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.
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.
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
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
Want to learn all of Dr. Morgan's expert advice on pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum? Get her lessons here!
Ultrasounds can save babies… and harm them.
In this episode, we break down the real risks, the imperfect tech, and the benefits so you can choose with nuance. We don’t take an all-or-nothing stance; We look at where this tool helps and where it doesn’t, and name the common pressure tracks people get swept into.
You’ll hear what makes the first trimester different, why short scans matter, and how an anatomy scan fits. We pull back the curtain on false alarms, anxiety spirals, and the temptation to use a Doppler like a security blanket. Sometimes the smartest move is giving your body what it already needs.
You’ll Learn:
[00:00] Introduction
[06:00] Choosing reassurance without overuse
[11:00] Early scans: where caution matters
[16:00] When false results derail a pregnancy
[20:57] IUGR: balancing risk and timing
[26:11] The miscarriage myth gets a reality check
[29:16] What a randomized trial found about child outcomes
[36:58] Choosing acceptance when you feel out of control
[40:36] Why the ‘right’ choice looks different for every Mom
[50:18] What the 20-week anatomy scan is for
[1:11:00] What a late-pregnancy biophysical profile actually checks
Resources Mentioned:
Healthy as a Mother podcast episode on The Power of Progesterone: An Essential Fertility Hormone | Apple or Spotify
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 chasing health and beauty ends up making us sick, anxious, and disconnected?
This episode is all about choosing joy instead of fear and questioning the pressure to do everything “right,” from Botox to seed oils. That lens applies to everything, hair dye, kids’ snacks, and even the bread at an Italian restaurant. We need to ask what actually serves our bodies and our stress levels.
The internet is a great resource, but it has created immense confusion around wellness because for every idea you can easily find an opposition with just as much conviction. We explore that same middle ground in fertility, where IVF might make sense for some while natural approaches fit others. Of course, we always bring it home to motherhood and discuss screens, childcare, and the everyday mess of trying to balance it all without losing ourselves in the extremes.
You’ll Learn:
[00:00] Introduction
[06:09] Where the line blurs between natural beauty choices and Botox
[09:08] The hidden costs of breast implants and why “safe” options aren’t risk-free
[10:18] How losing facial expression with Botox may impact kids and human connection
[22:33] Why obsessing over toxins or food rules can harm more than help
[26:11] The mindset shift that transforms health choices from fear to joy
[32:56] Navigating the nuanced spectrum between fertility treatments and natural approaches
[38:57] How to balance being present with your kids while still holding boundaries
[41:25] The real struggles of working motherhood and why guilt shows up on both sides
[51:06] Why extremes create suffering and why most wisdom lives in the middle
Resources Mentioned:
Healthy as a Mother podcast episode on How to Handle Sibling Fights with Ralphie Jacobs | Apple or Spotify or YouTube
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
Sick while breastfeeding or pregnant? Click here to learn all Dr. Morgan’s top natural and effective remedies to help yourself through colds, flus, allergies, and UTIs!
What if the real reason for low milk supply isn’t your body at all?
In this episode, we sit down with Lynnelle King, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and craniosacral therapist. She brings decades of experience, a deep background in lactation and tongue and lip ties, and the perspective of a mother of eight who runs a busy clinic helping women succeed at breastfeeding when nothing else has worked.
We open up the conversation on low milk supply. From true insufficient glandular tissue to tongue ties and structural issues, we get into the realities behind why breastfeeding can feel impossible. This is a grounded, practical look at the different causes and what mothers often miss when they’re told their bodies “just don’t make enough milk.”
Timestamps:
[00:00] Introduction
[13:10] Why true insufficient glandular tissue is rare, and what breast changes signal it
[16:40] How using a supplemental nursing system can build more milk-making tissue
[17:10] The reality of grief when supply is low and the role of donor milk
[18:12] How undiagnosed tongue and lip ties quietly reduce supply
[37:41] Why toxic exposures in utero can affect breast development
[38:50] Why implants and reductions affect milk supply in completely different ways
[56:40] What happens to milk supply when you get pregnant again
[1:05:05] The link between stress hormones, oxytocin, and the let-down reflex
Resources Mentioned:
Healthy as a Mother podcast episode on A Deep Dive into Lip and Tongue Ties | Apple or Spotify
Mastitis Manual by Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website
Immune Wellness class with Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website
SNS Tube | Amazon
Breath by James Nestor | Book or Audiobook
Nipple Shield | Amazon
Ninni Co-Pacifier | Website Use Code MORGM10 for 10% off
Learn more from Lynnelle on her website. You can also follow her on 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
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 hormone blocking your ovulation is the same one draining your desire?
This episode is all about prolactin… a hormone made by the pituitary gland that plays a key role in breastfeeding. We get into how high prolactin can impact fertility, libido, and even dopamine, and why stress, sleep, exercise, and certain medications push it out of balance. There are natural ways to bring prolactin back into range, from nutrients like B6 and magnesium to lifestyle shifts. This is the hormone no one’s talking about, but everyone should understand.
You’ll Learn:
[00:00] Introduction
[03:52] The surprising role prolactin plays in fertility, libido, and postpartum health
[06:29] The push-pull between prolactin and dopamine that impacts desire and motivation
[10:08] Why ADHD symptoms often worsen postpartum when prolactin rises
[12:33] How high prolactin can block ovulation, your body’s natural “birth control”
[14:04] How elevated prolactin shortens luteal phases and lowers progesterone
[15:30] Hidden triggers of prolactin imbalance
[23:44] The critical lab-testing tip that prevents false high prolactin results
[26:09] How nutrient deficiencies and marijuana use can silently drive prolactin higher
[28:09] Symptoms that reveal a prolactin problem
[35:38] Prolactin’s purposeful role in suppressing sex drive during breastfeeding
[38:17] How modern lifestyle stressors mimic postpartum and confuse prolactin levels
[55:20] Natural supports that bring prolactin back in balance
Find more from Dr. Leah:
Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram
Dr. Leah Gordon | Website
Dr. Leah Gordon | 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
Got sick kids? Click here to learn all our favorite natural remedies for children from newborn through to big kids!
What if sibling rivalry isn’t something to fix, but something kids actually need?
In this episode, we sit down with Ralphie Jacobs, founder of Simply On Purpose. She’s a mom of four, holds a degree in early childhood education, and has spent years turning her curiosity about child development into practical parenting wisdom.
We get into the messy reality of siblings fighting and why it’s not only unavoidable but also essential for growth. Ralphie shares how to know when to step in, when to step back, and how to shift the way we see conflict so it doesn’t push our kids apart but helps them build stronger bonds.
You’ll Learn:
Timestamps:
[00:00] Introduction
[04:25] Why sibling rivalry can be healthy and how parents can respond wisely
[09:51] How labeling children shapes their identity and how parents can guide with compassion
[17:32] Fostering sibling connection by avoiding comparisons and focusing on individual needs
[25:36] Why one-on-one time with older children reduces sibling rivalry and builds security
[32:12] When to step into sibling arguments and when to let kids work it out
[42:10] Why parents should avoid negative labels and focus on guiding developmental behavior
[44:00] Creating a calm home by focusing on what really matters in parenting
Join Ralphie for a LIVE webinar and learn scientifically proven strategies to decrease fighting in your home, Sibling Rivalry: What Helps and What Doesn't
Learn more from Ralphie on the Simply On Purpose website. You can also follow her on Instagram.
Find more from Dr. Leah:
Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram
Dr. Leah Gordon | Website
Dr. Leah Gordon | 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 acceptance is the most radical act of motherhood?
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Aviva Romm, a Yale-trained MD, herbalist, and midwife who has been practicing for over 40 years. She’s a bestselling author of several books, a mom of four, and a grandmother who even got to midwife two of her own grandbabies at home.
We talk about the tension between hopes and acceptance on the journey through fertility, pregnancy, and motherhood. The conversation moves through the stories we tell ourselves, the weight of expectations, and what it looks like to find resilience and grace when things unfold differently than planned.
You’ll Learn:
Timestamps:
[00:00] Introduction
[09:02] Balancing motherhood, creative work, and the importance of support systems
[11:11] Shifting perspectives on motherhood, sacrifice, and the pressure to do it all
[15:33] Letting go of expectations and finding acceptance in fertility and motherhood
[30:20] Judgment in wellness culture and evolving personal stories in motherhood
[55:56] Lessons in releasing guilt and honoring self-development in motherhood
Resources Mentioned:
Womanhood Wellness | Website
American Herbalists Guild | Website
The Mama Pathway | Website
Books by Dr. Aviva Romm | Website
Learn more from Dr. Aviva:
Dr. Aviva Romm | Website
Dr. Aviva Romm | Facebook
Dr. Aviva Romm | Instagram
Dr. Aviva Romm | LinkedIn
Dr. Aviva Romm | X
Dr. Aviva Romm | YouTube
On Health For Women Podcast | Apple or Spotify
Find more from Leah:
Leah Gordon | Instagram
Leah Gordon | Website
Leah Gordon | Website
Find more from Morgan:
Morgan MacDermott | Instagram
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 does it really take to have a good birth in a hospital?
In this episode, I’m joined by Care Messer, Founder of the Birth Education Center in San Diego. She’s a certified hypnobirthing instructor, a DONA-certified doula, and a childbirth educator who also trains doulas. Care teaches engaging, partner-friendly online classes that have helped many families prepare for birth with more clarity and confidence.
We get into what it means to prepare early, why most women don’t realize how much choice they actually have, and what it looks like to create a safe, grounded birth experience inside a hospital system. From power dynamics with providers to the small, practical things that shift your sense of safety, this conversation breaks down what women and their partners need to know before walking through those hospital doors.
You’ll Learn:
Timestamps:
[00:00] Introduction
[03:00] How preparation and safety shape the hospital birth experience
[09:22] Rethinking what safety really means in birth
[13:01] Choosing the right hospital, provider, and birth team
[20:20] The partner’s role in protecting space and shifting power dynamics
[36:37] Practical ways to protect labor hormones in a hospital birth
[50:15] Arming with education and optimizing the hospital environment for labor
Resources Mentioned:
Episode 65: All About VBAC pt.1: Perspectives from an OB, Midwife, and Doula with Care Messer | Spotify or Apple
Birth Education Center | Website
Bucky Eye Mask | Amazon
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk M.D. | Book or Audiobook
Men, Love & Birth by Mark Harris | Book or Audiobook
Labor Like A Goddess by Alexandria Moran and Lauren Mahana | Book
Birth Psychology | Website
Morgan’s First Birth | Video
Learn more about the Birth Education Care by visiting their website, YouTube channel, and Facebook page.
Follow Care on Instagram, LinkedIn and listen to her Podcast on Apple or Spotify.
Find more from Leah:
Leah Gordon | Instagram
Leah Gordon | Website
Leah Gordon | Website
Find more from Morgan:
Morgan MacDermott | Instagram
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
Did you know that you have bacteria in your uterus? And that the types of bacteria there may impact whether you get pregnant or not. We talk all about this and many other things we are discovering are impacting fertility with our guest, Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton. She is a fellow naturopathic doctor who has focused much of her career on fertility, and we can't wait to share this informative episode with you.
This episode is sponsored by:
Redmond Salt >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 15% on your order.
Needed >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 20% off your first order.
Lumebox >> Click here and use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER for $260 off.
Resources From This Episode:
Watch the video episode on YouTube HERE!
Stay Connected With Us:
Healthy As A Mother: www.healthyasamother.com
Instagram: @healthyasamotherpodcast
Dr. Leah: www.womanhoodwellness.com
Instagram: @drleahgordon
Dr. Morgan: www.milkmedicine.com
Instagram: @morganmacdermott
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Nausea in pregnancy, or "morning sickness," is a multifactorial issue that we CAN usually affect in a positive way - and today we outline the top contributing factors to what is unlovingly known as "morning sickness." We discuss how, for most women, there is not one single reason that they feel nauseous during their pregnancy - and usually there are multiple pieces that all contribute a different amount to the overall experience - and what's tough is that for each person, this will be individual. The best approach then, is to ensure that all of the factors to talk about today - blood sugar, hydration, histamine, sleep, and more - are in your awareness so you can work on them the best you can. Big hugs if you're in the weeds with this, we really feel you.
This episode is sponsored by:
Redmond Salt >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 15% on your order.
Needed >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 20% off your first order.
Lumebox >> Click here and use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER for $260 off.
Resources From this Episode:
Stay Connected With Us:
Healthy As A Mother: www.healthyasamother.com
Instagram: @healthyasamotherpodcast
Dr. Leah: www.womanhoodwellness.com
Instagram: @drleahgordon
Dr. Morgan: www.milkmedicine.com
Instagram: @morganmacdermott
Dr. Morgan and Dr. Nathan Riley have an open, and most importantly, nuanced conversation about abortion. Dr. Riley is an OBGYN and is dual board-certified in hospice and palliative care, so he offers an interesting perspective of expertise in both the beginning AND the end of life. Our goal in this episode is not to take sides, but to explore the shades of gray in a topic that is often painted in black and white. This conversation may not be for everyone - and that’s okay. It isn’t a perfect discussion, but we hope you’ll find something in it that resonates, challenges, or simply helps you understand the realities others face - realities you may never have had to think about, which in itself can be a kind of privilege. We truly believe that most people likely fall in this middle ground space, if only we could share the perspective from both sides. Conversations like this aren’t easy, but keeping them open and honest is the only way things can change. So we invite you to listen with an open mind and an open heart.
This episode is sponsored by:
Redmond Salt >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 15% on your order.
Needed >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 20% off your first order.
Lumebox >> Click here and use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER for $260 off.
Resources From This Episode:
Stay Connected With Us:
Healthy As A Mother: www.healthyasamother.com
Instagram: @healthyasamotherpodcast
Dr. Leah: www.womanhoodwellness.com
Instagram: @drleahgordon
Dr. Morgan: www.milkmedicine.com
Instagram: @morganmacdermott