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Healthy As A Mother

Healthy As A Mother

Written by: Dr. Morgan MacDermott & Dr. Leah Gordon
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About this listen

Healthy as a Mother, the podcast for becoming and being a mother, with your cohosts Dr. Leah Gordon and Dr. Morgan MacDermott, two naturopathic doctors who get it. Each week we teach you how to be the healthiest mother you can be - from fertility and preconception, to pregnancy and birth prep, through postpartum and throughout motherhood - empowering you with the natural health guidance and education you’re not getting elsewhere, so you can confidently navigate the broken system at large. The real, the raw, the un-talked about.

© 2025 Healthy As A Mother Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Your Cycle Report Card: Symptom Clues That Reveal Your Hormones & Fertility | #154

    Your Cycle Report Card: Symptom Clues That Reveal Your Hormones & Fertility | #154
    Mar 4 2026

    Your menstrual cycle isn’t random; it’s a monthly hormone report card.


    In this episode, Dr. Leah breaks down how to decode your cycle from bleed to bleed and what common symptoms may be telling you about progesterone, estrogen, inflammation, ovulation, and fertility.


    If you’ve ever wondered whether your spotting, PMS, heavy bleeding, dry cycles, painful periods, or irregular timing are “normal”, this episode will help you understand what your body may actually be communicating.


    In this episode, we cover:

    • Spotting before your period & what it means for progesterone

    • Light or short periods & signs of low estrogen or under-fueling

    • Heavy bleeding & estrogen dominance

    • Ovulation pain: normal vs red flag

    • PMS, PMDD & progesterone deficiencies

    • Mood shifts right after ovulation

    • Low cervical mucus / dry cycles

    • Long cycles & PCOS clues

    • Short cycles, luteal phase defects & egg reserve

    • Brown blood & blood stagnation

    • Severe cramping & endometriosis

    • Breast tenderness, prolactin & fibrocystic changes


    00:00 – Trailer & Intro

    02:06 – Your cycle as a “report card”

    06:14 – Spotting before your period (low progesterone clues)

    08:53 – Mid-luteal spotting: infection, polyps, implantation

    13:54 – Light or short periods (low estrogen & under-fueling)

    18:54 – Heavy bleeding (estrogen dominance & growth conditions)

    23:47 – Ovulation pain explained

    26:05 – PMS & PMDD (progesterone, nutrients, blood sugar)

    30:19 – Mood changes after ovulation

    33:38 – Low cervical mucus / dry cycles

    36:46 – Long cycles & PCOS

    42:47 – Short cycles & ovarian reserve

    47:25 – Brown blood & stagnation

    48:50 – Severe cramping & endometriosis

    53:09 – Breast changes & lymph support

    57:06 – Final thoughts


    Resources Mentioned
    • Episode #31: The Power of Progesterone
    • Episode #151: When Sex Hurts
    • Hormone & Cycle Health Episode Playlist


    If you want step-by-step hormone education, cycle tracking guidance, and root-cause protocols, explore the Womanhood Wellness Membership for deeper support: https://drleahgordon.com/join


    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
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Pregnancy Over 40: Real Risks, Benefits & What No One Explains About Having Babies Later | #153

    Pregnancy Over 40: Real Risks, Benefits & What No One Explains About Having Babies Later | #153
    Feb 25 2026
    Pregnancy over 40 is often surrounded by fear, but the real story is more nuanced than most women are told.In Part 2 of our Over 40 series, we break down what actually matters when considering pregnancy later in life, including medical risks, lifestyle factors, birth decisions, and even the surprising benefits of having babies in your 40s.If you’ve been labeled “advanced maternal age,” feeling pressure about timing, or wondering whether it’s too late to grow your family, this episode offers an evidence-based and compassionate perspective.In this episode, we discuss:✔️ Induction pressure and spontaneous labor after 40✔️ How to evaluate pregnancy risks realistically✔️ Miscarriage and chromosomal risk explained simply✔️ When shorter age gaps may make sense biologically✔️ The truth about twins and fertility after 40✔️ Longevity myths — why later fertility may signal better health✔️ Breastfeeding, family planning & timing decisions✔️ Breast cancer risk reduction linked to pregnancy and nursing✔️ Lifestyle factors that matter most in pregnancy after 40✔️ Preconception health, nutrition, and exercise recommendations00:00 Trailer + Podcast Intro01:45 Episode Begins — Pregnancy & Birth Over 40 Overview02:13 Why More Women Are Having Babies After 4003:55 Advanced Maternal Age: What Actually Matters06:02 Chromosomal Risks Explained (Down Syndrome & Testing)08:00 NIPT Testing — Pros, Cons & When It Makes Sense10:14 Twin Pregnancy Risk After 4013:27 Miscarriage Statistics by Age16:54 Pregnancy Complications Over 40 (Hypertension & Preeclampsia)19:35 Placenta Previa Risk Factors21:35 Gestational Diabetes & Lifestyle Factors23:30 Growth Restriction & Paternal Health Influence24:58 Preterm Labor Risk25:47 Stillbirth Risk — What the Numbers Really Mean28:02 Induction & Cesarean Rates After 4030:35 Medical System vs Physiological Birth DiscussionPregnancy outcomes are influenced by far more than age alone: metabolic health, lifestyle, and individualized care play a major role. Whether you’re trying to conceive, are currently pregnant, or are simply exploring your options, this episode aims to replace fear with clarity.Watch Part 1 of this series HEREOther Resources Mentioned:Dr. Morgan's 6 Week Pregnancy CallEpisode #31 The Power of ProgesteroneEpisode #150 Everything You Were Never Taught About The PlacentaEpisode #113 Breastfeeding and TTCFind more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at FondUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
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    50 mins
  • Fertility Over 40: What Actually Matters (And How to Optimize Your Chances) | #152

    Fertility Over 40: What Actually Matters (And How to Optimize Your Chances) | #152
    Feb 18 2026

    Part 1 of a 2-Part Series: Fertility Over 40


    Fertility over 40 is becoming more common than ever, but with it comes confusion, fear, and a lot of outdated information.


    In this episode of Healthy As A Mother, we begin a two-part fertility series focused on conception after age 40. We break down what actually changes with age, what matters most for fertility, and — most importantly — what you can influence.


    Because chronological age is only one piece of the picture.


    You’ll learn why egg quality matters more than egg count, how lifestyle and metabolic health impact fertility outcomes, and how women can support ovulation, hormone balance, and mitochondrial health as they age. If you’ve been told your age alone determines your fertility, this episode offers a more nuanced and hopeful perspective.


    In this episode, we cover:

    • Why chronological age doesn’t equal ovarian health

    • The real role of egg quality vs. egg count (AMH explained)

    • How mitochondrial health impacts fertility

    • Environmental toxins and hidden fertility stressors

    • Blood sugar balance and metabolic health after 40

    • Inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormone disruption

    • Ovulation strength and progesterone production

    • Short luteal phases and why they matter for implantation

    • Signs of low progesterone you shouldn’t ignore

    • How lifestyle changes can meaningfully improve fertility outcomes


    00:00 — Trailer & Podcast Intro

    03:25 — Episode begins: Fertility over 40 overview

    05:10 — Chronological age vs ovarian environment

    21:30 — Egg quality, lifestyle, and metabolic health

    23:58 — Inflammation, stress & nutrient deficiencies explained

    24:25 — Progesterone, luteal phase & cycle changes after 40

    25:10 — Signs of low progesterone to watch for

    48:43 — IVF myths: why optimization matters first

    49:12 — Why IVF doesn’t bypass egg or sperm quality

    49:42 — Rethinking fertility decisions after 40

    50:51 — Fertility as a marker of overall health


    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 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
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 5 mins
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