Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast with Dr. Luk
Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast with Dr. Luk
Dr. Janelle Luk
Welcome to 'Heart to Heart,' the podcast hosted by renowned fertility doctor and founder of Generation Next Fertility, Dr. Janelle Luk. Join us as Dr. Luk opens up a heartfelt dialogue with a diverse range of guests, including patients who have experienced both success and challenges on their fertility journey, mentors who provide invaluable guidance, and peers who share their unique insights. In this podcast, you'll discover stories of resilience, hope, and triumph over adversity in the realm of fertility.
Finding Hope After Fertility Clinics Turned Her Away | Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast
#Fertility #Infertility #IVF #EggFreezing #TTC #FertilityPodcast #LowAMH #DiminishedOvarianReserve #MiniIVF #OvarianPRP #CHLOE #HeartToHeart0:00 Welcome & Introductions0:46 Kyla's fertility journey at 44: career, love, and fertility testing4:15 Being rejected for low AMH6:31 Diminished ovarian reserve and changing clinic bias6:13 Why some clinics turn away low AMH & DOR patients10:03 Searching for fertility care in Florida11:43 The CHLOE AI embryoscope and embryo development14:58 Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment for ovarian response15:54 Kyla’s experience with Ovarian PRP & Luteal Phase Stimulation (LPS)18:12 Timing an IVF trigger shot during a blizzard20:49 Managing stress21:48 Cancelled cycles & success reporting23:34 Fertility advice for women in their late 30s and 40s25:39 Egg freezing advice, challenges, and cost26:57 DOR, low-dose IVF, and working with the body27:48 Kyla’s first impression of Dr. Luk’s approach29:02 Thank youIn this honest and deeply personal episode of the Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast, Dr. Janelle Luk sits down with Kyla (@KylaDonell) to discuss her ongoing fertility journey, from career focus and waiting to meet the right partner to navigating low AMH, diminished ovarian reserve, and the difficult experience of being turned away by multiple clinics.Kyla shares what it felt like to be told egg donor was her only option, why she kept searching for doctors willing to look at her case differently, and how she eventually found Generation Next Fertility. Together, Kyla and Dr. Luk reflect on the emotional reality of IVF after 40, the different philosophies clinics may bring to diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), and why “low odds” can still mean everything to the person hoping for a child.This episode also covers mild/mini IVF, lower-dose stimulation approaches, day-three embryos, PRP, CHLOE AI embryo monitoring, traveling from Florida to New York for care, and the resilience it takes to keep going through unexpected challenges: from canceled cycles to snowstorms and hurricanes.This episode is for anyone who has ever felt dismissed, discouraged, or told there was only one path forward. Kyla’s story is a reminder that fertility care is not one-size-fits-all, and that having options, education, and a team willing to pivot can make all the difference.
Jul 8
29 min
From a Beef Farm to AI-driven embryoscopes: Dr. Broussard's Story | Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast
In this episode of the Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast, Dr. Janelle Luk is joined by Dr. Alicia Broussard, Laboratory Director at Generation Next Fertility. Dr. Broussard shares her incredible origin story, growing up on a beef farm in Indiana and working with embryos long before entering the world of human IVF. Together, they discuss how the lab and clinical teams collaborate daily to guide patient care — and why outcomes don’t depend on retrieval alone.If you’ve ever wondered what happens behind the lab doors and how new technology is shaping modern IVF, this episode is for you!
Feb 25
19 min
Holding Onto Hope After Failed IVF | Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast with Dr. Luk
In this emotional and inspiring episode of the Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast, Dr. Janelle Luk sits down with her former patient, Nikki, to explore her long and deeply personal journey navigating unexplained infertility and IVF.Nikki candidly shares how her path unfolded over many years, during a time when fertility treatments and testing were rapidly evolving. This conversation shines a light on the emotional toll of repeated disappointment, the role of therapy and support, and what it takes to keep going when outcomes feel uncertain. From early IVF cycles and failed transfers to later advances like embryo testing and personalized timing, both Nikki and Dr. Luk reflect on how both medicine — and they themselves — have changed along the way.This episode is for anyone navigating infertility, looking to feel seen and inspired through resilience, trust, and hope that grows over time.
Jan 28
23 min
Stress, Support, & Finding Emotional Balance | Heart to Heart with Fertility Therapist Lisa Schuman
In this episode of the Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast, Dr. Janelle Luk is joined by Lisa Schuman, LCSW, founder of The Center for Family Building, for a thoughtful and compassionate conversation about the emotional realities of fertility treatment.Together, they explore how stress, anxiety, loss of control, and uncertainty can show up at different stages of the fertility journey: whether it’s a first cycle, a repeat cycle, or a point where difficult decisions come into focus. Lisa shares practical, patient-friendly tools to help manage stress, build emotional resilience, and feel more grounded during treatment, along with metaphors and mindset shifts that make complex and overwhelming information easier to absorb.This episode also touches on topics many patients struggle with quietly: guilt, self-blame, donor decisions, genetic connection, and the pressure to “stay hopeful” while protecting emotional well-being. With warmth and honesty, Dr. Luk and Lisa emphasize that emotional care is a vital part of fertility care and that no one should feel alone in the process.
Dec 17, 2025
20 min
Sandra's Story: Heart defect, 24 IVF rounds, 2 surrogates
Pregnancy can be life-changing — but for Sandra, it could have been life-threatening. Born with a congenital heart defect, she was told carrying a baby could put both her life and her child’s at risk. In this powerful episode of the Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast, Dr. Janelle Luk sits down with Sandra to share her extraordinary eight-year journey through IVF, surrogacy, and the courage it took to become a mother against all odds.Sandra opens up about the emotional and physical challenges of doing 24 egg retrievals — many without anesthesia due to her cardiac condition — and the difficult medical trauma she carried from childhood. Together with Dr. Luk, she reflects on the bond between doctor and patient, the compassion that carried her through, and the strength it takes to keep going when the odds seem impossible.
Nov 12, 2025
29 min
Sarah's Fertility Journey with Perimenopause & DOR
Navigating fertility treatment can feel overwhelming, lonely, and unpredictable, especially when perimenopause and diminished ovarian reserve become part of the journey. In this heartfelt episode of the Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast, Dr. Janelle Luk sits down with Sarah, a chef and nutritionist who has spent the last two years cycling at Generation Next Fertility under the care of Dr. NejatSarah courageously shares her real-life story: donating her eggs in her 20s, discovering elevated FSH, facing hot flashes and perimenopause in her late 30s, and undergoing seven retrievals while holding on to hope for a family. She opens up about the emotional toll of fluctuating numbers, the unique isolation of being on the perimenopause: fertility overlap, and the strength she’s found through her husband’s support, nutrition, mindfulness, and a personalized approach to care.0:00 Welcome to Heart to Heart 1:22 Finding Out About Perimenopause & DOR5:18 Having Open Talks with Your Partner7:36 Navigating High FSH & Low AMH10:40 Providing Guidance & Making Decisions15:01 Staying Focused on The Process 18:32 Hope with Unexplained DOR19:57 Diet, Exercise, and Heat Flashes24:37 Going From Regular Cycles to Irregular Ovulation28:50 Sarah's AdviceSarah’s story is one of resilience, persistence, and honesty. If you’ve ever felt discouraged by test results, wondered what it’s like to cycle through perimenopause, or simply needed to hear that you’re not alone, this episode is for you!📲 Follow Sarah on Instagram @sarahpachelli 🍋 Looking for meals that truly nourish? Sarah’s company, Ssere (@ssere_mealdelivery), makes it possible to eat well with ease. Built on ingredient integrity and a philosophy of balance, Ssere delivers fresh, nourishing dishes straight to your door. Support your health and lifestyle by visiting ssere.com......Welcome to 'Heart to Heart,' the podcast hosted by renowned Fertility Doctor, Dr. Janelle Luk. Join us as Dr. Luk opens up a heartfelt dialogue with a diverse range of guests, including patients who have experienced both success and challenges on their fertility journey, mentors who provide invaluable guidance, and peers who share their unique insights. In this podcast, you'll discover stories of resilience, hope, and triumph over adversity in the realm of fertility. Dr. Luk's compassionate and informative approach ensures that every episode is a source of inspiration and knowledge for anyone navigating the complex world of fertility. Whether you're seeking guidance, support, or simply a deeper understanding of this important aspect of life, 'Heart to Heart' is here to foster connection, empathy, and community.💬 (212) 641-0906 | www.GenerationNextFertility.com📲 Follow us on Instagram: @Gen.Next.Fertility🔔 Subscribe for more patient stories, expert insights, and fertility education.#IVFJourney #FertilityStory #EggFreezing #IVFSupport #HeartToHeartPodcast
Sep 16, 2025
31 min
Loren's Donor Egg & IVF Path | Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast
Navigating fertility treatment can feel overwhelming, isolating, and at times, heartbreaking. In this powerful episode of the Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast, Dr. Janelle Luk sits down with Loren, a former patient who courageously shares her real-life journey through recurrent pregnancy loss, multiple IVF cycles, and ultimately, the path to parenthood through donor egg IVF.Loren's story is one of resilience, informed decision-making, and deep emotional strength—and it’s a story countless others will recognize in their own fertility journeys.Join Dr. Luk and Loren as they discuss:💗 What it’s like to face multiple pregnancy losses and keep going.💗 Why chromosomally normal (euploid) embryos don’t always result in pregnancy—and what to do next.💗 How Loren and her husband decided donor egg IVF was the right path for them.💗 What it’s really like to choose a donor—from navigating profiles to trusting the process.💗 The emotional toll of treatment and how support, community, and the right care team made all the difference.Fertility struggles often go unspoken, but conversations like this can help break the silence and bring comfort, clarity, and hope to others walking the same road. If you’ve ever wondered about donor eggs, felt discouraged after failed IVF, or just need a reminder that you’re not alone—this episode is for you.
Aug 6, 2025
22 min
From PCOS to Parenthood: Katia’s 10-Year Fertility Journey | Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast
In this powerful episode of Heart to Heart, Dr. Janelle Luk is joined by her longtime patient Cathia, whose decade-long journey through infertility, PCOS, and IVF led to the birth of two beautiful daughters.Cathia opens up about the struggles of having no periods due to PCOS, early setbacks with natural treatments, and the emotional toll of recurrent miscarriages. Through resilience, hope, and eventually IVF, she welcomed her second daughter after a complicated delivery that tested her strength yet again.This episode is a tribute to every person navigating the uncertainty of fertility. Cathia's story reminds us that even in the face of loss and delay, there is still hope, healing, and joy ahead. ❤️
Jul 1, 2025
24 min
Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast: The Endometriosis Awareness Special
Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women, yet the average delay in diagnosis is 9-10 years. Too often, patients are told their pain is "normal"—but it’s not. In this special Endometriosis Awareness Month episode of the Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast, Dr. Janelle Luk and Dr. Serin Seckin break down the impact of endo on fertility, why early awareness matters, and what patients can do to take control of their reproductive health.Join Dr. Luk and Dr. Seckin as they discuss:💛 Why endometriosis is so misunderstood and how to recognize symptoms early.💛 How endo can affect fertility, even in patients who ovulate normally.💛 Dr. Luk’s personal experience with endo and how it shaped her approach to fertility care.💛 The emotional and physical challenges of fertility treatment, and Dr. Seckin’s best advice for patients navigating this journey.💛 How to advocate for yourself and why strong doctor-patient communication is key.Too many women suffer in silence. It’s time to change the conversation. If you or someone you love is struggling with endo, infertility, or chronic pelvic pain, this episode is for you.
Mar 12, 2025
20 min
From Egg Donor to Motherhood: Real Fertility Stories
In this deeply moving episode, Dr. Luk reconnects with Cortney, one of her earliest IVF patients, to reflect on an unforgettable 12-year journey. From the challenges of infertility to the triumph of becoming a parent through an egg donor, Cortney shares her heartfelt story of resilience, determination, and love. Join Dr. Luk and Cortney as they discuss: - How Cortney and Dr. Luk reconnected after over a decade. - The emotional rollercoaster of IVF treatments, including moments of heartbreak and hope. - The profound joy of parenthood and lessons learned through the journey. - Advice for others navigating fertility challenges and the power of finding the right doctor.
Jan 15, 2025
23 min
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