Healthy As A Mother

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

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

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

00:00 Trailer + Introduction
03:26 Understanding Women’s Health Labs
04:58 Why Testing Matters for Women’s Health
09:29 Blood Sugar, Insulin & Metabolic Health
16:34 Thyroid Labs: TSH, T3, T4 & Antibodies
23:18 Iron & Ferritin: What Women Should Know
29:10 Inflammation & hs-CRP
33:59 Why Preconception Lab Testing Matters
38:57 Reproductive Hormones & Cycle Timing
40:52 Estradiol: When to Test Estrogen
42:17 Progesterone: When to Test It
45:37 Cycle Tracking & Knowing When You Ovulate
49:46 FSH & LH: What They Tell You
54:42 AMH & Ovarian Reserve
57:54 Testosterone, SHBG & DHEA
61:14 Cortisol, Vitamin D & Stress
62:38 ANA, Fertility & Partner Testing
63:56 Understanding Your Labs & Advocating for Your Health

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

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Find more from Dr. Leah:
Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram
Dr. Leah Gordon | Website
Womanhood Wellness | Website

Find more from Dr. Morgan:
Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram
Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website

Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at Earthley
Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond
For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER
Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond

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

00:00 Trailer + Introduction
02:47 Why Eczema Is More Than a Skin Problem
06:00 How Common Is Childhood Eczema?
09:40 Eczema Is a Symptom, Not the Root Cause
11:00 Can Food-Based Lotions Make Eczema Worse?
13:28 Vaccines, Immune Reactivity & the “Bucket” Analogy
19:42 Are Food Allergies Causing Eczema?
21:44 When Baby Rashes Are Normal vs. Concerning
23:09 The Gut-Eczema Connection
25:47 Mold & Environmental Triggers
32:04 How to Test Your Home for Mold
38:00 Why Indoor Mold Can Become a Problem
40:32 Can Eczema Happen Even Without Antibiotics or Medical Interventions?
42:54 Probiotics & Gut Testing for Eczema
44:16 Tiny Health vs. GI Map: What Parents Should Know
47:55 When Probiotics Can Make Eczema Worse
49:57 Gut Healing, Herbs & Why “Killing” Too Soon Can Backfire
54:44 The First Things Parents Can Do at Home
61:01 Breastfeeding, Elimination Diets & Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy
67:57 Will My Child Grow Out of Eczema?
72:17 Are Allergy Tests Helpful?
74:36 Topicals, Red Light & Caring for Eczema-Prone Skin
77:21 Bathing, Moisturizing & Why It Depends
79:23 Final Thoughts for Parents

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

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Healthy As A Mother Podcast | TikTok
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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
Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond

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

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

00:00 — Trailer & Introduction
03:38 — The War on Female Biology
07:05 — The History of Birth Control
11:08 — Is Birth Control Fixing the Problem?
13:58 — The Fire Alarm Analogy
16:40 — Informed Consent & Birth Control
19:21 — When Birth Control Has a Place
24:22 — A Personal Experience With Birth Control
30:21 — What Is “Woman Essence”?
34:54 — Fertility Awareness vs. Birth Control
40:10 — The Truth About the Rhythm Method
41:58 — Public Health vs. Individualized Care
44:42 — Can Birth Control Mask Fertility Problems?
45:32 — The Potential Risks of Hormonal Birth Control
47:46 — Depo-Provera & Emerging Safety Concerns
49:09 — How Much Do We Really Know About Long-Term Risks?
51:37 — Birth Control & Fertility: What We Know
53:03 — Why Did Male Birth Control Studies Stop?
53:59 — Birth Control, Responsibility & Choice
56:09 — Feminism, Motherhood & the Modern Woman
60:39 — Is Our Culture Designed for Mothers?
63:15 — Know Your Why Before Taking Birth Control
63:44 — Your Cycle Is a Vital Sign
64:57 — What Real Reproductive Freedom Looks Like
65:50 — Learning to Value the Female Cycle
67:47 — Finding Joy in Your Womanhood
71:09 — Closing

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

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

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

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

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

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

00:00 —Trailer & Introduction
03:06 —The ADHD Brain Isn't Broken
06:15 —The 3 Types of ADHD
11:02 —Task Initiation, Motivation & Executive Function
12:06 —Hyperfocus & Dopamine
14:57 —Why ADHD Affects Working Memory
19:29 —Why Motherhood Can Amplify ADHD Symptoms
21:00 —How ADHD Is Diagnosed in Adults
24:20 —ADHD & the Menstrual Cycle
27:26 —Estrogen, Progesterone & Dopamine
34:17 —ADHD During Pregnancy
35:35 —Why Sleep Deprivation Can Mimic ADHD
40:36 —How Pregnancy Changes the Brain
42:01 —The Postpartum ADHD Crash
44:36 —ADHD, Breastfeeding & Prolactin
45:45 —Supporting ADHD Postpartum
50:19 —ADHD-Friendly Systems That Actually Help
52:21 —Finding Joy When You're Overwhelmed
55:43 —Is It ADHD or Just Motherhood Overload?
58:25 —ADHD Medication: When Is It Worth Considering?
60:40 —Supplements & Natural ADHD Support
65:24 —ADHD, Irritability & PMDD
66:36 —ADHD & Perimenopause
67:17 —Building Systems Around Your Brain
70:08 —Caffeine & ADHD
71:47 —Screens, Dopamine & ADHD
75:17 —The Biggest Takeaway for Moms With ADHD

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

Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTube
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Instagram
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | TikTok
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Merch Store

Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram
Dr. Leah Gordon | Website
Womanhood Wellness | Website

Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram
Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website

Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at Earthley
Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond
For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER
Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond

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

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

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

00:00 – Trailer & Introduction
03:45 – Are IVF Babies Less Healthy?
05:34 – The Fear of IVF and Baby Health
07:05 – What the Research Actually Shows
09:26 – Relative Risk vs. Absolute Risk
10:33 – Is IVF Really the Cause?
10:59 – The Underlying Causes of Infertility
14:32 – Sperm Health, Egg Selection & Epigenetics
17:47 – Could IVF Itself Affect Health?
20:09 – Does IVF Bypass Natural Selection?
22:29 – How Parental Health Can Affect the Baby
25:27 – Are We Too Far Outside of Nature?
27:21 – IVF, Autism & What the Research Can't Tease Apart
31:17 – The Problem With How We Study IVF
35:09 – Could AI Change Medical Research?
37:14 – Why Patterns and Clinical Experience Matter
40:00 – The Absence of Evidence Is Not Evidence of Absence
41:55 – How to Think Critically About Research
42:53 – IVF and Congenital Heart Defects
43:45 – IVF, Allergies, Eczema & the Microbiome
46:04 – Pregnancy Monitoring After IVF
47:19 – Do IVF Patients Need Baby Aspirin?
48:46 – The Problem With Too Much Intervention
51:28 – IVF, Induction & C-Sections
54:27 – Could Birth Interventions Affect Baby Health?
56:10 – Are IVF Babies Actually Different?
57:19 – IVF as a Tool, Not a Failure
58:46 – How to Optimize Health Before IVF
59:59 – Using IVF Intentionally
62:00 – Finding Your Own “Edge” Around IVF
64:03 – Your IVF Decisions Are Yours
65:11 – A Message of Hope

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

Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTube
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Instagram
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | TikTok
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Merch Store

Find more from Dr. Leah:
Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram
Dr. Leah Gordon | Website
Womanhood Wellness | Website

Find more from Dr. Morgan:
Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram
Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website

Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at Earthley
Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond
For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER
Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond