Womb Women Podcast

42 Instagram vs Real Life: Managing Expectations to Have an Empowered Birthing Experience

What happens when your birth doesn’t look like what you saw on Instagram? In this deeply honest episode, Erica and Britt are pulling back the curtain on curated images and opening up about real, raw, and diverse birth stories that don’t always make the Instagram grid. They dive into the disconnect between Instagram vs real life when it comes to pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, and explore how high expectations—rooted in what we see online—can impact a woman’s empowered birthing experience.  Whether you’re preparing for your first birth or supporting others through theirs, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how to reclaim your voice, honor your values, and create an empowered birthing experience—no matter where or how it unfolds. In this episode, you'll hear: * Why curated birth stories on social media can set unrealistic expectations—and what to focus on instead * The complex reality of hospital vs birthing center or home birth care, and how to make the right choice for you * How to recognize the red flags when you're basing your birth plan on Instagram vs real life examples * What your birth team really needs to offer you to support an empowered birthing journey * How personal bias, trauma, and systemic pressures shape provider care—and what to ask when choosing a hospital vs birthing center, or home birth This conversation is a gentle reminder: empowered birthing is not a performance. It’s a sacred, messy, beautiful transformation. Tune in to explore the truth behind types of birth, learn how to shift your mindset from Instagram vs real life, and get tools to advocate for yourself at every stage. We’d love to hear from you: How have your expectations of birth been shaped by what you’ve seen online—and how are you redefining what an empowered birthing experience looks like for YOU? Come share your story with us over on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/wombwomenpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/wombwomenpodcast/] RESOURCES: Episode 5: Opening Up to Home Birth [https://player.captivate.fm/episode/d3b5ccd2-015b-4771-b730-40075eb46ed3/] Episode 6: Conversations on Homebirth [https://player.captivate.fm/episode/c1428b40-1735-448d-8f24-89662440158c/] Episode 28: The Power of Surrender: Lessons from Britt’s Birth Story [https://player.captivate.fm/episode/cab30089-7477-44f9-a146-47e0d5589f3e/] CONNECT WITH BRITT: Website [https://brittanyestrada.com/]: www.brittanyestrada.com Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thebrittestrada/]: @thebrittestrada CONNECT WITH ERICA: Website [https://couleehealth.com/]: www.couleehealth.com Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themovementmidwife/]: @themovementmidwife *The information shared here is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.*

41 Is Your Light Exposure Messing With Your Hormones? What Happens When Circadian Rhythms Are Disrupted with Dr. Kelsey Dexter, MD

Is your light exposure quietly disrupting your health?  In this continuation of our conversation with Dr. Kelsey Dexter, MD, we dive even deeper into what happens when circadian rhythms are disrupted. If you’ve ever wondered how your Netflix habit, phone screen, or office lighting might be messing with your body’s natural signals, this episode is for you.  Dr. Dexter, a brilliant endocrinologist with a passion for holistic medicine, breaks down the science behind circadian rhythm and hormones, how our modern light exposure is affecting fertility and energy, and why so many women are being overtreated for thyroid issues when their root cause is often something entirely different. If you're curious about how to fix circadian rhythm naturally, especially as it relates to hormone balance and natural thyroid treatment for hypothyroidism, you're going to walk away from this episode with practical tools and empowered clarity. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why light exposure may be silently impacting your cortisol, melatonin, and leptin levels—and how that connects to everything from fertility to fatigue * The real cost of blue light exposure: what you’re not hearing about screen time and its effects on your hormones, metabolism, and mood * Why what happens when circadian rhythms are disrupted goes far beyond sleep issues—and how this hidden stressor is linked to thyroid symptoms and misdiagnoses * How circadian rhythm and hormones are intricately connected—and why syncing with natural light may be more powerful than your supplement stack * What to know about natural thyroid treatment for hypothyroidism—and how leptin resistance and stress could be masquerading as thyroid dysfunction Tune in now to discover how to fix circadian rhythm gently and naturally—and begin supporting your body in the way it was always designed to thrive. What’s one small shift you could make this week to support your circadian rhythm—starting with your light exposure? Tell us over on https://instagram.com/thebritestradaIG: @wombwomenpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/wombwomenpodcast/] RESOURCES: Dminder App [https://dminder.ontometrics.com/] CONNECT WITH DR. KELSEY DEXTER, MD: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/kelseydextermd/]: @kelseydextermd Skool Group: Circadian Health Revival [http://skool.com/circadian-health-revival-2974/about] CONNECT WITH BRITT: Website [https://brittanyestrada.com/]: www.brittanyestrada.com Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thebrittestrada/]: @thebrittestrada CONNECT WITH ERICA: Website [https://couleehealth.com/]: www.couleehealth.com Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themovementmidwife/]: @themovementmidwife *The information shared here is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.*

40 Is the Sun Healthy—or Harmful? The Surprising Benefits of Sun Exposure for Hormones & Circadian Rhythm with Dr. Kelsey Dexter, MD

Is the sun healthy—or harmful?  If you’ve ever wondered about the true benefits of sun exposure, or felt torn between mainstream messaging and your body’s craving for light, this conversation will change the way you think about sunlight, hormones, and healing. In this episode, Dr. Kelsey Dexter, MD—an endocrinologist and herbalist, explores one of the most misunderstood topics in women's health: sun exposure.  Through her personal healing journey, Dr. Dexter unpacks how intentional sunlight can be exactly how to reset your circadian rhythm, support hormonal balance, and even help you reclaim your health in a world that constantly tells us to fear sun exposure. Tune in to learn: * Why the question “Is the sun healthy?” has a much more nuanced—and empowering—answer than you’ve been led to believe. * The surprising connection between sun exposure, autoimmune symptoms, and Dr. Dexter’s personal story of nervous system recovery. * The truth about synthetic vitamin D vs. real light: what your body is really missing and why it matters more than you think. * Exactly how to reset your circadian rhythm—and why that’s the missing link in so many women’s hormone and metabolic challenges. * Why the benefits of sun exposure go far beyond vitamin D—and how to begin reconnecting with nature in simple, meaningful ways. * If you’re feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice about sun exposure, or just intuitively curious about returning to the rhythms of the natural world, this episode is for you. What do you think—is the sun healthy, or are we being misled by outdated narratives? Let us know your thoughts over on IG:  @wombwomenpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/wombwomenpodcast/] RESOURCES: Dminder App [https://dminder.ontometrics.com/] CONNECT WITH DR. KELSEY DEXTER, MD: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/kelseydextermd/]: @kelseydextermd Skool Group: Circadian Health Revival [http://skool.com/circadian-health-revival-2974/about] CONNECT WITH BRITT: Website [https://brittanyestrada.com/]: www.brittanyestrada.com Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thebrittestrada/]: @thebrittestrada CONNECT WITH ERICA: Website [https://couleehealth.com/]: www.couleehealth.com Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themovementmidwife/]: @themovementmidwife *The information shared here is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.*

39 Are Peptides Good for You? Understanding Peptides for Weight Loss & Metabolic Health

Are peptides the key to unlocking better health, or is the hype overshadowing the risks?  With peptide supplements flooding the health space—promising everything from fat loss to better metabolism—it’s time to separate fact from fiction. In this episode, Britt and Erica dive into the hot (and sometimes controversial) topic of peptides for weight loss and metabolic health. Are these powerful compounds a tool for transformation, or are we overlooking deeper health issues in favor of an easy solution? Inside this episode, they’re breaking down: * Are peptides good for you? The science, the hype, and what no one’s telling you. * The truth about peptide supplements—are they game-changers or just another wellness industry cash grab? * Peptides for weight loss: Do they actually work, or are they just a temporary fix with long-term risks? * How peptides fit into a holistic approach for how to improve metabolic health. * The red flags and risks—when are peptides helpful, and when should you seriously reconsider using them? This episode isn’t about fear-mongering or blind hype—it’s about giving you the real information so you can make empowered choices for your body.  Have you tried peptides? Are you skeptical? We want to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts over on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/wombwomenpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/wombwomenpodcast/] RESOURCES: Dr. Tina Moore [https://www.drtyna.com/] Peptide Protocols by William A. Seeds MD [https://www.amazon.com/Peptide-Protocols-William-Seeds-MD/dp/0578624354] Peptide Handbook: A Professional's Guide to Peptide Therapeutics by James B. LaValle, RPH, CCN, MT [https://www.amazon.com/Peptide-Handbook-Professionals-Guide-Therapeutics/dp/B0BZF75X8N] CONNECT WITH BRITT: Website [https://brittanyestrada.com/]: www.brittanyestrada.com Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thebrittestrada/]: @thebrittestrada CONNECT WITH ERICA: Website [https://couleehealth.com/]: www.couleehealth.com Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themovementmidwife/]: @themovementmidwife *The information shared here is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.*

38 How to Support Postpartum Weight Loss

The pressure to "bounce back" after birth is everywhere. But what if postpartum weight loss didn’t have to mean restriction, exhaustion, or stress?  In this episode, Britt shares a deeply personal perspective on how to support weight loss after pregnancy in a way that prioritizes nourishment, hormone balance, and overall well-being. With years of experience as a nurse practitioner and womb healer, Britt breaks down what really works when it comes to postpartum weight loss while breastfeeding, how to avoid the biggest mistakes women make when trying to lose weight, and why traditional postpartum weight loss plans often fail to consider the body's true needs.  In this episode, you'll learn: * The truth about postpartum metabolism and why eating more—not less—can be key to weight loss after pregnancy * The role of hormones in postpartum weight loss and how to tell if your thyroid or blood sugar levels might be holding you back * Which nutrients and foods support natural weight loss after pregnancy—without counting every calorie * The best postpartum weight loss supplements that actually work (and which ones to avoid) * Why many women struggle with postpartum weight loss while breastfeeding and how to support your body during this time Are you navigating postpartum weight loss and feeling stuck? Do you feel unsupported by traditional advice? Tune in to this episode for a real, sustainable postpartum weight loss plan that honors both your body and your motherhood journey. We want to hear from you! What has been the most challenging part of postpartum weight loss for you? Join the conversation over on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/wombwomenpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/wombwomenpodcast/] RESOURCES: Episode 36: How to Support Postpartum Healing and Recovery after Childbirth [https://player.captivate.fm/episode/3d86374a-4152-419a-bdf2-3a3cec734b47/] CONNECT WITH BRITT: Website [https://brittanyestrada.com/]: www.brittanyestrada.com Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thebrittestrada/]: @thebrittestrada CONNECT WITH ERICA: Website [https://couleehealth.com/]: www.couleehealth.com Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themovementmidwife/]: @themovementmidwife *The information shared here is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.*