In this episode of Sofia Unfiltered, Lauren speaks with Dr. Jane Levesque, a renowned Naturopathic Doctor specializing in fertility.
What is TTC? Dr. Jane's journey is explained.
Dr. Jane's journey led her to specialize in naturopathic medicine and fertility, helping people who are TTC (trying to conceive). She faced various health issues in her twenties and sought alternative solutions, eventually discovering the holistic approach of naturopathic medicine. Recognizing the lack of information and support for women during their fertility journeys, she now helps women optimize their fertility by addressing hormonal imbalances, stress, and anxiety. Dr. Jane emphasizes the importance of a whole-body approach and empowering women with knowledge about their menstrual cycles and hormonal health. She also challenges the fear-based approach to contraception and offers support through her Maximize Your Fertility program, addressing the root causes of anxiety and other concerns.
Top 5 tips to increase fertility naturally
- Cultivate Mind-Body Practices: Reduce stress through techniques like meditation, yoga, and mindfulness.
- Healthy eating: Follow a balanced, nutrient-rich eating plan with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
- Regular Exercise: Stay active with moderate physical activity to maintain a healthy weight, improve circulation, and promote hormonal balance.
- Stress Management: Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as deep breathing or engaging in enjoyable activities.
- Environmental Awareness: Minimize exposure to environmental toxins and pollutants that can affect hormonal health.
Environmental factors affecting your health
- Chemical Safety: Exposure to toxins in water, pesticides, and industrial chemicals can create health risks.
- Air Pollution: Suspended particles and gases in the air, including vehicle emissions and pollen, can lead to respiratory issues and other health problems.
- Climate Change and Natural Disasters: Changing climate patterns and more frequent natural disasters can increase vulnerability to diseases and disrupt health systems.
- Diseases Caused by Microbes: Harmful microbes like bacteria and viruses can cause illnesses transmitted through food, water, soil, or air.
- Poor Water Quality: Contaminated water sources and lack of sanitation services contribute to waterborne diseases and health complications.
- Global Environmental Issues: Soil pollution, ultraviolet radiation, and biodiversity loss pose health risks globally, particularly in vulnerable populations.
Seeking Knowledge and Support
Our co-host, Lauren, shares her concerns about starting a family after being on hormonal contraceptives for many years. She expresses her confusion about where to begin and the overwhelming amount of information available. Dr. Jane acknowledges the abundance of resources and the challenges of sifting through them. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and seeking appropriate support to ease anxiety and misconceptions.
They discuss the need to balance self-guided exploration and professional assistance, highlighting the value of investing in expert guidance when necessary. Dr. Jane emphasizes the importance of understanding one's level of commitment and effort in pursuing the fertility journey. They also touch upon the impact of mindset, values, and routine on preparing for pregnancy and overall health.
The conversation extends to the realization that many health issues are interconnected with fertility. They stress the significance of a holistic approach to health, debunking the notion that physical fitness alone equates to being healthy. Dr. Jane encourages individuals to listen to their bodies, recognize the signals they provide, and challenge beliefs about what is considered normal or acceptable in terms of health.
The discussion concludes with the understanding that pursuing fertility involves planning, self-reflection, and conscious decision-making. They emphasize the desire to create a healthy and fulfilling environment for future generations, acknowledging the potential impacts of previous generations' experiences with contraceptives and the changing world we live in today.
Holistic Fertility
Lauren and Dr. Jane discuss the importance of conscious decision-making and treating the root causes of fertility issues rather than just managing symptoms. They emphasize the interconnectedness of fertility and overall well-being. Dr. Jane highlights the rising infertility rates and declining health, questioning the biological and environmental factors contributing to mental illness. They delve into the causes of infertility, including genetic factors, PCOS, endometriosis, and low progesterone, emphasizing the role of mitochondrial function.
They also address the impact of emotions on cellular health and the need to address emotional well-being and trauma in the context of fertility. Lauren acknowledges the tendency to focus solely on physical changes and seeks guidance on healing and self-empowerment throughout the infertility journey. They emphasize the importance of a holistic approach to fertility and overall health.
What to expect after a miscarriage?
Dr. Jane and Lauren discuss the importance of being present and taking time to heal after a miscarriage. They emphasize the need to learn from the experience and focus on emotional and physical readiness before attempting another pregnancy. They highlight the tendency to blame oneself and the significance of adopting a growth mindset. The conversation emphasizes flexibility, self-awareness, and prioritizing overall well-being in the journey towards a healthy pregnancy and expanding the family.
Nurturing Family Well-being
Lauren and Dr. Jane emphasize the importance of being intentional and empowered in supporting a child's well-being and development. They discuss common challenges like infertility, miscarriage, and children's health issues, emphasizing the need to address them directly.
Dr. Jane highlights the value of understanding one's body, breaking free from unhealthy habits, and passing on that knowledge to future generations. They stress the commitment, courage, and personal growth required for better health and fertility. They encourage individuals to prioritize self-investment, even if it means letting go of relationships or habits that no longer serve them. Dr. Jane believes in the power of prevention and the importance of doing the inner work to avoid passing personal struggles to children.
More from Sofia Health
Check out the full episode of the Sofia Unfiltered podcast, "Holistic Approaches to Boost Fertility," available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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