Healthy As A Mother

Dr. Leah Gordon and Dr. Morgan MacDermott sit down for a fresh, unfiltered life update. For this one, Morgan’s newborn naps in the carrier the whole time. Leah opens up about Avia turning five, a lingering existential crisis, and the book that’s reshaping how she thinks about technology: The Anxious Generation.

Together they unpack phone addiction, social media burnout, and the strange bind of building a business online while trying to keep their kids off screens. They also explore what screen-based childhoods may mean for girls, boys, and even fertility.

Morgan shares life at 10 weeks postpartum. She talks about her daughter's heart surgery, her dad moving in, and protecting her recovery. She also covers why this postpartum feels so different, the pressures of homeschooling, and making peace with her body. Then she shares a big announcement: their family is officially complete. It’s an honest, funny, tender conversation about presence, mom guilt, and doing the best you can in a chaotic season.

00:00 Trailer & Intro

03:29 Welcome Back

04:41 Dr. Leah's Daughter Turns Five

05:35 Nostalgia & Foggy Memories

08:19 Launching Taking Back Fertility

10:06 The Anxious Generation

13:21 Working Online & Social Media Burnout

14:33 Air Fresheners & Dad's Hairspray

17:50 The Phone Addiction Analogy

20:14 Girls, Boys & Social Media

21:09 Never Fully at Work or Home

25:29 Unread Texts & Constant Pings

27:22 Should We Get Dumb Phones?

28:11 Life Before Smartphones

30:51 Video Games, Boys & Fertility

33:17 Why Kids Need a Community

34:57 Being Present With Our Kids

38:10 Does Social Media Affect Memory?

39:56 HAAM Book Club Idea

40:59 Morgan's Update: New Baby & Family Changes

43:52 Protecting Postpartum

48:03 Routine vs. Motherhood Chaos

51:30 Signs Postpartum Is Going Well

52:48 Mom Guilt & Circling Back

56:48 Homeschool Pressure

58:26 Astrology Readings for Kids

1:01:52 Kids Don't Need to Be Good at Everything

1:03:16 Postpartum Weight & Breastfeeding

1:06:45 Supplements & Sleep

1:07:41 The Vasectomy Decision

1:10:39 Closing the Baby Chapter

1:13:49 Men's Health for the Long Haul

1:15:39 Closing

Resources From This Episode:

• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt - https://a.co/d/0eP2lb3q
• Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff - https://a.co/d/02LQIfEc
• Needed prenatal gummies and stress support (Use code HEALTHYMOTHER) - https://www.thisisneeded.com/discount/HEALTHYMOTHER?rfsn=7639741.9dd2315&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=7639741.9dd2315

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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 10% at Earthley

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

Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond

Bloating after every meal, painful periods, PMS, acne, eczema: what if your gut is the common thread? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Paria, a naturopathic doctor in San Diego who specializes in women’s health, hormones, digestive health, and autoimmune conditions. We break down how the gut microbiome drives inflammation, why so many women struggle with gut issues, and what’s really happening when your list of “safe” foods keeps getting shorter.

Dr. Paria explains how she uses stool testing to build a targeted plan, and why she sees more patients with too little good bacteria than with overgrowth. She also covers how herbal antimicrobials differ from antibiotics, and how she uses the peptides BPC-157 and KPV to calm gut inflammation and repair the gut lining. We discuss how these peptides differ from GLP-1s, whether they’re safe long-term, and why sourcing them through a doctor matters right now.

We also dig into the gut’s connection to painful cramps, PMS, estrogen dominance, skin conditions, fertility, Hashimoto’s, histamine, “period flu,” and even morning sickness. Dr. Paria shares the beneficial species she most often sees depleted (Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus) and the polyphenol-rich foods that feed them. She also covers which probiotics actually colonize, digestive bitters vs. enzymes, and simple daily habits to start supporting your gut today.

0:00 Trailer & Intro

3:39 Meet Dr. Paria

5:35 The Gut & Women's Health Connection

7:00 Why So Many of Us Have Gut Problems

8:30 Bloating & Food Sensitivities

10:49 Good vs. Bad Bacteria

12:25 Stool Testing & Gut Healing Approach

14:37 Antimicrobials vs. Antibiotics

16:00 Peptides for Gut Inflammation: KPV & BPC-157

17:19 Peptides vs. GLP-1s

18:53 Getting Peptides Safely

20:34 Are Peptides Safe Long-Term?

21:57 Peptide Results & Back Injuries

24:19 Best Diet for Gut Healing

26:17 How Fast Can Your Microbiome Change?

27:39 Do You Need a Parasite Cleanse?

28:51 What a Healed Gut Looks Like

32:22 Painful Periods, PMS & the Gut

34:37 Acne, Eczema & Skin Health

35:22 Gut Health & Fertility

36:47 Autoimmunity & Hashimoto's

38:56 Histamine, Estrogen & Period Flu

40:37 Histamine & Morning Sickness

41:39 Simple Daily Gut Health Habits

43:42 The Power of Mindful Eating

46:21 Akkermansia & Missing Good Bacteria

48:42 Probiotics That Actually Work

50:20 Digestive Bitters vs. Enzymes

51:40 Where to Find Dr. Paria

Resources From This Episode:

• Follow Dr. Paria on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/doctor.paria/
• Check out Dr. Paria's website - https://www.doctorparia.com/
• Order your own gut test: Tiny Health Stool Test (Use code DRLEAH) - https://tinyhealth.myshopify.com/?rfsn=8737966.461e18&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=8737966.461e18

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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 10% at Earthley

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

Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond

Vasectomy is one of the most requested topics we've ever had, and in this episode we finally get answers from someone who has done thousands of them. Dr. Philip Werthman is a Los Angeles microsurgeon whose practice focuses exclusively on vasectomy reversal and male infertility. He explains how the male reproductive tract works, what actually happens during a no-scalpel vasectomy, and why ejaculation looks and feels the same afterward.

We go through the concerns you sent in on Instagram: failure rates, post-vasectomy pain syndrome, autoimmune reactions to sperm, prostate and testicular cancer, Alzheimer's, testosterone, libido, and erectile function. Dr. Werthman gives his honest clinical perspective on how often these issues really show up in practice. He also covers the treatment options when chronic pain does happen.

In the second half, we dive into vasectomy reversal. We cover how surgeons reconnect a tube about the size of spaghetti under a microscope, realistic timelines for sperm returning and conception, and why success rates range from about 60% to 98%. He also explains why some reversals "fail" because the right operation wasn't done. We finish with sperm agglutination, cost, choosing a surgeon, his favorite sperm-supporting supplements, and a thoughtful conversation about qi, regret, older fathers, and making this deeply personal decision as a family.

00:00 Trailer & Intro

02:27 Why We’re Talking Vasectomy

04:22 Meet Dr. Philip Werthman

06:00 What Is a Vasectomy?

08:29 How the Vas Is Cut & Sealed

10:07 No-Scalpel Vasectomy Explained

12:40 Does Ejaculation Change?

13:27 Risks & Failure Rates

14:46 Why Men Skip the Follow-Up Sperm Check

16:28 Post-Vasectomy Pain Syndrome

20:59 Treating Chronic Pain After Vasectomy

25:29 Autoimmune Concerns

28:59 Prostate & Testicular Cancer Risk

30:01 Is There an Alzheimer’s Link?

30:53 Vasectomy & Testosterone

33:15 Libido & Erectile Function

39:28 Regret & Being Sure You’re Done

42:15 When a Doctor Says No

44:27 Common Misconceptions

45:48 How Vasectomy Reversal Works

50:08 Reversal Recovery

51:16 Timeline for Sperm Return & Pregnancy

55:32 Reversal Success Rates

58:16 Reversal Risks

58:24 Sperm Agglutination & Thick Semen

61:36 Choosing a Surgeon & Cost

63:09 Supplements for Sperm Quality

65:52 Qi, Meridians & Spiritual Views

67:30 Making the Decision as a Family

69:46 Older Dads & Having Kids Later

Resources From This Episode:

• About Dr. Philip Wetherman - https://www.malereproduction.com/about-cmrm/dr-philip-werthman/
• Vasectomy Reversal Expert - https://www.vasectomyreversalexpert.com/the-cmrm-advantage/
• Megaspermin
• Proxseed
• Profertile

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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 10% at Earthley

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

Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond

Going through a miscarriage is heartbreaking, and then you're asked to make a big medical decision while you're still processing the news. In this episode, Dr. Leah Gordon and Dr. Morgan MacDermott walk through the three options for managing a miscarriage: expectant management (letting your body pass the pregnancy on its own), medication (mifepristone and misoprostol), and a D&C (dilation and curettage). They cover the pros, cons, success rates, and risks of each, so you can make an informed choice that feels right for you.

They also talk about the things most women aren't told ahead of time. That includes how intense passing a pregnancy at home can be, when bleeding is too much and you need the ER, and why HCG can stay in your system and cause a positive pregnancy test weeks later. They explain retained tissue, how ectopic pregnancy is treated differently, and how testing the pregnancy tissue can give you answers after a loss.

Finally, they cover the "mini postpartum" that follows a pregnancy loss. Topics include hormone shifts, when your cycle returns, when it's safe to try again, how to replenish your body, and ways to honor your baby. Whatever you're feeling after a loss is valid. You don't have to go through it alone.

0:00 Trailer & Intro

3:34 Miscarriage Explained

6:10 Why Community Matters After Loss

8:04 It's Not Your Fault

8:36 The Three Miscarriage Options

10:55 The Hard Language of Miscarriage

13:24 Grieving a Failed IVF Transfer

14:49 Option 1: Expectant Management

18:42 What Is a Missed Miscarriage?

22:36 You Don't Have to Decide Right Away

26:06 Feeling Empowered in Your Choice

28:02 Ectopic Pregnancy & Methotrexate

32:50 Option 2: Miscarriage Medication

36:39 Heavy Bleeding & When to Go to the ER

39:28 Medication Success Rates

40:51 Option 3: D&C

41:54 Testing Tissue for Answers

44:55 D&C Pros & Cons

46:31 Antibiotics & Anesthesia

51:27 D&C Risks by the Numbers

53:26 D&C and Future Fertility

57:01 Recovering After Anesthesia

59:12 The Mini Postpartum After Loss

60:37 HCG & False Positive Tests

63:54 When to Try Again

67:09 Nourishing Your Body After Loss

68:08 Your Feelings Are Valid

71:19 Asking for What You Need

72:14 Ways to Honor Your Baby

73:13 Hope After Pregnancy Loss

75:46 Natural Support for Grief

77:25 Closing

Resources From This Episode:

• Join Dr. Leah's Womanhood Wellness membership - https://drleahgordon.com/join
• @ihadamiscarriage on Instagram - www.instagram.com/ihadamiscarriage
• Miscarriage manual - http://www.inciid.org/miscarriage-manual
• Grief Watch website - http://www.griefwatch.com/symptoms-of-grief
• Anecdotal natural miscarriage blog - http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/how-to-have-a-natural-miscarriage-no-dc/

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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 10% at Earthley

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

Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond

How do you talk to your kids about body safety without scaring them? And how do you actually keep them safe? In this episode, we're joined by Mandi Pagliarini (@MandiTalksPredators), a writer, speaker, educator, and mother of two. Mandi is a survivor of sexual assault and child trafficking, and her advocacy focuses on prevention and harm reduction. She gives parents survivor-informed education about grooming and how predators operate.

Mandi explains why body safety should be an ongoing series of small conversations, like the way you teach manners, instead of one big talk. She also covers why the words you choose matter: say "share" instead of "tell," and leave out "hurt" and "abuse." She shares her "even if" statements, which let kids know they can come to you no matter who is involved or how the experience felt. We also talk about why boys may be more at risk than we realize, why teaching kids to "say no and fight back" often fails because of the freeze response, and what to teach them instead.

We also get into how grooming really works. Predators often groom the parents as well as the child, and they play a long game. Mandi walks through red flags to watch for, like an adult seeking time alone with your child or your child suddenly talking about one adult all the time. She shares practical steps for reducing risk, including open-door playdates, never leaving a child alone with an adult, and avoiding sleepovers. She also talks about how to stay body-positive with little ones without creating shame.

Mandi also shares parts of her own story, and why emotional regulation is the foundation that makes kids feel safe enough to come to you.

00:00 Trailer & Intro

02:00 Welcome Mandi Pagliarini

04:29 Why Body Safety Matters Today

06:30 Why Boys May Be More at Risk

09:17 Who Abusers Really Are

10:00 Small Talks, Not "The Big Talk"

11:30 Playdate Reminders

12:14 Risk Mitigation for Playdates

15:55 Say "Share," Not "Tell"

17:48 Don't Talk About Consequences

20:42 Using "Even If" Statements

23:25 Drop the Words "Hurt" and "Abuse"

25:44 How Grooming Escalates

27:45 How Predators Groom Parents and Kids

29:50 Red Flag: Seeking Alone Time

31:47 Signs Your Child Is Being Groomed

33:14 My Track Coach Story

37:00 Body Positivity With Little Kids

40:38 Keeping Sex Private Without Shame

43:44 What Age to Start the Conversation

48:30 How Much Information Is Enough

51:04 Sleepovers, Babysitters and Supervision

54:43 Mandi's Story

57:52 Why "Say No" Doesn't Work

61:12 Teach Kids to Fake an Excuse

61:50 The Freeze Response and Shame

64:44 The Gift of Fear and Intuition

67:26 Why Grooming Is So Confusing

71:07 "I Didn't Know There Was Anything to Tell"

72:40 Books and Resources

75:29 Key Takeaways Recap

78:37 Why Parents' Emotional Regulation Matters

80:26 Wrap Up

Resources From This Episode:

• Mandi's Free Body Safety Guides for young kids - https://still-river-23314.myflodesk.com/freeguidetoprotectyourchildren
• Mandi's Free Body Safety Guides for Teens - https://still-river-23314.myflodesk.com/freeguideforparents?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabT2PVIe_Nq31TE1eMdOVtJ44GKI-COxfMMPIowXJp6-ewevDMmcCNrYLE_aem_LOcKJP_DXi-IkYka2FHLMA
• Check out Mandi's website - https://www.mandiptalkspredators.com/
• Follow Mandi on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mandiptalkspredators/
• The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker - https://a.co/d/0bM0XMT0
• Good Pictures Bad Pictures by Kristen A. Jenson - https://a.co/d/05MOHhMJ
• The Place We Find Ourselves podcast -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaSvh-rUtyY

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Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at Earthley

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For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER

Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER

Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond

What labs should women actually be asking for, and what do those numbers really tell you about your health? In this episode of Healthy As A Mother, Dr. Leah Gordon breaks down the key labs she believes women should understand, from blood sugar and fasting insulin to thyroid, iron, inflammation, reproductive hormones, vitamin D and more. She explains what these markers can reveal about metabolic health, fertility, energy, hormones, symptoms and overall health, and why looking at a single lab without the right context can sometimes miss the bigger picture.

The conversation also dives into reproductive hormone testing, including estradiol, progesterone, FSH, LH, AMH, testosterone, SHBG and DHEA, with a major emphasis on understanding where you are in your menstrual cycle when certain labs are drawn. Leah and Morgan discuss why cycle tracking and understanding ovulation can give women important context about their own health, whether they are trying to conceive, trying to avoid pregnancy, navigating postpartum or breastfeeding, or approaching perimenopause.

They also cover thyroid markers, ferritin and iron studies, hs-CRP and inflammation, cortisol, vitamin D, ANA, and the importance of considering a partner’s semen analysis when trying to conceive. The episode ultimately comes back to one central idea: learning the basics of your own health can help you ask better questions, recognize when something deserves further investigation, and become more informed about what is happening in your body.

00:00 Trailer + Introduction

03:26 Understanding Women’s Health Labs

04:58 Why Testing Matters for Women’s Health

09:29 Blood Sugar, Insulin & Metabolic Health

16:34 Thyroid Labs: TSH, T3, T4 & Antibodies

23:18 Iron & Ferritin: What Women Should Know

29:10 Inflammation & hs-CRP

33:59 Why Preconception Lab Testing Matters

38:57 Reproductive Hormones & Cycle Timing

40:52 Estradiol: When to Test Estrogen

42:17 Progesterone: When to Test It

45:37 Cycle Tracking & Knowing When You Ovulate

49:46 FSH & LH: What They Tell You

54:42 AMH & Ovarian Reserve

57:54 Testosterone, SHBG & DHEA

61:14 Cortisol, Vitamin D & Stress

62:38 ANA, Fertility & Partner Testing

63:56 Understanding Your Labs & Advocating for Your Health

Resources From This Episode:

• Dr. Leah's Free Fertility Lab Guide - https://drleahgordon.com/fertility-lab-guide-freebie
• Dr. Leah's Free Fertility Masterclass - https://fertilitymasterclass.drleahgordon.com/
• Dr. Leah's Taking Back Fertility Program - https://takebackfertility.drleahgordon.com/
• Dr. Leah's Womanhood Wellness Membership - https://drleahgordon.com/join

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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 10% at Earthley

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

Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond

Eczema is incredibly common in babies and children, but what if the skin is only showing us part of the story? In this episode, Dr. Morgan MacDermott sits down with holistic nurse, clinical herbalist, and pediatric eczema practitioner Abbie Bradford to unpack the many factors that can contribute to eczema and why there isn't one universal cause or solution. They discuss the connection between eczema, gut health, food allergies and sensitivities, the microbiome, antibiotics, C-sections, breastfeeding, environmental exposures, and mold. Abbie also explains why the last thing that happened before a flare isn't necessarily the root cause, when food-based topicals may be problematic for babies, how to think about probiotics and stool testing, and which practical changes parents can start with at home. They also cover mold testing, breastfeeding and elimination diets, allergy testing, topical care, red light, bathing, and why some children may eventually "grow out" of eczema without actually addressing what was happening underneath. Most importantly, this conversation gives parents a framework for thinking about eczema without getting overwhelmed by the endless list of possible triggers. Rather than chasing one cause, Abbie explains how to look at the whole picture and identify the factors that may be contributing to a child's individual presentation.

00:00 Trailer + Introduction

02:47 Why Eczema Is More Than a Skin Problem

06:00 How Common Is Childhood Eczema?

09:40 Eczema Is a Symptom, Not the Root Cause

11:00 Can Food-Based Lotions Make Eczema Worse?

13:28 Vaccines, Immune Reactivity & the “Bucket” Analogy

19:42 Are Food Allergies Causing Eczema?

21:44 When Baby Rashes Are Normal vs. Concerning

23:09 The Gut-Eczema Connection

25:47 Mold & Environmental Triggers

32:04 How to Test Your Home for Mold

38:00 Why Indoor Mold Can Become a Problem

40:32 Can Eczema Happen Even Without Antibiotics or Medical Interventions?

42:54 Probiotics & Gut Testing for Eczema

44:16 Tiny Health vs. GI Map: What Parents Should Know

47:55 When Probiotics Can Make Eczema Worse

49:57 Gut Healing, Herbs & Why “Killing” Too Soon Can Backfire

54:44 The First Things Parents Can Do at Home

61:01 Breastfeeding, Elimination Diets & Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy

67:57 Will My Child Grow Out of Eczema?

72:17 Are Allergy Tests Helpful?

74:36 Topicals, Red Light & Caring for Eczema-Prone Skin

77:21 Bathing, Moisturizing & Why It Depends

79:23 Final Thoughts for Parents

Resources From This Episode:

• Check out Abby's Website - https://www.myvibranthealth.net/
• Follow Abby on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_abbiebradford/
• ERMI Mold Dust Test - https://moldtesting.com/
• IEP (Indoor Environmental Professional) List - https://iseai.org/iep-list/
• Tiny Health Stool Test - https://tinyhealth.myshopify.com/?rfsn=8737966.461e18&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=8737966.461e18
• Evivo Probiotic - https://www.evivo.com/
• ION Biome Gut Support - https://intelligenceofnature.com/products/gut-health-supplement
• Check out Free to Feed on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/free.to.feed/
• Dairy Free Breastfeeding Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/dairyfreediet.breastfeeding/
• Lumebox Red Light Therapy Device, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER - https://thelumebox.com/pages/lb68/?_ef_transaction_id=&oid=3&affid=4336&discount=healthyasamotherpodcast
• Active Skin Repair - https://shop.bldgactive.com/discount/HEALTHYMOTHER
• Alba Un-Petroleum Jelly
• Dr. Morgan's Pediatric Sickness Course

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Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at Earthley

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For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER

Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond

What happens when we stop viewing the menstrual cycle as an essential part of female biology and start treating it as something to suppress? In this episode, Dr. Leah Gordon and Dr. Morgan MacDermott take a deeper look at the history and culture surrounding hormonal birth control, how women came to view their cycles as inconvenient or problematic, and what can happen when symptoms like painful periods, PMS, acne, irregular cycles, or heavy bleeding are suppressed instead of investigated.

They discuss the difference between contraception and treating the root cause of hormonal symptoms, fertility awareness and modern cycle tracking, potential side effects and risks of hormonal birth control, informed consent, fertility, and why individualized care matters. Most importantly, this isn't an argument that every woman should avoid birth control, it's a conversation about understanding your body, knowing your options, and making intentional decisions about your reproductive health.

00:00 — Trailer & Introduction

03:38 — The War on Female Biology

07:05 — The History of Birth Control

11:08 — Is Birth Control Fixing the Problem?

13:58 — The Fire Alarm Analogy

16:40 — Informed Consent & Birth Control

19:21 — When Birth Control Has a Place

24:22 — A Personal Experience With Birth Control

30:21 — What Is “Woman Essence”?

34:54 — Fertility Awareness vs. Birth Control

40:10 — The Truth About the Rhythm Method

41:58 — Public Health vs. Individualized Care

44:42 — Can Birth Control Mask Fertility Problems?

45:32 — The Potential Risks of Hormonal Birth Control

47:46 — Depo-Provera & Emerging Safety Concerns

49:09 — How Much Do We Really Know About Long-Term Risks?

51:37 — Birth Control & Fertility: What We Know

53:03 — Why Did Male Birth Control Studies Stop?

53:59 — Birth Control, Responsibility & Choice

56:09 — Feminism, Motherhood & the Modern Woman

60:39 — Is Our Culture Designed for Mothers?

63:15 — Know Your Why Before Taking Birth Control

63:44 — Your Cycle Is a Vital Sign

64:57 — What Real Reproductive Freedom Looks Like

65:50 — Learning to Value the Female Cycle

67:47 — Finding Joy in Your Womanhood

71:09 — Closing

Resources From This Episode:

• Download Dr. Leah's Free Fertility Lab Guide - https://drleahgordon.com/fertility-lab-guide-freebie
• Join Womanhood Wellness membership - https://drleahgordon.com/join
• Period as 5th Vital Sign - https://youtu.be/HIKr1R3iYKo?si=mLjYzAPYON15ArM0
• Preparing Body for Pregnancy After Birth Control - https://youtu.be/THaoCkFAxWk?si=787HpG-E06M4L5Aq

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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 10% at Earthley

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

Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond

ADHD can look very different in women and motherhood: hormonal shifts, pregnancy, and postpartum can dramatically change how those symptoms show up. In this episode, we’re joined by integrative ADHD specialist Dr. Carrie McMillin to unpack the ADHD brain, including executive function, task initiation, working memory, hyperfocus, dopamine, and emotional regulation.

We dive into how estrogen and progesterone interact with dopamine throughout the menstrual cycle, why some women notice more ADHD symptoms during the luteal phase, and what can happen during pregnancy and postpartum. Dr. McMillin explains why the postpartum period can be especially challenging, including the effects of the dramatic estrogen drop, prolactin, breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, and the increased demands of caring for a baby.

We also discuss how to distinguish ADHD from normal motherhood overwhelm, anxiety, and sleep deprivation; how ADHD is diagnosed in adults; medications and supplements; iron, B vitamins, L-tyrosine, and other potential supports; the importance of building systems around your individual executive-function struggles; and why small sources of genuine joy can be an important part of supporting your brain.

Finally, we talk about perimenopause, irritability and PMDD, caffeine, screen time, and practical ways women with ADHD can work with their brains instead of constantly fighting against them. The biggest takeaway? Understanding what's happening in your brain can replace shame with self-compassion and help you build systems that actually work for you.

00:00 —Trailer & Introduction

03:06 —The ADHD Brain Isn't Broken

06:15 —The 3 Types of ADHD

11:02 —Task Initiation, Motivation & Executive Function

12:06 —Hyperfocus & Dopamine

14:57 —Why ADHD Affects Working Memory

19:29 —Why Motherhood Can Amplify ADHD Symptoms

21:00 —How ADHD Is Diagnosed in Adults

24:20 —ADHD & the Menstrual Cycle

27:26 —Estrogen, Progesterone & Dopamine

34:17 —ADHD During Pregnancy

35:35 —Why Sleep Deprivation Can Mimic ADHD

40:36 —How Pregnancy Changes the Brain

42:01 —The Postpartum ADHD Crash

44:36 —ADHD, Breastfeeding & Prolactin

45:45 —Supporting ADHD Postpartum

50:19 —ADHD-Friendly Systems That Actually Help

52:21 —Finding Joy When You're Overwhelmed

55:43 —Is It ADHD or Just Motherhood Overload?

58:25 —ADHD Medication: When Is It Worth Considering?

60:40 —Supplements & Natural ADHD Support

65:24 —ADHD, Irritability & PMDD

66:36 —ADHD & Perimenopause

67:17 —Building Systems Around Your Brain

70:08 —Caffeine & ADHD

71:47 —Screens, Dopamine & ADHD

75:17 —The Biggest Takeaway for Moms With ADHD

Resources From This Episode:

• Dr. Carrie's Website- adhdetails.com
• Dr. Carrie's Instagram- www.instagram.com/adhdetails
• Smart but Scattered book- https://amzn.to/3RtakE8
• The Radical Guide for Women with ADHD book- https://amzn.to/3PUJdS0
• Your Brain Is Not Broken book- https://amzn.to/4dYcYdI
• Do Less book- https://amzn.to/49YznFl
• Finch app- https://finchcare.com/mobile
• Trello app- https://trello.com/
• ClickUp app- https://try.web.clickup.com/qcca0vh17mp2
• Skylight calendar- https://tidd.ly/4s8VJe9
• Get some of the supplements(creatine, L-tyrosine, pharmaGABA, L-theanine, lion's mane)recommended for 15% off on Fullscript- https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/mmacdermott/store-start
• Use code HEALTHYMOTHER to get a discount on Needed Stress Support- https://www.thisisneeded.com/discount/HEALTHYMOTHER

Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTube

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Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram

Dr. Leah Gordon | Website

Womanhood Wellness | Website

Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram

Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website

Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at Earthley

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

Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond

In this episode of Healthy As A Mother, Leah and Morgan unpack one of the biggest fears many women have when considering IVF: Are IVF babies less healthy? They explore what the research actually shows around premature birth, low birth weight, NICU admissions, congenital heart defects, allergies, eczema, asthma, and autism.

More importantly, they ask whether those outcomes can truly be attributed to IVF itself. They discuss the many variables that can complicate the research, including the underlying causes of infertility, parental age, sperm and egg health, metabolic and autoimmune conditions, pregnancy complications, and the amount of medical intervention surrounding IVF. They also cover epigenetics, microbiome health, induction and C-sections, baby aspirin, pregnancy monitoring, and why optimizing both parents' health before IVF may matter.

Ultimately, this is a conversation about moving beyond fear and black-and-white thinking to look at IVF with more nuance, critical thinking, and hope. The hosts also share their personal experiences with IVF and why they believe it can be an important tool when it is truly needed, while still questioning how intentionally it is used.

00:00 – Trailer & Introduction

03:45 – Are IVF Babies Less Healthy?

05:34 – The Fear of IVF and Baby Health

07:05 – What the Research Actually Shows

09:26 – Relative Risk vs. Absolute Risk

10:33 – Is IVF Really the Cause?

10:59 – The Underlying Causes of Infertility

14:32 – Sperm Health, Egg Selection & Epigenetics

17:47 – Could IVF Itself Affect Health?

20:09 – Does IVF Bypass Natural Selection?

22:29 – How Parental Health Can Affect the Baby

25:27 – Are We Too Far Outside of Nature?

27:21 – IVF, Autism & What the Research Can't Tease Apart

31:17 – The Problem With How We Study IVF

35:09 – Could AI Change Medical Research?

37:14 – Why Patterns and Clinical Experience Matter

40:00 – The Absence of Evidence Is Not Evidence of Absence

41:55 – How to Think Critically About Research

42:53 – IVF and Congenital Heart Defects

43:45 – IVF, Allergies, Eczema & the Microbiome

46:04 – Pregnancy Monitoring After IVF

47:19 – Do IVF Patients Need Baby Aspirin?

48:46 – The Problem With Too Much Intervention

51:28 – IVF, Induction & C-Sections

54:27 – Could Birth Interventions Affect Baby Health?

56:10 – Are IVF Babies Actually Different?

57:19 – IVF as a Tool, Not a Failure

58:46 – How to Optimize Health Before IVF

59:59 – Using IVF Intentionally

62:00 – Finding Your Own “Edge” Around IVF

64:03 – Your IVF Decisions Are Yours

65:11 – A Message of Hope

Resources From This Episode:

• Dirty Genes by Ben Lynch - https://www.drbenlynch.com/
• Join Dr. Leah's Womanhood Wellness membership! - www.womanhoodwellness.com
• Download Dr. Leah's FREE Optimizing IVF Guide! - https://drleahgordon.com/ivf-freebie
• Download Dr. Leah's FREE Investigating Infertility Guide! - https://drleahgordon.com/infertility-freebie

Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTube

Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Instagram

Healthy As A Mother Podcast | TikTok

Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Merch Store

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 10% at Earthley

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

Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond