Pregnancy Podcast
Vanessa Merten
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.
Categories: Kids & Family
Listen to the last episode:
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. Thankfully, in recent years, more evidence has supported allowing a mother to choose the positions in which she labors. How your body is positioned during labor can significantly impact the discomfort of contractions, your baby’s ability to descend, the likelihood of some interventions, and even the length of your labor. Learn what positions are most helpful in specific labor stages, tools to make positions easier, and how to modify positions when birth interventions affect your mobility. Thank you to our sponsors The VTech V-Hush Pro Baby Sleep Soother has every feature you could possibly want to transform any room into a sleep sanctuary. Create ideal sleep patterns and environments for your baby, so your whole family gets better and longer sleep. The V-Hush Pro has built-in sleep programs and sleep tips from WeeSleep experts, over 200 pre-programmed stories, classical music, lullabies, and natural sounds. You can even record and upload your own voice, songs, or stories using the subscription-free app. The VTech V-Hush Pro Baby Sleep Soother is available at Walmart and Amazon. 20% off Mommy Steps or Form insoles with the promo code FEET. Studies show pregnancy can make your feet grow. In one study, 61% of participants had a measurable increase in foot length, and 22% reported going up a shoe size. The thought of going up a shoe size and having to replace every pair of shoes you own might freak you out. The good news is that wearing insoles can protect your feet from going up in size. Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. Each serving of AG1 delivers your daily dose of vitamins, minerals, pre- and probiotics, and more. It’s a powerful, healthy habit that’s also powerfully simple. (As a friendly reminder, pregnant or nursing women should seek professional medical advice before taking this or any other dietary supplement.) Read the full article and resources that accompany this episode. Join Pregnancy Podcast Premium to access the entire back catalog, listen to all episodes ad-free, get a copy of the Your Birth Plan Book, and more. 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.
Previous episodes
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543 - Optimal Labor Positions for a Shorter and Easier Birth Sun, 24 Mar 2024 - 0h
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542 - Your Options for the Third Stage of Labor Sun, 17 Mar 2024 - 0h
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541 - Can Eating Dates Naturally Induce Labor and Shorten Duration? Sun, 10 Mar 2024 - 0h
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540 - Prenatal Yoga, Recommendations and What to Avoid Sun, 03 Mar 2024 - 0h
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539 - Strength Training and Lifting Weights During Pregnancy Sun, 25 Feb 2024 - 0h
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538 - Cardio Exercise During Pregnancy (Running, Walking, Swimming, and more) Sun, 18 Feb 2024 - 0h
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537 - Exercise During Pregnancy, Recommendations and What to Avoid Sun, 11 Feb 2024 - 0h
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536 - Fourth Trimester Planning Ahead Sun, 04 Feb 2024 - 0h
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535 - Fourth Trimester What to Expect Sun, 28 Jan 2024 - 0h
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534 - Third Trimester Overview Sun, 21 Jan 2024 - 0h
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533 - Second Trimester Overview Sun, 14 Jan 2024 - 0h
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532 - First Trimester Overview Sun, 07 Jan 2024 - 0h
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531 - Getting Sick During Pregnancy (Colds, Flu, and COVID-19) Sun, 24 Dec 2023 - 0h
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530 - Preventing and Treating Fevers During Pregnancy Sun, 17 Dec 2023 - 0h
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529 - Boosting Your Immune System During Pregnancy Sun, 10 Dec 2023 - 0h
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528 - Supporting Your Immune System During Pregnancy Sun, 03 Dec 2023 - 0h
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527 - Crafting a Positive Body Image During Pregnancy and Motherhood Sun, 26 Nov 2023 - 0h
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526 - Placenta Encapsulation: The Evidence on the Risks and Benefits Sun, 19 Nov 2023 - 0h
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525 - Troubleshooting Sleep Issues During Pregnancy and as a New Parent Sun, 12 Nov 2023 - 0h
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524 - Evidence-Based Tips to Improve Your Sleep Sun, 05 Nov 2023 - 0h
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523 - Pain Management Options for Labor Sun, 22 Oct 2023 - 0h
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522 - Birth Interventions Overview Sun, 15 Oct 2023 - 0h
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521 - Hydration and Drinking Water Sun, 08 Oct 2023 - 0h
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520 - Understanding Your Care Team from Pregnancy to Postpartum Sun, 01 Oct 2023 - 0h
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519 - Your Guide to Prenatal Testing Sun, 24 Sep 2023 - 0h
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518 - Guide to Pregnancy Safe Skin Care Sun, 17 Sep 2023 - 0h
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517 - Do You Really Need a Doula? Sun, 10 Sep 2023 - 0h
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516 - Getting Your Dog Ready for Your New Baby Sun, 03 Sep 2023
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515 - Guide to Bottle Feeding and Infant Formula Sun, 27 Aug 2023 - 0h
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514 - Success Strategies for Pumping Breastmilk and Building a Stash Sun, 20 Aug 2023 - 0h
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513 - Troubleshooting Common Breastfeeding Issues Sun, 13 Aug 2023 - 0h
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512 - Mastering the Basics of Breastfeeding Sun, 06 Aug 2023 - 0h
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511 - Five Essential Questions to Navigate Procedures & Interventions Sun, 23 Jul 2023 - 0h
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510 - Navigate Your Prenatal Care with Confidence Sun, 16 Jul 2023 - 0h
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509 - Ensuring Optimal Vitamin D Levels for You and Your Baby Sun, 09 Jul 2023 - 0h
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508 - Benefits of Water During Pregnancy (Pools, Hot Tubs, Baths, and Float Tanks) Sun, 02 Jul 2023 - 0h
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507 - Labor Signs and the Start of Labor Sun, 25 Jun 2023 - 0h
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506 - Pregnancy Crash Course for Dads and Partners Sun, 18 Jun 2023 - 0h
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505 - Nutrition and the Evidence on Popular Diets During Pregnancy Sun, 11 Jun 2023 - 0h
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504 - Protecting Your Mental Health (Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression) Sun, 04 Jun 2023 - 0h
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503 - Guide to Sun Exposure and Tanning During Pregnancy Sun, 28 May 2023 - 0h
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502 - Stress and Anxiety During Pregnancy Sun, 21 May 2023 - 0h
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501 - 10 Ways to Mentally Prepare for Motherhood Sun, 14 May 2023 - 0h
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500 - Focus on What Matters and Avoid Overwhelm Sun, 07 May 2023 - 0h
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499 - Drinks To Be Cautious About During Pregnancy Sun, 23 Apr 2023 - 0h
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498 - Food Safety: Understanding the Risks and Making Informed Choices Sun, 16 Apr 2023 - 0h
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497 - What Every Mother Needs to Know About Hypertension During and After Pregnancy Sun, 09 Apr 2023 - 0h
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496 - What to Look for in a Prenatal Vitamin Sun, 02 Apr 2023 - 0h
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427 - Introduction to the Pregnancy Podcast Sat, 26 Sep 2015 - 0h