Preggie Pals: Your Pregnancy, Your Way

The process of conceiving a child is nothing short of a miracle. What exactly needs to happen in order for a woman to become pregnant? How does ovulation work and how can you use your cycle to track your fertility? How do sperm travel to the egg and how does fertilization and implantation occur? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your body is changing — growing belly, growing breasts — so your wardrobe is bound to change. So, how do you adapt to all these changes without breaking the bank? What are some essential pieces you can use during and after pregnancy? Do you have to buy everything new? What about buying gently used clothing from second hand stores or borrowing from friends? Plus, we'll discuss the benefits of renting maternity clothes that perfectly fit you during each trimester! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you’re giving birth naturally, or planning for an epidural, it’s all starts with having a birth plan. What elements should you include in your plan? How many pages should it be? How should you present it to your healthcare provider? Making these decisions in advance will help you create the best birth experience possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Frequent trips to the bathroom? You're not alone. But, what if your ability to control your bladder after pregnancy was greatly reduced? It happens to many women and unfortunately it's just not discussed enough to embarrassment and misinformation. Today, we're breaking down those barriers and taking an honest look on how pregnancy and labor and delivery can impact urinary incontinence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most pregnant women will experience at least one food craving or aversions during their pregnancy. So, what causes us to have these dramatic feelings toward certain foods? Will they continue throughout your pregnancy? How do you "tame" these intense feelings? Plus, what in the world are pica cravings? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you know your blood type? When you're pregnant, the Rh factor in your blood type is important because it could conflict with the baby's blood type. What determines a baby's blood type and Rh factor? At what point during your pregnancy can their blood type be determined? And how will your pregnancy change if your baby's blood is incompatible with your own? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You had a cesarean with your first baby, and now you're pregnant again. Should you plan for another operation or go for a vaginal birth after cesarean, also known as a VBAC? What are some of the risks associated with having a repeat c-section? What makes you a good candidate for a VBAC? We'll give you the facts to help you determine which option is best for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While you may need to forego you favorite drink while you're expecting, you shouldn't have to miss out completely. Introducing the "mocktail" which combines great ingredients and garnishes for the perfect non-alcoholic drink during your pregnancy. Today we're putting some of these recipes to the test by making them right in our studio! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pregnancy changes you, both physically and emotionally. So, it only makes sense that sex would be impacted by pregnancy as well. What changes can you expect during the various trimesters? How can you overcome body issues and retain your intimacy? Plus, what are the positions that typically work best when pregnant? Disclaimer: This is an open and honest discussion about sex. As such, we have rated this episode as having "adult content". Please listen with discretion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your water breaks. What do you do now? It's not always as dramatic as the movies make it out to be, but you should still be prepared. What can your amniotic fluid tell you about your baby? Why are babies usually delivered shortly after a mother's water breaks? And what does T.A.C.O. have to do with it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are many reasons you may need to have a fetal non-stress test, or NST, during your pregnancy. Perhaps your baby isn't moving as much as before or perhaps you have a high-risk pregnancy. So, how are these tests performed, and are there any risks to mom and baby? Also, what typically happens if the results are abnormal? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The placenta is an amazing organ providing nourishment to your baby throughout your pregnancy. But did you know your placenta can provide you with essential vitamins and nutrients your body needs after childbirth? What are some of the benefits of consuming your placenta and are these benefits well documented? Are there any known risks or side effects? Plus, how is the placenta prepared and the importance of the herbs added during the encapsulation process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pregnancy causes stress on your body and one of the areas impacted the most is your pelvic floor. What is the pelvic floor and what does it control within your body? How can pregnancy and birth impact your ability to control your pelvic floor? And what can you do during pregnancy to keep this important area of your body strong? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pregnancy is usually a happy, healthy event. But some moms-to-be may experience complications or chronic conditions that threaten their well-being or that of their baby. What does it mean to have a high-risk pregnancy? What are the common risk factors? And what type of care can you expect to receive if this happens to you and your baby? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When pregnant, your body may have a more difficult time processing sugar. This condition is known as gestational diabetes and may require a significant change in diet and exercise in order to ensure the health of you and your baby. How are pregnant women tested for gestational diabetes? How do you test your blood sugar? Plus, recommendations for lowering your sugar intake and burning excess sugar through exercise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By now, you've probably heard that breast is best. But why? Why is breast milk considered the perfect food for your little one? What are the health benefits short term and long term? And how can it improve the bond your partner has with the baby? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gaining weight during pregnancy is inevitable. Your baby's growth and development depend on it. However, the amount of weight you gain could make the difference between a healthy pregnancy, and one that's more complicated. How much weight should you gain and when? Where does the weight go during pregnancy? And what should you do about your crazy cravings and food aversions? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pregnancy is an amazing time in your life- filled with lots of new changes. What exactly is happening to you and your body during your first trimester? How long is this trimester and what stages of growth and development is your new baby experiencing? Plus, how do these changes impact how you feel and how well you function? We're kicking off our new series focused on fetal development with a closer look at the first trimester. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where should you birth your baby? If a hospital doesn't feel right but home birth is also out of your comfort zone, then you may want to consider a birthing center. So, what exactly is a birthing center and what type of care can you expect to receive? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Water can help you relieve pressure throughout your pregnancy, so it only makes sense that giving birth in the water can improve your overall childbirth experience as well. What are some of the benefits waterbirth provides for both mother and baby? How are babies monitored if mom is laboring in the water? And is it really safe for babies to stay underwater as they're being born? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's one the biggest questions on your mind after finding out you're pregnant- is it a boy or girl? And sometimes that intense anticipation is met with disappointment if it's not the gender you were hoping for. Is it wrong to feel disappointed after getting the news? How do we handle feelings that seem uncontrollable? And are we causing more problems by finding out the gender in advance? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pregnant women usually experience symptoms such an extreme fatigue, body aches, and nausea. You may also be on your feet all day at work or at home running around as you care for your other children. Bottom line: the world isn't going to stop simply because you're pregnant. What can you do to pamper yourself a bit so you can enjoy the experience more? We've got some great ideas to help relieve stress and improve your physical and emotional well being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Regardless of how you deliver your baby, you will need to rely on a team of health care providers to help you along the way. This new series explores the various options available to you- starting with a birth doula. What is the doula's role during your childbirth experience? What qualities should you look for in a doula? And where should you start looking for a doula? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your pregnant body is constantly growing. And while we love our beautiful bodies, most of us could probably do without the impending threat of stretch marks. What exactly is a stretch mark? Do they ever go away? And what can we do to help reduce them during pregnancy and postpartum? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you didn't get the vaginal birth you wanted, you may be considering a VBAC with your next baby. VBACs (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) are becoming a popular childbirth choice, but how do you know if it's right for you? What are some of the risks and benefits of having a VBAC? What are your chances of success? We'll hear from moms who have experienced it firsthand! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your uterus is your baby's home for the next nine months. But what do you really know about this vital organ? How large can the uterus get throughout pregnancy? Plus, how it may be taken out of your body completely during childbirth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our bodies experience three stages of labor during childbirth. What are the three stages, what exactly is happening to your body and why is it necessary? Understanding these stages will better prepare you for your own labor and delivery because you'll know what to expect. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are many advantages to having a low-risk pregnancy, especially if you're planning a natural birth. What should your blood pressure look like? What about the food you eat and the amount of time you exercise? This episode explores some practical ways for you to stay in optimal health during the next nine months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most babies naturally transition into the head-down position during your last month of pregnancy. If this doesn't happen, your baby is considered breech which greatly reduces your chances of having a successful vaginal birth. What are the different types of breech positions and how can each impact your labor and delivery? When and how are breech babies typically diagnosed? Plus, details about the Webster Technique which chiropractors can use to help encourage your baby into an ideal birthing position. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When a woman becomes pregnant after 35, she is considered to be of advanced maternal age. But, what exactly does that mean? What are some of the increased risks associated with pregnancy and older women? Plus, does your prenatal care change and how? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your growing belly can be a bit uncomfortable or even painful for your lower back and spine. Having chiropractic adjustments can help release that pressure and even improve your overall childbirth experience. What are the most common pregnancy discomforts treated with chiropractic care? Are there any risks to mom and baby? And how can these adjustments impact your baby's positioning? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Women have been giving birth at home since the beginning of time. So, why are planned homebirths today considered so risky? What are some of the pros and cons of this type of childbirth? And the BIG question... is it really safe? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tired of peeing in a cup every time you have an OB/GYN appointment? They're testing for increased protein in your urine which may be a sign of preeclampsia. So, what is preeclampsia and how can it impact your pregnancy? If untreated, how could it affect you and your baby? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you having a boy or girl? It's the question even complete strangers like to ask us when we're pregnant. So, what are the most reliable ways to determine the gender of your unborn child? And is there any medical basis for all those crazy wives-tales out there? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Couples typically hire a professional photographer to preserve life's special moments, such your wedding today. So, why not hire a professional birth photographer to capture your little one's arrival? What exactly do birth photographers do, and how can they help make your labor and delivery experience more enjoyable? Plus, how do you go about finding a photographer that's right for you? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even if you've never had diabetes, you could be among the 18% of women who develop a form of it about halfway through their pregnancy. While gestational diabetes is not a permanent condition, it does impact both mother and baby. How is gestational diabetes diagnosed? What are your treatment options? And how can it impact your labor and delivery? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Determining your due date is one of the first things that happens at your initial prenatal appointment. What are the common methods used when figuring out this date? What happens if your exact due date can't be determined and how can it impact future treatment? Plus, what happens if your due date comes and goes and your baby still hasn't arrived? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a holistic approach to childbirth that helps mothers reclaim and celebrate the spiritual, emotional, and psychological aspects of birth as a right of passage. How can this method, called "Birthing From Within", help you throughout your labor and delivery experience? How does it differ from other childbirth preparation methods? And what can you expect should you decide to take a class? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pregnancy is supposed to be a happy time, but that joy can easily be overshadowed by prenatal anxiety and depression. How do you know if you're developing these conditions during your pregnancy? What are the main risk factors or warning signs? And how can you get the support you need to overcome it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you picture labor and delivery, do you imagine a natural and more relaxed experience? Do you picture yourself soaring through surges by releasing fear and pain and just focusing on what your body was created to do? Hypnobirthing might be the perfect fit! What are the principles behind this childbirth preparation method, and what's needed to be successful? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the moment we find out we’re pregnant… we’re told we need to take these- prenatal vitamins. And it makes sense. We know our bodies are working overtime to make a tiny human. But what are these vitamins actually doing for us? What should we be looking for in a prenatal vitamin? And perhaps more importantly, what should we try to avoid? Today we’re learning all about the ingredients inside prenatal vitamins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your body goes through many changes during pregnancy. While these changes may be necessary for the growth and development of your baby, it's sometimes hard to feel good about yourself during the process. What exactly does it mean to have a healthy body image? Why is this important- especially during pregnancy? Plus, our mamas weigh in on aspects of their own bodies that bothered them the most during pregnancy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a bundle of joy on the way, which means it's time to plan for your baby shower! But with so many choices to make, it's easy for the planning process to become more frustrating than fun. What are the baby shower basics? Plus, what type of baby shower is best for you? We'll explore some tips and tricks for celebrating your special day with family and friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your due date is quickly approaching and you're still trying to figure out what to pack in your hospital bag? So, what are the essentials, and what can you essentially leave at home? We've asked some experienced moms to help us create a checklist of what belongs in your hospital bag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With more babies being born by Cesarean section, a new movement is campaigning to create a more natural experience for both mom and baby. It's known as the "Natural Cesarean" or "Family-Centered Cesarean". So, what exactly happens during this procedure? How can it improve the bonding between you and your newborn? And why are some medical providers against it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many of us dream of one day having a family of our own, but for some prospective parents, giving birth to their own biological child just isn’t a possibility. Every day surrogate mothers are helping these families turn their dreams into reality. So, what does it take to become a surrogate mom, and is it right for you? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are tons of pregnancy forums online. Finding these forums isn't the hard part, but trying to understand what people are trying to say can be quite a challenge. Why are these forums full of acronyms? What are the most common acronyms used during pregnancy and what do they actually mean? We're decoding this secret language so you can be better prepared when seeking help online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having a miscarriage or an early infant loss can be isolating and emotionally difficult for a family. How can you reach out and get the support you need? How do pregnant women and their partners process these experiences differently? If this happens to someone you love, what are some helpful ways to show your support and demonstrate that you care? Moms who have experienced this loss firsthand share their advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've all seen the images on television and in the movies. A woman in labor screams her head off as she's pushing her baby through the birth canal. We've been trained to think this experience is going to be painful. So, what are your pain management options? What are epidurals and spinals and when are they used? What additional medications can help take the edge off while allowing you to stay mobile throughout labor and delivery? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices