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 Get Pregnant After Pregnancy Loss? Here’s What No One Tells You | #157

    If you’ve experienced pregnancy loss and are thinking about trying to conceive again, this episode walks you through what most women aren’t told about getting pregnant after pregnancy loss. From the emotional impact of miscarriage and pregnancy loss to the physical factors that can influence fertility, we break down what actually matters when preparing your body and mind for another pregnancy.


    We cover common causes of pregnancy loss, including hormonal imbalances like low progesterone, egg and sperm quality, inflammation, thyroid health, and other underlying fertility factors. You’ll also learn how long to wait before trying again, how to support your body after pregnancy loss, and what steps you can take to reduce the risk of another loss.


    This episode also dives deep into the emotional side of pregnancy loss, including anxiety, fear, grief, and the mental challenges of trying to conceive again after loss. Whether you’ve had one pregnancy loss or multiple, this conversation is designed to help you feel less alone and more empowered with both knowledge and support.


    If you’re navigating fertility after pregnancy loss, trying to get pregnant again, or looking for answers about why pregnancy loss happens, this episode will give you a grounded, whole-body perspective, combining science, mindset, and real experiences.


    00:00 — Trailer + Intro

    01:27 — The Emotional Reality of Pregnancy Loss

    04:41 — Real Stories of Loss & Trying Again

    07:44 — Pregnancy After Loss Feels Different

    11:20 — IVF, Embryo Loss & Different Grieving Experiences

    13:07 — Why Pregnancy Loss Happens (Physical + Unknown Factors)

    14:41 — It’s NOT Your Fault (But You Can Optimize)

    15:35 — Spiritual & Emotional Interpretations of Loss

    18:57 — Physical Causes of Pregnancy Loss

    21:45 — What Happens During Pregnancy Loss (Options Explained)

    27:18 — Emotional & Physical Preparation for Each Option

    30:35 — When Can You Try Again?

    32:39 — Your Body Is in “Mini Postpartum”

    35:36 — The Emotional Side No One Supports Enough

    38:07 — Male Fertility: The Missing 50%

    40:13 — Egg & Sperm Quality Optimization

    41:23 — Hormones & Progesterone Explained

    46:15 — Inflammation, Gut Health & Vaginal Microbiome

    48:58 — What to Do After One Loss vs Multiple Losses

    52:39 — A Practical Game Plan Moving Forward

    53:50 — Emotional Integration & Healing

    55:33 — The Hidden Losses (Identity, Timing, Life Plans)

    56:28 — Closing Thoughts & Support Resources


    Resources From This Episode:

    • 8 Root Causes of Pregnancy Loss | #116 - https://youtu.be/8nKRemVWIrM?si=wDeVseGOjgkLEaQ4
    • The Power of Progesterone: An Essential Fertility Hormone | #31 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/66SZoAvmnxWS3IQsbSOfCh?si=SAQxaAOcQE2tp_3hwOicMQ
    • Miscarriage Mystery Decoded with Dr. Aumatma | #51 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/53ikQ9sbpca3nP3T0J9i9s?si=d1fXivahQ22-KgH9r_cf2g
    • Dr. Leah's Womanhood Wellness Membership


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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 2 min
  • Newborn Interventions Every Mom Should Understand Before Birth | #156

    What actually happens to your baby in the first 24–48 hours after birth, and which newborn interventions should you say yes or no to?


    In this episode, we break down 14 common newborn interventions and procedures parents may be offered right after delivery. From delayed cord clamping and suctioning to vitamin K, hepatitis B, erythromycin eye ointment, newborn metabolic screening, hearing and heart tests, circumcision, jaundice, early bathing, and pediatric follow-up, we explain what these interventions are, why they’re offered, and what parents should understand before birth.


    Whether you’re planning a hospital birth, home birth, or birth center delivery, this conversation will help you make informed decisions about newborn care and know what questions to ask when creating your birth plan.


    00:00 Trailer + intro

    01:13 Why newborn interventions matter

    03:44 Delayed cord clamping

    09:23 Rubbing and suctioning after birth

    14:26 Swaddling, hats, and skin-to-skin

    18:37 The golden hour and delaying newborn exams

    21:10 Vitamin K shot vs oral vitamin K

    29:44 Hepatitis B vaccine at birth

    34:07 Erythromycin eye ointment

    36:57 Newborn metabolic screening / heel prick / PKU test

    39:19 Newborn blood sugar testing

    41:42 Hearing test and congenital heart disease screening

    46:36 Circumcision considerations

    47:32 Early bath and newborn microbiome

    52:31 Newborn jaundice explained

    56:39 Breastfeeding jaundice vs breast milk jaundice

    59:04 Pediatrician visits and delayed vaccine schedules

    01:05:39 Closing thoughts


    Resources From This Episode:

    • Vax Dilemmas: Hesitancy, Studies, and Alternate Schedules with Dr. Joel Gator Warsh | Ep. 109 - https://youtu.be/d72t0Dv18Ok?si=OawY6xJOcWhy0w44
    • Vaccines From A Neurodevelopmental Perspective with Dr. Ari Calhoun | Ep. 52 - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthy-as-a-mother/id1663942916?i=1000648382589
    • 5 Things That Ruin Breastfeeding | Ep 146 - https://youtu.be/BQgB9rQ_Msk?si=fwrB0QJ1DvfzrrUm
    • Breastfeeding and Trying To Conceive | Ep 113 - https://youtu.be/vRXXioExVh8?si=epAYIrJeqe197ftJ
    • Breastfeeding: What to KNOW before your baby is born | Ep 10 - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthy-as-a-mother/id1663942916?i=1000601146225
    • Dr. Morgan's Pregnancy Call Lessons



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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 12 min
  • The Truth About Motherhood Right Now: Sleep Deprivation, Overwhelm & Finding Routine Again | #155

    In this honest life update episode, we’re sharing what motherhood looks like for us right now... the wins, the challenges, and the very real in-between.


    We talk about rebuilding strength after a C-section, navigating toddler chaos and overstimulation, how sleep deprivation affects everything, and why routines can feel life-giving in certain seasons of motherhood. We also open up about feeling baby kicks during pregnancy, the emotional weight of the mental load, waking up at 5 a.m., hormone-supportive habits, and the financial pressure that can come with running a business while raising a family.


    This episode is candid, relatable, and full of those real mom moments that often go unspoken. If you’re in a season of trying to hold it all together while also finding your way back to yourself, this one will feel like a conversation with friends who get it.


    In this episode, we cover:

    • Rebuilding strength and reconnecting with your body after a C-section
    • The emotional and physical impact of postpartum sleep deprivation
    • Toddler chaos and the reality of parenting multiple kids
    • The invisible mental load many mothers carry every day
    • Why routines can actually create more freedom, creativity, and flow
    • The transition out of the postpartum season and back into personal rhythms
    • Navigating motherhood while growing and supporting a business
    • The financial and emotional pressures of entrepreneurship during family life
    • The beauty of sharing both the wins and the challenges of motherhood
    • Why real conversations about motherhood matter more than perfection online


    00:00 Intro

    01:33 Life updates

    02:14 Toddler chaos and the destruction phase

    07:49 Reflecting on postpartum while caring for other children

    12:33 Why sleep deprivation is so hard in motherhood

    13:35 Trying to stay organized as a mom (and why chaos still happens)

    21:39 The small parenting struggles that add up

    31:00 The Skylight calendar and organizing family life

    39:24 Getting back into exercise after a C-section

    44:30 Getting back into routine and finding rhythm again

    54:45 The pressure for business to grow financially

    1:00:00 Money as the next personal growth frontier

    1:03:51 Why sharing life updates matters

    1:07:19 Outro


    Resources Mentioned:

    • Uplift Workout Program: Use code DRLEAH0770 for $20 off
    • Dow Janes Financial Program
    • Dr. Morgan's Pregnancy Call Lessons
    • Dr. Leah's Womanhood Wellness Membership


    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 8 min
  • Your Cycle Report Card: Symptom Clues That Reveal Your Hormones & Fertility | #154

    Your menstrual cycle isn’t random; it’s a monthly hormone report card.


    In this episode, Dr. Leah breaks down how to decode your cycle from bleed to bleed and what common symptoms may be telling you about progesterone, estrogen, inflammation, ovulation, and fertility.


    If you’ve ever wondered whether your spotting, PMS, heavy bleeding, dry cycles, painful periods, or irregular timing are “normal”, this episode will help you understand what your body may actually be communicating.


    In this episode, we cover:

    • Spotting before your period & what it means for progesterone

    • Light or short periods & signs of low estrogen or under-fueling

    • Heavy bleeding & estrogen dominance

    • Ovulation pain: normal vs red flag

    • PMS, PMDD & progesterone deficiencies

    • Mood shifts right after ovulation

    • Low cervical mucus / dry cycles

    • Long cycles & PCOS clues

    • Short cycles, luteal phase defects & egg reserve

    • Brown blood & blood stagnation

    • Severe cramping & endometriosis

    • Breast tenderness, prolactin & fibrocystic changes


    00:00 – Trailer & Intro

    02:06 – Your cycle as a “report card”

    06:14 – Spotting before your period (low progesterone clues)

    08:53 – Mid-luteal spotting: infection, polyps, implantation

    13:54 – Light or short periods (low estrogen & under-fueling)

    18:54 – Heavy bleeding (estrogen dominance & growth conditions)

    23:47 – Ovulation pain explained

    26:05 – PMS & PMDD (progesterone, nutrients, blood sugar)

    30:19 – Mood changes after ovulation

    33:38 – Low cervical mucus / dry cycles

    36:46 – Long cycles & PCOS

    42:47 – Short cycles & ovarian reserve

    47:25 – Brown blood & stagnation

    48:50 – Severe cramping & endometriosis

    53:09 – Breast changes & lymph support

    57:06 – Final thoughts


    Resources From This Episode:

    • Episode #31: The Power of Progesterone
    • Episode #151: When Sex Hurts
    • Hormone & Cycle Health Episode Playlist
    • Dr. Leah's Womanhood Wellness Membership


    If you want step-by-step hormone education, cycle tracking guidance, and root-cause protocols, explore the Womanhood Wellness Membership for deeper support: https://drleahgordon.com/join


    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 4 min
  • Pregnancy Over 40: Real Risks, Benefits & What No One Explains About Having Babies Later | #153

    Pregnancy over 40 is often surrounded by fear, but the real story is more nuanced than most women are told.


    In Part 2 of our Over 40 series, we break down what actually matters when considering pregnancy later in life, including medical risks, lifestyle factors, birth decisions, and even the surprising benefits of having babies in your 40s.


    If you’ve been labeled “advanced maternal age,” feeling pressure about timing, or wondering whether it’s too late to grow your family, this episode offers an evidence-based and compassionate perspective.


    In this episode, we discuss:

    ✔️ Induction pressure and spontaneous labor after 40

    ✔️ How to evaluate pregnancy risks realistically

    ✔️ Miscarriage and chromosomal risk explained simply

    ✔️ When shorter age gaps may make sense biologically

    ✔️ The truth about twins and fertility after 40

    ✔️ Longevity myths — why later fertility may signal better health

    ✔️ Breastfeeding, family planning & timing decisions

    ✔️ Breast cancer risk reduction linked to pregnancy and nursing

    ✔️ Lifestyle factors that matter most in pregnancy after 40

    ✔️ Preconception health, nutrition, and exercise recommendations


    00:00 Trailer + Podcast Intro

    01:45 Episode Begins — Pregnancy & Birth Over 40 Overview

    02:13 Why More Women Are Having Babies After 40

    03:55 Advanced Maternal Age: What Actually Matters

    06:02 Chromosomal Risks Explained (Down Syndrome & Testing)

    08:00 NIPT Testing — Pros, Cons & When It Makes Sense

    10:14 Twin Pregnancy Risk After 40

    13:27 Miscarriage Statistics by Age

    16:54 Pregnancy Complications Over 40 (Hypertension & Preeclampsia)

    19:35 Placenta Previa Risk Factors

    21:35 Gestational Diabetes & Lifestyle Factors

    23:30 Growth Restriction & Paternal Health Influence

    24:58 Preterm Labor Risk

    25:47 Stillbirth Risk — What the Numbers Really Mean

    28:02 Induction & Cesarean Rates After 40

    30:35 Medical System vs Physiological Birth Discussion


    Pregnancy outcomes are influenced by far more than age alone: metabolic health, lifestyle, and individualized care play a major role. Whether you’re trying to conceive, are currently pregnant, or are simply exploring your options, this episode aims to replace fear with clarity.


    Watch Part 1 of this series HERE


    Resources From This Episode:

    • Dr. Morgan's Pregnancy Call Lessons
    • Episode #31 The Power of Progesterone
    • Episode #150 Everything You Were Never Taught About The Placenta
    • Episode #113 Breastfeeding and TTC


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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

    51 min
  • Fertility Over 40: What Actually Matters (And How to Optimize Your Chances) | #152

    Part 1 of a 2-Part Series: Fertility Over 40


    Fertility over 40 is becoming more common than ever, but with it comes confusion, fear, and a lot of outdated information.


    In this episode of Healthy As A Mother, we begin a two-part fertility series focused on conception after age 40. We break down what actually changes with age, what matters most for fertility, and — most importantly — what you can influence.


    Because chronological age is only one piece of the picture.


    You’ll learn why egg quality matters more than egg count, how lifestyle and metabolic health impact fertility outcomes, and how women can support ovulation, hormone balance, and mitochondrial health as they age. If you’ve been told your age alone determines your fertility, this episode offers a more nuanced and hopeful perspective.


    In this episode, we cover:

    • Why chronological age doesn’t equal ovarian health

    • The real role of egg quality vs. egg count (AMH explained)

    • How mitochondrial health impacts fertility

    • Environmental toxins and hidden fertility stressors

    • Blood sugar balance and metabolic health after 40

    • Inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormone disruption

    • Ovulation strength and progesterone production

    • Short luteal phases and why they matter for implantation

    • Signs of low progesterone you shouldn’t ignore

    • How lifestyle changes can meaningfully improve fertility outcomes


    00:00 — Trailer & Podcast Intro

    03:25 — Episode begins: Fertility over 40 overview

    05:10 — Chronological age vs ovarian environment

    21:30 — Egg quality, lifestyle, and metabolic health

    23:58 — Inflammation, stress & nutrient deficiencies explained

    24:25 — Progesterone, luteal phase & cycle changes after 40

    25:10 — Signs of low progesterone to watch for

    48:43 — IVF myths: why optimization matters first

    49:12 — Why IVF doesn’t bypass egg or sperm quality

    49:42 — Rethinking fertility decisions after 40

    50:51 — Fertility as a marker of overall health


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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 6 min
  • When Sex Hurts: The Root Causes No One Talks About | #151

    Painful sex is far more common than most women realize and far more complex than we’re ever taught.


    In this episode, Dr. Leah shares her deeply personal 18-year journey with painful sex, low libido, and feeling dismissed by the medical system, alongside a comprehensive breakdown of the real root causes of pain during sex, from trauma and pelvic floor dysfunction to hormonal changes and lesser-known conditions like provoked vestibulodynia (PVD).


    We talk honestly about why painful sex is not something you should “just push through,” why many conventional treatments miss the mark, and how healing often requires addressing multiple layers at once: physical, neurological, hormonal, and emotional.


    If sex has ever felt painful, burning, tense, or emotionally complicated, or if you’ve been told everything “looks normal” but something still feels wrong, this conversation is for you.


    Painful sex is not a personal failure, a relationship problem, or something you should tolerate. It’s often a signal, and when you understand the signal, healing becomes possible.


    Content Note

    This episode includes discussion of sexual trauma, medical trauma, and chronic pain. Please take care while listening and pause if needed.


    00:00 Trailer + show intro

    02:00 Why painful sex is more common than we think (and why women feel so isolated)

    04:00 Dr. Leah’s personal story: living with painful sex from the very beginning

    08:00 Being dismissed by doctors + why chronic pain is so confusing and isolating

    12:30 Why treating symptoms doesn’t work

    16:00 Endometriosis and deep pain during sex

    25:30 Why pregnancy sometimes improves pain (and why it doesn’t always last)

    32:45 Vaginismus explained

    40:45 Pain, pleasure, and the nervous system

    44:30 Trauma healing during pregnancy and how it changed postpartum pain

    47:45 Provoked Vestibulodynia (PVD)

    52:45 Birth control, testosterone, and why estrogen isn’t always the issue

    56:45 What finally worked

    59:45 Other overlooked causes of painful sex

    1:04:30 Hypertonic pelvic floors

    1:08:30 Final reflections, hope, and next steps


    Resources From This Episode:

    • Dr. Leah's When Sex Hurts Immersion Course Waitlist
    • When Sex Hurts (book)
    • Dr. Leah's Womanhood Wellness Membership
    • Episode: Birth Preparation for Sexual Trauma Survivors
    • Dr. Leah's Decoding Desire Immersion Experience


    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 18 min
  • Everything You Were Never Taught About the Placenta (And Why It Matters So Much) | #150

    The placenta is one of the most misunderstood organs in pregnancy, yet it plays a central role in implantation, miscarriage risk, fetal growth, preeclampsia, birth complications, and postpartum recovery.


    In this episode of Healthy As A Mother, Dr. Morgan delivers a clear, grounded crash course on the placenta: what it is, how it forms, how it functions, and what can go wrong. We unpack common myths, explain real risks without fear, and clarify why the placenta quietly determines so many pregnancy outcomes.


    This conversation is designed to replace anxiety with understanding and confusion with clarity, so parents can make informed decisions throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.


    Educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare provider for personal medical care.


    00:00 – Why the placenta matters more than people think

    03:00 – Placenta development and implantation

    09:00 – Male fertility, sperm health, and pregnancy outcomes

    15:00 – Placental anatomy explained simply

    18:30 – Cord insertions and placental variants

    22:00 – Velamentous cord insertion and vasa previa

    27:00 – Placental positioning and placenta previa

    32:00 – Placenta accreta and surgical risks

    37:00 – Subchorionic hemorrhage and first-trimester bleeding

    42:00 – Placental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction

    45:00 – Preeclampsia explained

    48:30 – Placental abruption

    50:00 – Retained placenta and postpartum hemorrhage

    53:30 – Birthing the placenta (third stage of labor)

    56:00 – Pitocin and hospital management

    59:00 – What to do with the placenta after birth


    Resources From This Episode:

    • 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 20 min
  • Why Modern Motherhood Feels So Hard: The Human Animal in Captivity | #149

    Why does modern motherhood feel so hard — even when you’re doing everything “right”?


    In this episode of Healthy As A Mother, we explore a powerful lens for understanding hormones, fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and burnout: humans are animals — and modern life is not designed for our biology.


    From nervous system dysregulation and chronic stress to fertility struggles, postpartum depletion, and emotional overwhelm, this conversation reframes modern motherhood as a biological mismatch, not a personal failure.


    This episode is for women and mothers who feel like something about modern life, health, and motherhood just isn’t working — and want a deeper, root-cause understanding.


    00:00 Introduction: The Human Animal

    02:05 Humans as Animals

    05:10 Animals in Captivity

    09:15 The Continuum Concept

    14:05 Biohacking vs Nature

    18:20 Hormones, Detox & Toxic Load

    22:45 Genetics & Sensitivity

    27:10 Evolution or De-Evolution

    31:30 The Loss of the Village

    36:20 Reciprocity & Support

    40:55 Parenting, School & Disconnection

    44:35 Sunlight, Sleep & Circadian Rhythm

    48:40 Men, Women & Biological Roles

    53:10 Food, Nutrient Depletion & Seasonality

    57:45 Sensory Overload & The News

    1:03:10 Warriors, Nurturers & Purpose

    1:08:40 Living Like an Animal Again

    1:12:30 Final Thoughts


    Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

    • I Am Documentary
    • Continuum Concept
    • The Red Tent
    • Ishmael
    • 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 18 min
  • How Our Culture & Systems Failed Women Who Want to Be Mothers | #148

    Our culture and systems have failed many women who want to be mothers, not through malice, but through neglect, misalignment, and outdated priorities.


    In this episode, we explore how education, feminism, medicine, and career culture shaped a generation of women who were never truly prepared for motherhood. This is a nuanced, honest conversation about how our culture and systems have failed many women who want to be mothers.


    We want to say this clearly up front: this conversation reflects our lived experiences and what we see in our work. It is not meant to invalidate women who had supportive, empowering paths to motherhood, nor does it represent every experience across different socioeconomic or cultural backgrounds.


    What we explore here is a pattern. For decades, women were encouraged to prioritize education, career, and productivity, often with little to no preparation for health, fertility, or motherhood. Feminism brought women freedom, opportunity, and choice, and we honor that deeply. But like all cultural movements, there were unintended consequences that many women are only now grappling with.


    In this conversation, we discuss:

    • Why motherhood was treated as an afterthought rather than a life path

    • How feminism empowered women — and where systems failed to evolve alongside it

    • The lack of reproductive and health education for young women

    • How birth control often masked dysfunction instead of addressing root causes

    • Why so many women feel blindsided by fertility struggles in their 30s

    • The cost of prioritizing weddings, careers, and productivity over preparation for motherhood

    • Maternal burnout, postpartum strain, and the lack of systemic support

    • What a more integrative, honest, and compassionate approach could look like


    This is not about blame. It’s about awareness because we can’t change what we don’t acknowledge. Our hope is that by having these conversations openly, we can support women now and create better systems for future generations. If this episode resonated with you, please consider subscribing, sharing, or leaving a review. These conversations matter.


    00:00 — Why We’re Having This Conversation

    02:45 — This Isn’t Everyone’s Experience But It’s a Real Pattern

    05:30 — Feminism Gave Women Choice... And Then the Pendulum Swung

    09:45 — When Motherhood Became an Afterthought

    13:20 — Career First, Motherhood “On the Side”

    17:40 — The Lie We Were Sold About Fertility & Birth Control

    22:10 — Why So Many Women Are Struggling to Conceive in Their 30s

    27:15 — “Our Society Is Not Set Up for Women to Become Mothers”

    31:00 — We Prepare for College & Sports — But Not Health

    34:30 — Imagine a World Where Girls Are Taught About Their Bodies

    38:20 — The Cost of Ignoring Motherhood (Burnout, Infertility, Trauma)

    42:45 — Weddings, Nurseries & Misplaced Priorities

    47:30 — What the Medical System Gets Wrong About Fertility

    52:10 — How This Could Change for the Next Generation

    56:00 — This Isn’t About Blame, It’s About What’s Broken

    59:00 — Final Thoughts, Hope & Why These Conversations Matter


    Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

    • Join Womanhood Wellness
    • Social Studies Docuseries
    • The Time Machine Movie


    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


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    1 hr 10 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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