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The placenta is one of the most misunderstood organs in pregnancy, yet it plays a central role in implantation, miscarriage risk, fetal growth, preeclampsia, birth complications, and postpartum recovery. In this episode of Healthy As A Mother, Dr. Morgan delivers a clear, grounded crash course on the placenta: what it is, how it forms, how it functions, and what can go wrong. We unpack common myths, explain real risks without fear, and clarify why the placenta quietly determines so many pregnancy outcomes. This conversation is designed to replace anxiety with understanding and confusion with clarity, so parents can make informed decisions throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. In this episode, we cover: What the placenta actually is and why it’s often called the baby’s “twin”How implantation and early placental development affect pregnancy outcomesWhy male fertility and sperm health matter more than most people realizePlacental anatomy explained simply (chorion, amnion, Wharton’s jelly)Common placental variations and what they really meanSerious placental complications and how they’re managedFirst-trimester bleeding and subchorionic hemorrhagePlacental insufficiency, fetal growth restriction, and preeclampsiaThe third stage of labor and birthing the placentaActive vs expectant management and Pitocin useRetained placenta, postpartum hemorrhage, and recoveryWhat to do with the placenta after birth: encapsulation, burial, lotus birth, or disposal Educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare provider for personal medical care. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Why the placenta matters more than people think 03:00 – Placenta development and implantation 09:00 – Male fertility, sperm health, and pregnancy outcomes 15:00 – Placental anatomy explained simply 18:30 – Cord insertions and placental variants 22:00 – Velamentous cord insertion and vasa previa 27:00 – Placental positioning and placenta previa 32:00 – Placenta accreta and surgical risks 37:00 – Subchorionic hemorrhage and first-trimester bleeding 42:00 – Placental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction 45:00 – Preeclampsia explained 48:30 – Placental abruption 50:00 – Retained placenta and postpartum hemorrhage 53:30 – Birthing the placenta (third stage of labor) 56:00 – Pitocin and hospital management 59:00 – What to do with the placenta after birth ➡️ New episodes every Wednesday Find more from Dr. Leah: Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram Dr. Leah Gordon | Website Womanhood Wellness | Website Find more from Dr. Morgan: Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at Fond Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER

Why does modern motherhood feel so hard — even when you’re doing everything “right”? In this episode of Healthy As A Mother, we explore a powerful lens for understanding hormones, fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and burnout: humans are animals — and modern life is not designed for our biology. From nervous system dysregulation and chronic stress to fertility struggles, postpartum depletion, and emotional overwhelm, this conversation reframes modern motherhood as a biological mismatch, not a personal failure. We cover: The “human animal in captivity” conceptWhy community is essential for mothersSunlight, sleep, movement, and hormonal healthNervous system overload, modern stress, and burnoutWhy self-care isn’t indulgent — it’s biological necessity This episode is for women and mothers who feel like something about modern life, health, and motherhood just isn’t working — and want a deeper, root-cause understanding. 00:00 Introduction: The Human Animal 02:05 Humans as Animals 05:10 Animals in Captivity 09:15 The Continuum Concept 14:05 Biohacking vs Nature 18:20 Hormones, Detox & Toxic Load 22:45 Genetics & Sensitivity 27:10 Evolution or De-Evolution 31:30 The Loss of the Village 36:20 Reciprocity & Support 40:55 Parenting, School & Disconnection 44:35 Sunlight, Sleep & Circadian Rhythm 48:40 Men, Women & Biological Roles 53:10 Food, Nutrient Depletion & Seasonality 57:45 Sensory Overload & The News 1:03:10 Warriors, Nurturers & Purpose 1:08:40 Living Like an Animal Again 1:12:30 Final Thoughts 👉 New episodes every Wednesday Resources Mentioned in This Episode: I Am Documentary Continuum ConceptThe Red Tent Ishmael Find more from Dr. Leah: Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram Dr. Leah Gordon | Website Womanhood Wellness | Website Find more from Dr. Morgan: Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER

Our culture and systems have failed many women who want to be mothers, not through malice, but through neglect, misalignment, and outdated priorities. In this episode, we explore how education, feminism, medicine, and career culture shaped a generation of women who were never truly prepared for motherhood. This is a nuanced, honest conversation about how our culture and systems have failed many women who want to be mothers. We want to say this clearly up front: this conversation reflects our lived experiences and what we see in our work. It is not meant to invalidate women who had supportive, empowering paths to motherhood, nor does it represent every experience across different socioeconomic or cultural backgrounds. What we explore here is a pattern. For decades, women were encouraged to prioritize education, career, and productivity, often with little to no preparation for health, fertility, or motherhood. Feminism brought women freedom, opportunity, and choice, and we honor that deeply. But like all cultural movements, there were unintended consequences that many women are only now grappling with. In this conversation, we discuss: • Why motherhood was treated as an afterthought rather than a life path • How feminism empowered women — and where systems failed to evolve alongside it • The lack of reproductive and health education for young women • How birth control often masked dysfunction instead of addressing root causes • Why so many women feel blindsided by fertility struggles in their 30s • The cost of prioritizing weddings, careers, and productivity over preparation for motherhood • Maternal burnout, postpartum strain, and the lack of systemic support • What a more integrative, honest, and compassionate approach could look like This is not about blame. It’s about awareness because we can’t change what we don’t acknowledge. Our hope is that by having these conversations openly, we can support women now and create better systems for future generations. If this episode resonated with you, please consider subscribing, sharing, or leaving a review. These conversations matter. 00:00 — Why We’re Having This Conversation 02:45 — This Isn’t Everyone’s Experience But It’s a Real Pattern 05:30 — Feminism Gave Women Choice... And Then the Pendulum Swung 09:45 — When Motherhood Became an Afterthought 13:20 — Career First, Motherhood “On the Side” 17:40 — The Lie We Were Sold About Fertility & Birth Control 22:10 — Why So Many Women Are Struggling to Conceive in Their 30s 27:15 — “Our Society Is Not Set Up for Women to Become Mothers” 31:00 — We Prepare for College & Sports — But Not Health 34:30 — Imagine a World Where Girls Are Taught About Their Bodies 38:20 — The Cost of Ignoring Motherhood (Burnout, Infertility, Trauma) 42:45 — Weddings, Nurseries & Misplaced Priorities 47:30 — What the Medical System Gets Wrong About Fertility 52:10 — How This Could Change for the Next Generation 56:00 — This Isn’t About Blame, It’s About What’s Broken 59:00 — Final Thoughts, Hope & Why These Conversations Matter 👉 New episodes every Wednesday Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Join Womanhood WellnessSocial Studies DocuseriesThe Time Machine Movie Find more from Dr. Leah: Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram Dr. Leah Gordon | Website Womanhood Wellness | Website Find more from Dr. Morgan: Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at Fond Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER

In this life update episode, we’re sitting down for an honest, unfiltered conversation about what’s really been going on behind the scenes: from pregnancy and health updates to sleep deprivation, motherhood challenges, and big life decisions. Dr. Morgan shares a deeply personal pregnancy update, including navigating pregnancy while being sick, fertility considerations, and what it feels like to prepare for another baby while holding space for uncertainty. Dr. Leah talks candidly about postpartum sleep struggles, co-sleeping, teething, and the emotional toll of chronic sleep deprivation, alongside the sweetness and perspective that comes with motherhood. We also dive into the realities of running a business while parenting, navigating children’s health concerns, making hard decisions around fertility and family planning, and learning how to hold both gratitude and exhaustion at the same time. This episode is a real, grounded conversation for anyone who wants honest motherhood talk — no filters, no pretending, just real life. What We DiscussPregnancy life updates and preparing for a new babyPregnancy after health issues and navigating early pregnancy anxietyFertility differences and conversations around IVF and family planningPostpartum sleep struggles, co-sleeping, and chronic sleep deprivationTeething, illness, and children’s health worriesMotherhood emotions: gratitude, overwhelm, fear, and joyRunning a business while parenting young childrenMaking peace with uncertainty and big life decisionsHolding opposites in motherhood — exhaustion and sweetness at once 00:00 – Welcome & why we love life update episodes 02:15 – Social media, sharing updates, and being more offline 06:30 – Deciding whether to have another baby 12:45 – Pregnancy after health issues & fertility considerations 20:30 – Getting sick in early pregnancy & managing anxiety 27:40 – Progesterone, fertility differences, and early symptoms 33:50 – Finding out the baby’s gender & family reactions 39:45 – Emotional shifts, energy changes, and pregnancy differences 45:30 – Sleep deprivation, teething, and postpartum struggles 52:10 – Children’s health worries, co-sleeping, and mental load 57:00 – Gratitude, perspective, and closing thoughts 👉 New episodes every Wednesday Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Araza Makeup - Use code DRLEAH for 10% off! Find more from Dr. Leah: Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram Dr. Leah Gordon | Website Womanhood Wellness | Website Find more from Dr. Morgan: Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER

Breastfeeding is often framed as natural, yet so many mothers struggle, feel overwhelmed, or are told their bodies are failing them. In this episode, we break down five major factors that can sabotage breastfeeding and why women are rarely prepared for them. We explore how birth interventions, IV fluids, epidurals, misinformation, lack of postpartum support, and unrealistic expectations around sleep and feeding can deeply impact milk supply, confidence, and the breastfeeding relationship. We also unpack why phrases like “fed is best” can sometimes shut down honest conversations about the real challenges mothers face. This conversation is not about shame or blame. It’s about education, context, and holding nuance. Tools like formula, C-sections, and IVF can be life-saving and necessary, but they should not be treated as the first or only option without addressing root causes and the systemic gaps in maternal care. Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction & Why this conversation matters 02:15 How birth influences breastfeeding 07:10 IV fluids, engorgement & supply panic 12:30 Epidurals & interventions 18:45 The worst breastfeeding advice 24:10 Bottles, pacifiers & nipple confusion 30:05 Where “fed is best” falls short 36:40 Systemic gaps in breastfeeding education 43:20 Formula, IVF & C-sections 51:10 Sleep pressure & breastfeeding 58:30 Compassion, context & informed choice 1:03:30 Final reflections In This Episode, We Cover: • How birth experiences influence breastfeeding success • Common breastfeeding myths and harmful advice • Why supply-and-demand is rarely explained clearly • How sleep pressure disrupts maternal instincts • Why breastfeeding struggles are not a personal failure 🎧 Listen in for a grounded, honest discussion that gives mothers the information they deserve, and the permission to hold compassion, nuance, and informed choice. 👉 New episodes every Wednesday 👉 Explore related conversations in our Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum playlists Resources Mentioned in This Episode Dr. Morgan’s Mastitis ManualDealing with mastitis? Get Dr. Morgan’s comprehensive Mastitis Manual and learn how to identify which type of mastitis you have, whether antibiotics are necessary, and how to support healing naturally. - https://milkmedicine.com/mastitis-manual/ Find more from Dr. Leah: Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram Dr. Leah Gordon | Website Womanhood Wellness | Website Find more from Dr. Morgan: Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at Fond Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER

In this episode of Healthy As A Mother, we’re joined by Dr. Leah Gordon to explore why so many women struggle with fertility, even when their labs look “normal.” We discuss how hormonal birth control, chronic stress, gut health, inflammation, and nervous system dysregulation can quietly block conception and implantation. Dr. Leah explains why ovulation alone doesn’t always equal fertility, how the body’s stress response impacts reproductive hormones, and what it really means to support the body before pregnancy. This is a compassionate, root-cause conversation for women navigating unexplained infertility, coming off birth control, or preparing their body for pregnancy, and a reminder that the body isn’t broken, it just needs the right support. RESOURCES MENTIONED Womanhood Wellness Membership: Where functional medicine meets feminine wisdom—guiding you to balance hormones, awaken libido, and prepare for pregnancy with intention. 👉 Join todayThe Birth of the Pill — A deep dive into the origins and long-term implications of hormonal birth control 👉 https://amzn.to/4slrNfw\Episode #4 - Preconception: What It Is and Why It Matters 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthy-as-a-mother/id1663942916?i=1000593847905 In this episode, we cover: 00:00 Coming Off Birth Control & Preconception Overview 02:55 Why Preconception Matters More Than We’re Taught 06:10 What Really Happens When You Stop Hormonal Birth Control 10:55 Why “Wait and See” Isn’t Enough After Birth Control 14:45 How Birth Control Disrupts Hormone Communication 19:05 Post-Pill Hormone Surges & Acne Explained 22:20 Why Your Cycle May Not Return Right Away 25:05 The Hidden Nutrient Depletions From Birth Control 29:45 Birth Control as Symptom Masking (The Fire Alarm Analogy) 34:50 The Key Nutrients Needed for Fertility & Pregnancy 40:20 Why Most Prenatals Aren’t Enough 43:30 Liver Health, Detox & Hormone Clearance 48:35 How Birth Control Impacts the Gut & Microbiome 53:10 Inflammation, Stress & Fertility Challenges 57:40 Nervous System Regulation & Preparing for Pregnancy 01:02:10 Final Thoughts on Healing Before Conception Find more from Dr. Leah: Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram Dr. Leah Gordon | Website Womanhood Wellness | Website Find more from Dr. Morgan: Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER

Womanhood Wellness is where functional medicine meets feminine wisdom—guiding you to balance hormones, awaken libido, and prepare for pregnancy with intention. Join today. What if the hardest part of trying to conceive isn't your body, but the silence around what you're actually feeling?  In this episode, Dr. Leah sits down with Dr. Andrea Liner, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in reproductive mental health. She's also an IVF mama who navigated nearly four years of infertility, including misdiagnosis, two egg retrievals, and being told at 32 that she needed an egg donor. The trying to conceive journey brings up emotions most people don't know how to name, let alone process. Dr. Andrea walks through the mental traps that commonly keep couples stuck, the relationship dynamics that shift under pressure, and what actually helps when nothing is going according to plan. You’ll Learn: [00:00] Introduction [02:60] Dr. Andrea's nearly four-year fertility journey [15:27] The mental toll on high-functioning achievers who can't muscle their way through infertility [17:44] How fertility struggles permeate every aspect of your daily life and identity [18:45] The existential questions that surface when you feel like a failure at what matters most [24:29] When sex becomes a chore rather than a fun activity that cultivates connection and brings new life into the world [27:13] The worst things people say and how to navigate relationships during infertility [37:34] First steps for navigating pregnancy loss [40:55] The shame of struggling in pregnancy when you fought so hard to conceive  Connect on a deeper level with Dr. Andrea by joining her mailing list. Find more from Dr. Andrea: Flux Psychology | Website Reproductive Psychology | Instagram Find more from Dr. Leah: Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram Dr. Leah Gordon | Website Womanhood Wellness | Website Find more from Dr. Morgan: Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER

Pregnant and wanting to learn how to optimize your health, prepare for birth, learn to breastfeed, and heal during postpartum? Come take Dr. Morgan’s pregnancy class! Not every supplement in pregnancy is harmless. Some can actually increase risk for you and your baby. Pregnancy supplements can be sorted into clear buckets: hard yes, maybe, and hard no. In this episode, you’re going to learn our core essentials, the optional add-ons that depend on your labs and symptoms, and the products that sound helpful online but clash with how a pregnant body actually works. We draw the line on some popular herbs, powders, and nervous system helpers, and for good reason—these decisions are shaped by both research limits and real clinical experience. If you’re pregnant and staring at a cabinet full of bottles scratching your head, the real challenge isn’t finding more options; it’s knowing which few are worth taking and when. You’ll receive insights on how we think about risk, timing, and dose, when we’ll push harder on something like immune support to avoid medications, and where we’d rather you do nothing than experiment. A small, intentional stack can serve you better than chasing every trending supplement. You’ll Learn: [00:00] Introduction [03:07] The overlooked problem with most prenatals and why ingredient form matters [04:30] The simple rule that prevents most women from absorbing iron properly [07:11] The hidden reason pregnant women shouldn’t fear vitamin A [09:20] How magnesium becomes a multipurpose lifesaver for sleep, cramps, and digestion [09:55] The real vitamin D levels you should aim for [17:04] When probiotics actually matter in pregnancy, and when they don’t [20:16] The surprising list of safe remedies you can use when you get sick while pregnant [27:05] The trending supplements that truly are safe [41:03] The herbs you must avoid because they disrupt hormones and fetal development Resources Mentioned: Orthomolecular Vitamin D3 + K2 Drops | Website Healthy as a Mother episode on Baby Brain Support in Pregnancy with Dr. Ari Calhoun | Spotify or Apple Dr. Morgan's Managing Illness While Pregnant or Breastfeeding Course | Website Find more from Dr. Leah: Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram Dr. Leah Gordon | Website Womanhood Wellness | Website Find more from Dr. Morgan: Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER Save 10% on pasture-raised bone broths from FOND with code HEALTHYMOTHER

Get real, true hydration with Redmond Re-lyte! Try it for 15% off, here. What if the real problem isn't salt itself but the way we've stripped it, feared it, and deadened the water we drink it with? We’re sitting down with Darryl Bosshardt, a salt expert from Redmond, Utah, who grew up inside his family's mineral business. We had a lot of fun recording this episode because he's as intensely nerdy about salt as we are about birth and motherhood. We question how salt ended up cast as the villain and what that fear has quietly done inside us, especially when studies and headlines ignored context like water and overall diet. We open up the tension between the mineral-rich salt and spring water humans adapted to and the stripped, “dead” versions most people are leaning on today. Instead of handing you another protocol, we stay focused on how it actually feels when you give your body enough of what it runs on and stop fighting its design. You’ll Learn: [00:00:00] Introduction [00:06:09] How ancient civilizations survived and thrived around salt deposits [00:11:52] The clever way our ancestors found salt and water [00:17:17] The fascinating science of salt crystal size and why it changes how salty food tastes on your tongue [00:20:30] The biblical origins of "kosher salt" and why it's called that (it has nothing to do with being blessed) [00:26:31] The 1954 mouse study that demonized salt [00:32:17] The shocking truth: consuming less than 2,300mg of sodium resulted in a 430% increase in heart attacks [00:34:19] The Brewer's Diet approach to preventing preeclampsia with unrestricted salt, protein, and water [00:40:16] What "dead water" is and why spring water contains the full electrolyte profile our bodies expect [00:47:32] The bottle experiment that proves RO water is aggressively trying to dissolve everything it touches [00:52:30] Drinking demineralized water makes your body pull minerals from your jawbone and teeth [01:03:05] The heavy metals question: understanding parts per billion versus actual micrograms consumed [01:13:04] How to evaluate ANY product with three simple questions about producer, source, and processing Resources Mentioned: Find A Spring | Website Water & Salt, the Essence of Life by Barbara Hendel and Peter Ferreira | Book FDA Total Diet Study | Article Find more from Darryl Bosshardt by following him on LinkedIn. Find more from Dr. Leah: Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram Dr. Leah Gordon | Website Womanhood Wellness | Website Find more from Dr. Morgan: Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER

Womanhood Wellness is where functional medicine meets feminine wisdom—guiding you to balance hormones, awaken libido, and prepare for pregnancy with intention. Join today. What if the everyday things touching your skin were quietly working against your hormones and fertility?  Are there products lurking in your home, messing with your hormones, fertility, and even your kids? In this episode, you’re going to learn how something as simple as underwear, leggings, lube, or your favorite scent can shift your entire vaginal microbiome, change the pH in that delicate ecosystem, and ripple into things like infections, discharge, odor, and trouble conceiving. Most of us were raised to assume that if a product is on the shelf, it must be safe, and no one ever sat us down to explain how to spot the things that are the least like nature in our environment. Things like hidden plastics, fragrances, and chemicals might be sneaking into your daily routine, and there are simple swaps that can dramatically lower the load without making you feel like you’re living in a bubble. You’ll Learn: [00:00] Introduction [06:50] How the wrong underwear disrupts your vaginal microbiome and fertility [12:05] What tight, synthetic leggings do to moisture, bacteria, and hormone balance [17:14] Why most personal lubricants damage sperm, and what to use instead [21:12] The everyday plastic exposures are silently lowering fertility [25:20] The hidden hormone disruptors in candles and home fragrances [28:17] How laundry detergents and dryer sheets flood your body with hormone disruptors [34:24] Why shower products may be a daily source of toxins you don’t realize Resources Mentioned: Auden Underwear | Website Country Save Laundry Detergent | Amazon Molly Suds Laundry Detergent | Amazon Branch Basics Laundry Detergent | Website Pyrex Food Storage | Website Find more from Dr. Leah: Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram Dr. Leah Gordon | Website Womanhood Wellness | Website Find more from Dr. Morgan: Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER

Womanhood Wellness is where functional medicine meets feminine wisdom—guiding you to balance hormones, awaken libido, and prepare for pregnancy with intention. Join today. Why do some women who “do everything right” still struggle to get pregnant? There are five hidden fertility factors most doctors never mention, things like infections you can’t feel but quietly sabotage your chances, how your immune system might be attacking instead of protecting, and what your nervous system has to do with conception. This episode is not another checklist of supplements or labs. It’s a deeper look at what your body’s really trying to tell you, and how to start listening. You’ll Learn:  [00:00] Introduction [02:31] The hidden infections silently impacting fertility and why your doctor might miss them [08:04] How autoimmunity quietly disrupts conception and what to test for [10:34] The surprising role of your nervous system in signaling whether it’s safe to get pregnant [17:57] The feminine energy imbalance that blocks fertility [20:42] How toxin overload and poor detox pathways create a hidden barrier to conception [26:05] Where to find deeper support for uncovering your hidden fertility blocks Resources Mentioned: Vibrant Wellness – Environmental Toxins Test | Website For a deeper dive, listen to our past episodes: #22 Detoxing Before Pregnancy | Spotify or Apple #112: Thriving with Hashimoto’s | Spotify or Apple #99: Holistic Approaches to Fertility | Spotify or Apple #97: Mold and Fertility with Dr. Leslie Black | Spotify or Apple #66: How Feminism Has Influenced Our Modern Culture & Hormones | Spotify or Apple #62: Gut Health, the Microbiome, and Fertility | Spotify or Apple Find more from Dr. Leah: Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram Dr. Leah Gordon | Website Womanhood Wellness | Website Find more from Dr. Morgan: Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER

Have you ever pumped milk in an airport bathroom while your boss texted you about a meeting? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton, a naturopathic doctor, past president of the AANP, speaker, author, and mom of five. She’s lived every version of the working-mom juggle, from returning to work at four weeks postpartum to running national organizations while nursing on red-eye flights. We unpack what “going back to work” really looks like when you’re healing, pumping, leading, and trying not to lose yourself in the process. The sleep deprivation, the daycare colds, the guilt, the wins, and the systems that make it survivable. It’s raw, funny, and painfully real.  You’ll Learn: [00:00] Introduction [04:44] What going back to work at four weeks postpartum really feels like [09:33] When breastfeeding becomes a mental and physical breaking point [19:37] The reality of pumping and traveling while balancing leadership roles [28:34] Simple ways to prep your baby’s immune system for daycare [42:44] How an au pair can completely change family life and sanity [48:49] The real cost of help versus trying to do it all alone [53:41] Creating your village and finding real mom friendships [58:38] The energetic shift between ambition and motherhood [1:00:17] Why having it all never means doing it all at once [1:04:52] What happens when motherhood and work collide Resources Mentioned: All supplements can be found through Fullscript (save 15%) Electric flosser | Amazon Learn more from Dr. Jaclyn on her website. You can also follow her on LinkedIn. Explore gentle, science-based cold & flu wellness tips from Dr. Morgan Find more from Dr. Leah: Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram Dr. Leah Gordon | Website Womanhood Wellness | Website Find more from Dr. Morgan: Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER

Dealing with mastitis? Get Dr.Morgan’s comprehensive Mastitis Manual here, and learn all about how to tell which type of mastitis you have, if you need antibiotics or not, and how to treat it naturally! Why does weaning sometimes feel like puberty all over again? What really happens to your body and mind when breastfeeding ends? From mood swings and night sweats to shifts in libido and energy, the postpartum experience doesn’t stop once your baby’s done nursing. Hormones recalibrate, neurotransmitters change, and sometimes it all hits harder than you expect. In this episode, we get into why some women glide through weaning while others feel like they’ve been knocked sideways, as well as what that “mini puberty” moment actually means for your physiology and emotions. It’s a mix of real talk, biology, and the reassurance you wish you’d heard sooner. You’ll Learn: [00:00] Introduction [06:53] Why breastfeeding protects against postpartum depression [09:00] The surprising physical changes after weaning [12:55] The truth about when it’s biologically normal to night wean [15:33] How weaning can feel like puberty and what mood swings really mean [17:06] Why low progesterone after weaning can lead to early miscarriages [18:03] What to know about fertility, ovulation, and contraception while weaning [22:40] How weaning affects your thyroid, adrenals, and overall energy Resources Mentioned: Milk Medicine Pregnancy Course | Website Related Healthy as a Mother Podcast Episodes: All About Weaning: Philosophy, How To, and Factors to Consider | Spotify or Apple Breastfeeding and Trying To Conceive | Spotify or Apple Mastitis and Clogged Ducts: What TO Do and What NOT To Do | Spotify or Apple Baby-Led Weaning with Thriving Foundations with Dr. Alyssa | Spotify or Apple Find more from Dr. Leah: Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram Dr. Leah Gordon | Website Womanhood Wellness | Website Find more from Dr. Morgan: Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER

Join Womanhood Wellness to learn more about all of the things we discuss in this episode. What if the world really was rigged in your favor, even when your fertility journey feels impossible?  In this episode, Dr.Leah sits down with her husband, Mike, to unpack their six-year journey through severe male factor infertility that eventually led them to IVF. Mike shares the raw truths and lessons he wishes every man knew before stepping into this process, from the mindset that kept him grounded to the habits and testing that changed everything. They get real about the hardest moments, the difference between fighting and surrendering, and the mindset shift that made the impossible feel bearable. It’s not a how-to guide, it’s a story about meaning, surrender, and what it really takes to stay connected through the storm. Because… sometimes the only way forward is trusting that even this is happening for you. You’ll Learn: [00:00] Introduction [04:52] Why viewing life as “rigged in your favor” can shift infertility grief into gratitude [08:03] The critical balance between fighting for answers and surrendering control [09:39] Why avoiding testing keeps men stuck in ego instead of empowered [12:38] How releasing judgment and embracing IVF with excitement changes the experience [14:28] Everyday toxins that quietly damage testosterone and sperm quality [20:28] The truth about EMFs and keeping phones in your pockets [22:32] Which supplements and detox tools actually matter for men’s sperm health [37:22] The difference between ejaculated and immature sperm can determine IVF success [43:47] The important lesson their six-year journey revealed about finding meaning in struggle Resources Mentioned: Peter Sage Academy | Website Needed – Men’s Fertility Line | Website Good Clean Love Lubricants | Website Coconu – Water-Based or Oil-Based Lubricant | Website Yes – Organic Lubricant | Website Find more from Dr. Leah: Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram Dr. Leah Gordon | Website Womanhood Wellness | Website Find more from Dr. Morgan: Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER

What if the skills that make breech and twin birth safe have been intentionally erased from modern medicine? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Stuart Fischbein, an OB-GYN and longtime advocate for physiological birth. After nearly three decades in hospitals and over a decade attending home births alongside midwives, he’s become a leading voice in reteaching the lost art of vaginal breech and twin delivery. Together, we dig into how this knowledge disappeared, what replaced it, and why practitioners are no longer taught to trust birth. Dr. Stuart exposes the ripple effects of fear, policy, and profit that shape today’s obstetric system. We look at the flawed studies that reshaped global practice, the quiet politics behind “standard of care,” and the consequences of replacing skill with surgery. There’s a reason breech birth became a lost language, and a growing movement to relearn it. You’ll Learn:  [00:00] Introduction [03:17] Why the medical system stripped doctors of individuality and decision-making power [12:05] How one flawed study reshaped global birth practices overnight [19:59] Who qualifies for vaginal breech birth [31:33] When “hands off the breech” isn’t enough [36:46] How doctors rationalize ignoring evidence that contradicts hospital policy [40:52] The hidden conflicts of interest behind vaccine and medication recommendations [56:36] Why hospitals prioritize liability and revenue over individualized, physiological care [01:03:41] Rediscovering birth as a human experience [01:08:25] When medicine loses its humanity Resources Mentioned: Fearless Pregnancy by Stuart Fischbein, Victoria Clayton, and Joyce Weckl | Book Twin Home Birth by Fischbein, S. | Article Breech Birth At Home by Fischbein, S. and Freeze, R. | Article “Home Birth” With An Obstetrician by Fischbein, S. | Article Term Breech Trial (2000) by Hannah, M. et al. | Article Healthy as a Mother episode #135 on The Truth About Ultrasounds: Risks & Benefits | Apple or Spotify Birthing Instincts Podcast | Apple or Spotify Learn more from Dr. Stuart on his website. You can also follow him on Instagram, Facebook, and X. Find more from Dr. Leah: Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram Dr. Leah Gordon | Website Womanhood Wellness | Website Find more from Dr. Morgan: Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER