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Supplement aisles are overwhelming, and "just take a prenatal" only gets you so far. This episode breaks down what matters when building your prenatal supplement stack, from methylated folate and choline to iron, magnesium, and the difference between a quality label and marketing noise. In this episode, we cover: Why food comes first, and supplements are there to fill the gaps, not replace real foodWhat to actually look for in a prenatal multivitamin, including why Needed is the brand I trust and use myselfCholine, the most under-discussed prenatal nutrientVitamin D, omega-3, iron, magnesium, and probiotics, and how to know what you actually needElectrolytes and hydration, including the Just Ingredients electrolytes mentioned in the episodeHow to read a label and spot red flags like proprietary blends and fillersBrands mentioned: Needed (20% off with code HOLISTICPREGNANCY)Just Ingredients (10% off with code TAYLORSHAFFER)And don't forget to grab the free nutrition guide! Got a topic you want covered? Fill out this form Want to be a guest? Apply here ____________________________________________________________________________ *As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. ____________________________________________________________________________ NEXT STEPS: >> Courses >> Email list >> FREE nutrition guide >> Postpartum cookbooks   Please consider leaving a rating and review to share the love! :)

Dr. Laura Brayton is a holistic chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner with more than 20 years of experience helping women optimize fertility, pregnancy, and maternal health through root-cause medicine and holistic lifestyle practices. She's the host of the Well-Adjusted Mama podcast and creator of the documentary Conscious Conception: An Empowered Pregnancy + Birthing Story. In this episode, we talk about what conscious conception actually means and why it starts well before a positive pregnancy test. Dr. Brayton breaks down how the nervous system affects fertility, why stress can signal the body that it isn't safe to conceive, and how epigenetics means both partners' health, not just the mother's, shapes the pregnancy to come. She also gets into the toxin load hiding in everyday products, the gut-fertility connection, and why she has couples do a preconception cleanse together. In this episode, we cover: What conscious conception means, and why it's relevant even if you're years away from tryingHow a stressed, sympathetic nervous system can work against fertility and conceptionWhy 50 percent of baby's genetics and toxin exposure come from the partner, and what that means for preconception prepThe environmental toxins worth addressing first, and where to find better product alternativesHow gut health and food sensitivities tie into hormone balance and fertilityPractical ways to get a reluctant partner on board with preconception changesConnect with Dr. Brayton at https://www.drlaurabrayton.com or on Instagram at @drlaurabrayton. You can also listen to Well-Adjusted Mama! Ready to prep for pregnancy? Check out Real Food Prenatal! Got a topic you want covered? Fill out this form Want to be a guest? Apply here ____________________________________________________________________________ *As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. ____________________________________________________________________________ NEXT STEPS: >> Courses >> Email list >> FREE nutrition guide >> Postpartum cookbooks   Please consider leaving a rating and review to share the love! :)

Third trimester comes with a lot of decisions, all at once. This episode is a full, evidence-based rundown of everything worth doing before baby arrives — GBS testing, pelvic floor prep beyond kegels, finalizing your birth preferences, choosing a pediatrician, and lining up your support team, so nothing gets missed. In this episode: The 12 things to focus on this trimester, and the "why" behind each onePelvic floor prep that goes beyond kegelsThe questions to ask your pediatrician and birth providerBuilding your birth preferences as a decision frameworkSetting up your support team and preparing emotionally, not just physicallyResources mentioned: GBS testing handout: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GBS-Handout.pdfThe Miles Circuit: https://www.milescircuit.com/Download the third trimester checklist! Want more holistic postpartum prep resources? Check out Blood Bone + Broth!  Got a topic you want covered? Fill out this form Want to be a guest? Apply here ____________________________________________________________________________ *As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. ____________________________________________________________________________ NEXT STEPS: >> Courses >> Email list >> FREE nutrition guide >> Postpartum cookbooks   Please consider leaving a rating and review to share the love! :)

The 5-5-5 rule — 5 days in bed, 5 days on the bed, 5 days around the bed — is one of the better postpartum recovery frameworks out there. This episode walks through what's physiologically happening in your body and mind during each phase, what's normal, and what's not. In this episode: What the 5-5-5 rule is and where it comes fromWhat's physically happening in each phase — bleeding, healing, hormones, feedingNormal vs. concerning signs at each stageWhy protecting this time matters more than anything else💡 Want more holistic postpartum prep resources? Check out our postpartum prep course! Got a topic you want covered? Fill out this form Want to be a guest? Apply here ____________________________________________________________________________ *As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. ____________________________________________________________________________ NEXT STEPS: >> Courses >> Email list >> FREE nutrition guide >> Postpartum cookbooks   Please consider leaving a rating and review to share the love! :)

Most hospital bag lists are overpacked with things you'll never open. This episode breaks down what's truly worth bringing and organized in helpful categories! In this episode, we cover: What you need for labor (and what hospitals already provide)Creating a physiologic birth environment: lighting, sound, scent, and comfortCoping tools that support labor, and why a doula is worth consideringWhat you need for postpartum recovery, baby, and your support person in the first day or two after birthPaperwork and documents to have readyWhat to leave at home (aka things you do not actually need)📚 Download the free hospital bag checklist 💡 Check out Unshakeable Birth for holistic resources and birth prep! Got a topic you want covered? Fill out this form Want to be a guest? Apply here ____________________________________________________________________________ *As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. ____________________________________________________________________________ NEXT STEPS: >> Courses >> Email list >> FREE nutrition guide >> Postpartum cookbooks   Please consider leaving a rating and review to share the love! :)

After a summer away, I'm back and using this episode to catch you up on where I've been, what's changing about the show, and where it's headed this season! In this episode: Recap of my summer (I left Instagram!)The shifts I'm making for the showNEW! Topic suggestion form NEW! Guest application formA few sneak peeks at what's coming this seasonGot a topic you want covered? Fill out this form Want to be a guest? Apply here ____________________________________________________________________________ *As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. ____________________________________________________________________________ NEXT STEPS: >> Courses >> Email list >> FREE nutrition guide >> Postpartum cookbooks   Please consider leaving a rating and review to share the love! :)

Hey, welcome! We're talking about my top 3 pregnancy MUST DO's today.. but first, we've got a few announcements! FIRST..... We're taking a little break! We'll be back in August with fresh content, new guests and plenty of education to go around! In the meantime, this is a great opportunity to binge previous episodes AND/OR join the course community and get to work! Use code PODCAST for an extra 10% off. Holistic Doula School: If you've been feeling a pull to support mothers through pregnancy, birth and postpartum but aren't sure how or where to start.. send me an email at [email protected] or join the waitlist here. Needed: Get high quality prenatal supplements and vitamins using code HOLISTICPREGNANCY for 20% off! Got a topic you want covered? Fill out this form Want to be a guest? Apply here ____________________________________________________________________________ *As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. ____________________________________________________________________________ NEXT STEPS: >> Courses >> Email list >> FREE nutrition guide >> Postpartum cookbooks   Please consider leaving a rating and review to share the love! :)

Today, we are talking with Liz Kohut, a certified peristeam specialist. Liz stumbled upon Vaginal Steaming following a miscarriage in 2018 after her doctor suggested a D&C and she declined. Liz knew there had to be a more natural and non-invasive option. After she saw the positive effects of regular Vaginal Steaming (also known as peri, womb or yoni steaming), she decided to take the Peristeam Facilitator course offered by The Steamy Chick Institute. Her goal is to bring more awareness to this long-standing practice throughout countries all over the world in order to help educate women through the use of Vaginal Steaming with a focus on uterine health for fertility, pregnancy, pregnancy loss, postpartum as well as navigating every stage of life - maiden, mother, crone!  You can find Liz on Instagram @wildwood_wellness_ Shop all of my favorite supplements, electrolytes and protein powders from Just Ingredients! Use code TAYLORSHAFFER for an extra 10% off your order! Got a topic you want covered? Fill out this form Want to be a guest? Apply here ____________________________________________________________________________ *As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. ____________________________________________________________________________ NEXT STEPS: >> Courses >> Email list >> FREE nutrition guide >> Postpartum cookbooks   Please consider leaving a rating and review to share the love! :)

Folate is one of the most talked about nutrients in pregnancy, but also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we break down what folate actually does, why the form matters, and how it impacts methylation and your baby’s development. I’m joined by Dr. Eric Ciappio and Lauren Eisen from Balchem, the company behind Optifolin+®. We talk through folate vs. folic acid, what MTHFR actually means, and why so many women feel confused when choosing a prenatal. We also cover how to think about bioavailable nutrients in real life, including options like Needed, which uses methylated folate and choline in forms your body can actually use. You can check them out in the show notes and use code HOLISTICPREGNANCY for 20% off. If you’ve ever questioned your prenatal or felt overwhelmed by conflicting information, this episode will give you a more grounded way to approach it. As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Got a topic you want covered? Fill out this form Want to be a guest? Apply here ____________________________________________________________________________ *As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. ____________________________________________________________________________ NEXT STEPS: >> Courses >> Email list >> FREE nutrition guide >> Postpartum cookbooks   Please consider leaving a rating and review to share the love! :)

Choosing where to give birth is about more than picking a location. In this episode, we walk through how hospital, birth center, and homebirth settings differ, what each one is designed for, and how to think through this decision in a way that aligns with your body, your values, and your pregnancy. We talk about how to think about safety beyond just emergency access, how the hospital model of care influences labor and decision-making, what makes birth centers different, and how homebirth works. We also cover why your provider, preparation, and support system matter just as much as location, along with practical questions to help you decide what is the best fit for you. Kindred Bravely: Use code NESTEDANDNOURISHED15 for a discount. If you want deeper support as you prepare for birth, our holistic birth courses walk you through how to understand your options, navigate decisions in real time, and approach your birth feeling grounded and informed. Use code PODCAST for 10% off. Connect with me on Instagram @holisticpregnancy.co! Got a topic you want covered? Fill out this form Want to be a guest? Apply here ____________________________________________________________________________ *As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. ____________________________________________________________________________ NEXT STEPS: >> Courses >> Email list >> FREE nutrition guide >> Postpartum cookbooks   Please consider leaving a rating and review to share the love! :)

I’m joined by Lizzie Bolliger (known online as @fiercelizzie) for a conversation about what advocacy during labor actually looks like in real life. We talk about why birth education alone isn’t always enough, how institutional momentum shows up during labor, and how preparation before labor can dramatically change the experience in the room. If you’ve ever wondered how advocacy really works when labor is unfolding in real time, this episode will give you a much clearer picture. In this episode, we cover: Why “just advocate for yourself” often falls apart during laborThe difference between knowing information and being able to use it in the momentHow subtle provider pressure shows up in birth settingsWhy saying “no” is rarely as simple as it soundsThe role of partners in protecting the birth spaceHow birth preparation changes the dynamic in the roomWhat real advocacy actually looks like during labor ____________________________________________________________________________________ Kindred Bravely — maternity and postpartum essentials designed for pregnancy, recovery, and breastfeeding. Get 15% off your order with code NESTEDANDNOURISHED15. For deeper education on birth decisions, advocacy, and preparing for labor conversations, explore Unshakeable Birth inside Holistic Pregnancy School. Got a topic you want covered? Fill out this form Want to be a guest? Apply here ____________________________________________________________________________ *As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. ____________________________________________________________________________ NEXT STEPS: >> Courses >> Email list >> FREE nutrition guide >> Postpartum cookbooks   Please consider leaving a rating and review to share the love! :)

In this episode, we’re breaking down pregnancy nutrition in simple, practical terms. Instead of focusing on restriction, we’re looking at pregnancy like a construction project — because your body is literally building a baby, a placenta, new blood volume, and preparing for postpartum recovery. All of that requires raw materials, and food is where those materials come from! We’re also talking about why babies can still be born healthy even when nutrition isn’t ideal — and why that often means the mother’s body absorbs the cost. This episode walks through the five pillars of pregnancy nutrition and how to apply them in real life so you can support both your baby’s development and your own long-term health. In this episode, we cover: Where the “materials” for building a baby actually come fromWhat affects baby directly vs. what affects mom (and why both matter)Why many women feel depleted after pregnancyThe 5 pillars of pregnancy nutritionSimple ways to support nourishment even if things feel overwhelmingMentioned in the episode: ☕️ If you’re going to drink coffee during pregnancy, quality matters. Purity Coffee tests for mold, mycotoxins, pesticides, and heavy metals, and uses organic specialty-grade beans roasted to preserve antioxidants. Use code NESTEDANDNOURISHED for 20% off your purchase! 📚 If you want a clear, food-first plan for nourishing yourself during pregnancy — including protein targets, mineral support, trimester adjustments, and practical meal frameworks — that’s exactly what I teach inside Real Food Prenatal. Enroll now to start optimizing your nutrition today! Got a topic you want covered? Fill out this form Want to be a guest? Apply here ____________________________________________________________________________ *As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. ____________________________________________________________________________ NEXT STEPS: >> Courses >> Email list >> FREE nutrition guide >> Postpartum cookbooks   Please consider leaving a rating and review to share the love! :)

We talk a lot about intuition in the pregnancy and birth space. But intuition isn’t something you magically access when labor starts. It’s something you strengthen — and it starts in the body. In this episode, I sit down with kinesiologist and Pilates specialist Rachael Robertson to explore how embodied movement builds trust, awareness, and nervous system regulation. We discuss: What embodiment actually means (and why so many women feel disconnected)How chronic tension, old injuries, and overtraining impact intuitionThe link between nervous system safety and physiological birthWhy pelvic stability and breathwork matter long before labor beginsMovement as preparation for pregnancy, birth, and postpartumHow to stop overriding your body and start listening to itThis conversation is about rebuilding strength without force — and developing the kind of body awareness that carries into labor, motherhood, and everyday life. Grab my favorite clean, grass-fed beef protein powders from Equip Foods and use code TAYLORSHAFFER for 15% off of your order! Got a topic you want covered? Fill out this form Want to be a guest? Apply here ____________________________________________________________________________ *As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. ____________________________________________________________________________ NEXT STEPS: >> Courses >> Email list >> FREE nutrition guide >> Postpartum cookbooks   Please consider leaving a rating and review to share the love! :)

In this episode, I am sitting down with Jes Reynolds, founder of Born From Her and the world’s only Holistic Root-Cause Hyperemesis Gravidarum Practitioner, to explore hyperemesis gravidarum from a completely different angle. Rather than accepting HG as random or unavoidable, Jes explains how mineral depletion, nervous system stress, nutritional gaps, and preconception preparation may all play a role. This conversation covers both prevention and management — without minimizing the very real severity of HG. You’ll learn: What hyperemesis gravidarum actually isWhy the “it’s just hormones” explanation falls shortThe role of mineral status and depletionNervous system regulation and stress loadPreconception preparation strategiesHolistic support tools during pregnancyHow to think about root cause while still honoring symptom managementConnect with Jes on Instgram at @born_from_her _______________________________________________________________________________________ Resources mentioned in the episode: 📲 Schedule an HG Prevention & Relief Strategy Call HERE 🌿 For high-quality, bioavailable prenatal support — including powder prenatal options and electrolyte support — visit Needed and use code HOLISTICPREGNANCY for 20% off your order. Got a topic you want covered? Fill out this form Want to be a guest? Apply here ____________________________________________________________________________ *As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. ____________________________________________________________________________ NEXT STEPS: >> Courses >> Email list >> FREE nutrition guide >> Postpartum cookbooks   Please consider leaving a rating and review to share the love! :)

The Estimated Due Date (EDD) is based on Naegele’s Rule — a 200-year-old formula that assumes a 28-day cycle and ovulation on day 14. In this episode, we unpack why that’s overly simplistic, how ultrasound “dating” plays into it, and how a single date creates unnecessary urgency around induction. We also cover: What’s actually considered a normal gestation rangeHow the label “overdue” shifts decision-makingAbsolute vs. relative risk at 39–41+ weeksPractical questions to ask your providerMindset shifts to move from a due date to a due windowGrounded ways to navigate the final weeks without anxietyIf your due date is approaching — or has passed — this episode will help you zoom out, think critically, and prepare for birth based on physiology, not external pressures. Kindred Bravely — Use this link for 15% off and grab a few comfortable, functional maternity and postpartum essentials! Got a topic you want covered? Fill out this form Want to be a guest? Apply here ____________________________________________________________________________ *As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. ____________________________________________________________________________ NEXT STEPS: >> Courses >> Email list >> FREE nutrition guide >> Postpartum cookbooks   Please consider leaving a rating and review to share the love! :)