Healthy As A Mother #130: Fertility, Birth & Motherhood: Expectation VS Reality
Womanhood Wellness is where functional medicine meets feminine wisdom—guiding you to balance hormones, awaken libido, and prepare for pregnancy with intention. Join today.
What if acceptance is the most radical act of motherhood?
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Aviva Romm, a Yale-trained MD, herbalist, and midwife who has been practicing for over 40 years. She’s a bestselling author of several books, a mom of four, and a grandmother who even got to midwife two of her own grandbabies at home.
We talk about the tension between hopes and acceptance on the journey through fertility, pregnancy, and motherhood. The conversation moves through the stories we tell ourselves, the weight of expectations, and what it looks like to find resilience and grace when things unfold differently than planned.
You’ll Learn:
- Why suffering often comes from the gap between expectations and reality in motherhood
- What happens when fertility, birth, or parenting doesn’t follow the story you imagined
- The link between perfectionism, self-judgment, and how women process fertility or birth outcomes
- Why you need to stop “should-ing” yourself to cultivate more resilience
- How external judgment in wellness or parenting circles can intensify shame and isolation
- The wisdom behind seeing every baby as having their own story and gift
- Why self-compassion and trusting your body matter the most when plans change
- How support systems, partners, community, or trusted providers shape the journey
- The power of surrender and acceptance as lifelong practices for mothers
Timestamps:
[00:00] Introduction
[09:02] Balancing motherhood, creative work, and the importance of support systems
[11:11] Shifting perspectives on motherhood, sacrifice, and the pressure to do it all
[15:33] Letting go of expectations and finding acceptance in fertility and motherhood
[30:20] Judgment in wellness culture and evolving personal stories in motherhood
[55:56] Lessons in releasing guilt and honoring self-development in motherhood
Resources Mentioned:
Womanhood Wellness | Website
American Herbalists Guild | Website
The Mama Pathway | Website
Books by Dr. Aviva Romm | Website
Learn more from Dr. Aviva:
Dr. Aviva Romm | Website
Dr. Aviva Romm | Facebook
Dr. Aviva Romm | Instagram
Dr. Aviva Romm | LinkedIn
Dr. Aviva Romm | X
Dr. Aviva Romm | YouTube
On Health For Women Podcast | Apple or Spotify
Find more from Leah:
Leah Gordon | Instagram
Leah Gordon | Website
Leah Gordon | Website
Find more from Morgan:
Morgan MacDermott | Instagram
Morgan MacDermott | Website
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