PODCAST · health
Healthy As A Mother
by Dr. Morgan MacDermott & Dr. Leah Gordon
Healthy As A Mother is a podcast for becoming and being a mother, hosted by Dr. Leah Gordon and Dr. Morgan MacDermott, two naturopathic doctors passionate about helping women navigate fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and motherhood through a natural health lens.Each week, we share conversations and education designed to help you become the healthiest mother possible through evidence-based and holistic approaches to wellness. From preconception and pregnancy preparation to postpartum recovery and motherhood, we cover the topics many women are not hearing elsewhere.Real conversations. Honest education. Support for every stage of motherhood.
Episodes
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Miscarriage: What No One Tells You About Loss, Recovery & Trying Again | #186
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...
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How to Protect Your Kids From Predators & Grooming: A Survivor's Guide for Parents with Mandi Pagliarini | #185
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…
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Women’s Health Labs Your Doctor Isn’t Running but Should Be | #184
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,...
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Eczema in Babies & Kids: Gut, Food, Mold & More with Abbie Bradford | #183
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…
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Birth Control & the War on Female Biology: How We Learned to Suppress the Menstrual Cycle | #182
What happens when we stop viewing the menstrual cycle as an essential part of female biology and start treating it as something to suppress? In this episode, Dr. Leah Gordon and Dr. Morgan MacDermott take a deeper look at the history and culture surrounding hormonal birth control, how women came…
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ADHD in Motherhood: How Hormones, Pregnancy & Postpartum Affect Your Brain with Dr. Carrie McMillin | #181
ADHD can look very different in women and motherhood: hormonal shifts, pregnancy, and postpartum can dramatically change how those symptoms show up. In this episode, we’re joined by integrative ADHD specialist Dr. Carrie McMillin to unpack the ADHD brain, including executive function, task...
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Are IVF Babies Less Healthy? What the Research Really Shows | #180
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,...
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Dr. Morgan's Fifth Home Birth Story | #179
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,...
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Trying to Conceive Is Affecting Your Relationship? How to Stay Connected Through Fertility Struggles | #178
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...
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Raising 6 Kids, Running a Business & Staying Nourished | Alysa Seeland of FOND Regenerative | #177
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...
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What Every Female Founder Needs to Know Before Getting Pregnant with Natalie Samson | #176
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...
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Hyperemesis Gravidarum 101: Why Severe Pregnancy Sickness Can Become Life-Threatening | #175
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is far more than morning sickness. In this episode, we break down the science behind severe pregnancy nausea and vomiting, including how it's diagnosed, why it happens, potential genetic causes, treatment options, and what current research says. Dr. Morgan explains the...
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Mini IVF vs Traditional IVF: A Personalized Fertility Approach with Dr. Lyndon Chang | #174
If you've been told IVF is your only option, or you've already gone through failed IVF cycles, this episode may completely change the way you think about fertility treatment. Dr. Leah sits down with her personal reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Lyndon Chang, founder of Hanabusa IVF and a pioneer…
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Baby Registry Supplies: What's in My Postpartum Cart | #173
Preparing for postpartum doesn't have to be overwhelming. In this episode, Dr. Morgan shares everything she's putting in her postpartum cart as she prepares for baby number five, including the products she swears by, the items she skips, and why less is often more. From breastfeeding essentials,...
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The Hidden Signs of Endometriosis: Infertility, Painful Periods & What Actually Helps with Cindy Dabrowska | #172
Endometriosis affects an estimated 1 in 10 women, yet many spend years searching for answers before receiving a diagnosis. In this episode, Leah sits down with endometriosis and fertility dietitian Cindy Dabrowska to unpack the often-overlooked signs of endometriosis, its connection to…
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Hospital Transfer During Birth: Why It Happens, What to Expect & How to Stay Empowered | #171
Planning a home birth or birth center birth? While most out-of-hospital births go as planned, hospital transfers are more common than many families realize. In this episode, we break down the most common reasons a transfer may happen before or during labor, including prolonged labor, maternal...
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Low Progesterone & Fertility: Luteal Phase Defects, Miscarriage Risk + Natural Hormone Support with Sophia Pavia | #170
Progesterone is one of the most important hormones for fertility, healthy ovulation, and sustaining early pregnancy, yet so many women are never taught how it actually works. In this episode, Dr. Leah and Dr. Morgan sit down with fertility nutritionist Sophia Pavia to break down the truth about…
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Home Birth 101, Part 2: Midwives, Transfers, Cost, Prep + What Actually Happens During a Home Birth | #169
What actually happens during a home birth? In part two of this Home Birth 101 conversation, Dr. Morgan walks through what makes home birth safe, the role of midwives, what labor looks like at home, when transfers happen, newborn care, cost considerations, and how to prepare physically and…
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Home Birth 101, Part 1: Is Home Birth Safe? Research, Risks, Myths + Who It’s For | #168
Thinking about a home birth but unsure whether it’s actually safe? In part one of this Home Birth 101 series, Dr. Morgan breaks down the biggest myths around home birth, who is actually a good candidate, why some women choose home birth over hospital birth, and what the research says about safety...
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Pregnancy, Purpose & Unexpected Challenges | #167
In this candid life update, Leah and Morgan share the highs, lows, and unexpected twists they've been navigating behind the scenes. Leah opens up about the emotional weight of supporting fertility patients through both pregnancies and losses, her husband's exciting startup milestone, and how the...
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Trying to Conceive After a C-Section: Scar Tissue, VBACs, Fertility & Healing | #166
Getting pregnant again after a C-section comes with unique physical, emotional, and hormonal considerations that many women are never told about. In this episode, we break down what to know about fertility after cesarean birth, scar tissue healing, adhesions, secondary infertility, VBAC...
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Tongue Ties in Babies: Is Your Baby Just Tight or Truly Tied? with Lynnelle King | #165
Tongue ties are one of the most misunderstood topics in infant feeding and airway health and many parents are left confused, dismissed, or unsure what to do next. In this episode, Dr. Morgan sits down with IBCLC and craniosacral therapist Lynnelle King to break down the difference between babies...
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Women’s Hormones, Feminine Power & Nervous System Healing with Samantha Hadadi | #164
What if hormone imbalances aren’t just physical? In this episode, we sit down with women’s health and hormone coach Sam “The Hormone Goddess” to explore the deeper emotional, nervous system, and societal roots behind so many women’s health struggles. We dive into the connection between trauma,...
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Birth Mindset for Unmedicated Birth: Practical Tips & What Actually Matters | #163
Birth preparation is often focused on the physical side of labor, including breathing techniques, birth positions, and what to expect during delivery. But for many women planning an unmedicated birth, the biggest factor influencing their experience is not physical at all. In this episode, we...
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Detoxing Before Pregnancy: What Actually Matters (and What Doesn’t) | #162
Detoxing before pregnancy is one of the most misunderstood topics in the health space. In this episode, we break down what detox actually means in the body, why it matters for fertility, and how to approach it safely without creating more harm than good. You’ll learn how toxins impact hormones,...
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Boundaries in Motherhood: Why You Feel Controlled (and How to Take Your Power Back) | #161
What if the tension you feel in motherhood isn’t about your decisions… but about your boundaries? In this episode, we break down one of the most overlooked skills women need to navigate pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood: setting boundaries with family, friends, and outside opinions. From...
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The Future of IVF Embryo Testing (and What Rhino Babies Reveal About Fertility) with Cara Wells, PhD | #160
In this episode of Healthy As A Mother, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood parts of IVF: embryo selection. Because here’s the truth most people don’t realize… Even today, many IVF labs still rely on visual grading methods developed over 50 years ago to choose which...
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A Better Way to Understand Mental & Emotional Patterns in You and Your Kids with Dr. Steve Rondeau | #159
Mental health is often treated like a guessing game, but what if we could actually see what’s happening in the brain? In this episode, Dr. Steve Rondeau, founder of Axon EEG Solutions and author of Think Like a Brain, breaks down how brain-based data is changing the way we understand mental…
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Epidurals: What They Don’t Tell You (Risks, Myths & When You Actually Need One) | #158
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...
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Trying to Get Pregnant After Pregnancy Loss? Here’s What No One Tells You | #157
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...
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Newborn Interventions Every Mom Should Understand Before Birth | #156
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…
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The Truth About Motherhood Right Now: Sleep Deprivation, Overwhelm & Finding Routine Again | #155
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...
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Your Cycle Report Card: Symptom Clues That Reveal Your Hormones & Fertility | #154
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…
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Pregnancy Over 40: Real Risks, Benefits & What No One Explains About Having Babies Later | #153
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...
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Fertility Over 40: What Actually Matters (And How to Optimize Your Chances) | #152
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…
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When Sex Hurts: The Root Causes No One Talks About | #151
Painful sex is far more common than most women realize and far more complex than we’re ever taught. In this episode, Dr. Leah shares her deeply personal 18-year journey with painful sex, low libido, and feeling dismissed by the medical system, alongside a comprehensive breakdown of the real root...
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Everything You Were Never Taught About the Placenta (And Why It Matters So Much) | #150
The placenta is one of the most misunderstood organs in pregnancy, yet it plays a central role in implantation, miscarriage risk, fetal growth, preeclampsia, birth complications, and postpartum recovery. In this episode of Healthy As A Mother, Dr. Morgan delivers a clear, grounded crash course on...
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Why Modern Motherhood Feels So Hard: The Human Animal in Captivity | #149
Why does modern motherhood feel so hard — even when you’re doing everything “right”? In this episode of Healthy As A Mother, we explore a powerful lens for understanding hormones, fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and burnout: humans are animals — and modern life is not designed for our biology....
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How Our Culture & Systems Failed Women Who Want to Be Mothers | #148
Our culture and systems have failed many women who want to be mothers, not through malice, but through neglect, misalignment, and outdated priorities. In this episode, we explore how education, feminism, medicine, and career culture shaped a generation of women who were never truly prepared for...
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A Real Life Update: Pregnancy, Motherhood Seasons & What’s Changing for Us | #147
In this life update episode, we’re sitting down for an honest, unfiltered conversation about what’s really been going on behind the scenes: from pregnancy and health updates to sleep deprivation, motherhood challenges, and big life decisions. Dr. Morgan shares a deeply personal pregnancy update,...
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5 Things That Ruin Breastfeeding (And Why No One Prepares Mothers for This) | #146
Breastfeeding is often framed as natural, yet so many mothers struggle, feel overwhelmed, or are told their bodies are failing them. In this episode, we break down five major factors that can sabotage breastfeeding and why women are rarely prepared for them. We explore how birth interventions, IV...
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Coming Off Birth Control: What Your Body Needs Before Pregnancy | #145
In this episode of Healthy As A Mother, we’re joined by Dr. Leah Gordon to explore why so many women struggle with fertility, even when their labs look “normal.” We discuss how hormonal birth control, chronic stress, gut health, inflammation, and nervous system dysregulation can quietly block...
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The Hidden Emotional Toll of Infertility with Dr. Andrea Liner | #144
Womanhood Wellness is where functional medicine meets feminine wisdom—guiding you to balance hormones, awaken libido, and prepare for pregnancy with intention. Join today. What if the hardest part of trying to conceive isn't your body, but the silence around what you're actually feeling? …
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Supplements in Pregnancy: What You SHOULD and SHOULD NOT Take | #143
Pregnant and wanting to learn how to optimize your health, prepare for birth, learn to breastfeed, and heal during postpartum? Come take Dr. Morgan’s pregnancy class! Not every supplement in pregnancy is harmless. Some can actually increase risk for you and your baby. Pregnancy supplements can be...
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Why Salt Is More Important Than You Think with Darryl Bosshardt | #142
Get real, true hydration with Redmond Re-lyte! Try it for 15% off, here. What if the real problem isn't salt itself but the way we've stripped it, feared it, and deadened the water we drink it with? We’re sitting down with Darryl Bosshardt, a salt expert from Redmond, Utah, who grew up inside his...
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7 Everyday Things That Are Actually Bad for Your Hormones & Fertility - And What to Use Instead | #141
Womanhood Wellness is where functional medicine meets feminine wisdom—guiding you to balance hormones, awaken libido, and prepare for pregnancy with intention. Join today. What if the everyday things touching your skin were quietly working against your hormones and fertility? Are there…
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You’ll Never Conceive Until You Do This (The Top Fertility Killers) |#140
Womanhood Wellness is where functional medicine meets feminine wisdom—guiding you to balance hormones, awaken libido, and prepare for pregnancy with intention. Join today. Why do some women who “do everything right” still struggle to get pregnant? There are five hidden fertility factors most...
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How to Transition Back to Work After Having a Baby with Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton ND | #139
Have you ever pumped milk in an airport bathroom while your boss texted you about a meeting? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton, a naturopathic doctor, past president of the AANP, speaker, author, and mom of five. She’s lived every version of the working-mom juggle, from…
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Everything You Need to Know About Post-Weaning Hormones in 30 Minutes | #138
Dealing with mastitis? Get Dr.Morgan’s comprehensive Mastitis Manual here, and learn all about how to tell which type of mastitis you have, if you need antibiotics or not, and how to treat it naturally! Why does weaning sometimes feel like puberty all over again? What really happens to your body...
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Things We Wish We Knew Before IVF About Infertility With Dr. Leah’s Husband, Mike Gordon | #137
Join Womanhood Wellness to learn more about all of the things we discuss in this episode. What if the world really was rigged in your favor, even when your fertility journey feels impossible? In this episode, Dr.Leah sits down with her husband, Mike, to unpack their six-year journey through...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Healthy As A Mother is a podcast for becoming and being a mother, hosted by Dr. Leah Gordon and Dr. Morgan MacDermott, two naturopathic doctors passionate about helping women navigate fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and motherhood through a natural health lens.Each week, we share conversations and education designed to help you become the healthiest mother possible through evidence-based and holistic approaches to wellness. From preconception and pregnancy preparation to postpartum recovery and motherhood, we cover the topics many women are not hearing elsewhere.Real conversations. Honest education. Support for every stage of motherhood.
HOSTED BY
Dr. Morgan MacDermott & Dr. Leah Gordon
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Healthy As A Mother have?
Healthy As A Mother currently has 185 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Healthy As A Mother about?
Healthy As A Mother is a podcast for becoming and being a mother, hosted by Dr. Leah Gordon and Dr. Morgan MacDermott, two naturopathic doctors passionate about helping women navigate fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and motherhood through a natural health lens.Each week, we share...
How often does Healthy As A Mother release new episodes?
Healthy As A Mother publishes regularly with 185 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Healthy As A Mother?
You can listen to Healthy As A Mother on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Healthy As A Mother?
Healthy As A Mother is created and hosted by Dr. Morgan MacDermott & Dr. Leah Gordon.
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