A Practical Guide to Creating Your Birth Plan
Pregnancy Podcast
A birth plan is a document that outlines your preferences for labor and what happens immediately after your baby’s birth. A birth plan is much more than a piece of paper you hand to your care provider. It is the process you go through to prepare for your desired birth experience. This process will lay the foundation for preparing you for scenarios where everything goes exactly as planned and for what should happen if it does not. The value of a birth plan has more to do with the process of creating it than with the finished product. This simple process will help you navigate your labor and...
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Going into Birth with Confidence
Pregnancy Podcast
It is completely normal to feel nervous about giving birth, especially with so many unknowns about how labor will unfold. Research shows that fear of birth can affect your experience, but you are not powerless against it. In this episode, you will learn how to identify what is driving your anxiety, filter out unhelpful influences, and use simple, effective tools to feel more grounded and prepared. We will cover ways to reframe your mindset, build confidence through education and planning, and talk through common fears so you can approach birth with greater calm and confidence. Full article and...
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Q&A: Worried About Pooping During Labor?
Pregnancy Podcast
There are many things that can happen during pregnancy and birth that might feel embarrassing in other settings, but are normal parts of having a baby. The possibility of pooping during labor is one of these topics. This episode addresses a listener’s questions about how common this really is and why it occurs. You will learn whether there’s anything you can do to prevent it and what the pros and cons are of methods often suggested to avoid it. We also discuss potential benefits and how exposure to fecal matter during birth may influence your baby’s gut microbiome. Full article and...
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Getting Sick During Pregnancy and Finding Safe Relief
Pregnancy Podcast
Getting sick can feel especially tough when you're pregnant. Unfortunately, during pregnancy, you're more vulnerable to illnesses like colds, the flu, and COVID-19. This episode helps you understand what kind of illness you might have, how to treat your symptoms safely, and when to reach out to your doctor or midwife. Learn how these viruses spread, what symptoms to watch for, and how to distinguish between common cold, pregnancy rhinitis, or strep throat. Find out about evidence-based, non-medical strategies to ease symptoms. Hear about research on homeopathic remedies like Umcka and herbal...
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The Science of Gratitude in Pregnancy
Pregnancy Podcast
Gratitude is something most of us feel instinctively, but does science actually back up the benefits? This episode explores the research on gratitude, including how it affects emotional well-being, relationships, stress, and even physical health. Hear about studies focused specifically on practicing gratitude during pregnancy and simple, evidence-based ways to build gratitude into your daily routine. Whether pregnancy has been smooth or challenging, gratitude can be a powerful tool to help you feel more grounded and supported. Full article and resources for this episode: Get More from the...
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Supporting and Boosting Your Immune System During Pregnancy
Pregnancy Podcast
How the immune system works, how it shifts during pregnancy, and what those changes mean for staying healthy. Learn why the most effective way to support your immune system begins with the core foundations of your health. The episode also examines the evidence on popular immune-support supplements and remedies, including vitamins, probiotics, antioxidants, echinacea, elderberry, and medicinal mushrooms. Plus, how to make sense of all the options so you can determine which supplements may be worth considering and when it makes sense to talk with your doctor or midwife about targeted support....
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Hypertension and the Hidden Risk Beyond Your Blood Pressure Checks
Pregnancy Podcast
Some fluctuations in blood pressure during preganncy are expected, but hypertensive disorders are one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal mortality worldwide. This includes chronic or gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, HELLP, and eclampsia. High blood pressure during pregnancy can place significant stress on your heart and kidneys leading to heart and kidney disease and stroke. It also increases the risk of preterm birth, placental abruption, and cesarean. Plus, it can reduce blood flow to the placenta and limit the oxygen and nutrients available to your baby. Most...
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Q&A: Common Questions About Prenatal Vitamins
Pregnancy Podcast
You probably know that taking a prenatal vitamin during pregnancy is important, but there’s more to it than just that simple advice. I’ve received a lot of questions recently, including: When should you start taking a prenatal vitamin? Is a prenatal really that different from a multivitamin? What can you do if you have trouble swallowing pills or experience nausea? And how long should you continue taking one after having your baby? Tune in to this episode to get answers to these essential questions and more, and ensure you and your baby are getting the right nutrients at the right time....
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The Research on Stress During Pregnancy and How to Manage It
Pregnancy Podcast
We all experience some level of stress in daily life. Pregnancy can be a period of additional stress as you are experiencing many physical changes and symptoms, and are mentally preparing for birth and a new baby. In a sense, everything you expose yourself to during pregnancy can also affect your baby, and stress is not an exception. Physiological changes that occur when you are stressed can affect your developing baby, and high levels of stress may increase the risk of certain complications. The extent to which you and your baby are affected depends on your stress response and your ability to...
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Q&A: Why Do Birthmarks Happen?
Pregnancy Podcast
Birthmarks are one of those little mysteries that many babies are born with. Some are tiny and faint, while others are more noticeable and change over time. In this episode, we explore why birthmarks happen, the different types you might see, and what they can tell you about how your baby’s skin develops. From pigmented spots to vascular marks like hemangiomas and port-wine stains, you’ll learn what causes them, why some fade and others don’t, and when it’s worth mentioning them to your pediatrician. Full article and resources for this episode: Thank you to the brands that power this...
info_outlineLabor and birth are powerful, life-changing experiences, and pain is often one of the biggest concerns for expecting parents. In this episode, we reframe your perspective on labor pain by exploring why childbirth is challenging, how evolution has equipped us with adaptations, and what actually happens during each stage of labor. Learn the role of hormones, your baby’s contribution to the birth process, and the limitations of pain research. Also learn about the many factors that can influence your perception of pain, like support, environment, and positions, and the medical and non-medical interventions available to manage it. By the end of this episode, you will have a new perspective to help you feel prepared, capable, and confident as you approach your birth.
Full article and resources for this episode: https://pregnancypodcast.com/pain/
Thank you to the brands that power this podcast:
Zahler goes above and beyond to use high-quality bioavailable ingredients like the active form of folate, bioavailable iron, and omega 3s. The Zahler Prenatal +DHA is my #1 recommendation for a high-quality prenatal vitamin. In the month of September 2025, save 30% off the Zahler Prenatal +DHA on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2tFOBgb with the code PREPOD30 and email your order number to vanessa@pregnancypodcast.com for a free silicone baby bib. You can always see the details and the current promo code for the Zahler prenatal vitamin at https://pregnancypodcast.com/vitamin/
The Pregnancy Survival Kit from 8 Sheep Organics includes a set of four handcrafted products that help with common pregnancy pains like pregnancy insomnia, restless legs, lower back and hip pains, leg cramps, swollen and achy legs and feet, and stretch marks. All 8 Sheep products come with a 100-day Happiness Guarantee. You can try it completely risk-free for 100 days! If you feel they have not worked for you, or if you’re not 100% happy with your purchase, simply send them an email and they will get you a refund, no questions asked. For a limited time only, you can get the 8 Sheep Pregnancy Survival Kit at $30 off, with free shipping within the US. Plus, save an additional 10% off at https://pregnancypodcast.com/8sheep/
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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
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