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 none of it sticks. Pregnancy brain is one of the most talked-about symptoms of pregnancy and one of the least understood. This episode covers what researchers actually find when they test memory and thinking during pregnancy. Learn why this feels more dramatic than what researchers can actually measure, and how long it lasts. Importantly, find out why pregnancy brain looks less like a decline and more like an upgrade. Plus, practical strategies that target what pregnancy brain affects.

Full article and resources for this episode: https://pregnancypodcast.com/pregnancybrain/

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Join thousands of expecting parents who stay up to date with the latest pregnancy news, new episode alerts, exclusive offers, and more: https://pregnancypodcast.com/newsletter

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Follow your pregnancy week-by-week with the 40 Weeks podcast. Learn how your baby grows, what's happening in your body, what to expect at prenatal appointments, and get tips for dads and partners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/week

Find more evidence-based information on the Pregnancy Podcast website: https://pregnancypodcast.com

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 stop. If you have gone looking for guidance on weaning, you have probably found long lists of reasons not to quit and anxiety-inducing articles about everything that can go wrong. Breastfeeding is amazing, but every mom will reach a point when she is ready to stop. When you reach that point, you should have access to evidence-based, judgment-free support. This episode is here to take the anxiety out of stopping breastfeeding. We cover when to wean, how to do it gradually and comfortably, how to lower your risk of complications, and how to handle the emotions that can come with closing this chapter. Plus, I will share the slightly ridiculous trick I used with both of my babies that made weaning so much easier.

Full article and resources for this episode: https://pregnancypodcast.com/weaning/

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Join thousands of expecting parents who stay up to date with the latest pregnancy news, new episode alerts, exclusive offers, and more: https://pregnancypodcast.com/newsletter

Save with discounts and deals available for Pregnancy Podcast listeners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/resources

Follow your pregnancy week-by-week with the 40 Weeks podcast. Learn how your baby grows, what's happening in your body, what to expect at prenatal appointments, and get tips for dads and partners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/week

Find more evidence-based information on the Pregnancy Podcast website: https://pregnancypodcast.com

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, fewer than one in three babies is still exclusively breastfed. Researchers across many countries have examined why mothers supplement with formula or wean before their baby's first birthday, and the same themes come up again and again. This episode walks through the top five reasons moms stop breastfeeding early and, more importantly, what you can do to avoid these issues so you can reach your own breastfeeding goals.

Full article and resources for this episode: https://pregnancypodcast.com/stopbreastfeeding/

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Join thousands of expecting parents who stay up to date with the latest pregnancy news, new episode alerts, exclusive offers, and more: https://pregnancypodcast.com/newsletter

Save with discounts and deals available for Pregnancy Podcast listeners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/resources

Follow your pregnancy week-by-week with the 40 Weeks podcast. Learn how your baby grows, what's happening in your body, what to expect at prenatal appointments, and get tips for dads and partners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/week

Find more evidence-based information on the Pregnancy Podcast website: https://pregnancypodcast.com

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 builds your milk supply comes down to a few simple things you can control. This episode breaks down how milk production actually works, how to gauge your supply accurately, and why so many mothers worry they are not making enough when they truly are. You will learn practical ways to establish breastfeeding in the first days and weeks, and find out how to increase your supply if you need to. We also dig into the evidence on galactagogues, the foods, herbs, and medications marketed to boost supply, so you know what the research really shows. Plus, we cover oversupply and the substances that can decrease how much milk you make.

Full article and resources for this episode: https://pregnancypodcast.com/milksupply/

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Join thousands of expecting parents who stay up to date with the latest pregnancy news, new episode alerts, exclusive offers, and more: https://pregnancypodcast.com/newsletter

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Follow your pregnancy week-by-week with the 40 Weeks podcast. Learn how your baby grows, what's happening in your body, what to expect at prenatal appointments, and get tips for dads and partners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/week

Find more evidence-based information on the Pregnancy Podcast website: https://pregnancypodcast.com

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 breasts. From the first tender, swollen weeks through the months you spend breastfeeding, your breasts go through a major transformation. Some of these breast changes during pregnancy are visible, like growth, darker areolas, and more prominent veins. Others are internal as your body builds the machinery to feed your baby. Learn exactly what to expect, why each change happens, and how to manage symptoms like sensitivity, leaking, and stretch marks. The more you understand what your body is doing, the easier it is to replace worry with appreciation for how hard your body is working to prepare for your baby.

Full article and resources for this episode: https://pregnancypodcast.com/breast/

Get More from the Pregnancy Podcast

Join thousands of expecting parents who stay up to date with the latest pregnancy news, new episode alerts, exclusive offers, and more: https://pregnancypodcast.com/newsletter

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Follow your pregnancy week-by-week with the 40 Weeks podcast. Learn how your baby grows, what's happening in your body, what to expect at prenatal appointments, and get tips for dads and partners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/week

Find more evidence-based information on the Pregnancy Podcast website: https://pregnancypodcast.com

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 is usually normal and nothing to worry about. However, it can occasionally signal something more serious, like preeclampsia or a blood clot. This episode explains why swelling during pregnancy happens, what you can do to prevent and treat it, and the warning signs that mean you should call your doctor or midwife. We also cover related issues like carpal tunnel and varicose veins, why swelling can actually get worse right after birth, how to handle swelling when you travel, and why so-called water pills are not the answer.

Full article and resources for this episode: https://pregnancypodcast.com/swelling/

Get More from the Pregnancy Podcast

Join thousands of expecting parents who stay up to date with the latest pregnancy news, new episode alerts, exclusive offers, and more: https://pregnancypodcast.com/newsletter

Save with discounts and deals available for Pregnancy Podcast listeners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/resources

Follow your pregnancy week-by-week with the 40 Weeks podcast. Learn how your baby grows, what's happening in your body, what to expect at prenatal appointments, and get tips for dads and partners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/week

Find more evidence-based information on the Pregnancy Podcast website: https://pregnancypodcast.com

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 is almost always lower back pain, and it falls into one of three categories: lumbar spine pain, posterior pelvic pain, or a combination of the two. It is incredibly common, and the likelihood only goes up as your pregnancy progresses. Still, common does not mean you have to suffer through it. This episode breaks down why back pain happens during pregnancy, how to prevent it, and the evidence-based tools and treatments that can bring you relief, from simple daily habits to hands-on therapies and medication considerations.

Full article and resources for this episode: https://pregnancypodcast.com/backpain/

Get More from the Pregnancy Podcast

Join thousands of expecting parents who stay up to date with the latest pregnancy news, new episode alerts, exclusive offers, and more: https://pregnancypodcast.com/newsletter

Save with discounts and deals available for Pregnancy Podcast listeners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/resources

Follow your pregnancy week-by-week with the 40 Weeks podcast. Learn how your baby grows, what's happening in your body, what to expect at prenatal appointments, and get tips for dads and partners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/week

Find more evidence-based information on the Pregnancy Podcast website: https://pregnancypodcast.com

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 breaks down healthy pregnancy weight gain, including where the guidelines come from, how much weight is recommended for your body, and where all that weight actually goes. We will examine what the research shows, including the fact that most women do not gain within the recommended ranges. You will learn why lifestyle changes have a smaller effect than you might expect. Hear why the number on the scale is only one small piece of your health, and what you should actually focus your energy on.

Full article and resources for this episode: https://pregnancypodcast.com/weightgain/

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Join thousands of expecting parents who stay up to date with the latest pregnancy news, new episode alerts, exclusive offers, and more: https://pregnancypodcast.com/newsletter

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Follow your pregnancy week-by-week with the 40 Weeks podcast. Learn how your baby grows, what's happening in your body, what to expect at prenatal appointments, and get tips for dads and partners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/week

Find more evidence-based information on the Pregnancy Podcast website: https://pregnancypodcast.com

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 vitamin D from sunlight. There is evidence that the sun lifts your mood. Getting exposure to sunlight at the right times of day even helps your sleep. On the flip side, UV light damages the DNA in your skin cells, which raises your risk of skin cancer and speeds up aging. Pregnancy hormones can also change your skin and how it reacts to the sun. This episode walks through sun safety during pregnancy so you can enjoy the benefits while protecting yourself and your baby. Find out how to pick a pregnancy-safe sunscreen, what to know about tanning beds and sunless tanners, and what is considered safe sun exposure for your newborn.

Full article and resources for this episode: https://pregnancypodcast.com/sun/

Get More from the Pregnancy Podcast

Join thousands of expecting parents who stay up to date with the latest pregnancy news, new episode alerts, exclusive offers, and more: https://pregnancypodcast.com/newsletter

Save with discounts and deals available for Pregnancy Podcast listeners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/resources

Follow your pregnancy week-by-week with the 40 Weeks podcast. Learn how your baby grows, what's happening in your body, what to expect at prenatal appointments, and get tips for dads and partners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/week

Find more evidence-based information on the Pregnancy Podcast website: https://pregnancypodcast.com

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 that they do not know what to do. They feel useless, or like there is nothing for them to help with. That could not be further from the truth. There is so much a partner can do during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, and your role matters more than you might think. This episode walks through your partner's role at every stage and the many practical, evidence-based ways they can support you and your baby. Whether you are a partner who wants to be more involved or a mom hoping to get your partner on the same page, you will come away with a clear idea of how to navigate this together.

Full article and resources for this episode: https://pregnancypodcast.com/partnerrole/

Get More from the Pregnancy Podcast

Join thousands of expecting parents who stay up to date with the latest pregnancy news, new episode alerts, exclusive offers, and more: https://pregnancypodcast.com/newsletter

Save with discounts and deals available for Pregnancy Podcast listeners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/resources

Follow your pregnancy week-by-week with the 40 Weeks podcast. Learn how your baby grows, what's happening in your body, what to expect at prenatal appointments, and get tips for dads and partners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/week

Find more evidence-based information on the Pregnancy Podcast website: https://pregnancypodcast.com