The Ultimate Pregnancy Prep Podcast

It’s never too early to start preparing your body for pregnancy. In today’s episode, I interview my client Allie, who intentionally started preparing her body for pregnancy one year in advance. Allie used her menstrual cycle as her fifth vital sign to recognize hormonal imbalances and wanted to make sure she addressed them before she was ready to start actively trying. Our conversation dives into her experiences with coming off birth control, dealing with uncomfortable monthly symptoms and how we worked together to make the necessary changes to heal her body and get her ready for pregnancy.

Episode Highlights:

• Allie's journey of preparing for pregnancy and addressing health issues post-birth contro
• Challenges with symptoms like painful ovulation, spotting, and headache
• Seeking medical advice for suspected endometriosis and reluctance to undergo surgery
• Making lifestyle changes to manage symptoms and optimize health for conception
• The role of a fertility coach in understanding cycles, interpreting body cues, and adjusting nutrition
• How she improved her luteal phase
• Allie’s use of the online portal for education, lifestyle recommendations, and support between sessions

Click here for MINI Private Coaching Package with Nora (expires Thursday March 14, 2024)

For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/92

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.

Hormone optimization is a key component of health and fertility. So when we are ready to start preparing for pregnancy, most of us ask the doctor to run some blood labs to check our hormone levels to make sure we’re in the clear and ready for baby making. But, there are considerable limitations when it comes to hormone testing through blood labs.  In today’s episode you’re going to learn why blood labs for hormone testing are not ideal and what other options are available to help you improve your fertility outcomes to help you get pregnant.

Episode Highlights:

• How to test hormones for fertility and reproductive health
• The benefits and limitations of blood testing for reproductive hormone
• The benefits and limitations of saliva testing for reproductive hormone
• The gold standard for hormone testing with dried urine
• Why it's essential to look at hormones and their metabolites for fertility
• Telltale signs that you need further in depth hormone testing 

Looking for my 1:1 Private Coaching program - Click Here

For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/91

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 are listening to this, you have a big baby dream in your heart.  I've helped countless women in their thirties and forties on the journey to motherhood with my holistic health programs, and now it's your turn, I got you my friend. Since The Get Pregnant Program launched in the early new year, I’ve been getting lots of personal questions about the program.  In today’s episode, I'm excited to share more details about this program to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.

Episode Highlights:

• Why I created The Get Pregnant program
• What’s included in the program (week by week breakdown)
• How to access the program
• Options for 1:1 personalized support while in the program
• Who the program is best suited for
• Who the program is not for
• How to access functional lab tests while in the program

Related Links

• Get access to The Get Pregnant Program Here
• Looking for my 1:1 Private Coaching program - Click Here

For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/90

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.

Are you ready to dive into the world of preconception fitness with expert Nicole Scheitlin? Get ready for some valuable insights and tips on how movement can be your best medicine when preparing for pregnancy.  In today’s episode, I interview Nicole, a Certified Exercise Physiologist and pre/postnatal fitness specialist. We discuss the importance of how movement is used to improve fertility outcomes and why along with different examples of how you can move each week to support your hormones for that positive pregnancy test. 

Episode Highlights:

• Importance of exercise in pre-pregnancy and fertility
• Role of exercise in hormone health and insulin sensitivity
• Different modalities of exercise for preconception, including strength training and aerobic activities
• The concept of the hormone hierarchy and how exercise affects different tiers of hormone health
• Signs of over-exercising and the impact on fertility
• The significance of core and pelvic floor exercises in pre and postnatal health
• Benefits of incorporating breathing exercises like 360 breathing for stress reduction and hormone balance

Related Links:

• Access The Get Pregnant Program Here
• For full show notes and more related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/89

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.

Healing the body and preparing for pregnancy is not about working harder focused on the wrong things, it's about working smarter while focusing on the right things. When it comes time to building our families, a lot of us go on all in on all the things we think we need to do to get us pregnant. But, what if going all in is not actually supporting your unique fertility needs? In today’s episode, I share a few client examples of when focusing on something that we think is good for our fertility, actually might not be supporting our fertility.

Related Links:

• Apply here for private coaching with Nora - Master Your Cycle To Get Pregnant Program
• Download your FREE guide on Top 3 Things To Do When You’re Not Getting Pregnant
• Episode 47: Birth Control and Its Impact On Fertility

For full show notes and more related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/88 

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.

Ready to dive into the world of Yoni Mapping? Get ready for an eye-opening conversation with Jules Alma, a holistic doula and menstrual coach.  In today’s episode, you’ll learn how to connect to the nervous system in your yoni and how this profound practice can help you heal, release emotions, improve your menstrual cycle health and help your body prepare for a healthy pregnancy. 

Episode Highlights:

• Jules Alma's journey into Yoni Mapping and holistic women's health
• The difference between Yoni Mapping and Yoni Steaming
• The practice of Yoni Mapping and how it works
• Yoni Mapping as a tool for fertility and preconception care
• Emotional and physical benefits of Yoni Mapping
• Recommendations for women interested in Yoni Mapping
• The impact of Yoni Mapping on menstrual cycles and fertility

For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/87

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 chat with Morgan Skinner, a registered nurse, herbalist and fertility awareness educator and we discuss all things endometriosis. While there is no known cure for endometriosis, Morgan highlights the gold standard treatment of excision surgery.  We dive into the impact of endometriosis on fertility, how it can show up on your cycle charts, how to diagnose it and different strategies to manage this condition. If you have endometriosis or suspect you might have it and are looking to get pregnant, this episode is for you.

Episode Highlights:

• Morgan's personal journey with endometriosis
• Misconceptions about endo symptoms and how they manifest physically
• How to diagnose endometriosis
• The impact of endo on fertility, including distorted anatomy, ovulatory disturbances, and immune dysfunction
• The role of cycle charting in understanding endo and its signs on the chart
• Management strategies for endo, including acupuncture, pelvic floor physical therapy, diet, stress management, sleep, herbal medicine, and therapy

For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/86

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.

Did you know that a mothers nutritional status 3 months prior to conception and during her pregnancy can actually alter her baby’s genes? This concept is known as fetal programming and tells us that what a woman eats within 3 months leading up to conception and also while she is pregnant, has the ability to affect fetal development, the baby’s DNA and their long term health, either increasing or reducing the risk of chronic diseases this baby might have as an adult. In today's episode, I dive into my 4R Nutrition Method on how to eat to get pregnant to help you conceive and have a healthy baby.

Episode Highlights:

• The Get Pregnant Program is here!
• This food compromises gut health and is unfortunately found everywhere
• Learn how many drinks are ok to have when preparing for pregnancy
• These two nutrients are essential for thyroid function
• Understand what food is a non negotiable for thyroid function
• My top food for healing the gut
• 5 simple tips to help regulate blood sugar

Related LInks:

Get $100 OFF The Get Pregnant Program Here - Use coupon code PODCAST100 at checkout

For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/85 

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. Lee shares her personal journey of discovering the impact of oral health on fertility and she shares her mission to help educate others on this topic. Dr. Lee explains how gum infections and imbalances in oral bacteria can affect ovulation, implantation, and pregnancy outcomes. We then dive into the role of inflammation and bacteria in the mouth-body connection and how to test your oral microbiome to see if it's healthy for pregnancy. Dr. Lee also offers some great advice on how to maintain good oral hygiene and how it can support improved fertility outcomes. 

Episode Highlights:

• Learn the connection between oral health and fertility
• How gum infections and imbalances in oral bacteria impact fertility
• The role of inflammation and bacteria in the mouth-body connection
• How to maintain good oral hygiene
• The importance of regular dental check-ups and oral microbiome testing
• Personalized care plans for optimal oral health
• The need for joy, positivity, and trust in the fertility journey

Related LInks:

• Sign up for the FREE Live Masterclass “Top 5 Ways To Prepare For Pregnancy” Here
• For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/84

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 to you! I hope you enjoyed your time over the holidays and welcome to 2024. This is going to be your best year yet and I’m honored to be supporting you on your journey to getting pregnant. In today's episode, I'm going to be sharing some of the top thing you should be doing if you want to get pregnant this year.

Episode Highlights:

• Learn the least expensive, free way to understand your fertility 
• The #1 thing to start doing as you prepare for your pregnancy journey
• How to shift into a pregnancy mindset
• The organ that needs the most love to help support your hormones
• How to replenish your body post pill
• Why getting your partner on board will improve pregnancy outcomes

Related LInks:

Sign up for the FREE Live Masterclass “Top 5 Ways To Prepare For Pregnancy” Here

For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/83

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.

How can we harness more self compassion and refrain from blaming ourselves for fertility challenges?  In today’s episode, I interview Ivy Joeva, a doula and fertility coach who specializes in helping couples find joy while struggling with infertility. Ivy talks about the importance of recognizing and honoring one's own feelings and experiences during this challenging journey and how to properly harness intuition to help navigate this challenging time.. Ivy’s unique approach offers hope and healing in a time that can feel hopeless and heartbreaking.

Episode Highlights:

• How to find joy when struggling to get pregnant: A spiritual approach
• Harnessing the power of intuition and trusting the body's wisdom
• Connecting with your soul baby: A personal journey
• How to navigate fertility challenges and find healing
• Unveiling the spiritual side: A conversation with Ivy

Join The Get Pregnant Program Waitlist here - coming January 2024

For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/82  

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 Ian and Toby, co-directors of Testhim, a UK-based company focused on changing the world of male fertility. Ian and Toby share their personal experiences with male infertility and discuss the lack of support and testing available for men. We discuss the importance of breaking the stigma associated with male fertility and providing men with better access to support and testing. Ian and Toby both provide valuable insights into the significance of male fertility and offer tips for couples who are on the journey to parenthood.

Episode Highlights:

• Breaking the stigma of male fertility: Testhim's Mission
• The Importance of sperm testing and support for men
• Empowering men in fertility, how to break the stigma
• Understanding health and fertility potential for making informed decisions
• Why preconception care is essential for men's health
• Can acupuncture benefit men's fertility?
• Top tips for couples trying to conceive

Master Your Cycle To Get Pregnant Program - Apply here

For full show notes and all related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/81  

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.

I share quite a bit on this podcast on what to do when preparing for pregnancy, but in today’s episode I’m going to share some of the top things to avoid when trying to conceive. 

Episode HIghlights:

• What to look out for with fad diets and taking extreme measures to get pregnant
• The power of your intuition and how it can help you conceive 
• How avoiding these 2 things can make or break your pregnancy prep journey
• Why following too many fertility expert accounts can hinder your pregnancy prep
• Why putting your life on hold should be avoided as you try for a baby

Related Links: Join The Get Pregnant Program Waitlist here - coming January 2024

For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/80

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 Dr. Marcy Crouch, a doctorate level physical therapist specializing in women's health and we discuss the importance of pelvic floor therapy for women, particularly during the preconception phase and throughout pregnancy. We dive into the functions of the pelvic floor muscles, the changes they undergo during pregnancy, the common dysfunctions that can occur, and the importance of proactive pelvic floor care. 

Episode Highlights:  

• Marcy Crouch’s fertility story and her background in physical therapy and women's health
• The functions of the pelvic floor muscles and their importance
• The impact of pregnancy on the pelvic floor muscles
• The prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunction and its long-term effects
• The importance of pelvic floor health during the preconception phase
• Tips for assessing pelvic floor health and seeking therapy
• The challenges of accessibility and affordability in pelvic floor therapy

Related Links:

• Join The Get Pregnant Program Waitlist here - coming January 2024
• Website | www.thedowntheredoc.com & www.marcycrouch.com
• Instagram | @thedowntheredoc

For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/79

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.

Your menstrual cycle responds to a wide variety of lifestyle factors. Although you may see improvements from making dietary changes, its not always enough. In today's episode I dive into the important lifestyle factor of sleep and supporting your circadian rhythm has on your fertility. I share what circadian rhythm is, how it affects your fertility and what you can do to improve fertility outcomes by focusing on sleep hygiene and supporting your circadian rhythm.

Episode Highlights:

• How our circadian rhythm influences our reproductive hormones
• Understanding ‘diurnal cortisol’ and how it impacts our sleep and fertility
• Red flags to be aware of that indicate you might have hormonal imbalance
• The impact of evening light exposure on ovarian function
• The best night time ritual to help support circadian rhythm
• How morning sunshine exposure improves ovarian function
• How to test your diurnal cortisol to expedite your hormonal healing

Related Links: In depth hormone testing to help you get pregnant - check out the DUTCH test here

For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/78

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 Kit Maloney, the founder of Kitara, a company that specializes in products and services for Yoni Steaming Safely at Home. Kit shares her personal journey from being skeptical about Yoni Steaming to becoming a passionate advocate and practitioner. Today we discuss the benefits of Yoni Steaming for womb health, menstrual cycles, and fertility. 

Episode Highlights:

• Background and personal journey of Kit Maloney, founder of Kitara Yoni Steaming
• Introduction to Yoni Steaming and its benefits
• How Yoni Steaming supports womb health and menstrual cycles
• Using Yoni Steaming for fertility and preconception preparation
• The importance of working with a trained practitioner
• Different herbs used in Yoni Steaming and their effects
• Recommendations for getting started with Yoni Steaming

Get $22 OFF Kitara yoni steam seats, including savings bundles by using code “PreconceptionLove” at checkout

For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/77

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.

Tomorrow I turn 40 and I am stoked about it! I couldn't be happier that I have the privilege to live and experience another birthday and be able to serve my community helping transform and bring new lives into this world.  As an encouragement to you, my friend, and as a reminder of what I’m learning these days, in today’s episode I wanted to share 5 key lessons at the forefront of my mind as I move into the next decade of my life. 

Episode Highlights:

• The impact of not trusting yourself and seeking external validation
• The brilliant capacity for the human body to heal 
• The self you were yesterday, is not the self you are today
• How setting boundaries can change your life
• Why I LOVE my period
• Why you never should apologize for who you are

Related Links:

• Celebrate my birthday with me and save 40% on The 14 Day Fertility Cleanse+ Program plus get the Fertility Blood Labs Blueprint Guide for FREE - CLICK HERE
  (offer expires Monday November 6th at 11:59pm EST)

For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/76

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 Arvigo Technique of Maya Abdominal Massage was developed in Belize by Dr. Rosita Arvigo who spent years studying with traditional Mayan Shaman. This therapy is an external, gentle manipulation that helps to reposition internal organs of the digestive and reproductive system and can help with optimizing fertility. In today’s episode I interview Holly Leever, an Arvigo Massage Therapist (among many other things) and we get into all the goodness of what Arvigo massage is, when to use it and how it can help you improve your fertility outcomes.

Episode HIghlights

• What is an Arvigo abdominal massage?
• How it can help reposition a ‘stuck’ uterus
• Different tools to help optimize your womb 
• When to use the Arvigo massage technique when TTC
• The benefits of doing self abdominal massage for fertility
• How to find an Arvigo massage therapist 

For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/75

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.

While getting pregnant is known as the most ‘natural thing in the world’, it doesn’t mean that getting pregnant is always easy. In today’s episode, I’ve put together some of the top fertility myths that I’ve come across, along with misconceptions about fertility and how to prepare for pregnancy. 

Episode Highlights:

• How to identify if red meat is inflammatory
• Do legs up after sex really help you conceive?
• Is dairy bad for fertility?
• What you may not have known about your AMH levels
• Does hormonal birth control impact fertility?
• If it was easy to get pregnant the first time around, it will be easy the second or third time
• Why infertility is not only a female issue

For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/74

Related Links: Apply here for the Master Your Cycle To Get Pregnant Program

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 preparing for pregnancy, it can be confusing to know what blood labs to get, when to test and why certain ones are more important than others. In today’s episode, I interview Dr. Kela Smith and we do a deep dive into the difference between conventional and functional labs, how functional labs work, when they should be utilized and how they can help you get pregnant.

Episode Highlights:

• 10 years ago Kr. Kela Smith faced infertility, what she did next changed everything
• Unlocking fertility, a deeper look at functional labs and how they differ from conventional labs
• Uncovering the hidden connection between gut health and fertility
• How functional labs give you a much more in depth look at your reproductive health
• Cracking the hormone puzzle, the key steps to helping you get pregnant
• What you need to know about functional labs and how they work

For full show notes and related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/73

Apply here for the Master Your Cycle To Get Pregnant Program

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.