True Birth

By Dr. Yaakov Abdelhak & Kristin Mallon, RN, CNMMedicine Health & Fitness Education

True Birth episodes

March 21, 2022 Fetal Echocardiograms: Detailed Ultrasounds of the Fetal Heart. Episode #87
The fetal echocardiogram is a targeted ultrasound that is used to examine the fetal heart in more detail than a standard anatomy ultrasound. This test is typically performed after the 18th week of gestation by a highly trained sonographer and is do in addition to a routine anatomy ultrasound. This test can be utilized to determine the structure and the function of the fetal heart and gives a better imaging of any inconclusive or insufficient readings on a standard test.
This episode explores the benefits of fetal echos and who needs them and why.

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Our practice website can be found at:

Maternal Resources: https://www.maternalresources.org/

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39 min
March 14, 2022 Precipitous Labor & Delivery: Episode #86
Precipitous labor is labor that is rapid, usually 3 hours or less from start to finish. This episode is a follow up to a previous episode with some new insights.

To some, precipitous labor may sound like a great idea because the labor can be over very quickly, but it can be associated with other complications. In this episode, we review the risk factors, the potential risks and how to spot who may be more susceptible to having a rapid labor.

We'd love to hear your feedback.

Our practice website can be found at:

Maternal Resources: https://www.maternalresources.org/

Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Please consider leaving us a review on iTunes

Our Social Channels are as follows

Twitter: https://twitter.com/integrativeob YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/maternalresources IG: https://www.instagram.com/integrativeobgyn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntegrativeOB

30 min
March 10, 2022 How to Calculate Your Due Date: Episode #85
All the different ways to calculate and accurate due date in a pregnancy. How to utilize the calender, ovulation and ultrasound technologies to determine when is the best estimated due date.

Due dates are in some ways misleading because most babies are not born on their due dates. In some cases, it could be more accurate to give a due range rather than an acutal date. Nonetheless, due dates are essential in planning for the safe management and delivery of babies in the world today. So, what is the best method to calcuate your baby's due date?

For most pregnancies, the best estimate of the delivery date is cacluated using a reliable last menstrual period (LMP) and confirming that date with an ultrasound as close to 8 weeks as possible. The problem with last menstrual periods, is that the cacluation of the due date assumes a patient has 28 day cycles and ovulated on the 14th day. We now know that there can be a wide range of normal variation when it comes to ovulation time in a month and also menstrual cycle lengths. This is why a first trimester ultrasound is often used to confim a due date calucated using a last menstrual period alone.

In this epsiode, our True Birth experts discuss how to most accurately cacluate the due date, other methods of calcuating the date such as conception date and quickening and why it's improtant to have an accurate date.

We'd love to hear from you and get your feedback. Send us a topic that you'd like us to revew! Reach out to us on www.truebirthpodcast.com

Our practice website can be found at:

Maternal Resources: https://www.maternalresources.org/

Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Please consider leaving us a review on iTunes

Our Social Channels are as follows

Twitter: https://twitter.com/integrativeob YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/maternalresources IG: https://www.instagram.com/integrativeobgyn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntegrativeOB

22 min
March 07, 2022 Macrosomia: Large for Gestational Age Infants: Episode #84
Macrosomia refers to a fetus larger than 4000 to 4500 grams (or 9 to 10 pounds) at birth. About 9% of infants are born macrosomic and there is a wide variation of size by country.

When a baby is large or even too large for vaginal birth, there can be several complications (maternal, fetal and neonatal) that can arise. Maternal complications can include: slowed or stopped labor, an increase in instrumentation at birth (forceps or vaccum), an increase in cesarean birth, an increase in lacerations along the genital tract, postpartum hemorrhage or even uterine rupture.

Fetal complications can include shoulder dystocia or even stillbirth. Neonatal complications include high sugar after birth, respiratory problems and even minor birth defects can be found all leading to an increase in NICU admissions after birth.

In this episode, our True Birth experts discuss everything about macrosmia from complications to causes and prevention strategies. Find out all you need to know about macrosomia on this True Birth Podcast.

We'd love to hear your feedback. You can reach us on our website at www.truebirthpodcast.com

Our practice website can be found at:

Maternal Resources: https://www.maternalresources.org/

Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Please consider leaving us a review on iTunes

Our Social Channels are as follows

Twitter: https://twitter.com/integrativeob YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/maternalresources IG: https://www.instagram.com/integrativeobgyn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntegrativeOB

43 min
March 03, 2022 Pubic Symphysis Pain in Pregnancy: Episode #83
Pubic symphysis pain which is also known as symphysis pubis dysfunction refers to symptoms a patient feels when the joint between the left and right pelvic bones allows for more movement than usual.
This is a common discomfort in pregnancy due to the increase in the relaxation and increased mobility of the of the ligaments surrounding the pelvis. Unfortunately, this can cause a lot of pain in the pregnancy. In this episode, the causes and remedies are reviewed for pubic symphysis pain.

We'd love to hear your feedback.

Our practice website can be found at:

Maternal Resources: https://www.maternalresources.org/

Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Please consider leaving us a review on iTunes

Our Social Channels are as follows

Twitter: https://twitter.com/integrativeob YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/maternalresources IG: https://www.instagram.com/integrativeobgyn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntegrativeOB

16 min
February 28, 2022 Fibroids in Pregnancy: Episode #82
Uterine fibroids, also known as uterine leiomyomas are benign smooth muscle tumors found in or around the uterus. Fibroids are common in women of childbearing age and many women will have no symptoms. Fibroids usually have a minimal effect on the pregnancy, but they can sometimes be associated with fertility concerns and some pregnancy concerns. While many women have no symptoms and may never even know they have a fibroid, pain is usually the most commonly reported symptoms. There is a slightly increased risk of obstetric complications, such as miscarriage, preterm labor and delivery, fetal malpresentation, and placental abruption which are all discussed in this episode of True Birth.

We'd love to hear your feedback.

Our practice website can be found at:

Maternal Resources: https://www.maternalresources.org/

Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Please consider leaving us a review on iTunes

Our Social Channels are as follows

Twitter: https://twitter.com/integrativeob YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/maternalresources IG: https://www.instagram.com/integrativeobgyn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntegrativeOB

36 min
February 24, 2022 Interesting Case #3: A Pregnancy with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Episode #81
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a very rare, autoimmune disorder in which the immune system damages the nerves, causing muscle weakness, paralysis and pain. The symptoms can last for a few weeks to several years, yet most will make a full recovery. Occasionally, some people with GBS will have permanent nerve damage.
In this interesting case, the patient was early in the pregnancy and presented with weakness and numbness that progressed to full paralysis. Dir. Abdelhak explains her progress through the pregnancy and journey from the NJ healthcare system to the MAYO clinic and back. Through it all, the pregnancy was a source of light and hope. Listen in to find out how it all unfolded.

We'd love to hear your feedback.

Our practice website can be found at:

Maternal Resources: https://www.maternalresources.org/

Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Please consider leaving us a review on iTunes

Our Social Channels are as follows

Twitter: https://twitter.com/integrativeob YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/maternalresources IG: https://www.instagram.com/integrativeobgyn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntegrativeOB
30 min
February 21, 2022 Gestational Diabetes: When the diagnosis happens in pregnancy: Episode #80
Gestational diabetes or diabetes in pregnancy diabetes during pregnancy. This podcast will focus primarily on the type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. Thoses with pregestational diabetes or diabetes that comes before the pregnacy begins result in diffrent management strageties and carry different risks.

Our practice website can be found at:

Maternal Resources: https://www.maternalresources.org/

Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Please consider leaving us a review on iTunes

Our Social Channels are as follows

Twitter: https://twitter.com/integrativeob YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/maternalresources IG: https://www.instagram.com/integrativeobgyn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntegrativeOB

53 min
February 17, 2022 Listener Mail. Episode #79
We've compiled all your emails and answered them in this listener mail episode.

Our practice website can be found at:

Maternal Resources: https://www.maternalresources.org/

Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Please consider leaving us a review on iTunes

Our Social Channels are as follows

Twitter: https://twitter.com/integrativeob YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/maternalresources IG: https://www.instagram.com/integrativeobgyn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntegrativeOB
22 min
February 10, 2022 Varicose Veins in Pregnancy: Episode #77
Varicose veins are a farily common and benign finding in prengnacy. While these types of veins are not harmful, they can be unsightly and uncomfortable. Lower extremity, anorectal, and vulvar varicosities are different types of varicose veins that can be seen and not much can be done to prevent them.

Varicose veins are also very common where as much as 50% of pregnant people experience this type of dilation of the superficial veins. These varicosities can become visible anytime during pregnancy but are most common in the third trimester.

In this episode, Dr. Yaakov Abdelhak & Kristin Mallon review varicose veins and what to do about them.

Our practice website can be found at:

Maternal Resources: https://www.maternalresources.org/

Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Please consider leaving us a review on iTunes

Our Social Channels are as follows

Twitter: https://twitter.com/integrativeob YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/maternalresources IG: https://www.instagram.com/integrativeobgyn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntegrativeOB

19 min

About True Birth

From the publisher's feed

Helping women have better births and better birth experiences. Our experts share their perspectives on pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. These are raw, honest stories about the experience of labor from the professional's point of view. Listen and get inside your OB/GYN or midwife's head.