Becoming Mum

In this episode I chat to Dr Nat Kringoudis, doctor of Chinese medicine, Acupuncturist, Author, Speaker and all-round natural fertility expert. She’s also the founder of Melbourne women’s health clinic, The Pagoda Tree, where her powerful fusion of Western and Chinese medicine, has helped thousands of women change the way they think about their health. Nat is also the creator of Yo’Nuts and producer of HealthTalks TV. And bonus, I get to call her my friend – someone that has been there for me since the start of our fertility journey. Her latest book, Beautiful You shows you how your hormones affect sexuality, physical health and appearance and mental wellbeing. Your body is talking ... It's time to listen! This is Nat’s latest (and very important) take home message and it’s a reminder to take back our power and accept the responsibility to get to know our bodies lies with us – not our doctor. She opens up the discussion on understanding your own body, balancing hormones and sexual empowerment. PLUS you can learn how to make your hormones happier than a Pharrell Williams song! In this episode we talk about: (08:40) why quick-fix pills spell disaster for your long term health (11:11) what your acne is telling you (16:30) why periods should NOT be painful and what to do if they are (21:50) what I attribute my success with IVF to and how Nat has supported her son’s cystic fibrosis that has left the professionals gob smacked - mindset (28:15) why it’s so important to be up front with your children about sex (34:41) why we need to teach teens about more then just preventing pregnancy (40:50) how health conditions that you may be facing now are a direct result of how you have lead your life so far – and what you can do from this point on (42:40) why it’s not all doom and gloom for women with endometriosis and PCOS + a whole lot more! Find Nat here: www.natkringoudis.com Follow Nat here: www.instagram.com/natkringoudis

In this first episode, I open up about how I had to come to terms with the fact that I wasn't going to fall pregnant the way I thought I would. When you're young, you think making babies is as simple as having sex (if only!) Boy was that about a kazillion miles from the truth! This journey was a 5 year journey for hubby and I and in this episode I talk about: (06:00) how guilty I felt as all of closest friends fell pregnant and I couldn't be there for them in the way that I wanted (07:00) what going through my bitter, angry (and judgey!) stage phase was like (10:10) how we responded to ignorant and insensitive questions and statements (13:00) the moment I started to write a letter to my unborn child and how that made me realise what I really wanted (14:30) how a gentle suggestion to perhaps try anti-depressants got me back on track (16:20) how Anita Moorjani's book Dying to be Me changed everything! (22:00) my baby-making lolly ritual and how I supported myself naturally ++ a whole lot more! I hope by sharing my story anyone going through a similar situation feels a little less alone and a little more, even if just a glimmer, hope.

Morning sickness - it's like paying for a wild party you never got to go to! I honestly don't think anyone could have prepared me for how sh*t I was going to feel and how robbed of my health I could possibly be! This is my personal experience and some of the things that helped (and didn't do squat!) In this episode I talk about: (03:55) debunking the myth 'the sicker you feel the healthier the baby' (04:45) my experience with acupuncture (05:40) taking Vitamin B6 (I took this brand) (06:30) why it's important to not get hungry! (07:52) how Hypnosis can help (I used these two tracks, here and here) (08:53) seasickness bands (I used these) (10:00) why taking your vitamins at night could help (10:15) Magnesium could be the missing factor (I used this spray) (13:30) how essential oils helped me and why I don't fear using them ++ a whole lot more! I hope you enjoy this episode and more importantly, it helps!