Food Freedom and Fertility Podcast

Welcome to the season 3 season opener of Food, Freedom, and Fertility. Host Caitlin and Sophia start season 3 talking about getting back to the basics and emphasizing on women diagnosed with PCOS. This episode is one you will definitely want to listen to if you are wanting to start from scratch and learn about things you can be doing now to help your fertility and get one step closer to getting those two pink lines. Caitlin and Sophia engage in an in-depth discussion on PCOS labs, workouts to help your fertility and ones to avoid, how to advocate for yourself at the doctor's office and so much more.  Be sure to have your notepads ready, as this episode is a goldmine of wisdom that you won't want to miss. Tune in to gain the knowledge and confidence you need to navigate your fertility journey with grace and clarity. Thank you to our Season 3 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20%   MyFertilityCloud: $25 off first appointment with link  https://live.vcita.com/site/fertilitycloud/online-scheduling?service=k6xmd7nowqkqndpj    Needed: FFF20 for 20% off your order  You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

Welcome to the season 2 finale of Food, Freedom, and Fertility. Host Caitlin and Sophia embark on an exploration of PCOS labs. They delve into the crucial aspects of what to test for, how to inquire about these tests, and most importantly, how to interpret the results. This episode is a treasure trove of knowledge, designed to empower you to advocate for yourself and ensure that you're armed with the right questions on your fertility journey. Caitlin and Sophia engage in an in-depth discussion about the specific labs that you should request, unraveling the reasons behind their significance. Furthermore, they provide invaluable insights on how to delve deeper into the results and navigate meaningful conversations with your doctor. The results of certain tests can serve as guiding lights on your path to starting a family. This episode carefully dissects these pivotal labs, shedding light on their importance and illustrating how to thoroughly review and apply the obtained results. Be sure to have your notepads ready, as this episode is a goldmine of wisdom that you won't want to miss. Tune in to gain the knowledge and confidence you need to navigate your fertility journey with grace and clarity. Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15   FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20% Link from episode: WWW.thebloodcode.com/homa/ir/calculator   You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

Join us in this episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility as we delve into the world of reproductive health and the crucial role of progesterone in pregnancy. Our special guest, Dr. Gary, a renowned reproductive endocrinologist from Fertility Cloud, sheds light on the importance of adequate progesterone levels during pregnancy. In addition to exploring the significance of progesterone, we also take a closer look at Fertility Cloud itself. Created amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Fertility Cloud has revolutionized the field of fertility treatment. Dr. Gary explains how this innovative platform provides comprehensive support for patients, delivering everything they need right to their doorstep, excluding IVF procedures. With a shortage of fertility specialists nationwide, Fertility Cloud has emerged as a solution to expedite patient care and enhance accessibility. Through the power of telehealth, Fertility Cloud ensures that fertility help is easily accessible to individuals seeking assistance. Dr. Gary emphasizes the range of services offered by Fertility Cloud, including oral medications, injectables (which require ultrasounds), and comprehensive evaluations.  Dr. Gary also shares an inspiring success story of a patient who benefited from the services provided by Fertility Cloud. To learn more about Fertility Cloud and Dr. Gary, check out the link below.  Fertility Cloud   Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15   FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20% You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility  

In this episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility, we discuss God's Design for Sex and how to hold the goodness sex brings marriages during the hard season. We delve into the topics of sex and intimacy, challenges when trying to conceive and exploring a deeper understanding of connection within relationships. We have Francie Winslow, host of Heaven in Your Home Podcast that talks about sex, marriage and the mission of God.  The discussion begins with Francie sharing her personal story of her relationship wiht god and  the concept of purity and the potential challenges faced by individuals who struggle to embrace their sexuality after marriage, leading to feelings of disconnection and how to get through those. Francie invites listeners to consider God's purpose and intent for intimacy, drawing inspiration from the biblical account of Adam and Eve. The idea that becoming "one flesh" extends beyond physical union is explored, highlighting the notion that fruitful living encompasses bringing forth goodness and benefiting the world through intimate connections. Moving forward, the episode discusses how sex can feel more like a job or chore within the infertility community. Caitlin and Francie also discuss intimacy with your partner and offer practical thoughts for those who feel exhausted or stuck in a sexual rut. The importance of viewing intimacy in a broader context is emphasized, with an emphasis on understanding that sex is more than a mere act. Genuine connection, vulnerability, and prioritizing one's unashamed, authentic self are vital aspects of nurturing and nourishing each other in a relationship.This concept can get lost when a couple's focus is trying to conceive.  The discussion continues by stressing the significance of building and maintaining connection and intimacy, particularly during challenging seasons. Practical tips for jump-starting marital connections are shared, aiming to reignite passion and intimacy. Shifting gears, the podcast delves into a candid conversation about female pleasure, providing insights into women's anatomy, such as the clitoris, and the importance of understanding individual preferences and pacing in order to experience pleasure. The episode mentions resources like Bonnie Burns' book "Unlock Your Orgasm," which offers guidance on enhancing intimacy and exploring pleasure within relationships. Concluding the episode, the focus turns to nurturing intimacy during pregnancy when individuals may not feel their most beautiful. Francie and Caitlin disucss various ways to build intimacy during this transformative period, encouraging listeners to explore the different facets of connection beyond physical appearance. Overall, this episode serves as an enlightening and thought-provoking exploration of sex, intimacy, and connection, encouraging listeners to stay connected during the more difficlt times.  If you would like to learn more about Francie Winsow you can visit her website: www.FrancieWinslow.com   Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15   FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20% You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses a birth story and if this is something you would like to skip over please feel free to do so. Last week on Food, Freedom and Fertility Sophia shared what her TTC journey looked like and this week Sophia we delve into the story of baby Jenny's birth. We hear about the ups and downs of her pregnancy, the preparations she made, and the moments that led up to the birth of her child. Sophia takes us through her journey, sharing her emotions and experiences along the way. She talks about the excitement and nervousness she felt as her due date approached, and the different strategies she used to manage her thoughts. As the story unfolds, we hear about the challenges Sophia faced during labor, and the ways in which she coped with the pain and uncertainty. We learn about the support she received from her partner, God,  and her birthing team, and the important role they played in helping her through the birthing process. Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15   FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20%   You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

Today's on Food Freedom and Fertility Sophia shares her trying to conceive journey. Sophia has helped so many families conceive in her career she and Caitlin thought it would be fun to turn the tables and share one of their stories.  Tune in to learn how Sophia and Caitlin met along with details about Sophia and her TTC journey even as far back as her early pre-pubescent years. Most listeners will be surprised by some of the experiences Sophia has had as a prenatal nutritionist. She is also dives deep in to her journey as a military spouse and how her and her husband started their family. Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15   FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20%   You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

On this week's episode of Food Freedom and Fertility we are going to discuss Interstitial Cystitis and Fertility with Callie Krajcir, RDN, Nutrition Coach. Callie has lived with IC since she was very young.  Elementary through college her symptoms would cause her pain and put her on a rollercoaster of emotions as she continued to see a variety of doctors who did not know what was wrong with her. During college she tried a variety of treatment methods and learned to advocate for herself because doctors would eventually give up. She felt isolated and learned how to alleviate a lot of her symptoms through her diet. She entered the field of nutrition in hopes of being able to help others suffering from the same condition. Today, Callie shares with us her story and her symptoms, which started with burning while urinating. She also helps provide insight to what a flare up could look and feel like and how it affects her personal life and how to be a supportive partner/friend to someone who maybe suffering with IC. She also shares how her journey about how nutrition helps keep her symptoms minimal and exactly what foods and other triggers that can be bothersome for IC. IC is somewhat of a taboo topic because some people feel awkward with the discussion but 4-8 million women and 1-3 million men have IC in the US. There are subtypes of IC and Callie helps break down the differences.  The onset of IC is more common around the age of 30-40. Callie shares a quick list of foods that may cause a flare up and also supplements that can support IC patients, along with suggestions of what type of treatment team would be helpful. She also shares strategies that can be put into place to help with sex. If you or someone you may know maybe suffering from IC, please visit Callie's website: https://www.callieknutrition.com to learn more. Callie has a signature program that is called Road to Remission, which she teaches about IC and nutrition After the 6 months of the program (Identifying diet triggers, elimination diets, etc.) the client gets a lifetime membership to the program. IC is a condition that requires a lot of community and support. When in Callie's program people feel as if a 50lb weight have fallen off their shoulders which helps them in the mental health arena as well as reducing the stress response in their bodies associated with that stress. You can find more information about Callie at the following links below: Website: https://www.callieknutrition.com IG: CallieKnutrition Podcast: ICYou Podcast    Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15   FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20%   You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

Welcome to Food, Freedom and Fertility. Today we have Diana Rodgers. She is a dietitian and the author of Sacred Cow. She is an expert on the intersection of nutrition and sustainable agriculture. One thing in her book that she discusses is that there are there are three separate buckets: nutrition, environment, and ethics. They are separate butintricately intertwined. Those buckets are: 1.     Nutrition 2.     Environment 3.     Ethics Diana shares how they chose the bucket topics and how the order was chosen. In her book, Sacred Cow she does a wonderful job explaining it in the most understandable way. You can find her book HERE   We have all heard the rumor that “Americans eat too much meat”, well Diana debunks that myth and shares some other shocking numbers with the listeners and she also explains the optimal amount of protein needed and why beef is such a great option. She also explains why meat is so important in fulfilling your micronutrient dietary needs. She likes to use Chronometer to track micronutrients. You can find the Cronometer HERE. Another topic that comes up often is that red meat is considered a carcinogenic. She breaks down the scale of how the rating compares to other daily activities and the percentages so that listeners can make an informed decision on if the value of red meat outweighs the risk. Spoiler alert… Diana, Caitlin and Sophia all agree that red meat has some extremely wonderful prosperities that our bodies need especially when TTC or breastfeeding. Should you spend the extra money on grass fed beef? Today's episode covers this topic from a nutritional perspective and an ethical standpoint.  Diana shares her advice on what you should be eating if you are trying to conceive. She recommends fatty fish, eggs, and fatty cuts of meat. 4-6 oz of meat three times per day, or 30 grams of protein per day. Cronometer is important to keep track of your dietary intake. If you enjoyed this episode you can find Diana Rodgers and would like to learn more you cna find her at the following: Website: https://www.sacredcow.info/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/sustainabledish/ Amazon: Watch in your Amazon Prime Video App   Other show links: Cronometer Sacred Cow book Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15   FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20%   You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

Welcome to another episode of Food Freedom and Fertility. This week we have Robyn Johnson, RD as a guest to discuss minerals and hormonal health. Robyn's expertise is as follows: ·      Registered Dietitian Nutritionist ·      Bachelor of Science from University of Nebraska ·      Master of Science from Kansas University Medical Center ·      Trainings in clinical nutrition, women's health, skin health and functional & integrative medicine therapies This is a very educational episode as Robyn and our hosts discuss the way minerals work in your body, specifically focused on hormonal health. Robyn's journey with Rayvi started when she created a mineral mocktail that went viral on social media and she realized there so many people need to give attention to their mineral intake. Robyn wanted to help deliver a nutritious solution to match clinical needs with convenience. After working with clients for years, she has seen first-hand how powerful optimizing mineral intake can be. From supporting energy levels, to gut health, skin and hormones, minerals are foundational to good health. Robyn shares with us how minerals work in the body. Minerals allow all the signals in the body to work, without them…body signals would not be able to communicate properly and for the most part… we don't make the minerals our body needs, we should be getting them from our food intake but with the stress of daily life and the declining levels of minerals in our food supply majority of us are deficient and our cells (and health) are left to struggle. During this episode as we discuss different minerals and all that surrounds them, keep in mind that majority of the studies done to test the soil quality are not current, most of the studies were completed in the 1970's so the data isn't up to date. Sodium is a feared mineral but Robyn helps clear up myths about it and also shares with you some symptoms that point to mineral imbalance. Some of those symptoms are: fatigue, afternoon crashes, constipation, feeling puffing, and drinking water but still feeling puffy. She also discusses the difference between trace mineral drops and Rayvi. Rayvi is Robyn's company that makes mineral intake easy. It supports energy and vitality by properly hydrating your cells and providing an antioxidant boost. If you are unfamiliar with trace mineral drops, they have a little bit of a lot of minerals where as Rayvi has a lot of potassium and focuses on macro minerals. Rayvi also has high standards in place, such as ingredients are sourced from regenative farms, that are taking care of the land and the soil. Rayvi's current flavors include Hibiscus Raspberry, Passion Pineapple and Ginger Turmeric. An at home DIY mineral cocktail could be: Coconut water, pinches of salt, splash of cranberry. Minerals in relation to  trying to conceive, pregnancy and men's health is a hot topic and this episode supplies info on all of those areas. Robyn explains why it is hard to overdose on minerals why you are pregnant. It also shares tips about how minerals can help any vomiting during pregnancy and other helpful facts. As a breastfeeding mother it is important to ensure you have quality mineral absorption as your needs are high because breastfeeding is a demanding process, hydration is boosted by proper minerals which allows you to produce milk. You are your babies entire nutrient support  as a breastfeeding mother. Robyn also discusses how minerals affect the sex hormones and how certain levels of minerals can fluctuate your hormones. Water carries a lot of minerals in it so this is broken down for you so that you can understand the quality of minerals in your drinking water. It all depends on your water source and your city. Certain water filters should be chosen to minimize contaminates but you must be careful and research your water source because some filters can also filter out minerals and you will need to replace them. To learn more about your local water check out the EWG tap water data base. You can also have your water tested through the company Simply Water. While listening to this episode you will ask yourself… how can I be more proactive in choosing foods that might also be helpful in my mineral status… well don't worry! That question is answered. The easiest way to remember is : Roots and Fruits! We all know fruits but these are some great roots to include in your diet:  potatoes, beets, carrots, rutabagas, turnips, parsnips, and squashes. If you can source your veggies and fruit from nutrient dense soil that will help your mineral intake as well. Animal based foods will help your mineral intake along with adding brewer's yeast, coco powder or bee pollen to recipes, smoothies and meals. If you would like to try out the Rayvi products checkout the links below and be sure to try out some of their at home mineral mocktail recipes. However, if you feel like you are running on survival mode and have some of the symptoms discussed in this episode you should consider talking to a medical professional for additional help. Connect with Rayvi:  Website: www.RayviShop.com Use Code FFF10 for a special discount Rayvi Recipe guide: https://rayvishop.com/pages/recipe-guide Mineral mocktail guide with at home recipes: https://www.nutritionbyrobyn.com/mineral-mocktail-freebie   Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15   FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20%   You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

Welcome to our 100th episode of the Food Freedom and Fertility podcast. We celebrate this episode with the one and only Cassy Joy Garcia who is a recipe developer. Cassy Joy Garcia, a New York Times best-selling author, of Cook Once Dinner Fix, Cook Once Eat All Week, and Fed and Fit as well as the creative force behind the popular food blog Fed & Fit. Eager to share her healthy living secrets with the world, she started Fed & Fit in 2011. Since then, she became a holistic nutrition consultant and transitioned her personal blog into a tremendously supportive and nimble online wellness editorial, backed by a small but mighty team of writers, researchers, and editors. After realizing that her own struggles to get a healthy homemade dinner on the table overlapped with the same struggles experienced by her readers, she decided that there must be a better way. The Cook Once method was born and it has revolutionized how people cook. Cassy currently resides in San Antonio, TX with her husband and three children. During this episode Cassy describes the difference from her earlier books and her most current but she also shares with us some of her helpful tips in the kitchen. Some tips such as how to make a budget go further in the grocery store and how to store your foods so they last longer. She also helps you understand the difference between batch cooking vs meal prepping and breaks it down so that it is palatable for the novice at home cook. Cassy shares numerous resources to help you figure out how to shop once and eat all week. Cassy shares that a quick and easy win in the kitchen when you just don't feel like you aren't doing enough is KEEP IT SIMPLE. You do not have to dive into the most difficult recipe, keep it exciting, fun and easy… making it doable for you is the most important part.   Majority of Cassy's at home cooking is doing with the stove and oven, however a lot of her recipes on her site and in her book explain how to use other kitchen gadgets such as an air fryer or toaster oven. She also shares some special fridge hacks on how to not let food go to waste. Cassy and Caitlin emphasize during this episode how important it is to stay true to yourself and acknowledge what you are capable of so that you do not get stressed trying to do too much all at once in the kitchen. For those of you currently TTC or you are pregnant (yay) Cassy shares that eating a colorful meal was her goal during that time in her life and even now as she helps create nutritious meals for her cookbooks, website and her own children. The goal at Fed and Fit, is to simplify wellness through quick and tasty recipes, unbiased, easy-to-understand nutrition and fitness advice, and simple swaps for safer home and beauty. If you loved this episode and want to find out more information on Cassy Joy Garcia and all of her delicious books and recipes head over to www.FEDANDFIT.com  You can also sign up HERE for some free meal plans!  Or find her on IG at fedandfit Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15   FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal Prenatal nutrition library: FFF20 20% You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

On this week's episode of Food Freedom and Fertility we are discussing how to avoid pregnancy until you want to get pregnant! We will discuss all of the potential forms of birth control. Sophia and Caitlin will help you understand what options are out there and give their feedback from a profession and personal viewpoint. One of their favorite methods of birth Control is a non-hormonal option. They remind women that you will always ovulate before you get your first period post-partum. Condoms are a fairly efficacious form if you use it  correctly and there are also non-toxic brands that have quality ingredients and steer clear of no oil-based lube with a condom. Fertility awareness method is the form of a wearable and observing cervical mucus .   Some other forms of Birth control discussed this episode are the following: Copper IUD Intrauterine device Insert during period, so cervix is open and more pliable Copper is toxic to sperm Acts as a spermicide Doesn't prevent ovulation and fertilization, just implantation Is there a connection between copper IUD and autoimmune onset? Some research suggests:  Immune system will always react to foreign device in body Mechanism of action for IUD is to get immune system to react It can cause, trigger, contribute to severity of autoimmune disease If you have any complications, can cause injury or scar tissue which may affect fertility Most people don't have these problems, just a risk to be aware of.   Diaphragm and Sponge: ·       Women inserts it through vagina up towards cervix ·       The sponge soaked in spermicide  ·       Diaphragm doesn't impact sensation while having sex (not like condom) ·       You can insert in advance ·       Spermicides aren't always very healthy for women ·       Don't want to alter vaginal pH   Withdrawal Method: ·       This method is exactly what it sounds like ·       Not very effective, higher risk ·       Relies very heavily on responsibility of man ·       May take some of the pleasure out of it Surgical Options: ·       If you are having a C section, they can do this at the same time ·       Partial hysterectomy, remove ovaries and/or uterus ·       Benefit to leave ovaries ·       Want to ovulate ·       For long term health (think bones) ·       Want to keep ovaries if able ·       These are essential organs ·       Women can die from hysterectomy   Tubal Ligation: ·       Ectopic pregnancy risk is higher ·       Impartial or partial non-closing ·       Body can regrow an opening ·       Can cause health risk if pregnancy occurs after ·       If not having a planned C-section, it is a MAJOR surgery   Vasectomy: ·       Cutting the tubes that carry sperm ·       Making sure that sperm doesn't enter future ejaculate ·       Not 100% effective ·       Think about long term life, what would happen if relationship dissolves   Hormonal Options: ·       Can be very easy to use ·       They work by shutting down ovulation ·       Shut down feedback system of YOU creating your own hormones of you creating follicles and getting ready to ovulate ·       OR drastically decreasing estrogen ·       Thick cervical mucus, sperm has a more difficult time getting through ·       OR impact uterine lining ·       Sperm have more difficult time getting through uterine lining ·       Can be pill form, injection, or inject object into vaginal anatomy. Can also be patches, implant to skin into arm ·       Some can be more localized towards sex hormones ·       Arm injection doesn't always stay put and doctors may “lose” it. Can't find it, “sorry, you may never get pregnant” ·       Also, risk of plastic in body ·       Any hormonal BC WILL get into your breast milk   IUD: Hormonal: ·       Made of plastic ·       Contain hormones ·       Typically lose your cycle ·       Significant increase for infection ·       For ANYTHING that you put in your body ·       Direct route right into uterus! Much more dangerous than just a vaginal and vulva yeast infection. ·       Have a conversation with your doctor about how long you plan to be on the pill/contraceptives for!   A takeaway from this information would be that  you must do what works best for you and your life. Informed consent is important so that you can make the best decision for you. Be sure to understand the benefits, risks, and alternatives you have.   Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15   FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal Prenatal nutrition library: FFF20 20% You can find Food Freedom and Fertility on Instagram @FoodFreedomFertility

Welcome to Food Freedom and Fertility, this week we are talking about planning to conceive after a baby- getting your cycle back and much much more! Caitlin and Sophia discuss the landscape post-partum territory looks like.   The first topic of discussion is how soon after my baby is born should I be trying for my next. Sophia and Caitlin share the different research on the different reasons why it is important to wait a certain amount of time and how your body can still be recovering from nutrient deficiencies, C-section trauma, postpartum depression and other things your you need time to heal from. They also share how your risk can increase the closer together your pregnancies are and what that means for your baby. We realize that sometimes pregnancy can happen unexpectantly and they also say how to take care of yourself, your unborn baby and your baby out of your belly if you do become pregnant if you are under 1-year post-partum (which is the least amount of time that is recommended between births) Another question to consider is your lifestyle, how you parent, how you feed, how you sleep. Our hosts walk you through the different scenarios and how each one could be affected by having another baby. They want you to know that if you are breastfeeding that relationship may change with your non-utero baby, your body will prioritize the baby inside, your supply will decrease but there are ways around that such as donor milk. This episode also discusses the question of  “Is my cycle back?”. Some women with PCOS can be confused by the new cycle and can't tell the difference between a standard post-partum cycle return and PSOS, so they suggest getting lab work done to give a definitive answer. They also mention that once your baby starts sleeping longer, women typically start to get their cycle back or if there is another source of hormonal feedback it can trigger your cycle to start again.  To wrap up the episode Caitlin and Sophia want you to work on your thoughts about yourself and do what is best for you and your body. Also consider that your most healthy self isn't necessarily your most fertile self. Continue to stay on your prenatal and remember that your body is not a trash disposal for you to dump junk into, so continue the healthy eating and be sure to check in on your mental health. You can also get  lab work done to check your Vitamin D, iron and immune levels to ensure you have recovered from your blood loss from your previous pregnancy. Review your life without judgement and prioritize your health and the health of your family, there is no need to rush your timeline. Listen to your intuition and do what is best for your body. Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15   FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20% You can find Food, Freedom and Fertility on Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/foodfreedomfertility/

On today's episode of FFF we have the founder of The Prenatal Nutrition Library, Ryann Kipping. Not only is she the founder of TPNL she is also the author of Feel Good Pregnancy Cook Book: and she is a CLE (Certified Lacation Educator).   We have Ryann on the show today so she can help you break down Blood Sugar Management by Trimester and Gestation Diabetes this episode also helps you understand why the Prenatal Nutrition Library exists. She is a huge advocate of empowering pregnant women to make their own decisions and really take ownership for their body and pregnancy by providing them with the knowledge to feel the power to do so. Sophia refers to Ryann as the voice for choice because of her ability to present important information that is vital in making choices that are right for you. Ryann feels passionately about being a prenatal nutritionist and felt the TPNL was an important missing link for pregnancy because women were put into a situation where they were being give extreme amounts of info and in the same breath a complete lack of info, which led to just “googling” the answer that bubbles to the top of the search engine. Ryann has created a place of knowledge that just doesn't say “DON'T EAT THIS” but dives deeper into the reason why certain foods are on a do not eat list. Knowledge like this can help women who are a part of the community that have lost pregnancies and tend to second guess all decisions and blame themselves for everything. Each trimester brings unique challenges and having this pocket guide that provides quality data on what and why to eat certain food for all the symptoms of pregnancy such as heartburn, nausea, etc. is invaluable.  During the episode Ryann shows an example of how she breaks down a food and shares what she would tell a client who was inquiring about a “do not eat” food.They also discuss why certain foods are on a list because of the ability to harbor bacteria and why certain foods get a bad reputation due to how it is prepared. The big question Ryann suggest mothers to be ask is WHY? The Prenatal Nutrition Library helps you find out those answers and make that informed decision. A trick that Ryann shares for anyone in their first trimester when nausea tends to show up is that eat a source of carb but follow it with protein and fat that you can stand. There are many different healthier carb choices on the market now and choosing those over a less healthy option is always a great choice. She also shares is that even though you may feel that a certain food is going to make you feel better it might be the actual culprit behind why you are feeling bad! After the first trimester is over it is time to bring back the good stuff that you couldn't handle before… veggies, protein sources (especially fish and red meat). Remember to stay  prepared with snacks that you know make you feel good and can be a good snack for your specific blood sugars is incredibly important. Sophia, Caitlin and Ryann also discuss the Glucose test in depth and other options that may be available for you. There is a dye and preservative free test called the Fresh Test if you feel that the traditional test goes beyond your level of comfortability after cleaning up your lifestyle. This episode will help you understand how beneficial certain foods can be during a pregnancy in each trimester and also Ryann and our hosts share the benefits and resources the app can provide.    For more information about the Prenatal Nutrition Library be sure to head over to Website: https://new.theprenatalnutritionlibrary.com/  Ryann on Instagram: https://instagram.com/prenatalnutritionist/ Special Listener discount code: Prenatal nutrition library: FFF20 20%   Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 25% OFF in $25 or more FFF25   FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal Prenatal nutrition library: FFF20 20% Be sure to find the Food, Freedom and Fertility podcast on IG: @foodfreedomfertility

Welcome back to another episode of Food Freedom and Fertility, on this episode we are super excited to welcome back Amy Beckley, founder of Proov. Amy, who is an infertility veteran and PhD Scientist and the inventor of Proov. After three years of infertility and seven miscarriages, Amy applied her own science expertise to uncover a luteal phase defect (a problem with ovulation quality). With help from her doctor and a simple supplement, Amy was able to get pregnant with her daughter.    Inspired to help other women, Amy teamed up with co-founder Ellen Schell to launch Proov — a company dedicated to empowering women at every stage of life to track their own hormones quickly and easily at home. Amy shares her personal journey with infertility and how it inspired her to invent Proov. The history of Proov and where it began will help you understand how valuable of a product it is and Amy does a great job of explaining how to take the test, read the test, how to address your providers with your concerns based on the results. She also explains how all of your results are connected to an app customizes a guide to help you through your cycle. Amy, Caitlin and Sophia also discuss the biology behind what and why Proov testing is so valuable on the conception path. The product line that Proov now has expanded from the original progesterone test they started with. They have now moved on to an ovulation test, a test to called Reserve to check your FSH Levels (this helps quantify your egg count). They also have a test called Complete that measures all 4 hormones across the cycle and more. Here is the current list:  Predict & Confirm Kit Confirm PdG Tests Sperm Test Predict LH Tests Check Pregnancy Tests Reserve FSH Tests In addition, they also have a full line of Cycle Support to improve your fertility care. They have support for every stage of your reproductive journey. You can find the tests and the supplements HERE! Amy also shares that even now that she is not TTC she uses Proov to help her address her body and the monthly changes that occur. In the world of fertility Sophia, Caitlin and Amy would love to see more research on other concepts besides IVF. They are all supporters of IVF but feel the other areas of fertility could benefit greatly if some of the focus was redirected. Amy was last on the FFF podcast in 2019 and she shares how 2020 was a great year for doctors and clinics to see how helpful at home testing can be, she also shares what has changed over the past 3 years. Proov has ample support from Doctors because it is very reliable. Amy addresses why it is so reliable and also how to bring up the tests and advocate for yourself. Proov is a wonderful resources to help women and a big component of that is the app. It is similar to a Cycle tracking app but with your specific hormones to back it. The app can help you tailor your diet and lifestyle according to your cycle. The app also shares which supplements would work the best with each phase of the woman's cycle. If you would love more information on Proov, you can visit their website www.ProovTest.com. We have always been super fans of Amy and everything happening at Proov and we are happy that they have joined this season as a sponsor of the podcast. You can use a special FFF discount code on their site. See below for details Website: www.ProovTest.com Instagram: @ProovTest  https://www.instagram.com/proovtest/ Proov Discount : Proov Testing Kit and online app 25% OFF in $25 or more FFF25        Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 25% OFF in $25 or more FFF25    FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal Pre-Natal nutrition library: FFF20 20%   Be sure to find the Food, Freedom and Fertility podcast on IG: @foodfreedomfertility or click HERE

Welcome to the 95th episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility! This week we have the founder of FullWell Fertility, Ayla Baummer, MS, RD, LDN.  Ayla founded FullWell as an adjunct to her clinical practice at Boston Functional Nutrition because she wanted to make the evidence-based, effective, and high-quality supplement they created for their clients available to the rest of the world. Sophia and Caitlin have been fans of Ayla's and FullWell long before the FFF podcast was born. Ayla has joined numerous times on the podcast but this time the focus is on Omega-3 and Fish Oil and the  Importance in Pre-Conception and Pregnancy.  In addition to all of the amazing information you will learn in this podcast AND the discount of 10% you will receive using the code : FFF10… Ayla is giving a full set of her products to one lucky winner. To take part in the contest you need to follow FullWell on Instagram (@fullwellfertility), go to fullwell.com join their email list. One lucky listener will win: prenatal multi, men's prenatal, nourish nerves, fish oil. Be sure to enter. During this episode we discuss a few of the products on FullWell's website such as their tincture and why it was created but the big focus today is on Fish Oil.  Fish Oil is wonderful because fish are packed with a variety of benefits, they are very nutrient dense. Unfortunately, seafood consumption has been declining over the years, due to supply and contamination. In a perfect world it is ideal to consume whole foods first but it can be difficult due to the above-mentioned challenges.   FullWell's fish oil is sourced from small fish such as anchovies and sardines. These fish are raised in a sustainable fishery off of the coast of Peru. Ayla shares more important and transparent details about the manufacturing, the testing and the overall full process. All of the test results are shared so that consumers can feel good about the quality of fish oil they are taking as fish oil is a very fragile oil. The shelf life of FullWell's fish oil is 2 years and meant to be stored at room temp. Sophia, Caitlin and Ayla discuss what amount of fish oil should someone be taking, which they suggested 400mg if you are severely deficient while TTC. Again, getting your fish oil from whole food is always best, but a high-quality fish oil is a wonderful alternative. If you eat fish but you are intimidated by cooking fish, Caitlin suggested using non – bleached parchment paper packets, add olive oil, lemon and steam… this takes away the fishy flavor. Ayla and our hosts discuss ethical concerns about fish. Ayla shares that if you do not consume any fish, taking a Vegan algae-based omega 3 supplement would be better than taking nothing at all. The stakes are very high if you can't meet the Omega 3 levels. This could affect your body's healthy blood flow or the ability to combat inflammation. They also mention that taking the correct level of Omega 3's improves the ability for implantation and it is critical for fertilization. Another vegan alternative to fish oil instead of algae would be Oysters, since they have no central nervous system. Ayla shares with listeners her thoughts on dosage changes throughout your pregnancy and why, how to take a fish oil, the best time of day to take it and should it be taken with food.  She also emphasizes the importance of the male partner's need for fish oil too. Ayla has done a wonderful job of creating a fish oil product that is not only thoughtfully sourced, fully tested and transparent, but she manages to keep the price lower than equal competitors because it is only sold on the FullWell's website. In addition to creating a product to help the vitality of your pregnancy… FullWell is also helping to clean up the ocean by removing 1lb of plastic and trash from the ocean for every product purchased. One final message from Ayla is that she looks to empower people with education so they can make the best decision for their family and lifestyle. Always advocate for yourself.   If you loved this episode please check out the other episodes that Ayla has joined us for.   For more information and discount codes to our sponsors please follow the links to 3 of our most favorite brands that we have raved about throughout our podcast.     Special links and codes from this episode Proov Testing Kit and online app 25% OFF in $25 or more FFF25    FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal Pre-Natal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20% a monthly or annual membership    

Welcome to the second season and 94th episode of Food Freedom and Fertility. This episode jumps in where the last episode left off with our guest and listener Caitlin Dillon. Caitlin was a listener who participated in a contest last season and won the opportunity to be a guest on the podcast. Last episode Caitlin and Sophia discussed what Caitlin Dillon and her husband have been doing in their TTC journey. We pick up as we dive deeper in to Caitlin's data, labs and personal habits.  While Caitlin and Sophia give additional suggestions and recommendations for the Dillons they also remind them that they are working very hard on a very emotional task and praise them for the work they have done to this point.   Some of the additional information our hosts share are tips on how to help inflammation such as eating leafy green veggies, fish and fruits. They also discuss signs to tell if you have inflammation. Typically, when progesterone is not optimal inflammation is the first place to look. Some of the signs are painful joints or a puffy face. One topic up for discussion was the importance of a pelvic floor therapist in a woman's life and how valuable it is to see one. They suggest that every woman at some point in their life see a PFT. In summary, Caitlin and Sophia share what they would suggest that Caitlin and her husband do next in their journey. First on the list is to dive into Caitlin's progesterone levels, make an appointment with a pelvic floor therapist, move forward with FERTILYSIS, tame inflammation issues, look into Caitlin's husbands high white blood cells in his semen, rule out Caitlin's L-shaped cervix. There is a type of massage technique from central America called “Maya Abdominal Therapy” and it manually repositions the uterus which could help with the cervix. And finally, Caitlin should get her clotting factors tested for Antiphospholipid (an autoimmune disorder that is associated with pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia, thrombosis, autoimmune thrombocytopenia, fetal growth restriction, and fetal loss) and a blood test called D -dimer. It was a pleasure having a listener join the podcast for these 2 special episodes and we hope that some of the info shared in this podcast can be valuable in your journey as well. Also, a huge thank you Caitlin for your vulnerability and your confidence in sharing your story with Food,  Freedom and Fertility.   If you would like more information and discount codes to our sponsors please follow the links to 3 of our most favorite brands that we have raved about throughout our podcast.   Special links and codes from this episode Proov Testing Kit and online app 25% OFF in $25 or more FFF25    FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal The Pre-Natal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20% a monthly or annual membership      

Welcome back to Food Freedom and Fertility! We are kicking off Season 2 with one of a special guest… one of you!  Last season we finished with a contest for our listeners to give us a review and you could win a guest spot on the podcast. Caitlin Dillon wrote a great review and she is the lucky winner. Or shall we say we are lucky to have her on the podcast to share her personal fertility journey. During this 2-part episode our guest, Caitlin shares her path and discuss some of the difficulty and confusion surrounding her experience. This episode (and the next) are special because it gives you some insight on what it is to work with Sophia Pavia or Caitlin Johnson. Caitlin and Sophia answer some questions and offer their advice and support to Caitlin. They also her help decipher some of the messages she has been getting from her doctors. This first episode is a 2-part episode because having a listener who is currently going through her journey was so exciting and there was so much to be discussed.   Caitlin, our guest,  also introduces a new and exciting treatment that she has used from  Europe, that tests your menstrual blood and sends a report back. Through FERTILYSIS Female Microbiome testing, they can detect hidden infections of the uterus causing endometritis, which could lead to implantation failure, recurrent miscarriages and pregnancy complications. Towards the end of the episode they start to dive deeper into Caitlin's data, labs and personal habits and share helpful tools and tips. Be sure to come back next week to listen to part 2 of Season Kick Off - Infertility Listener Interview   Special links and codes from this episode proov:  FFF25  25% OFF $25 or more  FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal Pre-Natal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20% a monthly or annual membership   FERTILYSIS Female Microbiome testing  

In this episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility we are going to celebrate our 2-year anniversary! Caitlin and Sophia's main discussion during this episode is all about becoming a mom on purpose. They chat about the sacrifice, the joy and the work that comes along with being a mom.   They candidly share their favorite moments from the past 2 years and some of their not so favorite moments. Over the past 2 years Food, Freedom and Fertility has covered a broad variety of topics to help listeners who are trying to conceive and the hosts recap some of the episodes and really provide a fun and informative wrap up of their podcast over the past couple of years.   Food, Freedom and Fertility will be back in the fall with all new episodes but in the mean time be sure to re-visit some of the past episodes because maybe you are now in a new position and your situation has changed and the information may affect you differently. Listeners have you ever thought that you would love to be a guest on the podcast? Well now is your chance! If you want to enter you must: Write a review or rating Screen shot your review/rating Sent that screen shot via direct message to the Food, Freedom and Fertility IG account. Thank you to all the listeners, we do this podcast for you and we are thankful for your continued support!

  This week on Food, Freedom and Fertility we are joined by Marissa Kai Miluk who is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Body Image Coach. Marissa works with individuals who struggle with their relationship with food and body image. Her specialty is binge eating and through her practice, Behind the Binge, she helps individuals break free from restrictive eating patterns and reclaim trust with their body to move towards a more compassionate and enjoyable approach to health and well-being. When she isn't working with clients she enjoys spreading the Anti-Diet message on Instagram @binge.nutritionist and through her podcast, Behind The Binge Pod.    Marissa helps explain to listeners what exactly binge eating is. Binge is a word that has gained momentum over the past few years and Binge eating wasn't a diagnosed eating disorder until 2013. A binge is a situation where you are eating a large quantity of food in one setting to a point of extreme fullness. You are stuffed but you can't stop eating. Overeating  is different than binge. Binge is typically paired with a feeling of loss of control or a  sensation of almost blacking out. Marissa, Sophia and Caitlin share examples of what overeating looks like and what binge eating looks like.   Listener's will get a general idea of what Binge Recovery looks like during this episode but can learn more from Marissa's online course which you can find her. Binge Recovery is supportive of everything, including fertility. One big step is helping clients normalize fear of food and learning what can you add into your life to support your goals. Make other choices that help regulate your blood sugar or to help add value into your life in other ways. A question to ask yourself when recovering from binge eating is “What will help me have more of a fun and free experience?”   It is important to remember nothing is one size fits all, you must be sure to try new things and use what works for you and what can support you and also be compassionate with yourself!   If you are listening to this episode and it feels very much like your lifestyle patterns one tip that Marissa shares is to notice  pattern of your Binge Eating, reflect on what happens and then create a disruption. Remove yourself from that pattern and the environment.   To learn more, you can find Marissa via the links below: https://makainutrition.com IG: binge.nutritionist @behind.the.binge

This episode of food freedom and fertility is the 3rd installment of TCC friendly swaps! This week we jump into snack and fridge swaps and while we have some good ideas we want the listeners to know that you will need to expand your horizons for snacks because there isn't always a 1 for 1 swap, but to remember it's all about balance. It is ok to remember that if you love a snack… make room for it but also keep in mind how much you indulge on this treat. If it something you have daily make sure to see if you can make a more fertility friendly choice. If you need a little snack inspiration  you can try organic grapes and sharp cheddar, berries, fruit with sunflower or other nut butter, you can also create your own trail mix with dark chocolate almonds and other nuts. Being prepared always help you make the best choices so having something prepared is always the goal however sometimes you just need that quick grab and go option and there are healthy items such as Beanie Bops that come in a variety of different flavored and spiced beans or a grass fed, low sugar jerky and the new wisps crackers are a great alternative to a chip! Having something you've thought about ahead of time and just having it ready It is also ok to indulge every so often during a period or other situation but remember to make sure you are making choices that fill your cup vs fill a void. When looking in your fridge condiments take up a lot of space and there is plenty of room to make better choices in this area. If you love a sweet salad, instead of choosing a creamy sweet dressing opt to use oil and or vinegar as the dressing but add fruit to your salad for the sweet craving. If you need more flavor options Primal Kitchen offers a healthy and clean option with a line full of different flavors. Eggs are a great snack option and the best version of an egg would be a pasteurized egg so that the chickens are getting all of those rich and healthy vitamins from the earth. Also remember to store those veggies and fruits where you can see them so you don't waste them! The best place for a fruit or veggie is front and center!   Freezer foods that Sophia and Caitlin keep stocked are frozen meets, organic berries, liver cubes (to drop into sauces) frozen soups, frozen veggies and a favorite Costco Bare Chicken nuggets which are a great Chick-Fil-A dupe! A tip for listeners is instead of focusing on a meal plan thing about your week more broadly and estimate for your life! Some days are busier than others, some days you feel more creative, and some days you just don't want to cook at all! That's why host, Sophia suggests to plan your week as follows: 2-3 days of the week with have NO ENERGY quick fix meals available. Such as a rotisseries chicken and bag salad. 2-3 nights that are your all-Star night menu nights, which is a night you are ready to roll out  your best recipes! 2-3 nights for a normal day and that is where you make a meal you've made a dozen times and your family likes it. Usually requires medium effort.   1 Night where you try something new! 1 Left over night 1 Take out night Remember that you don't have to be perfect and it is a process so allow yourself the grace to start transforming your healthy, fertility friendly lifestyle!

On this week's episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility Caitlin and Sophia are talking about grocery swaps! During this “eat this… not that” episode to help with your fertility journey and overall health! Our hosts start off with organization tips on how to curate your shopping list to fit your life which will help you kick off a successful grocery store trip. They also discuss the EWG's new list of dirty dozen and clean fifteen. They dive into how important it is to look into your pantry items that carry some of these items and keep that in consideration when you are shopping. They also want to remind you if your budget needs some cushion check out frozen organic fruits and veggies for a healthy and budget friendly substitute.    Sophia and Caitlin tour their kitchens and discuss the good and the not so good options such as which type of oils you should use for cooking and the reason behind it. They also suggest that cooking with fats such as butter, tao, good lard, chicken fat, duck fat are excellent options. If you are used to using Pam spray a good alternative is to swap it out for a spray bottle like a Misto Sprayer and put oil in it. You could also swap your Pam spray for olive oil or avocado spray instead. They also suggest using an actual maple syrup and not something like Log Cabin. Real maple syrup can taste different and may be an adjustment but if you are eating oils or syrup everyday it is best for your overall health.    Other key foods of concern to find healthy alternatives would be your Teas and Coffee. You want to be sure that your tea and coffee are “Fair Trade”. Nut butters are another big flavor switch but totally worth it since most non-organic nut butters are palm oil aka processed seed oil and sugar. Speaking of nuts… it is a good idea to make your own trail mix so that you can include quality ingredients with healthier ratios and variety.    For those of you who have comfort foods and childhood memories of things like hamburger helper and rideroni… their are copycat recipes on the web that you can make from home that are similar to the original product but you will need to plan ahead so these aren't default options for when you are in need of something quick! Canned goods are another good item to have on hand for quick meal ideas. When you are buying canned goods you want to look at what the cans are lined with and made of. You want a Bisphenal free can: may not last as long but less toxic. Canned foods can be helpful in adding fiber, protein, vegetables to meals that take less work. But you want to make sure you are buying cans with a safer lining. Glass jars are great for tomato products or other products. Boxed products may be a good alternative.    This episode also covers important info on choosing a good pasta option, flours, bone broth, cereals and much more! As always moderation is important. So keep that in mind that if you stray from the BEST option sometimes that is ok!

In this episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility Caitlin and Sophia are discussing TCC friendly kitchen swaps! Caitlin and Sophia have some great tips on how to make easy swaps in the kitchen to better serve yourself and your fertility. Women with PCOS have increased effects with plastic exposure. By reducing plastic exposure in the kitchen you help control and influence the way your genetics interact with your environment.   So how do you determine how to curate your kitchen to support your health and fertility? The question you need to ask yourself is, what is your specific exposure? How often are you being exposed? Items you use more frequently or that have greater exposure risks should be on the short list to swap out. We'll talk about what needs to get out today and what items you may want to swap out down the line when you have the means.   In today's episode Caitlin and Sophia explain how certain single use plastics are the biggest offenders of exposure in the kitchen and what they recommended as alternatives to swap out. We are diving into kitchen swaps for hot beverages, storage containers, plastic wrap, non-stick pans, cooking utensils, the microwave, water bottles, water filtration, and much more!     The biggest take away from this episode is that you are in control of your health and fertility journey and can make small but important changes to better serve yourself.   Don't feel that you need to throw out everything in your kitchen and restart, you can take control by identifying some of your biggest exposures and making changes where you can.   To look up ratings on different plastics and exposure check out environmentalworkinggroup.org

On this week's episode e of Food, Freedom and Fertility we are joined by Karly Nuttall a Midwife and Educator. Karly is a certified Professional Midwife who has also launched on online school, Midwifery Finishing School. Today we have Karly here to discuss  Midwifery Care for Pregnancy Health specifically focused on pregnancy loss.   The Midwifery approach to pregnancy loss is very open and diverse. The thought process is that there is not one correct way to handle this but better yet you must do what is right for you and your family. Karly helps us understand the risk of infection for non-viable pregnancies and the details of a natural miscarriage and letting it pass on its own. Also, she discusses the benefits of this process and how you can truly make this experience something that will help you fell more at peace with the situation better.     Karly walks us through how each miscarriage can be extremely different and especially based on how far along you are. One of those options is a D&C. She helps us understand what a D&C is… not to be confused as DNC. A D and C is Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a procedure to remove tissue from inside your uterus. A lot of people assume D&C is specifically for the removal after a miscarriage but it can also be used for other uterine conditions. But she also explains that all medical procedures should have a discussion and informed consent with full explanation of all of a patient's options.   Karly discusses that pregnancy loss early is commonly due to genetic abnormalities. Rarely are external causes the root of a miscarriage. Typically,  women who are 35 and younger have a harder time requesting genetic testing until 3 miscarriages, however Karly suggests that if you feel the need for any testing you should speak up and find a provider that will support your decisions. Some of the testing to be done is to check for progesterone levels, MTHFR gene mutation and thyroid levels. Having a support team in place and a referral network will assist in your right as a patient to request these tests.     The role of a midwife is discussed at length and what role your midwife will have in the scenario that you have a miscarriage at any time during your pregnancy. Traditionally we as a society feel it is expected to hand over our bodily functions to the hospital and doctors. However,  Midwives' goals are to help people feel connected to the process. Take ownership of not only decisions but the process.   Miscarriage is a difficult topic to navigate, but we want  you to remember that you  have options, you have support you don't have to do things a certain way. You get to regard the life of your baby however works for you and if your providers do not support that it is ok to find someone else who does.   If you would like to learn more about Karly Nuttall please check her out at the links below. www.karlynuttall.com Midwifery Finishing School Podcast  Instagram  

On this episode of Food Freedom and Fertility we have Aimee Raupp, MS, LAc, is a renowned women's health & wellness expert and the best- selling author of the books Chill Out & Get Healthy, Yes, You Can Get Pregnant, and Body Belief. A licensed acupuncturist and herbalist in private practice in New York, she holds a Master of Science degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, a Bachelor's degree in biology from Rutgers University and is currently working on a master's level education in functional medicine. Aimee is also the founder of the Aimee Raupp Beauty line of hand-crafted, organic skincare products. She has appeared on The View, and has been featured in Glamour, Allure, Well + Good, GOOP, Shape, and Redbook, and has received endorsements from Deepak Chopra, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Arianna Huffington, and Gabby Bernstein for her work in helping thousands of women to improve their vitality, celebrate their beauty, and reconnect to the presence of their optimal health. Aimee is also the Head of Chinese Medicine at The Well, an active columnist for media outlets such as Thrive Global, Well + Good, MindBodyGreen and is a frequent speaker at women's health & wellness conferences across the nation. She engages her large community worldwide through her online During this episode Aimee will help walk through a variety of topics around egg quality but one major important thing to remember is that when you are improving the quality of your egg cells you are also improving all the cells in your body, we are amplifying health.   Aimee helps answer the question of if women are born with all your eggs you will ever have, how is it possible to impact your egg quality? Aimee explains that the eggs  you have are not developed. When those eggs mature the environment, you are in is what impacts their quality. The extracellular fluid that surrounds the cells is affected by the environment. Aimee also dives into a variety of other ways your egg quality can be affected.   It is important for women to realize they can control certain things and one of the items that research is pointing towards is a certain type of anti-inflammatory diet lifestyle and diet lowers oxidative stress, which causes cellular abnormality which can lead to poor egg quality. Using food to change the aging process behind your cells will help improve the quality. What you do now will affect the next 2 generations.   Aimee has written a book, The Egg Quality Diet,  which is the culmination of what Aimee Raupp has found, during her two decades of clinical practice, to be the most effective nutritional approach to optimizing fertility. This diet has been proven to work not in a randomized control trial (RCT) but in real life, on thousands of real women like you. The short version of her book is to count your Macros. Your macros should be 40-50% quality fat, 30% protein and the rest good quality carbs (sweet potatoes, beans, fruits). Her thought process is to heal the gut, improve absorption. Her book is meant to be for you to discover the best diet that works for you. Aimee also helps understand why a plant-based diet maybe difficult to hit your nutritional needs to help with your egg quality.   There will be a point in each woman's life that they decide to stop trying to use their own eggs and decide to go forward with a donor. Aimee says that she thinks the decision is something that each woman and couple needs to make on their own but her gauge is how much more heartache can you handle or how much more can you financially afford. Just remember to emotionally check in with yourself and also have no regrets that you didn't do everything in your power.   To learn more about Aimee, please visit her website at https://aimeeraupp.com and you can find her book, The Egg Quality Diet on Amazon.  

On this episode of Food Freedom and Fertility we are discussing Preeclampsia  with Laney Poye. Laney Poye serves as the Director of Communications and Engagement for the Preeclampsia Foundation, overseeing the Foundation's robust digital and traditional communications channels. She ensures that the three pillars of its mission (Community, Research, and Health Care Improvements) remain at the heart of the Foundation's work. Laney enjoys overseeing the development of scientifically accurate and accessible educational content in English and in Spanish for www.preeclampsia.org. Laney has a Master's degree in International Affairs with a specialization in women's health in low resource settings from Florida State University. She also serves as a representative voice for women who have experienced ectopic pregnancies, infertility, and pregnancy & infant loss.   Laney shares her experience with preeclampsia someone who works with women who are experiencing Preeclampsia and also someone who has experienced it first-hand. Laney gives us an in depth look at her story which also includes her IVF journey. Laney is happy to share this experience as the rate of preeclampsia is every 1 in 12 pregnancy will experience it. She also feels it makes her a better advocate.   Our hosts and Laney explain the difference between Gestational hypertension and Preeclampsia. Gestational hyper tension is any time in pregnancy where you manifest high blood pressure.  Preeclampsia is different because it is the hyper tension but there is an organ dysfunction with it. A big risk is that the blood pressure gets so high it causes seizures or a stroke for the mother. There are symptoms you can look out for which include severe headache that doesn't go away when you take Tylenol, severe swelling hands and face that will not go away, vision changes and upper gastric change. Preeclampsia is the leading cause of maternal mortality, however one study stated over 60% of the preeclampsia deaths are avoidable if they receive the proper prenatal care. That is why it is important to know the symptoms and do not hesitate to go to the doctor if you experience any.   There are higher risk groups such as women with a younger maternal age (under 20) and advanced maternal age of 35 & up, a family history of high blood pressure, PCOS, fertility issues, and black moms. Laney reminds listeners that you deserve the right care that is focused around you.   If you know that you are at risk for Preeclampsia you can lower your risk in preconception period. One way is starting a low dose of Aspirin therapy 12-16 weeks before conception. That can help delay the onset or even prevent it. Be sure to check with your doctor about this helpful tool. If you have more than 1 risk factor you should consult with a high-risk specialist to help guide you through your pregnancy. It is also a good practice to begin doing anything that helps your body become healthier and more efficient. Also try to manage any issues before conception to give you a head start. Laney also helps debunk a few myths regarding Preeclampsia.   The biggest take away from this episode is to listen to your intuition and always get a 2nd opinion if you feel like your care provider is not addressing your concerns. Know the signs and symptoms advocate for yourself and remember that even if your pregnancy journey doesn't go the way you thought it was going to go… you can still have a happy outcome. Hold on to that hope. www.Preeclampsia.org Facebook MoMMA's Voices   

In this episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility we are having a special episode to focus on Plagiocephaly and Torticollis with Dr. Brittany McGeary. Brittany is a pediatric physical therapist who specializes in torticollis, plagiocephaly, and developmental delay. She owns Grow Physical Therapy, a mobile pediatric practice whose purpose is to spread awareness about torticollis and plagiocephaly and advocate for early referral and intervention. Early referral is essential in order to prevent a helmet as well as gross motor delays. Brittany provides treatment in patient's homes and offers virtual consultations. Her passion is to empower parents through education and treatment to allow your little one to flourish.   This episode came to fruition because one of our hosts, Caitlin Johnson had noticed her 3rd baby moved his head with preferences and would not turn to the left. Caitlin shares the signs she experienced and how she advocated for her baby and learned about his diagnosis of plagiocephaly and torticollis.     Torticollis is a condition caused by tightened or shortened neck muscles. The typical presentation is a head tilt to one side and a rotation. Dr. Brittany helps listeners understand exactly what is torticollis and where it happens. She shares a few initial signs such as baby not looking in one direction or never wanting to to turn their head to one side. She also discusses explains what Plagiocephaly is and that typically Plagiocephaly and Torticollis present together 90% of the time.   Dr. Brittany walks listeners through potential risk factors that could heighten the risk of Plagiocephaly and Torticollis with container use (swings, doc a tots, and other such items), the fetal risk factor increases with a first born, multiples birth and  longer babies due to the positioning of the baby in utero. Also, the use of forceps or suction devices can up the risk of developing the conditions.     It is very important to address it Plagiocephaly and Torticollis immediately. There are important windows that can change the treatment plan. Babies can start screening for these conditions as early as 2 days. If the conditions are not treated there are cosmetic features that could develop but also run over into gross motor milestones. Dr. Brittany dives deeper into what that could look like. Remember to keep and out for equal and symmetrical movement, particularly neck and head and also take notice if you baby seems fussier when they face a certain direction.   Treatment can assist with both conditions and Dr. Brittany's helps listeners know the timeline that would best optimize the likely hood the baby could gain normal range of motion the treatment can range between physical therapy such as stretching and strengthen. Also, assistance in your home for environmental adaption:  crib placement, position during sleeping purposeful play ideas.   If you are not in the Kansas City area are looking for an in-person Doctor such as Brittany you will want to search for a PT that is a pediatric physical therapist but do note that you can successfully work virtually as well. If you would like more information on Dr. Brittany McGeary, PT, DPT be sure to check her out via the links below. As always remember to advocate for you and your baby and trust your mom intuition.   IG: Grow Physical Therapy FB: Grow Physical Therapy www.growphysicaltherapy.com

Welcome to Food Freedom and Fertility, this episode we have Dr. Laura von Hagen to discuss using reproductive technologies without shame or guilt. We hope today's episode can help remove the stigma and shame out of couples want to use reproductive technology as the next step of their journey.   Dr. Laura is a nature path doctor who used IVF to conceive. During this episode you will hear Dr. Laura's journey and how she and her husband went to get pregnant it just wasn't possible to use natural conception due to her PCOS. She tried letrozole for 6 rounds with no response. They decided that the next best step for them was to start IVF. Dr. Laure thinks of our IVF treatment as an opportunity to help them grow their family. If you would like to learn more about her journey and learn more about PCOS and pregnancy her book is a wonderful blueprint. It is informative and personal to help you navigate your own personal journey. One important point that Sophia, Caitlin and Dr. Laura want to remind our PCOS listeners is that if you are going off the pill and you don't see a period coming do not wait a year, and if your doctor won't help you find a different doctor.   Being a professional in an industry where you are also the patient is difficult and she shares with us how taxing it was to navigate the emotional side of showing up to an IVF clinic as a Naturopathic Doctor. Not only did it take a toll on her relationship and her husband, but hearing from others in her field “have you tried this or that” was emotionally exhausting. Dr. Laura did enlist help and see a counselor and an acupuncturist and she highly recommends it for anyone else dealing with a similar journey. She personally did not attend any groups but does believe they are also extremely helpful.     The journey from letrozole to IVF seems to be the most difficult on this fertility path and Dr. Laura has learned that some patients are fundamentally against it, some feel that their career keeps them so busy that how will they handle all of the doctor appointments that come with IVF treatment. People are also very afraid of the unknown and then the thought that lingers in everyone's mind… what if this also fails? Women tend to feel the most weight of the failure even though there are both egg and sperm factors that contribute to infertility. Women seem to carry a lot of shame because they feel something is wrong with them.     Caitlin, Sophia and Dr. Laura also how risk factors aren't always discussed during IVF treatment or they chose to not ask questions about the treatment. It is also true that fertility clinics are very busy and unless you advocate for yourself and ask questions sometime risk factors aren't necessarily brought up during the appointment. Dr. Laura helps her patients learn about the risk factors and what to expect through the entire process. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Laura please see her bio below. If you are out of her network her bio can also help you find a Naturopathic Doctor by giving a synopsis of how she works with her patients.     Dr. Laura von Hagen, MSc, ND has a strong clinical focus in PCOS, prenatal care, and fertility. As a Naturopathic Doctor, she has a passion for providing excellent, evidence-based integrated care. Dr. von Hagen, ND fundamentally believes in empowering her patients on their fertility journey and helping them achieve their ultimate goal, healthy pregnancy and baby. She shares her own personal IVF journey and expertise in her new book, My PCOS Pregnancy: Your Guide to Getting and Staying Pregnancy with PCOS.   Before becoming an ND, she completed an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at Queen's University and a Master's in Clinical Anatomy at Western University. Outside of the clinic, she loves to spend time outdoors and in her kitchen. https://lauravonhagen.com Instagram My PCOS Pregnancy Book

  On this episode of Food Freedom and Fertility we are joined by Sipra Laddha who is a board-certified physician, trained in psychopharmacology as well as psychodynamic psychotherapy, CBT, and humanistic psychotherapy.   Dr. Laddah discusses a variety of topics surrounding mental health and women who are TTC, pregnant, post-partum or working through grief from a lost baby. During these times in a woman's life there can be additional stress of medications, financial pressures and the load of their pregnancy journey. Dr. Laddah reminds us that while it is easy to get wrapped up in the medical side of our health we cannot ignore the psychological effects.   Mood changes are part of pregnancy and when a woman's body is preparing for a baby her body puts up sensors for dangers. Sometimes that can translate to anxiety and depression and is your body's way of coping. It's normal for women who have no history of anxiety or depression to present with these symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum.  Feelings like this should not be overlooked and starting a conversation with your OB and/or therapy is an excellent entry point into gaining insight to you, your history and what is triggering these feelings during this time in your life.   Dr. Laddah also discusses how certain medications while TTC are not a match for pregnancy. Any time you are trying to get pregnant you should talk to your doctor about what you are taking to find out the risks and effects it can have on unborn baby. Deciphering what is safe for each person is an individual journey and Dr. Laddah emphasizes this point and highly suggests that your OB or your primary physician is a great resource to help you start taking the right step to give you the information you need to make the most informed decision for you and your baby. Certain medications are more can also have the dosage changed or there is an alternate option that could pose less risk. If you know that you are trying to conceive, working with your doctors before conception for medication optimization is a great path.   Pregnancy and post-partum are the perfect storm for brewing ground for mental health issues and screening before for mood disorders is an excellent idea to help you stay in control of your mental health. Each trimester including post-partum offers different hormones that come through each stage, couple that with sleep deprivation, changing hormonal landscaping and any other stress during a critical windows in your life will cause so many vulnerabilities come to the surface. That's why getting a head start on your mental health could be life altering. Dr. Laddah says that how a mom feels during 18 months of post-partum sets the ground for family mental health for what the next 18th years. She also wants to acknowledge that male partners can also struggle with mental health issues during this journey.   The discussion of how certain mental health medications affects a baby after being born is also discuss in this episode and it should come as no surprise that a mom who manages her mental health well during pregnancy, will lower the chance of her baby's future mental health as well.   Caitlin and Sophia also ask multiple question for the listeners out there that are living with PCOS and some of the resistance to treat a mental health issue because of some of the side effects such as weight gain that certain medications can cause. Dr. Laddah also explains exactly how certain medications can cause weight gain.   If this podcast feels familiar or sounds similar to feelings you or your partner are having Dr. Laddah says that your first step should be talking to someone you trust, a friend or family member. Start talking about feelings and emotions by having more honest conversations with yourself and these people.  Speaking with a therapist is also a great place to start. This will help you gain insight and knowledge is power.   After listening to this podcast if you would like more information here are a few places that could help you with your mental health and pregnancy journey. https://www.2020mom.org which is a national organization focused on maternal mental health. Leaning into your primary care doctor, be sure to actively seek resources from them. Also Dr. Laddah has created Luna Joy, holistic women's mental health therapy, counseling, and medication management.   To learn more about Dr. Sipra Laddah please review her bio below.   Sipra Laddha is a board-certified physician, trained in psychopharmacology as well as psychodynamic psychotherapy, CBT, and humanistic psychotherapy. She has expertise in Women's mental health and treating women through the transitions of life including pregnancy and postpartum. She attended medical school in New York, trained at Emory University Residency program and served as Chief Resident at the Veterans Administration Medical Center. Directly after residency, she started her own flourishing practice in Atlanta, GA and also served at the Veterans Medical Center in acute mental health services. In April in 2021, she and her co-founder Shama Rathi, a child and adolescent psychiatrist launched LunaJoy Health, (helloLunaJoy.com) focused on holistic women's mental health services. At LunaJoy, medical visits are offered via telemedicine and coaching is offered nationwide. She was recently named a top 20 finalist at the Hustle Fund out of over 1,500 companies and selected into the current Y combinator where she is working to rapidly increase awareness and access around common (but rarely addressed) mental health struggles. In addition, she is the mom of 4 wonderful kids ages 7, 7, 4, and 2 who have been her biggest motivators.

On this episode of Food Freedom and Fertility Sophia and Caitlin have invited their longtime friend Michelle Armstrong to discuss pregnancy and specifically her unique 4 different experiences.   Michelle and her husband have been together for over 12 years but have experienced so much more than they could have ever experienced around pregnancy and childbirth. Michelle joins the podcast today to walk us through her journey of having to say goodbye to their first child at 24 weeks and the process involved. She carries us through what it was like to get pregnant unintentionally only 2 months later and that home birth that she experienced.   Michelle's next pregnancy took a completely different path than the others when she learned at 20 weeks that she had placenta previa which is when the baby's placenta partially or totally covers the mother's cervix. Few weeks later she went to the hospital with severe upper abdomen pain to find out she was going to have to deliver the baby because she now had preeclampsia which is s a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys. This was a diagnosis that could have been fatal to her and her baby. Sophia and Caitlin dive in on more information about preeclampsia and placenta previa and the signs and risk factors. After deliver her new baby was in the hospital for over 50 days.   Michelle opens up to describe the feeling of each pregnancy and how she was able to recover and process her trauma. She discusses a wonderful project that came out of her 2nd son's hospital stay after he was diagnosed with RSV. She was able to turn her guilt, grief and sadness into the idea of a stuffed bear for babies in the NICU. She followed this idea through till the end and was able to create a wonderful stuffed animal that has a removal scent patch that parents can wear and then re-attach to the bear so babies at the hospital have the scent of their parents, it has a recording device so a message can be replayed, and it is a panda because of the black and white colors are the first colors a baby can see and they will look at it 8x longer which is better for brain stimulation. In addition, the bear is anti-microbial to help prevent the spread of germs. It took over a year for her to bring the bear to other families.   Michelle share how she worked on herself to mentally and physically prepare for her 4th pregnancy which was a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). She shared that she is humbled by the reality that nothing will fix what she has gone through but she has healed from it and shares all the steps that she took to get a good place. We want to sincerely thank Michelle for sharing her journey and all of her experiences with us and all of you.   If you would like more information on Finn the Bear you can find him at the links below.   https://finnandcogifts.com

This week's episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility is all about your menstrual cycle! Since we are talking about the menstrual cycle we thought the best guest for that is Nicole Jardim   Nicole is a Certified Women's Health Coach, writer, speaker, mentor, and the creator of Fix Your Period, a series of programs that empower women and menstruators to reclaim their hormone health using a method that combines evidence-based information with simplicity and sass.   Nicole and Sophia chat about a few key topics regarding your period and what it should or shouldn't look like. One of the big things to look out for are signs from your body that could mean something. What could your period be telling you that you need to know for your fertility? Your period plays such an important role that recently, your menstrual cycle has been officially considered a vital sign.   Most women are always thinking about having a regular period which is important but another important regularity to consider is your ovulation. This episode Nicole and Sophia give some big tips on what regular periods and ovulation looks like.   Nicole shares some red flags to watch for in regards to your cycle and one of those is period pain which has been normalized by the media for many years. If your period pain is disrupting your life, it is problematic and you should dig deeper. Normal period pain would look like day before or day of, mild to moderate pain where minimal intervention such as a hot water bottle will take care of the discomfort.     The premenstrual phase is a good place to also take notice in what your body is trying to tell you. Spotting before your period is a sign that something could be going on. The good news is that sometimes it is not complicated to fix. Just remember to pay attention to your body and advocate for yourself. If you feel like something is not right because of one symptom or multiple, don't waste time, take immediate action.   This episode is full of helpful and important information to help women determine what a ‘normal' period should look like including topics such as period color, volume, pain, and duration. If after listening to this episode you still need guidance with your cycle please feel free to check out Nicole's websites and other valuable resources in the link below.   NicoleJardim.com IG: nicolemjardim Fixyourperiod.com Period Party Podcast

On this week's episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility Sophia and Caitlin welcome Ayla Barmmer with Men's Preconception Health and Fertility and It's Affect on Pregnancy Complications with Ayla Barmmer. For over 15years, Ayla Barmmer, MS, RDN, LDN, has been advancing the health and empowerment of thousands of clients, patients, peers, and mentees, at the intersection of nutritional science, functional medicine, and evidence-based holistic solutions. Ayla is the founder and CEO of FullWell, a fertility wellness brand, widely endorsed by a diversity of health practitioners for its quality and education. While currently on sabbatical from private practice work, Ayla owns and operates Boston Functional Nutrition, an integrative and functional nutrition multi-clinician practice, that specializes in women's health and infertility. Ayla also co-founded the Women's Health Nutrition Academy in 2018, a leader in its field.        Ayla is Here today to talk about the other side of the coin, and discuss men's preconception health and fertility and Its effect on pregnancy complications. Dads are painted in such a negative light but in actuality most partners want to help and do their part. This episode will help male partners understand how their pre-conception lifestyle will affect pregnancy and the baby's health as well as provide them with helpful info to optimize their sperm and overall well-being.   Ayla recommends that men should really start focusing on their pre-conception health at a minimum of 3 months but starting earlier would be best. Male partners can start making improvements to their diet and lifestyle to help reduce future risks. Ayla, Sophia and Caitlin want to remind everyone that it does not have to be an overnight change to your entire lifestyle. You can start slow and easy by adding in healthier options. Focus on adding healthy items vs taking away things you enjoy.    A few key dietary and nutritional additions would be to eat more colorful produce, get enough b vitamins as they are important for sperm quality and Omega 3 fatty acids. Everyone should enjoy more Omega 3 in their lives!  Men should really avoid smoking, excess alcohol both of which cause oxidative stress on the body.  Steering clear of plastics is a quick and easy change. If you love your Keurig, it's time to say goodbye as those little plastic packets with scalding hot water are major endocrine disrupters.   Ayla as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and functional medicine practitioner looks to food as the first form of nutrition. She also acknowledges that there are a lot of extra pressures that are placed on the human body and that is where a quality supplement can be very beneficial.  Supplements can help fill the gaps and offset of modern-day stressor that we can't control.   The dietary supplement that Ayla and her team has created is called Vitality and Virility Blend and it is formulated to meet the needs of men in reproductive years, it also serves as a multivitamin. It is optimized to support pre-conception and to support the needs of being a dad.  This blend is taken in 4 capsules a day and the reason behind the quantity is that some nutrients are so important and they take up capsule space, so 4 capsules a day allows for all the key supplements and the doses. But the good news is you can take this in lieu of your daily vitamin!       If you would like to learn more about Ayla and Boston Functional Nutrition you can find her via the links below.   Vitality + Virility   Full Well  Boston Functional Nutrition  

This episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility is in honor of Valentine's Day and also because February is PCOS Awareness for heart health risk.  The guest this week is Dr. Jennifer Haden Haythe. Dr. Haythe specializes in Cardiovascular Disease, Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology.  Dr. Haythe graduated from Harvard University in 1995. She completed her medical school and residency training at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 2003. After finishing a congestive-heart failure-cardiac transplant fellowship at Columbia in 2005 she went on to complete her fellowship training in cardiovascular diseases there in 2009. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care at Columbia and Co-Director of the Women's Center for Cardiovascular Health. Dr. Haythe specializes in pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, and cardiac transplant. She has a special interest in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and the care of pregnant women with cardiovascular diseases.

Happy New Year! Your hosts Caitlin Johnson and Sophia Pavia are back after a holiday hiatus. The first episode of 2022 is  thoughtful, heartwarming and educational. Caitlin shares her pregnancy and birth story with Sophia and all of you listeners as always Caitlin and Sophia give you a plethora of great tips and advice.  Trigger Warning: This episode discusses positive pregnancy results,  a birth story and breastfeeding content.  Welcome back to Food Freedom and Fertility! 

In this episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility Caitlin and Sophia help you find a way through the holiday season while trying to conceive. Caitlin Johnson is back from her maternity leave and ready to give you tons of tips and pointers to not only get you through this holiday season but make it enjoyable while TTC.   One of the biggest reminders is to be mindful of your choices. One quick way to ensure you are going to have some sort of healthy food at parties or dinners is offer to bring a salad or dish that fits your nutritional goals. Caitlin and Sophia remind you to think of the holidays as a day and not the next 6 weeks. The best goal for the holiday season while TTC is BE FLEXIBLE of your definition of healthy during this time, give yourself some grace.   If you would like specific list of “eat this not that” foods, there is an episode from November/December 2020 that can help you when it comes to specific food choices.

On this week's episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility Sophia Pavia interviews Dr. Merhi about IVF and the variety of work his center is currently working on.   Dr. Merhi is the founder and the medical director of Rejuvenating Fertility Center (RFC). He is an internationally recognized fertility doctor, lecturer, editor, and grant reviewer. His training and faculty appointments included Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, and University of Vermont. He is currently a Professor at SUNY Downstate University. He has three American Board certifications in OB/GYN, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, and High-Complexity Laboratory Director (HCLD). Dr. Merhi is an active researcher with an interest in women with Low Ovarian Reserve (low AMH or high FSH), PRP ovarian rejuvenation, gentle stimulation IVF, natural IVF, and IVF without injectables. His research also focuses on technologies, such as Ozone Sauna, that could improve egg quality. Tune in this week as Sophia and Dr. Merhi have a candid conversation about IVF in the past, present and more importantly where it is going in the future!

On this week's episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility. Sophia Pavia is a solo host as her co-host Caitlin Johnson has given birth to a baby boy! Stay tuned for Caitlin's birth story in a future episode. This week's guest is Rachel Mast who is an Idaho Licensed Midwife and Certified Professional Midwife. She graduated from Birthwise Midwifery School in 2012 after completing her clinical training at New Beginnings Birth Center. Today Sophia and Rachel discuss the Transitioning from Fertility to Maternity Care. They also discuss exactly what a midwife brings to the table for maternity care. They discuss the differences between traditional hospital care vs homebirths or births with a midwife. Rachel and Sophia also discuss how to make the most informed decision regarding your maternity care, the importance of weighing your personal pros and cons.  They also give excellent advice on how to find the right midwife for you and important questions to ask to ensure they are a good fit for you and your partner.  

On this week's episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility. Sophia Pavia is the solo host because Caitlin Johnson is on maternity leave. Trigger warning this episode discusses pregnancy loss. This week's guest is Julie Sawaya is the co-founder of Needed, a nutrition platform dedicated to optimally nourishing women before, during, and after pregnancy. Needed is backed by the latest clinical research and a collective of perinatal nutrition practitioners that regularly test women's nutrient and hormone levels to know exactly what's needed. Their Complete Plan for Women offers optimal micronutrient, protein, and microbiome support for fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. Julie and Sophia discuss common deficiencies and the best supplements and real foods to help with your pregnancy for you and your baby.  If you would like to learn more about Needed and their products you can find them online at the following links:   www.thisisneeded.com IG: @needed   FFP50 for $50 off The Complete Plan FFPPODCAST for 20% off the first order or first 3mo of subscription (any products)

In this episode of Food Freedom and Fertility Sophia Pavia is solo hosting as Caitlin Johnson is on maternity leave. This week Sophia interviews Coach Kela Smith who is the CEO and program director of a company she created called the Hormone Puzzle Society, which is a women's health hub for fertility, hormones and pregnancy. Kela shares her personal story of conception by implementing her Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E method (plus cycle optimizing) that takes a holistic approach to readying the body for pregnancy from the inside out. Since then it has been her mission to help other women who are struggling with infertility and hormone imbalance to get pregnant and eliminate hormonal symptoms. If you are trying to get pregnant after age 35 what are some big pointers from Coach Kela.  First is to test don't guess!  Look at hormones, see what your levels are doing. Second you should look at your diet and lifestyle. There is a difference between healthy living and healthy fertility living. Third is to evaluate what toxins are you exposing yourself to. The fourth big pointer is to ensure you are on the appropriate supplements to support your journey.  Sopha and Kela also discuss why  35 is considered the advanced maternal age and how that number was created and is it still valid. They also discuss a big item that helps decrease your systemic inflammation which helps your overall health. If you would like more information about Coach Kela and her services you can book a discovery call through her website or connect via a direct message on Instagram. You can also find her at the links below.   Website: https://coachkela.com/media-page/ Instagram: Kela_Coach  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelahealthcoach Facebook Group: The Hormone Puzzle

In this episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility Sophia Pavia interviews Robyn Birkin, who is a fertility wellness expert who provides clients with evidence-based strategies for emotional wellness and mind body health that support your fertility (so you can reclaim your life and step off the fertility hamster wheel of burnout). This episode helps deliver a few tools to help women reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed while trying to conceive. Robyn talks about ways to simplify your life and help you not to sacrifice your emotional wellbeing. If after listening to this podcast and you would like to get more information on Robyn's services please see the links below.     The Fertility Warriors Podcast Instagram: robynbirkin The Mind Body Fertility Reset Membership Platform    

In this week's episode of Food Freedom and Fertility your hosts Caitlin Johnson and Sophia Pavia move on to the second part of registry needs. They want to remind all listeners that this is an opinion based episode and to always do what works for you and your baby. During this episode they are going to shake up myths and debunk rumors about certain baby products.   Caitlin and Sophia discuss a variety of sleep products like sound machines, clocks, fans, swaddles, location for sleep, lighting and other items. They also break down moving around with your baby including strollers and baby wraps/carriers. The podcast wraps up with your hosts discussing some items that your little baby would enjoy such as rattles, high contrast toys and activity mats.   At the end of the day the most important thing to remember is do what works for your baby and your family. Not all baby products and utilities' work for every baby or momma. Be sure to test out the products if at all possible, even if you decide to purchase 2nd hand.

This week on Food, Freedom and Fertility Caitlin and Sophia bring you the 3rd part to You are Pregnant, Now What focusing on the baby registry. This episode is opinion based and the most important thing to remember is that you are preparing for your baby so be sure to do what works best for you and your family. Caitlin and Sophia recorded this episode as a jumping off point to help get you started on items for your registry. This episode covers items that are important for mother and baby from body creams and ointments to supplements that are safe for expecting and nursing mothers. They also discuss books that are helpful, equipment for sleep and nursing, diapering systems, and other helpful tips for the new parents. Be sure to take notes during this episode as it is a wealth of knowledge. Sophia and Caitlin have also shared their Amazon Favorites List below.   Caitlin's Amazon List

In this week's episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility Sophia and Caitlin are back at with You are Pregnant, Now What: Birth Education Courses. Last week they guided you through the first steps of pregnancy and what things you should focus on but this week they break down the different types of birthing classes. Most people are familiar with or have seen in movies Lamaze classes… but in this podcast episode you will learn what to consider when considering what style of birth, you want. By knowing what kind of birth, you would like will help you choose your birthing classes. Hospitals all provide a basic class but those are designed to help you have a hospital birth and teaches you to be a good patient and explains hospital procedure. In addition to the hospital classes Sophia and Caitlin suggest looking into different midwife groups, doula collectives or birth centers for additional classes. They don't suggest skipping the hospital class if you plan on having a hospital birth but additional classes will gift you with more knowledge for your labor and delivery. Sophia and Caitlin will also break down the different methods of birthing such as the Bradley Method, Hypno Birthing, Gentle Birthing, Christian Hypno Birthing, Birthing from Within, Pain Free Birth with Karen Welton (use code TTC for 10% off). Also, if you are 100% planning on a hosptial birth, Mommy Labor Nurse is a wonderful resource, you can find her on Instagram at mommy.labornurse. We hope this episode helps you choose a birthing class that is best suited for you, your partner and your new baby.   Pain Free Birth 10% off with code TTC Mommy Labor Nurse  

In this episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility your hosts Caitlin Johnson and Sophia Pavia focus their attention to what to do after you have conceived.  This is an important discussion after so much time dedicated to the conception of your baby.  Caitlin and Sophia discuss what supplements are the most important to start and also which ones to stop upon finding out you are pregnant they also chat about what lab testing and other important questions to discuss with your provider and why it is important to advocate for yourself. One way to ensure the best care possible is to create a roster of care providers that fit your needs. Caitlin and Sophia help you determine exactly what type of services should be on that roster. This is a wonderful episode for so many women that have been trying to conceive and have achieved the positive test result or those that just want to prepare for the future.   Book: Real Food for Pregnancy

On this week's episode of Food Freedom and Fertility Sophia Pavia and Caitlin Johnson have on guest Sheila Wray Gregoire Sheila is the face behind ToLoveHonorandVacuum.com, the largest single-blogger marriage blog. A sought-after speaker, she's also an award-winning author of nine books, including The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex. Sheila has a Master's in Public Administration and Master of Arts in Sociology both from Queen's University. Sheila built the successful blog, To Love, Honor, and Vacuum, with traffic of one million page views a month. Her email list is 45,000 strong and her social media reach is over 100,000. Her podcast, Bare Marriage, has more than 5,000 downloads each week. She is an award-winning author with seven royalty published books. A sought-after speaker, Sheila has spoken at churches and conferences around the globe. She is a frequent contributor at Family Life Canada events. Her latest book, “The Great Sex Rescue” was featured in the New York Times Book Review, Publishers Weekly, and the Washington Post. She has bylines at Religion News Service, Relevant Magazine, and other news sources. This episode is a very honest conversation around the unique struggles facing a couple ttc. Sheila is the first guest on the podcast to discuss sex issues. Some of the topics discussed on this episode are the pressures around sex, not wanting to have sex, sex feeling different when the romance is removed and the point is procreation, physical pain for women, husbands' sexual struggles and so much more. If you like what you heard this week and want to learn more please be sure to check out Sheila's links below.  https://tolovehonorandvacuum.com https://instagram.com/sheilagregoire https://facebook.com/sheila.gregoire.books https://twitter.com/sheilagregoire  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdO1v4LdyqZV-m_VMlH5VGg https://greatsexrescue.com/

On this week's episode of Food Freedom and Fertility Caitlin Johnson is guest expert is Mark Breedon.  Mark is an Online Strength Coach for Women who uses strength training to build their confidence and make them feel like a Badass Lifter. Mark uses what is known as a weight-neutral approach to training. He wants to change the focus on why we exercise, move away from training for the weight on the scale and instead of using exercise for health, self-confidence, and feeling strong!   Mark and Caitlin discuss how a lot of women train for a specific physique and can over train and under eat lose their cycles. Which can lead to infertility Mark explains how he is trying to shift the mentality of women and their approach to training and how he applies that to his clients.   They also discuss where the happy place is that supports improved fertility … not too much but not too little and how to achieve this. In a recent study in Obstetrics and Gynecology concluded that women who exercised 30 minutes or more daily had a reduced risk of infertility due to ovulation disorders, yet in 2009 a study in Human Reproduction found that too much vigorous exercise lowered fertility. Mark explains how he and other trainers could help optimize a fitness routine for your fertility journey.   This episode is focused on understanding how exercise and strength training come into play with women who are TTC. If you would like more information on Mark and his services you can find him at the links below.   IG: @breedonmark Web: https://badasslifter.com

On this week's episode of Food Freedom and Fertility we have a very special guest. We welcome to the show Dr. Natasha Stamper.  Dr. Natasha Stamper is a clinical pharmacist and online fertility coach. She found her love for all things fertility while living in a remote Alaska village navigating her own IVF journey alone. After many miscarriages, two ectopic pregnancies, and one cervical ectopic she had her two miracle babies. Now with over 12 years of clinical pharmacy experience and her own experiences she is so excited to be helping families all over the globe fulfill the dream of making their family complete. You can find her on Instagram at fertility_pharmacist or www.fertilitypharmacist.com Today's episode is we will learn more about Dr. Stamper's background and what led her to become a fertility pharmacist. Dr. Stamper will review some basic fertility medications, their uses, side effects and who would benefit most from them. Femara/Letrozole, Clomid, Gonadotropins, Dopamine agonists, metformin and Progesterone are a few of the medications that will be discussed in detail. Dr. Stamper shares her personal experience with IVF and also the typical plan for IVF in terms of medications. She also shares the types of supplements that she feels are important and also those that should be strictly avoid while TTC. You can find her on Instagram at fertility_pharmacist or www.fertilitypharmacist.com

Welcome to the Food Freedom and Fertility podcast. On this week's episode Caitlin Johnson has special guest, Stephanie Greunke. Stephanie is a registered dietitian with a master's degree in nutrition who specializes in prenatal/postnatal health. Stephanie holds additional certifications in perinatal mental health and fitness and is passionate about helping moms navigate the transition to motherhood.  She's the co-host of the "Doctor Mom" podcast and Senior Education Manager for Whole30. Through her Postpartum Reset nutrition program, pregnancy program, podcast and her private practice, Stephanie has helped thousands of women optimize their diet during and after pregnancy to support their physical and mental health. She's an internationally-recognized speaker who blends the latest research with practical advice. She also trains healthcare providers about perinatal mental health and nutrition so they can optimize outcomes for their clients.    Steph and Caitlin discuss perinatal mental health today and if you enjoy what you hear on today's episode you can learn more about Steph's program Postpartum Reset which is an intimate private community and online roadmap for any mama (or mama-to-be) who feels stuck, alone, and depleted and wants to learn how to thrive in motherhood. Caitlin and Steph normalize the feelings of postpartum and let listeners know that it is okay to feel like you are struggling and having a difficult time.  Steph describes what exactly perinatal or postpartum mood disorders are and how and when they can present. She sheds light on the vast spectrum that these disorders can range. The other thing to keep in mind about these disorders is that fathers can also have similar experiences and should realize that so that they can seek the help they need to navigate these uncharted waters. Men typically present much differently than women when experience a postpartum mood disorder. Steph also gives detailed explanations of the different types of disorders and what they look like and she also suggests listeners to ask themselves if they are experiencing any of the symptoms that come along with perinatal or postpartum mood disorders. To help prepare yourself for the 3rd trimester and postpartum, Steph and Caitlin share a variety of ideas and tips to help expecting mothers. Including meal prep ideas, tasks that new mothers greatly appreciate and additional tips. The podcast wraps up with the dream team for the postpartum period, which most women who have never delivered a child would expect. The key player on this team is a provider that will genuinely listen to you and your concerns. There are a lot of things that can pop up and having a provider that truly listens to you will help alleviate unnecessary worry. If you would like more information on Stephanie's course: Postpartum Reset Course you can find her at https://www.postpartumreset.com or on Instagram: @stephgreunke

Welcome to the Food Freedom and Fertility podcast. On this week's episode Sophia Pavia has Kalea Wattles, ND on to discuss functional medicine for fertility. Dr. Kalea Wattles is a Naturopathic Physician specializing in fertility and Functional Medicine. She earned her doctorate from Bastyr University and is certified as a Functional Medicine Practitioner by the Institute for Functional Medicine. Dr. Wattles combines her Naturopathic and Functional Medicine training to treat patients with a “Functional Fertility” perspective, using a root-cause, science-based, body-systems approach to cultivating a fertile body. She is dedicated to using this patient centered method to support patients anywhere on their fertility journey – whether they are thinking about getting pregnant for the first time or exploring advanced fertility treatments. Sophia and Kalea use this episode to dive into to functional medicine and how it can affect your fertility. A big topic they discuss is mitochondria and how to support it and why it is helpful to your fertility journey.  Mitochondria has a huge role in hormone production so they talk through ways to kick start your mitochondria. Psychologically it isn't easy but it is important. A few quick take aways is to turn off your phone 2 hours before bedtime and take a cold shower. There are a few supplements discussed as well.   In addition to mitochondria care, mental health should be considered during your fertility journey. Data proves year in and year out that people who work on stress management and have support tend to experience better fertility outcomes. The best approach is a whole-body whole life idea. Dr. Kalea wants to leave everyone with hope. Be sure to advocate for yourself and your family. There is info you can collect that can change our trajectory, do not be afraid to get a 2nd opinion, have a functional work up completed. You have the right to that info. To learn more about Dr. Kalea Wattles you can find her online at  https://thinkvida.com/dr-kalea-wattles/ or on Instagram at Functional Fertility  

On today's episode of Food Freedom and Fertility Caitlin and Sophia help women trying to conceive find healthy alternatives while traveling. They will share helpful tips and tools they personally implemented during their own fertility journeys. It doesn't matter how or where you are traveling there are healthier alternatives and today we dive in on what those are. Sleep plays a huge factor in your overall health and is important to consider when you are TTC. It is also important to remember to consider time zones when you are measuring your BBT. Caitlin and Sophia explain exactly how to do this so that you are compensating for the time change. They also give some great tips on how to create a premium sleep environment while traveling. When traveling sometimes finding a healthy place to eat is difficult. This episode will help guide you to the right choices you are faced with the golden arches or other fast food options. Hopefully this episode will arm you with the right information to help you make smart choices in any scenario. If you have the time and the ability to meal/snack prep for your trip Sophia and Caitlin give numerous ideas on which snacks (chilled and room temp) are the best choice for your fertility and your road trip cravings. Caitlin and Sophia want listeners to relax and let go of those anxieties around travelling while also trying to conceive. The best thing to take away from this episode is to prioritize protein, don't skip out on hydration, continue to eat colorful fruits and veggies where you can and enjoy your travel!  Travel can be a beautiful way to enjoy your life and your partner while you are trying to conceive.

This episode of Food Freedom and Fertility welcomes guest Cindy Dabrowska is a registered dietitian, Master of Applied Nutrition, endowarrior and founder of "The Supportive Endo RD". Her passion comes from supporting endo warriors - who much like herself, have said “enough is enough” to debilitating, life-altering symptoms of endometriosis. Cindy has been blessed to support countless women in her nutrition counseling practice through a functional medicine root cause approach to endometriosis. As a registered dietitian and endowarrior, Cindy prides herself on being an ally to, and a resource for, the endometriosis community. Cindy and Caitlin will be discussing endometriosis which is when tissue similar to the inner lining of the uterus, also known as the endometrium, is found outside its normal location, where the tissue should not be. 1 in 9 women are known to have endometriosis, however there is not a lot of discussion on the topic. Cindy and Caitlin this week will go into more detail about endometriosis. They will discuss exactly what is endometriosis, when women could start to see signs of it, how it affects your body and your fertility.  There is a common presentation of endometriosis but this isn't always the case. Learn the other impacts of endometriosis can have on your body that aren't the typical symptoms.  Cindy and Caitlin discuss the options for women with endometriosis and how they can alleviate the severity of their symptoms. If you would like more information on Endometriosis or Cindy's programs you can find her at the links below.   Instagram: endo.fertility.dietitian Website: https://endometriosisdietitian.ca

On this episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility our hosts Caitlin Johnson and Sophia Pavia welcome Dr. Loree Johnson. Dr. Lori Johnson has been a guest on the podcast before to discuss her career as an online psychotherapist and therapeutic coach based in Los Angeles. She specializes in women's mental health, reproductive health, and couples' therapy while helping clients heal from the trauma of infertility. Today Dr. Johnson joins as a guest to discuss her personal fertility journey. Her own journey has forced her to face challenges she never thought she would encounter and to make sense of things like: unexplained infertility, advanced maternal age, and recurrent pregnancy loss.   This episode shares the experience of a professional that has made a career out of supporting couples who are struggling through unexpected fertility challenges, but also from the perspective of someone has experienced it personally as well. If you would like more information about Dr. Loree Johnson and her practice please visit:  https://drloreejohnson.com or on Instagram drloreejohnson