120: Is your vaginal microbiome healthy for pregnancy?

In today’s episode I interview Dr. Sarah Wilson, a Naturopathic Doctor and founder of Advanced Women’s Health. She shares her personal health journey and expertise as a naturopathic doctor to the complex connections between inflammation, hormones, and fertility. We dive into conversations on the importance of understanding your body's signals with menstrual cycle symptoms, and how to use that information to advocate for your health. Dr. Sarah also delves into the critical role of gut health and fertility and provides practical tips for supporting reproductive wellness when preparing for pregnancy. Episode Highlights: Dr. Wilson's background and personal health journey overcoming undiagnosed celiac disease for 18 years.  How to identify signs of inflammation, such as period-related symptoms like pain, bowel changes, and irritability. How inflammation can impact hormones and potentially lead to fertility challenges or unexplained infertility. The importance of gut health and the connection between the gut, inflammation, and reproductive health. Common lab tests that can give critical insight into someone's reproductive health and immune function. Natural approaches to supporting the connection between the immune system and hormones. How to trust your intuition and advocate for yourself when it comes to your health and fertility journey. Related Links: Sign up for Private Fertility Coaching with Nora here For full show notes and guest related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/123 Grab Your FREE Resources: Just starting your TTC journey? Download my Eat To Get Pregnant Guide  Having trouble getting and staying pregnant? Download my Top 3 Things To Do When You’re Not Getting Pregnant Wondering what supplements to take to help you conceive? Download my Fertility Foundations Supplement Guide 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.  

Starting your conception journey should be exciting! You might ask your doc what you can do to improve your chances, all eager about boosting your baby-making journey, and what do you get? Dull, cookie-cutter advice like "have sex every other day, start taking those prenatals and if you can’t get pregnant, come back in 6 months or a year and we will refer you to a fertility clinic.” This is a disservice and a complete let down from the conventional medical community if you ask me. The good news is that you can 100% improve your fertility outcomes to help you get and stay pregnant with my online self guided Get Pregnant Program and I’ll tell you how in this episode.  Related Links: SIGN UP HERE FOR THE GET PREGNANT PROGRAM AT 50% OFF (limited time only) For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/122     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.  

Today’s podcast episode is a deep and emotional conversation with Dr. Amy Balete, a psychologist and life coach who specializes in supporting women through the challenges of infertility. Dr. Balete shares her own personal journey with secondary infertility, emphasizing the importance of surrendering to the process, allowing grief and emotions to move through you, and how to find joy and purpose even when the desired outcome is not achieved. We explore the balance between the strategic, masculine approach to tackling infertility and the more intuitive, feminine approach of self-compassion and emotional processing when struggling to get pregnant. I also share my personal story of navigating the emotions and my desire to become a mom and even shed a little tear myself on this episode.  Episode Highlights: Dr. Balete's background and personal experience with secondary infertility The grief and surrender process in dealing with infertility The importance of addressing environmental factors and toxins for fertility Balancing the masculine "strategic" approach with the feminine "surrender" in fertility journeys Allowing space for emotions, self-compassion, and finding joy in the process Tips for incorporating emotional healing and grounding practices Related Links: Sign up for Private Fertility Coaching with Nora here  Sign up for Brave Hearts for Fertile Hopes Summit - Nov 4 - 21, 2024 For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/121  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.  

The vaginal microbiome is the population of microorganisms that live in the vagina, including bacteria, fungi and viruses, and these microorganisms have a complex network of interactions with each other and with their human host.  Research now shows that the vaginal microbiome has been linked to some very important health outcomes, including the risk of developing bacterial vaginosis or thrush, issues with fertility, pregnancy complications, and problems around menopause – and there is still much that is not well understood about this topic, but we are making strides. In today’s episode, I’ll share the main reasons why your vaginal microbiome might become imbalanced, different signs and symptoms of vaginal infections along with risk factors for fertility and pregnancy. Episode Highlights: What is the vaginal microbiome? The essential role of Lactobacillus species in the vaginal environment The top 3 components of a healthy vaginal microbiome Causes that contribute to an unhealthy vaginal microbiome What you might not know about Bacteria Vaginosis, Yeast Infections and Candida Risk factors for fertility and pregnancy with an unhealthy vaginal microbiome Related Links: Apply for Labs Only package with Nora here Apply for Private Fertility Coaching with Nora here For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/120   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.

This podcast episode explores how meditation can be a powerful tool to support you on the fertility journey, from preparing the mind and body to getting pregnant, to navigating the emotional and physical changes of pregnancy and postpartum. Today I interview Kelly Smith, a global yoga and meditation teacher and we discuss the physiological and neurological benefits of meditation, as well as specific practices like womb clearing and soul baby meditations that can help bring your baby to this physical realm.  Episode Highlights  Kelly’s personal journey and why she became a meditation teacher. The power of meditation and how it can positively impact the brain and nervous system. How to use meditation while TTC to quell heightened anxiety. Learn about womb clearing and soul baby meditations which are designed to energetically and emotionally prepare the womb and welcome in a new soul. Kelly’s personal experience with postpartum anxiety and how meditation practices helped her have a very different experience with her second child. Related Links Sign up for Private Fertility Coaching with Nora here For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/119 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.  

You’ve been diagnosed with unexplained infertility or have been trying to get pregnant without success and you’re wondering what to do next. In today’s episode, I share my top 5 recommendations on the best next steps for how to help you get pregnant, even when you’ve been told you can’t. Then you’ll hear from my client Kira, who at 35 years old, was diagnosed with unexplained infertility after 1.5 years of trying without success. She shares her journey of struggling with infertility, but then uses it as a catalyst to put the power back into her hands and take control of her body and reproductive health where she ultimately ended up getting pregnant naturally.  Episode Highlights: How to identify if you are in a sub-fertile state Top 5 things to do when you’re not getting pregnant Kira's history as an active, health-conscious athlete who struggled with irregular periods and hormonal imbalances after going on birth control  How her performance as an athlete was impacted by her menstrual cycle, and how birth control masked underlying hormonal issues The process of getting her IUD removed and working to restore her natural cycle and hormone balance through supplements, herbs, acupuncture, and gut health support  Kira and her husband's experience with being diagnosed with unexplained infertility How the DUTCH test helped identify Kira's estrogen dominance and aromatization issues, and the protocol they used to address it  Kira's natural pregnancy after working with functional health practitioners  Related Links: Sign up for Private Fertility Coaching with Nora here For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/118   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.  

This podcast episode explores the importance of addressing the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of the fertility journey. I interview Julie Zhenning, an experienced acupuncturist and intuitive healer, and we discuss her insights on overcoming common misconceptions about fertility after 40, cultivating a positive mindset, connecting with spirit babies, and rebuilding trust in the body's innate wisdom. Julie provides practical steps for integrating self-care rituals and routines to support holistic wellbeing while moving towards your path to motherhood. Episode Highlights: Julie's background and journey into women's health and fertility work  Common myths and misconceptions about fertility after age 40 Overcoming mental barriers and false narratives to achieve positive fertility results  Building stronger mind-body-spirit connections during the fertility journey Practical steps to integrate mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing into fertility prep  Related Links: Sign up for Private Fertility Coaching with Nora here For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/117  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.  

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.