Functional Medicine for Moms | Fertility, Pregnancy & Holistic Motherhood

Pregnancy comes with A LOT of changes—but does that mean we’re supposed to just accept the back pain, leaking, pelvic pressure, hip pain, and other uncomfortable symptoms that can come with growing a baby?Nope! And that’s exactly what we’re talking about today.I’m joined by Dr. Kelsy Vick, PT, DPT, OCS, a women’s health physical therapist, to talk about supporting our bodies during pregnancy, preparing for birth, and setting ourselves up for postpartum recovery.In this episode, we’re talking about:Why you don’t have to wait until something hurts to see a pelvic floor PTWhat your pelvic floor actually does—and why it’s about more than Kegels!Why learning to relax and lengthen your pelvic floor matters for birthCommon pregnancy concerns like back and SI pain, leaking, hip pain, and diastasis rectiStaying active during pregnancy (even when a full workout is NOT happening)How breath work, hip mobility, and core connection can support birth prep and postpartum recoveryWhether you’re trying to conceive, currently pregnant, or thinking ahead to birth and recovery, this episode will help you better understand your body—and why you don’t necessarily have to “just deal with” uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms.Connect with Dr. Kelsy Vick: @dr.kelsyvickdpt & @wellnessbigsispodListen to Wellness Big Sis the Pod Video links mentioned in the episodeListen to ME on Dr. Kelsy's podcast (our podcast swap!) 🌿 Preparing for Pregnancy Guide: Take a proactive, functional medicine approach to fertility and preconception. Learn how to optimize your health before pregnancy with practical nutrition, lifestyle, supplement, and testing guidance. 👉 www.molinemethod.com/fertility 💛 Use code PODCAST25 for $25 off.✨ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor and/or pediatrician regarding your health or your child’s health.👉 Where to find us:Instagram: @functionalmedicineformomsYouTube & Podcast Networks: Functional Medicine for MomsEmail: [email protected] with me: molinemethod.com — book a free consultation or order professional-grade supplements through Fullscript.

What should you actually be eating when you’re trying to get pregnant?Nutrition can play an important role in preparing your body for pregnancy—but between fertility “superfoods,” supplements, blood sugar advice, and conflicting diet recommendations, it can get overwhelming fast.In this episode of Functional Medicine for Moms, I’m joined by registered dietitian nutritionist Kristen Keenan, MPH, RDN, LD, founder of Nourish Fertility, to talk about how nutrition can support fertility, hormones, egg health, and your overall foundation for pregnancy.In this episode, we discuss: Building an anti-inflammatory “fertility plate” Protein, healthy fats, and moving away from diet-culture messaging Why Kristen recommends aiming for around 30 grams of protein at breakfast Blood sugar regulation, hormones, and egg health Intermittent fasting while preparing for pregnancy Foods that support hormone health and ovulation Seed cycling and cruciferous vegetables Mineral balance and reproductive health Fertility supplements including inositol, NAC, ALA, and CoQ10 Protein powders and what to look for Simple first steps if fertility nutrition feels overwhelmingCONNECT WITH KRISTEN:Instagram: @nourish.fertility Facebook: Nourish FertilityKristen offers virtual one-on-one nutrition sessions, fertility meal plans, and mineral testing through Nourish Fertility.Whether you’re actively trying to conceive, preparing for pregnancy in the future, or simply want to better understand how nutrition can support your reproductive health, this episode will give you practical ways to start nourishing your body for pregnancy.🌿 Preparing for Pregnancy Guide: Take a proactive, functional medicine approach to fertility and preconception. Learn how to optimize your health before pregnancy with practical nutrition, lifestyle, supplement, and testing guidance. 👉 www.molinemethod.com/fertility 💛 Use code PODCAST25 for $25 off.🩷 kegg Fertility Tracker: kegg.tech/FUNCTIONALMEDICINEFORMOMS✨ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor and/or pediatrician regarding your health or your child’s health.👉 Where to find us:Instagram: @functionalmedicineformomsYouTube & Podcast Networks: Functional Medicine for MomsEmail: [email protected] with me: molinemethod.com — book a free consultation or order professional-grade supplements through Fullscript.

What does your gut have to do with fertility? A LOT more than you might think. 👀In my FIRST solo episode, I’m breaking down why I believe gut health deserves a seat at the table when we’re talking about preconception health—and this conversation is for BOTH women and men.We’re getting into nutrient absorption, inflammation, intestinal permeability (aka “leaky gut”), hormone metabolism, the estrobolome, the gut-testis axis, sperm and vaginal microbiomes, and some fascinating emerging research connecting the microbiome with reproductive health.I’m also sharing a study looking at intestinal permeability and recurrent pregnancy loss, why taking more fertility supplements isn’t always the answer, and what I actually want you to do to support your gut BEFORE jumping into expensive testing, probiotics, oregano oil, and parasite cleanses. In this episode, we talk about: Why eating a nutrient doesn’t necessarily mean you’re absorbing it How gut health may influence inflammation and the reproductive environment The connection between your microbiome and estrogen metabolism Why constipation matters when we’re talking about hormones The gut-testis axis and emerging research on the sperm microbiome Why male gut health belongs in the fertility conversation The vaginal microbiome and reproductive health Signs your gut may need some extra attention When I consider functional gut testing What you can start doing TODAY to support your microbiomeMost importantly: I don’t want you walking away thinking you need a “perfect” microbiome before having a baby. You don’t.I want you to understand that fertility is a whole-body process—and preconception is an incredible opportunity to support the health of BOTH partners before baby ever enters the picture.If you’re trying to conceive now, planning to in the next 6+ months, or wondering what you can do to better prepare your body for pregnancy, this episode is for you. 🤍🌿 Preparing for Pregnancy Guide: Take a proactive, functional medicine approach to fertility and preconception. Learn how to optimize your health before pregnancy with practical nutrition, lifestyle, supplement, and testing guidance. 👉 www.molinemethod.com/fertility 💛 Use code PODCAST25 for $25 off.🩷 kegg Fertility Tracker: kegg.tech/FUNCTIONALMEDICINEFORMOMS✨ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor and/or pediatrician regarding your health or your child’s health.👉 Where to find us:Instagram: @functionalmedicineformomsYouTube & Podcast Networks: Functional Medicine for MomsEmail: [email protected] with me: molinemethod.com — book a free consultation or order professional-grade supplements through Fullscript.

Your baby’s gut health starts earlier than you might think — even before birth.In this episode, I’m joined by Cheryl Sew Hoy, founder and CEO of Tiny Health, to talk about the developing infant and toddler gut microbiome and why those first few years of life matter so much.We unpack how pregnancy, vaginal and C-section birth, antibiotics, breastfeeding and formula feeding, introducing solids, pets, nature, and even Mom AND Dad’s microbiomes can influence a child’s developing gut.We also talk about:Why the first 1,000 days are such an important window How a baby’s microbiome differs from an adult’s C-sections, antibiotics, NICU stays, and gut health The connection between the gut, eczema, allergies, and other childhood symptoms Why Dad’s microbiome matters too Signs that may warrant a closer look at your baby or toddler’s gut How Tiny Health microbiome testing works Probiotics, HMOs, food diversity, and other ways to support a healthy microbiome Why preconception gut and vaginal health may matter before pregnancy even beginsIf you’re pregnant, preparing for pregnancy, or raising a baby or toddler, this conversation will give you a completely different perspective on how we can support our children’s health from the very beginning.Check out Tiny Health - tinyhealth.com (Exciting news, I signed up to be a Tiny Health practitioner as well, so I can order testing & recommend support! Contact info is below if you want to work directly with me!)🌿 Preparing for Pregnancy Guide Take a proactive, functional medicine approach to fertility and preconception. Learn how to optimize your health before pregnancy with practical nutrition, lifestyle, supplement, and testing guidance. 👉 www.molinemethod.com/fertility 💛 Use code PODCAST25 for $25 off.🩷 kegg Fertility Tracker: kegg.tech/FUNCTIONALMEDICINEFORMOMS✨ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor and/or pediatrician regarding your health or your child’s health.👉 Where to find us:Instagram: @functionalmedicineformomsYouTube & Podcast Networks: Functional Medicine for MomsEmail: [email protected] with me: molinemethod.com — book a free consultation or order professional-grade supplements through Fullscript.

Okay moms, this is SUCH a good conversation — especially if you’re pregnant, preparing for a baby, newly postpartum, or honestly just trying to figure out what motherhood is supposed to look like for you.I’m joined by Dr. Laura Le, chiropractor, author of Postpartum Reimagined, and host of the You’re the Mom podcast, to talk about something I think so many of us need to hear: there really isn’t one “right” way to have a baby or be a mom.We talk about going into birth informed and prepared without becoming so attached to one specific birth plan, what happens when birth doesn’t go the way you imagined, and why we spend SO much time preparing for pregnancy and birth... only to be completely caught off guard by postpartum. 😅We also get into the identity shift that happens when you become a mom, balancing motherhood with a career and the things that still make you feel like you, nervous system regulation, and why having the right people and providers around you can make such a difference.I also share some of my own experience with my first birth, postpartum, and figuring out over the last 18 months what I actually want motherhood + work to look like for me.Whether you’re preparing for your first baby or you’re already in the thick of motherhood, I think you’re going to feel SO seen in this one. 🤍Find Dr. Laura's book, course, podcast, and more on her website: https://drlaurale.com/🌿 Preparing for Pregnancy Guide Take a proactive, functional medicine approach to fertility and preconception. Learn how to optimize your health before pregnancy with practical nutrition, lifestyle, supplement, and testing guidance. 👉 www.molinemethod.com/fertility 💛 Use code PODCAST25 for $25 off.🩷 kegg Fertility Tracker: kegg.tech/FUNCTIONALMEDICINEFORMOMS✨ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor and/or pediatrician regarding your health or your child’s health.👉 Where to find us:Instagram: @functionalmedicineformomsYouTube & Podcast Networks: Functional Medicine for MomsEmail: [email protected] with me: molinemethod.com — book a free consultation or order professional-grade supplements through Fullscript.