Episodes

  • #128: Everything You Need to Know About Hospital Birth with Care Messer

    #128: Everything You Need to Know About Hospital Birth with Care Messer
    Sep 10 2025
    What does it really take to have a good birth in a hospital?In this episode, I’m joined by Care Messer, Founder of the Birth Education Center in San Diego. She’s a certified hypnobirthing instructor, a DONA-certified doula, and a childbirth educator who also trains doulas. Care teaches engaging, partner-friendly online classes that have helped many families prepare for birth with more clarity and confidence.We get into what it means to prepare early, why most women don’t realize how much choice they actually have, and what it looks like to create a safe, grounded birth experience inside a hospital system. From power dynamics with providers to the small, practical things that shift your sense of safety, this conversation breaks down what women and their partners need to know before walking through those hospital doors.You’ll Learn:Why choosing the right hospital and provider early changes everythingWhat it feels like to enter a system where you’re treated as room number instead of a person giving birthWhy staying home longer in early labor can dramatically shift your hospital experienceThe surprising link between hospital C-section rates and NICU levelsHow eye masks, dim lights, and warm blankets keep your body in labor modeWhen partners step into the role of protector and advocate in the birth roomThe quiet damage of being a passive participant versus owning your birth decisionsWhy hospital classes often train you to be a “good patient” instead of giving you real optionsHow listening to birth stories helps you recognize and avoid common intervention cascadesTimestamps:[00:00] Introduction[03:00] How preparation and safety shape the hospital birth experience[09:22] Rethinking what safety really means in birth[13:01] Choosing the right hospital, provider, and birth team[20:20] The partner’s role in protecting space and shifting power dynamics[36:37] Practical ways to protect labor hormones in a hospital birth[50:15] Arming with education and optimizing the hospital environment for laborResources Mentioned:Episode 65: All About VBAC pt.1: Perspectives from an OB, Midwife, and Doula with Care Messer | Spotify or AppleBirth Education Center | WebsiteBucky Eye Mask | AmazonThe Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk M.D. | Book or AudiobookMen, Love & Birth by Mark Harris | Book or AudiobookLabor Like A Goddess by Alexandria Moran and Lauren Mahana | BookBirth Psychology | WebsiteMorgan’s First Birth | VideoLearn more about the Birth Education Care by visiting their website, YouTube channel, and Facebook page.Follow Care on Instagram, LinkedIn and listen to her Podcast on Apple or Spotify.Find more from Leah:Leah Gordon | InstagramLeah Gordon | WebsiteLeah Gordon | WebsiteFind more from Morgan:Morgan MacDermott | InstagramMorgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse 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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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • #128: The Secret Fertility Factor No One Talks About: Your Uterine Microbiome

    #128: The Secret Fertility Factor No One Talks About: Your Uterine Microbiome
    Sep 3 2025
    Did you know that you have bacteria in your uterus? And that the types of bacteria there may impact whether you get pregnant or not. We talk all about this and many other things we are discovering are impacting fertility with our guest, Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton. She is a fellow naturopathic doctor who has focused much of her career on fertility, and we can't wait to share this informative episode with you.This episode is sponsored by:Redmond Salt >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 15% on your order.Needed >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 20% off your first order.Lumebox >> Click here and use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER for $260 off.Resources From This Episode:DUTCH testWatch the video episode on YouTube HERE!Stay Connected With Us:Healthy As A Mother: www.healthyasamother.comInstagram: @healthyasamotherpodcastDr. Leah: www.womanhoodwellness.comInstagram: @drleahgordonDr. Morgan: www.milkmedicine.comInstagram: @morganmacdermottRedmond LifeRedmond Life | Real Salt & Clay | Re-Lyte Electrolyte Hydration PowderYour one stop shop for all things Redmond. We carry pure, natural sea salt and bentonite clay mined from an ancient salt deposit right here in Redmond, Utah. From Real Salt to Re-Lyte Hydration electrolyte mix, try one of our US-mined products today.needed.Radically better nutrition for fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum.Prenatal vitamins leave most women depleted, so we redesigned the Prenatal Multi from the ground-up, and paired it with the Omega-3 (DHA and EPA), Collagen Protein, and Pre/Probiotic that mamas need. Take them before, during, and after pregnancy (and while breastfeeding) for optimal prenatal and postpartum nourishment.LumeboxLUMEBOX discount linkDutch TestPrecision Analytical (DUTCH TEST) - Test Kits, Providers & PatientsExplore DUTCH Test kits for comprehensive hormone testing, provider resources, patient support, and educational webinars. Contact us for more information.
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • #127: Morning Sickness: Root Causes + Treatment

    #127: Morning Sickness: Root Causes + Treatment
    Aug 27 2025

    Nausea in pregnancy, or "morning sickness," is a multifactorial issue that we CAN usually affect in a positive way - and today we outline the top contributing factors to what is unlovingly known as "morning sickness." We discuss how, for most women, there is not one single reason that they feel nauseous during their pregnancy - and usually there are multiple pieces that all contribute a different amount to the overall experience - and what's tough is that for each person, this will be individual. The best approach then, is to ensure that all of the factors to talk about today - blood sugar, hydration, histamine, sleep, and more - are in your awareness so you can work on them the best you can. Big hugs if you're in the weeds with this, we really feel you.


    This episode is sponsored by:

    Redmond Salt >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 15% on your order.

    Needed >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 20% off your first order.

    Lumebox >> Click here and use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER for $260 off.


    Resources From this Episode:

    • Redmond's Relyte
    • Needed Electrolytes
    • Needed Sleep Support - Magnesium
    • Use Fullscript for ordering supplements and get 15% off!
      • Concentrace drops by Trace Minerals
      • DAO Enzyme by Seeking Health
      • Small DAO option
      • Triple Mag Vital Nutrients
      • CALM magnesium
      • B6 (P-5-P) 40-50mg per day
      • Ginger 750mg-1g
    • herhomeopathy.com
    • Dr. Morgan's Pregnancy Call
    • Dr. Morgan's Managing Illness While Pregnant or Breastfeeding Course




    Stay Connected With Us:
    Healthy As A Mother: www.healthyasamother.com
    Instagram: @healthyasamotherpodcast
    Dr. Leah: www.womanhoodwellness.com
    Instagram: @drleahgordon
    Dr. Morgan: www.milkmedicine.com
    Instagram: @morganmacdermott
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • #126: Abortion: Nuance + Challenge with Dr. Nathan Riley OBGYN

    #126: Abortion: Nuance + Challenge with Dr. Nathan Riley OBGYN
    Aug 20 2025

    Dr. Morgan and Dr. Nathan Riley have an open, and most importantly, nuanced conversation about abortion. Dr. Riley is an OBGYN and is dual board-certified in hospice and palliative care, so he offers an interesting perspective of expertise in both the beginning AND the end of life. Our goal in this episode is not to take sides, but to explore the shades of gray in a topic that is often painted in black and white. This conversation may not be for everyone - and that’s okay. It isn’t a perfect discussion, but we hope you’ll find something in it that resonates, challenges, or simply helps you understand the realities others face - realities you may never have had to think about, which in itself can be a kind of privilege. We truly believe that most people likely fall in this middle ground space, if only we could share the perspective from both sides. Conversations like this aren’t easy, but keeping them open and honest is the only way things can change. So we invite you to listen with an open mind and an open heart.


    This episode is sponsored by:

    Redmond Salt >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 15% on your order.

    Needed >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 20% off your first order.

    Lumebox >> Click here and use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER for $260 off.


    Resources From This Episode:

    • Dr. Nathan Riley's Website
    • Dr. Nathan Riley's fertility, pregnancy, and birth class with midwife Sara Rosser, Born Free Method
    • Dr. Nathan Riley's Instagram



    Stay Connected With Us:
    Healthy As A Mother: www.healthyasamother.com
    Instagram: @healthyasamotherpodcast
    Dr. Leah: www.womanhoodwellness.com
    Instagram: @drleahgordon
    Dr. Morgan: www.milkmedicine.com
    Instagram: @morganmacdermott
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    1 hr and 36 mins
  • #125: Season 9 Life Updates

    #125: Season 9 Life Updates
    Aug 13 2025

    It's time for our life update episode again! It's almost the end of summer and Dr. Morgan shares about an unexpected diagnosis and her new extensive health journey, her decision on having another baby, and her philosophy around choice. Dr. Leah talks extensively about her son's sleep journey and breaks down why we decided to gently sleep train and why co-sleeping wasn't working for us, as well as her choice around working less and momming more. This is a great episode with a lot of juicy controversial opinions we can't wait to share with you!


    This episode is sponsored by:

    Redmond Salt >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 15% on your order.

    Needed >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 20% off your first order.

    Lumebox >> Click here and use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER for $260 off.


    Resources From This Episode:

    • Dr Leah's Free Lab List Guide
    • Healthy As A Mother Episode #120: The Lowdown on Laryngomalacia
    • Healthy As A Mother Episode #110: Season 8 Life Updates
    • The Still Face Experiment



    Stay Connected With Us:
    Healthy As A Mother: www.healthyasamother.com
    Instagram: @healthyasamotherpodcast
    Dr. Leah: www.womanhoodwellness.com
    Instagram: @drleahgordon
    Dr. Morgan: www.milkmedicine.com
    Instagram: @morganmacdermott
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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • #124: Don't Make This Hormone Mistake Before Pregnancy!

    #124: Don't Make This Hormone Mistake Before Pregnancy!
    Aug 6 2025

    In today's episode, we discuss the hormone mistake you want to avoid before pregnancy. We explain what hormones are, what imbalances may look like, how to test them, what some ideal ranges of key hormones are, and what you can do to balance them. Whether you are years away from trying, currently trying to conceive, or even heading into perimenopause, this episode applies to you.


    This episode is sponsored by:

    Redmond Salt >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 15% on your order.

    Active Skin Repair >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER for 20% off your order.

    Needed >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 20% off your first order.

    Lumebox >> Click here and use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER for $260 off.


    Resources From This Episode:

    • Download Dr. Leah's FREE Female Labs List
    • Grab your spot on the Womanhood Wellness Membership Waitlist!
    • Healthy As A Mother #31: The Power of Progesterone: An Essential Fertility Hormone
    • Healthy As A Mother Episode #37: First 6 Steps to Take Along Your Fertility Journey
    • Healthy As A Mother Episode # 78: Lifestyle Hacks for Hormone Balancing



    Stay Connected With Us:
    Healthy As A Mother: www.healthyasamother.com
    Instagram: @healthyasamotherpodcast
    Dr. Leah: www.womanhoodwellness.com
    Instagram: @drleahgordon
    Dr. Morgan: www.milkmedicine.com
    Instagram: @morganmacdermott
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • #123: Twin Mom Life: Real Talk + Practical Tips from Allegra Gast of Aloha Nutrition

    #123: Twin Mom Life: Real Talk + Practical Tips from Allegra Gast of Aloha Nutrition
    Jul 30 2025

    If you find yourself pregnant with twins, you've landed in the right spot. Today on the podcast, Dr. Morgan interviews Allegra Gast of Aloha Nutrition, all about her tips and tricks as a mother of four, the youngest two being 1-year-old twin boys. Allegra starts us out by discussing how she had her healthiest pregnancy, easiest birth, and postpartum recovery with the twins - largely due to proper nutrition. She then takes us into the survival mode of newborn days and manages it all with the older children. We then discuss feeding, sleeping, getting out of the house, the systems she has in place, and many other topics. She shares great resources and some heartfelt stories.


    This episode is sponsored by:

    Redmond Salt >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 15% on your order.

    Needed >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 20% off your first order.

    Lumebox >> Click here and use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER for $260 off.


    Resources From This Episode:

    • Allegra's Instagram and Website
    • Other Twin Instagram account to follow: @twinmomguide
    • Great book for twin moms: The Holistic Guide to Twin Pregnancy by BreAnn Blehm



    Stay Connected With Us:
    Healthy As A Mother: www.healthyasamother.com
    Instagram: @healthyasamotherpodcast
    Dr. Leah: www.womanhoodwellness.com
    Instagram: @drleahgordon
    Dr. Morgan: www.milkmedicine.com
    Instagram: @morganmacdermott
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • #122: Is Your Prenatal Enough? The Truth About Women's Nutrient Needs with Julie Sawaya & Ryan Woodbury

    #122: Is Your Prenatal Enough? The Truth About Women's Nutrient Needs with Julie Sawaya & Ryan Woodbury
    Jul 23 2025

    In this episode, Dr Leah talks with Ryan and Julie, the co-founders of Needed. They dive into something often seen in practice: nutrient depletion. Why so many women are starting motherhood already depleted—and how that affects everything from fertility to postpartum recovery and long-term health. Ryan and Julie aren’t your average supplement founders. They built Needed alongside a community of practitioners like Dr. Leah, who were asking for better solutions—not just what looks good on a label, but what actually supports women’s bodies. They discuss how they met Dr. Leah, why Dr. Leah chose to partner with them, and how they've created products and education that reflect what women truly need. If you’ve ever wondered whether your prenatal is enough, or felt dismissed by one-size-fits-all advice—this one’s for you. We start at the beginning, with how Ryan and Julie got into this work and why they knew something major was missing in women’s health, and end with the amazing nutritional study they have done and what it has been like having babies and raising families while also growing this amazing company.


    This episode is sponsored by:

    Redmond Salt >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 15% on your order.

    Needed >> Click here and use code HEALTHYMOTHER to save 20% off your first order.

    Lumebox >> Click here and use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER for $260 off.


    Resources From This Episode:

    • More About Needed, Julie and Ryan
    • Needed Academy
    • Order Needed supplements here with code HEALTHYMOTHER



    Stay Connected With Us:
    Healthy As A Mother: www.healthyasamother.com
    Instagram: @healthyasamotherpodcast
    Dr. Leah: www.womanhoodwellness.com
    Instagram: @drleahgordon
    Dr. Morgan: www.milkmedicine.com
    Instagram: @morganmacdermott
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    55 mins