Pregnancy Podcast

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 of real frustration when you are already dealing with so much else. The good news is that there are many safe, evidence-based ways to find relief. This episode walks through why constipation happens during pregnancy, what research supports for relief, and how to navigate e...

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 experience. As cesarean births have become more common, the options available to you have expanded significantly. However, options only matter if you know they exist. If you do not know what you can ask for, you cannot advocate for it, especially when it comes t...

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 a cesarean or aiming for a vaginal birth, understanding this procedure helps you feel more confident to handle any situation. This episode explains why cesarean births happen and guides you through the process step by step. It covers anesthesia options and describes what recovery looks like both...

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 first scan in the early weeks or the anatomy scan in your second trimester, ultrasounds provide valuable information about how your baby is growing. However, many expecting parents have questions about how many ultrasounds are necessary, how accurate the measurements are, and whether ...

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 any time of day and range from mild nausea to severe vomiting. Explore the science behind its causes, including groundbreaking research on the hormone GDF15. Review a full range of evidence-based remedies, from dietary changes and supplements to acupressure and prescription medications. Plus,...

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 degree of tearing during a vaginal birth, and rates are even higher for first-time moms. The good news is that there are evidence-based strategies to reduce your risk. This episode covers what tearing is, what the different degrees mean, and what factors increase your risk. Learn about perinea...

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 feat, not everyone feels positive about the changes that come with it. Research shows that body dissatisfaction is common during and after pregnancy, and it can range from occasional negative thoughts to more serious struggles with body dysmorphia or disordered eating. This episode exp...

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 the final weeks of pregnancy affects cervical dilation, labor length, and intervention rates. This episode breaks down the research, explains the theory behind why dates may have these effects, and provides the practical details you need to decide whether it is worth trying.

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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 and have no history of depression. But baby blues and postpartum depression are common complications of birth that deserve attention during pregnancy, not after symptoms appear. The statistics are striking: baby blues affect 50-80% of new mothers, while one ...

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 extensive research on exercise during pregnancy, specific studies on strength training are limited. This episode examines what the evidence tells us about resistance training during pregnancy. You will learn how pregnancy-related changes can affect your stre...

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 modified yoga is one of the safest exercises for pregnant women. But what exactly does modified yoga mean? ACOG cautions against specific poses and hot yoga. As with any activity, there is nuance in determining which activities are safe. This episo...

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 any activity that raises your heart rate. During pregnancy, normal changes to your cardiovascular system mean your heart is working differently, which often raises questions about safety for you and your baby. Find out how pregnancy-related changes can affect cardio ...

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 examines the evidence to clarify what actually matters when exercising during pregnancy. You will learn how pregnancy-related changes can affect your workouts and how to adapt your activity safely and confidently. We cover warning signs to watch ...

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 moms, this can be a source of stress. You may find yourself craving junk food or completely turned off by healthy foods, even though they were once a normal part of your diet. This episode explains why cravings and aversions occur and how they can affect your diet. Learn what the r...

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 expecting parents, clickbait headlines can feel overwhelming or confusing. This episode breaks down how these recommendations are developed and what actually changed in the vaccine schedule. Learn how the revised recommendations influence pediatric care...

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 your pregnancy, from your prenatal care to the timing of your baby shower. This is also the most common question from friends, family, and strangers. As you get close to your due date, there can be a lot of anxiety, especially if your due date comes and goes, and you are still pregnant. This date estimat...

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 more than a piece of paper you hand to your care provider. It is the process you go through to prepare for your desired birth experience. This process will lay the foundation for preparing you for scenarios where everything goes exactly as planned and for what should happen if it does not. T...

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 birth can affect your experience, but you are not powerless against it. In this episode, you will learn how to identify what is driving your anxiety, filter out unhelpful influences, and use simple, effective tools to feel more grounded and prepared. We will cover ways to reframe your...

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 baby. The possibility of pooping during labor is one of these topics. This episode addresses a listener's questions about how common this really is and why it occurs. You will learn whether there's anything you can do to prevent it and what the pros and cons are of methods often suggested...