Food Freedom and Fertility Podcast

This episode of food freedom and fertility is the 3rd installment of TCC friendly swaps! This week we jump into snack and fridge swaps and while we have some good ideas we want the listeners to know that you will need to expand your horizons for snacks because there isn’t always a 1 for 1 swap, but to remember it’s all about balance. It is ok to remember that if you love a snack… make room for it but also keep in mind how much you indulge on this treat. If it something you have daily make sure to see if you can make a more fertility friendly choice. If you need a little snack inspiration  you can try organic grapes and sharp cheddar, berries, fruit with sunflower or other nut butter, you can also create your own trail mix with dark chocolate almonds and other nuts. Being prepared always help you make the best choices so having something prepared is always the goal however sometimes you just need that quick grab and go option and there are healthy items such as Beanie Bops that come in a variety of different flavored and spiced beans or a grass fed, low sugar jerky and the new wisps crackers are a great alternative to a chip! Having something you’ve thought about ahead of time and just having it ready It is also ok to indulge every so often during a period or other situation but remember to make sure you are making choices that fill your cup vs fill a void. When looking in your fridge condiments take up a lot of space and there is plenty of room to make better choices in this area. If you love a sweet salad, instead of choosing a creamy sweet dressing opt to use oil and or vinegar as the dressing but add fruit to your salad for the sweet craving. If you need more flavor options Primal Kitchen offers a healthy and clean option with a line full of different flavors. Eggs are a great snack option and the best version of an egg would be a pasteurized egg so that the chickens are getting all of those rich and healthy vitamins from the earth. Also remember to store those veggies and fruits where you can see them so you don’t waste them! The best place for a fruit or veggie is front and center!   Freezer foods that Sophia and Caitlin keep stocked are frozen meets, organic berries, liver cubes (to drop into sauces) frozen soups, frozen veggies and a favorite Costco Bare Chicken nuggets which are a great Chick-Fil-A dupe! A tip for listeners is instead of focusing on a meal plan thing about your week more broadly and estimate for your life! Some days are busier than others, some days you feel more creative, and some days you just don’t want to cook at all! That’s why host, Sophia suggests to plan your week as follows: 2-3 days of the week with have NO ENERGY quick fix meals available. Such as a rotisseries chicken and bag salad. 2-3 nights that are your all-Star night menu nights, which is a night you are ready to roll out  your best recipes! 2-3 nights for a normal day and that is where you make a meal you’ve made a dozen times and your family likes it. Usually requires medium effort.   1 Night where you try something new! 1 Left over night 1 Take out night Remember that you don’t have to be perfect and it is a process so allow yourself the grace to start transforming your healthy, fertility friendly lifestyle!

On this week’s episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility Caitlin and Sophia are talking about grocery swaps! During this “eat this… not that” episode to help with your fertility journey and overall health! Our hosts start off with organization tips on how to curate your shopping list to fit your life which will help you kick off a successful grocery store trip. They also discuss the EWG’s new list of dirty dozen and clean fifteen. They dive into how important it is to look into your pantry items that carry some of these items and keep that in consideration when you are shopping. They also want to remind you if your budget needs some cushion check out frozen organic fruits and veggies for a healthy and budget friendly substitute.    Sophia and Caitlin tour their kitchens and discuss the good and the not so good options such as which type of oils you should use for cooking and the reason behind it. They also suggest that cooking with fats such as butter, tao, good lard, chicken fat, duck fat are excellent options. If you are used to using Pam spray a good alternative is to swap it out for a spray bottle like a Misto Sprayer and put oil in it. You could also swap your Pam spray for olive oil or avocado spray instead. They also suggest using an actual maple syrup and not something like Log Cabin. Real maple syrup can taste different and may be an adjustment but if you are eating oils or syrup everyday it is best for your overall health.    Other key foods of concern to find healthy alternatives would be your Teas and Coffee. You want to be sure that your tea and coffee are “Fair Trade”. Nut butters are another big flavor switch but totally worth it since most non-organic nut butters are palm oil aka processed seed oil and sugar. Speaking of nuts… it is a good idea to make your own trail mix so that you can include quality ingredients with healthier ratios and variety.    For those of you who have comfort foods and childhood memories of things like hamburger helper and rideroni… their are copycat recipes on the web that you can make from home that are similar to the original product but you will need to plan ahead so these aren’t default options for when you are in need of something quick! Canned goods are another good item to have on hand for quick meal ideas. When you are buying canned goods you want to look at what the cans are lined with and made of. You want a Bisphenal free can: may not last as long but less toxic. Canned foods can be helpful in adding fiber, protein, vegetables to meals that take less work. But you want to make sure you are buying cans with a safer lining. Glass jars are great for tomato products or other products. Boxed products may be a good alternative.    This episode also covers important info on choosing a good pasta option, flours, bone broth, cereals and much more! As always moderation is important. So keep that in mind that if you stray from the BEST option sometimes that is ok!

In this episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility Caitlin and Sophia are discussing TCC friendly kitchen swaps! Caitlin and Sophia have some great tips on how to make easy swaps in the kitchen to better serve yourself and your fertility. Women with PCOS have increased effects with plastic exposure. By reducing plastic exposure in the kitchen you help control and influence the way your genetics interact with your environment.   So how do you determine how to curate your kitchen to support your health and fertility? The question you need to ask yourself is, what is your specific exposure? How often are you being exposed? Items you use more frequently or that have greater exposure risks should be on the short list to swap out. We’ll talk about what needs to get out today and what items you may want to swap out down the line when you have the means.   In today’s episode Caitlin and Sophia explain how certain single use plastics are the biggest offenders of exposure in the kitchen and what they recommended as alternatives to swap out. We are diving into kitchen swaps for hot beverages, storage containers, plastic wrap, non-stick pans, cooking utensils, the microwave, water bottles, water filtration, and much more!     The biggest take away from this episode is that you are in control of your health and fertility journey and can make small but important changes to better serve yourself.   Don’t feel that you need to throw out everything in your kitchen and restart, you can take control by identifying some of your biggest exposures and making changes where you can.   To look up ratings on different plastics and exposure check out environmentalworkinggroup.org

On this week’s episode e of Food, Freedom and Fertility we are joined by Karly Nuttall a Midwife and Educator. Karly is a certified Professional Midwife who has also launched on online school, Midwifery Finishing School. Today we have Karly here to discuss  Midwifery Care for Pregnancy Health specifically focused on pregnancy loss.   The Midwifery approach to pregnancy loss is very open and diverse. The thought process is that there is not one correct way to handle this but better yet you must do what is right for you and your family. Karly helps us understand the risk of infection for non-viable pregnancies and the details of a natural miscarriage and letting it pass on its own. Also, she discusses the benefits of this process and how you can truly make this experience something that will help you fell more at peace with the situation better.     Karly walks us through how each miscarriage can be extremely different and especially based on how far along you are. One of those options is a D&C. She helps us understand what a D&C is… not to be confused as DNC. A D and C is Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a procedure to remove tissue from inside your uterus. A lot of people assume D&C is specifically for the removal after a miscarriage but it can also be used for other uterine conditions. But she also explains that all medical procedures should have a discussion and informed consent with full explanation of all of a patient’s options.   Karly discusses that pregnancy loss early is commonly due to genetic abnormalities. Rarely are external causes the root of a miscarriage. Typically,  women who are 35 and younger have a harder time requesting genetic testing until 3 miscarriages, however Karly suggests that if you feel the need for any testing you should speak up and find a provider that will support your decisions. Some of the testing to be done is to check for progesterone levels, MTHFR gene mutation and thyroid levels. Having a support team in place and a referral network will assist in your right as a patient to request these tests.     The role of a midwife is discussed at length and what role your midwife will have in the scenario that you have a miscarriage at any time during your pregnancy. Traditionally we as a society feel it is expected to hand over our bodily functions to the hospital and doctors. However,  Midwives’ goals are to help people feel connected to the process. Take ownership of not only decisions but the process.   Miscarriage is a difficult topic to navigate, but we want  you to remember that you  have options, you have support you don’t have to do things a certain way. You get to regard the life of your baby however works for you and if your providers do not support that it is ok to find someone else who does.   If you would like to learn more about Karly Nuttall please check her out at the links below. www.karlynuttall.com Midwifery Finishing School Podcast  Instagram  

On this episode of Food Freedom and Fertility we have Aimee Raupp, MS, LAc, is a renowned women’s health & wellness expert and the best- selling author of the books Chill Out & Get Healthy, Yes, You Can Get Pregnant, and Body Belief. A licensed acupuncturist and herbalist in private practice in New York, she holds a Master of Science degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, a Bachelor’s degree in biology from Rutgers University and is currently working on a master’s level education in functional medicine. Aimee is also the founder of the Aimee Raupp Beauty line of hand-crafted, organic skincare products. She has appeared on The View, and has been featured in Glamour, Allure, Well + Good, GOOP, Shape, and Redbook, and has received endorsements from Deepak Chopra, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Arianna Huffington, and Gabby Bernstein for her work in helping thousands of women to improve their vitality, celebrate their beauty, and reconnect to the presence of their optimal health. Aimee is also the Head of Chinese Medicine at The Well, an active columnist for media outlets such as Thrive Global, Well + Good, MindBodyGreen and is a frequent speaker at women’s health & wellness conferences across the nation. She engages her large community worldwide through her online During this episode Aimee will help walk through a variety of topics around egg quality but one major important thing to remember is that when you are improving the quality of your egg cells you are also improving all the cells in your body, we are amplifying health.   Aimee helps answer the question of if women are born with all your eggs you will ever have, how is it possible to impact your egg quality? Aimee explains that the eggs  you have are not developed. When those eggs mature the environment, you are in is what impacts their quality. The extracellular fluid that surrounds the cells is affected by the environment. Aimee also dives into a variety of other ways your egg quality can be affected.   It is important for women to realize they can control certain things and one of the items that research is pointing towards is a certain type of anti-inflammatory diet lifestyle and diet lowers oxidative stress, which causes cellular abnormality which can lead to poor egg quality. Using food to change the aging process behind your cells will help improve the quality. What you do now will affect the next 2 generations.   Aimee has written a book, The Egg Quality Diet,  which is the culmination of what Aimee Raupp has found, during her two decades of clinical practice, to be the most effective nutritional approach to optimizing fertility. This diet has been proven to work not in a randomized control trial (RCT) but in real life, on thousands of real women like you. The short version of her book is to count your Macros. Your macros should be 40-50% quality fat, 30% protein and the rest good quality carbs (sweet potatoes, beans, fruits). Her thought process is to heal the gut, improve absorption. Her book is meant to be for you to discover the best diet that works for you. Aimee also helps understand why a plant-based diet maybe difficult to hit your nutritional needs to help with your egg quality.   There will be a point in each woman’s life that they decide to stop trying to use their own eggs and decide to go forward with a donor. Aimee says that she thinks the decision is something that each woman and couple needs to make on their own but her gauge is how much more heartache can you handle or how much more can you financially afford. Just remember to emotionally check in with yourself and also have no regrets that you didn’t do everything in your power.   To learn more about Aimee, please visit her website at https://aimeeraupp.com and you can find her book, The Egg Quality Diet on Amazon.  

On this episode of Food Freedom and Fertility we are discussing Preeclampsia  with Laney Poye. Laney Poye serves as the Director of Communications and Engagement for the Preeclampsia Foundation, overseeing the Foundation's robust digital and traditional communications channels. She ensures that the three pillars of its mission (Community, Research, and Health Care Improvements) remain at the heart of the Foundation's work. Laney enjoys overseeing the development of scientifically accurate and accessible educational content in English and in Spanish for www.preeclampsia.org. Laney has a Master’s degree in International Affairs with a specialization in women’s health in low resource settings from Florida State University. She also serves as a representative voice for women who have experienced ectopic pregnancies, infertility, and pregnancy & infant loss.   Laney shares her experience with preeclampsia someone who works with women who are experiencing Preeclampsia and also someone who has experienced it first-hand. Laney gives us an in depth look at her story which also includes her IVF journey. Laney is happy to share this experience as the rate of preeclampsia is every 1 in 12 pregnancy will experience it. She also feels it makes her a better advocate.   Our hosts and Laney explain the difference between Gestational hypertension and Preeclampsia. Gestational hyper tension is any time in pregnancy where you manifest high blood pressure.  Preeclampsia is different because it is the hyper tension but there is an organ dysfunction with it. A big risk is that the blood pressure gets so high it causes seizures or a stroke for the mother. There are symptoms you can look out for which include severe headache that doesn’t go away when you take Tylenol, severe swelling hands and face that will not go away, vision changes and upper gastric change. Preeclampsia is the leading cause of maternal mortality, however one study stated over 60% of the preeclampsia deaths are avoidable if they receive the proper prenatal care. That is why it is important to know the symptoms and do not hesitate to go to the doctor if you experience any.   There are higher risk groups such as women with a younger maternal age (under 20) and advanced maternal age of 35 & up, a family history of high blood pressure, PCOS, fertility issues, and black moms. Laney reminds listeners that you deserve the right care that is focused around you.   If you know that you are at risk for Preeclampsia you can lower your risk in preconception period. One way is starting a low dose of Aspirin therapy 12-16 weeks before conception. That can help delay the onset or even prevent it. Be sure to check with your doctor about this helpful tool. If you have more than 1 risk factor you should consult with a high-risk specialist to help guide you through your pregnancy. It is also a good practice to begin doing anything that helps your body become healthier and more efficient. Also try to manage any issues before conception to give you a head start. Laney also helps debunk a few myths regarding Preeclampsia.   The biggest take away from this episode is to listen to your intuition and always get a 2nd opinion if you feel like your care provider is not addressing your concerns. Know the signs and symptoms advocate for yourself and remember that even if your pregnancy journey doesn’t go the way you thought it was going to go… you can still have a happy outcome. Hold on to that hope. www.Preeclampsia.org Facebook MoMMA's Voices   

In this episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility we are having a special episode to focus on Plagiocephaly and Torticollis with Dr. Brittany McGeary. Brittany is a pediatric physical therapist who specializes in torticollis, plagiocephaly, and developmental delay. She owns Grow Physical Therapy, a mobile pediatric practice whose purpose is to spread awareness about torticollis and plagiocephaly and advocate for early referral and intervention. Early referral is essential in order to prevent a helmet as well as gross motor delays. Brittany provides treatment in patient's homes and offers virtual consultations. Her passion is to empower parents through education and treatment to allow your little one to flourish.   This episode came to fruition because one of our hosts, Caitlin Johnson had noticed her 3rd baby moved his head with preferences and would not turn to the left. Caitlin shares the signs she experienced and how she advocated for her baby and learned about his diagnosis of plagiocephaly and torticollis.     Torticollis is a condition caused by tightened or shortened neck muscles. The typical presentation is a head tilt to one side and a rotation. Dr. Brittany helps listeners understand exactly what is torticollis and where it happens. She shares a few initial signs such as baby not looking in one direction or never wanting to to turn their head to one side. She also discusses explains what Plagiocephaly is and that typically Plagiocephaly and Torticollis present together 90% of the time.   Dr. Brittany walks listeners through potential risk factors that could heighten the risk of Plagiocephaly and Torticollis with container use (swings, doc a tots, and other such items), the fetal risk factor increases with a first born, multiples birth and  longer babies due to the positioning of the baby in utero. Also, the use of forceps or suction devices can up the risk of developing the conditions.     It is very important to address it Plagiocephaly and Torticollis immediately. There are important windows that can change the treatment plan. Babies can start screening for these conditions as early as 2 days. If the conditions are not treated there are cosmetic features that could develop but also run over into gross motor milestones. Dr. Brittany dives deeper into what that could look like. Remember to keep and out for equal and symmetrical movement, particularly neck and head and also take notice if you baby seems fussier when they face a certain direction.   Treatment can assist with both conditions and Dr. Brittany’s helps listeners know the timeline that would best optimize the likely hood the baby could gain normal range of motion the treatment can range between physical therapy such as stretching and strengthen. Also, assistance in your home for environmental adaption:  crib placement, position during sleeping purposeful play ideas.   If you are not in the Kansas City area are looking for an in-person Doctor such as Brittany you will want to search for a PT that is a pediatric physical therapist but do note that you can successfully work virtually as well. If you would like more information on Dr. Brittany McGeary, PT, DPT be sure to check her out via the links below. As always remember to advocate for you and your baby and trust your mom intuition.   IG: Grow Physical Therapy FB: Grow Physical Therapy www.growphysicaltherapy.com

Welcome to Food Freedom and Fertility, this episode we have Dr. Laura von Hagen to discuss using reproductive technologies without shame or guilt. We hope today’s episode can help remove the stigma and shame out of couples want to use reproductive technology as the next step of their journey.   Dr. Laura is a nature path doctor who used IVF to conceive. During this episode you will hear Dr. Laura’s journey and how she and her husband went to get pregnant it just wasn’t possible to use natural conception due to her PCOS. She tried letrozole for 6 rounds with no response. They decided that the next best step for them was to start IVF. Dr. Laure thinks of our IVF treatment as an opportunity to help them grow their family. If you would like to learn more about her journey and learn more about PCOS and pregnancy her book is a wonderful blueprint. It is informative and personal to help you navigate your own personal journey. One important point that Sophia, Caitlin and Dr. Laura want to remind our PCOS listeners is that if you are going off the pill and you don’t see a period coming do not wait a year, and if your doctor won’t help you find a different doctor.   Being a professional in an industry where you are also the patient is difficult and she shares with us how taxing it was to navigate the emotional side of showing up to an IVF clinic as a Naturopathic Doctor. Not only did it take a toll on her relationship and her husband, but hearing from others in her field “have you tried this or that” was emotionally exhausting. Dr. Laura did enlist help and see a counselor and an acupuncturist and she highly recommends it for anyone else dealing with a similar journey. She personally did not attend any groups but does believe they are also extremely helpful.     The journey from letrozole to IVF seems to be the most difficult on this fertility path and Dr. Laura has learned that some patients are fundamentally against it, some feel that their career keeps them so busy that how will they handle all of the doctor appointments that come with IVF treatment. People are also very afraid of the unknown and then the thought that lingers in everyone’s mind… what if this also fails? Women tend to feel the most weight of the failure even though there are both egg and sperm factors that contribute to infertility. Women seem to carry a lot of shame because they feel something is wrong with them.     Caitlin, Sophia and Dr. Laura also how risk factors aren’t always discussed during IVF treatment or they chose to not ask questions about the treatment. It is also true that fertility clinics are very busy and unless you advocate for yourself and ask questions sometime risk factors aren’t necessarily brought up during the appointment. Dr. Laura helps her patients learn about the risk factors and what to expect through the entire process. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Laura please see her bio below. If you are out of her network her bio can also help you find a Naturopathic Doctor by giving a synopsis of how she works with her patients.     Dr. Laura von Hagen, MSc, ND has a strong clinical focus in PCOS, prenatal care, and fertility. As a Naturopathic Doctor, she has a passion for providing excellent, evidence-based integrated care. Dr. von Hagen, ND fundamentally believes in empowering her patients on their fertility journey and helping them achieve their ultimate goal, healthy pregnancy and baby. She shares her own personal IVF journey and expertise in her new book, My PCOS Pregnancy: Your Guide to Getting and Staying Pregnancy with PCOS.   Before becoming an ND, she completed an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at Queen’s University and a Master’s in Clinical Anatomy at Western University. Outside of the clinic, she loves to spend time outdoors and in her kitchen. https://lauravonhagen.com Instagram My PCOS Pregnancy Book

On this episode of Food Freedom and Fertility we are joined by Sipra Laddha who is a board-certified physician, trained in psychopharmacology as well as psychodynamic psychotherapy, CBT, and humanistic psychotherapy.   Dr. Laddah discusses a variety of topics surrounding mental health and women who are TTC, pregnant, post-partum or working through grief from a lost baby. During these times in a woman’s life there can be additional stress of medications, financial pressures and the load of their pregnancy journey. Dr. Laddah reminds us that while it is easy to get wrapped up in the medical side of our health we cannot ignore the psychological effects.   Mood changes are part of pregnancy and when a woman’s body is preparing for a baby her body puts up sensors for dangers. Sometimes that can translate to anxiety and depression and is your body’s way of coping. It’s normal for women who have no history of anxiety or depression to present with these symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum.  Feelings like this should not be overlooked and starting a conversation with your OB and/or therapy is an excellent entry point into gaining insight to you, your history and what is triggering these feelings during this time in your life.   Dr. Laddah also discusses how certain medications while TTC are not a match for pregnancy. Any time you are trying to get pregnant you should talk to your doctor about what you are taking to find out the risks and effects it can have on unborn baby. Deciphering what is safe for each person is an individual journey and Dr. Laddah emphasizes this point and highly suggests that your OB or your primary physician is a great resource to help you start taking the right step to give you the information you need to make the most informed decision for you and your baby. Certain medications are more can also have the dosage changed or there is an alternate option that could pose less risk. If you know that you are trying to conceive, working with your doctors before conception for medication optimization is a great path.   Pregnancy and post-partum are the perfect storm for brewing ground for mental health issues and screening before for mood disorders is an excellent idea to help you stay in control of your mental health. Each trimester including post-partum offers different hormones that come through each stage, couple that with sleep deprivation, changing hormonal landscaping and any other stress during a critical windows in your life will cause so many vulnerabilities come to the surface. That’s why getting a head start on your mental health could be life altering. Dr. Laddah says that how a mom feels during 18 months of post-partum sets the ground for family mental health for what the next 18th years. She also wants to acknowledge that male partners can also struggle with mental health issues during this journey.   The discussion of how certain mental health medications affects a baby after being born is also discuss in this episode and it should come as no surprise that a mom who manages her mental health well during pregnancy, will lower the chance of her baby’s future mental health as well.   Caitlin and Sophia also ask multiple question for the listeners out there that are living with PCOS and some of the resistance to treat a mental health issue because of some of the side effects such as weight gain that certain medications can cause. Dr. Laddah also explains exactly how certain medications can cause weight gain.   If this podcast feels familiar or sounds similar to feelings you or your partner are having Dr. Laddah says that your first step should be talking to someone you trust, a friend or family member. Start talking about feelings and emotions by having more honest conversations with yourself and these people.  Speaking with a therapist is also a great place to start. This will help you gain insight and knowledge is power.   After listening to this podcast if you would like more information here are a few places that could help you with your mental health and pregnancy journey. https://www.2020mom.org which is a national organization focused on maternal mental health. Leaning into your primary care doctor, be sure to actively seek resources from them. Also Dr. Laddah has created Luna Joy, holistic women’s mental health therapy, counseling, and medication management.   To learn more about Dr. Sipra Laddah please review her bio below.   Sipra Laddha is a board-certified physician, trained in psychopharmacology as well as psychodynamic psychotherapy, CBT, and humanistic psychotherapy. She has expertise in Women's mental health and treating women through the transitions of life including pregnancy and postpartum. She attended medical school in New York, trained at Emory University Residency program and served as Chief Resident at the Veterans Administration Medical Center. Directly after residency, she started her own flourishing practice in Atlanta, GA and also served at the Veterans Medical Center in acute mental health services. In April in 2021, she and her co-founder Shama Rathi, a child and adolescent psychiatrist launched LunaJoy Health, (helloLunaJoy.com) focused on holistic women's mental health services. At LunaJoy, medical visits are offered via telemedicine and coaching is offered nationwide. She was recently named a top 20 finalist at the Hustle Fund out of over 1,500 companies and selected into the current Y combinator where she is working to rapidly increase awareness and access around common (but rarely addressed) mental health struggles. In addition, she is the mom of 4 wonderful kids ages 7, 7, 4, and 2 who have been her biggest motivators.

On this episode of Food Freedom and Fertility Sophia and Caitlin have invited their longtime friend Michelle Armstrong to discuss pregnancy and specifically her unique 4 different experiences.   Michelle and her husband have been together for over 12 years but have experienced so much more than they could have ever experienced around pregnancy and childbirth. Michelle joins the podcast today to walk us through her journey of having to say goodbye to their first child at 24 weeks and the process involved. She carries us through what it was like to get pregnant unintentionally only 2 months later and that home birth that she experienced.   Michelle’s next pregnancy took a completely different path than the others when she learned at 20 weeks that she had placenta previa which is when the baby’s placenta partially or totally covers the mother’s cervix. Few weeks later she went to the hospital with severe upper abdomen pain to find out she was going to have to deliver the baby because she now had preeclampsia which is s a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys. This was a diagnosis that could have been fatal to her and her baby. Sophia and Caitlin dive in on more information about preeclampsia and placenta previa and the signs and risk factors. After deliver her new baby was in the hospital for over 50 days.   Michelle opens up to describe the feeling of each pregnancy and how she was able to recover and process her trauma. She discusses a wonderful project that came out of her 2nd son’s hospital stay after he was diagnosed with RSV. She was able to turn her guilt, grief and sadness into the idea of a stuffed bear for babies in the NICU. She followed this idea through till the end and was able to create a wonderful stuffed animal that has a removal scent patch that parents can wear and then re-attach to the bear so babies at the hospital have the scent of their parents, it has a recording device so a message can be replayed, and it is a panda because of the black and white colors are the first colors a baby can see and they will look at it 8x longer which is better for brain stimulation. In addition, the bear is anti-microbial to help prevent the spread of germs. It took over a year for her to bring the bear to other families.   Michelle share how she worked on herself to mentally and physically prepare for her 4th pregnancy which was a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). She shared that she is humbled by the reality that nothing will fix what she has gone through but she has healed from it and shares all the steps that she took to get a good place. We want to sincerely thank Michelle for sharing her journey and all of her experiences with us and all of you.   If you would like more information on Finn the Bear you can find him at the links below.   https://finnandcogifts.com