Healthy As A Mother

Join Womanhood Wellness to learn more about all of the things we discuss in this episode.

What if the world really was rigged in your favor, even when your fertility journey feels impossible?



In this episode, Dr.Leah sits down with her husband, Mike, to unpack their six-year journey through severe male factor infertility that eventually led them to IVF. Mike shares the raw truths and lessons he wishes every man knew before stepping into this process, from the mindset that kept him grounded to the habits and testing that changed everything.

They get real about the hardest moments, the difference between fighting and surrendering, and the mindset shift that made the impossible feel bearable. It’s not a how-to guide, it’s a story about meaning, surrender, and what it really takes to stay connected through the storm.

Because… sometimes the only way forward is trusting that even this is happening for you.

You’ll Learn:

[00:00] Introduction

[04:52] Why viewing life as “rigged in your favor” can shift infertility grief into gratitude

[08:03] The critical balance between fighting for answers and surrendering control

[09:39] Why avoiding testing keeps men stuck in ego instead of empowered

[12:38] How releasing judgment and embracing IVF with excitement changes the experience

[14:28] Everyday toxins that quietly damage testosterone and sperm quality

[20:28] The truth about EMFs and keeping phones in your pockets

[22:32] Which supplements and detox tools actually matter for men’s sperm health

[37:22] The difference between ejaculated and immature sperm can determine IVF success

[43:47] The important lesson their six-year journey revealed about finding meaning in struggle

Resources Mentioned:

Peter Sage Academy | Website

Needed – Men’s Fertility Line | Website

Good Clean Love Lubricants | Website

Coconu – Water-Based or Oil-Based Lubricant | Website

Yes – Organic Lubricant | Website

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

What if the skills that make breech and twin birth safe have been intentionally erased from modern medicine?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Stuart Fischbein, an OB-GYN and longtime advocate for physiological birth. After nearly three decades in hospitals and over a decade attending home births alongside midwives, he’s become a leading voice in reteaching the lost art of vaginal breech and twin delivery. Together, we dig into how this knowledge disappeared, what replaced it, and why practitioners are no longer taught to trust birth.

Dr. Stuart exposes the ripple effects of fear, policy, and profit that shape today’s obstetric system. We look at the flawed studies that reshaped global practice, the quiet politics behind “standard of care,” and the consequences of replacing skill with surgery. There’s a reason breech birth became a lost language, and a growing movement to relearn it.

You’ll Learn:



[00:00] Introduction

[03:17] Why the medical system stripped doctors of individuality and decision-making power

[12:05] How one flawed study reshaped global birth practices overnight

[19:59] Who qualifies for vaginal breech birth

[31:33] When “hands off the breech” isn’t enough

[36:46] How doctors rationalize ignoring evidence that contradicts hospital policy

[40:52] The hidden conflicts of interest behind vaccine and medication recommendations

[56:36] Why hospitals prioritize liability and revenue over individualized, physiological care

[01:03:41] Rediscovering birth as a human experience

[01:08:25] When medicine loses its humanity

Resources Mentioned:

Fearless Pregnancy by Stuart Fischbein, Victoria Clayton, and Joyce Weckl | Book

Twin Home Birth by Fischbein, S. | Article

Breech Birth At Home by Fischbein, S. and Freeze, R. | Article

“Home Birth” With An Obstetrician by Fischbein, S. | Article

Term Breech Trial (2000) by Hannah, M. et al. | Article

Healthy as a Mother episode #135 on The Truth About Ultrasounds: Risks & Benefits | Apple or Spotify

Birthing Instincts Podcast | Apple or Spotify

Learn more from Dr. Stuart on his website. You can also follow him on Instagram, Facebook, and X.

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

​​Want to learn all of Dr. Morgan's expert advice on pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum? Get her lessons here!

Ultrasounds can save babies… and harm them.

In this episode, we break down the real risks, the imperfect tech, and the benefits so you can choose with nuance. We don’t take an all-or-nothing stance; We look at where this tool helps and where it doesn’t, and name the common pressure tracks people get swept into.

You’ll hear what makes the first trimester different, why short scans matter, and how an anatomy scan fits. We pull back the curtain on false alarms, anxiety spirals, and the temptation to use a Doppler like a security blanket. Sometimes the smartest move is giving your body what it already needs.

You’ll Learn:

[00:00] Introduction

[06:00] Choosing reassurance without overuse

[11:00] Early scans: where caution matters

[16:00] When false results derail a pregnancy

[20:57] IUGR: balancing risk and timing

[26:11] The miscarriage myth gets a reality check

[29:16] What a randomized trial found about child outcomes

[36:58] Choosing acceptance when you feel out of control

[40:36] Why the ‘right’ choice looks different for every Mom

[50:18] What the 20-week anatomy scan is for

[1:11:00] What a late-pregnancy biophysical profile actually checks



Resources Mentioned:

Healthy as a Mother podcast episode on The Power of Progesterone: An Essential Fertility Hormone | Apple or Spotify

Find more from Dr. Leah:

Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram

Dr. Leah Gordon | Website

Womanhood Wellness | Website

Find more from Dr. Morgan:

Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram

Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website

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

Womanhood Wellness is where functional medicine meets feminine wisdom—guiding you to balance hormones, awaken libido, and prepare for pregnancy with intention. Join today

What if chasing health and beauty ends up making us sick, anxious, and disconnected?

This episode is all about choosing joy instead of fear and questioning the pressure to do everything “right,” from Botox to seed oils. That lens applies to everything, hair dye, kids’ snacks, and even the bread at an Italian restaurant. We need to ask what actually serves our bodies and our stress levels.

The internet is a great resource, but it has created immense confusion around wellness because for every idea you can easily find an opposition with just as much conviction. We explore that same middle ground in fertility, where IVF might make sense for some while natural approaches fit others. Of course, we always bring it home to motherhood and discuss screens, childcare, and the everyday mess of trying to balance it all without losing ourselves in the extremes.

You’ll Learn:

[00:00] Introduction

[06:09] Where the line blurs between natural beauty choices and Botox

[09:08] The hidden costs of breast implants and why “safe” options aren’t risk-free

[10:18] How losing facial expression with Botox may impact kids and human connection

[22:33] Why obsessing over toxins or food rules can harm more than help

[26:11] The mindset shift that transforms health choices from fear to joy

[32:56] Navigating the nuanced spectrum between fertility treatments and natural approaches

[38:57] How to balance being present with your kids while still holding boundaries

[41:25] The real struggles of working motherhood and why guilt shows up on both sides

[51:06] Why extremes create suffering and why most wisdom lives in the middle

Resources Mentioned:

Healthy as a Mother podcast episode on How to Handle Sibling Fights with Ralphie Jacobs | Apple or Spotify or YouTube

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

What if the real reason for low milk supply isn’t your body at all?

In this episode, we sit down with Lynnelle King, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and craniosacral therapist. She brings decades of experience, a deep background in lactation and tongue and lip ties, and the perspective of a mother of eight who runs a busy clinic helping women succeed at breastfeeding when nothing else has worked.

We open up the conversation on low milk supply. From true insufficient glandular tissue to tongue ties and structural issues, we get into the realities behind why breastfeeding can feel impossible. This is a grounded, practical look at the different causes and what mothers often miss when they’re told their bodies “just don’t make enough milk.”

[00:00] Introduction

[13:10] Why true insufficient glandular tissue is rare, and what breast changes signal it

[16:40] How using a supplemental nursing system can build more milk-making tissue

[17:10] The reality of grief when supply is low and the role of donor milk

[18:12] How undiagnosed tongue and lip ties quietly reduce supply

[37:41] Why toxic exposures in utero can affect breast development

[38:50] Why implants and reductions affect milk supply in completely different ways

[56:40] What happens to milk supply when you get pregnant again

[1:05:05] The link between stress hormones, oxytocin, and the let-down reflex

Resources From This Episode:

• Healthy as a Mother podcast episode on A Deep Dive into Lip and Tongue Ties | Apple or Spotify
• Mastitis Manual by Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website
• Immune Wellness class with Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website
• SNS Tube | Amazon
• Breath by James Nestor | Book or Audiobook
• Nipple Shield | Amazon
• Ninni Co-Pacifier | Website Use Code MORGM10 for 10% off
• Learn more from Lynnelle on her website. You can also follow her on Instagram.

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

What if the same hormone responsible for breastfeeding is also suppressing ovulation, lowering libido, and impacting your mood?

In this episode, we break down prolactin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that plays a critical role in fertility, reproductive health, and dopamine regulation.

While prolactin is essential for breastfeeding, elevated levels outside of pregnancy and postpartum can disrupt ovulation, reduce sexual desire, and interfere with overall hormone balance.

We explore the most common causes of high prolactin, including chronic stress, poor sleep, over-exercising, and certain medications. You’ll also learn how prolactin interacts with dopamine and why this connection matters for both fertility and mood.

Finally, we walk through natural ways to support healthy prolactin levels, including key nutrients like vitamin B6 and magnesium, along with simple lifestyle shifts that can help restore hormonal balance.

If you’re struggling with irregular cycles, low libido, or unexplained fertility challenges, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

[00:00] Introduction

[03:52] The surprising role prolactin plays in fertility, libido, and postpartum health

[06:29] The push-pull between prolactin and dopamine that impacts desire and motivation

[10:08] Why ADHD symptoms often worsen postpartum when prolactin rises

[12:33] How high prolactin can block ovulation, your body’s natural “birth control”

[14:04] How elevated prolactin shortens luteal phases and lowers progesterone

[15:30] Hidden triggers of prolactin imbalance

[23:44] The critical lab-testing tip that prevents false high prolactin results

[26:09] How nutrient deficiencies and marijuana use can silently drive prolactin higher

[28:09] Symptoms that reveal a prolactin problem

[35:38] Prolactin’s purposeful role in suppressing sex drive during breastfeeding

[38:17] How modern lifestyle stressors mimic postpartum and confuse prolactin levels

[55:20] Natural supports that bring prolactin back in balance

Resources From This Episode:

• Dr. Leah's Womanhood Wellness Membership

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

Got sick kids? Click here to learn all our favorite natural remedies for children from newborn through to big kids!

What if sibling rivalry isn’t something to fix, but something kids actually need?

In this episode, we sit down with Ralphie Jacobs, founder of Simply On Purpose. She’s a mom of four, holds a degree in early childhood education, and has spent years turning her curiosity about child development into practical parenting wisdom.

We get into the messy reality of siblings fighting and why it’s not only unavoidable but also essential for growth. Ralphie shares how to know when to step in, when to step back, and how to shift the way we see conflict so it doesn’t push our kids apart but helps them build stronger bonds.

You’ll Learn:

• The reason sibling rivalry shows up in every multi-child home
• What happens when parents label normal behavior as a fixed character trait
• The link between sibling conflict and stronger skills in communication, negotiation, and resilience
• The damage of comparing kids and creating competition inside the family
• Why it often backfires when parents insert adult meaning into childhood struggles
• Why most kids’ misbehavior is inconsequential and how shifting perspective changes everything
• The simple shift from making things “fair” to meeting each child’s individual needs
• How one-on-one time with older kids lowers rivalry and strengthens bonds
• The stop–redirect–reinforce approach for handling physical conflict safely
• Why focusing on the good reduces 80% of junk behavior without constant correction

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[04:25] Why sibling rivalry can be healthy and how parents can respond wisely

[09:51] How labeling children shapes their identity and how parents can guide with compassion

[17:32] Fostering sibling connection by avoiding comparisons and focusing on individual needs

[25:36] Why one-on-one time with older children reduces sibling rivalry and builds security

[32:12] When to step into sibling arguments and when to let kids work it out

[42:10] Why parents should avoid negative labels and focus on guiding developmental behavior

[44:00] Creating a calm home by focusing on what really matters in parenting

Join Ralphie for a LIVE webinar and learn scientifically proven strategies to decrease fighting in your home, Sibling Rivalry: What Helps and What Doesn't

Learn more from Ralphie on the Simply On Purpose website. You can also follow her on Instagram.

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

Womanhood Wellness is where functional medicine meets feminine wisdom—guiding you to balance hormones, awaken libido, and prepare for pregnancy with intention. Join today.

What if acceptance is the most radical act of motherhood?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Aviva Romm, a Yale-trained MD, herbalist, and midwife who has been practicing for over 40 years. She’s a bestselling author of several books, a mom of four, and a grandmother who even got to midwife two of her own grandbabies at home.

We talk about the tension between hopes and acceptance on the journey through fertility, pregnancy, and motherhood. The conversation moves through the stories we tell ourselves, the weight of expectations, and what it looks like to find resilience and grace when things unfold differently than planned.

You’ll Learn:

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

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[09:02] Balancing motherhood, creative work, and the importance of support systems

[11:11] Shifting perspectives on motherhood, sacrifice, and the pressure to do it all

[15:33] Letting go of expectations and finding acceptance in fertility and motherhood

[30:20] Judgment in wellness culture and evolving personal stories in motherhood

[55:56] Lessons in releasing guilt and honoring self-development in motherhood

Resources Mentioned:

Womanhood Wellness | Website

American Herbalists Guild | Website

The Mama Pathway | Website

Books by Dr. Aviva Romm | Website

Learn more from Dr. Aviva:

Dr. Aviva Romm | Website

Dr. Aviva Romm | Facebook

Dr. Aviva Romm | Instagram

Dr. Aviva Romm | LinkedIn

Dr. Aviva Romm | X

Dr. Aviva Romm | YouTube

On Health For Women Podcast | Apple or Spotify

Find more from Dr. Leah:

Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram

Dr. Leah Gordon | Website

Womanhood Wellness | Website

Find more from Dr. Morgan:

Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram

Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website

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

What does it really take to have a good birth in a hospital?

In this episode, we're joined by Care Messer, Founder of the Birth Education Center in San Diego. She’s a certified hypnobirthing instructor, a DONA-certified doula, and a childbirth educator who also trains doulas. Care teaches engaging, partner-friendly online classes that have helped many families prepare for birth with more clarity and confidence.

We get into what it means to prepare early, why most women don’t realize how much choice they actually have, and what it looks like to create a safe, grounded birth experience inside a hospital system. From power dynamics with providers to the small, practical things that shift your sense of safety, this conversation breaks down what women and their partners need to know before walking through those hospital doors.

You’ll Learn:

• Why choosing the right hospital and provider early changes everything
• What it feels like to enter a system where you’re treated as room number instead of a person giving birth
• Why staying home longer in early labor can dramatically shift your hospital experience
• The surprising link between hospital C-section rates and NICU levels
• How eye masks, dim lights, and warm blankets keep your body in labor mode
• When partners step into the role of protector and advocate in the birth room
• The quiet damage of being a passive participant versus owning your birth decisions
• Why hospital classes often train you to be a “good patient” instead of giving you real options
• How listening to birth stories helps you recognize and avoid common intervention cascades

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[03:00] How preparation and safety shape the hospital birth experience

[09:22] Rethinking what safety really means in birth

[13:01] Choosing the right hospital, provider, and birth team

[20:20] The partner’s role in protecting space and shifting power dynamics

[36:37] Practical ways to protect labor hormones in a hospital birth

[50:15] Arming with education and optimizing the hospital environment for labor

Resources Mentioned:

Episode 65: All About VBAC pt.1: Perspectives from an OB, Midwife, and Doula with Care Messer | Spotify or Apple

Birth Education Center | Website

Bucky Eye Mask | Amazon

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk M.D. | Book or Audiobook

Men, Love & Birth by Mark Harris | Book or Audiobook

Labor Like A Goddess by Alexandria Moran and Lauren Mahana | Book

Birth Psychology | Website

Dr. Morgan’s First Birth | Video

Learn more about the Birth Education Care by visiting their website, YouTube channel, and Facebook page.

Follow Care on Instagram, LinkedIn and listen to her Podcast on Apple or Spotify.

Find more from Dr. Leah:

Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram

Dr. Leah Gordon | Website

Womanhood Wellness | Website

Find more from Dr. Morgan:

Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram

Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website

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

Did you know that you have bacteria in your uterus? And that the types of bacteria there may impact whether you get pregnant or not. We talk all about this and many other things we are discovering are impacting fertility with our guest, Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton. She is a fellow naturopathic doctor who has focused much of her career on fertility, and we can't wait to share this informative episode with you.

This episode is sponsored by:

Redmond Salt >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 15% on your order.

Needed >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 20% off your first order.

Lumebox >> Click here and use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER for $260 off.

Resources From This Episode:

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Watch the video episode on YouTube HERE!

Stay Connected With Us:

Healthy As A Mother: www.healthyasamother.com

Instagram: @healthyasamotherpodcast

Dr. Leah: www.womanhoodwellness.com

Instagram: @drleahgordon

Dr. Morgan: www.milkmedicine.com

Instagram: @morganmacdermott

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