Welcome back to another deeply moving episode of the Fertility in Focus podcast.

This week, Dr. Christina Burns sits down with Dr. Andrea Ali Panzarella—a pediatrician, mom of three, and author of Every Family is a Tree. Andrea opens up about her emotional journey through infertility, ectopic pregnancy, recurrent loss, and IVF, all while navigating a demanding medical career. Her candid reflections shed light on the physical, emotional, and mental toll of fertility challenges—and how her family came to be with the help of gestational carriers.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Andrea’s experience with ectopic pregnancy and her first encounter with miscarriage
• How medical knowledge helped—but didn’t shield—her from the emotional weight of fertility struggles
• The physical and emotional rollercoaster of multiple failed IVF cycles, D&Cs, and testing
• The complexities of embryo testing, immune protocols, and the shift in medical opinions over time
• What led Andrea and her husband to choose gestational surrogacy—and the hurdles they faced along the way
• How Andrea’s new children’s book is helping represent and empower families of all kinds
  
  
  

Timestamps:
[00:26] Meet Dr. Andrea Panzarella and hear how her fertility journey began
[02:16] Ectopic pregnancy and the emotional toll of early loss
[06:04] Discovering male factor infertility and beginning IVF
[10:45] First IVF cycle, twin pregnancy, and navigating miscarriage
[14:06] Exploring embryo testing and transferring genetically normal embryos
[20:25] The impact of IVF on the body, environment, and mental health
[29:04] Decision to pursue surrogacy and the legal/emotional steps involved

Connect with Dr. Christina Burns:

Website: https://www.christinaburns.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchristinaburns/

Order the Ultimate Fertility Guidebook: https://a.co/d/hq0nFOo

Join the Eating for Optimal Fertility Course: https://naturna.mn.co/

Order Junk Juice: https://junkjuicemagic.com/

Follow along with the Naturna Institute:

Book an Appointment: https://naturna.janeapp.com/#/list

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturna_life/

Welcome to another heartfelt episode of the Fertility in Focus Podcast with your host, Dr. Christina Burns.

In this episode, Dr. Christina is joined by Michelle Villatoro, a hospitality strategist and founder of Just Think Hospitality, who courageously shares her deeply personal and emotional fertility journey. Together, they explore the emotional highs and lows of trying to conceive, how she struggled with a very low ovarian reserve, multiple IVFs, an ectopic pregnancy, and more. They talk through the suggestions on how to speak to someone going through a fertility challenge and the effects of the medications and process on the mental health of the patient. As always Dr. Christina is solutions focused and so covers ways to find peace and power in the process. The conversation explores everything from logistical aspects of the fertility journey such as self advocacy and the deeper, very powerful effects of spirituality and manifestation. Michelle happens to have a great sense of humor and brings a lightness to the conversation with her hilarious anecdotes.

Whether you're going through fertility treatments or supporting someone who is, this episode offers a powerful mix of vulnerability, wisdom, and inspiration.

In this episode, you will learn:

How Michelle’s fertility experience shaped her work in improving patient care

• The emotional impact of IUI, IVF, pregnancy loss, ectopic pregnancy and hormone treatments
• Why compassion and validation matter in fertility treatment

The power of mindset, self-advocacy, and community in fertility journeys
Michelle’s inspiring story of becoming a mom—and the unexpected miracle that followed

Timestamps:

[0:26] Meet Michelle and her work in hospitality and patient experience
[2:17] Empathy gaps in fertility care and what to say instead of “I know how you feel”
[8:45] Michelle’s fertility journey begins and her first pregnancy loss
[15:04] IUI struggles, Clomid side effects, and switching to Letrozole
[18:25] Going all in with IVF and lifestyle changes
[23:12] Embryo loss, emotional lows, and staying committed
[26:41] The B embryo transfer—and the long wait
[28:35] The call that changed everything

Michelle's info:

In this insightful episode of Fertility in Focus, Dr. Christina Burns sits down with Dr. Zaher Merhi, the visionary founder of Rejuvenating Fertility Center (RFC), the first non-conventional IVF center in the U.S. With decades of experience as a top fertility expert, Dr. Merhi shares groundbreaking advancements in fertility treatments, including low-level laser therapy, ozone, PRP, and stem cell-based ovarian rejuvenation. Discover how these non-toxic, non-invasive therapies are revolutionizing fertility care and providing hope to those struggling with egg quality, ovarian reserve, and implantation challenges.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Research on novel (new) options fertility treatments at RFC.
• The science behind low-level laser therapy and its benefits for egg quality.
• Why PRP and adipose-derived stem cells are changing the landscape of fertility care.
• How inflammation impacts fertility and why ozone therapy works.
• The latest innovations in IVG (in vitro gametogenesis) and how Japanese researchers are leading the way.
• How RFC is making fertility treatments accessible globally, including its new Bahamas clinic.

Timestamps:

[00:01] Introduction: Meet Dr. Zaher Merhi and his pioneering work in fertility.

[01:31] Low-level laser therapy: How it enhances egg quality and ovarian reserve.

[03:02] PRP, stem cell therapy, and ovarian rejuvenation: What you need to know.

[05:10] Japanese innovations in fertility: IVG and skin-to-egg technology.

[08:48] How inflammation impacts fertility and why ozone therapy works.

[11:00] RFC’s global reach: How patients from around the world access their treatments.

[27:04] RFC’s new Bahamas clinic: Advancing fertility care beyond FDA regulations.

Connect with Dr. Zahir Murhi & RFC:

Website: Rejuvenating Fertility Center

Instagram: @RejuvenatingFertility

Locations: Connecticut, Long Island, Westchester, Brooklyn, and Bahamas.

About Dr. Christina Burns:

Dr. Christina Burns is the founder and Doctor of Chinese Medicine at the Naturna Institute. Committed, compassionate, and highly skilled in multiple disciplines, Dr. Burns has been in practice since 2004. She empowers both women and men to achieve their optimal life and health goals through natural medicine practices, integrative nutrition, lifestyle management, and personalized mind-body programs. Dr. Burns holds advanced certifications in acupuncture, herbs, nutrition, life coaching, and yoga therapy. She is also the best-selling author of "The Ultimate Fertility Guidebook."

Connect with Dr. Christina Burns:

Website: https://www.christinaburns.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchristinaburns/

Order the Ultimate Fertility Guidebook: https://a.co/d/hq0nFOo

Join the Eating for Optimal Fertility Course: https://naturna.mn.co/

Order Junk Juice: https://junkjuicemagic.com/

Follow along with the Naturna Institute:

Book an Appointment: https://naturna.janeapp.com/#/list

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturna_life/