Healthy As A Mother

Progesterone is one of the most important hormones for fertility, healthy ovulation, and sustaining early pregnancy, yet so many women are never taught how it actually works.

In this episode, Dr. Leah and Dr. Morgan sit down with fertility nutritionist Sophia Pavia to break down the truth about low progesterone, luteal phase defects, ovulation quality, and why so many women today are struggling with hormone imbalances, infertility, and pregnancy loss.

We unpack how progesterone is made, why ovulation is essential for healthy hormone balance, what “unopposed estrogen” really means, and the signs your luteal phase may need support. Sophia also explains why conventional medicine can be hesitant about progesterone supplementation, when it may be appropriate, and how nutrition, stress, blood sugar balance, and cycle tracking can help support stronger ovulation and healthier progesterone production naturally.

If you’re trying to conceive, navigating recurrent loss, or simply want to better understand your hormones, this episode is packed with practical education and empowering insight.

00:00 Intro + Sophia Returns To The Podcast
01:24 Why Low Progesterone Matters for Fertility
02:34 Why So Many Women Struggle with Progesterone Today
13:17 How PCOS, Endometriosis & Hypothalamic Amenorrhea Affect Progesterone
15:49 How Progesterone Is Actually Made in the Body
19:59 Estrogen vs Progesterone: What Balance Really Means
25:49 Can You Have a Weak Ovulation?
33:40 Egg Quality vs Progesterone: Which Comes First?
35:24 Why Doctors Often Hesitate to Prescribe Progesterone
41:59 When Progesterone Supplementation May Help
46:16 Signs Your Luteal Phase Needs Support
47:56 How to Support Progesterone Naturally
50:42 Where to Find Sophia + Final Encouragement

Resources From This Episode:
Sophia's Website - https://www.ttcnutritionist.com/
Follow Sophia on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ttc.nutritionist

Other Related Episodes:
Episode #31: The Power of Progesterone - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthy-as-a-mother/id1663942916?i=1000625679300
Episode #108: Surviving a Ruptured Ectopic Pregnancy with Sophia Pavia - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthy-as-a-mother/id1663942916?i=1000703730128

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

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What actually happens during a home birth?

In part two of this Home Birth 101 conversation, Dr. Morgan walks through what makes home birth safe, the role of midwives, what labor looks like at home, when transfers happen, newborn care, cost considerations, and how to prepare physically and mentally.

If you’ve ever wondered what home birth looks like behind the scenes, or what happens if things don’t go according to plan, this episode gives you the practical breakdown.

00:00 Trailer + Introduction
01:26 What Makes Home Birth Safe?
06:36 Different Types of Midwives Explained
11:56 Why Candidate Selection Matters
15:11 What Actually Happens During a Home Birth
20:56 Common Reasons for Hospital Transfer
26:11 Emergency vs Non-Emergency Transfers
29:06 Newborn Care After Home Birth
33:46 Finding the Right Midwife
39:36 Home Birth Cost & Insurance
45:41 Birth Prep & Classes
51:56 Managing Labor Pain at Home
57:46 Common Home Birth Fears
1:01:36 Final Thoughts: Is Home Birth Right for You?

Resources From This Episode:
Birthing from Within book
Bradley Method
Hypnobirthing
40 Blinks Eyemask
New Earth Mama Spotify Playlist

Other Related Episodes:
Birth Plan Episode
Birth Episode Playlist

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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

Thinking about a home birth but unsure whether it’s actually safe?

In part one of this Home Birth 101 series, Dr. Morgan breaks down the biggest myths around home birth, who is actually a good candidate, why some women choose home birth over hospital birth, and what the research says about safety outcomes for low-risk pregnancies.

We also unpack intervention rates, C-sections, epidurals, transfers, and why birth environment matters more than most people realize.

If you’ve been curious about home birth but overwhelmed by fear-based messaging, this episode is a must-listen.

00:00 Introduction + Trailer
02:39 Why We Needed a Home Birth Episode
09:05 What We’re Covering in This Series
09:54 Home Birth vs Birth Center vs Hospital Birth
13:19 Why Women Choose Home Birth
20:09 Who Is a Good Candidate for Home Birth?
23:05 The Mindset Required for Home Birth
26:32 COVID & The Shift Toward Home Birth
28:09 Is Home Birth Actually Safe?
36:47 What Research Says About Home Birth Outcomes
44:37 Part 1 Wrap-Up

Resources From This Episode:
Maternal Outcomes Study

Other Related Episodes:
Dr. Morgan's First Three Home Birth Stories
Dr. Morgan's 4th Birth Story
Dr. Leah's 1st Birth Story
Dr. Leah's 2nd Birth Story
Everything You Need to Know About Hospital Birth with Care Messer
How Breech Birth Exposes Hospital Dysfunction with Dr. Stuart Fischbein

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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

In this candid life update, Leah and Morgan share the highs, lows, and unexpected twists they've been navigating behind the scenes.

Leah opens up about the emotional weight of supporting fertility patients through both pregnancies and losses, her husband's exciting startup milestone, and how the "Chinese bamboo tree" analogy is reshaping her perspective on purpose, patience, and growth.

Morgan shares a challenging pregnancy season filled with health scares, a surprising viral infection, a powerful experience supporting a home birth, and a frightening family medical emergency involving her father. Together, they explore motherhood, identity, business, resilience, and what it means to keep moving forward when life feels overwhelming.

00:00 Trailer: High Highs, Low Lows & Life Updates
00:43 Why We Love Life Update Episodes
05:28 The Emotional Weight of Fertility Care
09:58 Looking Beyond Root Causes: The Bigger Infertility Crisis
12:13 Startup Wins & A New Season of Life
14:13 The Chinese Bamboo Tree Lesson on Patience
18:43 Growing a Podcast Without Clickbait
20:43 Work, Motherhood & Identity Shifts
24:43 Toddler Sleep, Nursing & Parenting Updates
26:58 The Dream Life Formula & Becoming Your Future Self
30:43 Morgan's Pregnancy Challenges Begin
31:43 Bee Stings, Swelling & Pregnancy Surprises
36:43 A Painful HSV Infection & Health Scare
41:13 The Doctor Who Showed Up When It Mattered Most
44:28 Missing the Dance Recital for a Birth
47:28 Supporting a Long Labor & Hospital Transfer
53:13 Baby Archer Arrives
54:33 A Family Emergency: Dad's ICU Stay
01:01:13 Navigating Stress, Caregiving & Pregnancy
01:05:43 Preparing for Baby #3 & Summer Plans
01:09:28 Therapy, Support Systems & Looking Ahead
01:10:43 Final Thoughts & Outro

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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
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Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond

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

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

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 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