Healthy As A Mother

Vasectomy is one of the most requested topics we've ever had, and in this episode we finally get answers from someone who has done thousands of them. Dr. Philip Werthman is a Los Angeles microsurgeon whose practice focuses exclusively on vasectomy reversal and male infertility. He explains how the male reproductive tract works, what actually happens during a no-scalpel vasectomy, and why ejaculation looks and feels the same afterward.

We go through the concerns you sent in on Instagram: failure rates, post-vasectomy pain syndrome, autoimmune reactions to sperm, prostate and testicular cancer, Alzheimer's, testosterone, libido, and erectile function. Dr. Werthman gives his honest clinical perspective on how often these issues really show up in practice. He also covers the treatment options when chronic pain does happen.

In the second half, we dive into vasectomy reversal. We cover how surgeons reconnect a tube about the size of spaghetti under a microscope, realistic timelines for sperm returning and conception, and why success rates range from about 60% to 98%. He also explains why some reversals "fail" because the right operation wasn't done. We finish with sperm agglutination, cost, choosing a surgeon, his favorite sperm-supporting supplements, and a thoughtful conversation about qi, regret, older fathers, and making this deeply personal decision as a family.

00:00 Trailer & Intro
02:27 Why We’re Talking Vasectomy
04:22 Meet Dr. Philip Werthman
06:00 What Is a Vasectomy?
08:29 How the Vas Is Cut & Sealed
10:07 No-Scalpel Vasectomy Explained
12:40 Does Ejaculation Change?
13:27 Risks & Failure Rates
14:46 Why Men Skip the Follow-Up Sperm Check
16:28 Post-Vasectomy Pain Syndrome
20:59 Treating Chronic Pain After Vasectomy
25:29 Autoimmune Concerns
28:59 Prostate & Testicular Cancer Risk
30:01 Is There an Alzheimer’s Link?
30:53 Vasectomy & Testosterone
33:15 Libido & Erectile Function
39:28 Regret & Being Sure You’re Done
42:15 When a Doctor Says No
44:27 Common Misconceptions
45:48 How Vasectomy Reversal Works
50:08 Reversal Recovery
51:16 Timeline for Sperm Return & Pregnancy
55:32 Reversal Success Rates
58:16 Reversal Risks
58:24 Sperm Agglutination & Thick Semen
61:36 Choosing a Surgeon & Cost
63:09 Supplements for Sperm Quality
65:52 Qi, Meridians & Spiritual Views
67:30 Making the Decision as a Family
69:46 Older Dads & Having Kids Later

Resources From This Episode:
About Dr. Philip Wetherman - https://www.malereproduction.com/about-cmrm/dr-philip-werthman/
Vasectomy Reversal Expert - https://www.vasectomyreversalexpert.com/the-cmrm-advantage/
Megaspermin
Proxseed
Profertile

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Dr. Leah Gordon | Website
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Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website

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Going through a miscarriage is heartbreaking, and then you're asked to make a big medical decision while you're still processing the news. In this episode, Dr. Leah Gordon and Dr. Morgan MacDermott walk through the three options for managing a miscarriage: expectant management (letting your body pass the pregnancy on its own), medication (mifepristone and misoprostol), and a D&C (dilation and curettage). They cover the pros, cons, success rates, and risks of each, so you can make an informed choice that feels right for you.

They also talk about the things most women aren't told ahead of time. That includes how intense passing a pregnancy at home can be, when bleeding is too much and you need the ER, and why HCG can stay in your system and cause a positive pregnancy test weeks later. They explain retained tissue, how ectopic pregnancy is treated differently, and how testing the pregnancy tissue can give you answers after a loss.

Finally, they cover the "mini postpartum" that follows a pregnancy loss. Topics include hormone shifts, when your cycle returns, when it's safe to try again, how to replenish your body, and ways to honor your baby. Whatever you're feeling after a loss is valid. You don't have to go through it alone.

0:00 Trailer & Intro
3:34 Miscarriage Explained
6:10 Why Community Matters After Loss
8:04 It's Not Your Fault
8:36 The Three Miscarriage Options
10:55 The Hard Language of Miscarriage
13:24 Grieving a Failed IVF Transfer
14:49 Option 1: Expectant Management
18:42 What Is a Missed Miscarriage?
22:36 You Don't Have to Decide Right Away
26:06 Feeling Empowered in Your Choice
28:02 Ectopic Pregnancy & Methotrexate
32:50 Option 2: Miscarriage Medication
36:39 Heavy Bleeding & When to Go to the ER
39:28 Medication Success Rates
40:51 Option 3: D&C
41:54 Testing Tissue for Answers
44:55 D&C Pros & Cons
46:31 Antibiotics & Anesthesia
51:27 D&C Risks by the Numbers
53:26 D&C and Future Fertility
57:01 Recovering After Anesthesia
59:12 The Mini Postpartum After Loss
60:37 HCG & False Positive Tests
63:54 When to Try Again
67:09 Nourishing Your Body After Loss
68:08 Your Feelings Are Valid
71:19 Asking for What You Need
72:14 Ways to Honor Your Baby
73:13 Hope After Pregnancy Loss
75:46 Natural Support for Grief
77:25 Closing

Resources From This Episode:
Join Dr. Leah's Womanhood Wellness membership - https://drleahgordon.com/join
@ihadamiscarriage on Instagram - www.instagram.com/ihadamiscarriage
Miscarriage manual - http://www.inciid.org/miscarriage-manual
Grief Watch website - http://www.griefwatch.com/symptoms-of-grief
Anecdotal natural miscarriage blog - http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/how-to-have-a-natural-miscarriage-no-dc/

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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
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How do you talk to your kids about body safety without scaring them? And how do you actually keep them safe? In this episode, we're joined by Mandi Pagliarini (@MandiTalksPredators), a writer, speaker, educator, and mother of two. Mandi is a survivor of sexual assault and child trafficking, and her advocacy focuses on prevention and harm reduction. She gives parents survivor-informed education about grooming and how predators operate.

Mandi explains why body safety should be an ongoing series of small conversations, like the way you teach manners, instead of one big talk. She also covers why the words you choose matter: say "share" instead of "tell," and leave out "hurt" and "abuse." She shares her "even if" statements, which let kids know they can come to you no matter who is involved or how the experience felt. We also talk about why boys may be more at risk than we realize, why teaching kids to "say no and fight back" often fails because of the freeze response, and what to teach them instead.

We also get into how grooming really works. Predators often groom the parents as well as the child, and they play a long game. Mandi walks through red flags to watch for, like an adult seeking time alone with your child or your child suddenly talking about one adult all the time. She shares practical steps for reducing risk, including open-door playdates, never leaving a child alone with an adult, and avoiding sleepovers. She also talks about how to stay body-positive with little ones without creating shame.

Mandi also shares parts of her own story, and why emotional regulation is the foundation that makes kids feel safe enough to come to you.

00:00 Trailer & Intro
02:00 Welcome Mandi Pagliarini
04:29 Why Body Safety Matters Today
06:30 Why Boys May Be More at Risk
09:17 Who Abusers Really Are
10:00 Small Talks, Not "The Big Talk"
11:30 Playdate Reminders
12:14 Risk Mitigation for Playdates
15:55 Say "Share," Not "Tell"
17:48 Don't Talk About Consequences
20:42 Using "Even If" Statements
23:25 Drop the Words "Hurt" and "Abuse"
25:44 How Grooming Escalates
27:45 How Predators Groom Parents and Kids
29:50 Red Flag: Seeking Alone Time
31:47 Signs Your Child Is Being Groomed
33:14 My Track Coach Story
37:00 Body Positivity With Little Kids
40:38 Keeping Sex Private Without Shame
43:44 What Age to Start the Conversation
48:30 How Much Information Is Enough
51:04 Sleepovers, Babysitters and Supervision
54:43 Mandi's Story
57:52 Why "Say No" Doesn't Work
61:12 Teach Kids to Fake an Excuse
61:50 The Freeze Response and Shame
64:44 The Gift of Fear and Intuition
67:26 Why Grooming Is So Confusing
71:07 "I Didn't Know There Was Anything to Tell"
72:40 Books and Resources
75:29 Key Takeaways Recap
78:37 Why Parents' Emotional Regulation Matters
80:26 Wrap Up

Resources From This Episode:
Mandi's Free Body Safety Guides for young kids - https://still-river-23314.myflodesk.com/freeguidetoprotectyourchildren
Mandi's Free Body Safety Guides for Teens - https://still-river-23314.myflodesk.com/freeguideforparents?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabT2PVIe_Nq31TE1eMdOVtJ44GKI-COxfMMPIowXJp6-ewevDMmcCNrYLE_aem_LOcKJP_DXi-IkYka2FHLMA
Check out Mandi's website - https://www.mandiptalkspredators.com/
Follow Mandi on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mandiptalkspredators/
The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker - https://a.co/d/0bM0XMT0
Good Pictures Bad Pictures by Kristen A. Jenson - https://a.co/d/05MOHhMJ
The Place We Find Ourselves podcast -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaSvh-rUtyY

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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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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