Podcasts · Kids & Family

Pregnancy Podcast

Vanessa Merten

100 episodes

A resource to support expecting moms (and partners, too!) with evidence-based information to navigate the awesome adventure of pregnancy, birth, and being a new parent. Vanessa Merten provides evidence based info that goes way beyond the typical "pregnancy instruction manual". Every episode is designed to give you all of the evidence, research, pros, cons, risks, and benefits – all so you decide what the best option is for YOU and feel confident about your decisions during your pregnancy and beyond. The show covers everything from pregnancy to caring for a newborn. Topics include prenatal care, labor, natural birth, hospital birth, cesarean birth, preparing for your baby, breastfeeding, postpartum, and caring for a new baby. This is your evidence-based resource to help you make informed decisions about your pregnancy and your baby.

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  1. Focusing on What Matters Most in Pregnancy

    · 29 min · S11 E80

    Finding out you are pregnant is one of the most exciting times of your life, but it can also feel like a lot. There are endless choices to make, and many of them involve gathering information, weighing options, or…

  2. Q&A: Should Your Baby Get the Hepatitis B Vaccine at Birth?

    · 30 min · S11 E79

    One of the first decisions you will make as a new parent is whether to vaccinate your newborn against hepatitis B. The first dose of this vaccine is recommended within 24 hours of birth, and most babies receive it…

  3. The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Baby Name

    · 46 min · S11 E18

    A name is something your child will carry with them for life. It is a reflection of identity, culture, and sometimes family history. With endless options, pressures from family and friends, and trends that come and go,…

  4. Happy Mother's Day

    · 3:20 · S10 E20 · Bonus

    Happy Mother's Day! Whether you are expecting your first baby, already have kids, or listen to this podcast because you help support new moms, I hope you feel celebrated today. I want to thank you for being a part of…

  5. Choosing (or Changing) Your Doctor or Midwife

    · 32 min · S10 E18

    Your care provider is the cornerstone of your prenatal care and birth experience. You will work with this expert resource throughout pregnancy to make critical decisions. Choosing your care provider is more nuanced…

  6. Pros and Cons of Erythromycin Eye Ointment for Your Newborn

    · 22 min · S10 E16

    Administering erythromycin eye ointment to newborns is a standard procedure in the United States to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum. Ophthalmia neonatorum is a newborn eye infection that affects 1-2% of newborns in the…

  7. Options To Make a Cesarean More Mom- And Baby-Friendly

    · 30 min · S10 E14

    In the United States, one in three babies is born via cesarean. Every expecting mother should be knowledgeable about cesarean birth, even if that is not your primary birth plan. As cesarean births have become more…

  8. What to Expect in a Cesarean Birth

    · 37 min · S10 E13

    A cesarean section, also known as a C-section, is a surgical procedure to deliver a baby through incisions in the mother's abdomen and uterus. You and your doctor may plan a cesarean birth if you have a complication…

  9. Optimal Labor Positions for a Shorter and Easier Birth

    · 32 min · S10 E12

    For most of human history, a mother in labor was free to move around and change positions at will, with the most common positions being upright. In the mid-1600s, obstetricians started putting mothers on their backs.…

  10. Your Options for the Third Stage of Labor

    · 32 min · S10 E11

    The third stage of labor starts after your baby is born and ends with birthing the placenta. Even after your beautiful baby is born your uterus will continue to contract. These contractions are generally more mild than…

  11. Can Eating Dates Naturally Induce Labor and Shorten Duration?

    · 25 min · S10 E10

    Dates are the fruit of the date palm tree. While dates are high in sugar, they also contain nutrients like fiber, potassium, magnesium, iron, and vitamin B6. There are many claims about the health benefits of eating…

  12. Prenatal Yoga, Recommendations and What to Avoid

    · 24 min · S10 E9

    Many studies demonstrate the benefits of yoga during pregnancy, from reducing time in labor to improving newborn outcomes. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that modified yoga is one of the…

  13. Strength Training and Lifting Weights During Pregnancy

    · 25 min · S10 E8

    Research has firmly established that strength and resistance training benefits physical and mental health. Lifting weights may be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about strength training. This can…

  14. Cardio Exercise During Pregnancy (Running, Walking, Swimming, and more)

    · 36 min · S10 E7

    Cardio is any workout in which you elevate your heart rate. Many exercises fall under the umbrella of cardio. This includes walking, hiking, running, biking, rowing or elliptical machines, dancing, playing sports, or…

  15. Fourth Trimester Planning Ahead

    · 47 min · S10 E5

    The most significant adjustment period is the first three months after your baby is born. In reality, recovering from birth takes longer for many new parents. You are healing and navigating how to care for yourself and…

  16. Fourth Trimester What to Expect

    · 46 min · S10 E4

    During pregnancy, you focus on your health, baby, and planning for birth. Many expecting moms often overlook what happens after birth and what they may experience postpartum. Your body needs time to recover after nine…

  17. Third Trimester Overview

    · 42 min · S10 E3

    Week 28 until your baby's birth, around 40 weeks, is the last stretch until you meet your baby. This episode covers everything you need to know to navigate the third trimester. Your baby undergoes many changes this…

  18. Second Trimester Overview

    · 37 min · S10 E2

    Weeks 13 to 27 of your pregnancy tend to be the favorite period for many expecting moms. This episode covers everything you need to know to navigate the second trimester. Your belly will start showing, and you can feel…

  19. First Trimester Overview

    · 44 min · S10 E1

    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…

  20. Getting Sick During Pregnancy (Colds, Flu, and COVID-19)

    · 41 min · S9 E45

    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…

  21. Preventing and Treating Fevers During Pregnancy

    · 29 min · S9 E44

    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…

  22. Boosting Your Immune System During Pregnancy

    · 49 min · S9 E43

    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…

  23. Supporting Your Immune System During Pregnancy

    · 29 min · S9 E42

    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…

  24. Crafting a Positive Body Image During Pregnancy and Motherhood

    · 36 min · S9 E41

    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…

  25. Placenta Encapsulation: The Evidence on the Risks and Benefits

    · 34 min · S9 E40

    The thought of eating your placenta might gross you out at first, but once you hear about some of the fantastic benefits women claim it has, you might be willing to consider it. This is not another podcast solely…

  26. Troubleshooting Sleep Issues During Pregnancy and as a New Parent

    · 46 min · S9 E39

    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…

  27. Evidence-Based Tips to Improve Your Sleep

    · 38 min · S9 E38

    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…

  28. Pain Management Options for Labor

    · 51 min · S9 E37

    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…

  29. Birth Interventions Overview

    · 55 min · S9 E36

    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…

  30. Hydration and Drinking Water

    · 38 min · S9 E35

    Staying hydrated is crucial to help your overall health. Water makes up around 60% of your total body weight, and every cell needs water to function. Staying hydrated enables you to regulate body temperature, aids in…

  31. Understanding Your Care Team from Pregnancy to Postpartum

    · 33 min · S9 E34

    This episode examines your care team during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Your primary care provider is the cornerstone of your prenatal care and birth experience. In addition to your doctor or midwife, many other…

  32. Your Guide to Prenatal Testing

    · 53 min · S9 E33

    Your pregnancy journey starts with a positive pregnancy test. That is the first of many tests offered throughout your prenatal care. Some tests diagnose conditions you may have during pregnancy, and others look for…

  33. Guide to Pregnancy Safe Skin Care

    · 37 min · S9 E32

    Think about everything you put on your skin and hair, from when you step in the shower to when you step out your front door. We use a ton of products every single day: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, shaving cream,…

  34. Do You Really Need a Doula?

    · 32 min · S9 E31

    A doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical, and educational support to a mother and her birth partner during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. They do not have any formal medical…

  35. Getting Your Dog Ready for Your New Baby

    · 1 h 30 min · S9 E30

    If you have a dog, you may be wondering what you should be doing during pregnancy to get your dog ready for your baby on the way. The good news is there are simple steps you can take to prepare your dog for a…

  36. Guide to Bottle Feeding and Infant Formula

    · 48 min · S9 E29

    Even if you plan to breastfeed exclusively, there is value in learning about bottles and formula if you decide or need to incorporate them to feed your baby at some point. You will use a bottle to feed your baby if you…

  37. Success Strategies for Pumping Breastmilk and Building a Stash

    · 51 min · S9 E28

    Breast milk is liquid gold. It is so valuable and amazing that scientists cannot reproduce it in a lab, and only you can make it. Your body perfectly formulates your milk for your baby, and pumping allows you to…

  38. Troubleshooting Common Breastfeeding Issues

    · 42 min · S9 E27

    Your newborn is hard-wired to breastfeed and is born with instincts to help them latch right after birth. Despite these instincts, breastfeeding doesn't always come naturally or go perfectly right from the start. In…

  39. Mastering the Basics of Breastfeeding

    · 43 min · S9 E26

    A lot of moms expect breastfeeding to come naturally, and that is not the case for many new mothers. Despite all the evidence supporting breastfeeding, most parents supplement or switch to infant formula within the…

  40. Five Essential Questions to Navigate Procedures & Interventions

    · 25 min · S9 E25

    You will have many opportunities to opt in or out of interventions in your pregnancy, birth, or with your newborn. You always have options when it comes to your prenatal care and birth as long as you know what your…

  41. Navigate Your Prenatal Care with Confidence

    · 36 min · S9 E24

    Your doctor or midwife is your trusted partner and has the education and experience to guide you through all the intricacies of pregnancy and birth. You can expect to have somewhere around 14 appointments throughout…

  42. Ensuring Optimal Vitamin D Levels for You and Your Baby

    · 37 min · S9 E23

    Vitamin D is sometimes referred to as a hormone because the activated forms are hormones. You utilize this essential vitamin in nearly all parts of your body. Vitamin D is crucial for absorbing other nutrients like…

  43. Benefits of Water During Pregnancy (Pools, Hot Tubs, Baths, and Float Tanks)

    · 25 min · S9 E22

    If you enjoy the water, you don't have to give it up when you are pregnant. Enjoying the water can be a great workout, relaxing, and even therapeutic. Along with the benefits, there are also risks you need to be…

  44. Labor Signs and the Start of Labor

    · 24 min · S9 E21

    When you have made it through most of your pregnancy and are in the final stretch, you enter the waiting game of waiting to go into labor. This can be nerve-racking for two reasons. First, you do not know when you will…

  45. Pregnancy Crash Course for Dads and Partners

    · 43 min · S9 E20

    Finding out that you will be a parent is super exciting but can also be intimidating, especially for dads and partners. Most of what people know about having a baby is from movies or what they have heard from friends.…

  46. Nutrition and the Evidence on Popular Diets During Pregnancy

    · 44 min · S9 E19

    Whatever your long-term goals for weight or health, you have one priority when you are pregnant – to ensure you and your baby are healthy. What you eat plays a significant role in this. While a lot of research is…

  47. Protecting Your Mental Health (Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression)

    · 36 min · S9 E18

    As soon as most expecting mothers hear the words postpartum depression, they tune out and skip over this topic. If you have never experienced depression, it is the last thing you think you need to know about,…

  48. Guide to Sun Exposure and Tanning During Pregnancy

    · 33 min · S9 E17

    The sun emits UV radiation which comes with both evidence-based benefits and risks. On a positive note, UVB light allows your body to make vitamin D. The downside of UV light exposure is that it damages the DNA in your…

  49. Stress and Anxiety During Pregnancy

    · 44 min · S9 E16

    We all deal with some level of stress daily. Pregnancy can be a time of additional stress as you are experiencing many physical changes and preparing for birth and a new baby. In a sense, everything you expose yourself…

  50. Introduction to the Pregnancy Podcast

    · 5:58 · Trailer

    In this short episode you get a quick rundown of everything you can expect from Vanessa Merten and the Pregnancy Podcast. The Pregnancy Podcast is a resource to support expecting moms (and partners, too!) with…

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