Woven Well: Natural Fertility Podcast

In this episode, we celebrate the release of Caitlin's new book,  Woven Well: A Christian Woman's Guide to Reproductive Health, Fertility, and Wholeness . Listen in as Caitlin discusses:  ·      The inspiration behind the book ·      Who the book is for ·      A breakdown of the book’s chapters ·      What this book is *not* ·      How to order ·      Ways to connect with Caitlin during...

There's a problem in women's healthcare today, but what can we do about it as women? It can feel disheartening and frustrating to see the gaslighting and 10-minute appointments and feel like there's nothing you can do. But patients have the power to encourage progress. In today's episode, Caitlin talks with medical school professor, Dr. Anita Showalter, about:  - why the standa...

Hanna prefers holistic medicine and homeopathy to modern medical advancements so when her doctor recommended a laparoscopy for possible endometriosis, she wasn't thrilled. This began a journey of determining whether or not this surgery would be right for her specifically and she shares that honest journey with us in today's podcast. Whether or not you suspect endometriosis, many of us wi...

FemTech is a big industry but how helpful is it to "the little people" especially those trying to conceive? We talked with NaProTechnology trained PA, Naomi Davis, from Vivify Fertility & Health, about how she's seen FEMTECH support and restrict women trying to grow their families. She lays out the major types of FemTech devices, some pros and cons, and her best advice for those...

Do you pray about your family planning intentions? What are the moments when you feel drawn to offer up prayer to God? Is it when you really hope you *aren't* pregnant? Or when you truly pray that you *are*? Or can prayer offer more to us than just an opportunity to put in a "special request"? In today's episode, fellow FCP Laura Ducote and Caitlin talk about the role of prayer...

Kelsey & her husband have been struggling through what she calls "long haul" infertility for the last 12 years. Throughout her trying to conceive journey, she's questioned her worth, cried out to God on the floor, and seen dozens of doctors. In the midst of it all, she is clear that God has been faithful and present as He's open and closed doors. Twelve years into marriage,...

Saunas and cold plunges are all the rage, but are they all that good for women (and especially women of reproductive years)? We opened up our Instagram stories to your questions and this episode is devoted to answering the most frequently asked, including:  - What do saunas and cold plunges actually do for the body?  - Why do they impact women and men differently?  - When is the best time to use a...

We all know our four vital signs and how to take our heart rate, but what about reproductive vital signs? Are there any? YES and they're called reproductive biomarkers. Today's episode lays out the key biomarkers that you can use in your daily life for family planning and health diagnosis (as well as bonus ones that may be more specific to you). Looking for help finding the right method...

The Mira Hormone Monitor is a part of a growing Femtech movement designed to make reproductive hormone data available to women in an at-home setting. It promises a lot, but it's not cheap, so many women have some questions before they're ready to buy:  How does Mira work? What will it require of the user?  What kind of data does it actually provide?  Does it work for every cycle type and...

Have you heard the stereotype of women peeing when they sneeze or laugh as they get older? What's up with that? Can it be prevented? What about pelvic pain, constipation, or tampon discomfort? All of these have one thing in common: pelvic floor health. Notice that the commonality is NOT pregnancy or delivery, like is often believed. Women can have pelvic floor issues, like urinary incontinenc...

What does it mean to be human? And how does the answer to that question impact how we view medicine and medical advancements? Bioethicist, Katelyn Walls Shelton, shares an introduction to bioethics in the reproductive health space and gives listeners two questions to ask when considering next steps to take, whether it's about birth control, IVF, or anything in between. We only scratched the s...

When Kaleigh started having periods in high school, it kept her from class, theatre, and a normal life. But weren't cramps a "normal" part of periods? She hoped birth control would provide the relief she needed, but that wasn't her story. Hear just a few of the ways birth control affected her life and how she eventually found answers. Because of her journey, she is now passiona...

One pregnancy loss is too many, but for those who experience it over and over again it’s a special kind of heartbreak. In today’s episode, Caitlin welcomes restorative reproductive medicine nurse practitioner, Amanda Frederick, back to the show to explore the complex and sensitive topic of pregnancy loss, focusing on recurrent miscarriage. We discuss:  The prevalence and emotional impact of pregna...

Did you know that midwives can provide gynecological care outside of pregnancy and postpartum? While this used to be the standard practice, more and more medicine has moved inside of hospitals and toward physicians, but the role of midwife to the local community shouldn't be overlooked. Because of their unique skills and training, they can provide gynecological care that may better meet your...

Fellow FertilityCare Practitioner at Woven Natural Fertility Care, Laura Ducote, joins Caitlin again to talk about ways to steward our female body and fertility as a gift. This honest conversation explores the first steps that help you see them as a gift more than a burden and how this transforms the, often broken, relationships we have with what makes us female. This episode is full of hope and e...

Let's talk about period blood clots. Are they normal? A problem? Why doesn't your OBGYN seem to know what to do with them? As a Certified FertilityCare Practitioner, I get these questions a lot. Western medicine doesn't have a lot to offer, though. So, what about eastern medicine? Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has long focused on the quality of menstruation and has developed pa...

After repeated pregnancy losses without answers, and trying every natural remedy from supplements to diet to cleanses, Bethany went in search of new options. She wanted the best of the best, but where could she even begin looking? It was her husband that first suggested, "Maybe we should start by addressing your period pain. That isn't normal." (Way to go, husband!) That conversatio...

New research says that 50% of women who have infertility but no painful periods have endometriosis. Those with painful periods and infertility are *90%* likely to have it. But diagnosis isn't always the hardest part. Many physicians will say they can treat it, but very few have the specialization needed to provide a "one and done" surgery, leaving many women with only temporary symp...

Does the Bible say anything more about sex than "thou shalt not"? From married couples using natural family planning or struggling with infertility to single women noticing elevated estrogen and sexual desire around ovulation, it's worth it to explore what role sex could play in our lives not only physically but spiritually. Today, Dr. Juli Slattery from Authentic Intimacy joins Cai...

When Magan and her husband weren't conceiving easily like they did with their first, she did everything in her power to see change. She worked with a chiropractor, tried Whole30, used supplements, and met with her local OB. One year later, nothing had changed. She wanted answers quick, but when she read about NaProTechnology and a restorative approach to reproductive health issues, she decide...

What do you know about N-Acetyl Cysteine? This supplement is all the rage in health and wellness spheres, but does it have anything to offer women interested in reproductive health specifically? This episode explains what NAC is, how it functions and supports the body, and what it can do for reproductive concerns like PCOS, endometriosis, and more. We'll even walk you through some recent stud...

When it comes to reproductive health, it can feel like there's always "one more thing" that you can do or try. It can feel exhausting. How much is too much? How do you know when it's time to stop? These are valid questions to ask! But as you do, there are some other factors to first consider. - Are all the things I'm doing actually moving me toward my goal? Is there anothe...

OBGYN and mom-by-IVF, Susan Caldwell, shares the full, complicated story of her decision to pursue IVF in the past and why she'd never do it now. She's honest with us as she details the physical pain and emotional turmoil she faced due to assisted reproductive technology treatments and offers the hope of an alternative--an approach she's dedicated her professional life to sharing wi...

We all want to eat healthier, but it's not always as easy as it sounds. When you walk into a grocery store, how can you know what to buy and what to skip? We can't always make gourmet meals when we have 30 mins to make something healthy happen. Yet we know that the food we eat has a meaningful impact on our overall health and reproductive function. This is why we've invited Register...

Outside of a yeast infection, do you know how to gauge the health of your primary sexual organ? If not, you're not alone. Most ladies know very little (if anything) about vaginal health, and Dr. Sarah Pederson wants to help change that. In today's episode, she addresses the most common mistakes made in caring for yourself "down there" and provides tips for topics like lubricant...