Start Smart: Fertility - Pregnancy - Hormone Health cover art

Start Smart: Fertility - Pregnancy - Hormone Health

Start Smart: Fertility - Pregnancy - Hormone Health

By: Kristen Williams
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Start Smart is the podcast for the messy, beautiful side of early pregnancy—the symptoms, the surprises, and the stories no one talks about. Hosted by the CEO of Materna Health, Kristen Williams, we bring you real conversations with OB/GYNs, midwives, and moms navigating everything from positive tests to Hyperemesis Gravidarum, spotting, IVF, and first-trimester freakouts. Whether you're TTC, newly pregnant, or supporting someone who is, Pregnant-ish is here with facts, empathy, and zero judgment.2025 Hygiene & Healthy Living Parenting & Families Physical Illness & Disease Relationships
Episodes
  • Why HG Isn't In Your Head: An ER Doctor on the Biology of Severe Pregnancy Nausea

    Why HG Isn't In Your Head: An ER Doctor on the Biology of Severe Pregnancy Nausea
    May 19 2026
    Episode Description In this episode of Smart Start, Kristin Williams sits down with Dr. Rick Pescatore, emergency physician, founder of BellyMD, former Chief Physician for the Delaware Division of Public Health, and editor-in-chief of Emergency Medicine News. Together they unpack one of the most overlooked conditions in women's healthcare: hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Dr. Pescatore shares what he sees at the bedside, why so many HG patients arrive at the ER blaming themselves, and why thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency has become what he calls one of the largest in-our-face public health crises of his career. The conversation moves from acute ER protocols to preconception planning, the limits of genetic studies, the gut-brain axis, and what truly specialized outpatient HG care should look like. What You'll Learn Why HG is a biological condition, not a failure of resilience, and how decades of treating women's health as a "hardware problem" have left patients behindHow often Dr. Pescatore actually sees HG in the ER (hint: it's not once every five years)The ACOG stepwise treatment protocol and where it falls shortWhy thiamine deficiency is dramatically underrecognized, and why up to a third of pregnant patients presenting to the ER with nausea and vomiting meet criteria for Wernicke'sThe difference between thiamine mononitrate and benfotiamine, and why Dr. Pescatore recommends the lipid-soluble form for preconception and pregnancy Everyday thiamine blockers most women don't know about: coffee tannins, sushi, GLP-1 medications, and alcoholHow to think about MTHFR, GDF-15, and the recent wave of HG genetic research with appropriate skepticismWhy women who have had HG once are more likely to have it again, and what to do about it before the next pregnancyThe case for specialized outpatient HG care over repeat ER visits, PICC lines, and Zofran pumpsA preview of BellyMD's upcoming phenome app for disorders of gut-brain interaction Key Quotes "We've approached medicine for decades as a hardware problem. If we don't see a problem, there must not be a problem. We're finally starting to shift that narrative." "About one third of women with nausea and vomiting who present to the emergency department in pregnancy have thiamine levels so low as to qualify for a Wernicke's diagnosis.""If you have suffered hyperemesis gravidarum, you have suffered an injury to your brain-gut axis. We've normalized this for so long, but it is not normal." Chapter Markers 00:00 — Welcome and introductions 01:07 — The Instagram post that started it all: Wernicke's in the ER 02:03 — How HG patients actually present, and the emotional weight they carry 04:01 — Inside the ER treatment protocol for HG 05:28 — How Materna keeps patients out of the ER with proactive IV care 07:17 — What happens after discharge: outpatient supplementation and prevention 09:23 — Preconception planning and the case for benfotiamine 11:08 — Surprising thiamine blockers: coffee, sushi, GLP-1s, alcohol 12:46 — MTHFR, evidence-based medicine, and why population-level data fails individual patients 14:48 — GDF-15, the new HG genetic studies, and why to pump the brakes 17:19 — Preparing for a second pregnancy after HG 20:01 — Designing the ideal specialized HG outpatient center 21:25 — Why Dr. Pescatore became a "big B1 guy" and the science of proton tunneling 23:20 — Thiamine deficiency in children and a new randomized trial on pediatric bedwetting 24:43 — A first look at BellyMD's upcoming phenome app About the Guest Dr. Rick Pescatore is an emergency physician, founder of BellyMD (focused on disorders of gut-brain interaction), former Chief Physician for the Delaware Division of Public Health, former White House task force advisor, and editor-in-chief of Emergency Medicine News. Follow him on Instagram for ongoing education on thiamine, HG, and gut-brain health. About Materna Health Materna Health is a boutique functional fertility and OB/GYN practice in the West Village, NYC, closing the gap in women's healthcare with same-day access, IV hydration and vitamin replacement protocols for HG, and continuity of care that keeps patients out of the emergency room. Visit maternahealthcare.com · 130 7th Ave South, New York, NY · 917.382.0336 · hello@maternahealthcare.com
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    28 mins
  • Rethinking Fertility & Early Pregnancy Care with Dr. Julie Von

    Rethinking Fertility & Early Pregnancy Care with Dr. Julie Von
    Feb 17 2026

    Summary

    In this episode of Smart Start, host Kristin Williams speaks with Dr. Julie Vaughn about the complexities of women's health and fertility. They discuss the importance of early pregnancy care, the role of nutrition and anemia in fertility, the impact of trauma, and the benefits of acupuncture and alternative medicine. Dr. Vaughn emphasizes the need for self-care and resourcing, the significance of preconception care, and the importance of reframing fertility challenges. The conversation highlights the need for a holistic approach to women's health and fertility.


    Takeaways

    Women's health is complex and multifaceted.
    Trauma can significantly impact fertility and wellbeing.
    Anemia is a common issue that can delay conception.
    Acupuncture can help regulate the body and support fertility.
    Self-care should be viewed as resourcing, not indulgence.
    Preconception care is essential for better outcomes.
    Chronic anemia can affect thyroid function.
    Finding personal pillars of support is crucial for health.
    Women often carry the burden of fertility planning.
    Reframing challenges in fertility can lead to empowerment.

    Sound bites

    "We have complex hormonal cycles."
    "Traumas can impact our wellbeing."
    "Acupuncture is very regulating."


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Dr. Julie Vaughn
    02:14 The Complexity of Women's Health
    05:01 Preconception Care and Self-Advocacy
    09:10 Understanding Optimal Health Before Pregnancy
    11:00 The Impact of Anemia on Fertility
    14:12 Nutrition and Its Role in Conception
    17:29 The Emotional Aspects of Fertility
    19:59 The Journey to Expansion in Fertility
    23:18 Collaborating with Healthcare Practitioners
    24:57 The Role of Acupuncture in Preventative Care
    28:33 Practical Changes for Supporting Fertility
    33:52 Understanding Your Body Before Pregnancy


    About Dr. Julie Von

    Dr. Julie Von is a Manhattan-based holistic physician specializing in fertility, reproductive health, and integrative women's care. Her path into medicine began unusually early, apprenticing with healers, shamans, and physicians across multiple healing traditions before formal medical training.

    She went on to become one of the youngest practitioners in the United States to study Chinese medicine and continued her education in China, earning a doctoral degree from the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Dr. Von also holds a degree from the American College of Traditional Medicine in San Francisco, grounding her work in both classical Eastern medicine and modern clinical practice.

    For over a decade, Dr. Von has worked with patients in New York City, collaborating alongside some of the most advanced and well-known names in fertility medicine. Her clinical approach integrates rigorous medical training with earth-based and intuitive traditions, allowing her to address fertility through physiology, environment, emotional health, and energetic balance. Her work is known for bridging science and tradition in a way that is both deeply personalized and clinically thoughtful.

    Learn more at drjulievon.com

    About Materna Healthcare

    Materna Healthcare is a first-of-its-kind medical practice dedicated to early pregnancy and preconception care. From fertility planning through the earliest stages of pregnancy, Materna provides expert, compassionate, same-day care designed to keep women out of the emergency room and deeply supported during a critical window of health.

    Learn more at www.maternahealthcare.com

    Materna Healthcare on Social Media
    Instagram: @materna_health_
    TikTok: @maternahealthcare
    LinkedIn: Materna Healthcare

    We'd love to hear from you.
    Have a question, a story, or something you'd like us to cover? Reach out anytime — we're listening.
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    41 mins
  • The Mythology of Birth: A Conversation with Dr. Britta Bushnell

    The Mythology of Birth: A Conversation with Dr. Britta Bushnell
    Jan 23 2026

    In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Britta Bushnell shares her insights on the transformative journey of parenthood, emphasizing the importance of mythology and psychology in understanding childbirth. She discusses the illusion of control that many expectant parents face, the significance of childbirth as a rite of passage, and the dynamics of family roles as new parents navigate their identities. Dr. Bushnell also highlights the critical role of partners during the birth and postpartum periods, advocating for the practice of receiving help and the power of storytelling in reframing birth experiences for healing and resilience.

    "Stories are how we remember."
    "Partners need to embody 'bank' energy."
    "Practicing receiving help is crucial."


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Dr. Britta Bushnell
    02:58 The Illusion of Control in Parenthood
    05:41 The Intersection of Mythology, Psychology, and Childbirth
    11:52 Childbirth as a Rite of Passage
    17:33 The Transformative Family Wheel
    29:23 Partner Support During Birth and Postpartum
    44:50 Reframing Birth Stories for Healing

    Keywords

    birth, parenthood, transformation, mythology, psychology, childbirth education, rites of passage, family dynamics, partner support, healing

    About Britta Bushnell
    Britta Bushnell, PhD, is a childbirth educator, birth advocate, and author known for her work on the neurobiology of birth and the mind–body connection in labor. She holds a doctorate in Mythological Studies with an emphasis in Depth Psychology, and she brings a unique, research-informed perspective to understanding how physiology, environment, and emotional safety influence birth outcomes.

    Britta is the author of Transformed by Birth, a widely respected book that explores how birth experiences shape women neurologically and psychologically. Her work bridges neuroscience, psychology, and childbirth education, helping parents and providers better understand how to support labor in ways that promote safety, confidence, and optimal outcomes.

    Through teaching, writing, and speaking, Britta Bushnell continues to challenge fear-based narratives around birth and advocates for care models that honor the intelligence of the birthing body and brain.
    https://brittabushnell.com/

    About Materna Healthcare:

    Materna Healthcare is a first-of-its-kind medical practice dedicated to early pregnancy care. From preconception through the earliest stages of pregnancy, we provide expert, compassionate, same-day care designed to keep women out of the emergency room and connected to the support they need.

    Learn more at www.maternahealthcare.com or reach out at hello@maternahealthcare.com

    Materna Healthcare on Social Media
    📍 Instagram: @materna_health_
    🎵 TikTok: @maternahealthcare
    💼 LinkedIn: Materna Healthcare

    We'd love to hear from you!
    Have a question, a story, or something you'd like us to cover? Reach out anytime, we're listening.

    We'd love to hear from you!
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
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