113: The gut microbiome connection to fertility and how it can help you conceive

Today’s podcast is all about the relationship and intimacy aspects of trying to conceive. I interview Alexandria Devito, a functional nutritionist who specializes in fertility and preconception health. We dive into common barriers to intimacy, the impact of pleasure on fertility, and the balance of masculine and feminine energies in your reproductive years. Alexandria offers practical insights and suggestions for couples navigating the journey of preparing for pregnancy while placing an emphasis on the intimacy of a couples partnership. Episode Highlights: Alexandra’s background and her preconception testing platform called Poplin  Barriers to intimacy and communication when trying to conceive The impact of pleasure and orgasm on fertility for both men and women  The balancing of masculine and feminine energies at play with fertility Related Links: Sign up for Private Fertility Coaching with Nora here For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/116 Please Note: The contents of this podcast are for educational and informational purposes only. The information is not to be interpreted as, or mistaken for, clinical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.  

When most people think about having low progesterone, the topic of egg quality doesn’t always come top of mind for being a top contributing factor to their low progesterone problem. Lots of women are recommended vitex and progesterone suppositories to solve their issue. However, this isn’t necessarily the solution. In today’s episode, I dive into two of the sexiest topics in the fertility space, low progesterone, egg quality and how they are closely interconnected and contribute to a positive pregnancy test and a healthy pregnancy. Then you’ll hear from a client of mine Melissa who has PCOS and was struggling with secondary infertility for over a year until we started working together and got her cycles where they needed to be for a natural pregnancy in just 4 months of working together.  Episode Highlights: The role of progesterone in the menstrual cycle and fertility Progesterone’s role in early pregnancy How to know if you have low progesterone Common health conditions associated with low progesterone Egg quality and its essential role for optimal hormone production Egg quality and its connection to progesterone production Mel’s story with secondary infertility and how she got pregnant naturally after 4 months of personalized fertility coaching Related Links: Sign up for private fertility coaching with the Bronze Package (limited spots available, enrolment closes Wed Sept 18, 2024) Check out the Silver and Gold Private Coaching packages here For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/115 Please Note: The contents of this podcast are for educational and informational purposes only. The information is not to be interpreted as, or mistaken for, clinical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.  

Manifestation is a multi-layered experience, magnetizing, reflecting, and manifesting your soul lessons and desires. When we look at the creation process through a unity consciousness lens, we are gifted with many new perspectives on how it can work in our lives.  What happens when you harness focused intention and trust on your fertility journey? You are able to meet the sometimes harsh experiences of reality as well as stretch into something new.  In today’s episode, I dive into the energetics of manifesting your baby and how you can use your physical life as a co-creation process with the universe to consciously create and manifest your baby.  Related Links:  Sign up for private fertility coaching with the Bronze Package here (limited spots available) Check out my Client Success Stories here For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/114 Please Note: The contents of this podcast are for educational and informational purposes only. The information is not to be interpreted as, or mistaken for, clinical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.  

Supporting your gut when trying to conceive is essential for balancing hormones and improving fertility outcomes, not to mention its importance for your growing baby’s health when you’re pregnant and also for delivery. Everything in your body is connected and at the center of this connection is your gut. So how is the gut connected to fertility and how can improving it help you get pregnant? In today's episode I dive into what the gut microbiome is and why it's essential to consider when trying to conceive. I share different factors that impact your gut health, how to test your gut microbiome, top nutrition and lifestyle tips for improving your gut health and things to consider when evaluating whether your gut health is a healthy pregnancy.  Episode highlights: How your digestion is connected to fertility The gut microbiome and its function on your overall health Top things to consider when evaluating your gut health How to test your gut microbiome  Top nutrition tips for improving your gut health and fertility Three lifestyle factors that you never thought were connected to your gut Related Links: Apply for the Bronze Package here and get added to the waitlist (limited spots available) For full show notes and related links: naturallynora.ca/blog/113 Please Note: The contents of this podcast are for educational and informational purposes only. The information is not to be interpreted as, or mistaken for, clinical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.  

To dairy or not to dairy? Unfortunately most dairy in the United States comes from factory farms, where cows are fed products not natural to their diet such as grain, corn and soy. This creates significant inflammation in their bodies which can then be passed on to the humans who consume it. In today’s episode, I share my stance on dairy and whether or not you should consume it while trying to conceive.  Episode Highlights: A short history on dairy and where it came from Telltale signs on whether or not you should consume dairy Pasteurized vs. non pasteurized dairy The case for raw milk The health benefits of raw dairy  How to choose the best dairy for you Top things to consider when buying dairy  Related Links:  Check out my 1:1 Private Coaching package options here For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/112   Please Note: The contents of this podcast are for educational and informational purposes only. The information is not to be interpreted as, or mistaken for, clinical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.  

In today’s podcast episode, I interview Gina Mundy, an experienced childbirth attorney who shares her insights and expertise on how to have a safer childbirth experience. While I typically focus on preconception health, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to interview Gina on this very important topic about how to have a safer childbirth. She emphasizes the importance of preparing for childbirth, understanding your delivery team, choosing the right doctor, and having a birth partner or advocate to support you during the process. Gina’s goal is to empower parents to make informed decisions and avoid the mistakes and complications she has witnessed in her career. Although you may not be pregnant yet, make sure to save or bookmark this episode for when you do, it will provide you with great tools to help you have a safe and healthy childbirth. Episode Highlights: Gina's background and how she got into this field of law  The importance of preparing for childbirth and understanding the delivery team Key factors to consider when choosing an OB/GYN doctor The role of a "baby advocate" during labor and delivery  Common issues and mistakes seen in childbirth cases, including pitocin (oxytocin) use, busy labor units, and water breaking  Preparing physically for childbirth through pelvic floor therapy Gina's advice for those trying to conceive Related Links: For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/111   Please Note: The contents of this podcast are for educational and informational purposes only. The information is not to be interpreted as, or mistaken for, clinical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing common causes of recurrent pregnancy loss and then I will focus on different tests you can do to help mitigate your risk for miscarriage before you even start trying or testing options that you can do after experiencing a miscarriage or recurrent loss. My goal is not only to provide you with knowledge, but also to offer support and a sense of hope to those who might feel defeated and frustrated with their medical providers. Whether you're personally affected, know someone who is, or simply want to understand more about this important topic, this episode is for you. Episode Highlights: The risk of loss as a woman moves from her 20’s to her 40’s Hormone dysfunction and its contribution to miscarriage The leading cause of pregnancy loss and how to test for it Anatomical and uterine obstruction tests to help identify risk for miscarriage How the gut and vaginal microbiome contribute to loss Identifying microbial pathogens and how to properly treat them The antibody test Poor sperm parameters and how they correlate to pregnancy loss Related Links: Check out my 1:1 Private Coaching package options here Fertility Blood Labs Blueprint Guide  Episodes related to pregnancy loss: Ep 102 - How she got pregnant after loss & 2 years of trying + Alessandra’s story Ep 91- How this hormone test can help you get pregnant Ep 68 - How she got pregnant after healing from a chronic gut infection + Maria’s story Ep 38 - How do I know if/when I’m ovulating? + Jessica’s story Ep 16 - Miscarriage signs, causes + Amy’s story  What Can Miscarriage Tissue Testing Tell Us About Fertility For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/110 Please Note: The contents of this podcast are for educational and informational purposes only. The information is not to be interpreted as, or mistaken for, clinical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.  

In today’s podcast, I interview Samantha Chandler is a wellness and womb coach who specializes in helping those struggling with infertility. We dive into a comprehensive overview of iron regulation and its importance for fertility and overall health. Sam shares her personal journey of discovering the impact of iron imbalances, and outlines the key principles of understanding and addressing iron-related issues through natural, whole-food approaches rather than relying on supplements or transfusions. We discuss the nuances of measuring iron levels, identifying symptoms of imbalance, and the importance of supporting iron movement and balance through co-factors like copper and magnesium. Episode Highlights: Samantha's personal experience with iron and breastfeeding issues Overview of what iron is, why it's important, and how it moves through the body Distinguishing between iron and ferritin, and the importance of testing hemoglobin  Concept of "trapped iron" and how it can manifest in the body  Recommendations for testing iron levels and imbalances Cautions around iron supplements, prenatal vitamins, and synthetic vitamins  Benefits of natural, whole-food sources of iron, vitamin A, and other cofactors  Role of magnesium, adrenal support, and mind-body connection Related Links: Struggling to get pregnant? Check out my 1:1 Private Coaching package options here My favorite desiccated beef liver supplements - Use code NORA10 at checkout for 10% off For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/109   Please Note: The contents of this podcast are for educational and informational purposes only. The information is not to be interpreted as, or mistaken for, clinical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.  

In today’s episode I interview Holly Leever, a certified Fertility Awareness Method Educator, Licensed Acupuncturist, and Arvigo Abdominal Massage Therapist. We discuss Holly’s personal journey with anorexia for over 8 years and how she recovered from hypothalamic amenorrhea  and got pregnant with her daughter. Holly now helps women optimize fertility and their reproductive health and is inspired by her passion for healing and helping women reclaim their health. Episode Highlights: Holly's personal journey with anorexia and losing her menstrual cycle for over 8 years  The importance of nutrition, rest, and stress management in restoring menstrual health Holly's experience with fertility awareness charting and how it helped her get her period back  Navigating pregnancy and postpartum with a history of disordered eating Tips for those struggling with eating disorders and hypothalamic amenorrhea who want to conceive  Related Links: For full show notes and related links:https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/108   Please Note: The contents of this podcast are for educational and informational purposes only. The information is not to be interpreted as, or mistaken for, clinical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.  

Unfortunately, in the fertility world today, women are being sold a label of being “infertile” based on their AMH biomarker. News flash for everyone, AMH alone is not intended to predict fertility. Not only is this now proven in a variety of research studies, but I also see this with my own clients in my practice. In today’s episode, I share the concept of AMH, what it is, the benefits of using it and the limitations when interpreting it, along with debunking some important myths on what it means when a fertility doctor tells you have low AMH and won’t be able to get pregnant naturally or with your own eggs.   Episode Highlights: What is AMH? What does AMH measure and why do fertility clinics use it? The benefits of testing AMH The limitations when interpreting AMH Debunking the myth on getting pregnant with low or non existent AMH Top 3 ways on how to improve your egg quality Related Links: Get Personalized Fertility Coaching with Nora - Check out pricing and package options here For full show notes and related links:https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/107 Please Note: The contents of this podcast are for educational and informational purposes only. The information is not to be interpreted as, or mistaken for, clinical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.