Episode 132: More than a Period with Mama Jane
What You’ll Learn
Mama Jane was such a pleasure to have on the podcast! Her depth of knowledge and unique understanding of a woman’s cycle (throughout the month and lifetime) is a gift she shares with us in this episode!
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Mama Jane (00:00)
Because you're a woman (most of our listeners are), your body moves within a cycle each month.
This has an impact on you, your relationships, your family, AND the rhythm in your home!
Psst…that's not a bad thing. It's a beautiful thing, because it's how you were created, and today we're going to share a bit of wisdom and understanding about how your cycle shows up in various ways and how we can best care for ourselves in the different phases!
Today we have a seasoned wife and mother of more than 37 years. She's homeschooled and lived the public school life with her five children and is now the feminine genius behind Wisdom Wellness Coaching and the podcast Cycles and Sanctity.
She has a heart for teaching women more about their fertility and how our cycles can help us grow in holiness AND she's just recently started a program for women in menopause and perimenopause!
Cycles 101 (02:14)
When we say, “cycle,” most women think period. Each cycle starts with a menstruation, which is the shedding of the blood (if you look at it, it’s really the ending of the previous cycle). That is the first phase of the cycle, the shedding of the blood because there was no baby.
Because phase 1 is a time of shedding, and reflection, Mama Jane recommends confession as a good spiritual practice. Women are more sensitive during this time, and it is a good idea to allow for more self-care…go to bed earlier, have some dark chocolate, and make sure to include healthy carbohydrates in your diet.
The next phase (phase 2) is considered the basic infertile pattern. The cervix is closed, estrogen and progesterone are low, there’s no movement in the ovaries, and you’re starting to feel a bit better. Mama Jane recommends this time for practicing the Rosary. This is the phase that occurs when women are breastfeeding and are not experiencing menstruation.
Then, there’s a sudden change and the follicles are developing in the ovaries, and this is phase 3 or the fertile phase, when estrogen peaks. THIS is the main part of the cycle. In 2019, the U.S. woman’s soccer team actually trained the players during their ovulatory phase! This is the time of co-creation! As women…we are ON! Go create, write the book, write the music! During this point in the cycle, Mama Jane suggests going to Mass.
When the egg is released, estrogen drops and progesterone begins to rise, and phase 4 (the luteal phase) begins. The first three days can be considered part of the ovulatory phase (because 20% of the time, ovulation occurs in this time). Beginning in the 4th day, this is the wonderment phase and Mama Jane suggests adoration. There is a quietness and calmness to this phase. It’s also important to make sure you’re providing enough protein for your body during this time.
Being an Advocate for Yourself (15:45)
IMPORTANT…If a woman has had miscarriages, Mama Jane recommends speaking with a medical provider about progesterone and the first few days of pregnancy. This has the potential to save a baby.
Brittany has experienced this first hand. An older nurse told her to ask about progesterone because she had already had two miscarriages, and this had a GREAT impact on her fertility for many years to come. She now shares this information as much as possible, especially when she speaks with women who have experienced miscarriages.
When Mama Jane works with fertility clients, she immediately looks at identifying ovulation through peak and seeing what the luteal phase is—to make sure progesterone is well.
Another spiritual practice that she recommends is when a woman is having her menstruation, offer it in union with Jesus’ blood for specific people…those contemplating abortion, those in abusive relationships…
Tracking Your Cycle (21:00)
Tracking can almost be done on a calendar (very simply). Mama Jane does recommend a coach, especially because there is a lot of mindset work involved. The basic premise of the Billings Method is observing if something has changed, or if it has stayed the same (a woman should make observations throughout the day).
There is also a website, nfpcharting.com, that you can use. This is particularly helpful while working with a coach. The Dr. Billings said that every woman is unique, and every cycle is unique.
This information is VERY empowering for every woman! What a gift to look at your cycle in this way, and to become a student of your own body.
Creating Cycle Friendly Rhythms (25:30)
As you think through the four phases…
Menstruation…reflective and quiet time. Less activity, more stretching and low-impact. Movie nights and staying in might be a good idea.
Phase two, the basic infertile pattern, is a time of transition.
Phase three, ovulation, is a good time to bake the bread, schedule the speaking engagements, write the book. This is when you are ON.
Understanding these things can be SO empowering.
Menopause (30:45)
Menopause is medically considered when a woman hasn’t had a menstruation for 12 months. Mama Jane still uses a luteal rhythm with the phases of the moon to keep her body in a rhythm. This helps her to give her body times of rest, as well as times of productivity.
The Beauty of Homeschool for Teen Girls (34:30)
One great benefit of homeschooling, is that teen girls can work WITH their bodies and cycles. As moms, we can become a student of our daughters and help them recognize when they’re irritable and need more space, or see when they’re super-productive and encourage them really push themselves.
The Cycle is a Gift (36:15)
Our cycle is a gift, and it’s what makes us women! Our bodies are magnificent and beautiful…it doesn’t matter what size you are…it doesn’t matter how old you are…
God loves us each in a unique way and He loves us as women!
Rapid-Fire Questions (37:05)
Mama Jane’s mom superpower is her ability to care for others when they don’t have the space or the person to care for them.
If she could, Mama Jane would go back to herself in her first postpartum experience and just show herself (and her body) love.
Four things that her friends and family would say she’s good at are talking, her husband says she’s good at making friends with everyone, her kids would say she’s got that crazy sanguine energy, and her friends would say she has a deep spiritual life.
Something that makes Jane’s family special is that it’s like three separate families. Also, they were both public schoolers and homeschoolers.
Where to Find Mama Jane (41:30)
Every Thursday, you can listen to Mama Jane’s newest episode of her podcast, Cycles and Sanctity. On social media, you can find her on Instagram and Facebook. If you’re interested in one-on-one coaching, check out her website, Wisdom Wellness Coaching. And finally, you can always book a Call to learn More About Uniquely Beautiful You, Mama Jane's Private Coaching Program for perimenopausal/postmenopausal women.
Invitation (45:00)
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We do have two NEW products in the shop…the Homeschool Plan Like a Mother and the Editable Homeschool Clipboard Template are now available for purchase!
And, sweet momma, don’t forget…
You are doing beautiful work!
