Episode 59 - Why Your Gut Health Matters Before, During, and After Pregnancy with Dr. Kelsey Stang
What if the key to your fertility journey isn't just about ovulation tracking or hormone testing, but something much more fundamental—the trillions of bacteria living in your gut? What if chronic constipation, skin issues, or mood swings aren't separate problems, but signals from an ecosystem that desperately needs attention?
In this deep dive with Dr. Kelsey Stang, a licensed naturopathic doctor specializing in fertility and women's health, we explore how your microbiome impacts every stage of reproductive health—from preconception through postpartum. Her insights reveal why gut health might be the missing piece in your fertility puzzle and offer practical, science-backed strategies you can implement starting today.
Topics covered
In this episode, we discussed
- Dr. Kelsey's journey from studying the history of motherhood to becoming a naturopathic doctor
- Her personal experience with SIBO, hormone imbalances, and how addressing gut health transformed her cycles
- What the microbiome is and why we need bacteria to survive and thrive
- The role of the microbiome in preconception, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum
- How gut health impacts nutrient absorption, immune function, and fertility
- The connection between maternal microbiome and preventing childhood conditions like asthma and allergies
- How babies get inoculated with beneficial bacteria during vaginal birth
- The importance of oral health and gum disease in pregnancy outcomes
- Signs that your microbiome may need attention (beyond just digestive symptoms)
- Practical, accessible recommendations for supporting microbiome health
About Dr. Kelsey Stang
Dr. Kelsey Stang is a licensed naturopathic doctor specializing in women's health, fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum support. After studying history and ethnic studies in her undergrad, she was inspired by a class on the history of motherhood to pursue naturopathic medicine. Her journey with SIBO, hormone imbalances, and the discovery of the connection between gut health and overall wellness led her to focus professionally on the microbiome's role in reproductive health. Dr. Kelsey believes in finding the root causes of disease and supporting the body's natural healing processes, particularly through optimizing gut health for hormone balance and fertility.
Connect with Dr. Kelsey
- Instagram: @drkelseystang
- Website: www.drkelseystang.com
- Program: Fertile Future (6-week or 12-week individualized fertility optimization program)
Listen to the Episode
- Spotify
- Apple Podcasts
- YouTube
Timestamps
[00:01:05] Dr. Kelsey introduces herself and her background in naturopathic medicine
[00:02:11] How studying the history of motherhood changed her life direction
[00:04:09] Dr. Kelsey's personal health journey with birth control and mysterious symptoms
[00:05:08] Discovering SIBO and the root causes behind her hormone imbalances
[00:06:25] How optimal preconception health impacts pregnancy and postpartum
[00:07:43] Connection to Iris's background in medical anthropology and birth work
[00:09:39] What sparked Dr. Kelsey's professional interest in the microbiome
[00:11:08] Explaining what the microbiome actually is and why we need bacteria
[00:13:42] The microbiome's role during preconception phase
[00:16:14] How maternal microbiome affects fetal development and pregnancy complications
[00:17:24] How babies get inoculated with beneficial bacteria during vaginal birth
[00:19:30] Microbiome changes and challenges during postpartum
[00:22:27] The importance of oral health and gum disease in pregnancy outcomes
[00:24:39] Signs that your microbiome may need attention
[00:28:17] Practical recommendations for supporting microbiome health
[00:32:13] Final wisdom about nurturing your body during preconception
[00:33:27] Where to find Dr. Kelsey and her Fertile Future program
The Personal Journey: When "Normal" Isn't Actually Healthy
Dr. Kelsey's story begins with a powerful reminder: just because something has been your normal doesn't mean it's healthy. After being on birth control since age 13 for heavy periods, she developed chronic eczema, migraines, fatigue, and lifelong constipation.
When she stopped birth control expecting improvements, not only did her symptoms persist—her period disappeared entirely.
The SIBO Discovery
Working with a naturopathic doctor, Dr. Kelsey discovered she had SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), low digestive function, and adrenal dysfunction. She was teaching hot yoga four days a week, running regularly, in medical school, and "burning the candle at both ends."
The transformation was remarkable: After addressing stress and optimizing gut health, her periods returned healthier than ever, eczema cleared, headaches disappeared, and she had regular bowel movements for the first time in her life.
This experience led to a healthy pregnancy and now forms the foundation of her practice helping hundreds of couples optimize their preconception health.
Understanding Your Microbiome: The Ecosystem You Can't Live Without
Your microbiome is an ecosystem of diverse bacteria living throughout your body—in your gut, on your skin, in your mouth, and in your reproductive tract. Each location has its own unique bacterial community.
Why We Need Bacteria to Survive
We wouldn't be able to survive without bacteria. This fundamental truth challenges our cultural obsession with being "clean" and "separate" from microorganisms. As Dr. Kelsey puts it: "We think as humans we're clean and separate from, and safe from, bacteria or microorganisms. But we wouldn't be able to survive without them—we need them, it's vital for our existence to have bacteria."
These bacteria:
- Help us digest and absorb nutrients
- Support immune system function
- Influence hormone metabolism
- Impact mood and neurotransmitter production
- Protect against harmful pathogens
Think of it as a symbiotic relationship—we provide them a home, they keep us healthy and alive.
Preconception: Building the Foundation for Fertility
During the preconception phase, a stable gut microbiome directly impacts your ability to conceive through several crucial mechanisms:
Nutrient Absorption
Even if you're eating perfectly, without the right bacteria, you risk nutrient deficiencies. Certain bacteria are required to absorb specific vitamins essential for fertility and fetal development.
Immune System Balance
Microbiome imbalances trigger inflammation as your immune system responds to bacterial overgrowth or insufficient beneficial bacteria. This chronic inflammation can directly impact fertility by:
- Disrupting hormone signaling
- Affecting egg quality
- Interfering with implantation
- Creating an hostile environment for conception
The Partner Factor
Both partners' gut health matters for fertility. Supporting microbiome health together creates the optimal conditions for conception and sets the stage for a healthy pregnancy.
Pregnancy: Your Microbiome Shapes Your Baby's Future Health
Research reveals that maternal microbiome health during pregnancy influences both immediate pregnancy outcomes and your child's long-term health.
Preventing Pregnancy Complications
Poor gut health has been linked to:
- Preeclampsia
- Fetal growth restriction
- Gestational diabetes
- Excessive gestational weight gain
- Premature birth
Protecting Your Child's Future Health
A stable maternal microbiome helps prevent childhood conditions including:
- Asthma
- Eczema
- Allergies (collectively called "atopy")
Your microbiome influences your baby's developing immune system while they're still in the womb, literally programming their future health outcomes.
The Oral Connection
Gum disease and periodontal issues significantly impact birth outcomes. Research clearly shows connections between oral health and premature birth or low birth weight. Your mouth is the beginning of your digestive system—imbalances there affect your entire gut ecosystem.
Birth: Baby's First Microbial Inoculation
Vaginal delivery provides baby's first crucial exposure to beneficial bacteria. As babies pass through the birth canal, they're exposed to the mother's vaginal microbiome, which:
- Inoculates baby's own microbiome
- Kickstarts immune system development
- Provides essential bacterial exposure for navigating the outside world
This first bacterial exposure is so important that some hospitals now offer "vaginal seeding" for babies born via C-section, though this practice requires careful consideration of maternal health factors.
Postpartum: Supporting the Massive Transition
The postpartum period brings dramatic hormonal shifts and significant physical recovery—both areas where microbiome health plays a crucial protective role.
Hormone Clearance and Mood Support
Your gut bacteria directly influence:
- Neurotransmitter production (your mood chemistry)
- Hormone metabolism (clearing the massive hormonal shifts)
- Inflammatory responses (supporting physical recovery)
The Gestational Diabetes Connection
Women who develop gestational diabetes often have less diverse gut microbiomes that persist even after birth, potentially impacting long-term metabolic health.
Dr. Kelsey's clinical observation: When patients focus on gut health throughout the reproductive journey, they experience smoother pregnancies, easier births, and more stable postpartum transitions with less emotional fluctuation.
Warning Signs: Your Body's Microbiome Messages
Sometimes there are no obvious digestive symptoms, but your body sends other signals that your microbiome needs attention:
Non-Digestive Warning Signs
- Skin issues: Acne, eczema, psoriasis (your skin reflects your gut health)
- Hormonal imbalances: Irregular cycles, PCOS, endometriosis
- Fertility challenges: Difficulty conceiving, recurrent pregnancy loss
- Mood symptoms: Anxiety, depression, mood swings
- Sleep and energy: Insomnia, chronic fatigue
- Metabolic issues: Difficulty with weight management
Digestive-Specific Symptoms
- Constipation (optimal is 1-3 complete bowel movements daily)
- Diarrhea or loose stools
- Gas, bloating, heartburn
- Undigested food in stool
- Food intolerances (often a sign of gut imbalance, not permanent sensitivities)
The "Normal" Trap
If you've had constipation your whole life, it feels normal—but it's not healthy. Many symptoms we accept as "just how we are" actually indicate treatable imbalances.
Practical Strategies: Nourishing Your Microbiome for Fertility
The 30-Plant Challenge
Aim for 30 different plant-based foods per week—fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices all count. This provides diverse fuel for different bacterial species and can be a fun couples' activity during preconception.
Daily Microbiome Support
- 6-9 servings of fruits and vegetables daily (mostly vegetables)
- Prioritize fiber from apples, pears, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, avocados, nuts, and seeds
- Choose organic when possible to avoid pesticides that disrupt beneficial bacteria
- Limit processed foods that provide "empty nutrients" without microbiome fuel
The Art of Mindful Eating
Slow down during meals to activate your "rest and digest" nervous system state. This means:
- No TV, phones, or stressful conversations during eating
- Taking 10-15 minutes of calm, focused eating time
- Allowing your body to properly digest and absorb nutrients
Listen to Your Body's Wisdom
Symptoms are messages from your body that it needs attention and care. Rather than suppressing symptoms, use them as guides for where to focus your healing efforts.
The Bottom Line
Your microbiome isn't just about digestion—it's the foundation of your reproductive health. From optimizing fertility and preventing pregnancy complications to supporting postpartum recovery and your baby's lifelong health, the bacteria in your gut play starring roles in your reproductive journey.
The beauty of microbiome support lies in its accessibility. You don't need expensive supplements or complicated protocols to begin. Simple shifts in food diversity, eating habits, and lifestyle choices can create profound changes in your gut ecosystem and, consequently, your fertility health.
Dr. Kelsey's message resonates deeply: Your body is wise, fertile, and capable of greatness. Sometimes it just needs the right bacterial allies to unlock its full potential.
Key Takeaways
- Your microbiome impacts fertility at every stage - From preconception through postpartum recovery
- "Normal" symptoms aren't necessarily healthy - Chronic constipation, skin issues, and mood swings can indicate microbiome imbalances
- Both partners' gut health matters - Supporting microbiome health together optimizes fertility outcomes
- Pregnancy complications often link to gut health - Preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and premature birth connect to microbiome imbalances
- Baby's first bacterial exposure matters - Vaginal delivery provides crucial microbiome inoculation
- Postpartum mood links to gut health - Bacteria influence neurotransmitters and hormone clearance
- Oral health affects birth outcomes - Your mouth is part of your digestive system
- 30 plant foods weekly supports diversity - Variety feeds different beneficial bacterial species
- Mindful eating activates proper digestion - Slow, calm eating optimizes nutrient absorption
- Your body is wise and capable - Trust your symptoms as guidance toward healing
About the Host
I’m Iris Josephina—functional hormone specialist, orthomolecular hormone coach, and entrepreneur. Through Cycle Seeds and The Inner Rhythms Podcast, I support people in reconnecting with their cyclical nature, deepening body literacy, and reclaiming hormonal harmony from a place of sovereignty and embodied knowledge. Most people know me from Instagram, where I share stories, tools, and inspiration on cyclical living, menstrual cycles, fertility, hormones and more.
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