In this episode of Sofia Unfiltered, Lauren speaks with Dr. Jane Levesque, a Naturopathic Doctor specializing in fertility.
What is TTC? Dr. Jane's Journey Explained
Dr. Jane’s personal health journey led her to specialize in naturopathic medicine and fertility, helping people who are TTC, or trying to conceive. After facing various health challenges in her twenties, she began exploring alternative approaches and eventually discovered naturopathic medicine.
Today, Dr. Jane helps women optimize their fertility by addressing hormonal balance, stress, anxiety, and overall wellness. She emphasizes the importance of a whole-body approach and empowers women with knowledge about their menstrual cycles and hormonal health.
She also challenges fear-based conversations around contraception and offers support through her Maximize Your Fertility program, which focuses on addressing root causes, reducing anxiety, and helping women feel more informed throughout their fertility journey.
Top 5 Tips to Increase Fertility Naturally
- Practice mind-body techniques: Reduce stress through practices such as meditation, yoga, breathwork, and mindfulness.
- Eat a nutrient-rich diet: Focus on balanced meals that include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
- Exercise regularly: Stay active with moderate physical activity to support circulation, maintain a healthy weight, and promote hormonal balance.
- Manage stress intentionally: Use healthy stress-management tools such as deep breathing, journaling, time outdoors, or enjoyable hobbies.
- Be mindful of environmental exposures: Reduce exposure to toxins and pollutants that may affect overall health and hormone balance.
Environmental Factors Affecting Your Health
- Chemical exposure: Toxins found in water, pesticides, cleaning products, and industrial chemicals may affect overall wellness.
- Air pollution: Particles and gases from vehicle emissions, smoke, and pollutants may contribute to respiratory and other health concerns.
- Climate change and natural disasters: Environmental changes can increase health risks and disrupt access to care and support systems.
- Microbial exposure: Harmful bacteria, viruses, and other microbes can cause illness through contaminated food, water, soil, or air.
- Poor water quality: Contaminated water sources and limited sanitation can contribute to health complications.
- Global environmental concerns: Soil pollution, ultraviolet radiation, and biodiversity loss may create broader health risks, especially for vulnerable communities.
Seeking Knowledge and Support
Lauren shares her concerns about starting a family after using hormonal contraceptives for many years. She explains that the process can feel confusing, especially with so much fertility information available online.
Dr. Jane acknowledges how overwhelming it can be to sort through different opinions, resources, and recommendations. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, reliable education, and appropriate support to reduce anxiety and clear up misconceptions.
They discuss the balance between self-guided learning and professional guidance. Dr. Jane highlights the value of understanding your level of commitment, your personal goals, and the type of support you may need during your fertility journey.
The conversation also explores how mindset, values, routine, and lifestyle can influence preparation for pregnancy and overall health. Dr. Jane encourages individuals to listen to their bodies, notice patterns, and question what they have been taught to accept as “normal” when it comes to their health.
The discussion concludes with the idea that fertility planning often involves self-reflection, intentional decision-making, and creating a healthy foundation for the future.
Holistic Fertility
Lauren and Dr. Jane discuss the importance of conscious decision-making and addressing root causes rather than only managing symptoms. They emphasize that fertility is connected to overall well-being, including physical, emotional, and mental health.
Dr. Jane explains that fertility challenges can be influenced by many factors, including genetics, PCOS, endometriosis, low progesterone, mitochondrial function, stress, and lifestyle patterns.
They also discuss the connection between emotional well-being and physical health. Lauren acknowledges how easy it can be to focus only on physical changes while overlooking the importance of emotional healing, support, and self-empowerment during the fertility journey.
Together, they emphasize the importance of taking a holistic approach to fertility and overall wellness.
What to Expect After a Miscarriage?
Dr. Jane and Lauren discuss the importance of being present and allowing time to heal after a miscarriage. They emphasize that healing can involve both emotional and physical recovery before attempting another pregnancy.
They also talk about the tendency to blame oneself after a loss and the importance of approaching the experience with compassion. Dr. Jane encourages a growth mindset, flexibility, self-awareness, and prioritizing overall well-being when preparing for a healthy pregnancy in the future.
Nurturing Family Well-being
Lauren and Dr. Jane explore the importance of being intentional and empowered when supporting a child’s well-being and development. They discuss common challenges such as infertility, miscarriage, and children’s health concerns, emphasizing the importance of addressing these topics with care and awareness.
Dr. Jane highlights the value of understanding your body, breaking unhealthy patterns, and passing helpful knowledge on to future generations. They also discuss the commitment, courage, and personal growth often required to improve health and fertility.
The conversation encourages individuals to invest in their well-being, even when that means letting go of habits, beliefs, or relationships that no longer support them. Dr. Jane emphasizes the power of prevention and the importance of doing inner work to avoid passing unresolved struggles on to children.
More from Sofia Health
Check out the full episode of the Sofia Unfiltered podcast, "Holistic Approaches to Boost Fertility," available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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