Episode Details

Pregnancy is often treated as something to get through, rather than a critical window for long-term health. But what happens during this time doesn’t just impact your baby, it shapes your health, recovery, and energy for years to come.

In this episode, I am talking to Fertility and IVF Support Naturopath Kathryn Moloney about how to properly support your body before, during, and after pregnancy. We cover preconception care, key nutrients, common deficiencies, and how to prevent issues like postnatal depletion, gestational diabetes, and burnout.

Kathryn and I cover:

• Why pregnancy and nutritional support are often overlooked, and how this impacts long-term maternal health
  • How babies draw nutrients from the mother and why this increases the risk of depletion, osteoporosis, and fatigue
  • Why postnatal depletion starts before pregnancy and how to prevent it
  • What to focus on during preconception, including detox, digestion, sleep, and stress management
  • Why the first trimester can lead to rapid nutrient depletion and how to prepare for it
  • The most important nutrients for pregnancy, including folate, choline, iodine, vitamin D, omega-3s, and zinc
  • How early placental development impacts risks like preeclampsia and growth restriction
  • Why rest in the first trimester is essential and how overexertion can impact baby development
  • How to stabilize blood sugar during pregnancy to reduce nausea, fatigue, and gestational diabetes risk
  • Why both partners need to prepare for pregnancy and how sperm health plays a role
  • What to focus on in the second trimester to rebuild nutrient levels and support strength for labour
  • Why pelvic floor health and muscle strength are critical for labour and recovery
  • How to prepare for postpartum, including support systems, nutrition, and mental health
  • Why many women feel unprepared for life with a newborn and how to better plan for that transition
  • The connection between nutrient levels, microbiome health, and postnatal mood and energy
  • Why prevention is key in functional medicine and how to reduce the risk of pregnancy complications

Kathryn Moloney is a naturopath with about twenty years experience specializing in fertility, pregnancy, and postnatal health. She works with women and couples to optimize nutrient levels, hormone balance, and overall health before and during pregnancy. Kathryn takes a preventative approach, helping women reduce the risk of complications and support long-term wellbeing.

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