Episodios

  • #145: Coming Off Birth Control: What Your Body Needs Before Pregnancy

    #145: Coming Off Birth Control: What Your Body Needs Before Pregnancy
    Dec 31 2025

    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 today
    • The 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
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    1 h y 5 m
  • #144: The Hidden Emotional Toll of Infertility | Dr. Andrea Liner

    #144: The Hidden Emotional Toll of Infertility | Dr. Andrea Liner
    Dec 24 2025

    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
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    50 m
  • #143: Supplements in Pregnancy: What You SHOULD and SHOULD NOT Take

    #143: Supplements in Pregnancy: What You SHOULD and SHOULD NOT Take
    Dec 17 2025
    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 developmentResources Mentioned:Orthomolecular Vitamin D3 + K2 Drops | WebsiteHealthy as a Mother episode on Baby Brain Support in Pregnancy with Dr. Ari Calhoun | Spotify or AppleDr. Morgan's Managing Illness While Pregnant or Breastfeeding Course | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHERSave 10% on pasture-raised bone broths from FOND with code HEALTHYMOTHER
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    51 m
  • #142: Why Salt Is More Important Than You Think | Darryl Bosshardt

    #142: Why Salt Is More Important Than You Think | Darryl Bosshardt
    Dec 10 2025
    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 processingResources Mentioned:Find A Spring | WebsiteWater & Salt, the Essence of Life by Barbara Hendel and Peter Ferreira | BookFDA Total Diet Study | ArticleFind more from Darryl Bosshardt by following him on LinkedIn.Find more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
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    1 h y 20 m
  • #141: 7 Everyday Things That Are Actually Bad for Your Hormones & Fertility - And What to Use Instead

    #141: 7 Everyday Things That Are Actually Bad for Your Hormones & Fertility - And What to Use Instead
    Dec 3 2025
    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 realizeResources Mentioned:Auden Underwear | WebsiteCountry Save Laundry Detergent | AmazonMolly Suds Laundry Detergent | AmazonBranch Basics Laundry Detergent | WebsitePyrex Food Storage | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
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    40 m
  • #140: You’ll Never Conceive Until You Do This (The Top Fertility Killers)

    #140: You’ll Never Conceive Until You Do This (The Top Fertility Killers)
    Nov 26 2025
    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 blocksResources Mentioned:Vibrant Wellness – Environmental Toxins Test | WebsiteFor 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 AppleFind more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
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    29 m
  • #139: How to Transition Back to Work After Having a Baby | Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton ND

    #139: How to Transition Back to Work After Having a Baby | Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton ND
    Nov 19 2025
    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 collideResources Mentioned:All supplements can be found through Fullscript (save 15%)Electric flosser | AmazonLearn more from Dr. Jaclyn on her website. You can also follow her on LinkedIn.Explore gentle, science-based cold & flu wellness tips from Dr. MorganFind more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
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    1 h y 25 m
  • #138: Everything You Need to Know About Post-Weaning Hormones in 30 Minutes

    #138: Everything You Need to Know About Post-Weaning Hormones in 30 Minutes
    Nov 12 2025
    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 energyResources Mentioned:Milk Medicine Pregnancy Course | WebsiteRelated Healthy as a Mother Podcast Episodes:All About Weaning: Philosophy, How To, and Factors to Consider | Spotify or AppleBreastfeeding and Trying To Conceive | Spotify or AppleMastitis and Clogged Ducts: What TO Do and What NOT To Do | Spotify or AppleBaby-Led Weaning with Thriving Foundations with Dr. Alyssa | Spotify or AppleFind more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
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    29 m