Expecting? We have Been Expecting You
Hello! I’m Vanessa Merten, and I’ve been supporting expecting parents with evidence-based information and resources to healthily and safely navigate pregnancy, birth, and newborn parenting since 2015.
With hundreds of episodes of the Pregnancy Podcast, involving thousands of hours of research, I’ve created tons of valuable content for you. To make things easier, I recommend you start with the following.
The last year of Pregnancy Podcast episodes is free and available wherever you listen to audio.
How Your Birth Environment Affects Labor
The room where you give birth has more influence over your labor than you might expect. Oxytocin is the key hormone driving labor, and stress…
Is Pregnancy Brain Real? What the Research Says About Memory and Brain Fog
You walk into a room and cannot remember why. A word you use every day disappears mid-sentence. You read the same paragraph three times, and…
Your Guide to Weaning and How to Stop Breastfeeding Without Stress
Most breastfeeding resources are full of information on why you should keep going, and very short on practical help for when you are ready to…
Top 5 Reasons Moms Stop Breastfeeding Early
New mothers go into breastfeeding with the best intentions. Unfortunately, many run into issues that make breastfeeding feel difficult or even impossible. By six months,…
How to Increase Your Milk Supply and Keep It Up
Milk supply is the number one reason mothers stop breastfeeding early or reach for formula. The good news is that most of what protects and…
How Your Breasts Change During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
During the nine months of pregnancy, your body changes more than at any other time in your life, and there are many changes to your…
Why Swelling Happens During Pregnancy and How to Find Relief
The medical term for swelling during pregnancy is edema, and it affects the vast majority of expecting moms. Swelling in your legs, feet, and ankles…
How to Prevent and Relieve Back Pain During Pregnancy
Many of the physical changes that come with pregnancy can put stress on your back and lead to pain or discomfort. Back pain during pregnancy…
How Much Pregnancy Weight Gain Is Healthy and What Actually Matters
Your doctor or midwife will track your weight throughout pregnancy. For many expecting moms, stepping on the scale is a source of anxiety. This episode…
Sun Safety During Pregnancy (Sunscreen, Tanning, and Protecting Your Skin)
Sunlight comes with both benefits and risks, and pregnancy adds a few extra considerations to both. Some of the upside is real. Your body makes…
Your Partner’s Role in Supporting You in Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum
Most of the mental and physical work of having a baby falls on mom. One of the most common things I hear from partners is…
The Truth About Vitamin D in Pregnancy (Most Moms Don’t Get Enough)
Vitamin D in pregnancy is one of those topics that sounds simple, but the details really matter. You use this essential vitamin in nearly every…
Home Birth: The Evidence on Safety
A home birth means welcoming your baby in your own space with the freedom to labor however feels right to you. It is also the…
Birth Center: Exploring Your Options
A birth center sits in the middle ground between a home birth and a hospital. You get a home-like setting and midwife-led care built around…
Hospital Birth: What to Expect
The vast majority of births in the United States occur in a hospital. A hospital birth offers around-the-clock staffing, a wide range of pain management…
10 Tips to Mentally Prepare for Motherhood
There is so much focus during pregnancy on the physical side and on getting ready for your baby’s arrival. Your body is changing, you are…
Prenatal Testing in the Second Half of Pregnancy
Prenatal testing in the second half of pregnancy is a different conversation than the testing offered earlier. Many of these tests produce results in real…
Prenatal Testing in the First Half of Pregnancy
Prenatal testing starts the moment you find out you are pregnant and continues throughout your entire pregnancy. Some tests screen for conditions you may have….
How to Relieve Constipation During and After Pregnancy
About one in three pregnant women experiences constipation, and it becomes even more common after birth. It can be uncomfortable, sometimes painful, and a source…
Gentle Cesarean and Evidence-Based Options for a Family-Centered Birth
A gentle cesarean, also called a family-centered cesarean, involves adjustments that shift a cesarean from a standard surgical procedure to a more personal, connected birth…
What to Expect in a Cesarean Birth
A cesarean birth is among the most common surgeries in the US, with about one in three babies delivered this way. Whether you are planning…
Understanding Ultrasound During Pregnancy: Safety, Accuracy, and Your Options
Ultrasound during pregnancy is one of the most common tools your care provider uses to monitor your baby’s health and development. Whether it is your…
Navigating Morning Sickness During Pregnancy
Morning sickness is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy, affecting up to 80% of expectant mothers. Despite the name, it can occur at…
Vaginal Tears During Birth: Prevention, Healing, and What to Expect
Vaginal tears are one of the most common parts of birth that expecting mothers are not prepared for. More than half of women experience some…
Body Image During Pregnancy and After Birth
Your body goes through a greater physical transformation during pregnancy than at any other time in your life. While growing a baby is an incredible…
The Science Behind Eating Dates to Prepare for Labor
Can eating a specific fruit in your final weeks of pregnancy actually change how your labor goes? Multiple studies have examined whether eating dates in…
What Every New Mom Should Know About Postpartum Mood Changes
Many expecting mothers skip past information about postpartum mood changes, assuming it won’t apply to them. Especially when they’re anticipating one of life’s happiest moments…
Lifting Weights and Strength Training During Pregnancy
Strength training offers significant benefits for physical and mental health, but many expecting parents wonder whether lifting weights is safe during pregnancy. While there is…
Prenatal Yoga: Benefits, Safety Research, and Pose Modifications
Many studies demonstrate the benefits of yoga during pregnancy, including shorter labor and improved newborn outcomes. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that…
Cardio Exercise During Pregnancy (Running, Walking, Swimming, and more)
This episode takes a deep dive into cardio exercise during pregnancy, including walking, running, swimming, cycling, and more. Cardio is a broad category that includes…
What the Evidence Says About Exercise During Pregnancy
Recommendations for exercise during pregnancy can feel confusing, especially when advice sounds restrictive, outdated, or inconsistent. Rather than feeling afraid to work out, this episode…
Making Sense of Food Cravings and Aversions During Pregnancy
Pregnancy cravings and aversions are common symptoms during pregnancy. While it may be fun to make jokes about pickles and ice cream, for some expecting…
What You Need to Know About Recent Vaccine Schedule Changes
The CDC recently made significant changes to the childhood vaccination schedule, prompting widespread coverage and discussion. Vaccines are a complex and often polarizing topic. For…
How Accurate is Your Due Date?
One of the first things you do when you find out you are pregnant is to determine your due date. This date rules everything about…
A Practical Guide to Creating Your Birth Plan
A birth plan is a document that outlines your preferences for labor and what happens immediately after your baby’s birth. A birth plan is much…
Going into Birth with Confidence
It is completely normal to feel nervous about giving birth, especially with so many unknowns about how labor will unfold. Research shows that fear of…
Q&A: Worried About Pooping During Labor?
There are many things that can happen during pregnancy and birth that might feel embarrassing in other settings, but are normal parts of having a…
Getting Sick During Pregnancy and Finding Safe Relief
Getting sick can feel especially tough when you’re pregnant. Unfortunately, during pregnancy, you’re more vulnerable to illnesses like colds, the flu, and COVID-19. This episode…
The Science of Gratitude in Pregnancy
Gratitude is something most of us feel instinctively, but does science actually back up the benefits? This episode explores the research on gratitude, including how…
Supporting and Boosting Your Immune System During Pregnancy
This episode breaks down how the immune system works, how it shifts during pregnancy, and what those changes mean for staying healthy while you are…
Hypertension and the Hidden Risk Beyond Your Blood Pressure Checks
Many changes during pregnancy affect your cardiovascular system, which includes your heart and blood vessels. Some fluctuations in blood pressure are expected, but hypertensive disorders…
Q&A: Common Questions About Prenatal Vitamins
You probably know that taking a prenatal vitamin during pregnancy is important, but there’s more to it than just that simple advice. I’ve received a…
The Research on Stress During Pregnancy and How to Manage It
We all experience some level of stress in daily life. Pregnancy can be a period of additional stress as you are experiencing many physical changes…
Q&A: Why Do Birthmarks Happen?
Birthmarks are one of those little mysteries that many babies are born with. Some are tiny and faint, while others are more noticeable and change…
Focusing on What Matters Most in Pregnancy
Finding out you are pregnant is one of the most exciting times of your life, but it can also feel like a lot. There are…
Q&A: Should Your Baby Get the Hepatitis B Vaccine at Birth?
One of the first decisions you will make as a new parent is whether to vaccinate your newborn against hepatitis B. The first dose of…
Understanding Your Options for Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring
Your doctor or midwife monitors the fetal heart rate of your baby to assess their well-being and how well they are tolerating labor. They primarily…
Q&A: The Science (and Myths) of the Line on Your Belly
You may notice a dark line running down the center of your belly during pregnancy. This is known as the linea nigra. What causes it…
Are Vaginal Exams Really Necessary? What the Evidence Says
Your doctor or midwife may suggest a vaginal exam in the weeks leading up to your due date or during labor. These exams have become…
Q&A: More Questions About Tylenol (Acetaminophen) in Pregnancy
There is an in-depth episode on the Safety of Tylenol (Acetaminophen) and Other OTC Medications During Pregnancy. Acetaminophen is an over-the-counter analgesic for pain relief…
Flu Vaccine in Pregnancy: Evidence-Based Risks and Benefits
The flu is a contagious disease caused by the influenza virus. In most healthy adults, flu symptoms are typically mild and resolve within about a…
The Safety of Tylenol (Acetaminophen) and Other OTC Medications During Pregnancy
Acetaminophen, best known by the brand name Tylenol, is an ingredient in over 600 over-the-counter medicines. This has long been considered the safest choice for…
Non-Medical Pain Management Options for Labor
Labor can be intense, but you have many alternatives to cope with pain beyond the medical options your doctor or midwife offers. You can use…
Q&A: Tips for When Prenatal Appointments Feel Rushed
You only get a limited amount of time with your doctor or midwife during prenatal appointments, and a lot needs to be covered over nine…
Medical Pain Management Options for Labor
Labor involves hard work, and pain is part of the process. The good news is that you have many options to manage pain, as long…
Understanding Natural Birth and How to Prepare for an Unmedicated Birth
Unmedicated birth can offer many benefits, but it also involves real challenges that need preparation, planning, and support. In this episode, you’ll discover why some…
Q&A: Is It Safe to Get a Manicure or Pedicure While Pregnant?
Getting a manicure or pedicure can be a relaxing way to treat yourself, but many people wonder if it’s safe during pregnancy. This episode looks…
Reframe Your Perspective on Labor Pain
Labor and birth are powerful, life-changing experiences, and pain is often one of the biggest concerns for expecting parents. In this episode, we reframe your…
Q&A: What the Evidence Reveals About Pregnancy Dreams
Vivid, emotional, and sometimes unsettling dreams are a common experience during pregnancy. This episode explores how sleep cycles function and why we dream. Learn why…
Understanding Your Options and Choosing the Right Formula
More than 75% of babies will get infant formula in the first year. Choosing a formula can feel overwhelming, with countless brands, ingredients, and claims…
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Q&A: Noise Exposure in Pregnancy and Concert Safety
Pregnancy can easily cause you to second-guess the safety of everything, and it can be a bit of a balancing act to ensure you and…
Complete Guide to Bottle Feeding
This episode is your complete guide to bottle feeding. Learn how bottle sizes and nipple flows work and how to choose the right bottles for…
Q&A: Do Pregnancy Seat Belt Adjusters Improve Safety?
Companies market pregnancy-specific seatbelt adjusters as safer alternatives to a traditional seatbelt, with compelling claims that they reduce risks to both the mother and the…
Success Strategies for Pumping Breastmilk and Building a Stash
Breast milk truly is liquid gold. Your body makes the perfect food for your baby, and pumping lets you give them that milk even when…
Q&A: The Essentials for Improving Fertility
Deciding to start a family is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming when you want to do everything possible to improve your chances of…
Troubleshooting Common Breastfeeding Issues
Although your newborn is hard-wired to breastfeed, breastfeeding doesn’t always come naturally or go perfectly from the start. In reality, breastfeeding can take practice and…
Q&A: When Is the Right Time to Get Pregnant?
This episode answers a listener’s question about how to know when the time is right to have a baby. Whether you are thinking about your…
Mastering the Basics of Breastfeeding
Many new moms expect breastfeeding to come naturally. For most, it takes time, practice, and support. Despite strong evidence in favor of breastfeeding, many parents…
Q&A: Do You Really Need to Stop Using Retinol During Pregnancy?
Retinol is a vitamin A compound and one of the most effective ingredients in skincare. But with powerful results come potential side effects, especially during…
The Complete Guide to Packing Your Birth Bag
If you went into labor and arrived at the hospital or birth center with absolutely nothing packed, it would not be the end of the…
Heat Exposure During Pregnancy, What’s Safe and What to Avoid
This episode explores how various sources of heat exposure can impact your core temperature and your baby during pregnancy. Get evidence-based information on everything from…
Q&A: What to Know Before Buying a Home Doppler to Hear Your Baby’s Heartbeat
Many expecting parents consider using a home Doppler to listen to their baby’s heartbeat between prenatal appointments. While this can seem like a simple way…
Your Guide to Traveling While Pregnant
Traveling during pregnancy can be completely safe and even enjoyable with the right preparation. Whether you are planning a road trip, boarding a plane, or…
Q&A: Should We Find Out the Sex of Our Baby?
Although most parents choose to find out their baby’s sex before birth, it is always an option to wait and make it a surprise. Several…
Labor Signs and the Start of Labor
As you near the end of your pregnancy, the anticipation of labor can bring a mix of excitement and anxiety. You may be wondering exactly…
Q&A: Deciding When to Share Your Pregnancy at Work
Pregnancy is an exciting and life-changing time, but it can also bring uncertainty about how it will impact your career. For many expecting moms, sharing…
Pregnancy Crash Course for Dads and Partners
Most of what people know about having a baby comes from movies or what they have heard from friends. That is not enough to prepare…
Q&A: How to Deal with a Stuffy Nose During Pregnancy
Many pregnancy symptoms are temporary and often brushed off as something you simply have to deal with until your baby arrives. However, even minor symptoms…
A Simple Framework for Any Pregnancy or Birth Decision
You will have numerous opportunities to opt in or out of interventions during your pregnancy, at birth, or with your newborn. You always have options…
Q&A: Is a Birth Plan Really Necessary?
Is a birth plan really necessary, or is it just one more thing to stress about during pregnancy? In this episode, we answer a listener’s…
Fourth Trimester: How to Plan Ahead
Your baby’s birth marks the beginning of a significant transition, not just for your newborn, but for you. The early postpartum weeks are often referred…
The CDC Changes Its Stance on the COVID-19 Vaccine
Organizations like the CDC and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists play a significant role in shaping the recommendations your doctor or midwife gives…
Fourth Trimester: What to Expect
During pregnancy, you focus on your health, your baby, and preparing for birth. What comes after birth is just as important, and often overlooked. Your…
Q&A: Are You Getting Enough DHA in Pregnancy?
When it comes to supporting your baby’s brain development, few nutrients get as much attention as DHA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid. In this episode,…
Third Trimester Overview: Preparing for Birth and the Final Stretch
Week 28 until your baby’s birth, around 40 weeks, is the final stretch before you meet your baby. In this episode, learn everything you need…
Q&A: How Pregnancy Affects Your Oral Health
Pregnancy can bring unexpected changes to your mouth, including swollen or bleeding gums, increased sensitivity, and shifts in your oral microbiome. This episode examines how…
Second Trimester Overview: From Baby Kicks to Body Changes
For many expecting moms, weeks 13 to 27 are often considered the most enjoyable part of pregnancy. In this episode, learn everything you need to…
Q&A: Navigating Unwanted Advice, Opinions, and Input
This episode explores why people feel compelled to offer advice, how to filter helpful information from noise, and strategies to set boundaries without creating conflict….
First Trimester Overview: Adjusting to Pregnancy and Early Changes
The first trimester is the most significant adjustment period of your pregnancy. This episode covers everything you need to know to navigate the first trimester…
Q&A: Managing Your Fear of Labor Pain
Fear of pain during labor is very common, especially as your due date approaches. Whether you are planning an unmedicated birth or know you want…
Pregnancy Basics: What to Know from the Start
Overview Seeing a positive pregnancy test can bring a whirlwind of emotions, excitement, nerves, and maybe a little overwhelm. Finding out you are pregnant instantly…
Q&A: Managing Anxiety in the First Trimester and Beyond
Overview During the first trimester, there is little external reassurance that everything is progressing normally. You do not look pregnant yet; you cannot feel your…
Drinks to Be Mindful of During Pregnancy
Overview Staying hydrated is crucial for your overall health, and water is always the best beverage. In reality, some of your daily fluids will come…
Q&A: Hair Removal in Pregnancy and Before Birth
Overview Hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to thicker, faster-growing hair. While this may be a welcome change for the hair on your head, it…
Food Safety During Pregnancy, Beyond the Do Not Eat List
Overview Your health and your baby’s health are top priorities. Some foods carry risks during pregnancy, and it’s important to know what to avoid and…
Q&A: How to Manage Fatigue During Pregnancy
Overview Feeling exhausted during pregnancy is common, but it can still be frustrating and challenging to manage. This episode explores why fatigue happens during pregnancy…
Probiotics and Gut Health During Pregnancy
Overview Your gut does much more than digest food, it is a key player in your immune system, mood regulation, and overall health, especially during…
Q&A: How to Tell If It’s Braxton Hicks or Real Labor
Overview If you are pregnant with your first baby, there are a lot of unknowns about what labor feels like. Many expecting moms will experience…
Q&A: Can I Color My Hair While Pregnant?
Overview Explore the research on hair dye exposure during pregnancy and get a break down of what the evidence really says about risks to your…
How Age Affects Pregnancy: Facts, Myths, and What Really Matters
Overview From a biological perspective, there’s a limited window for getting pregnant, spanning from reproductive age through menopause. While that offers many years of opportunity,…
Q&A: Tips to Prepare for Breastfeeding Before Your Baby Arrives
Overview Breastfeeding can feel intimidating, especially if it’s something you’ve never done before. While it’s a natural process, it doesn’t always come easily. With the…
The Evidence on Nutrition and Trending Diets During Pregnancy
Overview Whatever your long-term health or weight goals, your top priority during pregnancy is keeping yourself and your baby healthy. Nutrition plays a key role,…
Q&A: What Actually Works to Prevent Tearing During Birth?
Overview During the second (pushing) stage of labor, your perineum stretches as your baby is born. More than half of first-time mothers experience some degree…
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Baby Name
Overview A name is something your child will carry with them for life. It is a reflection of identity, culture, and sometimes family history. With…
Q&A: Should You Worry About Sleeping on Your Back
Overview Sleep is essential for your health, especially during pregnancy, but the changes that come with pregnancy can make quality rest more challenging. To add…
Q&A: Sorting Through Conflicting Advice on Pregnancy Workouts
Overview Exercise during pregnancy is evidence-based to reduce the risk of certain complications, support healthy weight gain, alleviate common pregnancy discomforts, and improve mental well-being….
How to Prevent and Treat UTIs During Pregnancy
Overview Pregnancy brings many changes to your body, including hormone changes and how your urinary system functions. These changes can increase the risk of developing…
Q&A: Should You Avoid Eating During Labor
Overview Eating during labor is a topic with conflicting advice. In this episode, we respond to a listener whose doctor advised against eating during labor,…
Is Cord Blood Banking Worth It?
Overview Cord blood banking is a complex and often confusing topic. Advertisements for cord blood banking are everywhere when you are pregnant. Is it really…
Q&A: Strategies to Feel Less Overwhelmed During Pregnancy
Overview Pregnancy is an exciting journey, but it can also feel incredibly overwhelming. Today’s episode is inspired by a message from a listener struggling with…
What Every Pregnant Mom Needs to Know About Group B Strep
Overview Group B strep (GBS), short for group B streptococcus, is a type of bacterium that naturally resides in the gastrointestinal tract, vagina, and rectum…
Q&A: White Coat Hypertension and Navigating Challenges with Your Doctor
Overview Pregnancy comes with many challenges, including navigating prenatal care and working with your provider to make the best decisions for you and your baby….
An Evidence-Based Guide to Natural and Artificial Sweeteners During Pregnancy
Overview Substantial evidence supports the need to limit sugar intake, leading many people to use alternative sweeteners. These range from natural options like honey and…
Q&A: Reducing Risks of Air Pollution and Wildfire Smoke During Pregnancy
Overview Evidence shows that pregnant women and babies exposed to high levels of air pollutants face an increased risk of adverse health outcomes. Adding to…
Your Guide to Sugar During Pregnancy
Overview Sugar is a term that encompasses a wide variety of molecules responsible for making foods and drinks taste sweet. From natural sources like fruits…
Q&A: Lying In and the 5-5-5 Rule for Postpartum Recovery
Overview There are many traditions surrounding how to best recover from birth and bond with your new baby. Many cultures practice “lying in,” which prioritizes…
Exploring Methods of Inducing Labor Naturally
Overview There are many methods of naturally inducing labor you can do at home. You may have interest in naturally inducing labor for many reasons….
Q&A: Tips for Getting Your Body Back After Baby
Overview It can be challenging to appreciate all the physical changes your body goes through during pregnancy and after having a baby. This can be…
Evidence on the Risks and Benefits of Inducing Labor
Overview In a perfect world, your body is ready, your baby is fully mature, and you spontaneously go into labor on your due date. In…
Tools and Techniques for an Easier Labor and Birth
Overview A lot of things need to come together for you to have the birth experience you want. Your birth room environment should feel safe…
Common Misconceptions about Pregnancy and Birth
Overview There are a lot of misconceptions about pregnancy and birth. These ideas get perpetuated in movies and television, amplified by news outlets and social…
Q&A: Exploring the Risks and Benefits of Placenta Encapsulation
Overview This episode dives into the research on placenta encapsulation and whether it lives up to the claims of preventing postpartum depression. Explore the evidence…
Troubleshooting the Early Weeks with Your Baby
Overview Welcoming a newborn comes with its share of surprises, and this episode aims to help you navigate and troubleshoot some common challenges. While most…
Q&A: Are Ultrasounds Accurate for Predicting Baby’s Size?
Overview Ultrasounds are a key tool for estimating your baby’s weight and size during pregnancy, but how accurate are these measurements? In this episode, we…
What to Expect in the First Weeks with Your Newborn
Overview Bringing your baby home is a joyous milestone but can also feel overwhelming. In this episode, we explore what to expect during the first…
The Science Behind Heartburn in Pregnancy and How to Treat It
Overview Heartburn is a common symptom during pregnancy, affecting up to 80% of expecting mothers. While it can be uncomfortable, the good news is that…
Guide to Navigating the Holidays During Pregnancy
Overview Whether you are continuing family traditions or starting new ones as your family grows, the holiday season is a special time to celebrate. While…
Q&A: The Golden Hour and Maximizing Time with Your Baby After Birth
Overview The first hour after your baby is born is a critical time for bonding and transitioning to life outside the womb. This episode answers…
Navigate the Administrative Side of Parenting Like a Pro
Overview This episode is your guide to all of the administrative tasks you are responsible for after having a baby. From submitting maternity or paternity…
Q&A: Are Plastic Baby Bottles Safe? Are There Better Alternatives?
Overview Plastic has been the go-to material for baby bottles for decades, but recent concerns have raised questions about its safety. Although BPA was banned…
Reducing Birth Costs with Health Insurance and Tax-Advantaged Accounts
Overview In the United States, the average cost of vaginal birth is nearly $10,000, and the average price for a cesarean section is close to…
Q&A: Are 3D Ultrasounds Safe and Worth It?
Overview Ultrasounds have revolutionized prenatal care, and it is incredible that we have technology that allows us to see a baby inside the womb. Ultrasound…
Building a Bond and Connecting with Your Baby During Pregnancy
Overview Some expecting mothers feel an instant connection with their baby as soon as they see a positive pregnancy test. For other mothers, feeling a…
COVID-19 Vaccine in Pregnancy: Risks, Benefits, and Research
Overview The COVID-19 pandemic was the most significant global health crisis since the 1918 Spanish Flu. Fortunately, the severity and lethality of COVID-19 have greatly…
Q&A: Navigating the Emotional and Physical Challenges of Morning Sickness
Overview This article responds to a listener facing constant morning sickness and the conflicting emotions of wanting to be excited about pregnancy while struggling with…
Protecting Your Baby From RSV, Maternal Vaccine vs. Infant Monoclonal Antibodies
Overview RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus, a common respiratory virus that usually causes upper respiratory illness with mild, cold-like symptoms. For some groups, like…
Q&A: Should Family Get Vaccinated Before Visiting Your Newborn?
Overview Vaccines can be a complex and controversial topic, especially for new parents. This episode answers a listener’s question about whether family members and visitors…
Tdap Vaccine During Pregnancy: Research on Safety and Effectiveness
Overview Tdap is an inactivated vaccine that protects you against three different illnesses: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Pertussis is commonly known as whooping cough. The Tdap…
Q&A: Is It Possible to “Pop” Something While Bending Over During Pregnancy?
Overview You’re not alone if you’ve ever worried about your baby’s safety while performing everyday movements. Pregnancy is a time filled with questions and concerns;…
The Truth About Protein in Pregnancy and Supplementing with Protein Powder
Overview Protein does more than build muscle mass. Protein is necessary to structure, function, and regulate virtually all tissues in your body. You can imagine…
Q&A: The Evidence on Choline and How to Prepare for Precipitous Labor
Overview In this episode, we explore two questions. First, we break down the role of choline in pregnancy, including its benefits for fetal brain development….
Navigating Pregnancy Nutrition on a Vegetarian or Vegan Diet
Overview You have increased nutrient needs during pregnancy, and maintaining a balanced diet is essential for you and your baby. There is no denying that…
Navigating Labor and Birth: Your Roadmap from Start to Finish
Overview Every labor and birth experience is unique, but most follow a familiar journey. This episode guides you step by step from the onset of…
Your Pregnancy Timeline
Overview Review your pregnancy timeline from conception until your baby is born. This article overviews how your baby develops, what changes your body goes through,…
Expert Tips to Prepare Your Dog for a New Baby
Overview When your baby arrives, the last thing you want to deal with is troubleshooting issues with your dog adjusting to your new baby. The…
Is Any Amount of Alcohol Safe During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding?
There are many common questions about alcohol when trying to conceive, during pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Does drinking alcohol make it more challenging to get pregnant?…
How Much Caffeine Is Safe During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding?
Overview Caffeine is a psychoactive drug because it changes brain function and results in alterations in perception, mood, or consciousness. Caffeine is a central nervous…
Why Birth Plans Fail
Overview A birth plan is much more than a piece of paper you hand to your care provider. A birth plan is a process you…
Preventing and Treating Bug Bites During Pregnancy
Overview With warmer weather comes more insects and the potential for bug bites. As with any topic, pregnancy adds an additional layer of concern about…
Choosing the Best Pediatrician for Your Baby
Overview A pediatrician is the primary care provider for your child from birth through early adulthood. They offer crucial support in monitoring growth, administering immunizations,…
Tips to Advocate for Yourself with Your Doctor or Midwife
Overview Fifty years ago, you went to the doctor, and whatever they told you was the correct answer. They were the experts and the gatekeepers…
5 Tips to Maximize Every Prenatal Appointment
Overview You see a midwife or OBGYN because they are the experts in prenatal care, pregnancy, and birth. They are trained to identify risks, ensure…
Choosing (or Changing) Your Doctor or Midwife
Overview Your care provider is the cornerstone of your prenatal care and birth experience. You will work with this expert resource throughout pregnancy to make…
Pros and Cons of Erythromycin Eye Ointment for Your Newborn
Overview Administering erythromycin eye ointment to newborns is a standard procedure in the United States to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum. Ophthalmia neonatorum is a newborn eye infection that…
Benefits and Risks of Vitamin K for Newborns
Overview Newborns naturally have low levels of vitamin K at birth. The danger of low vitamin K levels is the risk of vitamin K deficiency bleeding. This is…
Optimal Labor Positions for a Shorter and Easier Birth
Overview For most of human history, a mother in labor was free to move around and change positions at will, with the most common positions…
Your Options for the Third Stage of Labor
Overview The third stage of labor starts after your baby is born and ends with birthing the placenta. Even after your beautiful baby is born…
Preventing and Treating Fevers During Pregnancy
Overview A fever is part of your body’s immune response as a natural defense against infection. The risks and benefits of fever during pregnancy differ…
Placenta Encapsulation: The Evidence on the Risks and Benefits
Overview The thought of eating your placenta might gross you out at first, but once you hear about some of the fantastic benefits women claim…
Troubleshooting Sleep Issues During Pregnancy and as a New Parent
Overview The growing body of research on sleep demonstrates the absolute necessity of sleep for every biological function. Your body changes significantly during pregnancy and while recovering…
Evidence-Based Tips to Improve Your Sleep
Overview The growing body of research on sleep demonstrates the absolute necessity of sleep for every biological function. This includes learning, memory, brain function, mental…
Birth Interventions Overview
Overview An intervention is any action taken to alter the course of your labor or birth. Modern medicine is amazing, and there is no doubt…
Hydration and Drinking Water
Overview Staying hydrated is crucial to help your overall health. Water makes up around 60% of your total body weight, and every cell needs water…
Understanding Your Care Team from Pregnancy to Postpartum
Overview This article examines your care team during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Your primary care provider is the cornerstone of your prenatal care and birth…
Guide to Pregnancy Safe Skincare
Overview Think about everything you put on your skin and hair, from when you step in the shower to when you step out your front…
Do You Really Need a Doula?
Overview A doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical, and educational support to a mother and her birth partner during pregnancy,…
Getting Your Dog Ready for Your New Baby
Overview If you have a dog, you may be wondering what you should be doing during pregnancy to get your dog ready for your baby…
Navigate Your Prenatal Care with Confidence
Overview Your doctor or midwife is your trusted partner and has the education and experience to guide you through all the intricacies of pregnancy and…
Benefits of Water During Pregnancy (Pools, Hot Tubs, Baths, and Float Tanks)
Overview If you enjoy the water, you don’t have to give it up when you are pregnant. Enjoying the water can be a great workout,…
What to Look for in a Prenatal Vitamin
Overview Taking a high-quality prenatal vitamin is one of the easiest things you can do to ensure you have all of the vitamins and nutrients…
Evidence on Methods to Turn a Breech Baby
Overview Ideally, towards the end of your pregnancy, your baby is in a cephalic presentation, positioned head-down, facing your back, with their chin tucked to…
Your Baby’s Position During Labor and Birth
Overview Most expecting parents are aware that babies are ideally head down. As you get closer to your due date, your baby’s position can significantly…
Herpes Simplex Virus and Pregnancy
Overview There are over 100 herpes viruses. HSV-1 and HSV-2 are common skin conditions and affect a considerable portion of the population. According to the…
Navigating Gestational Diabetes from Testing to Treatment
Overview Gestational diabetes is one of the most common conditions during pregnancy. In the United States, it is standard to test all pregnant women for…
Guide to Self-Care for Pregnancy and Beyond
Overview Self-care is taking action to preserve or improve your physical and mental health. If there is any time during your life when self-care is…
Administrative Tasks of Having a Baby
Overview There are a lot of administrative tasks associated with being a parent. The Pregnancy Podcast has separate episodes covering big projects like planning maternity…
Finding the Right Childcare (Daycare and Other Options)
Overview On top of all the planning during pregnancy, you need to plan for who will take care of your baby. This is an easy…
Your Guide to Maternity Leave
Overview Maternity leave is a leave of absence from work before and after the birth of your baby. This is a period for birth recovery,…
The Evidence on Essential Oils During Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum
Overview Essential oils are naturally occurring oils made by steam distillation or cold pressing the flowers, roots, seeds, fruit, or bark of plants. These concentrated…
Baby Essentials – The Ultimate List
Overview There are over 3.6 million babies born every year in the United States alone. That creates a big market for companies that sell products…
Guide to Creating Your Baby Registry
Overview If you are pregnant and are expecting gifts, there are several reasons you should consider a baby registry. A registry helps friends and family…
Baby Shower
Overview The tradition of baby showers as we know them today began in the 1930s. The term “shower” comes from showering the expecting mother with…
Babymoon
Overview A babymoon is a vacation expecting parents take before their baby is born. This is a relatively newer tradition with no strict rules. The…
Taking Care of Yourself as a Parent
Overview This article aims to get you to rethink taking care of yourself, especially after you have a baby. As parents, we put our children first. In…
Using a Rebozo for Pregnancy and Birth
Overview A rebozo is a long rectangular shawl that originated in Mexico. Like many non-western traditions, the art of rebozo is more than a tool….
Placenta Variations and Abnormalities
Overview The placenta is an organ with a highly specialized purpose, and that is to support the normal growth and development of your baby. Before…
How Pregnancy Changes Your Skin
Overview All of the changes your body is going through during pregnancy may give you a beautiful glow. For many expecting moms, pregnancy can cause…
Troubleshooting Your Dog with a New Baby
Overview There are many things you can do to prepare your dog for life with a new baby. From introducing new gadgets like breast pumps…
Hydrotherapy and the Benefits of Water During Labor (Baths, Showers, and Waterbirth)
Overview Hydrotherapy is a broad term that encompasses many different treatments around the physical properties of water like temperature and pressure. In this article, we…
Get Parenting Right from the Start
Overview You put a lot of time and energy into learning about pregnancy and preparing for birth. Once you cross that finish line and are…
Hair Changes and Treatments During and After Pregnancy
Overview You experience many physical changes during your pregnancy. Higher levels of hormones, like estrogen, can even change the texture, color, or amount of hair…
Other Pain Management Options During Labor
Overview You have several pain management options for labor and birth. The availability of specific methods may vary depending on where you give birth and…
Nitrous Oxide During Labor
Overview Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, was first used as a labor analgesic in 1881. Over 50% of births in Finland, Norway, England,…
Epidural
Overview In this episode, we are talking about epidurals. There are three separate procedures that can be done that are often lumped under the umbrella…
Pregnancy Loss
Overview Erica McAfee, a grief specialist and doula, who really puts grief and loss and recovery into perspective. This is the perfect episode to end…
Tips for Maternity Clothes
Overview You know that you will experience a lot of physical changes when you get pregnant. Some of those changes will affect how your clothes…
Birth Recovery and Postpartum
Overview Culturally in the United States, we don’t talk about the fact that you recover from birth and pregnancy. There are a lot of things…
Racial Disparities, Building Community, and Advocating for Yourself
Overview The statistics on the disparities women of color face in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum highlight some of our current healthcare system problems. I encourage…
Social Distancing with Your New Baby
Overview It can be scary to be a parent and be responsible for a baby’s health, safety, and well-being, especially during a global pandemic. Weighing…
Navigating Pregnancy and a New Baby With a Dog
Overview There is a lot of evidence on the benefits of babies and kids growing up with a dog. There is no research on what…
Baby Shower Etiquette
Overview When baby showers first became popular over 50 years ago, we didn’t have the internet or baby registries. Gender roles and rules have changed…
Why You Need a Backup Plan
Overview This podcast covers a lot about preparing for the birth experience you want. If you listen to this podcast, you are educated about labor…
Skin to Skin Contact
Overview No matter what type of birth you have, the most important thing after your baby is born is that you get skin to skin…
The Evidence on Eating and Drinking During Labor
Overview For a long time, it has been a common rule in hospitals that you could not eat or drink during labor. The main reason…
Autonomy
Overview Autonomy may not be the first thing you think about when you think of pregnancy or birth. Taking agency and ownership of your body…
Precipitous Labor and Birth
Overview You have a vision of what you imagine your labor going like. There is always the possibility that your birth does not go as…
Prodromal Labor
Overview You spend nine months preparing for your labor and birth, and suddenly it is here, and you are having contractions. Are you sure this…
Gardening Safety & the Evidence on the Benefits of House Plants
Overview Humans have a long history and connection to nature and the outdoors. That has changed significantly over the years, and today we spend close…
COVID-19 and Breastfeeding
Overview COVID-19 can bring new challenges to breastfeeding. Don’t panic, plan. Get the evidence and guidelines on how COVID-19 can affect breastfeeding, and what precautions…
Trying to Conceive During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Overview In this episode, we are talking about the coronavirus and trying to conceive. Of all the questions I have received on COVID-19, I get…
Coronavirus Update – Limiting Your Risks
Overview More research has been released in the last week about SARS-CoV-2 and pregnancy and birth. This article is focused on the new evidence that…
Coronavirus Update – Changes to Your Prenatal Care & Birth Plan
Overview A lot has happened over the last week since we first discussed the coronavirus on the podcast. Hear the updates on how this pandemic…
Coronavirus and Pregnancy
Overview A big challenge of covering the topic of the coronavirus is to find a balance among taking precautions, getting accurate information, being safe and…
How Blue Light Affects Your Pregnancy
Overview Ages ago our last daily exposure to blue light came with the sunset. After dark, the light we were exposed to was mainly from…
The Truth About Pooping During Labor
Overview Whatever you want to call it, everyone goes #2, poops, or has a bowel movement. Spoiler alert, yes, it is true that this could…
Sleeping Positions During Pregnancy
Overview You will spend about one third of your life sleeping. Sleep is so vital to your health and the health of your baby. Especially…
Perineal Massage to Prevent Tearing
Overview Your perineum is the area between your vaginal opening and your rectum. This area stretches during birth and it is possible to have a…
When to Announce Your Pregnancy
Overview There are a lot of questions about when to announce your pregnancy. Some expecting parents are comfortable telling everyone as soon as they have…
Timing of Skin-to-Skin Contact & Delayed Cord Clamping
Overview Picture the moment your baby is born. The umbilical cord is still connected on one end to your baby, and on the other end…
When You and Your Partner Disagree
Overview There is an infinite number of decisions you and your partner have to make. Some examples are what prenatal tests to take, how to…
Centering Pregnancy & Group Prenatal Care
Overview The traditional model of medical care faces increasing challenges. Factors like increasing health care costs, limitations of provider availability, issues like dissatisfaction with wait…
Unsolicited Advice
Overview People give advice because they want to help. They think they have some information that you need to hear. It doesn’t matter if they…
Belly Binding & Postpartum Girdles
Overview There are a lot of products you can wear postpartum that are marketed as a way to return to your pre-pregnancy body faster with…
Are Microwaves Safe to Use During Pregnancy?
Overview Is it safe to use a microwave oven when you are pregnant? Learn about the safety of microwaves and how to minimize the risks…
Safe Cleaning Products
Overview Cleaning products can contain harmful chemicals and your pregnancy is an excellent time to get safer products in your home. Any chemicals you are…
Delayed Cord Clamping
Overview Your baby’s umbilical cord is their lifeline. The reason for this, is that it is constantly delivering oxygen and nutrients, and removing carbon dioxide…
Postpartum Hemorrhage, Bleeding, and the Return of Your Period
Overview Postpartum hemorrhage is the number one cause of maternal mortality worldwide. The rate of postpartum hemorrhage is between 1-5% of pregnancies and is most…
Informed Consent
Overview Informed consent is a basic component of communication between medical professionals and patients. True informed consent means you fully understand the procedure, intervention, or…
Five Rules for New Parents
Overview There is so much focus on pregnancy and birth that many new parents find themselves lost once their baby is born. Most parents prepare…
What is the Ideal Spacing In Between Kids?
Overview If you are planning on having more than one child there is no magic time frame that you should wait in between pregnancies and…
What is Pasmo and How Can You Avoid It?
Overview Pasmo is a Spanish word that doesn’t have an English equivalent. It describes the reversal of labor once it has started. During labor and…
Preparing Your Partner for Birth
Overview Back in the 1950s dads spent labor in hospital waiting rooms, called “stork clubs”, until a nurse came in to let them know they…
Finding Out Your Baby’s Sex
Overview Your baby’s sex is determined at conception. They will get an X chromosome from the egg and either an X or Y from the…
Waiting for Your First Prenatal Appointment
Overview Your first prenatal appointment usually isn’t until you are eight weeks pregnant. For many expecting moms, there are weeks between a positive home pregnancy…
Baby Names
Overview Choosing a name for your baby is a big item on your to-do list. While you can wait until after your baby is born…
Miscarriage
Overview Miscarriage is a term for a pregnancy loss within 20 weeks. Rates of miscarriage are confusing, and the most widely accepted statistic is that…
Fertility
Overview Whether you are trying to conceive now or thinking you may want another baby down the road, this episode will be beneficial to know…
Breathing During Labor
Overview Breathing is something we are constantly doing and seldom paying much attention to. When you are pregnant, the changes your body is going through…
Navigating Challenges with Parents, In-Laws, & Family
Overview Everyone seems to have strong opinions about pregnancy, birth, and parenting, especially parents and in-laws. Challenges with family are a tricky topic because everyone’s…
Progesterone
Overview Progesterone is the most important hormone in a group of steroid hormones known as progestogens. This hormone plays a significant role during your pregnancy…
Kombucha
Overview Kombucha is a fermented tea that has become increasingly popular in recent years as a health drink. The beneficial ingredients in kombucha include probiotics,…
Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy and After Birth
Overview Hemorrhoids are estimated to affect around 40% of pregnant women, which climbs even higher after birth. Hemorrhoids can cause bleeding during a bowel movement,…
Lactation Cookies, Do They Really Work?
Overview Milk supply can be a stressful topic, and low supply is the most common reason that moms stop breastfeeding or don’t feel like they…
I’m Freaked Out About Breastfeeding
Overview The idea of breastfeeding a baby may be foreign if you have not been around other mothers who are nursing and if you have…
Lotus Birth
Overview Generally, if you delay cord clamping, you would clamp and cut the umbilical cord after a few minutes or when it stops pulsating. In…
Short Cervix, Incompetent Cervix, and Cerclage
Overview Your cervix is the lower part of your uterus that opens to your vagina. The length of your cervix changes as your pregnancy progresses…
Lipase and Freezing Breastmilk
Overview Lipase is an enzyme naturally produced in breastmilk that can give your milk an off smell and taste. This is only noticeable when you…
Yoga and Inversion Poses During Pregnancy
Overview Gentle yoga is commonly recommended as a good exercise during pregnancy, and there are many documented benefits of the practice. While many poses are…
Work and Job Hazards
Overview When you are pregnant, limiting your exposure to harmful substances and activities in your everyday life can be a challenge. Many expecting moms also…
Iron During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Overview By mass, iron is the most common element on earth. We wouldn’t be alive without iron, which is why it is called an essential…
Short Height and Carrying a Baby to Term
Overview People love to tell you what you can and cannot do when you are pregnant. People don’t mean any harm, but sadly they are…
Is Your Toilet Seat Turning Blue?
Overview There are a lot of strange things that can happen during pregnancy. Some expecting moms may be surprised to see that their toilet seat…
BPA Safety During Pregnancy & for Your Baby
Overview BPA is short for bisphenol A, and this is an industrial chemical used in plastics. This is not a new chemical. BPA was first…
When is a C-Section Absolutely Necessary?
Overview A cesarean section can be a lifesaving procedure for a mom or a baby. In a perfect world, this surgery is only performed when…
Lessons Learned Breastfeeding the Second Time Around
Overview Breastfeeding is commonly thought of as something that comes naturally once your baby is born. For a small number of mothers, this may be…
The Doctor or Midwife On Call
Overview When you choose a doctor or midwife, you need to ask if they will be present for the birth of your baby. Often a…
Eating Deli Meat During Pregnancy
Overview Trying to figure out what you can and cannot eat during pregnancy can be challenging. Finding conflicting information online doesn’t make this any easier. …
Antibiotics During Pregnancy, Birth, and Breastfeeding
Overview An antibiotic is a microbial drug used to treat bacterial infections. There are many infections during pregnancy, birth, or in the postpartum period that…
Recreational Activities During Pregnancy
Overview It can be challenging when you are told that you have to give up some of your favorite things to do once you are…
Nail Polish
Overview The FDA regulates nail polish under the umbrella of cosmetics. According to the FDA, “Many nail products contain potentially harmful ingredients, but are allowed…
Visitors After Your Baby is Born
Overview When your baby is born, they are susceptible to getting sick because their immune system is immature. If your baby is exposed to a…
Vernix Caseosa & Baby’s First Bath
Overview During the second trimester, your baby’s skin becomes covered with vernix caseosa. Vernix is a kind of greasy and cheese like and this white…
Nuchal Cord (Umbilical Cord Wrapped Around Neck)
Overview A nuchal cord happens when the umbilical cord is wrapped 360 degrees around a baby’s neck. If this does not resolve before birth, a…
Allergies
Overview An allergic reaction happens when your immune system reacts to what would typically be a harmless substance, like food, to be an invader and…
Apple Cider Vinegar
Overview Apple cider vinegar has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. Online you can find articles and blog posts touting that apple cider…
Loud Noises
Overview Your baby’s ears start developing very early on, and by about week 18, they should be able to hear. This sense will continue to…
Eating Organic During Pregnancy
Overview Your diet is a significant contributor to your health and the health of your baby during pregnancy. It isn’t a secret that you should…
Migraines and Headaches
Overview Many expecting mothers experience headaches and migraines during pregnancy whether or not they experienced migraines pre-pregnancy. If you did get migraines before you got…
Ectopic Pregnancy
Overview When you get pregnant, the egg is fertilized and then should implant in the uterus lining, which is necessary for the egg to survive…
Placenta Encapsulation & the CDC
Overview Your placenta plays a significant role in secreting hormones that are crucial for your baby. This includes hCG, commonly known as the pregnancy hormone,…
Fear of Things Not Going as Planned
Overview It is common for expecting moms, especially the first time around, to have some fear about birth and fear that things will not go…
Braxton Hicks Contractions vs. True Labor
Overview Braxton Hicks contractions are sporadic “practice” contractions that many pregnant women experience during the second and the third trimesters. This episode talks about what…
Baby Movement
Overview It can be exciting to feel your baby move. For many moms, this is a nice reassurance that there is, in fact, a baby…
Baby Laundry Detergent
Overview Newborn babies have really sensitive skin. At birth, your baby will have just spent the last nine months in your belly, totally protected from…
Your Health Insurance & the Calendar Year
Overview January first is an important date for your health insurance. The start of a new calendar year means that everything resets and starts over…
Pregnancy Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Overview Carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy results from edema, which is the buildup of fluid in your wrists, which can put pressure on a nerve…
Numbness
Overview It is never a bad idea to bring up any questionable symptoms you experience during your pregnancy with your doctor or midwife. The more…
Body Piercings, Pregnancy, Birth, and Breastfeeding
Overview If you have body piercings, you may be wondering if you need to take them out during your pregnancy or before your birth. The…
Pregnancy, Pets, and Your Baby
Overview Many of us have fur babies before we have human babies and our pets are a huge part of our family. Pregnancy can bring…
Facials, Microneedling, and Botox
Overview In general, the fewer chemicals you expose yourself to, the less you expose your baby to. When you are talking about chemical exposure, the…
Using a TENS Machine During Labor
Overview A TENS device is a small handheld device with wires coming out of it attached to electrodes in pads that you stick to your…
When should I tell my boss I am pregnant?
Overview Trying to decide when to break the news about your pregnancy to your employer can be tricky. There are a lot of considerations that…
Pregnancy Fatigue
Overview It is common to experience fatigue during your pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Once you are in the second trimester, you should feel…
Lifting Heavy Objects
Overview During your pregnancy, your body is going through a lot of physical changes. Many of those changes can affect your susceptibility to injury, and…
Placental Lake
Overview We have become so addicted to ultrasounds, and we can get so much information from an ultrasound that we wouldn’t otherwise know. This has…
Breast Crawl
Overview If your newborn baby is placed on your abdomen after birth, they will use their instincts and their senses to make their way up…
Misoprostol (Cytotec)
Overview Prostaglandins are used in labor induction and help to ripen your cervix, meaning they cause it to efface or thin and cause uterine contractions….
Carrying High or Low
Overview Your uterus expands throughout your pregnancy. In the beginning, it is hidden behind your pelvic bone, which is why it takes some time for…
Prenatal Massage
Overview During pregnancy, your body goes through so many changes. Things are being stretched, you are carrying more weight, your center of gravity is off,…
Pregnancy Dreams
Overview We all dream when we sleep. Sometimes people claim that they do not have dreams, and the truth is that they do; they just…
Negative Blood Types and the RhoGAM Shot
Overview Your blood type is determined by your genes, and until you need a blood transfusion, your blood type doesn’t have any effect on your…
IV Fluids and Drinking During Labor
Overview It is essential to stay hydrated during your labor and birth, and if you are dehydrated, it will affect your labor. You can become…
Siblings at the Birth of a New Baby
Overview Deciding whether to have your child or children attend the birth of a sibling is a very personal choice. Expecting moms fall all over…
One Page Birth Plan
Overview Writing your birth plan is an integral part of preparing for the birth experience you want and getting clear about your preferences. One of…
Marijuana and Male Fertility
Overview Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. I suspect we will see more states jump on the bandwagon and…
Collagen
Overview Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies and makes up about a third of our total protein. These amino acids are used…
Postpartum Hair Loss
Overview You may enjoy thicker and fuller hair during your pregnancy. But what happens to your hair after you have your baby? Hearing that your…
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding with Large Breasts
Overview Most women will see their breasts increase in size beginning in the first trimester of pregnancy. This happens as the ducts and alveoli in…
Breast Size and Milk Production
Overview Most women experience an increase in their breast size early on in their pregnancy. Everyone is different, and not everyone ends up with huge…
Drinking Tea During Pregnancy
Overview Tea first originated in China and has been around for thousands of years. Traditional teas, like white, green, oolong, and black tea, are made…
PUPPS
Overview PUPPS is the most common skin condition in pregnancy and stands for pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy. This shows up as a…
Pacifiers
Overview Your baby starts building their strong sucking reflex in the womb. This is needed for breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, but it also has a calming…
When Birth Does Not Go as Planned
Overview You spend nine months dreaming about the day you get to meet your baby. You meticulously design your birth, you draft up the perfect…
Exercising Before a Glucose Test
Overview Glucose is used throughout your body for energy. For your body to use glucose, It needs insulin, a hormone produced by your pancreas that…
Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM) and the 24 Hour Rule
Overview The technical term for your water breaking before labor starts is premature rupture of membranes (PROM). The amniotic sac and amniotic fluid serve many…
Doula
Overview A doula is a trained professional in childbirth and provides emotional, physical, and educational support to a mother and their birth partner. Having a…
I’m so scared about giving birth!
Overview It is very common for first-time expecting moms to be scared of giving birth. This is especially true when you are surrounded by negative…
Gestational Diabetes Testing (Glucose Challenge Screening & Glucose Tolerance Test)
Overview The glucose challenge screening has become a standard part of prenatal care in the third trimester. This screening test evaluates how well your body…
Retained Placenta
Overview The birth of your baby starts the third stage of labor, during which you birth your placenta. The expulsion of the placenta and the…
Common Pregnancy, Birth, & Breastfeeding Myths
Overview There are a lot of myths surrounding pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. Many of these false beliefs are perpetuated by movies and television, repeated by…
Heart Shaped Uterus (Bicornuate Uterus)
Overview A uterus is usually pear-shaped and is in a straight vertical position. Many different abnormalities can occur in the shape and position of your…
Eating Meat During Pregnancy
Overview Your diet has a significant impact on your health during pregnancy and the health of your growing baby. It can be a challenge to…
Choroid Plexus Cysts
Overview The choroid plexus is a tissue in your baby’s brain that produces cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds your baby’s brain and spinal cord. In a…
Omega 3 and Fish Oil Supplements During Pregnancy
Overview Omega 3 fatty acids, especially DHA, are vital during pregnancy. Your body cannot make omega 3s, and you must get them from your diet…
Fetal Growth Percentiles
Overview During your pregnancy, your doctor or midwife will measure your baby based on estimates of their size relative to your due date. These values…
Eating Fish During Pregnancy
Overview One of the best food sources for DHA and omega 3s is fish. DHA is one type of omega 3 that is critical for…
Communicating With Your Doctor or Midwife
Overview A recurring issue I hear about from many expecting moms is that you are getting pushback from your care providers on your prenatal care…
Prescription vs. Over the Counter Prenatal Vitamins
Overview Prenatal vitamins are an essential part of your health during your pregnancy for both you and your baby. Trying to compare brands and ingredients…
Umcka (Homeopathic Remedy for Cold & Flu)
Overview When you are pregnant, your immune system is lowered. This sounds like a negative thing, but this helps ensure that your body doesn’t reject…
Itchy Palms & Obstetric Cholestasis
Overview Obstetric cholestasis is a rare complication during pregnancy caused by a reduced flow of bile down the bile ducts in the liver, which causes…
Aspirin During Pregnancy
Overview Preeclampsia is essentially high blood pressure during pregnancy. High blood pressure can damage arteries, which can lead to severe complications. There has been some…
Vaccines 0-24 Months, Individual Vaccines
Overview Making informed decisions on whether or not to vaccinate your child involves weighing the risks of the disease the vaccine prevents with the risks…
Stuffy Nose & Pregnancy Rhinitis
Overview Rhinitis is irritation or inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose. When this happens during pregnancy, it is termed pregnancy rhinitis. The main…
Vaccines 0-24 Months, an Overview
Overview Vaccines are recommended from birth up through adulthood. When a vaccine is introduced into your system, you create antibodies against the disease. If your…
Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (Pelvic Girdle Pain)
Overview During pregnancy, the hormone relaxin causes your ligaments to relax and become loose. This is helpful for birth because it increases your range of…
Homeopathy & Arnica Montana
Overview Arnica Montana is a flowering plant from Europe used in homeopathic medicine for centuries to treat pain and swelling. Homeopathy is based on the…
Get a Head Start on Parenting
Overview The first year of your baby’s life goes by so fast, and so much of your focus is on sleeping, breastfeeding, eating, and just…
Is a Home Doppler Safe?
Overview A home Doppler is a device that uses Doppler ultrasound waves to allow you to listen to your baby’s heartbeat during your pregnancy. These…
Anterior Placenta
Overview Ideally, your baby is head down and facing your spine when you go into labor. The location of your placenta during pregnancy may have…
Nuchal Hand & Compound Presentations
Overview A nuchal hand is one of several compound presentations where an extremity is alongside the presenting part of your baby at birth. With a…
Circumcision
Overview Circumcision can be a very controversial topic and a very confusing one. Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin from a penis, and it…
Do I really need a written birth plan?
Overview The process you go through to create your birth plan, which includes educating yourself and working with your care provider, is fundamental to get…
Postpartum Healing Pads (Padsicles)
Overview It is common to have some discomfort in your vaginal area and perineum after having a baby. This can come along with an episiotomy…
Cabbage Leaves
Overview It has long been rumored that cabbage leaves remedy breast engorgement and dry up your milk supply. It is thought that the phytoestrogen property…
Pregnancy Dental Care
Overview Dental care during your pregnancy may not be the most glamorous topic, but it is an important one. Your body does some wacky things…
Sushi
Overview There are a lot of rules about what you can and cannot eat during pregnancy. Sushi is on the list of foods to be…
Second Time Mom
Overview Whether this is your first pregnancy and you are planning on more children, or this is your second or third time around, many things…
Fentanyl
Overview Fentanyl is an opiate that can decrease the intensity of contractions but will not numb the feeling entirely as an epidural could. Opiates will…
Zika
Overview The infection caused by the Zika virus typically isn’t a big deal. The issue is not a risk to you. Even if you are…
Folate and Folic Acid
Overview During pregnancy, or even before if you are trying to conceive, you should take a prenatal vitamin or supplement with folate or folic acid….
Pudendal Nerve Block
Overview A pudendal nerve block is an injection of an anesthetic that works to block the pudendal nerve. This nerve goes into two branches, one…
Evening Primrose Oil
Overview Evening primrose oil comes from seeds of a wildflower that grows in the United States. It is usually found in capsules or as an…
Induction
Overview Rupturing the membranes refers to breaking your water, also known as an amniotomy, which is one type of induction. This procedure is thought to…
Natural Hospital Birth
Overview If you want to have a natural birth, that does not mean that you have to home birth. The majority of natural births take…
Placenta Previa
Overview The placenta grows wherever the embryo implants itself in the uterus. In the majority of pregnancies, the placenta attaches at the top or side…
VBAC
Overview In the past, it was assumed once you had one cesarean section, every subsequent birth would also need to be via a cesarean section….
Single Umbilical Artery
Overview The umbilical cord has one vein, which carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to your baby, and two arteries that take deoxygenated blood from…
C-section Suture Methods
Overview Cesarean section uterine incisions can be closed either with a single layer or a double layer of sutures. In the 1990s, the single-layer technique…
Midwife or OBGYN?
Overview Should you see a Midwife or OBGYN? Your care provider is the cornerstone of your prenatal care, and choosing the right one can make…
Preparing for Breastfeeding
Overview You can do a lot to prepare for breastfeeding before you have your baby and some straightforward steps you can take during your pregnancy. …
Hypnobirthing
Overview Hypnobirthing is a practice that uses calming and relaxation techniques to create a calm, positive birth experience. This is a fantastic tool you need…
Bringing Baby Home, Troubleshooting
Overview We are continuing on the topic of bringing baby home and tackling some troubleshooting. Many things can come up with a newborn, and the…
Bringing Baby Home, The First Few Days
Overview Bringing a baby home is exciting, but it can also be a little nerve-racking when you are not sure what you can expect. The…
Preparing for Baby
Overview Some people feel like they have been planning their whole life for a baby, and others may feel like they are flying by the…
Birth Classes, Why You Should Take One
Overview Would you run a marathon without any training? No, of course not. That would be crazy. Labor is a marathon. It is one of…
Your birth plan is more than a document you hand out when you go into labor. Creating and writing your birth plan is a great way to get really clear on the birth experience you want. Here are some resources to help you along the way.
See Vanessa's Birth Plan
Want a copy of my birth plan? Although my preferences may not be right for you, you can use my birth plan as an example of how yours can be structured and worded. Click here to get a copy.
Episodes on Creating Your Birth Plan
Q&A: Is a Birth Plan Really Necessary?
Is a birth plan really necessary, or is it just one more thing to stress about during pregnancy? In this episode, we answer a listener’s…
Why Birth Plans Fail
Overview A birth plan is much more than a piece of paper you hand to your care provider. A birth plan is a process you…
Why You Need a Backup Plan
Overview This podcast covers a lot about preparing for the birth experience you want. If you listen to this podcast, you are educated about labor…
Fear of Things Not Going as Planned
Overview It is common for expecting moms, especially the first time around, to have some fear about birth and fear that things will not go…
One Page Birth Plan
Overview Writing your birth plan is an integral part of preparing for the birth experience you want and getting clear about your preferences. One of…
Do I really need a written birth plan?
Overview The process you go through to create your birth plan, which includes educating yourself and working with your care provider, is fundamental to get…
A Step by Step Guide to Creating and Writing Your Birth Plan
This book walks you through step-by-step, showing you exactly how to create a birth plan that will lay the foundation for the birth experience you want. You will find short sections with evidence-based information to help you decide your preferences from starting labor until you are home with your baby. There are sample plans for everything from home birth to a planned cesarean and everything in between, so this book has you covered no matter what type of birth you are planning. Plus, the master template includes everything you could include in your birth plan, and it is super quick and easy to customize to fit your preferences.
More information on the book, including a preview, can be found here.
The 40 Weeks podcast has a short five-minute episode for each week of pregnancy. Learn what is going on with your body and your baby each week, plus get a tip for your partner. Available everywhere you listen to audio.
Weeks 1-2
Welcome to weeks one and two of your pregnancy. Listen Now You measure pregnancy in the weeks leading up to the birth of your baby….
Week 3
Welcome to week 3. This is the week of ovulation and fertilization. Listen Now Baby Week three is really when the journey of your baby…
Week 4
Welcome to week 4. 36 weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your baby is the size of a poppy seed this week. Believe it or…
Week 5
Welcome to week 5. 35 weeks to go! Listen Now Baby This week your poppy seed-sized baby has grown to about the size of an…
Week 6
Welcome to week 6. 34 weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your little apple seed-sized baby has grown to be about the size of a…
Week 7
Welcome to week 7. 33 weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your little sweat pea is now the size of a small blueberry. They measure…
Week 8
Welcome to week 8. You are 20% of the way there! Listen Now Baby At about .6 inches (1.6 cm), your baby has graduated from…
Week 9
Welcome to week 9. 31 more weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your baby has graduated from an embryo and is now officially called a…
Week 10
Welcome to week 10. 30 more weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your little grape-sized baby has grown to the size of a kumquat this…
Week 11
Welcome to week 11. 29 more weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your little kumquat-sized baby is roughly the size of a strawberry this week….
Week 12
Welcome to week 12, the last week of the first trimester. 28 more weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your little strawberry-sized baby is now…
Week 13
Welcome to week 13. This is the start of the second trimester. Listen Now Baby Your little plum is now about the size of a…
Week 14
Welcome to week 14. 26 weeks to go! Listen Now Baby This week your little lemon is now about the size of a peach. From…
Week 15
Welcome to week 15. 25 weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your baby peach grows in week 15 to about the size of an apple….
Week 16
Welcome to week 16 and the end of your fourth month. 24 weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your little apple is growing, and this…
Week 17
Welcome to week 17. 23 weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your avocado-sized baby is growing this week to the size of a pear. Your…
Week 18
Welcome to week 18. 22 weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your pear-sized baby is growing to about the size of a bell pepper this…
Week 19
Welcome to week 19. 21 weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your little bell pepper is growing to about the size of a mango this…
Week 20
Welcome to week 20. You are halfway there! Listen Now Baby This week your baby’s growth rate accelerates. Your little mango is growing to about…
Week 21
Welcome to week 21 and the second half of your pregnancy. 19 weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your little sweet potato is growing to…
Week 22
Welcome to week 22. 18 weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your banana-sized baby is growing to the size of a papaya this week. Your…
Week 23
Welcome to week 23. 17 weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your little papaya-sized baby is getting bigger this week and will be about the…
Week 24
Welcome to week 24. 16 weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your baby is growing from a grapefruit last week to the size of an…
Week 25
Welcome to week 25. 15 weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your baby is growing from an ear of corn last week to the size…
Week 26
Welcome to week 26. 14 weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Last week your baby was the size of an acorn squash. This week they…
Week 27
Welcome to week 27. This is the last week of the second trimester. 13 weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your baby that was the…
Week 28
Welcome to week 28, the start of the final and third trimester. Listen Now Baby Your baby that was the size of a cabbage last…
Week 29
Welcome to week 29. Only 11 weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your baby eggplant is growing this week to the size of a cauliflower….
Week 30
Welcome to week 30. You are 75% of the way there! Listen Now Baby Your little cauliflower-sized baby is growing this week to the size…
Week 31
Welcome to week 31. Only nine weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your broccoli-sized baby is growing this week and is about the size of…
Week 32
Welcome to week 32. Only eight weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your asparagus-sized baby is growing to about the size of a cantaloupe. Your…
Week 33
Welcome to week 33. Only seven weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your cantaloupe-sized baby is growing to about the size of a butternut squash….
Week 34
Welcome to week 34. Only six weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your baby was as big as a butternut squash last week and is…
Week 35
Welcome to week 35. Only five weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your baby is growing from the size of a pineapple last week to…
Week 36
Welcome to week 36. Only one more month to go! Listen Now Baby Your baby is growing from a spaghetti squash to about the size…
Week 37
Welcome to week 37. Only three weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your baby was the size of a bunch of romaine lettuce and is…
Week 38
Welcome to week 38. Only two weeks to go! Listen Now Baby Your baby, who was as big as a canary melon, is growing to…
Week 39
Welcome to week 39. Only one more week to go! Listen Now Baby Your mini watermelon-sized baby is almost ready to make its debut into…
Week 40
Welcome to week 40. Your due date is here! Congratulations, you are almost there. Listen Now Baby Your baby was about the size of a…
Week 41
If you are still pregnant, welcome to week 41. You get to meet your baby any day now. Listen Now Baby Do not stress out…
Week 42
Welcome to week 42 and the last week of your pregnancy. Listen Now Baby It looks like your baby wants to take its time getting…