Healthy As A Mother

In this life update episode, we’re sitting down for an honest, unfiltered conversation about what’s really been going on behind the scenes: from pregnancy and health updates to sleep deprivation, motherhood challenges, and big life decisions.Dr. Morgan shares a deeply personal pregnancy update, including navigating pregnancy while being sick, fertility considerations, and what it feels like to prepare for another baby while holding space for uncertainty. Dr. Leah talks candidly about postpartum sleep struggles, co-sleeping, teething, and the emotional toll of chronic sleep deprivation, alongside the sweetness and perspective that comes with motherhood.We also dive into the realities of running a business while parenting, navigating children’s health concerns, making hard decisions around fertility and family planning, and learning how to hold both gratitude and exhaustion at the same time.This episode is a real, grounded conversation for anyone who wants honest motherhood talk — no filters, no pretending, just real life. What We DiscussPregnancy life updates and preparing for a new babyPregnancy after health issues and navigating early pregnancy anxietyFertility differences and conversations around IVF and family planningPostpartum sleep struggles, co-sleeping, and chronic sleep deprivationTeething, illness, and children’s health worriesMotherhood emotions: gratitude, overwhelm, fear, and joyRunning a business while parenting young childrenMaking peace with uncertainty and big life decisionsHolding opposites in motherhood — exhaustion and sweetness at once00:00 – Welcome & why we love life update episodes02:15 – Social media, sharing updates, and being more offline06:30 – Deciding whether to have another baby12:45 – Pregnancy after health issues & fertility considerations20:30 – Getting sick in early pregnancy & managing anxiety27:40 – Progesterone, fertility differences, and early symptoms33:50 – Finding out the baby’s gender & family reactions39:45 – Emotional shifts, energy changes, and pregnancy differences45:30 – Sleep deprivation, teething, and postpartum struggles52:10 – Children’s health worries, co-sleeping, and mental load57:00 – Gratitude, perspective, and closing thoughts👉 New episodes every WednesdayResources Mentioned in This Episode:Araza Makeup - Use code DRLEAH for 10% off!Find more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER

Breastfeeding is often framed as natural, yet so many mothers struggle, feel overwhelmed, or are told their bodies are failing them. In this episode, we break down five major factors that can sabotage breastfeeding and why women are rarely prepared for them.We explore how birth interventions, IV fluids, epidurals, misinformation, lack of postpartum support, and unrealistic expectations around sleep and feeding can deeply impact milk supply, confidence, and the breastfeeding relationship. We also unpack why phrases like “fed is best” can sometimes shut down honest conversations about the real challenges mothers face.This conversation is not about shame or blame. It’s about education, context, and holding nuance. Tools like formula, C-sections, and IVF can be life-saving and necessary, but they should not be treated as the first or only option without addressing root causes and the systemic gaps in maternal care.Episode Chapters00:00 Introduction & Why this conversation matters02:15 How birth influences breastfeeding07:10 IV fluids, engorgement & supply panic12:30 Epidurals & interventions18:45 The worst breastfeeding advice24:10 Bottles, pacifiers & nipple confusion30:05 Where “fed is best” falls short36:40 Systemic gaps in breastfeeding education43:20 Formula, IVF & C-sections51:10 Sleep pressure & breastfeeding58:30 Compassion, context & informed choice1:03:30 Final reflectionsIn This Episode, We Cover:• How birth experiences influence breastfeeding success• Common breastfeeding myths and harmful advice• Why supply-and-demand is rarely explained clearly• How sleep pressure disrupts maternal instincts• Why breastfeeding struggles are not a personal failure🎧 Listen in for a grounded, honest discussion that gives mothers the information they deserve, and the permission to hold compassion, nuance, and informed choice.👉 New episodes every Wednesday👉 Explore related conversations in our Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum playlistsResources Mentioned in This EpisodeDr. Morgan’s Mastitis ManualDealing with mastitis? Get Dr. Morgan’s comprehensive Mastitis Manual and learn how to identify which type of mastitis you have, whether antibiotics are necessary, and how to support healing naturally. - https://milkmedicine.com/mastitis-manual/Find more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at FondUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER

In this episode of Healthy As A Mother, we’re joined by Dr. Leah Gordon to explore why so many women struggle with fertility, even when their labs look “normal.”We discuss how hormonal birth control, chronic stress, gut health, inflammation, and nervous system dysregulation can quietly block conception and implantation. Dr. Leah explains why ovulation alone doesn’t always equal fertility, how the body’s stress response impacts reproductive hormones, and what it really means to support the body before pregnancy.This is a compassionate, root-cause conversation for women navigating unexplained infertility, coming off birth control, or preparing their body for pregnancy, and a reminder that the body isn’t broken, it just needs the right support.RESOURCES MENTIONEDWomanhood Wellness Membership: Where functional medicine meets feminine wisdom—guiding you to balance hormones, awaken libido, and prepare for pregnancy with intention. 👉 Join todayThe Birth of the Pill — A deep dive into the origins and long-term implications of hormonal birth control 👉 https://amzn.to/4slrNfw\Episode #4 - Preconception: What It Is and Why It Matters 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthy-as-a-mother/id1663942916?i=1000593847905In this episode, we cover:00:00 Coming Off Birth Control & Preconception Overview02:55 Why Preconception Matters More Than We’re Taught06:10 What Really Happens When You Stop Hormonal Birth Control10:55 Why “Wait and See” Isn’t Enough After Birth Control14:45 How Birth Control Disrupts Hormone Communication19:05 Post-Pill Hormone Surges & Acne Explained22:20 Why Your Cycle May Not Return Right Away25:05 The Hidden Nutrient Depletions From Birth Control29:45 Birth Control as Symptom Masking (The Fire Alarm Analogy)34:50 The Key Nutrients Needed for Fertility & Pregnancy40:20 Why Most Prenatals Aren’t Enough43:30 Liver Health, Detox & Hormone Clearance48:35 How Birth Control Impacts the Gut & Microbiome53:10 Inflammation, Stress & Fertility Challenges57:40 Nervous System Regulation & Preparing for Pregnancy01:02:10 Final Thoughts on Healing Before ConceptionFind more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $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 the hardest part of trying to conceive isn't your body, but the silence around what you're actually feeling?In this episode, Dr. Leah sits down with Dr. Andrea Liner, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in reproductive mental health. She's also an IVF mama who navigated nearly four years of infertility, including misdiagnosis, two egg retrievals, and being told at 32 that she needed an egg donor.The trying to conceive journey brings up emotions most people don't know how to name, let alone process. Dr. Andrea walks through the mental traps that commonly keep couples stuck, the relationship dynamics that shift under pressure, and what actually helps when nothing is going according to plan.You’ll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[02:60] Dr. Andrea's nearly four-year fertility journey[15:27] The mental toll on high-functioning achievers who can't muscle their way through infertility[17:44] How fertility struggles permeate every aspect of your daily life and identity[18:45] The existential questions that surface when you feel like a failure at what matters most[24:29] When sex becomes a chore rather than a fun activity that cultivates connection and brings new life into the world[27:13] The worst things people say and how to navigate relationships during infertility[37:34] First steps for navigating pregnancy loss[40:55] The shame of struggling in pregnancy when you fought so hard to conceiveConnect on a deeper level with Dr. Andrea by joining her mailing list.Find more from Dr. Andrea:Flux Psychology | WebsiteReproductive Psychology | InstagramFind more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER

Pregnant and wanting to learn how to optimize your health, prepare for birth, learn to breastfeed, and heal during postpartum? Come take Dr. Morgan’s pregnancy class!Not every supplement in pregnancy is harmless. Some can actually increase risk for you and your baby.Pregnancy supplements can be sorted into clear buckets: hard yes, maybe, and hard no. In this episode, you’re going to learn our core essentials, the optional add-ons that depend on your labs and symptoms, and the products that sound helpful online but clash with how a pregnant body actually works. We draw the line on some popular herbs, powders, and nervous system helpers, and for good reason—these decisions are shaped by both research limits and real clinical experience.If you’re pregnant and staring at a cabinet full of bottles scratching your head, the real challenge isn’t finding more options; it’s knowing which few are worth taking and when. You’ll receive insights on how we think about risk, timing, and dose, when we’ll push harder on something like immune support to avoid medications, and where we’d rather you do nothing than experiment. A small, intentional stack can serve you better than chasing every trending supplement.You’ll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[03:07] The overlooked problem with most prenatals and why ingredient form matters[04:30] The simple rule that prevents most women from absorbing iron properly[07:11] The hidden reason pregnant women shouldn’t fear vitamin A[09:20] How magnesium becomes a multipurpose lifesaver for sleep, cramps, and digestion[09:55] The real vitamin D levels you should aim for[17:04] When probiotics actually matter in pregnancy, and when they don’t[20:16] The surprising list of safe remedies you can use when you get sick while pregnant[27:05] The trending supplements that truly are safe[41:03] The herbs you must avoid because they disrupt hormones and fetal developmentResources Mentioned:Orthomolecular Vitamin D3 + K2 Drops | WebsiteHealthy as a Mother episode on Baby Brain Support in Pregnancy with Dr. Ari Calhoun | Spotify or AppleDr. Morgan's Managing Illness While Pregnant or Breastfeeding Course | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHERSave 10% on pasture-raised bone broths from FOND with code HEALTHYMOTHER