Episodes
-
In this week's episode I swapped seats and was the guest on The Science Of Motherhood podcast with Dr Renee White.In this episode, Dr Renee White from 'The Science Of Motherhood' interviews me about tips to address iron deficiency. We discuss the importance of early detection and prevention, highlighting the negative outcomes associated with anemia during pregnancy, such as postpartum depression, low birth weight, and placental complications. Learn more about Dr Renee White and Fill Your Cup Postpartum Doulas:Want to be nurtured and nourished after the birth of your baby? Have a peek at their doula offerings.
-
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe, and disabling extension of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It is NOT the same condition. Although PMS and PMDD both have physical and emotional symptoms, PMDD causes extreme mood shifts that can disrupt daily life and damage your relationships.
PMS tends to have more physical symptoms while PMDD has more mood symptoms. These have very specific windows of flaring up, usually around ovulation, and/or before menstruation.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PMS AND PMDD IS SEVERITY, FREQUENCY, AND DURATION.
PMDD causes are thought to be; genetics, hormonal fluctuations, increased inflammation, stress, nutritional factors which I go through in detail in this episode. Unfortunately, there isn't a huge amount of research on PMDD and we are still learning so much. At the moment, current medical treatment is offering the pill and/or antidepressant, so I go through all the natural treatments that offer hope to women suffering PMDD.
** after recording this episode I found an amazing clinical trial in 2019 that found - "N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) to be as effective as the antidepressant fluoxetine for PMDD symptoms."Are we insta friends? If not, come over and say hi @thenatalnaturopath
Thank you for listening! I would loveeeee if you could give my podcast a rating and a review. It's important as it helps get this podcast into the ears of other women who need it.
-
Episodes manquant?
-
PMS (premenstrual syndrome) refers to a collection of physical, emotional, and behavioural symptoms that occur in the days or weeks preceding menstruation in many women. These symptoms are generally mild to moderate in intensity and do not significantly impair daily functioning.
There are 5 subcategories of PMS
I go through each subcategory, the main symptoms and pathways that drive those symptoms. Each one has its own treatment plan too!If you are wanting a practitioner to guide your PMS treatment, we are your ladies. Are we insta friends? If not, come over and say hi @thenatalnaturopath
Thank you for listening! I would loveeeee if you could give my podcast a rating and a review. It's important as it helps get this podcast into the ears of other women who need it.
-
In this episode I go through why I don't believe TSH is enough when we are considering someone's thyroid function, what TSH is, what it does, how there have been calls to lower the upper TSH limit, why we need to see T4 and T3 levels to understand your thyroid, and how the meds even came up with the TSH reference range. Here is my 'Underactive Thyroid Webinar' that I mention in this episode; it's so comprehensive and you'll walk away with a clear picture of how to treat your thyroid and the exact supplement and lifestyle regime you need. Are we insta friends? If not, come over and say hi @thenatalnaturopath
Thank you for listening! I would loveeeee if you could give my podcast a rating and a review. It's important as it helps get this podcast into the ears of other women who need it.
-
In this episode I go through a week in the life of our family, day by day what our routine and schedule looks like. We have an 8 year old, and 4 year old twins, my husband is a full time shift worker and I run a more-than-full time business - and here is how we have set up our week so that we can navigate and thrive within the busyness of our growing family! I mentioned tried tips and tricks on how I have gotten our mornings and nights to run more smoothly with less stress, and how I carve out time for my own self care. Are we insta friends? If not, come over and say hi @thenatalnaturopath
Thank you for listening! I would loveeeee if you could give my podcast a rating and a review. It's important as it helps get this podcast into the ears of other women who need it.
-
A hormone you may never have thought to check in on - Prolactin.
In this episode I outline what prolactin does in the body, what it does to oestrogen, and how it can play a role in infertility or menstrual irregularities. I outline what are the causes of high prolactin, and what is considered high anyway? Itâs not enough to know your prolactin is high. Itâs necessary to find out what is DRIVING it. Now, if you have PCOS come on over and join me for my PCOS webinar that is coming up this week. This webinar is designed to provide an overview of the syndrome and how nutrition and lifestyle can help patients and clients living with PCOS.
Are you tired of being told that the only solution to your PCOS is the oral contraceptive pill, and that you require IVF to conceive?
Have you been searching for a natural solution to your PCOS symptoms?
If you answered yes to either of those questions, this is the webinar for you - designed specifically for women like you who want to treat their PCOS naturally, with regular cycles, with all those pesky PCOS symptoms gone. Like jawline acne, excessive hair growth, insulin resistance and so on.
Join us for a 60-minute webinar hosted by Melanie who has helped hundreds of women with PCOS achieve regular cycles, reduce insulin levels, ovulate regularly, and fall pregnant naturally.Are we insta friends? If not, come over and say hi @thenatalnaturopath
Thank you for listening! I would loveeeee if you could give my podcast a rating and a review. It's important as it helps get this podcast into the ears of other women who need it.
-
In this episode, I discuss the main differences between the Mirena and the copper IUD - and what exactly both is doing within your body. Topics mentioned:
My favourite form of contraception and why, and what I personally useHormonal vs non-hormonal contraception methodsCopper IUD permitting natural ovulatory cyclesWhich of the two methods increase and decrease your menstrual blood flowWhat side effects are associated with the Mirena (contraceptive drug levonorgestrel)Mirena suppressing ovulatory cycles some of the timeHow I would rank each contraception method on least to most impactful on the body.Click here to learn more about The Natal Naturopath and to sign up to the weekly newsletter. Donât worry we wonât spam you! And for those who sign up to the newsletter you will get 10% off your first purchase.If you would like to share this episode on your socials, be sure to tag @thenatalnaturopath. We love to know what you think of the podcast.Are we friends on Instagram? If not, come along and say hi.
Thank you for listening! I would loveeeee if you could give my podcast a rating and a review. It's important as it helps get this podcast into the ears of other women who need it.
-
There are four different types of PCOS, with different characteristics and symptoms, and different treatment approaches. I go through each one - Insulin Resistant PCOS, Post Pill PCOS, Adrenal PCOS and Inflammatory PCOS - and as a naturopath, how I treat them. Mentioned:- the testing you need to diagnose the different types of PCOS- causes and symptoms of each type of PCOS- what your hormonal blood tests are telling youInterested in our upcoming PCOS webinar? Join me here. This webinar is for women like you who want to treat their PCOS naturally. During this webinar, you will learn about the lifestyle changes, nutritional supplements, and natural remedies that can help you manage your PCOS symptoms.Here's what you can expect to learn during the webinar:
The underlying causes of PCOS and how to address them with lifestyle, diet, nutritional and herbal supplementation. Blood tests to get and optimal levelsThe role of nutrition in managing PCOS and the best foods to eat and avoidThe benefits of specific supplements for PCOS and what the research saysHow to track your menstrual cycle and identify ovulation to increase your chances of falling pregnant naturallyAnd much more!
-
Male fertility matters, just as equally as females. And stressfully, following current projections, sperm counts are set to reach zero in 2045!
After all, they are 50% of the baby. So infertility does not solely rest on the womanâs shoulders, nor does miscarriage or recurrent miscarriage. Sperm quality impacts early pregnancy loss odds significantly.
Falling sperm counts in the last few decades are âthreatening human survivalâ and leading to a fertility crisis. About 40 percent of infertility cases can be traced to male factors, such as sperm count, quality.
Sperm are easily damaged from lifestyle factors, and there are many factors that are known to interfere with sperm quality. Topics mentioned
The EARTH study. Dietary factors that lower and increase sperm countsModifiable lifestyle factors that have been show to increase sperm qualityChemicals to avoid to improve sperm healthNutrients that encourage optimal sperm healthWhat poor sperm quality is linked toIf you are wanting more help with your fertility, we love to help people make babies so you can Book in for a 1:1 consultation with any of our practitionersAre we insta friends? If not, come over and say hi @thenatalnaturopath
Thank you for listening! I would loveeeee if you could give my podcast a rating and a review. It's important as it helps get this podcast into the ears of other women who need it.
-
In this episode I interview Laura Power, the founder of The Vertigo Co. Laura Power is a Vestibular Physiotherapist. She has worked within the field of Neurological Physiotherapy with a special interest in Vestibular Disorders such as Dizziness, Vertigo and Balance ImpairmentTopics discussed;
What a vestibular physiotherapist is (I'd never heard of one before talking to Laura!vestibular migraines and what are the common causesbenign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)top migraine triggers and how hormones play a rolemost common nutritional deficiencies associated with migrainessupplements used by Laura to treat migrainesYou can get in contact with Laura over on instagram, or check our her highly educational website. The book Laura suggested to anyone with vertigo is Victory Over Vestibular Migraine Healing Thank you for listening! I would loveeeee if you could give my podcast a rating and a review. It's important as it helps get this podcast into the ears of other women who need it.
-
If you are someone who is taking an iron supplement, but finding after months of diligently taking it, your ferritin has barely increased - this is the episode for you. There is almost always an answer as to why you ferritin isn't increasing, and you just need to figure out which one it is (or we can for you within an appointment). Mentioned:
Forms of iron; poorly absorbed vs highly absorbedProducts that hinder iron absorptionHepcidin and how to maximise iron absorption by alternate day dosingGut absorption issues, gut inflammationUnder-active thyroidHow copper and vitamin A play a role in absorption and transport of ironCheck out IronBiotic here; it contains iron bisglycinate, activated B's, a probiotic strain, copper and beta-carotene. We know, it's amazing.Click here to learn more about The Natal Naturopath and to sign up to the weekly newsletter. Donât worry we wonât spam you! And for those who sign up to the newsletter you will get 10% off your first purchase.
Are we insta friends? If not, come over and say hi @thenatalnaturopath
Thank you for listening! I would loveeeee if you could give my podcast a rating and a review. It's important as it helps get this podcast into the ears of other women who need it.
-
Melanie interviews Steven Judge, clinical naturopath in Sydney (NSW, Australia) specialising in chronic digestive disorders and mental health.
After 8 years in private practice working alongside medical practitioners as a director at the first integrative and holistic medical centre in Australia, Steven has gained a vast amount of knowledge and experience in empowering his clients to understand the underlying causes of their symptoms, and how to engage as an active participant in their healing journey as they learn to thrive and trust the inherent wisdom of their body. He evaluates the interactions among genetic, environmental, biochemical, emotional, spiritual and lifestyle factors that influence human health and chronic disease.
He wants his clients to experience true health-care, rather than simply disease management. And today we are lucky enough to get a glimpse into Stevenâs wisdom on the topic of histamine intolerance and how it might be the answer into unusual menstrual related symptoms, that a lot of women are searching for. Mentioned in the podcast:
Melanie's experience of period flu and how Steven helped her with thisWhat histamine intolerance is and what symptoms at certain points in the menstrual cycle women should be on the look out for that would give clues that it could be histamine; anxious, insomnia, unexplained nausea, vertigo, period migraines/headaches, joint pain, low blood pressureHow to confirm if histamine intolerance is the answer, and what high-histamine foods to avoid (the cheese platter has to go!)How oestrogen and histamine intertwine in the menstrual cyclePeriod flu and what exactly is driving itWhat even is the oestrogen detoxification pathway and why does it matter?What does pooing daily have to do with healthy hormonesSIBO, leaky gut, bacterial overgrowth and their contribution to histamine problemsWhat our favourite magnesium supplement isYou can connect with Steven over on instagram @stevenjudgenaturopath or www.stevenjudge.com.auClick here to learn more about The Natal Naturopath and to sign up to the weekly newsletter. Donât worry we wonât spam you! And for those who sign up to the newsletter you will get 10% off your first purchase.
Are we insta friends? If not, come over and say hi @thenatalnaturopath
Thank you for listening! I would loveeeee if you could give my podcast a rating and a review. It's important as it helps get this podcast into the ears of other women who need it.
-
I get asked a lot over on Instagram, âwhat do you think of iron infusions, should I be getting one?â and itâs a lengthy topic with many things to consider - so here is an episode entirely dedicated to the topic! The purpose of this episode is to help arm you with information so you can make your own informed decisions that feel right for you.
In this episode, I go over..
what the current guidelines and recommendations are in Australia for iron infusions in pregnancy, and what is the cut offs for diagnosing anaemia in pregnancyWhat the risks of infusions outlining maternal and neonatal outcomesWhat the difference is between iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemiaWhen are iron infusions not recommendedWhat too little, and on the other end, too much iron could do in pregnancyWhat is the solution to preventing iron deficient anaemia in the first placeAs always, please make sure you have an informed discussion regarding the risks with your primary health care provider as this episode is not designed to replace medical advice.Click here to learn more about The Natal Naturopath and to sign up to the weekly newsletter. Donât worry we wonât spam you! And for those who sign up to the newsletter you will get 10% off your first purchase.
Are we insta friends? If not, come over and say hi @thenatalnaturopath
Thank you for listening! I would loveeeee if you could give my podcast a rating and a review. It's important as it helps get this podcast into the ears of other women who need it.
References: Seeho SKM & Morris JM. 2018. Intravenous iron use in pregnancy: Ironing out the issues and evidence. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 58, 145â147.
https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2019/march/anaemia-in-pregnancy
Khalafallah A, Dennis A, Bates J, et al. A prospective randomized, controlled trial of intravenous versus oral iron for moderate iron deficiency anaemia of pregnancy. J Intern Med 2010;268(3):286â95. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2010.02251.x
Breymann C. Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy. Semin Hematol 2015;52(4):339â47. doi: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2015.07.003.
Lee AI, Okam MM. Anemia in pregnancy. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2011;25(2):241â59. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2011.02.001.
Reveiz L, Gyte GM, Cuervo LG, Casasbuenas A. Treatments for iron-deficiency anaemia in pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2011;(10):CD003094. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003094.pub3
Qassim A, Mol BW, Grivell RM, Grzeskowiak LE. Safety and efficacy of intravenous iron polymaltose, iron sucrose and ferric carboxymaltose in pregnancy: A systematic review. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2018;58(1):22â39. doi: 10.1111/ajo.12695.
-
In 2018 was the year of my growing and birthing my twins - identical girls Hunter and River, and what a wild and tough pregnancy it was. I carried them to 36 weeks, 6 days - and they were huuuuuge healthy babies at 3.15kg and 3.69kgs. They both had their own placentas, and were still identical which is quite rare! In this episode I go through the entire pregnancy from start to finish, what struggles I had, what I did for my health, what health concerns I had, how labour started, what supplements I took, and what things I couldn't live without. The book that I reference in the episode is "When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets or Quads" by Dr Barbara Luke.
-
This episode is the one that fitness guru's on instagram won't want you to be listening to, and they certainly aren't talking about. Iâm really sick of seeing weight loss experts reporting weight loss is simplyLESS CALORIES + MORE EXERCISE. It perpetuates the entire toxic diet culture.This is setting people up for complete disappointment, not to mention feeling likewhilst you are starving yourself and running yourself into the ground with exercise!Yes for some, it really can come down to over-eating or not moving their body enough, but for so many of you - you do these things... and you lose ZERO weight. And you're like huh?! I thought I needed to just eat less and exercise more. Why aren't I losing weight?Losing weight can be MUCH more complex with lots of things to consider; and we must remember to have compassion for our bodies as we are all biochemically different.Click here to learn more about The Natal Naturopath and to sign up to the weekly newsletter. Donât worry we wonât spam you! And for those who sign up to the newsletter you will get 10% off your first purchase.
If you would like to share this episode on your socials, be sure to tag @thenatalnaturopath. We love to know what you think of the podcast.
-
Scott and I are getting married in a few weeks, soooo excited! But also, deep within the budgeting and finances of organising a wedding. Luckily, we were on the same page from the start about our budget which is considerably lower than what the average Australian wedding costs in 2023. I go through all the things I would rather the spend the money on, when/if we have a baby together, as that's what we agreed would be a more important place for US to put all that money. This may help highlight a few areas of extra support you would like to set up for your postpartum also.
-
Recurrent miscarrying is traumatic, devastating and almost always, preventable. If someone has had two miscarriages in a row, I believe it's time to dig a bit deeper starting with very thorough blood tests and a trained set of eyes.Recurrent miscarrying is a sign that something deeper is going on. More often than not, something comes up that can be worked on.â In this episode, I go through all of the most common causes of recurrent miscarriages so that you are informed and able to investigate whether if any are relevant to you.
If you are wanting to see one of the practitioners within my team - you can book an appointment with us at www.thenatalnaturopath.com.au/book-now. Click here to learn more about The Natal Naturopath and to sign up to the weekly newsletter. Donât worry we wonât spam you! And for those who sign up to the newsletter you will get 10% off your first purchase.
If you would like to share this episode on your socials, be sure to tag @thenatalnaturopath. We love to know what you think of the podcast.
-
Are you exhausted with a dash of overwhelm? Is your mind always racing? Going to bed wired but tired, and waking up exhausted? A constant mental load that never lessens? Go-go-go all day long? If a handful of these are true for you - there's no doubt you are sick of feeling like this. In this first episode of the new season, I go through why I paused the podcast last year, and how I was teetering on the edge of burnout. I also needed to reassess why I was always so goddamn busy. Like who is this serving? Certainly not me or my family. My life was so busy it was passing by me. I talk about how I felt I was being spread so thin between both my mothering and my business, and how putting in better boundaries and cutting down on work aided this - but I go through my most important practical tips that you can implement tomorrow to shift you out of that overwhelmed and exhausted state that so many women are in. Click here to learn more about The Natal Naturopath and to sign up to the weekly newsletter. Donât worry we wonât spam you! And for those who sign up to the newsletter you will get 10% off your first purchase.
Are we insta friends? If not, come over and say hi @thenatalnaturopath
Thank you for listening! I would loveeeee if you could give my podcast a rating and a review. It's important as it helps get this podcast into the ears of other women who need it.
-
The episode that EVERY soon to be conceiving, or pregnant mama should be listening to. What exactly are the differences between folic acid and methyl-folate? What does your body have to do to both of them?Why do some supplements use folic acid, and others methyl-folate?And why methyl-folate comes out as Queen in this debate, each and every time. Remember to give my podcast a 5-star review if you are loving it and share it with a friend of family member who is looking to get pregnant, or is currently pregnant, so that they can learn why they need methyl-folate. Click here to learn more about The Natal Naturopath and to sign up to the weekly newsletter. Donât worry we wonât spam you! And for those who sign up to the newsletter you will get 10% off your first purchase.
If you would like to share this episode on your socials, be sure to tag @thenatalnaturopath. We love to know what you think of the podcast.
-
Post-pill acne is the flare-up of acne about 3-6 months after stopping the pill. It is the result of a temporary surge in androgens (testosterone). And it's bloody frustrating. In this episode, Melanie discusses post-pill acne, post-pill PCOS, why pills like Yasmin are the hardest to come off, how does coming off the pill often cause acne, why establishing regular ovulation is key, and natural treatments such as zinc, inositol and the connection to dairy.
