176: Is 'lose weight first' really necessary? Rethinking weight & fertility with Dr. Rani

What if getting pregnant on your very first try wasn't about luck, but strategy? In today's episode, I sit down with my client Jem, a London-based TV producer and hypnotherapist whose fertility story might just change how you think about preconception. Instead of waiting to struggle, Jem decided to take control long before she started trying for a baby. Through functional lab testing, she uncovered hidden imbalances in her gut and hormones and what she did next set the stage for a shockingly fast conception. But it wasn't just science that made the difference. Jem's commitment to mindset, visualization, and belief helped her align her body and mind in powerful ways. You'll hear how her uniquely proactive plan not only accelerated her path to pregnancy but also reshaped her relationship with her body and what she thought was possible. Tune in to find out the exact moment everything clicked and what she discovered that helped her get pregnant on the very first try. If you're LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below.  PLUS FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM PAGE HERE FOR BITE SIZED TTC TIPS! Related Episode Links: CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MARCH BRONZE PACKAGE (limited spots available) For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/180  Previous Bronze Package Success Stories: Ep 177 - She stopped progesterone suppositories & got pregnant naturally + Jenn's Story Ep 157: Persistence Pays Off: How Rose got pregnant after overcoming fertility barriers Ep 148: Naturally pregnant at 37 after healing chronic BV, gut inflammation and hormone imbalance + Damaris's Story Ep 118: What to do when you've been told you can't get pregnant + Kira's Story Ep 115: Low progesterone, egg quality + Mel's Story Ep 105: How she got pregnant naturally after 8 years with an AMH of 0.18 Need Nora's Support To Get Pregnant? Click here for a collection of Nora's best self paced programs to get & stay pregnant Missed the Bronze Package Launch and still looking for support? → Apply for Private Fertility Coaching with Nora here 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.  

If you've ever walked out of an appointment being told "everything looks fine, just keep trying," but deep down you knew there was more to the story, this episode is for you. Today, I'm taking you behind the scenes of what it's really like to work with me inside private, functional fertility coaching, how we move beyond basic blood work and five‑minute check‑ins, and instead piece together your unique fertility story with curiosity, compassion and strategy.  You'll hear how I step into fertility "FBI mode," how I support both you and your partner, and why this kind of guidance can change not only your chances of getting and staying pregnant, but the long‑term health of both you and your partner and your future baby. Stay tuned, because by the end of this episode, you might recognize exactly what's been missing on your TTC journey and what it could feel like to finally have someone in your corner. If you're LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below. PLUS FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM PAGE HERE FOR BITE SIZED TTC TIPS! Related Episode Links: CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE MARCH BRONZE PACKAGE (limited spots available) For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/179  Need Nora's Support To Get Pregnant? Click here for a collection of Nora's best self paced programs to get & stay pregnant Apply for Private Fertility Coaching with Nora here 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.  

Pregnancy test day can feel like one of the most emotionally charged days of your entire fertility journey, where hope, fear, and everything in between collide in a single moment. In today's episode, you'll be gently guided through how to prepare your heart and nervous system for that day so it feels more intentional and supported, rather than chaotic and overwhelming. Together, we'll walk through what to do before, during, and after test day, whether your result is positive or negative, so you leave with a grounded game plan, language to use with yourself and others, and a deeper sense that your reactions are normal, understandable, and worthy of compassion.  Episode Highlights: Why test day feels so big What you can do before test day to support yourself How to handle the day itself How to care for your heart if it's positive How to care for your heart if it's negative And how to lean on support without feeling like a burden If you're LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below. PLUS FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM PAGE HERE FOR BITE SIZED TTC TIPS! Related Episode Links: CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE MARCH BRONZE PACKAGE (limited spots available) For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/178   Need Nora's Support To Get Pregnant? Click here for a collection of Nora's best self paced programs to get & stay pregnant Apply for Private Fertility Coaching with Nora here 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.  

In today's episode, I feature a private coaching client Jenn, who shares her three-year journey to pregnancy while navigating a PCOS diagnosis. She recounts her frustrating experiences with conventional medicine, which often left her feeling dismissed and hopeless. After taking her health into her own hands and working with Nora, Jenn learned to understand her body, stopped treatments that were masking the root issues, and successfully conceived naturally. Her story is a powerful testament to self-advocacy. Episode Highlights: Meet Jenn, a dedicated teacher whose fertility journey took unexpected turns after coming off birth control. What started as a quest to start a family became a battle for answers after a rushed PCOS diagnosis and a series of medical frustrations. Determined to take charge of her health, Jenn dives into research, challenges her diagnosis, and begins exploring holistic and alternative care. Her search leads her to Nora, whose guidance helps uncover the truth about Jenn's body and a powerful shift in her fertility story. From heartbreak to healing, Jenn opens up about loss, resilience, and the life-changing moment she realized her body could do what she once thought it couldn't. Now in her third trimester, Jenn shares what pregnancy with PCOS really looks like, and the empowering mindset that's carried her through. Her journey is a reminder that reclaiming your health starts with self-advocacy, patience, and trust in your body's wisdom. If you're LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below. PLUS FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM PAGE HERE FOR BITE SIZED TTC TIPS! Related Episode Links: CLICK HERE FOR MARCH BRONZE PACKAGE WAITLIST (limited spots available) For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/177 Need Nora's Support To Get Pregnant? Click here for a collection of Nora's best self paced programs to get & stay pregnant Apply for Private Fertility Coaching with Nora here 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.  

In today's episode, Dr. Rani, a physician and healthcare technology leader, discusses the nuanced relationship between weight management and fertility.  She advocates for a holistic definition of "healthy weight" that prioritizes overall well-being over a simple number on the scale.  Our conversation covers how weight impacts both natural conception and assisted reproductive technologies, highlights key health markers to monitor, and stresses the importance of treating weight-related issues as medical conditions without shame.  Dr. Rani concludes with powerful advice on prioritizing mental and emotional preparedness for anyone on the path to parenthood. If you're LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below.  PLUS FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM PAGE HERE FOR BITE SIZED TTC TIPS! Related Episode Links: Apply for Private Fertility Coaching with Nora here Click here for a collection of Nora's best self paced programs to get & stay pregnant For full show notes and guest related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/176 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.  

Imagine feeling so sick during pregnancy that even water won't stay down, that's Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), a severe form of morning sickness that can leave women bedridden and depleted. But what if HG isn't just bad luck or genetics? In today's episode, I sit down with Jes Reynolds, who challenges the common myths surrounding HG and reveals how it often signals deeper physiological imbalances, from nutrient deficiencies to hidden toxicities. Together, we explore how holistic preconception prep can transform the way women experience pregnancy, showing that fertility, morning sickness and HG are reflections of overall health, not isolated conditions. Episode Highlights: What is HG? Hyperemesis Gravidarum and how is it different than regular morning sickness? Think HG is purely genetic? Jes challenges that belief, diving into the surprising role of epigenetics and why your genes aren't the full story Discover why HG might be more common and more misunderstood than you think Jes reveals the subtle health clues that may signal increased HG risk and shares how fertility and pregnancy symptoms mirror our overall health What if morning sickness wasn't random, but a message from your body? Learn how deeper imbalances and deficiencies could be at play Jes explains how proactive preconception work can create a healthier pregnancy and even influence future generations If you're LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below.  PLUS FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM PAGE HERE FOR BITE SIZED TTC TIPS! Related Episode Links: Apply for Private Fertility Coaching with Nora here Click here for a collection of Nora's best self paced programs to get & stay pregnant For full show notes and guest related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/175  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.  

If you're gearing up for IUI, IVF, ICSI, a frozen transfer, or even just thinking about stepping into a fertility clinic, this episode is going to completely change how you think about "getting ready" for treatment. Instead of hoping the right protocol or clinic is enough, you'll learn how to turn the months before treatment into one of the most powerful tools you have to influence egg and sperm quality, implantation, and live birth. You'll also get a peek inside my brand‑new Fertility Treatment Prep Program and how it walks you through my 3 core non negotiable pillars for treatment success, so you aren't piecing this together alone from Google and Instagram. Episode Highlights: Why most clinics don't have the time or structure to guide you through full‑body preparation and what that means for your results. What IUI and IVF success rates by age actually look like, and how lifestyle and health status can shift those odds. The critical 90‑day window: how egg and sperm development, gut health, and immune balance are shaped months before treatment. How lowering systemic inflammation can improve implantation, pregnancy, and live birth rates in IVF. Why oxidative stress damages eggs and sperm and how strengthening antioxidant defenses can protect DNA and support better outcomes. The role of the immune system, gut–liver axis, and vaginal/uterine microbiome in creating a truly receptive environment for embryo transfer. How the Fertility Treatment Prep Program turns these into a step‑by‑step, partner‑friendly roadmap you can layer alongside your clinic plan If you're LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below.  PLUS FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM PAGE HERE FOR BITE SIZED TTC TIPS! Related Links: Get your Fertility Treatment Prep Program here Need 1:1 support?  Apply for Private Fertility Coaching with Nora here For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/174  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.  

In today's episode, I sit down with OB-GYN Dr. Hannah Ryles to explore how exercise and movement can powerfully boost fertility for both men and women. We dive into tailored exercise guidelines for preconception, spotlighting the differences for healthy weight versus those managing metabolic or inflammatory conditions, and unpack the benefits of cycle-syncing workouts. Dr. Ryles also shares insights on how men can support their fertility through movement, while highlighting what to avoid. Above all, we discuss how exercise, mindfulness, and stress management can transform reproductive health into a nurturing, empowering journey, even during IVF. Episode Highlights: Discover how Dr. Hannah Ryles, a University of Chicago OB-GYN and advisor for Expect Fitness, is redefining what movement means for women in every stage of their reproductive journey. Learn how her early years in Japan shaped her unique perspective on exercise and why her medical training revealed striking differences in how active women experience pregnancy, labor, and recovery. Unpacking the myth that exercise has to mean "hard workouts" while also exploring how joyful, everyday movement can transform not just fitness, but fertility. Dr. Ryles shares her expert take on how to move intentionally during preconception, what activity levels best support women with conditions like PCOS or endometriosis, and how tuning into your body (and cycle) can guide your energy and intensity. You'll also hear how movement can calm inflammation, support hormonal balance, and even play a role in IVF success, plus what men need to know about exercise and fertility (and what to avoid). Finally, a powerful client story reminds us that fertility thrives on balance Dr. Ryles leaves listeners with a vital message about movement and fertility If you're LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below. PLUS FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM PAGE HERE FOR BITE SIZED TTC TIPS! Related Episode Links: Apply for Private Fertility Coaching with Nora here Click here for a collection of Nora's best self paced programs to get & stay pregnant For full show notes and guest related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/173  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.

Low AMH and "diminished ovarian reserve" can feel like a fertility dead end, but they're not the full story. In this episode, you'll learn what those numbers actually mean, how much they really say about your chances of getting pregnant (naturally or with treatment), and the most powerful levers you still have control over so you can move forward feeling informed, hopeful, and in the driver's seat of your journey. Episode Highlights: Why "low ovarian reserve" is often misunderstood, and what your egg numbers actually look like across your reproductive lifespan, without the fear‑based spin. The real role of AMH: how it was designed to be used in fertility medicine, what it can and can't tell you about your ability to conceive, and why it's not the final verdict on your fertility. Myth‑busting low AMH: how some people still conceive naturally with low numbers, and which key factors matter just as much (if not more) than that single lab result. Your path forward: how to think through natural conception vs IVF/IUI when you have low reserve, and why there isn't one "right" choice, only the right strategy for you. Science‑backed strategies to support egg and sperm health when every cycle counts, including often‑overlooked lifestyle levers that can shift the odds in your favor. A sneak peek at how the Fertility Treatment Prep Program and 1:1 coaching can help you turn this data into an actual game plan If you're LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below. PLUS FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM PAGE HERE FOR BITE SIZED TTC TIPS! Related Links: Need 1:1 support? Apply for Private Fertility Coaching with Nora here Looking to do it on your own? Click here for a collection of Nora's best self paced programs to help you get & stay pregnant Client success stories who naturally conceived with low AMH Ep 148: Naturally pregnant at 37 after healing chronic BV, gut inflammation and hormone imbalance + Damaris's Story Ep 105: How she got pregnant naturally after 8 years & an AMH of 0.18 Ep 118: What to do when you've been told you can't get pregnant + Kira's story For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/172 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.  

Happy New Year, my friends, and welcome to Season 5 of the Ultimate Pregnancy Prep Podcast and to 2026. This year is all about intention, strategy, and evidence-based steps to help you finally move the needle on your fertility. In today's episode, I'm walking you through my top 3 things to do if you've been trying to get pregnant without success, and my top 3 things to do if you're just getting started or planning to start trying in the next few months. We'll talk about the gut–fertility connection, the reality of the ongoing sperm crisis, functional hormone testing, and the key foundations you can put in place now to support a healthy conception later. Recent research continues to highlight the gut microbiome, inflammation, and environmental exposures as central players in fertility outcomes, which means there is so much you can do to support your body this year. If you're LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below. PLUS FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM PAGE HERE FOR BITE SIZED TTC TIPS! Related Episode Links: Apply for Private Fertility Coaching with Nora here Get access to The Get Pregnant Program here, Nora's 12-week signature, self guided online program  Get access to The Fertility Bloodlabs Blueprint Guide here Click here for a collection of Nora's best self paced programs to get & stay pregnant For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/171 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.