The Mental Load of Trying to Conceive and Infertility | Dr. Pooja Lakshmin

In this episode, host Natalie sits down with board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Pooja Lakshman to dismantle the toxic "wellness" culture that leaves women feeling more exhausted than when they started. They explore the hidden architecture of burnout - moving past the superficial world of bubble baths and meditation apps to address the systemic pressures and internal "tiny dictators" that dictate our worth. This is a conversation about why "doing more" isn't the cure and how to reclaim your agency when life feels like a burden you’re carrying alone.

What You’ll Learn:

• The critical neurobiological distinction between everyday stress and the psychological collapse of meaning found in true burnout.

• Why your inner critic might actually be a "tiny dictator" and the simple naming exercise that helps you reclaim your mental autonomy.

• The "Pause, Yes, No, or Negotiate" framework for setting boundaries that account for the real-world costs of saying no.

• How to use the "Check Engine Light" metaphor to separate structural guilt from your actual moral compass.

• Why psychological integrity is the only resource that truly matters when navigating high-stakes health journeys like infertility.

Resources:

• Order The Fertility Formula! ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠

• Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter

• Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd

• Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD

• Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility

• Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App

This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. 

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