Pregnancy Pearls

Placental encapsulation involves the process of steaming, dehydrating, and grinding the placenta into a power that is then filled into capsules. Recently, there’s been a lot of talk about this topic. Check out this episode of the podcast to learn the pros and cons of placental encapsulation (based on my honest opinion). Then, you can make your decision own decision! Download and listen now!

On this week’s episode of the podcast, we got a little scholarly and learned about primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). You’re probably wondering what that is, right? Well, it’s a type of chronic liver disease that is rare but is diagnosed most often in women during their reproductive years. Check out this episode to learn more about PSC, how it affects pregnancy, and how it’s managed. Download and listen now! And let your friends know, too.

A lot of us now have higher educational and career aspirations, and that’s a great thing! So, it’s not uncommon to see people waiting until their 40s or even 50s to have children. Although age should not limit the desire to have children, there are some health considerations that should be discussed prior to conceiving. Check out this episode for the pros and cons to having babies after age 40yo and what you can do to prepare. Download and listen now!

The growth of your baby during the pregnancy is a predictor about how healthy your baby really is. But why do some babies have poor fetal growth rates and some don't? Check out this episode where we explore reasons for fetal growth restriction (aka small babies during pregnancy), what high risk physicians look for when evaluating it, and how it is managed. You'll also learn about prognosis and why some babies need to be delivered early. Download and listen now!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Unfortunately, 1:5 adults in the U.S. suffering from mental health issues, and during and after pregnancy is not an exception to this statistic. Actually, the physical impact of pregnancy compounded by lack of sleep and demands of a newborn exacerbate these diagnoses. Check out this episode of the podcast to learn about mental health issues, how they are addressed in pregnancy, and what you can do for loved ones suffering from them. Download and listen now!

In this episode, we have a little heart to heart. Some of us are making excuses for not following provider recommendations, calling it self advocacy. Asking questions, getting a second opinion, and even transferring your care are all things you SHOULD do when you feel you are not getting the answers or attention that you need. But it’s really important to follow through on recommendations. And if you don’t, be upfront and honest about not doing so and why. Check out this episode to learn tips for effective communication with your provider and the importance of being compliant. EVERYONE can benefit from this episode. Download and listen now!!

Most of prenatal care is spent trying to make sure you make it safely through pregnancy (as it should). And once you get to the delivery date, most exhale. Then you realize that you actually have to take the baby home, which will be a whole new world. Check out this episode to learn things to do to prepare for discharge and how to handle your “new” home life once you get home with your little one. You’ll also learn things to watch out for that should prompt you to go back to the hospital. This one is a MUST LISTEN!! Subscribe and download now!

On this week’s podcast episode, all your questions about what you can and can’t eat during pregnancy were answered. More importantly, during this episode, you’ll learn WHY certain foods are safe and why some should be avoided. Download and listen now to learn more. And don’t forget to share it with your friends!

Several of you have asked if having babies later in life can cause issues with your health. Pregnancy, regardless of the age, can take a toll on the body. But there are studies that show some benefit of having babies later in life… and on average, that means living longer! Check out this episode where we discuss how babies keep you living longer. I also jump straight into your questions related to being of a mature age and having kids. Download and listen now!

On last week's podcast episode, we chatted about Down syndrome, which sparked several questions about the amniocentesis procedure. So we discussed it at length during this week's podcast episode. An amniocentesis is a procedure that entails removal of amniotic fluid through introduction of a sterile needle into the uterine cavity, typically under ultrasound guidance. If you've been offered an amniocentesis during your pregnancy, want to learn about reasons they are done, or want to know more about what happens during and after the procedure, this is the episode for you. Download and listen now!