TRIGGER WARNING: This post contains material that might be difficult for some to read as it discusses my experiences with recurrent pregnancy loss.

Medical Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. I’m not a healthcare professional, and nothing here is a substitute for guidance from your provider. Always consult a qualified professional before making changes to your health, supplements, or lifestyle. Please see the full disclaimer for more details.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links or links to Amazon. If you choose to purchase anything through these links, I may earn a commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you so much for your support, you’re the best! See the full disclosure for details.

*All photos are protected by copyright and the property of Well Life Mama unless they are stock photos or otherwise noted. Maternity photos by exploinspo.

My Experience With Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

I first got pregnant in March 2021. After we got over the initial shock and panic, we were thrilled! I immediately started a baby registry and couldn’t wait to see our baby and hear their heartbeat at our first ultrasound on April 26th, 2021.

I was supposed to be 8 weeks 1 day pregnant at that appointment. As we waited to hear the heartbeat for what felt like eternity, our excitement gradually turned to gut-wrenching fear and panic. There was no heartbeat, and our baby was only measuring 6 weeks 1 day. 

I had miscarried, but my body didn’t realize it. I was still having horrible morning sickness and other pregnancy symptoms. I still FELT pregnant. This is called a “missed miscarriage.” I didn’t even know that was a thing. 

But since my body didn’t naturally pass the pregnancy, I was given medication to force my body to pass the pregnancy tissue. It was the most excruciatingly painful (physically and emotionally) and horrific thing I’ve ever been through. I wouldn’t wish that experience on anyone.

We went from excitement and joy to utter devastation. I can’t even describe the shock, the raw pain, and sense of loss we experienced⁠. You know a miscarriage is a possibility but don’t think it will be a reality. I can’t even tell you how horrible it felt not being pregnant when I was supposed to be pregnant.

Despite the pain, we found the strength to try again. And by July 2021, I was pregnant once more. But sadly, I had a 2nd missed miscarriage. To have to go through that devastation twice is unthinkable and unbearable. Even though we felt more prepared for the shock and pain the second time around, we were still completely crushed.

Needless to say, 2021 was the worst year of our lives after suffering through 2 failed pregnancies. But during my miscarriage journeys and subsequent grief journeys searching for answers, I made some eye-opening discoveries that completely changed my life for the better.

This is what led me to convert to non-toxic clean living and ultimately gave me my healthy double rainbow baby! Changing my lifestyle not only improved my health and wellbeing, it also ensured I had a successful full-term pregnancy, a wonderful natural childbirth with no interventions, and a perfect baby girl.

For the full story about my multiple miscarriages, read my blog post:

👉 How My Clean Living Journey Saved Me After Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

What I Did to Have a Healthy Rainbow Baby After Multiple Miscarriages

So what exactly did I do to not only get pregnant naturally and have a successful full-term pregnancy but also give birth to a healthy and happy baby after two pregnancy losses?

I’m going to tell you exactly what my husband and I did. Yes, I mention my husband too because he played an important role.

And if it makes you feel any better, we did all this when I was nearly 40 years old and my husband was in his early 50s! So if we can have a baby (let alone a healthy baby) at those ages, there’s a good chance you can too!

At the time of our natural conception, I was 38 years old while my husband was 51 (he turned 52 years old a week later). By the time our daughter was born, I was 39 years old and my hubby was 52. With our advanced ages, we were concerned about our baby having birth defects or a neurodevelopmental condition. 

It may seem like we went overboard. And you may not need to do every single thing we did. But we wanted to do everything in our power to avoid the devastation of another miscarriage and also to avoid any potential health or neurological issues for our baby.

The Turning Point: What I Changed After Multiple Miscarriages

While trying to find answers during my miscarriage journeys, I discovered two life-changing books that ultimately gave me my daughter:

• It Starts with the Egg: The Science of Egg Quality for Fertility, Miscarriage, and IVF
• Brighton Baby a Revolutionary Organic Approach to Having an Extraordinary Child: The Complete Guide to Preconception and Conception

I had already started removing toxins from my life. But these books confirmed the importance of that and helped guide me on the path of non-toxic clean living. They also explained the crucial supplements I needed to take to support fertility and pregnancy.

If you only read one book, I HIGHLY recommend It Starts With The Egg (abbreviated as “ISWTE”). This is the main book I contribute my baby to. It’s like a blueprint to prepare for pregnancy after loss (not only getting pregnant but also staying pregnant to term) while also preventing birth defects and neurodevelopmental disorders for a healthy baby.

The other book, Brighton Baby is also an excellent book that I highly recommend. It gives a lot of eye-opening information but is much more intense than ISWTE and can feel overwhelming. If you’re up for it though and want all the info (especially in regards to preventing birth defects and neurodevelopmental conditions like autism), it’s definitely worth a read.

Then during my pregnancy, there were a few more books I referenced to support my pregnancy, my baby’s health, and a natural childbirth:

• Brain Health from Birth: Nurturing Brain Development During Pregnancy and the First Year (NOTE: this book is no longer in print, it was replaced with “It Starts With The Bump”)
• The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth

Basically, it starts with preconception preparation to reduce your toxin load, lower inflammation, and improve both you and your partner’s fertility with supplements for egg and sperm health. Then once you’re pregnant, it’s all about supporting a healthy pregnancy and nourishing your baby.

👉 You may also like: How My Clean Living Journey Saved Me After Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Preconception Preparation for Fertility Support + a Natural Pregnancy

With my first 2 failed pregnancies, I had no idea that I should prepare my body ahead of time. Nobody talked about preconception prior to conceiving or how to get pregnant naturally. I thought getting pregnant and having a baby would be simple and straightforward. After all, they should be. 

But that’s not the case for many, many women and couples. All the toxins we’ve been exposed to on a daily basis our entire lives have taken a toll on our bodies and overall health. And in turn, they’ve also had a detrimental effect on our fertility.

For example, endocrine disrupting chemicals (also known as “EDCs”) screw up our natural hormones and are linked to reproductive and fertility issues, miscarriage, poor sperm quality, heart problems, hormone-related cancers and more.

EDCs include phthalates, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and bisphenols such as bisphenol A (BPA).

It takes two to make a baby. But more importantly, it also takes two to make a healthy baby. Luckily, my husband was willing to convert to non-toxic clean living and take supplements to have the best chance of having a healthy baby.

It’s important to have a supportive and willing partner. Because I’ll be honest, this takes real effort and commitment. But it’s so worth it if it means a baby and especially a healthy one at that. And there’s also the added bonus of improving your health while you’re at it!

If it takes some convincing to get your partner on board, you can argue that they only have to make an effort for the 3-4 month preconception period (see Timing below). 

After that, it gets much easier for them since their “job” of knocking you up is essentially done. 😆 But they may feel so good like my hubs did, that they may want to continue long-term throughout your pregnancy and beyond!

Before we get ahead of ourselves though, let’s start with the preconception preparation and what that entails.

Timing for Trying to Conceive Naturally

Preconception preparation takes some upfront planning and timing. The book It Starts With The Egg recommends preparing for 2-3 months prior to conceiving depending on your situation. ISWTE bases this recommendation on the following timelines for sperm and eggs:

• Sperm: “The cycle of producing each sperm takes a little over two months.” (Source: ISWTE)
• Eggs: “It takes approximately three months for an immature egg to develop into a mature egg ready for ovulation, and this is the crucial window of time.” (Source: ISWTE)

The recurrent miscarriage protocol I followed from ISWTE (see Supplements below) said I should take my supplements for at least 3 months. To keep things simple, we also had my husband take his for the same amount of time.

But to be on the safe side, my husband and I chose to do preconception preparation for 120 days prior to my period due date for the time when we were hoping to get pregnant. We went with 120 days because that’s a good round number for supplements as many come in 120, 90, 60 or 30 day supplies. 

👉 You may also like: 21 Clean Living Benefits You’ll Actually Notice in Real Life

And since I was supposed to take the supplements until I got a positive pregnancy test, I looked at when I was supposed to get my period for the month we wanted to get pregnant and then counted back 120 days to make sure it covered a full 3 ovulation cycles.

That’s the day we started taking supplements, which worked out to be about 3.5 months from conception/ovulation and roughly 1 year from the due date we were aiming for.

We wanted to have a fall baby since fall is our favorite season. And we liked the month of September for our potential due date since the weather would be cooler but not cold yet.

To have a September baby, I needed a positive pregnancy test in January. I was supposed to get my period sometime between January 8th and January 10th (my cycle was typically 26 days but occasionally up to 28 days). 

So we started supplements on September 12th, 2023, which was 120 days from the 28th day of my cycle that month (January 10th) when my period would be “late.” And guess what… I got pregnant on our very first try! 

On top of that, our baby was born on September 13th, 2024 (5 days early from her due date of 9/18/24). That was almost exactly 1 year (1 year + 1 day) from when we started taking the supplements and doing our preconception preparation.

Keep reading for everything we did for those 120 days leading up to our positive pregnancy test!

My Preconception Clean Living Changes for Natural Fertility Support

Prior to starting supplements, I had already begun converting to non-toxic clean living by replacing toxic products with toxin-free swaps. In January 2022, I tossed all the toxic products in my home and switched to natural, toxin-free versions. Here’s a brief snapshot of what that looked like:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Briana » Exploring » Clean Living (@next.destination.unknown)

Gave Up Fragrance

Artificial fragrances are sneaky little chemical cocktails—over 3,000 unlisted, often carcinogenic compounds, including endocrine disruptors like phthalates and formaldehyde. No thanks.

I said goodbye to:

• Air fresheners
• Paraffin candles
• Fragranced personal care products
• Scented laundry products
• Chemical-laden cleaning products

Tossed Toxic Cleaners

No more mystery ingredient lists that read like a high school chem final.

I switched to:

• Branch Basics (seriously, this stuff does it all)
• Baking soda + vinegar (the OG crunchy combo—cheap, effective, and people-safe)

Switched to Natural Personal Care Products

Because what goes on your body matters just as much as what goes in it.

Here’s what that looked like for me:

• Primally Pure for natural deodorant + skincare (Pssst…. want to try PP for yourself? Get 10% off with code “WLM” + cash back with Rakuten!)
• Obsessively reading every label like my uterus depended on it (because… it basically did)
• Became that person who Googles every single ingredient while standing in the Target aisle (no regrets)

Swapped Out Plastic

Plastic can leach hormone-disrupting chemicals into your food and drinks—especially when heated. I made the swap to:

• Glass, stainless steel, or silicone everything:
  • Meal prep gear
  • Cookware
  • Food storage
  • Water bottles
  • Coffee maker (swapped plastic Keurig for stainless steel French press)

These swaps weren’t just about fertility—they were about reclaiming my health and creating a safer environment for a future baby. And honestly, once you start, it’s addictive in the best way.

👉 Want to see a few of the swaps I started with? Grab my free 5-Day Clean Living Kickstart here!

And for more detailed info about clean living and everything I did to go non-toxic, be sure to check out my Clean Living Guide.

Worked on Balancing Hormones

During my second failed pregnancy, my doctor said my progesterone level was borderline low. She wanted me to take a progesterone prescription in the form of a vaginal suppository cream.

She also wanted me to take baby aspirin to increase blood flow to my uterus (more details below for what I did instead with my successful pregnancy).

Even before I knew about the dangers of everyday toxins, I was leery about taking any kind of medication while pregnant. I read the warning label that came with the progesterone medication and saw that it could cause birth defects.

I asked the doctor about it, but she just brushed it off. I didn’t want to take anything but was desperate for this second pregnancy to be successful and didn’t know what else to do.

So I took the progesterone against my better judgment. But I still ended up miscarrying. The next time around, I made a point of balancing my hormones naturally by doing the following:

No Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)

I became a full-time label detective and ditched anything with ingredients that could mess with my hormones. EDCs are found in everything from fragrance to plastic, and they can mimic or block your body’s natural hormones—which is the last thing you want when trying to conceive. So I swapped out the worst offenders and gave my hormones a fighting chance.

Examples: phthalates, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and bisphenols such as bisphenol A (BPA).

Avoided Hormone-Altering Foods

Some of the “healthy” options I used to love didn’t exactly love my hormones back. Once I learned how certain foods can mimic or disrupt natural hormone function, I started cutting them out—starting with a few sneaky ones you might not expect.

Stevia

Yes, stevia—believe it or not. Even though it’s praised as a natural sweetener, stevia is actually an endocrine disruptor (source). Its chemical structure is similar to a steroid and can negatively impact progesterone levels.

What I used instead: alcohol-free monk fruit extract (tastes great, doesn’t confuse your hormones)

Soy

Soy contains phytoestrogens—naturally occurring compounds that act like estrogen in the body. That hormone-mimicking activity can throw off hormonal balance, especially when you’re already working to regulate things.

Soy foods + products I avoided included:

• Soy Sauce (I used Coconut Aminos instead)
• Soybean Oil (even in skincare products)
• Edamame
• Tofu

👉 You may also like: 5 Easy Ways to Start Reducing Your Toxin Build Up

Fertility-Supporting Preconception Supplements

It Starts With The Egg recommends different supplement protocols for the following various issues: 

• Difficulty conceiving
• PCOS or irregular ovulation
• Endometriosis
• Recurrent miscarriage
• Trying to conceive through IUI or IVF 

Since I had 2 missed miscarriages, I followed the recurrent miscarriage protocol. The supplements my husband and I used may or may not be what you and your partner need.

You may use some of the ones we used but need different ones as well. That’s why it’s crucial that you get the ISWTE book to make sure you use the exact supplements you need for your scenario.

But here are the ones we took in case you’re on the same plan as us or need some of the ones we took. I searched high and low for the most affordable and cleanest supplements I could find with no toxic “other ingredients”.

Another supplement mentioned in Chapter 15 of the updated version of the ISWTE book, is a women’s probiotic with the following 2 strains:

• Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1

I took this Women’s Probiotic during the last month of the preconception period. It’s also helpful in the 3rd trimester to prevent Group B Streptococcus colonization and having to take antibiotics for it, so I took it then as well.

I also added some additional supplements. There were a few supplements recommended by the Brighton Baby book that weren’t mentioned in ISWTE:

• Quintessential Sea Water
• Grass-Fed Beef Organ Complex (The book recommends eating organ meat, but we couldn’t bring ourselves to do it. So we got the next best thing!)

I shopped around for the best deals between Amazon, Natural Healthy Concepts and Vitacost (now an iHerb brand). After coupons, cash back with Rakuten, and 5% cash back with an Amazon card, we spent about $1,250 on supplements at the time.

But we figured that was still much cheaper than IVF, and it was also an investment in our baby’s health as well as our own! #worthit

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Briana » Exploring » Clean Living (@next.destination.unknown)

Gut Health for Preconception & Fertility

In addition to the above supplements, I added a few others not mentioned in the books to improve my gut health.

I had suffered from IBS for as long as I could remember. My gut health had already started to improve after going non-toxic with clean living, but I wanted to go the extra mile to support digestion, reduce inflammation, and help my body absorb all those fancy supplements I was taking.

After all, they say health starts in the gut—and when you’re trying to conceive, that’s not just a trendy saying. Your gut influences everything from hormone balance to nutrient absorption.

And as I mentioned earlier, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) don’t just mess with your hormones—they also disrupt your gut microbiota, which can directly affect fertility in both women and men (source).

Here’s what I did to support my gut:

Probiotics

I took a high-quality daily probiotic supplement (TMI: I swear this helped me get regular—like clockwork).

I also loaded up on probiotic-rich fermented foods like:

• Plain whole fat yogurt (organic + no added sugar)
• Sauerkraut
• Kimchi

I steered clear of kombucha though since it has trace alcohol, and I wasn’t taking chances.

Grass-Fed Collagen Peptides

I added a scoop of clean grass-fed collagen peptides to my daily decaf coffee or smoothie. It helped support gut lining integrity, reduced bloating, and bonus—it’s great for skin, joints, and postpartum recovery too.

I truly believe this gut work helped create a healthier internal environment for conception — and kept things moving (if you know what I mean 😅) throughout pregnancy, which is no small feat.

Clean Eating for Fertility-Friendly Nutrition

Clean living for me also includes clean eating. Because let’s be real—we are what we eat (and so is our baby!).

A huge part of supporting gut health, balancing hormones, and improving fertility comes down to the food we fuel our bodies with.

Here’s what this fertility-friendly lifestyle looked like for me:

Focused on Whole, Nutrient-Dense Foods

• Low-carb diet to support blood sugar balance and hormone regulation
• Ate this fertility bowl on repeat (loaded with protein, healthy fats, and fiber)
• Minimal eating out to avoid inflammatory oils and mystery additives
• Followed the EWG lists when I did eat out
  • No foods on the EWG Dirty Dozen List that have high levels of pesticides.
  • Tried to stick to fruits and vegetables on the EWG Clean 15 List with the lowest amounts of pesticides.
  • Limited foods not found on either list. This was tough for me as I craved strawberries while I was pregnant and love bell peppers, but both were on the Dirty Dozen.
• Chose organic foods at home

Avoided Inflammatory Foods + Toxins

• No fried foods — oh french fries, how I missed you!
• No artificial anything — flavors, colors or preservatives
• Minimal processed foods — I read every label (Not gonna lie, this was hard. I didn’t have the energy to make everything from scratch, but I did the best I could.)
• Limited inflammatory oils (like canola, vegetable, and sunflower) — This was tough as practically every processed food has inflammatory oil(s) in the ingredients.
• No refined sugar — I used coconut sugar, maple syrup or honey instead (this was challenging while I was pregnant as I craved sweets, so I tried to at least limit refined sugar)
• No high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) – that meant no non-organic ketchup (HFCS alert 🚨)
• No soy, including sneaky sources like soy sauce and soybean oil
• Skipped rice (arsenic risk!), even when it broke my sushi-loving heart

Swapped Cooking Tools for Safety

• No aluminum — I didn’t use aluminum foil, I swapped aluminum baking pans for stainless steel ones, and I opted for aluminum-free baking powder
• No microwave — I used the stovetop or air fryer/toaster oven to reheat
• Always ran the exhaust fan while cooking on the gas stove to reduce indoor air pollution

Gave Up Caffeine and Alcohol

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Briana » Exploring » Clean Living (@next.destination.unknown)

• No caffeine (RIP coffee… sort of) — Instead, I made the perfect non-toxic decaf coffee with cinnamon for anti-inflammatory benefits
• No chocolate (due to caffeine + heavy metals—ugh)
• No alcohol, even in sauces, desserts or extracts — I switched to alcohol-free extracts for vanilla and monk fruit

Prioritized Clean Hydration

• Purified water only (no tap) — I used a water purifier (the one I used at the time has been discontinued, so now I use this one) for drinking water, making coffee, cleaning produce, and boiling food to avoid toxins like:
  • Heavy metals
  • Pesticides + pharmaceuticals
  • Hexavalent chromium (yes, the chemical from “Erin Brokavich”)
  • Fluoride + chlorine (both hormone disruptors)
  • BPA + other bisphenols from plastic bottles (I used a reusable stainless steel water bottle, brought my own water to restaurants, and even used a stainless steel water bottle with its own filter when I traveled)

I truly believe that nourishing my body with clean, whole foods and eliminating common toxins helped support my fertility and grow a healthy, thriving baby.

And now? Clean eating is just second nature around here (with a little grace for a meal out now and then, of course 😉).

👉 You may also like: Non-Toxic Swaps: How to Replace Toxic Items and Start Clean Living (Beginner Guide)

Lymphatic Drainage to Gently Detox

I focused on supporting my lymphatic system to help my body flush out toxins—because let’s be real, no matter how clean you live, toxins are still everywhere.

Even just walking in my neighborhood meant getting hit with car exhaust. It’s impossible to avoid it all, but I did what I could to help my body detox naturally.

Here’s what I did:

• Dry Brushing — A quick pre-shower ritual that boosted circulation and supported lymph flow. I used a natural bristle brush and worked in upward strokes toward my heart.
  • Bonus: It helped exfoliate and prevent stretch marks too (double win 🙌)
• Movement – Gentle walks and fertility yoga helped keep everything moving (literally).
• Hydration – Flushed out toxins by staying hydrated with purified water.

Think of it as giving your body a gentle nudge to keep things flowing—and glowing.

Reduced EMF Exposure

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are one of those sneaky things no one talks about… until you start trying to conceive and suddenly you’re side-eying your WiFi router.

I didn’t go full off-grid cabin in the woods. But I did take intentional steps to reduce EMF exposure, especially around my reproductive organs and belly.

Here’s what I did:

• No phones, tablets, or laptops in my lap, period — I used my laptop at a desk or on the armrest of my recliner
• Used an EMF-blocking blanket when using my laptop or other devices
• Moved my phone out of the bedroom at night — I charged it in the hallway

I wish I would have known about WaveBlock EMF Shields for my devices at the time. If I had, I would have used those too!

It might seem extra. But when you’re growing a tiny human, nothing feels too extra. And honestly, creating a lower-EMF environment helped me sleep better, too.

Get 10% OFF your WaveBlock order with discount code “NDU10”

Planning for Trying To Conceive

I tracked my cycle and ovulation for 3 months using these ovulation tests and the free app for them to get our timing right. I really enjoyed using the app.

Being able to take a photo of my ovulation test strips and find out my LH level was a game changer! It made tracking everything much easier. 

And having a good understanding of my cycle timing and when I would be ovulating helped ensure I got pregnant on our first try. You can also get a combo of ovulation tests + pregnancy tests.

I would recommend not using the urine collector cups that come with the tests though (they’re too shallow) and instead use small disposable cups like these.

Fertility Yoga

During the last month of the preconception period, I worked on building up my uterine lining and improving blood flow to my uterus. I refused to take the baby aspirin or progesterone drugs my former doctor prescribed for my second pregnancy. 

I wasn’t going to risk the scary side effects that were listed in the drug pamphlet like birth defects. Rather than taking medications, I practiced fertility yoga using these free fertility yoga videos on YouTube.

Implantation Preparation

To try to limit my stress during the “2 week wait” between doing the deed and my period’s due date, I focused on the following things I could do to improve my chances of successful egg implantation:

Fertility Yoga During the 2-Week Wait

The 2 week wait (aka the longest 14 days of your life) is when your brain convinces you every twinge is either implantation or a burrito. To stay sane and support my body during that crucial window, I turned to fertility-focused yoga—and it made a huge difference.

Yoga has been shown to support fertility by:

• Reducing stress and cortisol levels, which can interfere with implantation
• Increasing blood flow to the uterus, supporting a thick, nourished uterine lining
• Balancing hormones by calming the nervous system and stimulating the endocrine system

What I did:

• Practiced gentle fertility yoga flows specifically designed for the 2 Week Wait
• Focused on deep breathing, hip openers, and restorative poses
• Avoided anything too intense or twisty (just in case implantation was happening)

Even if it didn’t make a medical difference (though I believe it did), it made a huge mental difference. I felt calmer, more in control, and like I was actively supporting my body instead of just waiting and obsessing.

Natural TTC Trick #1: Pineapple

For 5 days after ovulation, I ate fresh pineapple—including the core, which is where bromelain (a natural anti-inflammatory enzyme) is most concentrated.

Some say bromelain may help with:

• Reducing inflammation (which can support implantation)
• Thinning the uterine lining slightly to make it more receptive (in theory)

👉 You may also like: Non-Toxic Pregnancy Swaps: 15 High-Impact Essentials for a Healthier Pregnancy

Is it scientifically proven? Not really. Is it a fertility myth? Maybe.

But honestly, I figured it couldn’t hurt and it felt like something intentional I could do during the 2 week wait (instead of just Googling “early pregnancy symptoms” on a loop at 2 am).

Plus… it’s pineapple. Delicious and full of vitamin C. Worst-case scenario: you get a tasty snack. Best-case scenario: BABY!

Natural TTC Trick #2: Juice

I didn’t drink just any juice though. I drank 100% beet juice plus 100% tart cherry juice. I made sure they were organic and pasteurized with no added sugar or other ingredients.

Beet juice helps increase blood flow to the uterus (source). But I’m not a fan of straight up beet juice, so I added some tart cherry juice. Some studies suggest that tart cherry juice may help improve sleep quality, reduce inflammation, and boost fertility. Plus, it’s a natural source of melatonin, a powerful antioxidant and one of the supplements recommended by ISWTE.

On top of all the health and fertility benefits, the beet + tart cherry mocktail was also a good replacement for wine. 🍷 😉 Cheers to fertility!

Pregnancy After Loss: What I Did Differently This Time

Once I found out I was pregnant (woo hoo!) and throughout my natural pregnancy, I continued doing most of the things I did during the preconception preparation period with a few changes.

Here’s exactly what I did during pregnancy in addition to what I was already doing during Preconception Preparation to have a healthy rainbow baby along with a healthy pregnancy:

Pregnancy Supplements

Once I missed my period and had a positive pregnancy test, I switched to the Pregnancy Supplements recommended by It Starts With the Egg.

I continued with some of the preconception supplements like a prenatal multivitamin and discontinued others. The ones you’ll need to take during pregnancy may vary from what I took, which is why it’s so important to read the ISWTE book.

I also based my pregnancy supplements off of the recommendations in the book Brain Health from Birth: Nurturing Brain Development During Pregnancy and the First Year.

But it looks like it may have been replaced with this book: It Starts with the Bump: Evidence-Based Strategies for a Happy and Healthy Pregnancy.

Another supplement mentioned in Chapter 15 of the updated version of the ISWTE book, is a women’s probiotic with the following 2 strains:

• Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1

In addition to taking this Women’s Probiotic during the last month of the preconception period, I also took it throughout my 3rd trimester to prevent Group B Streptococcus colonization which would have required antibiotics. I was thrilled that I ended up not getting Group B Strep!

One thing I want to mention is that I took two different prenatal multivitamins (at separate times) while I was pregnant.

That’s because the original prenatal multivitamin I took during the preconception period and early pregnancy ended up going on backorder for a long time later on in my pregnancy. So then I switched to a different prenatal multivitamin.

Continued Clean Living

Clean living really deserves its own post. For a detailed breakdown of what I did for non-toxic clean living, you’ll want to read my Clean Living Guide.

You can also see some of the exact non-toxic swaps I replaced toxic items with in my free Clean Living Kickstart so you can easily toss the toxins too!

Tried To Continue Clean Eating

Pregnancy cravings are no joke—neither is morning sickness. Clean eating became a little more… flexible once I was pregnant, but I still stuck to my core principles as much as I could.

My biggest struggles were avoiding processed foods (boo for inflammatory oils) and refined sugar (baby wanted sweets!). 

Some days I ate like a fertility goddess. Other days? I was just trying not to gag from Brussels sprouts.

Here’s what I continued doing from the preconception period:

• Focused on real, whole foods (but with grace!)
• Prioritized organic produce, especially avoiding anything on the EWG Dirty Dozen List
• Said no to artificial ingredients and MSG
• No caffeine, alcohol, or kombucha (same rules as before—still holding strong!)
• Chose organic decaf coffee (Swiss water process only) and added cinnamon for anti-inflammatory benefits
• Still used alcohol-free monk fruit and alcohol-free vanilla for clean sweetening
• Avoided chocolate due to caffeine and heavy metal concerns
• Skipped rice to avoid arsenic

What I added or emphasized more during pregnancy:

• Protein, protein, protein! I aimed for 100 grams per day (not easy, but worth it!)
  • Lots of eggs for choline
  • Collagen peptides
  • Chia seeds and hemp hearts with my easy homemade granola + plain whole fat yogurt
  • Wild-caught sardines in the 3rd trimester for those omega-3s (don’t knock ’em till you’ve tried ’em!)
• Tried to limit eating out (but let’s be honest, baby girl had restaurant-level cravings)
• Tried to steer clear of refined sugar—keyword “tried” as it was easier said than done since my baby had a major sweet tooth (like her daddy)

Bottom line? I wasn’t perfect, and that’s okay. Clean eating during pregnancy was about supporting my baby and my body—not stressing over the occasional craving detour.

Stayed Hydrated

One of the most important things I did during pregnancy? Hydrate like it was my full-time job.

Water isn’t just about quenching thirst when you’re pregnant—it literally becomes part of your baby’s world. Hydration affects:

• Amniotic fluid levels (your baby’s squishy little swimming pool 🛁)
• Nutrient transport
• Detoxification
• Digestion and regularity
• And even uterine contractions during labor

I was constantly thirsty—like desert-level dry. My lips were perpetually chapped, and no lip balm could save me.

Electrolytes became essential. Once I added the right clean electrolytes into my hydration routine, my lips went from cracked to smooth almost instantly. It was WILD.

Here’s what I did:

• Drank purified water only — no tap water (because: chlorine, fluoride, BPA, and heavy metals… just no)
• Used a filtered water bottle when out and about (yes, even at restaurants)
• Added clean electrolytes when plain water wasn’t cutting it
• Monitored my fluid intake more in the 3rd trimester, when amniotic fluid levels are extra important

Hydration truly helped me feel more energized and more balanced (and less like a thirsty cactus).

👉 You may also like: 15 Ways to Save Money on Non-Toxic Items for Healthy Clean Living

Used Pregnancy-Safe Skincare

After two prior pregnancy losses, I wanted everything I put on my body during this pregnancy to feel as intentional as what I was putting in it. My skin would absorb what I applied to it—so my skincare had to be clean, safe, and simple.

What I used:

• Primally Pure skincare, which is pregnancy-safe (aside from their Fancy Face Serum, which has a pregnancy-safe version, and I would also avoid their Lip Oils as they contain stevia, which can act similarly to steroids and affect hormones). I love that PP specifically addresses safety for pregnant and nursing women on their website—but it’s still good to confirm with a medical provider.
• Unscented belly oil + organic, cold-pressed coconut oil for body moisturizer to keep my routine gentle and low-tox.
• DIY tallow balm as a multi-tasker for face and body—nourishing and totally safe (in fact, it’s safe enough to eat with just 2 food-based ingredients).

What I avoided:

• Essential oils (even “safe” ones) other than what was in Primally Pure products, just to be extra cautious.

Keeping my skincare this clean gave me peace of mind because it was another way to protect my baby from the outside before she was even born.

Kept EMFs Away from the Belly

While I already started reducing EMF exposure during preconception, I got even more intentional about it once I was pregnant.

Here’s what I continued doing:

• Never kept my phone, tablet, or laptop in my lap
• Charged my phone away from the bed at night
• Used an EMF-blocking blanket during screen time or work sessions
• Tried to create a more electronic-free zone around my belly, especially during rest or sleep

No, I didn’t turn my house into a Faraday cage, but I did what I could to reduce unnecessary exposure and give baby girl the lowest-EMF womb I could manage in the 21st century.

Like I mentioned, if I had known about WaveBlock EMF Shields for my devices at the time, I would have used those too!

Limited Ultrasounds

Even though ultrasounds can be fun or even helpful, they can also pose a risk to babies. MamaNatural has a helpful blog post about the pros and cons of ultrasounds during pregnancy.

If you can avoid the initial Pregnancy Confirmation Ultrasound, skip it. For us though, we needed to confirm our baby had a heartbeat. That’s because the confirmation ultrasounds I did for my previous 2 pregnancies were how I found out I had miscarried both times. 

Our first 2 babies sadly had no heartbeats. So we needed to know whether this 3rd baby had a heartbeat or if I had another missed miscarriage since there could be a risk of infection in that case.

We had our provider keep our Initial Pregnancy Confirmation Ultrasound super short, just long enough to confirm our baby did, in fact, have a heartbeat (the absolute best sound we had ever heard!) and to get one ultrasound image. It literally lasted just a few minutes.

We felt the 20-Week Anatomy Scan Ultrasound was important to make sure our baby was developing correctly and make sure there were no abnormalities we needed to prepare ourselves for prior to birth. We did ours at 22 weeks though as recommended by MamaNatural to make sure the baby’s growth was far enough along to see everything and avoid having to repeat the ultrasound.

Those were the only 2 ultrasounds we were planning on doing. But at 28 weeks, we learned our baby was transverse (sideways), and by 36 weeks, our doctor thought she was still transverse. If she stayed in that position, that would mean an automatic C-section. 

So I did Spinning Babies exercises to get baby girl to flip. Then we did a super quick final ultrasound (maybe a minute long at the most) when I was 37 weeks to confirm her location. And we were thrilled to find out she was finally head down! Woo hoo!

All in all we did 3 ultrasounds during my pregnancy (2 of which were really quick)—a brief Pregnancy Confirmation, the longer mid-pregnancy Anatomy Scan, and one more super short final Position Confirmation towards the end of my 3rd trimester.

👉 You may also like: Non-Toxic Pregnancy Must-Haves Every Crunchy Mama-To-Be Needs

Focused on Staying Healthy

Pregnancy is basically an Olympic sport. But I did what I could to support my health (and my baby’s) through the ups, downs, and weird ligament pains of growing a human.

Here’s what I focused on to stay well and feel my best:

Gentle Movement

I stayed active as much as my body allowed—but also gave myself a lot of grace because… pregnancy.

• Practiced pregnancy yoga now and then to stay flexible, reduce stress, and prep for labor
  • 1st trimester pregnancy yoga
  • 2nd trimester pregnancy yoga
  • 3rd trimester pregnancy yoga
• Took regular walks around the neighborhood to get blood flowing
• Went on easy hikes when I could manage them

As an avid hiker, I was bummed I didn’t hit more trails—but pregnancy wiped me out. Between fatigue, back pain, and sketchy knees, I wasn’t as active as I wanted to be.

But luckily, I managed to go on a few easy hikes. I stuck to flat, safe paths with minimal elevation gain and no rocky terrain (no hero moves here—just trying not to faceplant 🤰🥾). Here’s me hiking at 9 months pregnant!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Briana » Exploring » Clean Living (@next.destination.unknown)

Lymphatic Support

I continued supporting my lymphatic system during pregnancy to help move toxins out and reduce swelling:

• Dry brushing a few times a week
  • Boosted circulation, supported detox, and bonus—it helped prevent stretch marks naturally!
  • My medical provider said it was safe to do, even on my belly. But you should always check with your own medical provider first.

Prioritized Rest and Sleep

During pregnancy, rest isn’t just about feeling less tired—it supports crucial processes like hormone regulation, immune function, and fetal development. 

Quality sleep helps maintain healthy blood pressure, reduces inflammation, supports amniotic fluid levels, and can even lead to better labor outcomes. 

Rest is one of the most important ways you can support both your body and your baby. In other words: naps are prenatal power moves. 😴✨

But sleep in pregnancy is its own kind of challenge. Between the bump, the backaches, and the 1am and 3am bathroom trips, I had to get creative.

Here’s what helped me actually rest:

• An organic mattress topper for extra support
• An OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified pregnancy pillow (and several bonus organic pillows—I basically created a body pillow fort)
• Magnesium lotion to soothe my aching back and help me relax before bed (this had me sleeping so good!)
• Warm baths with Epsom salts when I was extra achy or couldn’t wind down

Getting good sleep was a non-negotiable for me. Because growing a tiny human takes energy, and so does getting anywhere in the 3rd trimester.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Briana » Exploring » Clean Living (@next.destination.unknown)

Extra Support for Immune & Prenatal Testing

• Took a pregnancy-safe immunity powder to help support my immune system when I was feeling run down or was exposed to other people.
• Chose the Fresh Test for my glucose screening instead of the gross, chemical-filled traditional glucose drink. It’s clean, midwife-approved, actually tastes good and is way easier on the stomach. *Just check with your medical provider first to find out how many grams you need.

Preparing for a Natural Birth

I was determined to have a natural childbirth—no medications, no unnecessary interventions, and no cascade of complications that could affect my baby. I wanted to trust my body, lean into the experience, and avoid anything that felt forced or clinical unless truly needed.

So I read The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth (highly recommend!) and did ALL the things I could to prepare my body and my mind for a smooth, empowered labor:

Nutritional & Physical Prep

• Ate 3 medjool dates a day in the 3rd trimester to help ripen the cervix (this is where I got the information about eating dates for labor prep)
• Drank red raspberry leaf tea to tone the uterus and prepare for labor (here’s how to drink this tea during pregnancy)
• Walked regularly to encourage baby’s descent and keep my body moving
• Practiced pelvic tilts and stretches to stay open and aligned

Alignment & Positioning

• Got Webster-certified chiropractic adjustments multiple times per week starting at 32 weeks
• Did Spinning Babies exercises to optimize baby’s position—baby was transverse (sideways) for part of the 3rd trimester
  • I did targeted exercises to gently encourage her to move head down and avoid a C-section—and it worked! 🙌

Emotional + Mental Prep

• Once baby was confirmed head down, we hired a doula. You can read the full story here. I cannot recommend using a Doula enough!
  • If you’re in the Denver or Colorado Springs area, I highly recommend the doula we used.
• Practiced positive affirmations to get in the right headspace
  • My favorite (courtesy of my doula): “I choose to enjoy my birth.” And you know what? I actually did. (More on that next…)

Preparing for a natural birth took intentional effort, but it gave me confidence, clarity, and a sense of calm going into labor.

I knew I had done everything I could to support the kind of birth I dreamed of—and spoiler alert: it paid off!

My Natural Birth Story

The preparation, the mindset, the lifestyle shifts… it all came together. All of my intention and effort came full circle in the most beautiful way. 

My hard work gave me the birth experience I’d dreamed of—unmedicated, fast (only about 7 hours overall), and honestly? Kind of amazing!

Despite what everyone said about first-time moms being late (one doula even predicted 41 weeks + 3 days!), my baby girl surprised us by arriving 5 days early—on none other than Friday the 13th of September 2024. As horror movie fans, we’d joked about her being born that day… and then she was!

Just 2 days before her arrival, we’d hired our doula. That decision would turn out to be one of the best choices we made!

The day labor started, I brushed off what I thought was early signs of labor—some intense mid-back pain and pressure. My OB thought I was having contractions. But I declined a cervical check and figured I had at least another week.

By that evening, though, things escalated fast. I lost my mucus plug, vomited from the intense back pain and pressure, and then at 7:45pm, we were told by my doctor’s office to go to the hospital. 

Good thing we headed out when we did because on the drive, my water broke in the car (it felt like a water balloon exploded in my crotch!). We rushed into the hospital around 8:00pm, and I was already 7–8 cm dilated.

There was no time for the hospital bags or even our printed birth plan. No time for the pain coping tools we had practiced. It felt like a mad rush getting me into a hospital gown and monitoring equipment. Our doula showed up soon after and by 9:00pm, I was pushing.

I rotated through a few positions but ultimately found the most relief lying on my side with a peanut ball between my legs and my doula guiding my breathing. My husband was incredible—holding my hand, grounding me with every breath and word.

Eventually, a mirror was placed in front of me so I could see my baby’s head as she crowned. That was the game-changer! Seeing my baby’s progress gave me the motivation to push with everything I had.

The “ring of fire” was, hands down, the most intense part—but the thought of getting an epidural never even crossed my mind. I was fully in it.

After less than 3 hours of pushing, our sweet baby girl was born at 11:44pm! And with all the labor prep I did, I didn’t have any tearing from birthing an 8 lb 7 oz baby naturally!

My husband caught our baby as she emerged from me, then I finished pulling her from my body and placed her on my chest.

The instant and profound pride and love I felt was overwhelming. I couldn’t believe my labor was over, and our perfect double rainbow baby was here!

My birth and baby were everything I had hoped for and more.

But things took a turn when my placenta wouldn’t detach, and I began losing a lot of blood. I was taken to the OR and put under anesthesia for manual removal.

I was grateful to have my doula by my side holding my hand through the procedure while my husband stayed with our daughter, and thankfully, it went smoothly.

Even though my Golden Hour was cut short, I was overwhelmed with joy. I had done it. I had my unmedicated birth. My baby was healthy. My heart was full. ❤️

Read my full birth story on Instagram:

• Birth Story Post #1
• Birth Story Post #2
• Birth Story Post #3
• Birth Story Post #4

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Briana » Exploring » Clean Living (@next.destination.unknown)

My Healthy Double Rainbow Baby

Not only did I get the natural childbirth of my dreams, but I got the perfect baby—better than I could have ever imagined!

I’m unbelievably proud of myself. For conceiving on the first try. For having a complication-free pregnancy. For experiencing a natural birth like my body was made to do. For finally holding the baby I had waited and worked so hard for.

This is my miracle. My double rainbow baby. 🌈❤️🌈
And I am beyond grateful to finally be her mama.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Briana » Exploring » Clean Living (@next.destination.unknown)

Family Photos With My Rainbow Baby

Final Thoughts for Other Women Facing Fertility Challenges: From Loss to Light

If you’ve made it this far… first, hug. I know this wasn’t just a blog post; it was a journey. 

Everything I did—from tossing endocrine disruptors to sipping beet juice mocktails—was rooted in one thing: fierce, protective love. 

I didn’t just want to get pregnant. I wanted a healthy baby, a safer pregnancy, and the peace of mind that I was doing everything I could to support my fertility and that little life.

And it worked.

Getting my healthy double rainbow baby wasn’t luck. It was years of heartbreak, research, trial and error, preparation and finally… healing (both physically and emotionally).

You might not need to do everything I did. But I hope my story gives you hope, encouragement, and maybe even permission to start tuning into your own body and what it truly needs.

Because most women don’t prepare their bodies for pregnancy ahead of time (I was one of them). And sure—sometimes it works out fine. But other times it can mean infertility struggles or heartbreaking loss.

By investing some time and money into my health, I not only gave myself the best chance at a healthy pregnancy—I invested in my child’s health, too. That’s priceless. If I ever have another baby, I’ll do all of this again without hesitation.

I hope this post inspires you to consider doing the same—or at least starting with a few simple, powerful changes.

It won’t guarantee you’ll get pregnant, have a complication-free journey, or end up with a healthy baby. But it will absolutely give you a better chance.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. Prefer to reach out privately? Shoot me an email.

Either way, I will personally respond and do my best to help. I’m here for you—and I’d love to be a part of your pregnancy journey.

👉 You may also like: GIFT GUIDE: The Best Non-Toxic Wellness Gifts for Health Junkies They’ll Actually Want

You’re Not Alone

If you’re walking through grief, uncertainty, or just don’t know where to begin, please know: you are so not alone.

Feel free to drop your questions or thoughts in the comments below because sometimes all you need is a friend who’s been there too.

We might not be able to control the outcome. But we can take back our power, one swap, one supplement, one step at a time.

I’m rooting for you—always. 💛

P.S. Want to know how to start clean living?

I created a free 5-Day Clean Living Kickstart with the exact non-toxic changes I made that supported my fertility, pregnancy, and overall health.

These were some of the first steps I took after my losses, and I truly believe they laid the foundation for the healing that followed.

➡️ Click here to grab the free Kickstart!