This episode discusses the importance of nutrition for new mothers who are recovering from giving birth and potentially breastfeeding. A nutrient-dense diet can help new mothers recover, rebalance hormones, support milk production, and provide energy. Traditional cultures offer warm, soft, and digestible foods to nourish new mothers, as these foods are believed to be easier to digest and promote circulation. We also revisit balanced meals, which you can listen to in our balancing meals episode for more. Rather than counting calories, new mothers should listen to their body's hunger cues and nourish themselves with healthy meals and snacks. 

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In this episode we go over optimal hydration methods, tips and tricks to ensure you are hydrated for recovery as well as breastfeeding success. We go over what to hydrate with as well as what to avoid! Hydration success is crucial for healing and breastfeeding assistance so be sure to listen to this episode for the best tips! 

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Today's podcast episode is dedicated to a very special cause: Black Maternal Health Week. This week runs annually from April 11-17 and aims to amplify the voices of Black mothers and healthcare providers, highlighting the specific issues within the Black community when it comes to pregnancy and postpartum care.

This topic is especially crucial in the United States, where maternal health rates continue to deteriorate overall and racial disparities persist as they did in the 1930s. America is one of only 13 countries where pregnancy-related deaths are on the rise. 

Unfortunately, preconception and pregnancy have different outcomes for Black women. For example, the World Health Organization deems fertility a woman’s right, but in the United States, Black women are more likely to have damaged fallopian tubes leading to higher rates of infertility. The likelihood of damaged fallopian tubes also means it is more common among Black women to experience ectopic pregnancies, which can be dangerous and life-threatening. As a result, early care is critical for Black women to confirm that their pregnancy is viable and safe.

It is also more common for Black women to experience preeclampsia, a high blood pressure diagnosis that can lead to preterm birth. And while breastfeeding is recommended for all newborns, current statistics show that Black women have the lowest prevalence of breastfeeding compared to all other racial ethnic groups. Breastfed infants are less likely to experience asthma, respiratory infections, diabetes, and obesity. Therefore, the disparity in breastfeeding rates among Black women is a missed opportunity to improve health disparities among this population.

During this episode, we will discuss Black maternal health and how to advocate for Black women. While policy and education can affect change, advocating for oneself is critical. We'll also highlight some of the best resources on this topic, such as Black Mamas Matter, Natal Stories, Family Advocacy Support Centre, and Future Ancestors Services.

Let us continue to shine a light on Black maternal health and advocate for the Black community, not just during Black Maternal Health Week, but always.

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The new bundle of joy has arrived! We are all so excited to see the miracle that has been growing inside of mom’s belly for 9 months. But did you know that this time is especially sacred for the new family? For the growing family? There is so much to navigate in those early days of postpartum as a mother, as a supportive partner, as a sibling. So if you want to visit the new baby, give this episode a listen to ensure that your visit is not a burden but a blessing. There are so many ways you can help in this period and still get your snuggle in. Give this episode a listen and pick at least 2 things you are going to do when visiting and then share this episode with anyone else you know who is going to visit mom too. This episode is full of tips for friends and family visiting new mothers and their babies. It will be especially helpful for those visiting during the newborn phase, as there is much for new moms to adapt to. Overall, this episode serves as a guide for how to be a supportive and helpful visitor during a special and fleeting time.

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OVRY is a company redefining reproductive care essentials offering pregnancy tests, ovulation tests and male fertility tests. 

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You and everyone in your life is so excited for your little ones arrival! But you may not have given a lot of thought to what those first few days will realistically and hopefully look like. This episode is a prompt to encourage you to think about what you (and your partner!) are expecting and hoping out of those initial days. Here at Bitesized we believe that your first forty days are sacred and an important family bonding time, so we hope that you taking some time to determine who is allowed in that space and what is expected of them and yourself is worth it! We hope you and your partner find value in this as well as send it on to those in your circle who could value from this are they may be entering this stage soon too! 

Check out Raising Humans Co for all your starting solids essentials! ⁠https://bit.ly/raisinghumansxbitesized⁠

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OVRY is a company redefining reproductive care essentials offering pregnancy tests, ovulation tests and male fertility tests. 

Code BITESIZED10 for 10% off

Why choose Ovry? 

Check out Needed to find your prenatal today: ⁠neededcreator.pxf.io/bitesizedxneeded⁠

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Many doctors will tell you than pelvic and joint pain in pregnancy and postpartum is normal, and while it is “normal” it should be standard! There is so much you can do to support your body through this and there are professionals you can engage to assist you in strengthening your body. Not only can a nutritionist recommend foods to support the tissues in your body as well as the hormones that may be causing the pain, but you can also seek assistance from a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist who can do an internal exam and address the symptoms you might be seeing like urine incontinence, painful periods, fear of sex after birth and so much more! Tune into this episode for some more wisdom. 

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Check out Raising Humans Co for all your starting solids essentials! ⁠https://bit.ly/raisinghumansxbitesized⁠

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OVRY is a company redefining reproductive care essentials offering pregnancy tests, ovulation tests and male fertility tests. 

Code BITESIZED10 for 10% off

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Check out Needed to find your prenatal today: ⁠neededcreator.pxf.io/bitesizedxneeded⁠

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While many are concerned about the birth of the baby, you should also be concerned about the birth of the mother. This unique and miraculous transition also causes some intense changes for the mother as her body goes through an incredible physical feat and now she continues to change. This is just a small insight into what those early days might look like, what to expect and why there are so many terms! What is the difference between Fourth Trimester, Postpartum and the First Forty Days? Listen to find out! 

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OVRY is a company redefining reproductive care essentials offering pregnancy tests, ovulation tests and male fertility tests. 

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Did you know that most hospitals will discourage eating during labor but that the research shows that nourishment during labor has actually been proven to aid in the delivery? While hospitals continue to delay updates to policy to ensure the mother is properly taken care of, it is up to you to be educated about what might actually serve you best as the “patient”. Your body is prepared and you should not be afraid to say no to the policies in place. Today we go over what your body might need in terms of food and hydration in each stage of labor, what that might look like and the things you’ll need on hand to ensure you can listen to your needs and meet them! Be sure to listen to this episode and head to the instagram page for easily saveable posts to help you remember! 

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OVRY is a company redefining reproductive care essentials offering pregnancy tests, ovulation tests and male fertility tests. 

Code BITESIZED10 for 10% off

Why choose Ovry? 

Check out Needed to find your prenatal today: ⁠neededcreator.pxf.io/bitesizedxneeded⁠

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Ensuring you are going to have the most supportive people around you is key for birth and postpartum! There are a few rings of support to consider. Your first ring is choosing your primary care provider. In Canada, you have the choice of an OB, an OBGYN or a midwife. This is going to be the lead person on your team. Beyond that there are secondary care providers throughout this experience such as nutrition consultants, lactation specialists, doulas, pelvic floor physiotherapists and more. These are the professionals you’ll want to engage throughout your journey to supports you with any symptoms you might be having, help you be successful in your with baby, or support you in birth or any issues that may arise throughout. Allie is a doula at Moon Child Doula, and today she shares why you might want to engage a doula to support you during your pregnancy, birth or postpartum.

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OVRY is a company redefining reproductive care essentials offering pregnancy tests, ovulation tests and male fertility tests. 

Code BITESIZED10 for 10% off

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Check out Needed to find your prenatal today: ⁠neededcreator.pxf.io/bitesizedxneeded⁠

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While we truly hope and pray that your primary care provider is going to explain to you what to expect in labor, the harsh reality is that some care providers are just not that thoughtful. At Bitesized we want to empower you with knowledge, not only about nutrition, but also understanding the physiology of your body during these times. We believe the more you know, the more you can advocate for yourself and understand what you might need when you’re experiencing it, rather than trying to figure it out on the fly. Knowing that labor has many stages and not only does it affect your dilation, but it affects your mood and your reliance on your birth team. So understanding that will help you feel more prepared when making your birth plan.

Check out Raising Humans Co for all your starting solids essentials! ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/raisinghumansxbitesized⁠⁠

Check out OVRY: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/ovryxbitesized⁠⁠

OVRY is a company redefining reproductive care essentials offering pregnancy tests, ovulation tests and male fertility tests. 

Code BITESIZED10 for 10% off

Why choose Ovry? 

Check out Needed to find your prenatal today: ⁠⁠neededcreator.pxf.io/bitesizedxneeded⁠⁠

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