Functional Neurology & Women’s Health: Supporting Fertility, Pregnancy & Postpartum Naturally

At Meraki Chiropractic & Functional Neurology, we believe your brain and body are designed to thrive—especially during the most transformational seasons of life: preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum.

Whether you’re trying to conceive, currently pregnant, or navigating life after birth, functional neurology offers a brain-based, whole-body approach to support your health, hormones, and healing at every step.

Your Brain Is the Master Regulator of Hormones

The nervous system is the central command center for your reproductive system. Here’s how:

The hypothalamus and pituitary in your brain control the release of reproductive hormones like FSH, LH, estrogen, and progesterone.
The HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) responds to stress. Chronic activation (from trauma, overwork, or lack of sleep) disrupts this delicate hormonal balance.
The autonomic nervous system, including the vagus nerve, controls digestion, inflammation, heart rate, and mood—all critical for fertility and pregnancy success.

Scientific Evidence:

The hypothalamus directly regulates ovulation and menstrual cycles via pulsatile GnRH secretion (Herbison, 2016 – Endocrinology).
Chronic stress suppresses reproductive hormones through elevated cortisol and disrupted GnRH signaling (Rivier & Rivest, 1991 – Endocrine Reviews).

Preconception: Preparing the Brain & Body for Conception

Functional neurology looks beyond your cycle and labs—we assess how your brain is regulating hormones, inflammation, and metabolic function.

We evaluate and support:

HPA axis and stress regulation
Brainstem and cerebellar integration (balance, digestion, emotional regulation)
Gut-brain axis health
Autonomic function and vagal tone
Cognitive health, mood, and neuroinflammation

Common Labs We Use:

DUTCH Complete – to assess sex hormones and cortisol rhythm
Organic Acids Test – for mitochondrial function, neurotransmitter precursors, detoxification
GI-MAP or Gut Zoomer – gut health, pathogens, inflammation markers
Micronutrient Panels – zinc, B12, magnesium, folate, and more

Note:

Low levels of micronutrients like zinc, selenium, and B vitamins are associated with lower fertility and poorer pregnancy outcomes (King, 2000 – The Journal of Nutrition).
Gut dysbiosis and systemic inflammation have been linked to infertility and hormone imbalance (Koeth et al., 2013 – Nature Medicine).

Exams we use:

Along with our functional labs we utilize different exams to better help us focus specific parts of the brain. Some of the exams we use:

Stress Response Evaluation – measuring 7 different data points—several different brain waves, respirations, HRV, and more.
Postural Analysis – shows me how well your brain is communicating with your body—certain imbalances can reveal which areas of the brain may be overactive, underactive, or out of sync.
Spinal Analysis – shows me where in your spine there may be interference, that may be disrupting communication pathways between the brain and body.
Oxygen Levels – without proper oxygen levels our tissues and cells cannot function properly.
Oculomotor Assessment – eye movements are controlled by a wide network of brain regions; testing can reveal dysfunction in different parts of the brain and nervous system.

By combining insights from our exams with targeted lab work, we can pinpoint exactly where, what,

Pregnancy: Supporting a Healthy Brain-Body Transition

Pregnancy is not just a physical transformation—it’s also a massive neurological reset.

Your brain shrinks in certain areas and grows in others to prepare for emotional bonding, protection, and nurturing.

Pregnancy causes long-lasting structural brain changes, particularly in regions related to social cognition and empathy (Hoekzema et al., 2017 – Nature Neuroscience).
These changes are associated with maternal behaviors, increased intuition, and deeper emotional bonding.

Functional neurology during pregnancy helps you:

Enhance vagal tone to reduce nausea, improve digestion, and promote calm
Address vestibular issues (dizziness, balance shifts, motion sensitivity)
Regulate brain fog, anxiety, and sleep without medication
Improve spinal alignment and neurological input for optimal baby positioning

Postpartum: Rebuilding the Nervous System After Birth

Postpartum is not just a recovery of the uterus—it’s a rewiring of the maternal brain and nervous system.

Women experience:

Major hormonal crashes (estrogen, progesterone, and oxytocin)
Circadian rhythm disruption from fragmented sleep
Emotional regulation challenges due to altered connectivity in the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus

Neuroscience Insight:

A 2020 review showed the maternal brain undergoes enhanced connectivity in areas tied to empathy, memory, and stress adaptation (Kim, 2020 – Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports).
Postpartum neuroinflammation and micronutrient depletion are linked to increased risk for postpartum depression (Yim et al., 2015 – Psychoneuroendocrinology).

We use brain-based therapies to:

Improve emotional regulation and cognitive clarity
Stimulate vagal tone to reduce anxiety and improve lactation
Restore spinal and brainstem input for physical and neurological balance
Evaluate and correct nutrient deficiencies, gut health, and hormonal rebound

Functional Neurology Makes a Difference

What makes this approach different from traditional care is that we assess the functional patterns of the brain and nervous system—not just symptoms. We then match that with advanced lab testing to uncover the root causes.

This means we don’t just ask “Are you ovulating?”
We ask “Is your brain communicating with your ovaries properly? Are your hormones being metabolized well? Is your gut, liver, and nervous system ready to support new life?”

Your Healing Starts with Your Nervous System

If you’ve been told “everything looks fine” while still feeling off—know this: it’s not in your head. But it is in your nervous system.

At Meraki Chiropractic & Functional Neurology, we use neuroscience, clinical lab testing, and hands-on care to help you thrive during every stage of your journey into motherhood.

Ready to Begin?

Schedule a preconception, prenatal, or postpartum functional neurology consultation and start your healing from the inside out.

Located in Oak Grove, MN
Call: 763-200-3370
Book Online | Meraki Chiropractic & Functional Neurology

Your body was designed to create life—your brain is the guide.

References:

Hoekzema, E. et al. (2017). Pregnancy leads to long-lasting changes in human brain structure. Nature Neuroscience, 20(2), 287–296.
Herbison, A. E. (2016). Control of puberty onset and fertility by gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons. Endocrinology, 157(2), 403–414.
King, J. C. (2000). Physiology of pregnancy and nutrient metabolism. The Journal of Nutrition, 130(9), 2770S–2772S.
Kim, P. (2020). Human maternal brain plasticity: Adaptation to parenting. Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports, 7(2), 1–7.
Yim, I. S., Tanner Stapleton, L. R., et al. (2015). Biological and psychosocial predictors of postpartum depression. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 61, 86–96.
Rivier, C., & Rivest, S. (1991). Effect of stress on the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Endocrine Reviews, 12(3), 357–388.

Dr. Dani Ruf, Brain-Focused Chiropractor, Functional Neurology, Meraki Chiropractic PLLC, 18JUN2025