The first 12 weeks of your pregnancy are the most significant adjustment period. This episode covers everything you need to know to navigate the first trimester. Your baby is building organs and structures. You will experience some physical and emotional symptoms of pregnancy. Understanding common first-trimester symptoms can help you cope with some of the uncomfortable side effects of pregnancy. Learn what to expect at your first few prenatal appointments. Find out what to-do items you should work on this trimester. Plus, get tips on your partner's role and how they can support you. Read the full article and resources that accompany this episode. Check out the 40 Weeks podcast to learn how your baby grows each week and what is happening in your body. Plus, get a heads up on what to expect at your prenatal appointments and a tip for dads and partners. For more evidence-based information, visit the Pregnancy Podcast website.

Pregnancy affects every system in your body, including your immune system. It is so important to take care of your health when you are expecting. Even when you take precautions to avoid getting sick, you can get a cold, flu, or COVID-19 at some point over the nine months of your pregnancy. Being sick is never fun and can be especially challenging when pregnant. Learn how to treat symptoms safely to return to feeling healthy faster. This episode examines the evidence of non-pharmacological treatments for cold or flu symptoms and the safety of over-the-counter medications during pregnancy. This podcast is not intended as medical advice. You should discuss any symptoms with your doctor or midwife and talk to them about taking any medications, including over-the-counter medicines. Read the full article and resources that accompany this episode. Check out the 40 Weeks podcast to learn how your baby grows each week and what is happening in your body. Plus, get a heads up on what to expect at your prenatal appointments and a tip for dads and partners. For more evidence-based information, visit the Pregnancy Podcast website.

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 from those of someone who is not pregnant. Running a fever during your pregnancy can be scary. Studies have linked maternal fevers to complications like autism, neural tube defects, oral clefts, and congenital heart defects. The best way to alleviate any fears or unknowns is to educate yourself about what temperature constitutes a fever, when to call your doctor or midwife, and what to do if you get a fever during your pregnancy. Over the years, attitudes towards the use of medications like acetaminophen have evolved. While doctors have long considered this safe, more recent research raises questions about taking this over-the-counter medication during pregnancy. Read the full article and resources that accompany this episode. Check out the 40 Weeks podcast to learn how your baby grows each week and what is happening in your body. Plus, get a heads up on what to expect at your prenatal appointments and a tip for dads and partners. For more evidence-based information, visit the Pregnancy Podcast website.

The immune system is complex, and there is a lot of research on how different nutrients impact it. Before you buy any supplements, please make sure you are already prioritizing covering the basics, including eating healthy, sleep, hydration, and exercise. No amount of immune-boosting supplements or superfoods will make up for the basics you need to keep your immune system running effectively. If you have these basics in place, you may want to consider additional supplements to boost your immune system. This episode is an overview of the risks, benefits, safety, and evidence available on the ability of many vitamins, herbs, and supplements to boost your immune system during pregnancy. I could easily do an entire episode on each of the immune-boosting supplements covered here, including folate and folic acid, vitamins A, C, D, E, zinc, selenium, antioxidants, glutathione, PQQ, herbal immune support, echinacea, elderberry, probiotics, mushrooms, and choline. As always, please talk to your doctor or midwife about any supplements you consider. That includes any herbs or over-the-counter vitamins or supplements. Read the full article and resources that accompany this episode. Check out the 40 Weeks podcast to learn how your baby grows each week and what is happening in your body. Plus, get a heads up on what to expect at your prenatal appointments and a tip for dads and partners. For more evidence-based information, visit the Pregnancy Podcast website. https://pregnancypodcast.com

Your immune system keeps you healthy and helps fight off infection. The classic perspective is that pregnancy suppresses your immune system. Advancements in our understanding of the immune system during pregnancy paint a more colorful picture. We now see the placenta as an immune regulatory organ. An intricate symphony is going on in your immune system to protect you and your baby during pregnancy. A more accurate way to describe it would be that pregnancy suppresses some aspects of your immune system and enhances others. Listen to this episode to learn how to support your immune system during pregnancy. Read the full article and resources that accompany this episode. Check out the 40 Weeks podcast to learn how your baby grows each week and what is happening in your body. Plus, get a heads up on what to expect at your prenatal appointments and a tip for dads and partners. For more evidence-based information, visit the Pregnancy Podcast website.

Your body will undergo a more significant transformation during pregnancy than in any other period. Although building and growing a human is an amazing feat, not everyone is thrilled about the physical changes. There is evidence that women commonly experience body dissatisfaction during and after pregnancy. This can range from having negative thoughts to struggling with body dysmorphia or an eating disorder. Many external factors influence your thoughts, feelings, and perception of your body. The body image you internalize plays a significant role in your mental health. This episode focuses on the forces that influence body image and how you can reframe how you view your body during pregnancy and after you have your baby. Read the full article and resources that accompany this episode. Check out the 40 Weeks podcast to learn how your baby grows each week and what is happening in your body. Plus, get a heads up on what to expect at your prenatal appointments and a tip for dads and partners. For more evidence-based information, visit the Pregnancy Podcast website.

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 from birth and breastfeeding. One of the best interventions for your health, recovery, and your baby's health is to get good sleep. Unfortunately, these life stages also come with challenges to your sleep. Those challenges can be in the form of common pregnancy symptoms or a newborn who needs you at all hours of the night. The good news is that there are evidence-based tools and tips to overcome these challenges and improve your sleep. Read the full article and resources that accompany this episode. Check out the 40 Weeks podcast to learn how your baby grows each week and what is happening in your body. Plus, get a heads up on what to expect at your prenatal appointments and a tip for dads and partners. For more evidence-based information, visit the PregnancyPodcast website.

The growing body of research on sleep demonstrates the absolute necessity of sleep for every biological function. This includes learning, memory, brain function, mental health, appetite regulation, immune system function, metabolic function, gut microbiome health, and even cardiovascular health. It is well-established in the scientific literature that sleep is critical for all aspects of health, especially during pregnancy. Humans are the only species who will deliberately deprive themselves of sleep. The good news is you can take many evidence-based and straightforward steps to improve the quantity and quality of your sleep. Read the full article and resources that accompany this episode. Check out the 40 Weeks podcast to learn how your baby grows each week and what is happening in your body. Plus, get a heads up on what to expect at your prenatal appointments and a tip for dads and partners. For more evidence-based information, visit the Pregnancy Podcast website.

Your body must go through a lot of work to birth a baby. During labor, nerves send messages to your spinal cord and brain, and your brain interprets those signals into the feeling of pain. The good news is that you can access many pain relief options during labor as long as you know what those options are. The more tools you have available in your labor toolbox, the better you can manage contractions and confidently navigate your labor. Explore all of your pain management options for labor, from interventions like an epidural to non-pharmacological techniques. Read the full article and resources that accompany this episode. Check out the 40 Weeks podcast to learn how your baby grows each week and what is happening in your body. Plus, get a heads up on what to expect at your prenatal appointments and a tip for dads and partners. For more evidence-based information, visit the Pregnancy Podcast website.

An intervention is any action taken to alter the course of your labor or birth. Modern medicine is amazing, and there is no doubt that interventions have saved the lives of both mothers and babies. Although many interventions are routine, there is no one-size-fits-all. Your job is to make informed decisions based on what is best for you and your baby. Just because something is routine or suggested does not mean it is mandatory or the right choice for you. You always have options as long as you are informed and you know what those options are. This episode gives you a 10,000-foot view of the interventions that can take place during your labor and birth and tools you can use to navigate your options. Read the full article and resources that accompany this episode. Check out the 40 Weeks podcast to learn how your baby grows each week and what is happening in your body. Plus, get a heads up on what to expect at your prenatal appointments and a tip for dads and partners. For more evidence-based information, visit the Pregnancy Podcast website.