Natalie Crawford, MD

04/23/2025

How do you use ovulation predictor kits?

OPKs or ovulation predictor kits are picking up that ovulation trigger, the LH surge. You’re going to p*e on it like a pregnancy test and watch for the first positive. I always recommend testing between 10 AM and 2 PM—LH leaves the brain in the early morning, has to filter through your kidneys, and finally shows up in urine.

One issue I see is people testing first thing in the morning and never catching a surge even though they’re definitely ovulating.
Once you get a positive, you do not need to keep using them. If you are TTC, the goal is to have int3rcourse that day and the next day.

IMPORTANT: About 7 % of cycles show a false‑positive LH. We mostly see this with PCOS or low ovarian reserve because baseline LH runs high, making it more difficult to spot the true LH surge or elevation.

Watch this week’s YouTube video to learn more about cycle tracking and how to use fertility awareness methods to get pregnant fast!

Dr. Natalie Crawford, a board-certified OB/GYN and REI, gives a comprehensive guide to cycle tracking. During National Fertility Awareness Week, Dr. Crawford...

04/17/2025

There's been a lot of talk about GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy - especially when it comes to fertility.

On this week's YouTube video I'm diving into GLP-1s, what they are, how they can be beneficial, and their role in reproduction.

Watch now! https://youtu.be/Doc_cmA1ih0

04/09/2025

One thing that’s not talked about enough? The connection between your gut health and your hormones, especially estrogen.⁣�

Your gut lining is like a coffee filter. When it gets inflamed (from processed foods, low fiber, stress, etc.), it becomes “leaky.” This leads to changes in your gut microbiome, and that affects how you metabolize estrogen.⁣�

There’s an enzyme in your gut called beta-glucuronidase that helps regulate estrogen levels. When the gut microbiome is off, this process is disrupted, and that can impact your hormones and even your fertility.⁣�

Learn more about the connection between your gut health, fertility, and hormones on this week's YouTube Video!

Double board-certified OBGYN and REI, Dr. Natalie Crawford, explores the link between gut health, estrogen metabolism, and fertility. Chronic inflammation in...

04/07/2025

When it comes to fertility treatments, we can’t control everything, but we can control how we feel about our plan, whether our questions are answered, and if we understand what we’re doing.

While fertility treatments involve many unpredictable factors - egg quality, s***m quality, genetic abnormalities, age - you can still take an active role during this process.

In this week's As A Woman episode, I discuss how you can improve IVF or egg freezing outcomes including individualized protocols, lifestyle factors, and more.

Listen now!

Dr. Natalie Crawford explains how individualized protocols can lead to better outcomes in IVF and egg freezing. She breaks down key fertility concepts, including ovarian reserve, AMH levels, follicle counts, and the roles of FSH and LH in egg development. Dr. Crawford also discusses how age affects

03/07/2025

I believe that supporting and encouraging the next generation is important. The balance between life, work, family is never attainable if you don’t follow your heart and love what you do. I believe that community should be prioritized over competition. 

I believe that we should not compare ourselves to each other, but find inspiration. We should support and encourage our unique dreams. We should stand together.

Happy International Women's Day!