What I’m Prioritizing to Prepare for a Third Pregnancy

I’ve always said that each season of motherhood teaches you something new... about your body, your capacity, and what you truly need to thrive.

Now that my second baby has turned one, I’m starting to shift into a new phase: preparing my body for a third pregnancy. I’m not rushing it. I want to be intentional, nourished, and truly ready.

Here’s exactly what I’m prioritizing as I support my hormones, minerals, and nervous system for this next chapter.

1. Retesting My Minerals

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my own pregnancies and postpartum journeys — it’s that you cannot pour from an empty cup.

Pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and breastfeeding are some of the most mineral-depleting experiences a woman’s body can go through. Calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and trace minerals like zinc and copper get used at accelerated rates to support both baby and mom.

By retesting my minerals (HTMA) before trying to conceive again, I can see exactly where my body stands, rather than guessing or assuming.

This allows me to:

• Replenish what’s depleted from breastfeeding and postpartum recovery

• Support hormone balance (especially estrogen and progesterone metabolism)

• Optimize thyroid function (since minerals like selenium and iodine are crucial)

• Improve egg quality and overall fertility

It’s one of the most empowering things you can do before conception, truly nourishing your body based on what it needs right now, not just what a prenatal label says.

2. Hormone Testing After Weaning

Now that I’ve officially weaned, my hormones are starting to recalibrate, and this is the perfect time to test them.

Breastfeeding naturally suppresses ovulation and alters hormone patterns  (particularly estrogen and progesterone) so it’s important to see where things stand once your cycle resumes.

I’ll be testing for:

• Progesterone: to confirm ovulation and luteal phase health

• Estrogen balance: since excess estrogen (or poor detoxification) can impact fertility

• Cortisol and DHEA: to evaluate adrenal health and stress response

• Thyroid markers (TSH, free T3, free T4, antibodies): to ensure optimal thyroid function before conceiving

Healthy, balanced hormones are key not just for conception but for how you feel during pregnancy... mood, sleep, energy, and morning sickness are all influenced by this foundation.

3. Fertility-Friendly Skincare + Makeup

I’m swapping out a few of my beauty products for more fertility-friendly options that are free from endocrine disruptors (like parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances).

These ingredients can mimic or block hormones, making it harder for your body to maintain balance — and over time, they can impact fertility.

Some of my favorites can be found here

It’s not about being “perfect” — but these swaps are easy, effective, and help lower your overall toxic load without sacrificing results.

4. Fertility-Friendly Cleaning Products

This is another area where small changes can have a big impact. Many conventional cleaning products contain hormone-disrupting chemicals like ammonia, formaldehyde, and synthetic fragrances that can affect reproductive health and thyroid function.

I love using Branch Basics, Force of Nature, and Thieves Cleaner (or good ol vinegar, baking soda, and water) because they’re safe, effective, and I don’t have to worry about what I’m breathing in or what’s left behind on surfaces my kids touch all day.

Reducing toxin exposure in your home helps ease the burden on your liver and detox pathways, both of which are key for estrogen balance and healthy hormone metabolism.

5. Prioritizing Quality Sleep and Rest

I can’t stress this one enough: rest is fertility-supportive.

We often underestimate how much sleep impacts hormones, but melatonin (our sleep hormone) plays a direct role in ovarian function and egg quality.

I’ve been really intentional about keeping a consistent bedtime routine:

• Turning off screens an hour before bed

• Using magnesium soaks or lotion to calm my nervous system

• Reading or journaling instead of scrolling

• Keeping my room cool and dark (blackout curtains are a must!)

Even if sleep isn’t perfect (because, mom life), improving sleep quality helps lower cortisol, regulate blood sugar, and support reproductive hormone balance.

6. Adjusting My Workouts

From April to September, I was pushing myself pretty hard... lots of strength AND conditioning. And while I felt strong, my body was sending me subtle signals that it was too much.

My cycle became slightly delayed one month, and that was my cue to reassess. Overtraining (especially high-intensity workouts) can raise cortisol and suppress ovulation — two things I definitely don’t want heading into a fertility season.

Now, I strength train 3 days per week, add in one conditioning day, and prioritize daily walks for nervous system support and gentle movement.

This rhythm gives my body the challenge it needs to stay strong without tipping into stress overload.

7. Thyroid Support

Your thyroid plays a huge role in fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery. It regulates metabolism, energy, and even progesterone levels, so supporting it before conception is key.

I’m focusing on:

• Getting enough selenium and iodine through food and supplementation (based on testing)

• Keeping my blood sugar stable throughout the day

• Managing stress and cortisol levels through breathwork, sunlight, and nervous system regulation

• Ensuring my iron and ferritin levels are optimal, since low stores can stress the thyroid

Even mild thyroid dysfunction can impact ovulation and early pregnancy, so I’m being proactive here, not reactive.

8. Gut Health

Your gut impacts everything, from how you absorb nutrients and minerals to how your body detoxifies estrogen.

After multiple pregnancies and breastfeeding journeys, it’s normal for the gut to need extra love. I’m prioritizing:

• Probiotic-rich foods: like sauerkraut, kefir, and yogurt

• Digestive support: gentle bitters or apple cider vinegar before meals

• Fiber diversity: lots of colorful plants to feed good bacteria

• Reducing stress: since high cortisol can weaken the gut barrier

When your gut is healthy, your hormones, mood, and immune system all function more smoothly — and that sets the stage for a healthy conception and pregnancy.

9. Giving My Body Time to Rebuild After Breastfeeding

One of my biggest nonnegotiables this time around: I wanted to be completely done breastfeeding before even starting to prepare for another pregnancy.

When I got pregnant the second time, I was still nursing, and I could feel how much harder that pregnancy was on my body. I was still depleted, even though I was intentional with nourishment.

This time, I’m giving my body space to fully replenish — especially at the mineral level — before asking it to grow another baby.

There’s actually fascinating research showing that mineral imbalances can increase estrogen dominance, which is linked to more severe morning sickness and food aversions.

I know I’m getting older, and pregnancy doesn’t necessarily get easier, but I want to do everything I can to make sure my body is supported so the symptoms don’t have to be harder than they need to be.

My goal isn’t perfection; it’s preparation with intention.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for pregnancy is about so much more than just taking a prenatal. It’s about rebuilding from the inside out: physically, mentally, and emotionally.

This season for me is about slowing down, listening to my body, and nourishing it deeply so that when the time comes, I know I’m giving myself (and my future baby) the healthiest foundation possible.

If you’re in this same season — maybe you’re done breastfeeding (or continuing on), feeling a little depleted, and wanting to prepare your body for a future pregnancy — this is your reminder that it’s okay to take your time. Restoration is preparation.

 Want Support in Preparing Your Body for Pregnancy?

Inside my Nourished Moms Collective Coaching, I help women just like you rebalance their minerals, regulate their hormones, and rebuild their energy before conception.

It’s personalized, evidence-based, and created with your real life in mind.

👉 [Apply here for Nourished Moms Collective Coaching] 

Your next pregnancy doesn’t have to feel harder. You can enter it nourished, calm, and confident — let's do it together!

xoxo

Lauran