Natalie Crawford, MD

Natalie Crawford, MD Fertility Physician
Host: As a Woman Podcast
YouTube: Natalie Crawford, MD

Instagram: nataliecrawfordmd
Blog: www.nataliecrawfordmd.com

Dr. Natalie Crawford is a board certified ONGYN and REI (reproductive endocrinologist and infertility) and circle-founder of Fora Fertility, a boutique fertility practice in Austin, Texas. She hosts the As a Woman podcast and promotes fertility awareness and education. Training and Education:

Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, NC

Masters of Science in Clinical Research
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, NC

Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Texas Southwestern - Dallas, TX

M.D. University of Texas Medical Branch - Galveston, TX

B.S. Nutrition Science
Auburn University - Auburn, AL

Your presence is the single most valuable gift you can give to anyone, including yourself. Happy 2026. đź©·
01/01/2026

Your presence is the single most valuable gift you can give to anyone, including yourself. Happy 2026. đź©·

Looking back on 2025 full of gratitude and so excited for everything to come in 2026. Happy New Year friends! XO, NC đź©·
01/01/2026

Looking back on 2025 full of gratitude and so excited for everything to come in 2026. Happy New Year friends! XO, NC đź©·

12/31/2025

Implantation failure is so hard, and it’s rarely caused by one single factor. Even in IVF, success depends on more than genetics alone—the embryo must survive thawing, grow and divide normally, develop organs, and successfully communicate with the uterus. That process is influenced by both egg and s***m quality, cellular and metabolic health, inflammation, and the environment inside the body.

This week on YouTube, I’m breaking down what recurrent implantation failure really means, why euploid embryos don’t always implant, how fertility doctors evaluate embryo vs uterine factors, and what the next steps can look like.

Watch now on Natalie Crawford, MD.

12/30/2025

TOP POST FROM 2025: A monitoring ultrasound (in this case, after clomid) helps us confirm how the ovaries and uterine lining responded to medication and whether ovulation is occurring.

On today’s scan, two mature follicles were visualized, one measuring 20mm and one 24mm, which represents an optimal response to Clomid. Follicles of this size typically indicate ovulation is imminent or already occurring (fun fact: mature follicle size is bigger on clomid than using gonadotropins).

When we see this, the next step will depend on the treatment plan:
- check LH surge and time in*******se (day of surge and the next day)
- use a trigger shot and then time in*******se or an IUI (intrauterine insemination)

Monitoring during a Clomid cycle allows us to:
* Confirm follicular development and ovulation timing
* Assess uterine lining thickness for implantation potential
* Adjust medication doses if the response is too weak or too strong

This patient responded exactly as expected, demonstrating how individualized monitoring helps maximize chances for conception while minimizing risk.

12/30/2025

Ever wonder how stress is really affecting your hormones and fertility?

In this week’s As a Woman episode, I’m breaking down how your brain and ovaries communicate under stress—and what that means for your cycles, egg quality, and overall reproductive health.

I cover:
- How your brain integrates stress and reproductive signals
- Ways stress can disrupt ovulation and early warning signs your cycle is under strain
- Links between stress, metabolism, inflammation, and egg health
- Practical strategies to support your hormones, from movement and sleep to stress-resilient habits

Watch or listen to this episode, “”How Stress Affects Your Hormones and Fertility””, on YouTube, Spotify, or the Learn at Pinnacle App.

12/29/2025

TOP CONTENT FROM 2025: “If you’re healthy, you’ll get pregnant easily.”

Truth: Health matters, but fertility is complex. Even perfectly healthy women in their 30s have only about a 20% chance per month of conceiving, and age, egg quality, and s***m factors all play major roles.

“Fertility only declines after 40.”
Truth: Egg quantity and quality begin to decline around age 32, and the decline accelerates after 37. Waiting until 40 dramatically reduces chances of natural conception.

“It’s always the woman’s fault.”
Truth: Male factor infertility accounts for nearly 50% of all infertility cases.

“You can’t get pregnant with endometriosis or PCOS.”
Truth: Many women with both conditions conceive, but many need help. The key is early diagnosis, hormone optimization, and individualized care.

“IVF guarantees pregnancy.”
Truth: IVF is powerful, but not perfect. Even in ideal conditions and with genetic testing, the highest live birth rates are around 65% per euploid transfer.

“You should wait a full year before seeing a fertility doctor.”
Truth: If you’re under 35, the longest you should try for is a year before getting help. If you’re over 35, only 6 months. If you have irregular cycles, known issues, don’t wait at all. You can get fertility testing at any time, and I am a huge fan of this!

“Birth control causes infertility.”
Truth: Hormonal birth control temporarily stops ovulation but doesn’t cause infertility. Normal cycles usually resume within a month after stopping. If fertility is delayed, there’s likely an underlying issue that was masked.

“If you already had one baby, you won’t have fertility issues.”
Truth: Secondary infertility is common and can stem from age, endometriosis, tubal damage, chronic inflammation or s***m changes over time.

“You can only get pregnant on cycle day 14.”
Truth: The fertile window is six days: the five days before ovulation and the day of ovulation itself. Learn how to track yours.

“You can’t improve your fertility.”
Truth: While we can’t change age, we can optimize fertility. Luck means that there is nothing you can do to change the outcome, when it comes to fertility.

Why are we forced to fail before getting the opportunity to learn about our body?
12/29/2025

Why are we forced to fail before getting the opportunity to learn about our body?

12/28/2025

Fertility facts I wish everyone knew
- your period is a vital sign (should be regular and predictable)
- tracking your cycle is more than just marking bleeding on an app
- the egg can only be fertilized for 24 hrs
- s***m can live in the female reproductive tract for 5 days
- fertility awareness methods can help you get pregnant faster than tracking alone
- egg quality decreases at 35, with a sharp decrease after 37
- inflammation plays a huge role in your ability to conceive but is not talked about nearly enough
- testosterone stops s***m production (ma*****na can too!)

Preorder my book, The Fertility Formula, to learn even more!

12/27/2025

Fertility is 50/50. About 50% of infertility cases involve a male factor, and research shows s***m counts have declined significantly over the past few decades.

If you’re trying to conceive, your partner can make a big difference.
Here are 10 things they can stop doing (or start doing) to boost fertility and s***m health:

1. Stop taking anabolic steroids and testosterone: these can suppress natural s***m production.

2. Quit smoking (ci******es, ma*****na, va**ng): it lowers s***m count and damages DNA.

3. Cut back on alcohol: excessive intake decreases testosterone and s***m quality.

4. Avoid external sources of heat: skip hot tubs, saunas, and prolonged laptop use on the lap.

5. Manage stress: high cortisol levels can disrupt reproductive hormones.

6. Sleep 7–9 hours per night: quality sleep supports hormone balance.

7. Schedule a semen analysis: it’s a simple way to evaluate s***m health.

8. Get a basic health check: underlying conditions like diabetes or thyroid issues can affect fertility.

9. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet: focus on whole foods, antioxidants, and omega-3 fats.

10. Lift weights: regular strength training supports testosterone and overall health.

Fertility is a team effort, and small changes can make a big difference.

12/27/2025

Your fertility is more than your ability to get pregnant. It is a powerful health marker.

Research shows that people who experience infertility have higher rates of chronic conditions later in life, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, certain cancers, and earlier mortality.

Infertility does not cause these outcomes. Instead, it often reflects underlying cellular and metabolic dysfunction that affects hormone signaling, egg quality, and long-term health.

This is why fertility care is not just about pregnancy. It is about understanding what your body is telling you and addressing root causes early.

For a deeper conversation on this topic, listen to this week’s As A Woman podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

12/26/2025

Miscarriage is heartbreaking, and I know it's extra hard around the holidays.

In the middle of grief, follow-up care and medical details can feel overwhelming or even impossible to think about. But understanding what type of pregnancy loss you experienced and why aftercare matters is an important step in protecting your health and future fertility.

This week on YouTube, I’m breaking down the different types of miscarriage and pregnancy loss, what medical terms like spontaneous and missed abortion actually mean, what to expect physically and emotionally, and why follow-up care—especially tracking hCG levels—is so important after a loss.

Watch now on Natalie Crawford, MD.

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