"Doctor Mom" Podcast | Practical Tips to Be a Proactive Parent

In this episode, Dr. Aviva Romm helps us understand why moms need more than just a 6-week checkup. She highlights important lab tests to get done after baby, realistic tips to support your thyroid and adrenal glands as a new mama, and what moms need to know (but are often not told) when it comes to navigating thyroid health after baby. She also shares insights into obstetric violence, trauma, and unwanted interventions in the birth room. This difficult conversation needs to be discussed so mamas feel seen, know how to stand up for their rights and policies can be changed. All mamas deserve to get the support they need to begin their healing process after difficult birth experiences.

Enjoy the listen! You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher or Spotify. We’d love to hear your thoughts on Instagram or Facebook.

Topics Discussed:

• Why moms need more than just a 6-week checkup
• Important lab tests to get done postpartum
• How hormonal shifts impact mood, energy, and libido
• What happens to our thyroid postpartum
• How and when to get tested for accurate results
• Why moms’ concerns are often dismissed
• Postpartum thyroiditis signs and symptoms
• Helpful supplements that are safe while nursing
• Obstetric violence, trauma, and unwanted interventions

Show Notes:

• Dr. Aviva Romm’s website
• Find Dr. Aviva Romm on Instagram
• Check out Dr. Aviva Romm’s books
• Blog: What New Moms Need to Know About Thyroid Problems
• Blog: 6 Essential Supplements for Your Thyroid and Hashimoto’s
• Learn how to study with Aviva here
• Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell’s Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child’s number one health advocate!
• Click here to learn more about Steph Greunke, RD’s online nutrition program and community, Postpartum Reset, an intimate private community and online roadmap for any mama (or mama-to-be) who feels stuck, alone, and depleted and wants to learn how to thrive in motherhood.

Dr. Aviva Romm is a midwife, herbalist, and Yale-trained MD, Board Certified in Family Medicine with Obstetrics, who has been bridging the best of traditional medicine with good science for over three decades. Her focus is on what she calls our total health ecology, utilizing exposome medicine to identify and reverse the root causes of chronic health conditions, particularly hormonal problems in women and common children’s health problems. She is considered one of the world's leaders in botanical medicine and is the author of 7 books on natural medicine, including the textbook Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health (Elsevier) and The Adrenal Thyroid Revolution (Harper One). Dr. Romm is the author of the integrative medicine curriculum for the Yale Internal Medicine and Pediatric Residencies, is on numerous scientific advisory and editorial boards, and is a widely sought and highly engaging speaker. Her online programs for women are wildly popular and successful, helping women take back their health, affordably, and her innovative professional programs are educating a next generation of health practitioners. Her non-profit organization, DharmaMoms, provides funding for midwifery education and salaries in high risk obstetric, low resource communities. Dr. Romm lives and practices medicine in the Berkshires and New York City.

Please remember that the views and ideas presented on this podcast are for informational purposes only. All information presented on this podcast is for informational purposes and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a healthcare provider. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any diet, supplement regimen, or to determine the appropriateness of the information shared on this podcast, or if you have any questions regarding your treatment plan.

Dr. Aviva Romm, MD shares why optimizing your thyroid health is so important before conception and during pregnancy. In this two-part episode, Dr. Romm explains what lab tests you should do prior to conceiving and during pregnancy. You’ll learn why your provider might push back on testing and how to advocate for yourself. She also offers realistic tips to support your thyroid and adrenal glands while trying to conceive and pregnant, and what moms need to know (but are often not told) when it comes to navigating hypothyroidism while trying to conceive and during pregnancy. Dr. Aviva will be back next week to share strategies to navigate thyroid health during postpartum on Part 2 of this interview!

Enjoy the listen! You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher or Spotify. We’d love to hear your thoughts on Instagram or Facebook.

Topics Discussed:

• Important lab tests to get done before conceiving
• Why some providers push back on testing
• Why TSH isn’t as accurate in the first trimester
• How long to wait to safely conceive again after loss
• What happens to our thyroid during pregnancy
• How frequently should the thyroid be tested
• Helpful supplements that are safe during pregnancy
• Strategies to support sleep during pregnancy

Show Notes:

• Dr. Aviva Romm’s website
• Find Dr. Aviva Romm on Instagram
• Check out Dr. Aviva Romm’s books
• Blog: Being a Good Girl Can Be Hazardous to Your Health
• Blog: Thyroid in Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
• Learn how to study with Aviva here
• Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell’s Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child’s number one health advocate!
• Click here to learn more about Steph Greunke, RD’s online nutrition program and community, Postpartum Reset, an intimate private community and online roadmap for any mama (or mama-to-be) who feels stuck, alone, and depleted and wants to learn how to thrive in motherhood.

Dr. Aviva Romm is a midwife, herbalist, and Yale-trained MD, Board Certified in Family Medicine with Obstetrics, who has been bridging the best of traditional medicine with good science for over three decades. Her focus is on what she calls our total health ecology, utilizing exposome medicine to identify and reverse the root causes of chronic health conditions, particularly hormonal problems in women and common children’s health problems. She is considered one of the world's leaders in botanical medicine and is the author of 7 books on natural medicine, including the textbook Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health (Elsevier) and The Adrenal Thyroid Revolution (Harper One). Dr. Romm is the author of the integrative medicine curriculum for the Yale Internal Medicine and Pediatric Residencies, is on numerous scientific advisory and editorial boards, and is a widely sought and highly engaging speaker. Her online programs for women are wildly popular and successful, helping women take back their health, affordably, and her innovative professional programs are educating a next generation of health practitioners. Her non-profit organization, DharmaMoms, provides funding for midwifery education and salaries in high risk obstetric, low resource communities. Dr. Romm lives and practices medicine in the Berkshires and New York City.

Please remember that the views and ideas presented on this podcast are for informational purposes only. All information presented on this podcast is for informational purposes and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a healthcare provider. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any diet, supplement regimen, or to determine the appropriateness of the information shared on this podcast, or if you have any questions regarding your treatment plan.

Dr. Elana interviews Sarah Thomas, the co-founder and Chief Imaginator of Kalamata’s Kitchen. With the mission to create a new generation of curious and compassionate eaters, Kalamata’s Kitchen designs story books and food adventure activities so families can expose their kids to new cultures through food and play! Sarah is the author of Kalamata’s Kitchen’s children’s book series. She believes you can inspire healthy eating through the stories you read to your children. In this episode you will learn ideas for adding adventure to your kitchen and teaching your child about the world’s cultures while you’re at it!

Enjoy the listen! You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher or Spotify. We’d love to hear your thoughts on Instagram or Facebook.

Topics Discussed:

• How storytelling can help expand kid’s food choices
• How to add "food adventures" into your home right now
• How to eat out with kids and get them involved through the “Taste Bud Travel Guide”
• Tips to expose kids to new cuisines and tastes
• Tips how to engage kids in food adventures
• How does Kalamata's Kitchen become part of everyday life

Show Notes:

• Buy 1 book, get one free on Kalamata Kitchen’s website with code WHOLEMAMAS
• Connect with Kalamata’s Kitchen on Instagram
• Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell’s Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child’s number one health advocate!
• Click here to learn more about Steph Greunke, RD’s online nutrition program and community, Postpartum Reset, an intimate private community and online roadmap for any mama (or mama-to-be) who feels stuck, alone, and depleted and wants to learn how to thrive in motherhood.

After completing a Masters degree in Renaissance English literature at the University of Cambridge, Sarah Thomas moved back to her native western Pennsylvania to study medicine. Instead, a love of food, service and academia led her to start studying wine instead. She moved to New York City in 2014 to accept a sommelier position with Le Bernardin, a three-star Michelin restaurant helmed by Chef Eric Ripert. During her time at the restaurant, she earned her Advanced Sommelier diploma, and is currently a candidate for the Master Sommelier diploma. She was also featured in the third installment of the popular Somm films. Above all else, her time in the restaurant industry taught her the true value of hospitality and communication, and the ability for food and service to create lasting experiences and memories for others.

In 2018, she and Derek Wallace co-founded Kalamata’s Kitchen, a brand which introduces kids to the world and to new experiences through adventures with food. By centering a child’s experience of exploration around lovable characters like Kalamata and her stuffed alligator pal Al Dente, children are invited to be more curious, courageous, and compassionate people by understanding the world through food. Combining her passions for service, literature, food, and teaching children, Kalamata’s Kitchen is the true nexus of all of Sarah’s interests and goals. As co-founder and author, she will lead the partnership with Penguin Random House to release a new series of books, as well as with Imagine Entertainment for an animated series.

Please remember that the views and ideas presented on this podcast are for informational purposes only. All information presented on this podcast is for informational purposes and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a healthcare provider. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any diet, supplement regimen, or to determine the appropriateness of the information shared on this podcast, or if you have any questions regarding your treatment plan.

Dr. Elana interviews Tawny Sterios on the topic of women's gatherings during Covid-19. They discuss the importance of gathering and how women can still benefit mentally, spiritually and emotionally through virtual gatherings. For mamas who were hoping for their baby shower or Mother’s blessing, you can still have one! Tawny offers tips and guidance so no mama will miss out on her special occasion. Tawny has a decade of experience leading women’s circles and retreats all over the world, along with being a prenatal and postpartum doula and yoga teacher. She knows what a mama needs to stay nourished–and gathering with other women is a must. This episode will teach you how to get started in creating meaningful gatherings so you can remain connected with your community in a time when we desperately need it.

Enjoy the listen! You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher or Spotify. We’d love to hear your thoughts on Instagram or Facebook.

Topics Discussed:

• Why gatherings for women are so important
• The mental, emotional, spiritual and physical benefits of gathering
• How we can still gather safely during Covid-19
• How virtual gatherings are still beneficial
• What different types of gatherings and ceremonies may look like
• How to set up a peaceful space and host a gathering/circle/retreat

Show Notes:

• Quote that Tawny shared in the episode: "This related way of thinking is one of the greatest attributes of the feminine. It remembers us back to the elements from which we are made, and upon which we are dependent. Like a reciprocal roof, which is a self-supporting structure, we lean on each other from all sides. The centre is everywhere and if even one of us falls out of togetherness, we will all eventually fall. One of the great capacities of yin is the inwardness that enables our reconnection to the greater web in which we are but a thread” -Toka-pa Turner, Belonging
• Visit Tawny’s website and blog
• Blog post on Women’s Circles
• Connect with Tawny on IG
• Find Tawny on FB
• Receive a Free 30 minute MARMA Massage Video when you sign-up to receive Tawny’s monthly emails
• Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell’s Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child’s number one health advocate!
• Click here to learn more about Steph Greunke, RD’s online nutrition program and community, Postpartum Reset, an intimate private community and online roadmap for any mama (or mama-to-be) who feels stuck, alone, and depleted and wants to learn how to thrive in motherhood.

Tawny Sterios: mother - yoga teacher and teacher trainer - birth doula - circle guide - Qoya dancer - nature enthusiast.

She has been teaching yoga for 15 years and leading women’s circles and retreats for the last 10 years. She is an RYT-500hr yoga teacher and co-founder of mBODY YOGA, a studio she owned for 8 years in San Luis Obispo CA with her husband, Peter Sterios, who is also a yogi and entrepreneur. She is certified in both Kundalini Yoga and hatha yoga through LEVITYoga, and teaches in LEVITYoga’s Teacher Training Programs. She was a featured model in Yoga Journal Magazine (2010-2011) and was one of a select group of national instructors invited to teach yoga at the White House for Michelle Obama’s anti-obesity initiative (2011-2013).

In addition to her love of yoga, Tawny has a fierce devotion to supporting women that are coming into motherhood. She is a certified Prenatal & PostPartum Doula and a Prenatal PostPartum Yoga Instructor. She has also been leading monthly Women’s Circle at studios near and far for the past decade where women hold sacred space for the unfolding of life and the quiet inner knowing that bond us. Currently she is holding monthly virtual women’s circles and Qoya Ceremonies for women all over the country. As well, she leads in person retreats and teaches at festivals. Every Spring and Fall she hosts retreats for women in California, in the Summer she sometimes offers Mother Daughter retreats in Mexico and a every Winter a co-ed adventure to India. Her retreats are modern ceremonial gatherings ...

Dr. Elana interviews Tonya Rapley of My Fab Finance. Tonya is a money expert with a passion to help women own their power and break the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck so that they can live free and do more of what they love. In addition to being a mom herself, she is also an author of the Amazon best-seller, The Money Manual: A Practical Guide To Help You Succeed on Your Financial Journey AND co-hosts the Color Full Lives Podcast. In today’s interview Dr. Elana and Tonya discuss why it is so important for moms to feel empowered with their financial health, how to overcome financial fears and learn about their money stories, all so they can do more of what they love. Tonya also answers community questions from college savings, to tips on introducing money to your kids, and so much more!

Enjoy the listen! You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher or Spotify. We’d love to hear your thoughts on Instagram or Facebook.

Topics Discussed:

• How financial health benefits overall health
• Why this information is so important for mamas to learn
• Tonya’s approach to financial education
• How to overcome your financial fears
• Learn about your “money story” and why it’s important
• Discover the biggest misconception about managing personal finances

Show Notes:

• Take the quiz to learn what your money says about you
• Tonya’s ebook on financially planning for a baby
• Connect with Tonya on Instagram
• Listen to Tonya’s Podcast Color Full Lives
• Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell’s Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child’s number one health advocate!
• Click here to learn more about Steph Greunke, RD’s online nutrition program and community, Postpartum Reset, an intimate private community and online roadmap for any mama (or mama-to-be) who feels stuck, alone, and depleted and wants to learn how to thrive in motherhood.

Tonya Rapley is the millennial money expert and creator of the award winning site, My Fab Finance. In 2014 she was deemed the “New Face of Wealth Building” by Black Enterprise Magazine and featured as their cover subject. A millennial herself, Tonya’s mission is to help millennials break the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck so that they can become financially free and do more of what they love. She is the creator of the #BanishTheBalance challenge, a debt elimination challenge that helped over 4,000 participants pay off more than $200,000 of debt in sixty days.

Selected by TV One as a modern day history maker, Tonya is a full-time entrepreneur and tours the country providing workshops for private and nonprofit clients. Her client list includes Fidelity Investments, Prudential, the National Endowment for Financial Education and FinCon ( the financial bloggers conference). Tonya has spoken at Bloomberg, Essence Fest, Millennial Week, PepsiCo, the Blogging While Brown Conference, BlogHer, Circle of Sisters and a host of colleges and universities.

Tonya’s fierce financial advice has appeared on US New, NY Daily New, Buzz Feed, Essence.com, The Root, Credit.com, Go Banking Rates, Reuters, Refinery29, Centric and several other media outlets.

A career “change-agent” since 2010, Tonya uses her own story and experiences to empower women and girls of all ages with tools to change their lives. Tonya is also the co-founder and CFO of a Chicago based FinTech app, FOAM, that is changing the way students experience and pay for college. She is a Charlotte, North Carolina native and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Florida International University and a Masters in Urban Policy Administration from Brooklyn College.

Please remember that the views and ideas presented on this podcast are for informational purposes only. All information presented on this podcast is for informational purposes and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a healthcare provider. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any diet, supplement regimen, or to determine the appropriateness of the information shared on this podcast, or if you h...