In this episdoe, we respond to a viral opinion piece by CCRM's Dr. Brian Levine, who argues that OBGYNs are fueling the IVF boom by failing to counsel women on their fertility at annual visits , and that it's costing women their chance at motherhood.

In this episode:

• What Dr. Levine got right — and where his argument falls apart
• Why the 7-minute annual visit was never designed to cover fertility, mental health, cancer screening, genetics, and everything else specialists wish it did
• The "Renaissance doctor" problem: why OBGYNs are expected to be everything at once
• Why IVF clinics have little financial incentive to counsel borderline-fertile patients early
• The real reason birth rates are declining — and why it has almost nothing to do with missed fertility counseling
• The OBGYN workforce crisis: fewer providers, shorter careers, and a system burning people out
• Why standardizing medicine may be one of the most dangerous things we can do
• What women can actually do right now to advocate for themselves within a broken system

Since the release of this episode: Brian Levine and The Free Press updated the title of the article referenced in this episode. The original title read: "Business Is Booming Because OB/GYNs Are Not Doing Their Job." It has since been changed to: "I'm an IVF Doctor. The Annual OB-GYN Visit Needs a Redesign."

Got something you want to share or ask?
Keep it coming. We love hearing from you. Email us or send a voice memo, and you might just hear it on the next episode.

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe your questions could be featured in our next episode.

For additional resources and information, be sure to visit our website at Maternal Resources:
https://www.maternalresources.org/

You can also connect with us on our social channels to stay up-to-date with the latest news, episodes, and community engagement:

• YouTube: youtube.com/maternalresources

• Instagram: @maternalresources

• Facebook: facebook.com/IntegrativeOB

• TikTok: NatureBack Doc on TikTok

Grab Our Book: The NatureBack Method for Birth—your guide to an empowered pregnancy and delivery.
Shop now at naturebackbook.myshopify.com

In this episode of the TrueBirth Podcast, Dr. Yaakov Abdelhak discusses two women diagnosed with second trimester PPROM who received completely different prognoses for very different clinical reasons. Through these stories, we explore one of the most important realities in obstetrics: the same diagnosis does not always mean the same outcome. From fluid levels and infection risk to fetal development and maternal health, this conversation highlights the nuance, complexity, and individualized decision making required in high risk pregnancy care.

Got something you want to share or ask?
Keep it coming. We love hearing from you. Email us or send a voice memo, and you might just hear it on the next episode.

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe your questions could be featured in our next episode.

For additional resources and information, be sure to visit our website at Maternal Resources:
https://www.maternalresources.org/

You can also connect with us on our social channels to stay up-to-date with the latest news, episodes, and community engagement:

• YouTube: youtube.com/maternalresources

• Instagram: @maternalresources

• Facebook: facebook.com/IntegrativeOB

• TikTok: NatureBack Doc on TikTok

Grab Our Book: The NatureBack Method for Birth—your guide to an empowered pregnancy and delivery.
Shop now at naturebackbook.myshopify.com

Two hundred episodes in, and we're taking a moment to look back at the conversations - the good and the bad.

This episode is a reflection on the moments that stayed with us, the topics that resonated most deeply with you, and the clinical truths that continue to guide how we think about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. It is equal parts gratitude and perspective.

We revisit the episodes that sparked the most conversation, shifted the way patients advocate for themselves, and reframed what thoughtful, evidence-based care can look like in real life.

Our two most listened-to episodes:

• C-Section Done Right: Episode #50 https://www.truebirthpodcast.com/050-c-section-delivery-done-right/
A deep dive into what a thoughtful, patient-centered cesarean can and should look like. This episode challenges the idea that a C-section is something that simply happens to you and instead reframes it as an experience that can be done with intention, respect, and clinical excellence.

• Epidurals #78 https://www.truebirthpodcast.com/078-epidurals-in-labor-delivery/
One of our most shared conversations. We unpack what epidurals actually do, how they impact labor, and how to think about them not as a binary choice, but as a tool that can be used thoughtfully within the context of your birth.

Whether you are preparing for your first pregnancy or your fourth, these episodes remain essential listening.

Thank you for being here, for listening, and for continuing to push the conversation forward with us.

Got something you want to share or ask?
Keep it coming. We love hearing from you. Email us or send a voice memo, and you might just hear it on the next episode.

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe your questions could be featured in our next episode.

For additional resources and information, be sure to visit our website at Maternal Resources:
https://www.maternalresources.org/

You can also connect with us on our social channels to stay up-to-date with the latest news, episodes, and community engagement:

• YouTube: youtube.com/maternalresources

• Instagram: @maternalresources

• Facebook: facebook.com/IntegrativeOB

• TikTok: NatureBack Doc on TikTok

Grab Our Book: The NatureBack Method for Birth—your guide to an empowered pregnancy and delivery.
Shop now at naturebackbook.myshopify.com