​Umbilical Cord: this connects the baby to the placenta. Allowing nutrients and oxygen to pass from mother to baby- while removing waste products.
Placenta: this attaches to the uterine wall. Shaped like a pancake, it provides nutrients and oxygen for the baby and eliminates waste products.
Uterus: this is the muscular organ where baby grows.
Cervix: this is the lower end of the uterus. The cervix softens, thins, and opens during labor allowing baby into the world.

With my daughter, I suffered from complete placenta previa, placental abruption, and vasa previa. 

Complete Placenta Previa: The placenta is located over the cervix. This can cause bleeding during pregnancy or make vaginal delivery impossible- resulting in a cesarean. (Occurs in about 1 of 250 deliveries)
Placental Abruption: the placenta separates from the uterine wall before the baby is born. This causes the uterus to bleed and reduces the baby’s supply of oxygen and nutrients. (Occurs in 0.4 to 1.5% of all pregnancies)
Vasa Previa: the membranes that contain blood vessels from the baby to the placenta lie across the cervix. (Present in about 1 in 2,500 to 5,000 deliveries.)

​Starting next week, I have OB appointments twice a week. On Monday or Tuesdays, I will have a nonstress test on baby. A nonstress test is to check on baby’s health- baby’s heart rate is monitored  to see how it responds to it’s movements. This will be followed up by a check in with my high-risk OB. On Thursday or Fridays, I will have an ultrasound with my maternal-fetal medicine OB. This will be to monitor and watch for potential complications that are arising- especially when we add in a Factor V Leiden mutation as well. I promise, baby and I are in great hands! 

As of right now, I still have severe hydronephrosis in both kidneys. Severe Hydronephrosis basically means that my kidneys are severely swollen from a backup of urine. They aren’t draining properly, due to my scar tissue and malformed uterus, causing constant kidney stone like pain. Unfortunately, there’s nothing to relieve this

Right now, baby is scheduled to come into this world at 38 weeks, on February 22nd. This has every possibility to change- and honestly, I’m betting it will. I will be taking 3 weeks off after baby arrives. Please note my team (and I when possible) will continue to assist you as needs arise during this period. I will be monitoring emails at least once per week. If you have immediate needs or concerns, please email my assistant, Dawn. We will strive to fulfill these requests in a timely manner. We appreciate the understanding when it comes to rescheduling appointments during this time. We truly have the most amazing patients! 

As always, thank you for the continued love, support, and/or prayers- whatever you’re into! Keep it all coming. Please follow us on Facebook for more immediate updates! 

All my love,
Dr. Taryn

​Artificial Christmas trees are becoming more and more popular. There’s no needles to clean up, they can be reused, they can save you money- the list goes on. With this convenience list, at what expense does it impact your health? 

​Most artificial Christmas trees are manufactured in China and made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a petroleum- based plastic. 

​PVC must be combined with other chemicals to create its final products. Phthalates, heavy metals like lead, fungicides, and other toxic substances are used in this process. These additives aren’t chemically bound to the PVC. What does that even mean? It means they can be off-gassing in your home. 

Off-gassing is the airborne release of a chemical.
Are you familiar with that ‘new car smell’ or that ‘new carpet smell’?
​That’s off-gassing. 

PVC can also give off lead dust which is released into the air. Lead, as I’m sure you’re aware, is incredibly toxic to kiddos. In 2008, PVCs were banned from children’s toys in the United States. Why? Because phthalates impact natural hormone functioning in children increasing chances of birth defects, testicular cancer, liver problems, etc.  Unfortunately, they haven’t been banned from school supplies. 

​Artificial Christmas trees typically contain flame retardant chemicals. These chemicals are associated with hormone disruption, infertility, thyroid disorders, oxidative stress, immune system disruption, etc. 

​These flame retardant chemicals are not only used in artificial Christmas trees. They are also added to carpets, furniture, crib mattresses, cars, and many other products. 

​The more you know,
Dr. Taryn

​What is MiraLAX composed of? Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350. PEG 3350 is a petroleum derivative- essentially liquid plastic. (You read that right!)

Did you know that the FDA does not approve the usage of MiraLAX in pediatric patients? However, it's often suggested for kiddos. The safety is continually being investigated, BUT nothing has come back conclusive. Interesting, isn’t it? Something that is readily used, hasn’t been thoroughly studied, continually being recommended- and continues to have an influx of negative side effects. Remember I took, "proven safe and effective," right off of MiraLAX's website...

Sure, laxatives like MiraLAX may help you poop. But, at what risk to your body? Why not get to the root issue of why you’re having constipation problems?
​
You body can become dependent on these stimulant laxatives, even causing damage to your muscles, nerves, and tissues of your bowel and intestines. 

​You poop every day, so your gut is healthy? WRONG! Check out our stool chart to see where your bowel movements stack up. Ideally, you want to be type 3 or type 4.

If you or someone you love is struggling with constipation, please, reach out!

Not all supplements are created equal, not all probiotics are created equal, not all medical professionals are created equal.
​If you’d like help navigating what you should be taking to improve your gut health, contact us today! 

​Let’s get back to health,
Dr. Taryn 

Supplements and probiotics need to be purchased through a medical provider.
​ You can order yours here.
Ther-Biotic Complete by Klaire Labs is a great broad-spectrum probiotic. 

​After the baby’s birth, the umbilical cord is attached from baby’s belly button to the placenta. Which means, nutrient-rich blood remains in the umbilical cord and placenta; iron-rich red blood cells, and stem cells that baby needs. 

​A study published in The Journal of Pediatrics shows that waiting five minutes or more before clamping the umbilical cord, while infants are held skin-to-skin with the mother, leads to more myelin development. Myelin is a fatty substance in the brain that wraps around all of the axons of the nerve cells. PMC6259583

Another study concluded “Delayed cord clamping, compared with early clamping, resulted in improved iron status and reduced prevalence of iron deficiency at 4 months of age, and reduced prevalence of neonatal anemia, without demonstrable adverse effects. As iron deficiency in infants even without anemia has been associated with impaired development, delayed cord clamping seems to benefit full term infants even in regions with a relatively low prevalence of iron deficiency anemia.” PMC3217058

Now, delayed cord clamping cannot always be implemented. For example, women with abnormal placentas, women experiencing a hemorrhage, or babies needing immediate medical care would not be candidates for delayed cord clamping.
​
If you’re interested in delayed cord clamping, I urge you to look more into it! Speak with your doctor, midwife, doula, parent, etc. to develop your plan. If you decide to go ahead with delayed cord clamping, make sure it’s in your birth plan!

​Happy birthing,
Dr. Taryn

​As always, I am going to start this by saying, you don’t know until you know. The point of this blog isn’t to hurt feelings or discredit anyone. I simply feel obligated to share my professional doctor opinion on another green washed* brand- one that regularly fills up my personal social media. 

*I tried contacting Herbalife to get some of my questions answered but I have yet to hear back. So that means I have what’s provided on their website.*

I wanted to know the forms of vitamins they have in this drink. Example, it says “Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Magnesium, etc.”- well what active form are these in? Different active forms mean different absorption levels- this is incredibly important. 

These two words make me cringe! They sincerely make me cringe more than the word moist. Folic acid is not our friend and we do not want it in the supplements we take or the food we eat. Folic acid IS NOT the same thing as folate and should NEVER be used as an equivalent. Folic acid can inhibit transport of the necessary active folate across the blood-brain barrier where we need it to be able to support reductions in neuroinflammation.

It’s been estimated that more than 50% of the population has an MTHFR genetic mutation making those people unable to absorb folic acid.

Soy protein isolate is the very first listed ingredient- later down the list, soy lecithin is used as well. Soy is rich in phytic acid, blocking mineral absorption and is rich in goitrogens, negatively impacting the thyroid. Soy is also xenoestrogens and mimics estrogen- causing an estrogen buildup in our bodies. As we learn more about what this does to our body, we know it influences autoimmune disorders, estrogen dominance, and female cancers.

Fun Fact: soy is one of our biggest cash crops in the US- over 94% of it is genetically modified. We know that GMO crops destroy not only our health (thanks Monsanto), but also the health of the environment. They’re smothered in harsh chemicals that seep into our water and air supply.  
​

• These products are not certified GMO-free. And let's be real, if you’ve grossed almost 4 billion dollars in 2019, you can afford the certification. Without a certification, I don't blindly trust anything- you shouldn't either.

This is exactly how it sounds, dried and solidified corn syrup. What’s corn syrup? It’s sugar- 100% glucose.
​
Fun Fact: up to 92% of corn is genetically modified. Yet again, this product isn’t certified GMO-free.

Maltodextrin is technically classified as a complex carbohydrate. It’s an excessively processed additive that should be avoided by anyone with insulin resistance, diabetes, high blood sugar, PCOS, etc. Maltodextrin can also alter gut flora and suppress our beneficial gut bacteria.

Fun Fact: it’s glycemic index shows that it’s absorbed as fast, if not faster, than other true sugars.

​Sucralose (Splenda) is an artificial sweetener, like aspartame. Sucralose is produced by a multi-step chemical process that replaces three hydrogen-oxygen groups with three chlorine atoms. This replacement intensifies the sweetness to 600 times more than table sugar- while containing zero calories. As you can imagine, our gut is not a fan of sucralose. A study on sucralose and the GI microbiome showed that sucralose altered the gut microbiome by decreasing beneficial bacteria by up to 50%. Moreover, 12 weeks after the study the beneficial bacteria in the GI tract had not recovered. The study also found that sucralose may limit the bioavailability of certain orally administered medications- making the medications less effective.1

Each natural flavor may contain up to 100 ingredients. Those 100 ingredients include synthetic chemicals such as the solvent propylene glycol, the preservative BHA, and GMO-derived ingredients (unless organic or Non-GMO Project verified). Natural flavors can be derived from literally anything in nature, even animal parts.

Artificial flavors are made from anything else that doesn’t fall under the “natural” umbrella.
​
Fun Fact: these flavors are made by scientists called “flavorists”. The flavorists use "natural" chemicals when they are creating natural flavors, and "synthetic" chemicals when they are making artificial flavorings.

Now, as I stated previously, you don’t know until you know. I am not here to bash anyone’s profession. What I am here to do is show that we deserve better as consumers. Labels are deceiving- they truly are. We should continue to demand better and demand transparency. 

Let's get back to health,
​Dr. Taryn

I’ve had numerous patients in the past tell me they’ve dabbled in Thrive. Hell, I even did for a hot minute when I was in school! Most recently, I had a new patient ask me if they should continue their Thrive regiment along with her individualized plan from me. I asked her to send me the ingredient list of what she was taking, and I couldn’t believe was I was reading. These types of things really raise my cortisol level. 

I’m including the pictures she sent me and I’m going to break down a handful of things that I have to address. 

These two words make me cringe! They sincerely make me cringe more than the word moist. Folic acid is not our friend and we do not want it in the supplements we take or the food we eat. Folic acid IS NOT the same thing as folate and should NEVER be used as an equivalent. Folic acid can inhibit transport of the necessary active folate across the blood-brain barrier where we need it to be able to support reductions in neuroinflammation.

My patient then told me that you’re supposed to then have your shake 20 to 40 minutes after taking the capsules that I was just referring to. 

Magnesium is a powerhouse mineral that roughly 80% of American’s are deficient in. It’s also needed for over 300 enzymatic conversions inside of your body. Wild, I know!  There are multiple forms of magnesium- magnesium citrate is one I rarely ever use. It is typically used for constipation, if you’ve ever had a colonoscopy prep, you’d have used a lot of it. It’s not absorbed well and it’s not a great wellness, magnesium option- sometimes is can even do more harm than good. 

Each natural flavor may contain up to 100 ingredients. Those 100 ingredients include synthetic chemicals such as the solvent propylene glycol, the preservative BHA, and GMO-derived ingredients (unless organic or Non-GMO Project verified). Natural flavors can be derived from literally anything in nature, even animal parts. The subgroup of BPA plastics are also xenoestrogens, meaning they mimic estrogen. With female autoimmune disorders on the rise, along with female cancers, the last thing we want in our diets are xenoestrogens. 

Sucralose (Splenda) is an artificial sweetener, similar to aspartame. Sucralose is produced by a multi-step chemical process that replaces three hydrogen-oxygen groups with three chlorine atoms. This replacement intensifies the sweetness to 600 times more than table sugar- while containing zero calories. As you can imagine, our gut is not a fan of sucralose. A study on sucralose and the GI microbiome showed that sucralose altered the gut microbiome by decreasing beneficial bacteria by up to 50%. Moreover, 12 weeks after the study the beneficial bacteria in the GI tract had not recovered. The study also found that sucralose may limit the bioavailability of certain orally administered medications- making the medications less effective.1

. Nearly all soy is GMO courtesy of Monsanto. (Insert eye roll emoji.) There are two soy isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, that increase estrogen activity. Which means soy is xenoestrogens and mimics estrogen- causing an estrogen buildup in our bodies. As we learn more about what this does to our body, we know it influences autoimmune disorders, estrogen dominance, and female cancers. 

• These products are not certified GMO-free. And let's be real, if you’ve grossed over two billion dollars in 2018, you can afford the certification. Without a certification, I don't blindly trust anything- you shouldn't either. 

Now, as I stated previously, you don’t know until you know. I’ve had patients and friends tell me they’d spend $150-$300 A MONTH on their Thrive supplements. That doesn’t sit right with me knowing how subpar and toxic some of their ingredients truly are.
​
It is imperative to get your supplements, herbs, and vitamins from a trusted medical professional. If you have any questions on what supplements you and/or your kiddos should be taking, please, set up an appointment! I am truly here to help you- that’s the purpose of this exposing blog. I sincerely hope I did not hurt any feelings, but the truth needs to be told.

​Let’s get back to health,
Dr. Taryn

​This morning, I came down the steps to, Derek, washing dishes, loading dishes, and starting breakfast. Immediately I was elated. I sat down on the island finishing some emails on my phone. He finished up the dishes, washed the sink, and started making our blueberry pancakes. 

In that very moment, I couldn’t help but think about how grateful I am that he’s mine. How grateful I am that he respects my wants, cares for my needs, and helps me whenever he can.
​
That also made me think about never ending conversations I have about homelife stress.

I cannot tell you the amount of times I’ve had a conversation with whomever about, Derek, doing x,y,z around the house or with the kids followed up with a comment about ‘how lucky I am.'

Now hold on, Karen, I am not being insensitive, I completely understand the hustle and bustle of life- school, sports, band, homework, reading, grocery shopping, laundry, housework, etc. It typically is a never-ending list.
​
However, recruiting help from your partner makes this list a lot more manageable. 

Women are notoriously great at running things at home until they can no longer run anymore. Why at this point do we ask for help?

As women, our bodies were not and are not made to withstand the toxic cesspool of a world we live in. It’s engraved in us to do much more than we physically or mentally can, all with a smile, all while trying to be perfect. It’s engraved in us to order these toxic, miracle creams/serums to help make us feel young. It’s engraved in us that the social media world is real life. It’s engraved in us that this zombie, exhausted from sun up to sun down, mom lyfe thing is ‘normal’. Well, I’m here to tell you that that’s a bunch of crap.

​No, I don’t mean just the food we are eating or the drinks we are drinking. I’m referring to all the negative energy that we consume- the gossip, the negative comments, the negative thoughts. All of it is breaking us down internally. Surround yourself with who brings peace and happiness to your life. I don’t care if you’ve been friends for 25 years- if you aren’t going to make yourself a priority, who is? 

​It’s getting to be the time of year again where extra lotion is needed. Before you grab that Bath & Body Works lotion, do your body a favor and toss it in the trash. Our makeup and skincare routines are FULL of toxins. All the while preaching natural or safe (insert eye roll emoji). Toxins that are linked to endocrine disruption, cancer, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, and the list goes on. One that is very easy to spot and used often is ‘fragrance/parfum’. Anything with this listed in the ingredients deserves a spot in the trash. 

​If you don’t make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness. If you would like to chat about what Functional Medicine can do for you, please complete our Free Online Health Assessment at the top of this page. 

As always, let's get back to health!
Much love,
​Dr. Taryn

​Lemme dig into these questions…

I somewhat think this has turned into a word vomit question- it seems almost second nature to ask nowadays. However, I also think it is typically asked out of a place of love due to infertility being on the rise.

I speak on infertility often because I can relate. Infertility is hard and it is complex and it is exhausting. It’s something I personally have struggled with and it’s something I treat regularly.

Infertility is also interesting to me because it’s as if no one really wants to talk about actively trying to get pregnant…. As if it’s supposed to be some dirty secret.
​
Well, I’m here to tell you it shouldn’t be and isn’t some type of dirty little secret. 

There is also SO much focus on women’s infertility BUT it takes two to tango. A man’s sperm needs to be viable and healthy to create a baby just like a women’s egg. When trying to conceive both partners need support. A woman cannot exhaust her being, trying to conceive a baby when her partner is equally as responsible.
​
Being an expert in women’s health, I can tell you firsthand, it’s not just your hormones that need to be addressed. It’s your entire health and wellness- physically, mentally, and emotionally. Healing your body from the inside out makes for a healthier pregnancy, prenatal and postnatal. 

As adressed in one of my blogs, my last pregnancy ended in an emergency C-section. This resulted in a little over 6 week stay in the NICU for my daughter, Zirah- along with a long road to recovery for me.

I’m not scared being pregnant again. I am first of all thankful, but also very aware. I am very aware and preventatively treating issues before they have a chance to arise. (I’ll speak on this in a little bit.) I know that any added stress to myself only negatively impacts both me and baby. Reducing stress and reducing added toxins is HUGE during pregnancy. Hell, even before pregnancy, even if you never want to be pregnant- do yourself a favor and cut out the Negative Nancy’s and the positive energy sucking vampires. Reduce the processed foods, added sugars, fast food meals, etc. Your health and well-being will thank you.

From Zirah’s pregnancy to now, I have thoroughly focused on healing my body from the inside out. I feel amazing, so far, besides the being tired- but that’s a given. With my other two viable pregnancies, I was sick the entire time! Pregnancy shouldn’t be miserable; it truly shouldn’t be! This is your body screaming that it needs help. 

Remember, not all supplements are created equal! That's first and foremost. Life changing supplements aren't cheap; cheap supplements aren't life changing.

​I have four prenatal supplement suggestions (almost always):
Prenatal

• It takes a lot of vitamins and minerals to grow a baby! Let alone, support you.

Omega

• Reduces inflammation and promotes overall health. Fun Fact: a high quality omega 3 can double the fat content of your breast milk.

Probiotic

• Building and supporting the gut microbiome is key. 

Magnesium

• A co-factor for over 300 enzymes- helps with sleep, aches and pain, headaches, etc. 

Topical Progesterone Serum

• "The pregnancy hormone"- helps maintain a healthy pregnancy. Low levels in the first trimester can result in miscarriage.

As you can see, I am not listing the specific names for a reason, I don’t want you running to your local grocery store or Amazon to order these products. They MUST be high quality. They also need to be managed and regulated by your doctor. 

Pregnancy can be scary; the uncertainty can be overwhelming. I'm here to help. If you or someone you know is struggling with infertility, loss, and/or need prenatal support- please, reach out! 

​As always, I'm sending all my love and support to those struggling with conception,
Dr. Taryn

Did you know that well over half of premature babies are delivered via cesarean section? This means that your baby doesn’t receive the beneficial bacteria he or she needs from the birth canal. These beneficial bacteria can reduce susceptibility to food allergies, asthma, hay fever, and even obesity later in life. 

Did you know that it is ‘protocol’ to give preemies a preventative antibiotic once they are born? This is a proactive measure to prevent a deadly infection and is administered for 24 to 48 hours. However, what has that done to their already immature gut microbiome? It has completely wiped out even the good bacteria. 

Research continues to show that ONE round of antibiotics can change the gut microbiome negatively for up to FIVE years. That’s saying you’ve only had one round of antibiotics in five years.
​
Our immune system is founded in our gut. This vital component of our health and wellness isn’t just reborn without help.

Did you know that commonly preemies leave the hospital with medications geared towards GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), breathing treatments, and/or bowel movement problems? The gut-lung axis has a huge influence on all three.

Fun Fact: The central nervous system (CNS) is directly responsible for the process of peristalsis (which the body uses to make sure everything goes through the digestive tract in the correct direction). This is the primary malfunction of GERD. What helps directly with peristalsis?
Specific chiropractic care. ​

Zirah, was a very special case. She developed NEC (Necrotizing Enterocolitis) which is a very dangerous infection in your gut as well as the biggest culprit of deaths in premature babies. Zirah, was placed on antibiotics for THIRTEEN whole days. This was the longest 13 days of my entire life. While she was on these high dose antibiotics, she couldn’t have any food in her stomach and was given her nutrition through IV. I knew that my daughter was never going to be developmentally 'caught up' if I didn’t learn everything I could about repairing her gut.

I am eternally thankful to traditional western medicine for saving both mine and Zirah’s lives, but I am forever grateful to alternative medicine for giving Zirah her life back. This wasn’t a quick fix and her journey is still evolving. Without functional medicine, chiropractic, and healthy living practices our two-year checkup would have been much, much different. You’d have never guessed this little diva spent the first part of her life- fighting for it.

Do you have a preemie that suffers from allergies, is constantly sick, never 'catches a break', and/or isn’t hitting their developmental milestones? Please, reach out!

Do you or someone you love have a preemie? Be proactive, let’s get that gut back to health!

The best part about healing, it’s never too late to start the journey. There are supplements and herbs that are beneficial in gut healing, along with diet and lifestyle changes! Contact us for more information. 

I am also here to say, being a NICU mama is hard.
It's one of the hardest things I've ever endured.
It's okay to not be okay.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, please reach out.
You can't pour from an empty cup!
And the woman you were before you became, Mommy, matters. 

As always- stay healthy, friends. 
Dr. Taryn

As women, we're a constant target for skincare/cosmetics. We've all noticed the this will help you reduce age spots, diminish wrinkles, reduce the tiresome eye bags, give you voluminous lashes, hide your acne, etc. BUT at what health expense?

Did you have that SEVENTY-FIVE percent of all autoimmune diseases are diagnosed with women? Our bodies were not meant to function with added toxins and stress. 

If you're like me, before I knew better, I dabbled in some of these 'make me glamorous like Beyoncé concoctions.' My skin would break out, my eyes would water, my face and/or body would itch- you know the drill. And I'd sit there thinking, 'it said natural' or 'it said safe'.... These words mean NOTHING on labels. They are just a production of greenwashing.