Pregnancy Podcast

Getting sunburned is never fun, and anything that can make you uncomfortable during pregnancy isn’t good. There is a big difference between a mild sunburn and a severe sunburn and different symptoms that come along with each. There are also some skin issues in pregnancy that sun exposure can make worse. Plus, some women find their skin is more sensitive during pregnancy, which could have you more sensitive to sun exposure. This episode answers a listener question and covers how to protect your skin from getting sunburned, how to treat a sunburn, how a sunburn can affect you and your baby during pregnancy.

Show notes: http://pregnancypodcast.com/sunburn

Thank you to Aeroflow for sponsoring this episode. Aeroflow is a company that helps you get a breast pump through your health insurance. There can be some hoops to jump through to get a breast pump through your insurance but Aeroflow does all of this for you and makes it so easy. All you need to do is fill out a form that takes just a minute and they will contact your health insurance company and work out all the details, then they will get in touch with you to help you choose the right breast pump. To get started on ordering your pump go to http://pregnancypodcast.com/breastpump/

Thank you to Zahler for their support of this episode. Zahler makes a high quality prenatal vitamin that has the active form of folate, that I refer after all of the research I have read on folic acid, plus it has omega 3s and DHA. This is the prenatal vitamin I take and the one I recommend. Zahler was very generous and gave me a promo code I can share with you so you can save 25% off when you buy a month supply on Amazon. To order them today go to http://amzn.to/2nOuFVB and enter the promo code PREPOD25 when you checkout.

It took 9 months for your body to get to where it is after birth, and your body has been through a lot. There is so much societal pressure to get back in shape. Give yourself time and have some compassion for all of the amazing things your body has done. Especially in the first few weeks after birth you are healing and your focus should be you and your baby, not getting back into shape. There are a lot of products you can wear that are marketed as a way to return to your pre-pregnancy body faster with a lot of claims that they promote healing and weight loss. These garments go by a lot of different names like pregnancy shape wear, belly wrap, belly binder, postpartum girdle, or support belts. Brands vary and there are a lot of different styles, but overall the idea behind all of these is the same. The big question is, do they really work? This episode digs into all of the marketing claims and talks about the evidence, or lack of evidence to back up these claims. If you do decide you would like to try a postpartum girdle there are tips for finding the right one and an evaluation of the top selling products available.

Show notes: http://pregnancypodcast.com/episode94/

Thank you to Aeroflow for sponsoring this episode. Aeroflow is a company that helps you get a breast pump through your health insurance. There can be some hoops to jump through to get a breast pump through your insurance but Aeroflow does all of this for you and makes it so easy. All you need to do is fill out a form that takes just a minute and they will contact your health insurance company and work out all the details, then they will get in touch with you to help you choose the right breast pump. To get started on ordering your pump go to http://pregnancypodcast.com/breastpump/

Thank you to Zahler for their support of this episode. Zahler makes a high quality prenatal vitamin that has the active form of folate, that I refer after all of the research I have read on folic acid, plus it has omega 3s and DHA. This is the prenatal vitamin I take and the one I recommend. Zahler was very generous and gave me a promo code I can share with you so you can save 25% off when you buy a month supply on Amazon. To order them today go to http://amzn.to/2nOuFVB and enter the promo code PREPOD25 when you checkout.

Ideally your baby settles in a head down position in the third trimester. Some babies do not get into the head down position and are breech. A breech baby can present some challenges with a vaginal birth and unfortunately it has become common practice is U.S. hospitals to have a scheduled cesarean for a breech baby. Many moms who have a breech baby towards the end of their pregnancy will try all kinds of ideas to get their babies to flip. One of the popular methods is acupuncture, which is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine. When this practice is applied to a woman whose baby is breech, it involves an additional technique called moxibustion. In this practice, an herb is burned near a specific acupuncture point on your smallest toe. This is thought to help stimulate blood flow to your uterus and promote your baby getting in a head down position. This episode looks at the research and answers a listener question about how safe or how effective acupuncture is to reposition a baby.

Show notes: http://pregnancypodcast.com/acupuncture/

Thank you to Aeroflow for sponsoring this episode. Aeroflow is a company that helps you get a breast pump through your health insurance. There can be some hoops to jump through to get a breast pump through your insurance but Aeroflow does all of this for you and makes it so easy. All you need to do is fill out a form that takes just a minute and they will contact your health insurance company and work out all the details, then they will get in touch with you to help you choose the right breast pump. To get started on ordering your pump go to http://pregnancypodcast.com/breastpump/

Thank you to Zahler for their support of this episode. Zahler makes a high quality prenatal vitamin that has the active form of folate, that I refer after all of the research I have read on folic acid, plus it has omega 3s and DHA. This is the prenatal vitamin I take and the one I recommend. Zahler was very generous and gave me a promo code I can share with you so you can save 25% off when you buy a month supply on Amazon. To order them today go to http://amzn.to/2nOuFVB and enter the promo code PREPOD25 when you checkout.

Your blood type is something that is determined by your genes, and until you need a blood transfusion your blood type doesn’t really have any affect on your health. If you get a blood transfusion it is important to match the donors blood type with your blood type so your body does not reject it. Having Rh negative blood isn’t a concern until pregnancy. If you are Rh negative, and your baby is Rh positive then you have an Rh incompatibility. This means that there is a mismatch between the blood of you and the blood of your baby. When your Rh negative blood is exposed to your baby’s Rh positive blood, your blood reacts by producing antibodies that can attack and destroy your baby’s Rh positive blood cells. To avoid the complications that come along with this rho(D) immune globulin, commonly referred to by the brand name RhoGAM, is given at various points during your pregnancy or after birth. This episode explores all of the risks, benefits, and considerations surrounding Rh compatibility with your baby and the rho(D) immune globulin or RhoGAM shot.

Show notes: http://pregnancypodcast.com/episode93/

Thank you to Aeroflow for sponsoring this episode. Aeroflow is a company that helps you get a breast pump through your health insurance. There can be some hoops to jump through to get a breast pump through your insurance but Aeroflow does all of this for you and makes it so easy. All you need to do is fill out a form that takes just a minute and they will contact your health insurance company and work out all the details, then they will get in touch with you to help you choose the right breast pump. To get started on ordering your pump go to http://pregnancypodcast.com/breastpump/

Thank you to Zahler for their support of this episode. Zahler makes a high quality prenatal vitamin that has the active form of folate, that I refer after all of the research I have read on folic acid, plus it has omega 3s and DHA. This is the prenatal vitamin I take and the one I recommend. Zahler was very generous and gave me a promo code I can share with you so you can save 25% off when you buy a month supply on Amazon. To order them today go to http://amzn.to/2nOuFVB and enter the promo code PREPOD25 when you checkout.

It is common to have loose stools and a bowel movement shortly before your labor starts. This happens because your body releases prostaglandins that are going to help soften your cervix. Prostaglandins can also stimulate your bowels, which can cause loose stools or diarrhea. One theory is this helps empty your bowels prior to labor starting. What about having a bowel movement during your labor? For many expecting moms the thought of pooping during labor is terrifying and embarrassing, but it shouldn’t be. The truth is that it is not a big deal. This episode answers a question from a listener about pooping during labor, if it happens to everyone, and whether you can avoid it.

Thank you to Aeroflow for sponsoring this episode. Aeroflow is a company that helps you get a breast pump through your health insurance. There can be some hoops to jump through to get a breast pump through your insurance but Aeroflow does all of this for you and makes it so easy. All you need to do is fill out a form that takes just a minute and they will contact your health insurance company and work out all the details, then they will get in touch with you to help you choose the right breast pump. To get started on ordering your pump go to http://pregnancypodcast.com/breastpump/

Thank you to Zahler for their support of this episode. Zahler makes a high quality prenatal vitamin that has the active form of folate, that I refer after all of the research I have read on folic acid, plus it has omega 3s and DHA. This is the prenatal vitamin I take and the one I recommend. Zahler was very generous and gave me a promo code I can share with you so you can save 25% off when you buy a month supply on Amazon. To order them today go to http://amzn.to/2nOuFVB and enter the promo code PREPOD25 when you checkout.

It is extremely important to stay hydrated during your labor and birth, and if you are dehydrated it will affect your labor. You can become lethargic and have a lack of energy, and your uterus is going to have a hard time contracting efficiently, which can slow down or stall your labor. There are three ways you can stay hydrated during your labor, by drinking fluids, receiving fluids from an IV, or a combination of the two. IV is short for intravenous, and IV fluids are delivered via a needle directly into a vein.

In U.S. hospitals it is common practice to routinely use IV fluids during labor, especially if you receive other interventions like an epidural or Pitocin. The benefit of being given IV fluids is that you stay hydrated during labor. This intervention also comes along with risks that can impact you, your baby, and even breastfeeding. Whether or not you plan to receive IV fluids during your birth, it is still a good idea to drink fluids during your labor. There are some tips and guidelines on what fluids are best to drink during labor and how you can ensure you stay hydrated during your labor. This episode covers the benefits of staying hydrated during your labor, how you can stay hydrated by drinking fluids, and the benefits and risks of IV fluids during labor.

Show notes: http://pregnancypodcast.com/episode92/

Thank you to Aeroflow for sponsoring this episode. Aeroflow is a company that helps you get a breast pump through your health insurance. There can be some hoops to jump through to get a breast pump through your insurance but Aeroflow does all of this for you and makes it so easy. All you need to do is fill out a form that takes just a minute and they will contact your health insurance company and work out all the details, then they will get in touch with you to help you choose the right breast pump. To get started on ordering your pump go to http://pregnancypodcast.com/breastpump/

Thank you to Zahler for their support of this episode. Zahler makes a high quality prenatal vitamin that has the active form of folate, that I refer after all of the research I have read on folic acid, plus it has omega 3s and DHA. This is the prenatal vitamin I take and the one I recommend. Zahler was very generous and gave me a promo code I can share with you so you can save 25% off when you buy a month supply on Amazon. To order them today go to http://amzn.to/2nOuFVB and enter the promo code PREPOD25 when you checkout.

Deciding whether to have your child or children attend the birth of a sibling is a very personal choice. Expecting moms fall all over the spectrum on this from not being able to imagine a birth without their other children present to not even willing to consider the idea. If you do have an older child or older children there are a lot of considerations you can take into account when deciding whether to have them present at your birth. If you ultimately do decide to include siblings there are many things you can do to plan ahead and prepare your child for a positive experience for everyone.

Show notes: http://pregnancypodcast.com/sibling/

Thank you to Aeroflow for sponsoring this episode. Aeroflow is a company that helps you get a breast pump through your health insurance. There can be some hoops to jump through to get a breast pump through your insurance but Aeroflow does all of this for you and makes it so easy. All you need to do is fill out a form that takes just a minute and they will contact your health insurance company and work out all the details, then they will get in touch with you to help you choose the right breast pump. To get started on ordering your pump go to http://pregnancypodcast.com/breastpump/

Thank you to Zahler for their support of this episode. Zahler makes a high quality prenatal vitamin that has the active form of folate, that I refer after all of the research I have read on folic acid, plus it has omega 3s and DHA. This is the prenatal vitamin I take and the one I recommend. Zahler was very generous and gave me a promo code I can share with you so you can save 25% off when you buy a month supply on Amazon. To order them today go to http://amzn.to/2nOuFVB and enter the promo code PREPOD25 when you checkout.

For the last half century it has been a common rule in hospitals that you could not eat or drink during labor. The main reason women were originally discouraged from eating during labor isn’t as relevant now and a lot of research does not support policies limiting food during labor. In the past few years, this rule has improved to allow drinking clear liquids, but not every doctor is on board with eating during labor. In contrast, women who give birth at a birth center or at home are encouraged to eat during labor. By looking at the energy requirements of your body during labor, and the evidence to support why you should or should not eat, you can decide what is going to be the best course of action for you as you plan your birth. Get evidence based information on eating during labor and tips to fuel your body so you do not run out of energy during your birth.

Show notes: http://pregnancypodcast.com/episode91/

Thank you to Aeroflow for sponsoring this episode. Aeroflow is a company that helps you get a breast pump through your health insurance. There can be some hoops to jump through to get a breast pump through your insurance but Aeroflow does all of this for you and makes it so easy. All you need to do is fill out a form that takes just a minute and they will contact your health insurance company and work out all the details, then they will get in touch with you to help you choose the right breast pump. To get started on ordering your pump go to http://pregnancypodcast.com/breastpump/

Thank you to Zahler for their support of this episode. Zahler makes a high quality prenatal vitamin that has the active form of folate, that I refer after all of the research I have read on folic acid, plus it has omega 3s and DHA. This is the prenatal vitamin I take and the one I recommend. Zahler was very generous and gave me a promo code I can share with you so you can save 25% off when you buy a month supply on Amazon. To order them today go to http://amzn.to/2nOuFVB and enter the promo code PREPOD25 when you checkout.

Writing your birth plan is an important part of preparing for the birth experience you want and getting really clear on what your preferences are. One of the recommendations when writing your plan is to limit it to one page. There are several reasons to make your birth plan one page, both for you and your care provider. This episode addresses an email from a listener who is having trouble narrowing down her birth plan, explains why your birth plan should be a maximum of one page, and tips to narrow your birth plan down and focus on what is most important for the birth you want.

Show notes: http://pregnancypodcast.com/onepagebirthplan/

Thank you to Aeroflow for sponsoring this episode. Aeroflow is a company that helps you get a breast pump through your health insurance. There can be some hoops to jump through to get a breast pump through your insurance but Aeroflow does all of this for you and makes it so easy. All you need to do is fill out a form that takes just a minute and they will contact your health insurance company and work out all the details, then they will get in touch with you to help you choose the right breast pump. To get started on ordering your pump go to http://pregnancypodcast.com/breastpump/

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, was first used as a labor analgesic in 1881. Today it is commonly used as a labor analgesic in countries like Great Britain, Canada, and Australia. Nitrous oxide is not as common in the United States, and this is changing as it is becoming more widely available in both hospitals and birth centers. A benefit of using nitrous oxide is that it can easily be incorporated in a natural or a low intervention birth. During labor it is administered by breathing a mixture of 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen, which you time with your contractions to manage their intensity. Nitrous oxide induces feelings of euphoria, and creates a disassociation with discomfort of contractions. This episode dives into everything you need to know about nitrous oxide, and the risks and benefits of using it during labor and birth.

Show notes: http://pregnancypodcast.com/episode90/

Thank you to Aeroflow for sponsoring this episode. Aeroflow is a company that helps you get a breast pump through your health insurance. There can be some hoops to jump through to get a breast pump through your insurance but Aeroflow does all of this for you and makes it so easy. All you need to do is fill out a form that takes just a minute and they will contact your health insurance company and work out all the details, then they will get in touch with you to help you choose the right breast pump. To get started on ordering your pump go to http://pregnancypodcast.com/breastpump/