Inside Fertility Medicine: Dr. Yemi Famuyiwa on Birth, Loss, and the Science of Having Babies
Dr. Yemi Famuyiwa knew she wanted to be a doctor long before she knew what kind. It was during her third-year rotations at Emory that the answer became obvious. She'd had “a roaring blast” in her OBGYN rotation and couldn't imagine anything else. She went on to specialize in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and has spent decades helping people navigate one of the most emotional experiences a person or couple can face. In this episode, she talks about what she's noticed inside that world — the science, the cultural pressures that leave women suffering in silence, and the grief that has no name.
Hear Dr. Famuyiwa talk about:
What it was like to guide her first baby into the world — and why she hopes she never gets over it
The cultural pressure on women and men when they can't conceive, and what she sees play out in her office
Why infertility is rising worldwide — and why it's not just about delaying childbearing
Ambiguous loss: the grief that never ends and has no body to weep over
What she wishes people understood about their own biology before it's too late
How decades of watching people fight for the chance to become parents has shaped the way she sees life
Mentioned in this episode:
The Quest for Fertility by Dr. Yemi Famuyiwa
Dr. Nanette Wenger, cardiologist at Emory, who influenced her during medical school
Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta
“ I hope I never get over it. It’s just such a magical moment. ”
Episode 42: Transcript
Coming soon.
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