Nourished with Dr. Anikó

54. Fibroids, Hysterectomy Alternatives & the Maternal Health Crisis with Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell (Part 2)

Did you know that 80% of Black women and 70% of white women will develop fibroids by age 50 and that hysterectomy is not the only treatment option?  In this powerful conversation, Dr. Anikó sits down with Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell, OBGYN, fibroid specialist, and one of the country's leading voices on maternal mortality to break down everything you've never been told about fibroid care, the U.S. maternal health crisis, and what the post-Dobbs landscape means for the future of women's healthcare. Dr. Gillispie-Bell shares the full menu of fibroid treatment options that most patients (and many physicians) don't know exist, including newly FDA-approved medications, uterine artery embolization, radio frequency ablation, and uterus-preserving myomectomy. She also discusses why the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate of any high-income country. Whether you're navigating fibroids yourself, planning a pregnancy, supporting someone who is, or simply trying to understand what's happening to women's healthcare in America right now this episode will leave you informed, empowered, and ready to take action. In This Episode: 01:04 What fibroids are, how they form, and who they affect  01:34 The most common fibroid symptoms and when treatment becomes necessary. 02:45 Medication options for fibroids, including newer FDA-approved treatments that significantly reduce heavy bleeding. 05:03 Minimally invasive fibroid procedures that avoid major surgery and offer shorter recovery times. 06:17 Surgical treatment options, including myomectomy and hysterectomy, depending on fertility goals and symptom severity. 09:53 A patient story showing how a missed fibroid diagnosis was actually causing infertility. 12:18 — Why MRI can detect fibroid complications that ultrasounds sometimes miss. 14:09 The alarming reality of maternal mortality disparities, especially among Black women in the U.S. 23:06 How post-Dobbs legislation is affecting physician shortages  29:47 Practical ways patients can improve maternal health outcomes through advocacy, support, and preconception care. Learn more about Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell: Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell is a board-certified OBGYN and one of the country's leading experts on uterine fibroids and maternal health equity. She leads the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative (LAPQC) and the state's Maternal Mortality Review Committee, where she works with birthing facilities across Louisiana to implement evidence-based practices that improve outcomes for mothers and babies. Her work has contributed to dramatic reductions in severe maternal morbidity from hemorrhage and hypertension in Louisiana. Website: https://www.drveronicamedicalmedia.com/ Connect with Dr. Anikó: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.aniko/ Website: https://www.draniko.com/ Thank you for listening to Nourished with Dr. Anikó!  It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love!  Your presence is truly felt and deeply appreciated. Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

53. Reclaiming Women’s Health Conversations with Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell (Part 1)

In this episode of Nourished with Dr. Anikó, Anikó Gréger sits down with nationally recognized OB-GYN, women’s health expert, and public health leader Veronica Gillispie-Bell for an honest and deeply important conversation about menstrual health, fibroids, medical mistrust, and the ways women’s pain continues to be overlooked in healthcare. Together, they explore why menstrual cycles should be considered a vital sign, how heavy periods and pain are often normalized instead of investigated, and why so many women are still being told hysterectomy is their only option for fibroid treatment. Dr. Gillispie-Bell shares how her mother’s experience with fibroids shaped her career and why she has dedicated her work to helping women understand they deserve options and individualized care. This conversation also dives into the humanity of medicine itself — the emotional toll on physicians, the industrialization of healthcare, and how rebuilding trust between patients and providers starts with listening, transparency, and compassionate conversations. Dr. Anikó and Dr. Gillispie-Bell also reflect on the shame and stigma surrounding menstruation, why we need to normalize conversations about periods and women’s bodies, and how reframing menstruation as something worthy of respect, celebration, and understanding can change the next generation’s relationship with their health. Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Introducing Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell and her work in women’s health 04:00 – Why so many women are still told hysterectomy is their only option 07:00 – Defensive medicine, medical mistrust, and patient-centered care 12:00 – Physician burnout, trauma, and the emotional toll of modern healthcare 16:00 – Why your menstrual cycle should be considered a vital sign 18:00 – What is considered a “normal” menstrual cycle and when to seek help 20:00 – Period pain: what’s normal and what shouldn’t be ignored 22:00 – Shame, stigma, and changing how we talk about menstruation 26:00 – Why conversations about women’s bodies still make people uncomfortable 28:00 – Reclaiming menstruation as something sacred, human, and worthy of celebration Learn more about Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell: Website: https://www.drveronicamedicalmedia.com/ Connect with Dr. Anikó: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.aniko/ Website: https://www.draniko.com/ Thank you for listening to Nourished with Dr. Anikó!  It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love!  Your presence is truly felt and deeply appreciated. Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

52. Postpartum Psychosis: The Hallucinations and Delusions You Don't Want to Ignore (Part 2)

In this episode of Nourished with Dr. Anikó, Dr. Anikó continues her conversation with postpartum psychosis awareness advocate, writer, and author Aaisha Alvi together, they explore why postpartum psychosis is missed so often because of the  widely repeated idea that "if you're disturbed by your thoughts, you're not psychotic". This is dangerous misinformation that has cost lives. This conversation also share the power of this knowledge and how anyone can spot postpartum psychosis.  Aaisha shares the lifesaving work of Postpartum Support International and Action on Postpartum Psychosis, and the clear, calm steps to take if a loved one in the postpartum period begins behaving in ways that feel "off." 00:00 – Content warning and crisis resources  02:30 – Why inpatient care can be the safest 04:00 – The dangerous myth that "frightened by your thoughts" rules out psychosis  06:00 – What providers should actually be listening for: hallucinations and delusions  09:00 – Why this myth is implicated in Lindsay Clancy's story 12:00 – Audrie Sanchez: turned away from the ER despite documented hallucinations  16:00 – Recovery, antipsychotics, CBT, and exposure therapy for trauma-related phobias  21:00 – Aaisha's mom spots postpartum psychosis in a former neighbor  24:00 – Tracking infanticide rates and why awareness is moving the numbers  27:00 – Aaisha's volunteer work with PSI and a new advanced training in postpartum psychosis  28:00 – Delusion of influence: a symptom we don't talk about enough  29:00 – What to do if a postpartum loved one starts behaving bizarrely  33:00 – Postpartum psychosis is not a death sentence, and yes, you can safely have more children Important Resources Mentioned: If you or someone you love is in a mental health crisis, call or text 988 (U.S.). For maternal mental health support, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is available 24/7: 📞 1-833-TLC-MAMA postpartum.net Postpartum Support International (PSI) — provider directory, provider-to-provider consultation line, helplines, and support groups for individuals and families app-network.org - Action on Postpartum Psychosis — stories of recovery and educational resources for families and providers: app-network.org A Mom Like That: A Memoir of Postpartum Psychosis by Aaisha Alvi — Aaisha's full account of both episodes of postpartum psychosis, with a foreword by Dr. Wendy Davis. Follow Aaisha on Instagram for ongoing education and advocacy: @AaishaAlviWrites Content note: This episode discusses postpartum psychosis in honest and sometimes graphic detail, including hallucinations, delusions, and homicidal and suicidal thoughts. Please listen thoughtfully and skip if it is not the right time. Connect with Dr. Anikó: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.aniko/ Website: https://www.draniko.com/ Thank you for listening to Nourished with Dr. Anikó!  It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love!  Your presence is truly felt and deeply appreciated. Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

51. Postpartum Psychosis: The Signs Five Doctors Missed (Part 1)

A Terrifying Lived Experience with Aaisha Alvi  In this episode of Nourished with Dr. Anikó, Dr. Anikó sits down with postpartum psychosis awareness advocate, writer, and author Aaisha Alvi for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about lived experience, advocacy, and the gaps in maternal mental health care that nearly cost Aaisha her life and her daughter's life. Together, they explore what postpartum psychosis actually looks like from the inside, why it is so often missed by healthcare providers, and how a culture of misinformation and fear has caused this temporary and fully treatable condition to claim lives it never needed to. This conversation also dives into the difference between intrusive thoughts and delusions, the bizarre behaviors that signal something is seriously wrong, and why "rare" is the wrong word for an illness that occurs at the same rate as Down syndrome and cerebral palsy. 00:00 – Content warning and crisis resources  02:00 – Welcome and introducing Aaisha Alvi  03:00 – Why Aaisha's book is a rare and detailed account of psychosis  06:00 – Recovery and meeting Aaisha at her baseline  09:00 – Why full recovery is possible even after delayed treatment  12:00 – Why providers are sometimes afraid to name psychosis  14:00 – Why PMADs are the #1 complication of pregnancy 24:00 – Psychosis as a progression, not a snap - where intervention is possible  28:00 – Intrusive thoughts vs. delusions: how to tell them apart  34:00 – Bizarre behavior as the most reliable outward sign of psychosis  39:00 – When loved ones see something off and providers say it's fine 44:00 – A look ahead at Part 2 Important Resources Mentioned: If you or someone you love is in a mental health crisis, call or text 988 (U.S.). For maternal mental health support, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is available 24/7: 📞 1-833-TLC-MAMA postpartum.net Postpartum Support International (PSI) — provider directory, provider-to-provider consultation line, helplines, and support groups for individuals and families app-network.org - Action on Postpartum Psychosis — stories of recovery and educational resources for families and providers: app-network.org A Mom Like That: A Memoir of Postpartum Psychosis by Aaisha Alvi — Aaisha's full account of both episodes of postpartum psychosis, with a foreword by Dr. Wendy Davis. Follow Aaisha on Instagram for ongoing education and advocacy: @AaishaAlviWrites Content note: This episode discusses postpartum psychosis in honest and sometimes graphic detail, including hallucinations, delusions, and homicidal and suicidal thoughts. Please listen thoughtfully and skip if it is not the right time. Connect with Dr. Anikó: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.aniko/ Website: https://www.draniko.com/ Thank you for listening to Nourished with Dr. Anikó!  It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love!  Your presence is truly felt and deeply appreciated. Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

50. Why Every Birthing Parent Needs a Doula

In this episode of Nourished with Dr. Anikó, Dr. Anikó  sits down with full-spectrum doula, nurse, and reproductive justice advocate Latona Giwa for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about birth, advocacy, and the maternal health crisis in the United States. Together, they explore what doulas actually do, why their role is more important than ever, and how systemic failures in healthcare are impacting birthing parents, especially Black and marginalized communities. This conversation also dives into the realities of maternal mortality, the gaps in postpartum care, and why culturally congruent, community-based support is essential for safer, more empowered birth experiences. Timestamps: 01:00 – Introducing Latton GWA and her work in reproductive justice 04:00 – What a doula is and how they support birthing parents 14:00 – The emotional and mental health needs during pregnancy and birth 29:00 – What doulas do during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum 40:00 – The maternal health crisis in the U.S. and racial disparities 49:00 – What a maternal care desert means for families 56:00 – How doulas improve outcomes and support mental health 01:04:00 – Reproductive healthcare gaps and provider training Important Resources Mentioned: If you or someone you love is in a mental health crisis, call or text 988 (U.S.). For maternal mental health support, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is available 24/7: 📞 1-833-TLC-MAMA This episode is part of our Perinatal Health & Mental Health Series About Latona Giwa, RN, BSN, IBCLC (she/they): Latona is a Full-Spectrum Doula, Registered Nurse, Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and reproductive justice advocate. In 2011, she co-founded Birthmark Doula Collective, Louisiana's first only worker-owned birthworker cooperative. In 2017, she co-founded the New Orleans Breastfeeding Center, Louisiana's first freestanding breastfeeding clinic. Latona has elevated Louisiana Black birth worker and parent advocacy to channel regional and national media and policy action on the Black maternal mortality crisis. In 2023, she became the Executive Director of Repro TLC (formerly known as Midwest Access Project), which fills gaps nationwide in comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare provider training, education, and movement building. Latona has served on the Louisiana Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review, the New Orleans Maternal Child Health Coalition, and reproductive health legislative commissions. Her reproductive justice impact has been featured in the New York Times Magazine, CBS’s 60 Minutes, and Yes! Magazine. Her writing has been published in The Nation, Rewire News Group, and Huffington Post. Her forthcoming chapter on cooperative birth worker organizing in “Reproductive Health, Information, and Power” was published by Library Juice Press in 2025. Latona Giwa, RN, BSN, IBCLC (she/they) www.LatonaGiwa.com [http://www.latonagiwa.com/] Instagram: @latona-giwa and @reprotlc Executive Director, ReproTLC [http://www.reprotlc.org/] Cofounder, Birthmark Doula Collective [http://www.birthmarkdoulas.com/] Cofounder, New Orleans Breastfeeding Center Connect with Dr. Anikó: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.aniko/ Website: https://www.draniko.com/ Thank you for listening to Nourished with Dr. Anikó!  It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love!  Your presence is truly felt and deeply appreciated. Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.