Healthy As A Mother

Healthy As A Mother

By Dr. Morgan MacDermott & Dr. Leah GordonAlternative HealthHealth & FitnessNutrition
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Healthy As A Mother episodes

  • Trying to Conceive After a C-Section: Scar Tissue, VBACs, Fertility & Healing | #166

    Getting pregnant again after a C-section comes with unique physical, emotional, and hormonal considerations that many women are never told about. In this episode, we break down what to know about fertility after cesarean birth, scar tissue healing, adhesions, secondary infertility, VBAC considerations, pelvic floor recovery, and the emotional impact a C-section can leave on the body.


    We discuss how scar tissue and C-section healing may affect implantation, why some women experience difficulty conceiving after a cesarean, and the importance of supporting your core, pelvic floor, nervous system, and microbiome before trying for another baby. We also dive into placenta previa and accreta risks, uterine rupture statistics, spacing pregnancies after C-section, and how trauma can remain stored in the body long after birth.


    Whether you’re preparing to conceive after a cesarean, considering a VBAC, healing from birth trauma, or simply wanting to better understand your body after a C-section, this episode offers both practical guidance and compassionate support.


    00:00 Trailer & Intro

    01:43 How C-Sections Can Affect Future Fertility

    03:52 Scar Tissue & Adhesions Explained

    05:25 Placenta Previa & Accreta Risks After Cesarean

    10:25 Antibiotics, Microbiome & Secondary Infertility

    11:41 Birth Trauma & Nervous System Healing

    15:25 Body Image, Desire & Emotional Recovery

    18:54 How Long Should You Wait Before Another Pregnancy?

    22:46 Pregnancy Spacing, Core Strength & Recovery

    24:29 Signs Your Scar May Need More Support

    26:15 Pelvic Floor Therapy & Core Healing

    29:19 Scar Massage, Gua Sha & Red Light Therapy

    32:18 Supplements & Nutrients for Scar Healing

    36:35 Preparing for a VBAC After C-Section

    38:38 Multiple C-Sections & Birth Decisions

    43:05 VBAC Statistics & Uterine Rupture Risks

    49:15 Why Birth Decisions Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All

    50:25 Preconception Support After a C-Section

    51:30 Encouragement for Your Next Pregnancy Journey


    Resources From This Episode:

    • Get $10 off Evvy Vaginal Test here!
    • Bloom Method
    • Thrive Physical Therapy (Dr. Lauren Mallari Snyder in San Diego)
    • Restore PT - Sarah Grahm (local in Boise)
    • Treasure Valley Pelvic Health
    • Download Dr. Leah's FREE Fertility Lab Guide For Him & Her - https://drleahgordon.com/fertility-lab-guide-freebie
    • Join Womanhood Wellness Membership - https://drleahgordon.com/join


    Other Related Episodes:

    • All About VBAC Part 1 Episode
    • All About VBAC Part 2 Episode
    • Vaginal Bugs and the Essential Role They Play Episode
    • The Secret Fertility Factor No One Talks About Episode
    • Home Birth Turned C-Section: Dr. Leah's Birth Story Episode
    • Dr Leah's Second Birth Story Episode
    • Detoxing Before Pregnancy: What Actually Matters (And What Doesn't) Episode
    • When Sex Hurts: The Root Cause No One Talks About Episode
    • Preconception: What It Is and Why It Matters Episode
    • Coming Off Birth Control: What Your Body Needs Before Pregnancy Episode
    • Breastfeeding While Trying To Conceive Episode


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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

    57 min
  • Tongue Ties in Babies: Is Your Baby Just Tight or Truly Tied? with Lynnelle King | #165

    Tongue ties are one of the most misunderstood topics in infant feeding and airway health and many parents are left confused, dismissed, or unsure what to do next.


    In this episode, Dr. Morgan sits down with IBCLC and craniosacral therapist Lynnelle King to break down the difference between babies who are simply “tight” versus babies who are truly tongue tied, why oral function matters far beyond breastfeeding, and how ties can impact everything from milk transfer and nipple pain to palate development, breathing, sleep, and long-term airway health.


    They discuss common signs of oral ties, including clicking while nursing, blistered lips, white-coated tongues, poor milk transfer, gas, tension patterns, and recurring breastfeeding struggles. The conversation also dives into craniosacral therapy, fascial tension, healing after tie releases, timing of releases, and why individualized care matters so much for both mom and baby.


    This episode is packed with nuanced discussion for parents trying to decide whether bodywork alone is enough, when a release may actually be necessary, and how to better advocate for yourself if you feel something isn’t right with your baby’s feeding experience.



    00:00 Trailer + Intro

    00:42 Why Tongue Ties Matter

    02:55 Meet IBCLC Lynnelle King

    05:40 Finding Lactation Support Before Birth

    07:48 What Craniosacral Therapy Is

    11:04 Tight vs Tied Explained

    12:37 Are Tongue Ties More Common Today?

    14:00 Airway Health & Modern Facial Development

    15:38 Early Tongue Tie Releases

    17:03 Why Tie Releases Aren’t a Quick Fix

    18:44 Long-Term Effects of Tongue Ties

    21:06 Common Signs of Oral Ties

    22:24 High Palates & Airway Development

    25:10 Understanding Fascial Tension

    32:32 Can Bodywork Alone Fix Tongue Ties?

    35:22 Why Lynnelle Only Did Bodywork for 4 Years

    36:36 Are Tongue Tie Releases Harmful?

    37:50 Why Some Tie Releases “Don’t Work”

    41:35 How Tongue Tie Healing Actually Works

    44:47 How Providers Assess Tight vs Tied

    46:32 Best Timing for a Tongue Tie Release

    53:37 The Ideal Window for Treatment

    56:32 What Happens If You Wait Too Long

    58:29 Why Early Lactation Support Matters

    63:00 The Mental Health Impact of Feeding Struggles

    64:47 Trusting Your Mother’s Intuition

    65:28 Final Thoughts & Resources


    Resources From This Episode:

    • Breath by James Nestor
    • Intake Magnetic Airway Strips
    • Strolling Under The Skin YouTube Video
    • Lynnelle's team at Family Seasons
    • Follow Lynnelle on Instagram


    Other Related Episodes:

    • Episode #12: A Deep Dive into Tongue and Lip Ties
    • Episode #133: Low Milk Supply



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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

    1 hr 16 min
  • Women’s Hormones, Feminine Power & Nervous System Healing with Samantha Hadadi | #164

    What if hormone imbalances aren’t just physical?


    In this episode, we sit down with women’s health and hormone coach Sam “The Hormone Goddess” to explore the deeper emotional, nervous system, and societal roots behind so many women’s health struggles.


    We dive into the connection between trauma, stress, suppressed anger, feminine energy, and hormone health, and why so many women feel disconnected from their bodies in modern culture.


    From painful periods and burnout to nervous system dysregulation and people-pleasing, this conversation unpacks the hidden layers influencing women’s health and healing.


    We also discuss female rage, womb work, joy, pleasure, circadian rhythm, somatic healing, and what it actually means to reconnect with yourself as a woman.


    If you’ve ever struggled with PMS, anxiety, exhaustion, hormone imbalances, fertility challenges, or feeling disconnected from your body, this episode is for you.


    00:00 Intro + Trailer

    01:36 Meet Samantha Hadadi

    01:56 Sam’s Hormone Healing Journey

    04:46 Trauma, Stress & Hormone Imbalances

    05:51 Why Women Aren’t Taught About Their Bodies

    07:36 Shame Around Periods & Womanhood

    08:46 Why Society Fears Women’s Power

    13:41 Female Anger & Hormonal Health

    17:36 Suppressed Anger, Liver Health & Hormones

    20:56 Somatic Practices for Releasing Anger

    23:56 Trauma Release & Emotional Processing

    25:51 The Healing Power of Movement & Community

    26:46 Nervous System & Hormone Connection

    29:56 Trauma, Stress & Women’s Health

    32:16 Root Causes of Hormonal Imbalances

    36:06 What Is Womb Work?

    40:16 The Missing Piece in Hormone Healing

    40:46 Joy, Pleasure & Feminine Energy

    42:36 Productivity Culture & Women’s Health

    47:36 Healing Through Dance & Movement

    50:06 Hormones as Messengers

    51:36 Reconnecting to Your Authentic Self

    52:41 Final Message for Women

    54:26 Supporting the Next Generation of Girls

    57:36 Where to Find Sam



    Resources From This Episode:

    • Download Dr. Leah's FREE Fertility Lab Guide For Him & Her - https://drleahgordon.com/fertility-lab-guide-freebie
    • Join Womanhood Wellness Membership - https://drleahgordon.com/join
    • Follow Samantha on Instagram



    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

    1 hr 6 min
  • Birth Mindset for Unmedicated Birth: Practical Tips & What Actually Matters | #163

    Birth preparation is often focused on the physical side of labor, including breathing techniques, birth positions, and what to expect during delivery. But for many women planning an unmedicated birth, the biggest factor influencing their experience is not physical at all.


    In this episode, we explore birth mindset and how your mental and emotional state can impact labor, pain perception, and your overall birth experience. If you are preparing for an unmedicated birth, learning how to shift from control into surrender may be one of the most important skills you develop.


    We discuss how modern culture conditions women to fear birth and how those beliefs can show up during labor. We also explore why high-achieving and type-A women often struggle more during birth, not because they are unprepared, but because they are wired to rely on control in situations that require trust and surrender.


    You will learn how mindset influences the body’s natural ability to give birth, including the role of stress, fear, and the nervous system. We also introduce the concept of the "birth goddess" and explain how understanding the intuitive process of labor can completely change the birth experience.


    This episode also unpacks the balance between preparation and surrender, and how your environment, support system, and energy in the room can either support or disrupt labor.


    0:00 - Trailer and Introduction

    1:55 - Why Birth Mindset Is Overlooked

    3:00 - How Culture Creates Fear Around Birth

    5:00 - Birth Is Mental and Physical

    7:00 - Why We Fear Pain

    9:00 - The Missing Rite of Passage in Modern Birth

    11:00 - Birth as Transformation

    13:00 - Why Control Makes Birth Harder

    15:00 - The Birth Goddess Concept

    18:00 - Surrender vs Control

    21:00 - Preparation vs Surrender

    24:00 - Why Knowledge Still Matters

    27:00 - The Role of Your Support Team

    30:00 - What a Spiritual Epidural Means

    34:00 - How Environment Affects Labor

    38:00 - Why High Achievers Struggle More

    42:00 - Masculine and Feminine Energy in Labor

    46:00 - Trust and Letting Go

    50:00 - Rewiring Beliefs About Birth

    55:00 - Preparing for the Unexpected

    58:00 - Staying Grounded When Plans Change


    Resources From This Episode:

    • Dr. Morgan's Pregnancy Call Lessons
    • Healthy As A Mother Epidurals Episode
    • Labor Like A Goddess book
    • Rent Tent book


    Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTube

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    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 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

    1 hr 16 min
  • Birth Mindset for Unmedicated Birth: Practical Tips And What Actually Matters | #163

    Birth preparation is often focused on the physical side of labor, breathing techniques, birth positions, and what to expect during delivery. But for many women planning an unmedicated birth, the biggest factor influencing their experience isn’t physical at all.


    In this episode, we dive into birth mindset and explore how your mental and emotional state can directly impact labor, pain perception, and your overall birth experience. If you’re preparing for an unmedicated birth, understanding how to shift from control into surrender may be one of the most important skills you develop.


    We break down how modern culture subtly conditions women to fear birth, and how those beliefs can show up in the delivery room. We also explore why high-achieving, type-A women often have a more difficult time during labor, not because they aren’t prepared, but because they’ve been wired to rely on control in situations that require the opposite.


    You’ll learn how mindset influences your body’s natural ability to give birth, including the role of stress, fear, and your nervous system. We also introduce the concept of the “birth goddess”, a way to understand the physiological and intuitive process happening during labor, and how learning to trust that process can change everything.


    This episode also unpacks the paradox of birth preparation: why you need both knowledge and surrender, and how to balance the two. We discuss how your environment, support system, and energy in the room can either support or disrupt the natural progression of labor. If you’re preparing for birth and want to feel calmer, more confident, and more in control of your experience, without actually trying to control the process, this conversation will completely reframe how you approach labor.


    0:00 — Trailer + Introduction

    1:55 — Why Birth Mindset Is So Overlooked

    3:00 — How Culture Programs Fear Around Birth

    5:00 — Birth Is a Mental Game (Not Just Physical)

    7:00 — Why We Fear Pain (But Celebrate It in Other Areas)

    9:00 — The Lack of “Rite of Passage” in Modern Birth

    11:00 — Birth as Transformation (Not Just an Event)

    13:00 — Why Control Makes Birth Harder

    15:00 — The “Birth Goddess” Concept Explained

    18:00 — Surrender vs Control (The Bus Analogy)

    21:00 — Preparation vs Surrender Paradox

    24:00 — Why Knowledge Still Matters in Birth

    27:00 — Your Support Team = Your Protection System

    30:00 — What a “Spiritual Epidural” Really Means

    34:00 — How Environment Affects Labor (Hospital vs Home)

    38:00 — Why High Achievers Struggle More in Birth

    42:00 — Masculine vs Feminine Energy in Labor

    46:00 — The Role of Trust + Letting Go

    50:00 — Identity Work + Rewiring Your Beliefs About Birth

    55:00 — Preparing for the Unexpected (Without Fear)

    58:00 — How to Stay Grounded Even if Plans Change


    Resources From This Episode:

    • Dr. Morgan's Pregnancy Call Lessons
    • Healthy As A Mother Epidural Episode
    • Labor Like A Goddess book
    • Rent Tent book



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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 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

    1 hr 16 min
  • Detoxing Before Pregnancy: What Actually Matters (and What Doesn’t) | #162

    Detoxing before pregnancy is one of the most misunderstood topics in the health space. In this episode, we break down what detox actually means in the body, why it matters for fertility, and how to approach it safely without creating more harm than good.


    You’ll learn how toxins impact hormones, ovulation, and pregnancy, and why your body’s ability to eliminate toxins matters more than simply “detoxing.”


    We also walk through the most important systems involved in detoxification including the liver, lymphatic system, and organs of elimination, plus the biggest mistakes people make when trying to detox while actively trying to conceive.


    If you’ve ever wondered whether you should detox before pregnancy, this episode gives you a clear, realistic framework.


    0:00 Trailer & Introduction

    2:44 What Is a Toxin? Internal vs. External Explained

    6:27 Endocrine Disruptors & Their Impact on Fertility

    7:55 The Overflowing Sink Analogy 8:51 Why Some People Can "Get Away With" Anything (Genetics & Drain)

    11:43 Epigenetics — Why You & Your Grandma Are Different

    13:29 The 3-Part Detox Framework: Faucet, Drain & Liver 13:58 The Knife Factory Analogy (How Your Liver Works)

    14:52 The Poop Train & Pee Train Explained

    17:44 Critical Rule: No Active Detox During Your Two-Week Wait

    21:51 Ideal Timeline: 3–6 Months Before Trying to Conceive

    24:12 Step 1 — Getting Your Organs of Elimination Working (Poop, Pee, Sweat)

    26:31 Sauna & Sweating: When It's Safe & When to Stop

    29:17 The Sperm Factor — Why Men Need to Stop Sauna 3 Months Early

    30:41 The Lymph System — Trash in New York City Analogy

    31:46 Dry Brushing, Rebounders & Vibration Plates

    36:35 Breast Massage & Electrolymphatic Drainage

    38:27 The Liver Deep Dive: Phase 1 vs. Phase 2 Detox

    41:13 Cruciferous Vegetables, DIM & Food-Based Liver Support

    42:37 Key Herbs: Dandelion, Burdock, Milk Thistle, Artichoke

    47:18 What Liver Enzymes on Blood Work Actually Tell You (And What They Don't)

    48:52 Bile, Gallbladder Health & Bitter Herbs

    53:20 Castor Oil Packs — How, When & Where

    56:57 The Nervous System as a Detox Organ

    58:55 Social Media, News & EMFs as "Energetic Toxins"

    60:51 Protecting Yourself From Information Overload During TTC

    62:59 The Energetic Sink: Why Some People Spiral & Others Don't

    70:29 Boundaries With News & Social Media in the Preconception Window

    74:05 How to Go Deeper: Courses, Membership & Working with a Practitioner


    Resources From This Episode:

    • Dr. Leah's Womanhood Wellness Membership
    • Liver Sauce
    • The Toxin Solution by Dr. Joe Pizzorno
    • Healthy As A Mother Episode #161 - Boundaries In Motherhood
    • Healthy As A Mother Episode #22 - Detoxing Before Pregnancy


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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 HAAM and save 10% at Fond

    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

    1 hr 20 min
  • Boundaries in Motherhood: Why You Feel Controlled (and How to Take Your Power Back) | #161

    What if the tension you feel in motherhood isn’t about your decisions… but about your boundaries?


    In this episode, we break down one of the most overlooked skills women need to navigate pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood: setting boundaries with family, friends, and outside opinions.


    From pressure around home birth to unsolicited advice from parents and in-laws, this conversation unpacks why boundaries feel so hard, what they actually are (and aren’t), and how to confidently take your power back without damaging your relationships.


    If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by opinions, pressure, or expectations around motherhood… this episode will shift how you see it.


    00:00 Trailer & Introduction

    01:33 Why Boundaries in Motherhood Feel So Hard

    02:54 What a Boundary Actually Is (and What It’s Not)

    06:42 Why Most Women Misunderstand Boundaries

    07:38 The Power of Controlling Your Response (Not Others)

    09:22 Real-Life Example of Healthy Boundaries

    11:07 Why Boundaries Protect Relationships (Not Damage Them)

    13:37 Should You Communicate Boundaries Ahead of Time?

    16:29 Handling Strong Disagreements (Vaccines, Parenting Choices)

    18:24 Why Parents Struggle to Let Go of Control

    21:16 What Happens When You Set Boundaries for the First Time

    22:36 Why Consistency Is Everything

    24:48 Becoming a “New Version” of Yourself in Relationships

    28:40 Communication Frameworks That Actually Work

    30:10 Birth Choices and Family Pressure Explained

    33:26 Real Story: Shifting Beliefs Around Home Birth

    34:51 How to Respond to Extreme Pushback

    37:43 Who Gets to Be at Your Birth (and Who Doesn’t)

    41:30 How to Communicate Firm Boundaries Clearly

    44:46 Why Waiting for Birth Can Create Stress

    48:37 Postpartum Boundaries and Baby Handling

    51:38 Scripts for Setting Boundaries Respectfully

    53:18 Why Women Struggle with Boundaries More Than Men

    56:30 The Deeper Root: Fear of Rejection and Losing Connection

    57:37 The Role of Intuition and Safety (Gift of Fear Insight)

    01:00:00 Final Thoughts: Boundaries as Empowerment


    Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

    • Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships
    • Home Birth Stats
    • The Gift of Fear: And Other Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence
    • Dr. Morgan's Pregnancy Call Lessons


    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 HAAM and save 10% at Fond

    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

    1 hr 11 min
  • The Future of IVF Embryo Testing (and What Rhino Babies Reveal About Fertility) with Cara Wells, PhD | #160

    In this episode of Healthy As A Mother, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood parts of IVF: embryo selection.


    Because here’s the truth most people don’t realize…


    Even today, many IVF labs still rely on visual grading methods developed over 50 years ago to choose which embryo becomes your baby. And that could be the reason so many “perfect-looking” embryos fail.


    Today, Dr. Leah sits down with Cara Wells, PhD, a reproductive physiologist and founder of a groundbreaking fertility technology that uses non-invasive video analysis to assess embryo health in real time.


    Instead of just looking at embryos… Her technology measures how they behave.

    And what they’ve discovered could completely change IVF outcomes.


    0:00 Trailer + Intro

    0:55 Meet Cara Wells, PhD + Her Background

    2:15 The Problem with IVF Embryo Grading

    6:25 Why IVF Feels Like a “Black Box”

    10:47 The Technology That Inspired a Breakthrough

    13:04 How Embryo Video Analysis Works

    18:15 Why This Technology Matters for IVF Patients

    20:49 Can We Improve Egg + Sperm Quality?

    22:20 Why “Perfect” Embryos Still Fail

    24:36 What Animal Research Reveals About Fertility

    29:15 Why Animal Health Research Matters for Humans

    32:12 What This Tech Reveals About Sperm Quality

    40:25 How This Impacts Endangered Species

    47:35 The Rhino Fertility Discovery

    53:02 What Animals Reveal About Human Conditions

    59:35 PGT Testing vs Non-Invasive Embryo Testing

    1:03:25 How to Learn More + Closing Thoughts


    Resources From This Episode:

    • Dr. Leah's Womanhood Wellness Membership
    • Emgenisys Website
    • Cara Well's LinkedIn


    Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTube

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    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 HAAM and save 10% at Fond

    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

    1 hr 13 min
  • A Better Way to Understand Mental & Emotional Patterns in You and Your Kids with Dr. Steve Rondeau | #159

    Mental health is often treated like a guessing game, but what if we could actually see what’s happening in the brain?


    In this episode, Dr. Steve Rondeau, founder of Axon EEG Solutions and author of Think Like a Brain, breaks down how brain-based data is changing the way we understand mental health, postpartum struggles, and behavior in both women and children.


    We dive into why traditional diagnoses often miss the root cause, how brain patterns shape your personality and responses, and why your environment plays a bigger role than you think. This conversation also explores a newly released study on hormonal birth control and antidepressant response, the concept of the “overwhelmed brain,” and how small shifts in your daily life can dramatically change your mental resilience.


    If you’ve ever felt like something is off but can’t explain why, or wondered why one season of life feels manageable while another feels overwhelming, this episode will completely reframe how you think about your brain, your behavior, and your capacity.


    00:00 Intro

    01:52 Why mental health is still a guessing game

    03:40 The misdiagnosis that exposes a broken system

    06:10 Can brain scans predict personality

    09:30 Why people experience life differently

    13:15 Birth control and antidepressant study

    16:47 Why one-size-fits-all treatment fails

    18:40 Why postpartum experiences vary

    22:40 Your brain isn’t broken your environment is

    24:21 When symptoms don’t match the diagnosis

    26:40 The case that changed everything

    29:10 Why root causes get missed

    32:10 Are brain patterns genetic or learned

    34:40 The 3 areas that shape mental health

    37:40 Why you can’t just push through

    39:10 The overwhelmed brain pattern

    42:10 The habit that regulates your nervous system

    43:46 Why coping mechanisms make sense

    46:40 Why normal brains don’t exist

    49:10 Parenting and relationships through this lens

    53:10 What’s normal behavior for kids

    55:10 The parenting mistake most people make

    58:10 Are screens rewiring our brains

    61:10 How to find brain scan providers

    73:31 Outro


    Resources From This Episode:

    1. Dr. Rondeau's Website - https://axoneegsolutions.com/
    2. Dr. Rondeau's Book: Think Like Brain Treating Manual - https://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Brain-Treating-Manual-ebook/dp/B0GFXQK1DV
    3. Follow Dr. Steve Rondeau on Socials:
    4. Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/people/Dr-Steve-Rondeau/100068808602146/
    5. LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-steven-rondeau-148aa421/
    6. Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dr_rondeau_qeeg/
    7. Dr. Morgan's Pregnancy Call Lessons - https://milkmedicine.com/lessonsonly/


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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 HAAM and save 10% at Fond

    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

    1 hr 14 min
  • Epidurals: What They Don’t Tell You (Risks, Myths & When You Actually Need One) | #158

    Epidurals are one of the most common, and most misunderstood, parts of modern birth.


    In this episode, we break down everything you actually need to know: what’s in an epidural, how it works, when it helps, and when it can create more complications than expected.


    We also get honest about the parts most people don’t talk about, including side effects, the cascade of interventions, and why so many women feel blindsided after the fact.

    This isn’t about telling you what to do.


    It’s about giving you the clarity to make the right decision for your birth.


    00:00 — Trailer & Intro

    01:33 — Why This Conversation Matters

    03:33 — Epidural vs Spinal: What’s the Difference

    06:03 — “Do No Harm” Framework for Birth Decisions

    08:03 — The History of Pain Management in Birth

    11:33 — What’s Actually In an Epidural

    15:33 — What It Feels Like to Get One

    19:33 — When You Can (and Can’t) Get an Epidural

    23:33 — The Timing Mistake Most Women Make

    26:33 — When an Epidural is Actually Helpful

    30:33 — Guilt, Shame & Birth Expectations

    35:33 — Common Side Effects Explained

    41:33 — The Cascade of Interventions

    45:33 — What Happens When It Doesn’t Work

    49:33 — Effects on Baby (Myths vs Reality)

    53:33 — Why Women Feel Misinformed

    57:33 — Epidurals & Postpartum/Bonding

    01:00:33 — How to Decide What’s Right for You


    Resources From This Episode:

    • The Vital Importance of Baby's Position During Birth with Ann Gilligan, RN, LNC, RYPT | #32
    • 5 Things That Ruin Breastfeeding | #146
    • Dr. Morgan's Pregnancy Call Lessons


    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 HAAM and save 10% at Fond

    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

    1 hr 14 min

About Healthy As A Mother

From the publisher's feed

Healthy As A Mother is a podcast for becoming and being a mother, hosted by Dr. Leah Gordon and Dr. Morgan MacDermott, two naturopathic doctors passionate about helping women navigate fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and motherhood through a natural health lens.

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