Host Heather Creekmore is joined by Erin Todd from Intuitive Eating for Christian Women and Ashley Smith from the HA Society to explore the nuance between surrendering control and exercising stewardship. The discussion kicks off with Erin sharing her journey of conception at age 41, emphasizing the importance of faith and timing. Despite being told by doctors that she had a one percent chance of conceiving, Erin's story highlights the power of trusting in God's plan and timing, while she worked with Ashley to help support her body with what it needed to get pregnant.

Ashley delves into the nuances of AMH levels (Anti-Mullerian Hormone--the measure of the number of a woman's eggs that remain) and fertility, explaining the complexities and variances that are often overlooked in conventional fertility treatments like IVF. She underscores the significance of understanding one's body and situation, instead of making quick assumptions based on initial evaluations from fertility doctors.

But this conversation isn't just for women who are looking to get pregnant. The conversation goes deeper and shifts to the distinction between control and stewardship. Ashley explains that true stewardship involves asking God for guidance rather than bowing to fear or societal pressures. This notion is reflected in Erin's personal challenges, including a series of stressful events that led her to a place of surrender and faith in God's timeline for her family.

The trio discusses relinquishing control in various aspects of life, whether it be our bodies, children, or life's unexpected events, encouraging listeners to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. Both Erin and Ashley provide insight into the delicate balancing act of living in faith without attaching oneself to specific outcomes, whether that's achieving pregnancy or any other life goal.

Overall, the episode offers hope and encouragement for those struggling with the desire for control, particularly in the context of fertility and motherhood, and invites listeners to lean on their faith and the concept of stewardship.

Listen to other interviews with Erin Todd here: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/real-women-real-hope-erin-todd-on-freedom-from-unh

https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/all-roads-lead-to-intuitive-eating-what-we-learned

Listen to other interviews with Ashley Smith here: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/hormones-ha-infertility-early-menopause-and-body-i

and

https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/agreeing-with-the-lord-about-how-he-made-us-ashley

Learn more about Compared to Who? or join the 40-Day Journey by visiting: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today, Heather chats with Erin Todd from the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women podcast and Ashley Smith of the HA Society about how Ashley helped Erin get pregnant after 40. Even if you aren't looking to get pregnant, the trio talks about the beauty of how our bodies were made to signal and heal. They talk about perimenopause and the phenomenon of women getting diagnosed with early perimenopause. They discuss period loss, infertility, and Erin's personal story of working with Ashley to change the way she supported her body nutritionally in order to conceive. Here's what you can expect in today's show:

• Helpful information if you've lost your period or had menstrual irregularity.
• How Erin recognized that her intuitive eating had become based in habit and comfort.
• What to do if your doctor's told you you are in early menopause or peri-menopause.
• Erin's amazing story of working with Ashley, paying attention to nutrients, and getting pregnant.
• How scary it was for Erin to have to pay attention to food again and log food, and how that can be a trigger.

Learn more about Intuitive Eating for Christian Women here: https://intuitiveeatingforchristianwomen.com

Learn more about Ashley Smith and the HA Society here: https://www.thehasociety.com/

Join the 40-Day Journey here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today Heather and her team continue their group chat discussion about all things pregnancy and body image. They share how they handled weight changes during pregnancy, the pressure they felt to "bounce back," and how they handled frustrations around things not going as planned with the birth, breastfeeding, or even the health of the baby. From gestational diabetes to post-partum depression to trying to "win" at being the "hot mom" - the team covers it all in today's fun and informative second half of the group chat. If you've felt pressure to bounce back (even a decade after the baby was born), or if you've struggled with how you felt during or after pregnancy, this episode will encourage your heart.

Ready to heal your body image issues? Pregnant and new moms are welcomed to join the 40-Day Journey! Come as you are, join us on zoom, with spit up in your hair and baby on your lap. All are welcomed. Learn more at: https://www.improvebodyimage.com just check the 40-Day Journey tab. It will encourage you! (P.S. Replays are always available if you miss a week because baby just wouldn't nap!) Sessions run each quarter. Next session begins March 10.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.