Healthy As A Mother

What if the tension you feel in motherhood isn’t about your decisions… but about your boundaries?

In this episode, we break down one of the most overlooked skills women need to navigate pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood: setting boundaries with family, friends, and outside opinions.

From pressure around home birth to unsolicited advice from parents and in-laws, this conversation unpacks why boundaries feel so hard, what they actually are (and aren’t), and how to confidently take your power back without damaging your relationships.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by opinions, pressure, or expectations around motherhood… this episode will shift how you see it.

00:00 Trailer & Introduction
01:33 Why Boundaries in Motherhood Feel So Hard
02:54 What a Boundary Actually Is (and What It’s Not)
06:42 Why Most Women Misunderstand Boundaries
07:38 The Power of Controlling Your Response (Not Others)
09:22 Real-Life Example of Healthy Boundaries
11:07 Why Boundaries Protect Relationships (Not Damage Them)
13:37 Should You Communicate Boundaries Ahead of Time?
16:29 Handling Strong Disagreements (Vaccines, Parenting Choices)
18:24 Why Parents Struggle to Let Go of Control
21:16 What Happens When You Set Boundaries for the First Time
22:36 Why Consistency Is Everything
24:48 Becoming a “New Version” of Yourself in Relationships
28:40 Communication Frameworks That Actually Work
30:10 Birth Choices and Family Pressure Explained
33:26 Real Story: Shifting Beliefs Around Home Birth
34:51 How to Respond to Extreme Pushback
37:43 Who Gets to Be at Your Birth (and Who Doesn’t)
41:30 How to Communicate Firm Boundaries Clearly
44:46 Why Waiting for Birth Can Create Stress
48:37 Postpartum Boundaries and Baby Handling
51:38 Scripts for Setting Boundaries Respectfully
53:18 Why Women Struggle with Boundaries More Than Men
56:30 The Deeper Root: Fear of Rejection and Losing Connection
57:37 The Role of Intuition and Safety (Gift of Fear Insight)
01:00:00 Final Thoughts: Boundaries as Empowerment

Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships
Home Birth Stats
The Gift of Fear: And Other Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence
Dr. Morgan's Pregnancy Call Lessons

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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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In this episode of Healthy As A Mother, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood parts of IVF: embryo selection.

Because here’s the truth most people don’t realize…

Even today, many IVF labs still rely on visual grading methods developed over 50 years ago to choose which embryo becomes your baby. And that could be the reason so many “perfect-looking” embryos fail.

Today, Dr. Leah sits down with Cara Wells, PhD, a reproductive physiologist and founder of a groundbreaking fertility technology that uses non-invasive video analysis to assess embryo health in real time.

Instead of just looking at embryos… Her technology measures how they behave.
And what they’ve discovered could completely change IVF outcomes.

0:00 Trailer + Intro
0:55 Meet Cara Wells, PhD + Her Background
2:15 The Problem with IVF Embryo Grading
6:25 Why IVF Feels Like a “Black Box”
10:47 The Technology That Inspired a Breakthrough
13:04 How Embryo Video Analysis Works
18:15 Why This Technology Matters for IVF Patients
20:49 Can We Improve Egg + Sperm Quality?
22:20 Why “Perfect” Embryos Still Fail
24:36 What Animal Research Reveals About Fertility
29:15 Why Animal Health Research Matters for Humans
32:12 What This Tech Reveals About Sperm Quality
40:25 How This Impacts Endangered Species
47:35 The Rhino Fertility Discovery
53:02 What Animals Reveal About Human Conditions
59:35 PGT Testing vs Non-Invasive Embryo Testing
1:03:25 How to Learn More + Closing Thoughts

Resources From This Episode:
Dr. Leah's Womanhood Wellness Membership
Emgenisys Website
Cara Well's LinkedIn

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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

Mental health is often treated like a guessing game, but what if we could actually see what’s happening in the brain?

In this episode, Dr. Steve Rondeau, founder of Axon EEG Solutions and author of Think Like a Brain, breaks down how brain-based data is changing the way we understand mental health, postpartum struggles, and behavior in both women and children.

We dive into why traditional diagnoses often miss the root cause, how brain patterns shape your personality and responses, and why your environment plays a bigger role than you think. This conversation also explores a newly released study on hormonal birth control and antidepressant response, the concept of the “overwhelmed brain,” and how small shifts in your daily life can dramatically change your mental resilience.

If you’ve ever felt like something is off but can’t explain why, or wondered why one season of life feels manageable while another feels overwhelming, this episode will completely reframe how you think about your brain, your behavior, and your capacity.

00:00 Intro
01:52 Why mental health is still a guessing game
03:40 The misdiagnosis that exposes a broken system
06:10 Can brain scans predict personality
09:30 Why people experience life differently
13:15 Birth control and antidepressant study
16:47 Why one-size-fits-all treatment fails
18:40 Why postpartum experiences vary
22:40 Your brain isn’t broken your environment is
24:21 When symptoms don’t match the diagnosis
26:40 The case that changed everything
29:10 Why root causes get missed
32:10 Are brain patterns genetic or learned
34:40 The 3 areas that shape mental health
37:40 Why you can’t just push through
39:10 The overwhelmed brain pattern
42:10 The habit that regulates your nervous system
43:46 Why coping mechanisms make sense
46:40 Why normal brains don’t exist
49:10 Parenting and relationships through this lens
53:10 What’s normal behavior for kids
55:10 The parenting mistake most people make
58:10 Are screens rewiring our brains
61:10 How to find brain scan providers
73:31 Outro

Resources From This Episode:
Dr. Rondeau's Website - https://axoneegsolutions.com/
Dr. Rondeau's Book: Think Like Brain Treating Manual - https://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Brain-Treating-Manual-ebook/dp/B0GFXQK1DV
Follow Dr. Steve Rondeau on Socials:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/people/Dr-Steve-Rondeau/100068808602146/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-steven-rondeau-148aa421/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dr_rondeau_qeeg/
Dr. Morgan's Pregnancy Call Lessons - https://milkmedicine.com/lessonsonly/

Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTube
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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

Epidurals are one of the most common, and most misunderstood, parts of modern birth.

In this episode, we break down everything you actually need to know: what’s in an epidural, how it works, when it helps, and when it can create more complications than expected.

We also get honest about the parts most people don’t talk about, including side effects, the cascade of interventions, and why so many women feel blindsided after the fact.
This isn’t about telling you what to do.

It’s about giving you the clarity to make the right decision for your birth.

00:00 — Trailer & Intro
01:33 — Why This Conversation Matters
03:33 — Epidural vs Spinal: What’s the Difference
06:03 — “Do No Harm” Framework for Birth Decisions
08:03 — The History of Pain Management in Birth
11:33 — What’s Actually In an Epidural
15:33 — What It Feels Like to Get One
19:33 — When You Can (and Can’t) Get an Epidural
23:33 — The Timing Mistake Most Women Make
26:33 — When an Epidural is Actually Helpful
30:33 — Guilt, Shame & Birth Expectations
35:33 — Common Side Effects Explained
41:33 — The Cascade of Interventions
45:33 — What Happens When It Doesn’t Work
49:33 — Effects on Baby (Myths vs Reality)
53:33 — Why Women Feel Misinformed
57:33 — Epidurals & Postpartum/Bonding
01:00:33 — How to Decide What’s Right for You

Resources From This Episode:
The Vital Importance of Baby's Position During Birth with Ann Gilligan, RN, LNC, RYPT | #32
5 Things That Ruin Breastfeeding | #146
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

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

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