A Mother is Born

Kaila Mikenzie

A Mother Is Born is a podcast to support women and their partners through trying to conceive, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum—guided by values, intuition, and intention. Through real conversations about preconception planning, navigating maternity care, and the identity shift into motherhood, you'll find grounded support, practical education, and empowering guidance for every step of the journey. 

Épisodes

  1. 15 FÉVR.

    Treating Postpartum Depression with Hormone Replace Therapy - with Dr. Larry Andrew

    Send a text In this episode of A Mother Is Born, Kaila Mackenzie sits down with Dr. Larry Andrew of East Bay Fertility and Hormone Therapy Center in Payson, Utah to discuss an alternative approach to treating postpartum depression (PPD): bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).  Dr Larry Andrew - HRT for PPD Postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety are commonly treated with SSRIs and talk therapy — but what if hormone imbalance is a major root cause? Dr. Andrew explains how the sudden drop in estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone after delivery (when the placenta is expelled) can trigger significant mood changes. He outlines how bioidentical hormone therapy may help restore hormonal balance and relieve symptoms of postpartum mood disorders.  Dr Larry Andrew - HRT for PPD In this conversation, you’ll learn: Why hormone levels plummet after birth and how that impacts moodThe role of the HPA axis and cortisol in postpartum depressionHow estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone affect postpartum recoveryWhat bioidentical hormones are and how they differ from synthetic hormonesTreatment timelines, testing, and expected symptom improvementSafety considerations for breastfeeding mothersWhen hormone therapy may be contraindicatedHow postpartum anxiety and PMDD relate to hormone imbalanceLifestyle factors that influence hormone health, including nutrition, vitamin D, environmental toxins, and endocrine disruptorsDr. Andrew also shares how he evaluates candidates for hormone therapy, what recovery typically looks like (often within days to weeks), and how long treatment may be needed.  Dr Larry Andrew - HRT for PPD If you’ve struggled with postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, PMDD, or hormone-related mood changes — and feel like SSRIs are your only option — this episode explores additional perspectives on hormonal treatment approaches so you can make informed decisions about your care. As always, this episode is educational and not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Instagram: @kaila_mikenzie_birth Values-Based Birth Planning Workbook Explore In-Person or Virtual Birth Support Book a virtual consultation email: hello@kailamikenzie.com

    35 min
  2. 10/07/2025

    Form over Function: How the oversexualization of women's bodies affects preconception through postpartum.

    Send a text Why are breasts celebrated in beer ads but hidden when feeding a child? Why do we expect postpartum bodies to “bounce back” like birth never happened? Why do most of us have false ideas about how female sexual anatomy actually works? In this episode, I sit down with my sister Adri for a conversation about how the sexualization of women’s bodies affects nearly every part of our lived experience—from birth and breastfeeding to bras, body hair, and shame. We talk about what we learned to expect of our bodies growing up, what culture taught us to hide, and how that plays out in the birth room, the postpartum period, and even basic body functions like feeding a baby. This isn’t just a conversation about birth—it’s about unlearning shame and reclaiming your body on your own terms. 🔍 What we talk about in this episode: How modesty culture contributes to shameBody hair removal, bras, and the “bounce back” bodyThe difference between stretching and unfolding in the vagina (rugae 101)What the “husband stitch” is—and why it still gets joked aboutBreastfeeding in public, body autonomy, and the cost of cultural discomfortHow women are sexualized and objectified even in the birth room.💬 If this episode made you think differently about your body—share it with a friend. Or better yet, leave a review and help others find conversations like this one. More support, freebies, and birth services at 👉 kaylamackenzie.co Instagram: @kaila_mikenzie_birth Values-Based Birth Planning Workbook Explore In-Person or Virtual Birth Support Book a virtual consultation email: hello@kailamikenzie.com

    1 h 7 min

À propos

A Mother Is Born is a podcast to support women and their partners through trying to conceive, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum—guided by values, intuition, and intention. Through real conversations about preconception planning, navigating maternity care, and the identity shift into motherhood, you'll find grounded support, practical education, and empowering guidance for every step of the journey.