Healthy As A Mother - podcast cover

Healthy As A Mother

Dr. Morgan MacDermott & Dr. Leah Gordonwww.healthyasamother.com

Healthy as a Mother, the podcast for becoming and being a mother, with your cohosts Dr. Leah Gordon and Dr. Morgan MacDermott, two naturopathic doctors who get it. Each week we teach you how to be the healthiest mother you can be - from fertility and preconception, to pregnancy and birth prep, through postpartum and throughout motherhood - empowering you with the natural health guidance and education you’re not getting elsewhere, so you can confidently navigate the broken system at large. The real, the raw, the un-talked about.

Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

#31: The Power of Progesterone: An Essential Fertility Hormone

What do PMS, anxiety, sleep issues, and miscarriages all have in common? Low progesterone may be playing a role in any of these. In today's episode we unpack everything you need to know about progesterone. We talk about the important role it plays in hormone balance, fertility and conception, and maintaining a pregnancy. We discuss why it may be low, how to tell if you are, how to test for it, and what to do to increase it naturally . We dive into supplementing with progesterone and we answer al...

Aug 25, 20231 hr 29 minSeason 3Ep. 31

#30: Beyond Egg Count: Discussing Ovarian Reserve with Dr. Marc Sklar

You are not just your egg count. When it comes to fertility there is so much more going on, even if you have low ovarian reserve. Today we interview Dr. Marc Sklar, a natural fertility specialist and we talk about eggs, what is at the root of low ovarian reserve, and what to do about it. Dr. Marc shares what he wishes for the world of fertility, and he shares his incredible wisdom. You do not want to miss this one. Today we interview Dr. Marc Sklar — a.k.a The Fertility Expert — is a natural fer...

Jul 26, 202357 minEp. 30

#29: Top 3 Things Each Doctor is Doing to Prep: Dr. Leah's Conception & Dr. Morgan's Birth

We are right there with you in the process of growing our families, and in this episode, we take you through the top 3 areas of focus each of us are prioritizing as we prep for the big transitions we both have coming up in the next few months. For Dr. Leah, it’s optimizing her health to conceive her second child, and for me Dr. Morgan, it’s preparing for the birth and postpartum of my fourth child. Dr. Leah leads you through her personal preconception journey, including what supplements she is t...

Jul 19, 20231 hr 17 min

#28: Relationships While TTC Part 2: Sex & Intimacy

We are back for part 2 of navigating relationships while trying to conceive. In this episode, we dive deeper into sex and intimacy. We discuss libido and sex while trying to conceive, during infertility, after pregnancy loss, connection with your partner, and relationship dynamics and advice. This episode is packed full of practical tips on how to navigate the complexity of this, what struggles with intimacy or sex in women and men may mean about your fertility, and we share our own personal exp...

Jul 12, 20231 hr 6 min

#27: The Complexity of Relationships Around Trying to Conceive: Part 1

What is it like to be someone going through infertility while others around you conceive easily - or vice versa? And how can you best support someone who is going through infertility? Relationship dynamics while trying to conceive, or while supporting someone who is trying to conceive, can be tricky to manage - and we are no strangers to how this can play out in a close friendship. Join us in this two-part series where we share our personal relationship story of how easy conceiving versus infert...

Jul 05, 20231 hr 5 min

#26: All Things Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy with Dr. Lauren Mallari-Snyder, DPT

Is it normal to pee when you sneeze? Can you lift weights while pregnant? What’s the best way to start working out again after having a baby? Join us this week as we talk with pelvic floor physical therapist, Dr. Lauren mallari-Snyder, to dispel common myths, discuss dysfunction versus health, vaginal versus cesarean birth recovery, prolapse, urinary AND fecal incontinence and so, so much more. Info from Episode: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtHmPlwKnXy/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D Dr. Lauren'...

Jun 29, 20231 hr 41 min

#25: Ask Us Anything: Part 2

You all had so many questions from the first round that we had to make a part two so that we could answer all of your questions! In this Q&A episode, we get into topics like how we personally handle conflict with our partners, lanolin use for nipple healing, how much we both weigh, how to handle people around you wearing perfume, melatonin and caffeine in pregnancy and what if you and your partner disagree on the number of children to have, and more! We get into some nitty gritty around gene...

Jun 21, 202344 min

#24: Ask Us Anything: Part 1

We said, "Ask us anything" and now we are responding. In this Q&A episode, we answer a few of the top questions we received from our listeners. We dive into what implantation bleeding looks like, the pros and cons of IUDs AND vasectomies, Phexxi birth control and its impact on the vagina, anxiety in the first trimester, chronic constipation in kids, and how to raise progesterone and testosterone. We share our real-life vulnerable answers to some of these questions and as always aim to help t...

Jun 14, 202347 min

#23: All About Weaning: Philosophy, How To, and Factors to Consider

How in the world do you begin weaning your child, and when can you safely start? In this episode we talk in detail about factors to consider for night weaning and day weaning (because they are different), as well as my personal, yet also tried and true method of how to organize and approach the topic with your child in a way that respects their emotions AND respects the milk in your boobs so you're at less risk for clogged ducts or mastitis. We discuss weaning babies versus toddlers, whether or ...

Jun 07, 202356 min

#22: Detoxing Before Pregnancy: Why and How to Do It

What are toxins and what is a detox? Why is detoxing important to do before you become pregnant? In this episode we unpack the buzz word "detox" and discuss what detoxing actually is, why it's important to do before becoming pregnant, and how to do it. We share some of our favorite tips and how to find the balance between awareness and overwhelm. This is an important topic, so let's dive in! Dr. Leah's Detox Before Pregnancy Course Favorite Low-Tox Products DOCTOR'S WEBSITES Dr. Leah’s website: ...

May 31, 202348 min

#21 Postpartum Depression & Anxiety: Five Important Considerations

Dr. Morgan here, and this episode is near and dear to my heart - as I am no stranger to the experience of postpartum depression and anxiety. I feel for myself looking back on those experiences, and have immense compassion for those going through these dark times. PPD and PPA unfortunately affect as many as 1 in 7 or 8 women, and we are here today to tease out five possible root causes so that in case these are a component in your story, you have a path to walk towards finding yourself again. Som...

May 24, 20231 hr 16 min

#20: Home Birth Turned C-Section: Dr. Leah's Birth Story

If there is one thing I have learned along my journey toward motherhood it is surrender. Circumstances and events don't always go as planned. The fact that I, a naturopathic doctor who aims to do as little intervention as possible, ended up needing medical assistance to not only conceive but also birth my baby is beyond ironic. Dr. Morgan and I relive the crazy story of my daughter's birth and I share not only the journey but also the insights that brought me peace through a process that ended u...

May 17, 20231 hr 9 min

#19: Dr. Morgan's Three Home Birth Stories

Story time! Come along with me as I walk you through my first three home birth stories, and how I plan to prep for my FOURTH birth set for late October. I've had a variety of experiences, and learned new lessons each time. From a long arduous back labor to a very quick and shocking fetal ejection reflex birth, to then the middle-ground goldilocks 12 hour labor and my first water birth - you'll be sure to laugh alongside Dr. Leah and I through this one! Let's go! DOCTOR'S WEBSITES Dr. Leah’s webs...

May 10, 20231 hr 14 min

#18: "Just Relax" and the Wisdom Behind Fertility Energy

Are you trying to conceive? Have you been told to "Just Relax." It's such a common statement to hear along the fertility journey and to some of us it can be incredibly invalidating and frustrating because it isn't always that easy. However, is there something to this statement and concept? Does relaxing actually play a factor in trying to conceive? We talk about this as well as the concept of the fertility battery and the wisdom behind fertility energy. This is a game changing episode, so let's ...

May 03, 202342 min

#17: Developing a Birth Plan

Don't let anyone make fun of you for making a birth plan. In this episode, we talk about the idea and energetics of writing a birth plan, all of the various components to consider adding, as well as some philosophy on flexibility during birth. We dive into various newborn and mother-based interventions to be aware so that you, your partner, and any labor support people can be on the same page in advocating for the choices you want for you and your baby. We cover a LOT, so you may want to re-list...

Apr 26, 202355 min

#16: Egg Quality: An Underrated Essential to Fertility Success

This important part of fertility can determine whether you conceive, whether you maintain the pregnancy and don't miscarry, and it can impact the health of your future baby from childhood through their adult life! It's the quality of your eggs! Eggs are the female equivalent of sperm in a man. Together egg and sperm are what meet to create your baby, so they are pretty important. Today we talk about them and how to improve your egg quality to improve fertility outcomes as well as how to live in ...

Apr 19, 202347 min

#15: Wanting to Want It: The Low-Down on Low Libido

Today we are discussing one of the hottest topics we talk about: low libido, aka low sex drive. What is low libido? How much sex is normal? What factors affect it? What to do if you "Want to Want It, But Don't?" What can you do to boost your sex drive? We answer all of this and more in this episode. You do NOT want to miss this one, so grab a nice cup of tea and curl up to listen as we share the low-down on low libido. Dr. Leah's course: The Libido Code DOCTOR'S WEBSITES Dr. Leah’s website: www....

Mar 29, 202347 min

#14: Mastitis and Clogged Ducts: What TO Do and What NOT To Do

Mastitis care guidelines have changed for the better, and this episode teaches you more than just the basic methods of how to manage it. We also discuss how to prevent it, how to tell which type you have, what to do if it becomes recurrent, and then most importantly - what TO do and what NOT to do - and it might surprise you. This episode hits home for me due to my own long unfortunate history with recurrent mastitis, and I am over the moon to share what I’ve learned over the last several years ...

Mar 22, 202340 min

#13: Baby Brain Support in Pregnancy with Dr. Ari Calhoun

You may have heard of Autism before, but I bet you have never heard what our special guest doctor has to say about it. Today we interview Dr. Ari Calhoun, one of the top experts on Autism and other childhood brain development conditions. She helps us unpack this increasingly common diagnosis, and she shares some practical tips on how to support your child's brain development before pregnancy, in utero, and during early childhood in order to reduce the risks for Autism and other neurodevelopment ...

Mar 15, 202349 min

#12: A Deep Dive into Lip and Tongue Ties

What in the world is a tongue lie, and how does it affect baby’s ability to breastfeed, eat solids, speak, keep their teeth clean, breathe well, and develop the structure of their face? This is a large topic, and a little touchy. The tongue tie world has exploded in the last several years - and for good reason. Families need resources to help figure out what is happening with their babies - but there’s a darker side of the industry that takes advantage of a growing problem, for profit. No one is...

Mar 08, 20231 hr 1 min

#11: Postpartum Sex: What to Expect and How To Improve It

This is a juicy episode, so get ready. We are talking all about postpartum sex, how things can change after baby, what to expect, what to share with your partner about those changes, and what to do to support yourself in this season. On this podcast we like to talk about the real, the raw, and the un-talked about, and this is no exception. So here we go! DOCTOR'S WEBSITES Dr. Leah’s website: www.womanhoodwellness.com Dr. Leah's IG: https://www.instagram.com/drleahgordon/ Dr. Morgan’s website: ww...

Mar 01, 202350 min

#10: Breastfeeding: What to Know BEFORE Your Baby is Born

Breastfeeding is the next natural step after birthing a baby - but guess what, you AND your baby still have to learn how to do it. In this episode, we discuss several principles to successful breastfeeding, and how to prepare for the process during your pregnancy. Having a newborn comes with many steep learning curves, and this is certainly one of them - but having education and resources to back your inherent instincts and motivation to breastfeed your baby can make or break the experience. We ...

Feb 22, 202343 min

#09: Body Image from Womanhood to Motherhood with Dr. Cerra Kelly

We’re talking all things body image in pregnancy and postpartum this week, with special guest, Dr. Cerra Kelly naturopathic doctor and women’s reproductive health expert. The body changes that come with building and raising children are largely un talked about and almost considered taboo. There’s immense pressure to “snap back” to your old body, one without any marks or signs of life. We’re here to destroy that notion, and deeply discuss the work that many women must go through to find body neut...

Feb 15, 202326 min

#08: The IVF Fix: When IVF is Needed and When It May Not Be

I wouldn’t be a mom without IVF and I am so grateful for it. But is IVF always the right choice, or are so many women and couples being shuttled into this path unnecessarily? In this episode we talk about it all, from the broken fertility system, to the miraculous, and sometimes unnecessary act that is IVF. We discuss what you can do NOW to prevent needing IVF or what steps to take to assess your fertility whether you are just starting your fertility journey or are a seasoned infertility warrior...

Feb 08, 202339 min

#07: Postpartum Healing: No More Mothers Left in the Dust

This episode is all about how to properly take care of YOU during your postpartum period, commonly called the fourth trimester. Our culture places a lot of emphasis on the new baby, and rightly so, but we’re sadly missing a huge piece of this puzzle - the health, recovery, and well-being of the new mother. We discuss what practices cultures throughout history and around the world have done to care for their new mothers, and how to plan and prepare for your own well supported, well nourished, and...

Feb 01, 202353 min

#06: Sperm Matter: Why We Should Care About Male Fertility

In this episode we unpack why sperm matter, the important role of male fertility, and how it’s drastically declining. We break down how sperm are made, what can impact them, and what practical steps you, or your partner can do to optimize sperm, improve fertility outcomes, and change the trajectory of your future children's health. This topic is very near and dear to my heart as you will soon find out. Grab a pen and paper or get ready to add some notes to your phone, and let’s get started! COUR...

Jan 25, 202341 min

#05: Biohacking Birth: What You Need to Know Before You Do It

Get ready because this is one of my favorite topics of all time. Consider this episode a mini crash course in birth, discussing things like what triggers labor to begin, and how it all starts, what exactly is happening inside your body and with your important labor hormones, and how we can use this understanding to “bio hack” your birth experience to support positive outcomes. We discuss the types of things that can cause birth to stall out, why contractions hurt and how to reduce that pain, and...

Jan 18, 202348 min

#04: Preconception: What It Is and Why It Matters

This episode is packed full of everything you need for the preconception or prior to pregnancy season. We talk about it all from the moment you decide to get off birth control all the way to the time you were actually trying to conceive. We share practical tips on setting your body up for success, using nutrition and sleep, removing toxins, practicing stress management, the healing power of nature. And we even talk about your partner's role. You may want to grab a pen and paper for this one. The...

Jan 12, 202346 min

#03: The Birth Control “Cure”: Why Birth Control Is Not the Answer

In this juicy episode, we go over the origin of birth control and its history so you can understand this fully. Then we dive into what exactly birth control is doing to your body and why birth control periods are not REAL periods. We discussed why birth control is often prescribed and why it shouldn't be used as a catchall for women's hormonal imbalances. Learn, what you can do to support your body on and off birth control to protect your hormones and preserve your fertility. Dr. Leah's website:...

Jan 10, 202339 min

#02: The Birth System Trap: Pitfalls of Modern Birth

In this episode, we discuss the unfortunate realities of the modern industrialized birth system, how it is not conducive to supporting the physiology of labor, and how this means real, tangible, poor outcomes for mothers and babies. We break down due dates, unnecessary interventions, inductions, cesareans, and the tenants of physiological labor that are generally unsupported in the most hospital systems today. This is what happens when individualized care isn't the standard, and we break down se...

Jan 09, 202344 min
Hosted on Buzzsprout
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android