Healthy As A Mother

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

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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

Dr. Morgan is back with her fifth baby, and this time, she's sharing the full, unfiltered story of her fifth home birth. From going past her due date and days of early contractions to the moment labor suddenly intensified, she walks Leah through what labor actually felt like, how she used breath, movement, and visualization to cope with contractions, and the transition that she says is one of the hardest and least talked-about parts of birth. She also shares the moment baby McLean was born, what it was like having her older children present, and the emotional experience of catching her own baby.

But the conversation doesn't end with birth. Morgan also opens up about her first 10 days postpartum, including the routines, nutrition, movement, sleep strategy, and support system that have made this her best postpartum recovery yet. She also shares an unexpected realization about her baby's positioning and why pelvic floor physical therapy may have been the missing piece during pregnancy.

00:00 — Trailer & Introduction
01:43 — Going Past Her Due Date
06:34 — The Hardest Part of Pregnancy
11:15 — Early Labor Begins
15:29 — Walking Through Early Labor
21:37 — Labor Starts Intensifying
24:54 — The Cervical Check
26:46 — Getting Baby Into Position
32:24 — What a Contraction Really Feels Like
37:37 — The Transition Into Active Labor
39:49 — Breath, Movement & Visualization
43:48 — Back Labor Begins
45:30 — Getting Into the Birth Tub
50:19 — The Hardest Transition of Labor
58:16 — Her Water Breaks & Baby Descends
62:18 — Baby’s Head Is Born
65:40 — Baby McLean Is Here
71:56 — Delivering the Placenta
74:22 — Her First 10 Days Postpartum
77:10 — Morgan’s Postpartum Routine
82:44 — Nutrition, Supplements & Movement
88:25 — Prioritizing Sleep With Five Kids
90:50 — The Pelvic Floor PT Realization
92:20 — A Conversation for Another Episode

Resources From This Episode:
Check out all of our birth story episodes here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGU59IXH2I4Q&si=EG-pWz6bWb18P3gm
Episode #32 - The Vital Importance of Baby's Position During Birth with Ann Gilligan, RN, LNC, RYPT - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2IMXN6PmYDZBUcm78G3QeX?si=yNNZH5-sQDG3OaKeRlXD6A
Yoga Playlist for birth - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/36Y59fsmMxscde4nmZCGmz?si=HLzvwBW2SDa2j8iH8jhHrA&utm_source=copy-link&pi=zGnsr2CdRha4h

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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

Trying to conceive can affect so much more than your fertility. It can change your sex life, create resentment, bring old trauma and insecurities to the surface, and leave couples feeling more like roommates than partners.

In this episode, Dr. Leah breaks down some of the most common relationship dynamics she sees during a difficult TTC or infertility journey, including the project manager and avoider, silent grievers, sex on schedule, and the unequal burden dynamic. She also shares practical ways to communicate your needs, involve your partner, protect intimacy, shift unhealthy patterns, and create a stronger foundation for the parenthood you're working toward. Most importantly, if trying to conceive has changed your relationship, you're not alone, and it doesn't mean your relationship is doomed.

00:00 Trailer + Intro
01:43 How Trying to Conceive Can Affect Your Relationship
02:47 When TTC Starts Changing Your Relationship
05:07 When Sex Becomes a Chore
06:43 The Vicious Cycle of Libido and Disconnection
10:06 How Hard Times Bring Old Wounds to the Surface
11:43 When Fertility Changes the Relationship Dynamic
16:04 The Project Manager and the Avoider
18:39 Give Your Partner the Map
20:06 The Silent Grievers
21:13 Sex on Schedule and Unequal Burden
25:35 The Hidden Grief of Trying to Conceive
27:30 The Micro-Griefs Women Carry
30:32 When Your Partner Doesn't Know How to Show Up
33:05 Creating the Support You Actually Need
35:30 Reconnecting With Joy and Your Identity
37:46 Giving Your Partner a Clear Role
41:37 Letting Go of Control
43:48 Protecting Polarity and Connection
49:28 What Your Partner Can Actually Do
51:50 Protecting Your Relationship During TTC
55:07 Breaking the Resentment and Disconnection Cycle
57:27 Getting Support and Processing the Hard Stuff
60:44 Building a Stronger Foundation for Parenthood
63:03 You Are Not Alone

Resources From This Chapter:
The Queen's Code book by Alison Armstrong - https://www.amazon.com/Queens-Code-Alison-Armstrong/dp/B01DAYC348/
The Queen's Code Podcast Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Kx1WKOBj6ByS9BWrMm3fH?si=afc6a448f29a40a1
Download Dr. Leah's FREE Fertility Lab Guide For Him & Her - https://drleahgordon.com/fertility-lab-guide-freebie
Join Womanhood Wellness Membership - https://drleahgordon.com/join

Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTube
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Instagram
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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

When Alysa Seeland's health began falling apart after the birth of her first baby, she was told she would likely need surgery and was left searching for answers. Instead, that journey led her to discover the power of nutrient-dense foods, healing through nourishment, and eventually building Fond Regenerative: a company dedicated to truly traditional bone broth and regenerative foods.

In this conversation, Alysa shares her incredible postpartum healing story, why quality bone broth matters, the role of healthy fats during pregnancy and breastfeeding, recovering from Lyme disease, home birth experiences, homeschooling six boys, running a thriving business with her husband, and the practical systems that make large family life possible. If you've ever wondered how to nourish yourself while raising children, or how to let go of perfectionism in motherhood, this episode is packed with encouragement and practical wisdom.

00:00 Trailer & Introduction
03:46 Why Real Bone Broth Matters
05:24 Alysa's Postpartum Health Crisis
09:20 Healing Through Nourishment
12:20 Why Moms Need More Nutrients
19:06 Healthy Fats During Pregnancy & Postpartum
20:46 Childhood Health & Choosing Birth Centers
23:31 Fast Birth Stories & Home Births
26:18 Letting Go of Perfectionism
30:14 Babies Close Together & Pregnancy Nutrition
34:14 Lyme Disease & Pregnancy After Healing
37:27 Managing Expectations With a Large Family
43:06 Homeschooling Six Kids 49:46 Running a Business Together as Parents
52:25 The Problem With Perfectionism
56:40 Family Systems That Actually Work
60:10 Why the Company is Named FOND
61:51 Daily Routine & Work Schedule
65:05 Traveling & Building a Business With Kids
68:36 Healthy Sports Snacks for Kids
72:35 Favorite Ways to Use Bone Broth & Tallow
75:20 Are They Done Having Kids?

Resources From This Episode:
Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond - https://fondregenerative.com/HAAM
Check out Fond on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fondregenerative
Follow Alysa on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alysaseeland/
Dr. Morgan's Pregnancy Call Course - https://milkmedicine.com/lessonsonly/

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

Whether you're actively trying to conceive, already pregnant, or simply dreaming about becoming a mother one day, this episode explores a topic that rarely gets discussed: what happens when an ambitious woman becomes a mom.

Integrative genetic counselor Natalie Samson joins Dr. Leah Gordon for an honest conversation about preparing your business for pregnancy, navigating the identity shift into motherhood, and why success doesn't have to come at the expense of your family. They dive into practical strategies for delegation, building systems before pregnancy, planning for postpartum, and embracing the inevitable changes that come with this new season of life. Whether you're a founder, entrepreneur, healthcare provider, or working professional, this episode offers both mindset shifts and actionable advice for building a business that supports the life you truly want.

00:00 Trailer + Episode Introduction
03:00 Meet Natalie Samson
05:28 What Is Preconception?
06:48 Why Genetic Testing Matters
08:57 Why This Conversation Is Needed
11:05 Will Pregnancy Change Your Ambition?
17:53 Does Your Drive Come Back After Baby?
20:09 The Biggest Lesson Motherhood Teaches Founders
23:20 How to Prepare Your Business Before Pregnancy
28:29 Building Systems That Can Run Without You 3
1:31 Leading Your Team Through Pregnancy
39:10 Does Motherhood Change Your Business Identity?
46:20 The Delegation Exercise Every Founder Needs
48:18 Designing Your Ideal Work Week
57:29 Does Motherhood Make You a Better Founder?
62:49 Final Advice for Ambitious Women

Resources From This Episode:
Natalie's Genetic Counseling Services - https://www.goldengeneticshealth.com/
Follow Natalie's practice on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/goldengeneticshealth/
Follow Natalie on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/geneticswithnatalie/
Download Dr. Leah's FREE Fertility Lab Guide For Him & Her - https://drleahgordon.com/fertility-lab-guide-freebie
Join Womanhood Wellness Membership - https://drleahgordon.com/join