You're listening to the Happy Homebirth Podcast, episode 93!
 
I’m excited to switch things up today.  This podcast episode is going to be all about fertility awareness, and why understanding our menstrual cycle can be hugely empowering.  We’ll be discussing this with my good friend Sophia Zafares, who is a Fertility Awareness Method Educator.  So… basically the perfect person to get the low down on what this all means.
 
And exciting news!  Check out the happy-Homebirth podcast on nstagram this week, as Sophia and I will be holding a giveaway together.  You don’t want to miss it.  Literature and a useful tool!
 
Show Notes:
 
Sophia is a fertility awareness method educator.
 
FAM- understanding the biomarkers of your fertility to avoid pregnancy, achieve pregnancy, or keep up with your general hormonal cycles.
 
Training through FEMM: Fertility Education and Medical Management
 
Pills, IUD, Shot, Implant: It’s important to know that they have basically the same forms of synthetic hormones.

These hormones do not interact with our bodies in the same ways that our natural hormones do. 
 
These hormones are administered at consistent levels, whereas during our natural cycles, the hormones go through rhythms instead of a steady-state. 
 
Hormonal bc: steady state, masculine stability

FAM: tuning into the body and noticing what it’s doing, feminine rhythm
 
 
Hormonal bc (side effects/ EFFECTS): Remember that hormones are involved in every part of our bodies and all of our systems
Prevent ovulation - without ovulation, certain hormones cannot be created.  Depleted nutrients, lower ability to absorb and use the nutrients
Affects attraction and mate selection- choose someone they wouldn’t typically choose, come off of bc and are very unhappy
Depletion of bone density
 
 
It takes several years for a girl’s cycle to fully mature.  If a young girl is put on bc, her maturity stops, and her cervix will be aged. 
 
 
Lisa Hendrickson-Jack: The Fifth Vital Sign, Fertility Friday
 
 
Follow Sophia: @sage.fertility on Instagram
Website: www.sagefertility.co