In this episode, Carly chats with Functional Medicine Practitioner and co-founder of Restore and Revive Wellness Center, Taylor Dukes, about preconception and pregnancy health. We discuss how to prepare the body for pregnancy and fertility, as well as gentle detox options even before looking to get pregnant. We talk in depth about how to prepare for a healthy pregnancy and leave you with many tips on how to improve your health and in turn, the health of your baby.

This episode covers:

- The timeline for + how to begin preparing the body for pregnancy through targeted detox, a nutrient-dense diet

- Prior to conceiving:

       - Natural alternatives to sugar such as dates, maple syrup, coconut sugar

       - Supplementation recommendations during preconceptions + what to look for when searching for a supplement source

       - Which labs to ask for 3-months prior to conceiving: nutrient panel, vitamin D levels, lipid panel, iron panel with ferritin, full thyroid panel, HCG          hormone, progesterone levels

       - How to find a great provider

- During Pregnancy:

       - Who to consider as part of your birthing team + how to start 

       - Tips for a healthy pregnancy: avoiding toxins, balancing blood sugar, taking prenatal vitamins, avoiding processed foods

       - Recommendations and information on ultrasounds

Resources:

Taylor Dukes Wellness

Restore and Revive Wellness Center

The Institute for Functional Medicine

The Daily Detox

Connect:

IG: @taylordukeswellness

IG: @restoreandrevivefw

IG: @carlyloveskale

web: carlybrownwellness.com

Taylor Dukes is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She owns a private practice in Fort Worth Texas where she works with patients 1:1 to get to the root cause of their symptoms. She also owns a wellness center Fort Worth, Texas that includes everything from IV Vitamin Therapy, saunas, and physical therapy. She focuses on taking a root cause approach to her patients health and uses specialty functional medicine laboratory testing to develop personalized protocols. Taylor was first exposed to the field of functional medicine as a patient when she was really sick. Once she healed she had the opportunity to work for Amy Myers, MD a two-time NY times best selling author. Taylor is a wife, a mother to an almost two year old and has another on the way. She loves helping other mothers in their preconception, pregnancy and postpartum journeys. She also has had the privilege and opportunity to partner with professional athletes to take their health to the next level and help customize protocols for them.