In episode 95, I share some insights on two of the most important questions you can ask yourself and your healthcare providers as you move through your fertility journey. If you haven’t guessed yet by the episode title, those two questions are “Why?” and “What Else?”. These are the questions you should be prepared to ask at every appointment with every practitioner you see when it comes to your fertility (and your health) and they're not always comfortable questions for a lot of providers to answer. These two essential inquiries are what guide my work with 1:1 clients, they’re the foundation of my courses and group programs, and they’ve also guided me through my personal health and fertility journey. Tune in to learn how you can apply them to your health and fertility situation, and how they can help guide your treatment decisions. You can find show notes for the episode and links to referenced resources at https://tinyfeet.co/my-podcast/95.

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In episode 94, I interview nutritional therapy practitioner and neural retraining coach, Madeleine Lowry, about using a powerful emotional healing modality (MAP Method™) to overcome both physical and emotional blocks to optimal health and fertility. By working with the subconscious mind, which controls about 95% of our thoughts, behaviors, and physiological functions each day, MAP can help clients overcome painful memories, deeply ingrained patterns of chronic stress, limiting beliefs, self-sabotaging thoughts and behaviors, and traumatic experiences, which can have a profound impact on every aspect of health, including fertility. Madeleine and I discuss:

• Her personal journey that led her to nutritional therapy and neural retraining
• The importance of the brain, nervous system, and subconscious mind in physical and emotional well-being
• What MAP is and the science behind how the method works
• What a typical MAP session looks (and feels) like and what you can expect as a client
• My life-changing experience with MAP and how it's helped me make profound shifts in my life and health
• Some of Madeleine's favorite stories about major changes she's seen in others with MAP

MAP is an amazing modality for working through the pain and heartbreak of infertility or pregnancy loss, as well as helping support positive changes in physical and emotional health that can boost fertility. You can find show notes for the episode, along with links to Madeleine's website and some of the books and resources we discuss at https://tinyfeet.co/my-podcast/94.

NOTE: MAP is not a substitute for working with a licensed mental health professional. If you have a diagnosed mental health condition or significant mental health symptoms, please ensure you're working with a licensed mental health professional before considering MAP as an adjunct therapy.

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In episode 93, I answer a series of questions I've received recently from listeners! If you've missed any of the past Q&A episodes, be sure to check out episodes 64, 68, 72, 77, and 81. This week, I'm answering questions about:

• The best ways to confirm ovulation each month
• The stress-infertility connection and how to reduce stress when you can't change your job or life circumstances
• Low estrogen with normal (or high) luteal progesterone levels
• How to address low T3 thyroid hormone when TSH and T4 are normal
• Possible causes of and solutions for vulvodynia (vulvar pain)
• How often to test thyroid or hormone labs if you're struggling to conceive
• Timing for diet and lifestyle changes prior to an IVF egg retrieval
• Possible causes of hair loss 
• How to get your partner on board with changes to support fertility

You can find show notes and links to resources discussed during the episode at https://tinyfeet.co/my-podcast/93.

If you have a topic you’ve been wanting to learn more about, send me an email at [email protected] or shoot me a message on Instagram @tinyfeet.co and share your question. I'll get back to you shortly with an answer and then add your question to the list of potential topics for future Q&A episodes.

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In episode 92, I interview Jasmine Katatikarn about her experience going through infertility and IVF. Jasmine shares her whole fertility story and talks about how she was able to take control of her journey with a mindset and approach that she adapted from her work as an artist. This is a unique and inspiring interview and I’m excited to have Jasmine on to share her perspective and what ultimately worked for her to build her family, even after being told she has a less than 1% chance of having a child! You can find show notes for the interview, along with links to Jasmine's website, social media, and free fertility training at https://tinyfeet.co/my-podcast/92.

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In episode 91, I interview acupuncturist and fertility expert, Heidi Brockmyre, about using acupuncture and Chinese medicine to get your cycle back on track and boost fertility. Acupuncture is an amazing healing therapy that is being recommended more and more for fertility support, even by Western medicine. It's effective and it can help you increase your odds of pregnancy, whether you're trying naturally or using conventional fertility treatments. Heidi and I talk about:

• What the Chinese medicine approach to fertility looks like and how it’s different from standard fertility care
• How acupuncture can support each phase of the menstrual cycle
• Specific cycle issues or reproductive health conditions that acupuncture can help treat
• When the best time is to begin receiving acupuncture for fertility
• How you can learn more from Heidi through her online resources and programs

You can find show notes for the episode, along with links to Heidi's website, online program, and free resources at https://tinyfeet.co/my-podcast/91.

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In episode 90, I interview Certified Women's Health Coach and author of Fix Your Period, Nicole Jardim, about how to get to the root cause of PMS and PMDD so you can balance your cycle and support your fertility. Although having unpleasant symptoms around your period might not seem like a big deal (after all, the vast majority of us have experience PMS symptoms at one time or another), these symptoms actually provide an important window into the health of your menstrual cycle and, by extension, your fertility. PMS and PMDD symptoms can also disrupt your life and cause you to dread the second half of your cycle, which is no way to live when these issues are so addressable! In this episode, you're going to learn about:

• What PMS and PMDD are and how they're different from one another
• Why women who are trying to conceive need to pay special attention to PMS or PMDD symptoms
• The main driving forces behind PMS and PMDD and which body systems tend to be most out of balance
• What you can do to address the root causes of your symptoms and get your cycle and fertility back on track
• When you should consider seeking out support from a practitioner 

You can find show notes for the episode along with links to Nicole's website, book, and free quiz at https://tinyfeet.co/my-podcast/90.

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In episode 89, I interview Naturopath, midwife, and women's health expert, Dr. Jennifer Mercier. We talk about the hands-on therapy she developed to help women struggling with infertility and pelvic health issues. Mercier Therapy is a deep pelvic organ visceral manipulation technique that can help restore normal anatomy and blood flow in the pelvis. This can have a profound effect on menstrual cycle health, ovarian function and hormone production, which encompass many of the underlying causes of trouble conceiving. Clinically, Mercier Therapy has been shown to be effective in addressing endometriosis, diminished ovarian reserve, luteal phase defect, PCOS, recurrent miscarriage, and several other issues. It can either be used as a standalone therapy or in preparation for IUI/IVF and it’s proven incredibly successful in achieving pregnancy, even in difficult cases.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What women need to know about conventional fertility treatment options that are often not shared by doctors
• What led her to the creation of Mercier Therapy as a possible solution to fertility struggles
• How Mercier Therapy works and the specific issues or conditions it can help address
• Mercier Therapy success rates in comparison to mainstream fertility treatments and how it can also be used in preparation for IUI or IVF
• How to find a practitioner trained in Mercier Therapy if you’re interested in exploring it yourself

You can find show notes for the episode and links to Dr. Mercier's website and documentary at https://tinyfeet.co/my-podcast/89.

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In episode 88, I interview chiropractic physician, Dr. Ann Barter, about mold exposure and it’s potential impact on health and fertility. Although many people have heard that encountering certain types of mold can be harmful, few people realize just how common mold exposure really is and all the ways it can disrupt health. Many of us have been unknowingly exposed to mold in water-damaged buildings, our homes, and even our food supply. Unfortunately, mold exposure isn’t always obvious and the health symptoms it can cause are wide-ranging and frequently confused with other conditions. The reason we’re talking about mold on a fertility podcast is that it can be a hidden source of inflammation and stress on the body, leading to immune system dysfunction and hormone imbalances that can make it very difficult to conceive. Thankfully, it is absolutely possible to test for and remediate mold issues in your environment, as well as heal from mold illness if you’ve been exposed and experienced negative health effects! 

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• How mold exposure can impact health and fertility
• Some of the most common symptoms that might point toward mold exposure and illness
• The primary routes of exposure to mold in our environment
• Why some people react very strongly to mold while others seem to experience no ill effects
• Some of the options for testing for mold in our external environments as well as in our bodies
• The basic elements of an effective healing protocol for mold illness

You can find show notes for the episode, along with links to Dr. Barter's website and social media at https://tinyfeet.co/my-podcast/88.

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In episode 87, I interview Certified Fertility Care Practitioner and Integrative Health Coach, Melissa Buchan, about how to effectively chart your mentstrual cycle to evaluate and support your fertility. Learning to chart is one of the most proactive and empowering things you can do to understand your body, participate in your healthcare, and take control of your fertility journey. Melissa walks you through:

• The difference between tracking your period and charting your cycle and why this distinction is important
• The specific components of a well-charted cycle and what information we get from these markers
• How you can use your chart to identify important patterns and potential issue that may lead to trouble conceiving
• How to change your mindset around charting to alleviate any stress you might be feeling about it
• Some of the apps and devices on the market that can make charting easier
• The most common mix-ups women make when learning to chart

You can find show notes for the episode and links to Melissa's website and social media at https://tinyfeet.co/my-podcast/87.

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In episode 86, I interview acupuncturist and herbalist, Dr. Jill Blakeway. We talk about her book, Making Babies: A Proven 3-Month Program for Maximum Fertility, and discuss some of the differences in approach and treatment options for infertility in conventional versus Chinese medicine. Jill is such an incredible wealth of knowledge and has spent decades in clinical practice with patients, helping them make beautiful healthy babies. This week, you'll learn about:

• Jill’s take on how heavily IVF is being relied upon for fertility treatment
• Why more natural options aren’t being presented to couples struggling to conceive and what aspects of health and wellness are most overlooked in a fertility setting
• How the Chinese medicine approach to fertility differs from the conventional approach
• The 5 fertility types that Jill and her co-author, Dr. Sami David, discuss in their book, Making Babies
• Why it’s so important for women and couples to receive individualized treatment for fertility

You can find show notes for the episode, along with links to Jill's website, book, and social media at https://tinyfeet.co/my-podcast/86.

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In episode 85. I interview Elyse Ash, who is the founder of a fertility mentorship company called Fruitful Fertility. Those of us who have struggled with our fertility know how frustrating and isolating the experience can be. It’s not always easy to open up to friends or family and it’s difficult to receive the support we need from people who have never been through what we’re dealing with and simply don’t know what to say or how to help. I invited Elyse on to the show to talk about why it’s so important to get the right kind of support through this journey and the solution she and her husband came up with to match people who are currently going through infertility with those who have already completed their journey in a mentor-mentee relationship. I’m excited to share Fruitful with all of you as an option for adding to your support network and building a relationship with someone who knows what you’re going through and can offer you an ear, a shoulder, or a helping hand as you continue on your path to parenthood. In the interview, Elyse and I discuss:

• Her personal infertility story and what she went through to become a mother
• Why it’s so important for us to find people we can truly confide in as we go through fertility struggles
• Her perspective on opening up to friends and family and some advice on dealing with uncomfortable conversations
• The story behind Fruitful and what ultimately led Elyse and her husband to start the company
• What you can expect from Fruitful and the logistics of how the service works

You can find links to the Fruitful website and some additional resources at https://tinyfeet.co/my-podcast/85.

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