protocols and how over-medication damages eggsWhy 25% of IVF cycles may be unnecessaryThe difference between egg quantity vs. egg qualityHow implantation failure is overlooked and misdiagnosedThe role of mitochondria in egg division and embryo healthThe emerging field of Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT)Stem-cell-based ovarian rejuvenation, including PRP, adipose-derived stem cells & umbilical cord stem cellsHow the immune system can reject embryos—and how to support it properlyWhy can many “abnormal embryos” still become completely healthy babiesWhy women with low AMH still ovulate monthly and often have more options than they’re toldThis conversation...