Healthy As A Mother

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

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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

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

What actually happens to your baby in the first 24–48 hours after birth, and which newborn interventions should you say yes or no to?

In this episode, we break down 14 common newborn interventions and procedures parents may be offered right after delivery. From delayed cord clamping and suctioning to vitamin K, hepatitis B, erythromycin eye ointment, newborn metabolic screening, hearing and heart tests, circumcision, jaundice, early bathing, and pediatric follow-up, we explain what these interventions are, why they’re offered, and what parents should understand before birth.

Whether you’re planning a hospital birth, home birth, or birth center delivery, this conversation will help you make informed decisions about newborn care and know what questions to ask when creating your birth plan.

00:00 Trailer + intro
01:13 Why newborn interventions matter
03:44 Delayed cord clamping
09:23 Rubbing and suctioning after birth
14:26 Swaddling, hats, and skin-to-skin
18:37 The golden hour and delaying newborn exams
21:10 Vitamin K shot vs oral vitamin K
29:44 Hepatitis B vaccine at birth
34:07 Erythromycin eye ointment
36:57 Newborn metabolic screening / heel prick / PKU test
39:19 Newborn blood sugar testing
41:42 Hearing test and congenital heart disease screening
46:36 Circumcision considerations
47:32 Early bath and newborn microbiome
52:31 Newborn jaundice explained
56:39 Breastfeeding jaundice vs breast milk jaundice
59:04 Pediatrician visits and delayed vaccine schedules
01:05:39 Closing thoughts

Resources From This Episode:
Vax Dilemmas: Hesitancy, Studies, and Alternate Schedules with Dr. Joel Gator Warsh | Ep. 109 - https://youtu.be/d72t0Dv18Ok?si=OawY6xJOcWhy0w44
Vaccines From A Neurodevelopmental Perspective with Dr. Ari Calhoun | Ep. 52 - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthy-as-a-mother/id1663942916?i=1000648382589
5 Things That Ruin Breastfeeding | Ep 146 - https://youtu.be/BQgB9rQ_Msk?si=fwrB0QJ1DvfzrrUm
Breastfeeding and Trying To Conceive | Ep 113 - https://youtu.be/vRXXioExVh8?si=epAYIrJeqe197ftJ
Breastfeeding: What to KNOW before your baby is born | Ep 10 - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthy-as-a-mother/id1663942916?i=1000601146225

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

In this honest life update episode, we’re sharing what motherhood looks like for us right now... the wins, the challenges, and the very real in-between.

We talk about rebuilding strength after a C-section, navigating toddler chaos and overstimulation, how sleep deprivation affects everything, and why routines can feel life-giving in certain seasons of motherhood. We also open up about feeling baby kicks during pregnancy, the emotional weight of the mental load, waking up at 5 a.m., hormone-supportive habits, and the financial pressure that can come with running a business while raising a family.

This episode is candid, relatable, and full of those real mom moments that often go unspoken. If you’re in a season of trying to hold it all together while also finding your way back to yourself, this one will feel like a conversation with friends who get it.

In this episode, we cover:
Rebuilding strength and reconnecting with your body after a C-section
The emotional and physical impact of postpartum sleep deprivation
Toddler chaos and the reality of parenting multiple kids
The invisible mental load many mothers carry every day
Why routines can actually create more freedom, creativity, and flow
The transition out of the postpartum season and back into personal rhythms
Navigating motherhood while growing and supporting a business
The financial and emotional pressures of entrepreneurship during family life
The beauty of sharing both the wins and the challenges of motherhood
Why real conversations about motherhood matter more than perfection online

00:00 Intro
01:33 Life updates
02:14 Toddler chaos and the destruction phase
07:49 Reflecting on postpartum while caring for other children
12:33 Why sleep deprivation is so hard in motherhood
13:35 Trying to stay organized as a mom (and why chaos still happens)
21:39 The small parenting struggles that add up
31:00 The Skylight calendar and organizing family life
39:24 Getting back into exercise after a C-section
44:30 Getting back into routine and finding rhythm again
54:45 The pressure for business to grow financially
1:00:00 Money as the next personal growth frontier
1:03:51 Why sharing life updates matters
1:07:19 Outro

Resources Mentioned:
Uplift Workout Program: Use code DRLEAH0770 for $20 off
Dow Janes Financial Program

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

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 From This Episode:
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

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