EP 347: Combatting Reproductive Anxiety & Optimizing Pre-Pregnancy Health
In today’s world, getting pregnant and having healthy children is more challenging than it was for previous generations, and reproductive anxiety is on the rise. As the science behind fertility becomes more advanced, so too do the emotional and physical hurdles couples face when trying to conceive.
Alexandria’s approach to pre-pregnancy wellness offers a revolutionary perspective, one that emphasizes the importance of preparing for pregnancy with the same level of intention, planning, and care as one would for a wedding.
Alexandria’s book, 9 Months Is Not Enough, introduces a fresh take on the process of preparing for parenthood. She argues that while we often dedicate months—if not years—of careful planning to events like weddings, we tend to treat pregnancy preparation as a mere afterthought. Instead of waiting until conception is imminent, Alexandria advocates for starting the journey to pregnancy with a comprehensive and thoughtful approach long before a woman even gets pregnant.
Her philosophy is that the physical, mental, and emotional preparation that happens in the months or even years before conception has a profound impact on both fertility and the lifelong health of the child. By taking proactive steps to optimize wellness ahead of time, couples can significantly improve their chances of a healthy pregnancy and a thriving child.
Her book serves as a guide for individuals at any stage of their journey to parenthood, offering practical advice and empowering insights. Alexandria emphasizes that fertility is not just about timing and genetics—it’s about nurturing the body and mind for the best possible environment for conception.
She outlines a pre-pregnancy checklist that is both thorough and accessible, encouraging readers to focus on optimizing nutrition, managing stress, addressing hormonal imbalances, and preparing for the emotional and physical challenges that come with pregnancy. Her approach recognizes that a holistic, well-rounded foundation is essential to making conception smoother and ensuring the healthiest pregnancy possible.
Alexandria brings a wealth of expertise to this subject, being a functional nutritionist who specializes in fertility and preconception health. She is the founder and CEO of Poplin, the first pre-pregnancy wellness company that offers support, education, and products for individuals looking to prepare their bodies for pregnancy.
Her background includes an MBA from Harvard Business School, a master’s degree in nutrition, and extensive training as a doula, yoga teacher, and personal trainer. This unique combination of business acumen, scientific knowledge, and practical, hands-on experience gives Alexandria a well-rounded perspective on fertility that blends the best of both clinical and holistic approaches.
What sets Alexandria apart is not just her expertise in nutrition and wellness, but her commitment to treating pre-pregnancy as a significant life event—one that requires serious dedication and planning. Rather than simply addressing fertility once issues arise, she advocates for a preventative, proactive approach that empowers women and couples to take control of their reproductive health from the start.
Her approach is both empowering and practical, offering solutions that can be implemented at any stage of the fertility journey.
9 Months Is Not Enough challenges the conventional narrative around fertility and pregnancy, encouraging individuals to think ahead and start preparing long before conception. With Alexandria’s guidance, couples can approach parenthood not as an unpredictable event, but as a well-planned and deeply informed journey that lays the groundwork for long-term health and well-being for both parents and children.