Trimester Zero: What Social Media Gets Right (and Wrong) About Preparing for IVF & Pregnancy

In this episode of Fertility Nurses Unfiltered, Laura and Ashlee continue their IVF series by tackling a topic that is everywhere right now: “Trimester Zero.” Social media is full of messages about what you should be doing before IVF or pregnancy. Clean up your diet. Remove every toxin. Take more supplements. Try acupuncture. Start this protocol three months in advance. Do everything perfectly. But what actually matters, and what is just noise? In this conversation, Laura and Ashlee break down the growing “Trimester Zero” trend and the pressure it can create for people trying to conceive or preparing for IVF. They explain the real science behind the three-month timeline often discussed in fertility, including egg recruitment and sperm development, while also addressing one of their biggest concerns with this trend: the way it can unintentionally delay care, increase anxiety, and create blame when things do not go as hoped. They also talk through: what social media gets right about preconception health where wellness trends can become overwhelming or misleading why “two things can coexist” when it comes to holistic support and fertility treatment the pressure to do everything perfectly in a process that is already deeply stressful how the supplement industry profits from fertility vulnerability why vitamins and supplements are not always benign how comparison in fertility treatment can quietly fuel shame and despair what to ask your provider before starting anything new Throughout the episode, Laura and Ashlee take an honest, evidence-based look at the intersection of fertility care, wellness culture, and social media. This is not a conversation about shaming anyone for wanting to support their health. It is about helping patients sort through the noise, ask better questions, and feel less pressured to chase perfection. Their message is simple: you can prioritize your health without delaying care, and you do not need to do everything perfectly to deserve support or hope. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by fertility advice online, questioned whether you are doing enough, or found yourself stuck between evidence-based care and wellness trends, this episode is for you.