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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:

• Why suffering often comes from the gap between expectations and reality in motherhood
• What happens when fertility, birth, or parenting doesn’t follow the story you imagined
• The link between perfectionism, self-judgment, and how women process fertility or birth outcomes
• Why you need to stop “should-ing” yourself to cultivate more resilience
• How external judgment in wellness or parenting circles can intensify shame and isolation
• The wisdom behind seeing every baby as having their own story and gift
• Why self-compassion and trusting your body matter the most when plans change
• How support systems, partners, community, or trusted providers shape the journey
• The power of surrender and acceptance as lifelong practices for mothers

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 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

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