Rewriting Fertility

Everybody is tired.So much so that needing coffee to function, crashing at 2pm, dragging yourself through workouts, and having nothing left in the tank by the end of the day have basically become accepted as part of being an adult.But if you’re trying to get pregnant and you’re chronically exhausted, I don’t want you writing that off as “normal.”Because fatigue isn’t just an annoying symptom. It can be a clue that some of the same systems your fertility depends on aren’t functioning optimally either.In this episode, we’re breaking down why fatigue and fertility struggles so often show up together, what might actually be driving your exhaustion, and what I’m looking for when someone tells me, “I’m tired all the time, but my doctor says all my labs are normal.”In this episode, we cover:Why reproduction is one of the most metabolically demanding things your body will ever doThe difference between being tired because life is busy and chronic fatigue that deserves a deeper lookWhy under-eating and nutrient depletion can impact both energy production and fertilityThe key nutrients your body needs to make energy, including iron, B vitamins, magnesium, sodium, potassium, protein, and adequate caloriesWhy eating a nutrient-dense diet isn’t enough if you’re not actually digesting and absorbing those nutrientsThe gut-fertility-energy connection and how dysbiosis, inflammation, impaired digestion, and poor nutrient absorption can create a chain reactionWhy the thyroid acts like an “energy production thermostat” and why TSH alone doesn’t give us the full pictureBlood sugar patterns that can contribute to fatigue, including skipping breakfast, under-eating, long gaps between meals, and blood sugar spikes and crashesHow insulin and glucose signaling interact with follicle development and ovulationWhy chronic inflammation is such an energy drain and how it can impact thyroid function, ovarian function, hormone signaling, and endometrial receptivityWhat happens when your body adapts to chronic stress, under-fueling, overexercise, poor sleep, inflammation, and nutrient depletion by conserving resourcesHow a depleted, metabolically suppressed environment can interfere with brain-to-ovary signaling, ovulation, cervical mucus, progesterone production, luteal phase length, and cycle regularityWhat I look for on functional labs when fatigue and fertility struggles are showing up together, including iron markers, vitamin D, B vitamins, thyroid conversion + antibodies, glucose, insulin, A1C, CRP, ESR, homocysteine, mineral patterns, and gut healthWhy the answer usually isn’t one dramatically abnormal lab value, but a pattern of multiple suboptimal markers that collectively tell us your body is depletedWhy “everything is normal” may simply mean the right labs haven’t been run or no one has looked at the bigger pictureThe takeaway from this episode isn’t, “I’m tired, so my body won’t let me get pregnant.”It’s that chronic fatigue is information.Instead of masking it with more caffeine, pushing through it, or assuming this is just what adulthood feels like, we can ask a much more useful question:Why am I so tired, and could the same thing driving my fatigue also be standing in the way of my fertility?Because very often, the answer is yes.Resources mentioned:Want us to help you figure out what your body has been trying to tell you? Apply to work with us one-on-one HERE so we can identify your biggest fertility roadblocks and build an individualized plan to actually address what we find.

Pregnancy after miscarriage is complicated. It can feel like your mind is constantly preparing for the worst, making it nearly impossible to fully experience the hope that comes with a new pregnancy.In this deeply personal & short episode, I share what life has looked like for me after becoming pregnant again following my miscarriage, the emotional tools I've been leaning on, and one simple mindset shift that has made an enormous difference in helping me navigate fear without pretending it doesn't exist.In this episode, I walk you through: What pregnancy after loss has honestly felt like for me  The unexpected ways grief has shown up day to day  The coping strategies I've been relying on during this season  The "equal and opposite" mindset that helps quiet worst-case-scenario thinking  How to hold space for both fear and hope at the same time If you're navigating infertility, pregnancy after loss, or simply feeling trapped in worst-case-scenario thinking, I hope this episode helps you feel a little less alone and a little more able to hold onto hope.If you’re navigating miscarriage and/or TTC after loss and you'd like support from our team, you can schedule a consultation call directly with me through the link below.Click HERE to apply to work with us (first step is that consultation call with me to make a game plan).

In today’s episode, I’m sharing the story of one of our clients who came to us after nearly 2 years of infertility, a missed miscarriage, 3 failed IUIs, and an unsuccessful attempt at starting IVF because her body simply wasn’t responding to stimulation medications the way it should.After being told IVF was essentially her only option, she felt stuck. Like she had reached the end of the road. If IVF wasn't working....what would?!But once we ran a deeper, more comprehensive look at her foundational health, we uncovered several major patterns that had never been addressed:Significant insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunctionHigh systemic inflammationMineral depletion from chronic stressNutrient deficiencies impacting ovarian function and implantationGut and foundational health issues affecting overall fertility resilienceIn this episode, I walk you through:Why “normal labs” often miss major fertility roadblocksThe connection between insulin resistance and ovarian responseHow inflammation can interfere with implantation and egg qualityWhy foundational health matters for both natural conception and IVF outcomesThe exact areas we focused on in her personalized treatment planAnd most importantly… I share the incredible update she gave me after implementing her protocol for just one month:Her body is now responding appropriately to IVF stimulation meds. This means IVF is now a viable option, and she once again has hope that having a child is possible for her.This episode is for anyone who feels like they’ve run out of options, feels defeated after failed fertility treatments, or has been told to just “keep trying.”There is always a reason the body is struggling.And there are often answers that haven’t been uncovered yet.If you’d like support from our team, you can schedule a consultation call directly with me through the link below.Click HERE to apply to work with us (first step is that consultation call with me to make a game plan).

When I asked my doctor if there was any testing we should do, I was told two things:• Labs aren’t usually run until after three miscarriages • Even if we did test, there isn’t much we could look forBut from a functional fertility perspective, that simply isn’t true.In this episode, I’m walking you through the exact lab panel I ran after my miscarriage and the key insights it revealed... including thyroid dysfunction, immune stress, and mineral deficiencies that could impact early pregnancy.More importantly, I’m sharing why these markers matter for implantation, early pregnancy, and miscarriage risk, and how this information is guiding my own fertility protocol moving forward.Because when you understand what your body is telling you, you can stop guessing... and start making intentional changes that support getting and staying pregnant.In This Episode We Cover• Why conventional medicine rarely investigates miscarriage until after multiple losses • The functional fertility lab panel I ran after my miscarriage • How immune function impacts implantation and miscarriage risk • Why blood sugar and metabolic health matter for early pregnancy • The connection between liver function, detox pathways, and hormone balance • Why thyroid health is one of the biggest factors in sustaining pregnancy • Signs of cellular energy dysfunction that can affect embryo development • The critical roles of copper and zinc in implantation and placental development • Why progesterone production depends on mineral balance • The overlooked role of male factor fertility and why semen analysis matters • How lab data can provide clarity and peace of mind after pregnancy lossThe Biggest Findings From My LabsThe most important patterns that showed up in my results were:• Signs of immune system strain • Suboptimal thyroid function by functional standards • Struggles with cellular energy production • Low levels of two key fertility minerals: copper and zincThese are all factors that can directly influence implantation, progesterone signaling, placental development, and early embryo growth.Want to Run These Labs for Yourself?If you're navigating fertility struggles or pregnancy loss and want real answers about what's happening in your body, I created a Functional Fertility Lab Bundle that includes:• The complete fertility lab panel discussed in this episode • A recorded lab analysis from one of our fertility practitioners • A personalized action plan based on your results • A live Q&A call to walk through your protocolLink to grab the bundle is HERE.Resources Mentioned• Episode 5: The Labs to Order If You've Had One or Several Miscarriages • Episode 7: Low Progesterone? Here's How to Tell, Test, & Fix It (Without Missing the Root Cause) • At-home semen analysis used in this episode (my link gives you 15% off): Bird&BeIf you found this episode helpful, please follow, rate, and review the podcast. Your support helps more women find the answers they deserve on their fertility journey. 🤍

If you’ve ever been told your progesterone is “fine,” been prescribed progesterone without much explanation, or you’re stuck wondering why supplementing isn’t moving the needle...this episode is for you.Today I’m breaking down what progesterone is, what it does for implantation and pregnancy, how to tell when it’s low, the right  time to test it, and the biggest missing piece: low progesterone is usually not the root cause...it’s a signal to look upstream.You’ll also learn the three common categories that progesterone issues fall into (and what each one looks like when you’re tracking your cycle), plus a crucial warning about taking progesterone at the wrong time.In this episode, we cover:What progesterone is and where it’s made (and when the placenta takes over in pregnancy)Why progesterone is essential for implantation, immune tolerance, and reducing uterine contractionsThe most common signs progesterone may be low (including luteal phase length + spotting)How to use basal body temperature (BBT) patterns to assess progesterone trendsThe biggest testing mistake I see: testing progesterone on the wrong cycle dayWestern vs functional progesterone ranges (luteal phase + early pregnancy)Why one blood draw isn’t the whole story (progesterone is pulsed)Root causes of low progesterone: ovulation quality, thyroid, gut hormone clearance, inflammation, blood sugar, nutrients, stress, and sleepWhy bioidentical/supplemental progesterone doesn’t always “fix” itA very important PSA: using progesterone at the wrong time can work against conceptionListener Q&A:“Can it hurt to take progesterone if I’m not sure I need it?”“What if progesterone is okay but estrogen is high in comparison?”Key takeawaysProgesterone is a downstream marker. If it’s low, the goal is to identify what’s driving it.Timing matters. The best time to test progesterone is 5–7 days after confirmed ovulation (not a blanket “cycle day 21”).Tracking gives context. BBT patterns, cycle length, symptoms, and tools like Inito can help you see what’s happening across the whole cycle.Supplementation isn’t a shortcut. If the root cause is thyroid dysfunction, inflammation, blood sugar issues, gut dysbiosis, nutrient depletion, or chronic stress, progesterone alone may not be enough.Want to go deeper?If you’re ready to stop guessing and look upstream, the Functional Fertility Lab Bundle  is your next stop. The bundle includes comprehensive fertility labs, a recorded lab review, a personalized action plan, and a live call with our team. ➡️ Link to grab the bundle HERE.👉 Want to chat with Caitria directly, to discuss your case and build out a fertility optimization plan that will set you up to get and stay pregnant? Apply to work with us one-on-one HEREResources mentioned in this episode:Basal Body Temperature thermometer linked HEREInito fertility tracker linked HERE (use code CAITRIA89 for 40% off)If you loved this episode…Follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend who’s been told “everything looks normal” but knows something is off.Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not medical advice.

After three miscarriages, being told her labs were “normal,” and trying everything she’d been told should work… this client finally found the missing pieces that allowed her to get - and stay - pregnant.In this episode, I’m walking you through a real functional fertility case study... including the exact labs we ran, the root causes we uncovered, and how a personalized, strategic protocol helped her move from recurrent loss to a healthy second-trimester pregnancy.If you’ve experienced recurrent miscarriage, unexplained infertility, hormone imbalance, thyroid issues, or gut health struggles, this episode will help you understand why deeper testing and a root-cause approach can make all the difference.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why “normal” fertility labs can still hide major red flagsThe overlooked connection between chronic stress, cortisol, and progesteroneHow H. pylori and gut infections can impact nutrient absorption, inflammation, and implantationThe role of vitamin D, zinc, and magnesium in sustaining early pregnancyHow microbiome imbalances influence estrogen metabolism and immune signalingWhat low secretory IgA means for fertility and miscarriage riskWhy thyroid conversion issues can exist even when TSH looks perfectThe exact order we used to rebuild this client’s fertility foundationThe BackstoryThis client came to us after:3 pregnancy losses“Unexplained infertility”Slightly low AMH and elevated FSHExtensive supplement routines that weren’t workingThrough comprehensive functional fertility testing, we discovered:✔️ Adrenal and systemic stress patterns ✔️ Low vitamin D, zinc, and magnesium ✔️ H. pylori infection and inflammatory bacteria ✔️ Depleted beneficial gut microbes ✔️ Low mucosal immune resilience (secretory IgA) ✔️ Sneaky hypothyroid patterns impacting energy and progesterone signalingInstead of chasing symptoms, we rebuilt her foundation... starting with digestion, nutrients, and nervous system support before addressing infections and hormones.Two cycles later, she conceived.She is now in her second trimester with a healthy, growing baby.Recurrent miscarriage is rarely caused by just one issue.Often, it’s a combination of:Gut healthImmune regulationNutrient statusThyroid functionNervous system stressThis episode gives you a real look at how functional fertility work identifies and addresses the deeper layers that conventional testing often misses.You are not broken...and you are not out of options.Want us to run (and analyze) these labs for you too?The Functional Fertility Lab Bundle is exactly what you've been looking for.Inside, you’ll receive:Comprehensive fertility lab testingA detailed functional analysisA personalized protocolExpert guidance so you can stop guessing and start healing👉 CLICK HERE to grab the bundle👉 Want to chat with Caitria directly, to discuss your case and build out a fertility optimization plan that will set you up to get and stay pregnant? Apply to work with us one-on-one HERERelated Episode🎧 Episode 5: The most important labs for recurrent miscarriage linked HERE⭐️ If this episode resonated with you, please follow, rate, and review the podcast. Your support helps more women find real answers beyond “everything looks normal.”

We’re getting super nerdy in this episode...but the goal is clarity, not overwhelm. I’m walking you through the key “puzzle pieces” that matter for getting and staying pregnant, and why so many of them are routinely overlooked in conventional care.If you’ve ever been told your labs are “normal” after a loss OR even more likely...you were told there's no reason to run labs until you've had MORE losses… this one is for you.In this episode, we cover:Why thyroid function is a foundational regulator of fertility (and why TSH alone can miss dysfunction)The thyroid labs that give a fuller picture (T4/T3, free vs total, T3 uptake, reverse T3)Why thyroid antibodies (TPO + thyroglobulin) matter for implantation and miscarriage riskIron status beyond ferritin: serum iron + TIBC/UIBC + transport/utilization patternsWhy vitamin A, copper, and ceruloplasmin can be the “missing link” in iron issuesIron sequestration: why the body may “hide” iron when infections/pathogens are presentCBC + CMP as foundational labs for blood, immune patterns, and overall terrainInflammation markers: CRP and ESR (and why the next step is identifying the root cause)Metabolic health and miscarriage: fasting glucose, insulin, and A1CNutrients that matter: vitamin D, magnesium (RBC magnesium), zincHomocysteine: methylation, inflammation, oxidative stress, and blood flow to the placentaWhy leptin and cholesterol can offer additional clues in root-cause fertility workMale factor: why a semen analysis (ideally including DNA fragmentation) deserves a seat at the tableResources mentioned:Bird&Be at-home semen analysis linked HEREAt-home semen analysis with DNA fragmentation linked HERE CLICK HERE to grab our Functional Fertility Lab Bundle, including the exact labs Caitria evaluates for all her fertility clients.Want this level of root cause-focused functional insight on your fertility journey? Apply to work with us one-on-one HERENext episode:I’m sharing a client story: multiple miscarriages, told IVF was her only option, and what happened when we ran functional fertility labs, identified the real blockers, and addressed them. Spoiler alert...she’s now in her second trimester of pregnancy 🥳

If you’ve had one loss, or several, and you’ve been told it was “just bad luck” and to call your doctor when you’re pregnant again… this episode is for you.In Episode 4, Caitria breaks down why you don’t have to accept statistics-based advice as your truth, and how to start rebuilding from the inside out after loss. We talk about the mental spiral of “what ifs,” how to gently rewrite the stories running in the background, and the practical, grounded foundations that help your physical body feel safe enough to cycle, conceive, and stay pregnant again.In this episode, we cover:How to listen to your gut when medical advice doesn’t feel right in your bodyThe what-if spiral... and why it’s human (not something to shame yourself for)The mindset shift that changes everything: stories vs facts (and how to rewrite the ones that aren’t serving you)“Equal and opposite” thinking: making space for best-case scenario without denying realityBrain dump journaling: a simple, powerful way to unload the mental heaviness (timer + pen + paper)The “what am I making this mean?” tool... and how to interrupt the belief that your body can’t be trustedPost-loss care as a season of internal winter: warmth, restoration, slowness, and deep nourishmentNutrition basics that matter more than supplements right nowWhy this is not the time for detoxes, cleanses, keto, or extreme protocols... even if the marketing makes it temptingCommon “funky” post-loss symptoms (jawline acne, night sweats, headaches, digestive changes, fatigue, irritability, sleep disruption)...and why they don’t have to mean something is "wrong"Movement after loss: walking, gentle strength, Pilates/yoga... only as energy returnsWhy acupuncture can be an incredibly supportive regulation tool in this seasonA preview of next episode: the exact labs Caitria recommends post-lossResources & Next StepsCLICK HERE to grab our Functional Fertility Lab Bundle, including the exact labs Caitria evaluates for all her fertility clients.Want this level of root cause-focused functional insight on your fertility journey? Apply to work with us one-on-one HEREIf this episode hit home…Share it with a friend who’s been told to “just try again,” or leave a review... it helps this podcast reach the people who need it most.Listen to Episode 5 next: We’re getting specific... the exact labs to run post-loss, why they matter for fertility, and how to interpret them.

Miscarriage doesn’t just break your heart...it messes with your mind.In this episode, Caitria talks about the mental spiral that can follow pregnancy loss: the isolation (whether people know or don’t), the urge to numb, the frantic need to “do something,” and the invisible beliefs that start running in the background.She shares the inner work she’s doing in real time... auditing limiting stories, releasing guilt, refusing to let “what-ifs” take over, and finding a balance between aligned action and surrender. You’ll hear practical nervous system tools that are actually doable in early grief, including a simple daily check-in practice and her brain-dump journaling method for clearing mental clutter.This is an honest, permission-giving episode for anyone who feels like miscarriage turned their brain into a battlefield... and wants a way back to safety inside their body.In This Episode, You’ll Hear:Why miscarriage can feel isolating whether people know or notThe difference between numbing pain vs. learning to sit with itHow our brains jump to “fixing” (food, supplements, trackers) to avoid feelingWhy belief work and nervous system safety matter for fertility and healingTwo personal stories Caitria noticed after loss:The “I’m older than I was last time” storyline, and how she reframed itFeeling guilt for getting pregnant easily, and rewriting worthinessA powerful self-inquiry practice:“What do I actually believe about my ability to get and stay pregnant?”“What am I afraid might happen if I do? If I don’t?”“And what else?” (layer by layer)Her stance on “what-if” thoughts... and why she refuses to let them run the showA simple visualization tool for intrusive thoughts (the balloon exercise)How she’s avoiding panic purchasing and frantic actionThe balance: do what you can, then practice letting goA daily nervous system question that keeps her grounded: “What do I need today?”The journaling method she’s using to stop thoughts from “living rent-free”:3–5 minute timerpen and paper onlydon’t lift the pen, don’t edit, just dump it outKey TakeawaysYou can take supportive action without taking frantic action.“This isn’t your fault” can be true and you can still choose to heal intentionally.The goal isn’t controlling every variable... it’s building safety, nourishment, and resilience.Sometimes the most powerful practice is simple: check in daily, listen, and follow through.Mentioned Tools & PracticesLimiting-belief “audit” + reframes“And what else?” self-inquiry techniqueBalloon visualization for releasing intrusive thoughtsDaily check-in: “What do I need today?”Brain-dump journaling (3–5 minutes, pen + paper, no editing)Links & ResourcesWant this level of root cause-focused functional insight on your fertility journey? Apply to work with us one-on-one HERE

After experiencing miscarriage, Caitria shares why she’s choosing not to “wait and see” or accept the idea that nothing can be (or should be) done.In this episode, she walks through her personal loss, the outdated recommendation to wait for multiple miscarriages before testing, and the specific labs she’s choosing to run to better understand her fertility physiology. You’ll hear how she’s approaching both her own health and her partner’s health, why collecting data feels empowering rather than fear-based, and how she’s deciding when (and how) to try again.This is a grounded, honest conversation about moving from helplessness to informed action...without blame, without rushing, and without bypassing the emotional reality of loss.In This Episode, Caitria Discusses:Finding out she was pregnant and later learning there was no heartbeatBeing told miscarriage was “most likely chromosomal” and that testing requires three lossesWhy the three-miscarriage rule is driven by insurance and statistics, not individualized careThe difference between “this isn’t your fault” and “there’s nothing we can do”Why she’s choosing to gather data now instead of flying blindThe exact labs she plans to run after miscarriageWhy a full thyroid panel matters for miscarriage risk (not just TSH)Why a comprehensive iron panel matters (not just ferritin)The role of vitamin D, blood sugar, and metabolic health in fertilityWhy her husband is doing a semen analysis...even though it isn’t “medically necessary”How they’re using hormone tracking (Inito + basal body temperature)The emotional pull to immediately try again...and why she chose to pauseDeciding to take one cycle off while gathering dataThe importance of nervous system and emotional healing alongside physical testingWhat she’ll cover in the next episodeLabs Mentioned in This EpisodeFull thyroid panel: TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, TPO antibodies, Thyroglobulin antibodiesFull iron panel: Serum iron, Ferritin, TIBC, Iron saturation, Ceruloplasmin, Vitamin AVitamin DFasting glucoseFasting insulinHemoglobin A1CComprehensive metabolic panelMagnesiumZincSemen analysis (partner)Key TakeawayYou don’t have to blame yourself...and you don’t have to do nothing.Gathering information can be an act of self-respect, not fear. It can be a way to move forward with clarity, intention, and compassion for yourself after loss.Links & ResourcesWant this level of root cause-focused functional insight on your fertility journey? Apply to work with us one-on-one HERE