What if everything you’ve been told about pregnancy and birth is only half the story—and the real answers are already inside your body?

Most women prepare for birth by gathering tips, products, and protocols… but few are ever taught how profoundly their own physiology, nutrient stores, and internal rhythms shape their pregnancy outcomes.

This week’s episode pulls back the curtain on the science, biochemistry, and innate wisdom that can transform the way you think about getting pregnant, staying healthy, and giving birth.

I sit down with Sarah Thompson, a licensed acupuncturist, certified functional medicine practitioner, and birth doula with more than 20 years of experience in maternal health. 

Together, we dive deep into maternal nutrition, preeclampsia prevention, and how supporting your body from preconception through postpartum can set the stage for safer, smoother, and more empowered births.

Sarah opens up about:

• Why folate isn’t one-size-fits-all

• The crucial role of preconception nutrition and early pregnancy nutrient reserves in preventing complications like preeclampsia and gestational hypertension.

• How choline, glycine, and hyaluronic acid support the cervix, cell membranes, and baby’s brain development.

• How minerals, vitamins, and balanced fats work together to protect endothelial health, regulate inflammation, and support optimal birth outcomes.

• Why thyroid health, vitamin A, and magnesium are essential for labor preparation, oxytocin receptor expression, and postpartum healing.

Key takeaways you’ll hear inside the episode:

• Your body has an internal wisdom—sometimes the best intervention is listening, not over-supplementing.

• Timing matters: preconception and early pregnancy are the most important windows for nutrient support.

• Balanced diets, like Mediterranean or Nordic patterns, provide antioxidants, trace minerals, and healthy fats that research links to better pregnancy outcomes.

• Supporting cervical remodeling, oxytocin receptor function, and placental health can improve labor progress and reduce unnecessary interventions.

• Traditional wisdom, science, and intuition all intersect to guide safer, more empowered pregnancies and births.

Learn more about Sarah at:www.functionalmaternity.com

Follow her on instagram@functional.maternity

Sarah’s reminder for us all:“Trust the body, honor the process, and focus on balance over extremes.”

This episode is a fascinating exploration of the biochemistry of pregnancy, the hidden nutrients that matter most, and the power of preparation to create a safer, more connected birth experience.

Download My Birthing Meditation⁠⁠

📲 Connect on Instagram:

⁠⁠⁠⁠@drcindytahhan⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠@rewireforbirth