Aisha has been using the Fertility Awareness Method for almost 3 years, and she, like most of us who discover fertility awareness, had to share it and give other women the opportunity to learn about it as well, so she started a Facebook Group - Fertility Awareness Method of Birth Control which now has over 1500 members and counting!
In today’s show, we’ll be talking about all about the Fertility Awareness Method, what Aisha’s experience has been like, and what prompted her to start using FAM in the first place!
Topics discussed in today's episode
Connect with Aisha
You can connect with Aisha on the Fertility Awareness Method of Birth Control Facebook Group!
Resources mentioned
Join the community! Find us on the Fertility Friday Facebook Fan Page
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
Kim and her sister Amy are the Red Tent Sisters! The Sisters have created a family business that not only helps women learn holistically (nonhormonal) birth control using the Fertility Awareness Method, but have also been raising awareness about healthy sexuality, and providing women with healthy, environmentally-friendly sex products through their website ecosex.ca. I had Amy on the show a few months ago and we talked all about the Fertility Awareness Method and the effects of long-term birth control use. If you haven't had a chance you can tune into my interview with Amy here.
Kim specializes in the area of healthy sexuality and she has been educating women and men for years on all things sex from gaining confidence in the bedroom to sex toys and everything in between! In today's show, we talk about sexuality, orgasms, female pleasure, and we get into some of the reasons that prevent women from having a truly satisfying sex life.
Topics discussed in today's episode
Connect with Kim
You can connect with Kim on the Red Tent Sister's Website, on ecosex.ca, and on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube!
Resources mentioned
Join the community! Find us on the Fertility Friday Facebook Fan Page
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
You may be familiar with Katie’s extensive work in the Fertility Awareness world. She is the author of several books about Fertility Awareness including The Garden of Fertility, Honoring Our Cycles, and Honoring Our Cycles in Africa. The Garden of Fertility is much more than a “how to” book on Fertility Awareness, it also provides extensive information on how a woman’s menstrual cycle is an indicator of her overall health, and she discusses how various health issues may show up in your charts.
In Katie’s most recent book An Electronic Silent Spring, she focuses on the impact of long-term exposure to Electromagnetic radiation, the same EMR technology that powers all of our wireless devices such as cell phones, computers, iPods, laptops and so much more. In today’s episode we talk about why it’s important for women to learn to chart their cycles for health, regardless of whether or not they are trying to conceive, we talk about the night-lighting technique that helps women to regulate their cycles by alternating complete darkness with light while sleeping, and we also talk about the impact that electromagnetic radiation can have on our fertility.
Topics discussed in today's episode
Connect with Katie
You can connect with Katie on any of her 3 websites: Katie Singer, Garden of Fertility and Electronic Silent Spring.
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
Marc is the founder and Clinical Director of the Reproductive Wellness Clinic in San Diego California. He has extensive experience and expertise in treating and resolving the causes of infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss with classical Acupuncture and Chinese Medicines. A culmination of studying world religions and ancient healing techniques, combined with extensive world travel, gives Marc a unique understanding of the human body and spirit. A Doctor of Acupuncture, Board Certified Herbalist, and Oriental Medicine Practitioner, and Fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine, Marc approaches his patients with an open mind, compassion, and a medically integrative perspective.
In today's show, we talk about the role that acupuncture can play in improving fertility in both women and men. We discuss the importance of seeking assistance early especially if a woman is noticing signs of sub-optimal fertility. We talk about male factor infertility, why it is so important for men to be tested early, and the myth that infertility is a women's issue. After today's show, I'm thinking that a lot more men will be heading out to see their fertility doctor for some basic fertility testing!
Topics discussed in today's episode
Connect with Marc!
You can connect with Marc on his website, his clinic Reproductive Wellness, and on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
Danielle is the first Medical Doctor that I have interviewed on the podcast. Dr. Miller is board certified in Family Medicine and also has additional training as a Natural Procreative Technology Medical Consultant. As a NaPro physician, she has extensive experience in Natural Fertility Awareness and using a natural approach to correct common women’s health disorders. NaPro Technology is a new women's health science that monitors and maintains a woman's reproductive and gynecological health. It provides medical and surgical treatments that cooperate completely with the reproductive system. NaPro Technology Consultants have an extensive understanding of the female reproductive system and the fertility awareness method, and their treatment protocols are informed by the woman's own unique menstrual cycle variations.
NaPro technology is a medical science that is based on the Creighton model of fertility awareness cycle charting. NaPro Physicians and Consultants work with a woman's fertility awareness charts to identify the root causes of fertility challenges and menstrual cycle irregularities and treat them accordingly.
In today's show, we talk about NaPro Technology and how this method uses Fertility Awareness charting to inform diagnostic practices and treatment protocols. We talk about the wealth of information that a trained practitioner can draw from a woman's fertility awareness charts and the benefits of working with a woman's fertility with the intention of addressing the root causes of her cycle irregularities and fertility challenges. We talk about the difference between the way that mainstream medicine treats women's fertility concerns compared to the NaPro model of care.
Topics discussed in today's episode
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
Marie specializes in reproductive health and fertility. She has a Ph.D. in Medical History, she is a certified Pilates instructor who has been teaching for over 16 years, and she is a certified practitioner of Merciér Therapy, an abdominal therapy technique that helps to improve the alignment of the uterus and fallopian tubes, increase circulation, and improve blood flow to the reproductive organs. She has also developed her movement for fertility program which helps women to improve their alignment and improve fertility naturally.
In today's show, we talk about the importance of proper alignment of the body for reproductive health and fertility. We talk about Merciér Therapy and how this non-invasive abdominal therapy can improve a woman's fertility naturally. We also talk about the important role that proper alignment of the body, as well as movement, plays in fertility and the body's natural detoxification process.
Topics discussed in today's episode
Connect with Marie!
You can connect with Marie on her website, and on Facebook and Twitter!
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
In today's episode, Jennifer talks about her experience recently coming off the pill, learning to use the fertility awareness method, as well as getting a PCOS diagnosis along the way. Jennifer has embarked on a journey to improve her fertility naturally and she provides an honest and refreshing perspective on what this process has been like for her- transitioning from hormonal contraceptives while dealing with fertility challenges. Jennifer talks about her experience coming off the pill, and how she discovered that the pill was actually the cause of some of the symptoms that she had been experiencing. This is a great episode for women who are considering coming off the pill and transitioning to the fertility awareness method. I'm sure that Jennifer's experience will really resonate with many women who have recently stopped taking hormonal contraceptives. Enjoy!
Topics discussed in today's episode
Connect with Jennifer!
You can connect with Jennifer on her blog!
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
Franziska is a registered dietician who is a firm believer in the power of carbohydrate restriction for diabetes, pre-diabetes, obesity, weight management, and hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Franziska helps her clients to improve their health through nutrition by helping them to control their blood glucose levels and achieve a healthy weight with a whole foods diet.
In today's show, we'll be talking about the benefits of carbohydrate restriction for weight loss, how to manage food cravings with a whole food diet, and the relationship between PCOS and insulin sensitivity. Franziska talks about her experience transitioning from a vegetarian diet to a whole foods diet, and why she feels better now than she ever did! In her work with clients, Franziska focuses on the benefits of eating a diet that is much lower in carbohydrates than the typical way most of us eat. In today's episode, Franziska talks about why this approach can be beneficial for weight loss, stabilizing blood sugar levels, and optimizing fertility.
Topics discussed in today's episode
Connect with Franziska!
You can connect with Franziska on her website, and on Facebook and Twitter!
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
Dr. Erica Berman has her Masters of Counseling Psychology and a special certificate in infertility counseling. She also has her Ph.D. in Exercise Sciences and has been working as a fitness instructor and personal trainer for 20 years. She enjoys helping clients make positive changes in their lifestyle and health. She has a special interest in the area of infertility which extends not just to individuals and couples facing infertility, but also clients dealing with low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and relationship issues. Along the way, she has also developed a passion for helping members of the LGBTQ community create families through third-party assisted-reproductive technologies.
Today in the second part of my two-part series about the impact of sexual abuse on fertility, we will be talking about some of the ways that sexual abuse can impact a woman’s fertility, and how it can impact women during their child-bearing years. We talk about the prevalence of sexual abuse, and why we have such a hard time believing that someone we know could be the abuser. We talk about the specific ways that a history of sexual abuse can impact a woman's relationships when she chooses to have children and the ways that a history of abuse can impact a woman who is experiencing fertility challenges.
Topics discussed in today's episode
Connect with Erica!
You can connect with Erica on her website, and on Facebook and Twitter!
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
Today's episode is part one of a two-part series that I am doing on the impact of sexual assault and sexual abuse on fertility and infertility. In today's episode, I am pleased to welcome Erin Martin to the show. Erin has been working in the field of Sexual Assault Awareness, Education and Counselling for the past 13 years. She has an extensive background in Sexual Assault Awareness and Education through her work as a Public Educator and as the Director of Volunteer Services at the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton. She has her Master's in Counselling Psychology and is currently working on her Ph.D. at the University of Alberta.
In today's show, Erin and I define what Sexual Assault is, we discuss the issue of consent and how consent is defined in the Criminal Code of Canada, and we also discuss some of the most common and prevalent myths about sexual assault that permeate our culture. The purpose of today's episode is to provide a detailed background and thorough understanding of what behaviors and activities actually fall under the definition of sexual assault. We have an in-depth discussion about the most common myths about sexual assault and how these myths negatively impact survivors of sexual assault. We also discuss the issue of prevention "tips" and how the tips commonly directed towards women to prevent themselves from being assaulted provide a false sense of security and don't actually address the broader reality of the pervasiveness of sexual abuse in our culture. This episode lays the foundation for the conversation about the impact that sexual abuse can have on fertility and infertility that I focus on in part 2 of this series with Dr. Erica Berman.
Topics discussed in today's episode
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
I'm happy to welcome Lily Nichols back to the show! If you didn't get a chance to tune into our first episode together, make sure to go back to episode 16 and listen in. In our previous episode, Lily and I talked about Gestational diabetes and how to address it through a real food diet instead of relying on medication. Lily is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator, a Certified LEAP Therapist, and a Certified Pilates Instructor. But today we're shifting the focus to an entirely different topic!
In today's episode, we are delving into Lily's fitness background as a certified Pilates instructor and talking all about exercise during pregnancy. Lily has a unique and varied background that has given her the opportunity to work with pregnant women in many capacities. Lily breaks down the health benefits of exercise during pregnancy. Not only does exercise during pregnancy help to keep mom and baby healthy but it significantly decreases the risk of gestational diabetes not to mention the numerous additional benefits that Lily goes through during the show. Lily also outlines what exercises work best for women during different stages of pregnancy, and dispels many common myths about the level of exercise that is best for pregnancy. We talk about how much is too much, how much is too little and how to know where you fall on that continuum. This is a great episode for anyone wanting to get pregnant in the future or anyone who is already expecting! I think you'll enjoy this one!
Topics discussed in today's episode
Connect with Lily!
You can connect with Lily on her website and on Facebook and Twitter!
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
In today's show, I have Jane Bennett joining me all the way from Australia! Jane originally trained in in Social Work and Clinical Hypnotherapy and is now working as a researcher, counselor, and Natural Fertility Management Educator. Jane’s main area of focus has been educating women and girls about Natural Fertility Management methods (i.e. Fertility Awareness). Jane designed and created a program called The Natural Fertility Management Conception Kit and the Natural Fertility Management Contraception Kit offering in-depth knowledge and teachings of the fertility awareness method for contraception and optimal conception that is easy to learn and use!
During her time working with Natural Fertility Management Jane became aware of the need for a more positive and healthy attitude toward menstruation for the physical, mental and emotional well-being of women and girls as well as for the sake of our individual and collective fertility. She is the author of A Blessing Not a Curse: A Mother-Daughter Guide to the Transition from Child to Woman as well as The Pill: Are You Sure It's For You? She also created and founded Celebration Day for Girls - a program designed for young women to learn about menstruation, fertility, to celebrate reaching that important milestone of menarche, and to help girls develop a positive experience and association with menstruation.
In today's episode, Jane and I talk about the important role that having a regular menstrual cycle plays throughout a woman's life. We question the idea that menstruation has no purpose and we also question the current trend towards suppressing menstruation altogether through the use of long-acting or continuous use hormonal contraceptives. We discuss the importance of celebrating rites of passage and why we should be celebrating menarche and encouraging girls to develop a positive association with menstruation and a better understanding of their fertility from a young age.
Topics discussed in today's episode
Connect with Jane!
You can connect with Jane on her website, and on the Celebration day for Girls website
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
Today's guest is Will Sacks, co-founder of the Kindara charting app! If you haven’t heard of Kindara, it is one of the most user-friendly fertility awareness charting apps available. I started charting my cycles before the age of charting apps and I have found Kindara to be one of the best fertility awareness friendly charting apps out there. I love that the “predictor setting” is optional and that the user-friendly interface allows me to track all of my fertility signs easily. I also love that using the Kindara app links you to a community of women where you can share your charts and support each other.
Will study mechanical engineering and economics at McGill University, and when he learned about fertility awareness charting he discovered the magic of the feminine, and came to appreciate and understand women on a much deeper level. He appreciates how this level of understanding is lacking in our culture and has been working to improve the ability of women to understand and track their fertility by creating the Kindara Charting app.
In today's episode, we talk about the different ways that fertility awareness charting can help women to discover and appreciate their own fertility and the amazing ways that our bodies work. We also talk about the impact that fertility awareness charting can have on your relationship. Fertility awareness charting offers couples the opportunity to share the responsibility when it comes to contraception, and that is something that is often lacking in many of the commonly used contraceptive methods such as hormonal contraceptives or condoms. We talk about how using fertility awareness charting can increase openness and closeness between partners as well as allow both partners the opportunity to develop not only an increased understanding but also a deep appreciation and reverence for women and their fertility cycles.
Topics discussed in today's episode
Connect with Will!
You can connect with Will on the Kindara website, his website, and on Facebook and Twitter!
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
Amy Medling is a Certified PCOS Health Coach who has helped thousands of women overcome their PCOS symptoms and restore their fertility naturally through the programs she has developed. After receiving her own diagnosis of PCOS she embarked on her own journey to health by doing her own research and trying many different approaches. She was able to heal herself and regain her fertility naturally and that inspired her to do the same for other women also struggling with PCOS symptoms.
In today's show, Amy and I talk about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in detail. We talk about what it is, what symptoms are required for an "official diagnosis", and what are some of the most common but less known symptoms of PCOS. We discuss why many women may have PCOS symptoms but don't necessarily make the connection to a PCOS diagnosis. Amy discusses in detail what tests you should be requesting from your doctor if you think you may have PCOS, and we talk about how fertility awareness cycle charting can help you identify it early. Amy also talks about what steps you can take to heal your PCOS naturally. If you've ever had questions about PCOS you'll learn a lot from this episode!
Topics discussed in today's episode
Connect with Amy!
You can connect with Amy on her website, and on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter!
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
Holly Grigg-Spall is the author of Sweetening the Pill or How we got hooked on hormonal birth control. If you haven’t had a chance to read this book and you’ve ever had any questions about the pill you need to get your hands on a copy ASAP! Every woman who is on the pill has ever been on the pill, or is considering going on the pill should read this book! Holly uncovers what could be considered the biggest myth about the pill – which is that it has no impact on our emotions and on our overall health. Holly talks about her own experience with the pill and how it took her years to finally realize that the pill was at the root of her emotional symptoms. These are perhaps some of the least talked about impacts of the birth control pill, and don’t expect your doctor to tell you about it!
In today’s show, we will be talking all about the pill and the impacts that it can have on the women who take it. I am a fan of informed consent and after listening to this episode you’ll have a much greater understanding of the potential downsides of taking the pill, and what you can do instead.
Topics discussed in today's episode
Connect with Holly!
You can connect with Holly on her website, and on Facebook and Twitter!
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
Dr. Kerry Hampton is a registered nurse, a midwife, and an active researcher in fertility-awareness and lifestyle education. The aim of Kerry’s research is to reduce the incidence of infertility by promoting fertility literacy with the fertility awareness method. Her findings have shown that most women seeking fertility assistance cannot accurately identify the fertile days of their menstrual cycle. And of course, by educating women about their fertile signs through fertility awareness women can be taught to be able to identify their fertile days and increase their overall knowledge of how their fertility works and understand their menstrual cycles better.
Kerry is also a leader in professional development in her field having developed programs that teach Natural Fertility Education to professionals so they can offer support to their clients in understanding their menstrual cycles. She is the author of the Comprehensive Course in Natural Fertility Education© and co-author the Advanced Practice in Natural Fertility Education©.
In today's show, Kerry and I talk about why it's important for women to have the opportunity to learn how to accurately identify their fertile days. In her research, Kerry found that only 13% of women who had been referred to fertility clinics for IVF treatments after at least 12 months of trying to conceive could accurately identify their fertile window. In her clinical practice, she has helped hundreds if not thousands of women to conceive naturally after providing basic education about how to observe and identify cervical mucus patterns, and how to pinpoint the fertile window during the menstrual cycle. We talk about how important it is for couples who are having difficulty conceiving to learn how to pinpoint the 3 days prior to ovulation, and how a simple shift in when sex is timed has helped numerous couples to conceive after several months or even years of unsuccessful attempts. We also talk about the important role that cervical mucus plays in fertility and why it is absolutely essential for women to be able to conceive naturally.
Topics discussed in today's episode
Connect with Kerry!
You can connect with Kerry on her website!
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
Today's podcast guest is Nicole Jardim! Nicole is a Certified Women’s Health Coach with a specialty in hormonal and reproductive health. She trained at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and apprenticed at a women’s holistic health center in New York City. Nicole trained with both with Dr. Sara Gottfried the author of The Hormone Cure and Jessica Drummond, the founder of the Integrative Pelvic Health Institute.
During her training, she learned that women can heal themselves from conditions like PMS, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Endometriosis, and many other conditions caused by hormonal imbalances, through the use of medicinal foods and lifestyle adjustments. Nicole created her signature “Fix your period” series in 2011 which is a series of programs that empower women to heal their menstrual conditions in a fun and sassy way. Nicole is dedicated to helping women reclaim their hormonal health and feminine vitality naturally!
In today's show, we talk about many of the common period related concerns women experience including amenorrhea, i.e. when your period disappears, irregular periods, and painful menstruation. We talk about the signature "Fix Your Period" program that Nicole has developed to help women address these issues naturally, and some of the ways that we can all work towards balancing our hormones and restoring our period health by addressing the root cause instead of masking the symptoms!
Topics discussed in today's episode
Connect with Nicole!
You can connect with Nicole on her website and on Facebook and Twitter!
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
Dr. Arvigo is a Doctor of Naprapathy, an herbalist, an international lecturer, and an author and teacher of Maya medicine. Dr. Arvigo is the Director of the Arvigo Institute and she is the author of six books on the traditional healing of Central America. She has lived in Belize for thirty years where she studied with more than a dozen traditional healers. She is also the founder of The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy and courses in Maya Spiritual Healing.
Rosita is dedicated to the preservation of traditional Maya healing for the benefit of the people of Belize and the world! And in today’s show, we are going to be talking about the Arvigo technique of Maya abdominal therapy, and vaginal steaming. In today's episode Dr Arvigo teaches us how vaginal steaming can be used to treat fertility challenges, prepare the womb for a baby, support women after giving birth, in addition to helping to alleviate and resolve many menstrual related issues including painful and/or irregular periods, amenorrhea, fibroids, endometriosis, and much more.
Topics discussed in today's episode
Connect with Dr. Arvigo!
You can connect with Dr. Arvigo on her website and on the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy website.
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
Dr. Shawna Darou is a licensed and registered Naturopathic Doctor, who specializes in women's health care and fertility. Since graduating from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Dr. Darou has been treating women in her Toronto clinic. She has developed several programs to help women improve their fertility and prepare for pregnancy including her Fertility Care program.
In today's show, Shawna and I talk about the philosophy behind naturopathic medicine and how it can help women treat menstrual cycle and fertility-related concerns naturally. We talk specifically about how naturopathic medicine can treat endometriosis and fibroids, as well as unexplained infertility, and other fertility-related issues. Dr. Darou also shares how she uses acupuncture as an adjunct to medical fertility treatments like IUI (Intra Uterine Insemination) and IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), and how it can increase the effectiveness of these treatments by up to 65%.
Topics discussed in today's episode
Connect with Dr. Darou!
You can connect with Dr. Darou on her website and on Facebook and Twitter!
Resources mentioned
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Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
Lily Nichols is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator, a Certified LEAP Therapist, and a Certified Pilates Instructor. She specializes in helping people with digestive issues heal from food sensitivities and supporting pregnant women to have the healthiest pregnancy possible especially when they have conditions like gestational diabetes. Lily isn’t your typical nutritionist! Her approach isn’t about following a strict meal plan or counting calories, but rather she is focused on supporting women to embrace real food and learn to trust their bodies because in her own words “you can never maintain the body you want eating food you hate”. Lily is the author of the book Real Food For Gestational Diabetes, and it offers a refreshing take on managing gestational diabetes with a real food diet instead of relying on medication.
In today's show, we talk about gestational diabetes and how it can impact the baby not only during pregnancy but the far-reaching impact that it can have on the child as he or she grows up. We talk about the importance of pre-conception nutrition in preparation for pregnancy, and important nutrients to incorporate during pregnancy. We also talk about why it is important for all women to be mindful of our sugar consumption, and what we can eat to stabilize our blood sugar levels throughout the day.
Topics discussed in today's episode
Connect with Lily!
You can connect with Lily on her website and on Facebook and Twitter!
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
I'm so excited to welcome Rose Yewchuk back to the show! Rose and I recorded 2 previous episodes. Episode 002 and 003. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to them yet make sure to check them out! The previous episodes we recorded give a solid foundation especially if you’re just starting to learn and understand the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM)!
Rose is a certified Fertility Awareness educator, who trained with Justisse Healthworks for women as a Justisse Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner. She has been charting her own cycles for over 16 years now, and she has a great wealth of information when it comes to fertility awareness!
In this episode, Rose and I delve right in and answer about 20 common questions about the Fertility Awareness Method. We gathered these questions from women who are currently charting and learning to chart their cycles. The questions we asked were: What part of the fertility awareness method are you struggling with understanding? What part is most confusing for you? And/or what question would you most want to ask a FAM educator? This episode is a great source of information for experienced charters, beginners and everyone in between and I think you'll really enjoy it!
Questions discussed in this episode
Connect with Rose!
You can connect with Rose on her website betterovulatethannever.com, and on Facebook and Twitter!
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
Colleen Flowers is a Fertility Awareness Educator who loves teaching women and couples about their reproductive health from a holistic perspective. Colleen graduated as a Justisse Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner in 2012 and she has been working tirelessly in this field ever since! Colleen founded Flowers Fertility in 2011 where she teaches classes and offers private consultations so that women can better-understand fertility awareness charting, and improve their chances of conceiving or avoid pregnancy naturally.
In today's episode, we talk about the menstrual cycle. Colleen takes us through the parameters of a healthy menstrual cycle, and why it is important to chart your menstrual cycles not only for birth control and conception but also for overall health and screening for potentially serious illnesses. Colleen talks about what to look for in a healthy cycle, how to know if your cycles are out of the normal range, and when to seek support from a health practitioner if you have concerns about your menstrual cycle.
Topics discussed in this episode
Connect with Colleen!
You can connect with Colleen on her website fertilityflowers.com and on Facebook!
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
I'm happy to welcome Justina Thompson to the Fertility Friday Podcast today! Justina is a certified Fertility Awareness Educator and the founder of RedCoralFertility.com. As an educator, she connects women with a deeper knowledge about their bodies and teaches women how to use the Fertility Awareness Method for birth control, to optimize their chances of conception, and to improve menstrual cycle health overall.
In today's episode, we talk about the Fertility Awareness Method, and why it is important for women to know they have a natural, non-hormonal birth control option that is 99.6% effective when used correctly. We talk about some of the most common side effects of the birth control pill although they may not be what you think. We talk about why the Fertility Awareness Method is an extremely effective and reliable method of birth control even for women who have "irregular" cycles. We also talk about how the Fertility Awareness Method can be used effectively during the post-partum period when a woman is breastfeeding.
Topics discussed in this episode
Connect with Justina!
You can connect with Justina on her website redcoralfertility.com and on Facebook and Twitter!
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
Laura Schoenfeld is a Registered Dietitian who also has her Masters in Public Health Nutrition. Laura is the founder of AncestralizeMe.com and is passionate about making traditional diets healthful and accessible for all her clients. You may know Laura from the work that she’s done with Chris Kresser. Laura encourages the use of an ancestral diet to achieve optimal health and wellness. She is passionate about increasing the awareness of the benefits of high-quality fat and properly-raised animal products in the diet, as well as eliminating industrial foods like polyunsaturated vegetable oils and refined grains. She believes that the same health and nutrition principles that apply to avoiding chronic disease can be applied to supporting overall health, beauty, and fitness.
Today we talk about the importance of incorporating enough saturated fat into our diets especially when trying to restore and improve fertility after coming off oral contraceptives. We talk about Post-Birth Control Syndrome, why it can take several months to a year and beyond for a woman's period to return after coming off the pill, and what dietary changes can help our bodies to restore our fertility sooner. Laura discusses the specific nutrients that are often depleted from the body as a result of taking the pill, and how we can work towards restoring these nutrients, especially when planning for pregnancy.
Topics discussed in this episode
Connect with Laura!
You can connect with Laura on her blog AncestralizeMe, her website, her podcast The Ancestral RDs, and on Facebook and Twitter!
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)
Dr. Melanie McDowall is a researcher with the Robinson Research Institute at the University of Adelaide. Her specific research area is assisted reproduction technologies including IVF, IVM, ways of improving egg quality by understanding the basic biology behind egg and embryo development, and improving the ability to select the “healthiest embryos”. With a focus on oocytes (eggs) and early embryo development, her area of study is focused on the period leading up to ovulation as well as the period of time before implantation happens. In today's podcast, we will be talking about how aging impacts fertility and the important role that reproductive technologies play in this process.
Topics discussed in this episode
Connect with Mel!
You can connect with Mel through and find more information about some of the work she has been doing at yourfertility.org.au, The University of Adelaide, and you can connect with her on Twitter
Resources mentioned
Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)