Podcast Summary: Them Before Us #080 | Conceiving Miracles: Dr. Jennifer Mercier on Healing & Hope in Fertility Care
Release Date: May 2, 2025
Host: Jennifer Friesen
Guest: Dr. Jennifer Mercier, PhD, ND
1. Introduction to Dr. Jennifer Mercier
In episode #080 of the Them Before Us podcast, host Jennifer Friesen welcomes Dr. Jennifer Mercier, a distinguished Naturopathic Doctor (ND) and PhD holder. With over two decades in private practice, Dr. Mercier specializes in women’s health, fertility, and hormone balance. She is renowned for pioneering Mercier Therapy, a holistic technique aiding natural conception and successful IVF preparations. Additionally, Dr. Mercier is an accomplished educator, author, and documentary filmmaker, currently working on her latest film titled Conceiving Miracles.
“Mercier therapy is a deep pelvic organ visceral manipulation that helps to mobilize reproductive organs, restore blood flow to the organs.” [01:57]
2. Dr. Mercier’s Background and Personal Journey
Dr. Mercier shares her personal and professional journey, beginning with her upbringing in Illinois in a two-parent family with four siblings. Her early exposure to medicine was profoundly influenced by the loss of her brother to leukemia at age three, fueling her passion for the field. Initially aspiring to attend medical school, she pivoted to massage therapy and later became a midwife before pursuing naturopathic medical training alongside a PhD in natural medicine.
Her extensive experience in reproductive medicine began at age 19, working in a large OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinology infertility practice. This foundation enabled her to develop and refine Mercier Therapy, which not only benefited her patients but also played a pivotal role in her own fertility journey. Despite being told she could not conceive without IVF, Dr. Mercier successfully became pregnant naturally seven times, culminating in the birth of her daughter at 37 and son at 41.
“I was told that I would never have a baby without using IVF. I told him, I'm not using IVF. I will not do IVF. It was just morally and ethically a concern for me.” [06:28]
3. Critique of the IVF Industry
A significant portion of the conversation delves into Dr. Mercier’s critical perspective on the current IVF industry. She argues that the sector is predominantly profit-driven, pushing IVF as the default solution without adequately addressing underlying fertility issues. Dr. Mercier highlights the exorbitant costs of IVF cycles, which have surged from approximately $8,000 to over $30,000, emphasizing the financial burdens placed on couples.
She also raises ethical concerns regarding the creation and storage of excess embryos, questioning the moral implications of discarding unused embryos or the lack of viable options for their utilization. The accumulation of embryos on ice poses significant ethical dilemmas, especially when considering the potential for surplus embryos to be used in surrogacy or research without the explicit consent of the donors.
“This is a multibillion dollar industry. It, it just is.” [09:15]
4. Ethical Concerns in Reproductive Technologies
Dr. Mercier expands on the ethical challenges associated with reproductive technologies. She critiques practices such as gender selection, genetic editing (e.g., CRISPR), and the commercialization of surrogacy, particularly in countries with lax regulations. The podcast discusses distressing reports of women being exploited as surrogates in countries like India, where economic disparities are exploited by wealthier individuals seeking surrogacy services.
Moreover, Dr. Mercier touches upon the potential genetic risks of anonymous egg and sperm donations, including the inadvertent creation of half-sibling relationships and the long-term implications on genetic diversity and health.
“There’s a huge moral and ethical dilemma.” [11:28]
“We’re editing humans, right? No, you’re just discarding the ones you don’t want human beings discarded.” [17:33]
5. Personal Reflections on Infertility and Divorce
Shifting to a more personal narrative, Dr. Mercier shares her struggles with infertility and the emotional toll it took on her marriage. Despite multiple pregnancies and losses, she faced divorce after her husband left to live with a girlfriend. As a single mother, Dr. Mercier emphasizes the importance of faith, resilience, and accountability in raising children within a Christian framework.
She advocates for reducing the prevalence of divorce by fostering strong, faith-centered marriages and providing support to couples facing challenges. Dr. Mercier’s personal experiences underscore the broader societal impacts of infertility and marital dissolution, particularly on children.
“There’s too much divorce in our society. People need to be held accountable by their Christian sisters and brothers.” [26:09]
“Divorce isn’t ideal, but sometimes it has to happen, especially if it’s forced upon you.” [30:05]
6. Final Thoughts and Resources
In concluding the episode, Dr. Mercier reflects on her commitment to restorative reproductive medicine and her ongoing efforts to educate both professionals and the public. She introduces her upcoming documentary, Conceiving Miracles, set to release in fall 2025, which explores the intersections of faith, fertility, and ethical reproductive practices.
Listeners are encouraged to connect with Dr. Mercier through her practice website Expect a Miracle Life, her training platform Mercier Therapy.com, and her Instagram handle @Dr.JenniferMercier. She also promotes her fellowship program for healthcare professionals dedicated to restorative reproductive medicine.
“The film is called Conceiving Miracles and it will be released early this fall 2025.” [32:26]
Key Takeaways:
- Mercier Therapy offers a holistic approach to fertility care, focusing on healing underlying reproductive issues rather than solely relying on IVF.
- The current IVF industry is criticized for being profit-driven, ethically questionable, and overwhelmingly reliant on creating surplus embryos.
- Ethical concerns extend to practices like gender selection, genetic editing, and surrogacy, especially in less regulated environments.
- Personal experiences with infertility and divorce highlight the emotional and familial challenges faced by individuals navigating reproductive difficulties.
- Dr. Mercier advocates for faith-centered solutions and accountability to strengthen marriages and support children’s well-being.
For more information and resources, visit:
- Expect a Miracle Life: ExpectAMiracleLife.com
- Mercier Therapy: MercierTherapy.com
- Fellowship Program: MercierWHF.com
- Instagram: @Dr.JenniferMercier
Stay tuned for the release of Conceiving Miracles in fall 2025, and follow Dr. Mercier’s journey as she continues to advocate for ethical, restorative reproductive care.