Micronutrients, Probiotics & Prenatals for Fertility & Pregnancy
w/ Ayla Barmer, Fullwell Fertility

In this episode, I sit down with Ayla Barmer, registered dietitian and founder of FullWell Fertility, to break down what the research actually says about micronutrients, probiotics, and prenatals for fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum health.

Despite the growing prenatal market, many supplements still miss the mark when it comes to evidence-based dosing, bioavailable nutrient forms, and individualized needs. We cover the most misunderstood and controversial topics in prenatal nutrition, including folate vs. folic acid, the role of methylated forms, and why blanket fear around vitamin A may be contributing to widespread deficiency and downstream thyroid, immune, and fertility issues. We also dive into why iron and omega-3s are often excluded from prenatals, how iron needs change across each trimester, and how to determine whether supplementation is necessary based on labs—not assumptions.

A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇

• Why many prenatals don’t align with the evidence on nutrient forms or dosing

• Modern drivers of nutrient depletion—even with a “healthy” diet

• Folate vs. methylfolate vs. folic acid: what matters most in pregnancy

• The truth about vitamin A in pregnancy and why avoidance may backfire

• Why iron and omega-3s are often intentionally excluded from prenatals

• How iron needs shift across pregnancy and how to assess the right dose

• What really matters for DHA and EPA for mom and baby

• How to evaluate probiotics and support the microbiome intelligently

Important show links 👇👇👇

• Apply to work with us 1:1 for pre-conception, pregnancy & postpartum support at functionalfueling.com/coaching-page
• Visit Fullwell and shop pretnatals online – use code FullWell20 for up to 36% off your first order
• Follow me on Instagram
• Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

LISTEN TO THE FULL PODCAST EPISODE! 🔊