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Pregnancy Podcast

The Pregnancy Podcast provides information that goes way beyond the typical “pregnancy instruction manual” by sharing research-backed, evidence-based information. Vanessa Merten designs every episode to give you all the evidence, research, pros, cons, risks, and benefits. You will have all of the knowledge you need to decide the best options for you and feel confident about your decisions during your pregnancy and beyond. This podcast covers everything from trying to conceive, pregnancy, prenatal care, labor, birth, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, newborns, and being a new parent.
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Now displaying: June, 2024
The Top Reasons Birth Plans Fail 0
Jun 23, 2024

A birth plan is much more than a piece of paper you hand to your care provider. A birth plan is a process you go through to prepare for the birth experience you want. This process will lay the foundation for you to be prepared for the scenario in which everything goes as intended and for what should happen if things do not go as planned. While parents write a birth plan and go into labor with the best intentions, birth plans are not always successful. Having your requests not fulfilled or having a birth not go as planned can leave you disappointed in your experience and feeling like you failed. This episode examines the top reasons birth plans fail and how to avoid those mistakes to create the birth experience you want. Thank you to our sponsors 10% off 8 Sheep Organics https://pregnancypodcast.com/8sheep/ with the promo code PREGNANCYPODCAST. The True Belly Serum from 8 Sheep is specially formulated with clinically proven ingredients that penetrate deep into the skin to effectively prevent stretch marks. You can try it risk-free for 3 months. If you feel the serum has 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 within a day, no questions asked! Ibotta is a free app that gives you the most cash back every time you shop on hundreds of items from groceries to beauty supplies to toys. Join the over 50 million users and earn cash back every time you shop from over 2,700 brands and retailers, including all your favorite grocery stores, Lowes, Macy’s, Sephora, Best Buy and more! Right now, Ibotta is offering Pregnancy Podcast listeners $5 just for trying Ibotta by using the code PREGNANCYPODCAST when you register. Just go to the App Store or Google Play store and download the FREE Ibotta app to start earning cash back and use code PREGNANCYPODCAST. Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. https://drinkAG1.com/pregnancypodcast 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. https://pregnancypodcast.com/whybirthplansfail/ 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. https://pregnancypodcast.com/premium 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. https://pregnancypodcast.com/week For more evidence-based information, visit the Pregnancy Podcast website. https://pregnancypodcast.com

Your Partner’s Role in Supporting You in Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond 0
Jun 16, 2024
Most aspects of having a baby rest solely on the mother. One of the biggest things I hear from partners during pregnancy, labor, and after their baby arrives is that they don't know what to do. They feel useless and like they can't help. Or they feel like there is nothing for them to do. There are many things partners and dads can do to support mom and baby. This episode gives you a solid idea of your partner's role and how they can support you during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. 
 
 
Thank you to our sponsors
 
40% off your first Hungryroot delivery and free veggies for life. Hungryroot is the easiest way to eat healthy. They send you fresh, high-quality groceries and simple recipes. Each order is fully customizable so you can take their suggestions or choose anything you want. They’ve got fresh produce, high-quality meat & seafood, healthy snacks, smoothies, sweets, ready-to-eat meals, kids' snacks and meals, and much more. Everything from Hungryroot follows a simple standard: it’s gotta taste good, be quick to make, and contain whole, trusted ingredients.
 
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.
Preventing and Treating Bug Bites During Pregnancy 0
Jun 9, 2024
With warmer weather comes more insects and the potential for bug bites. As with any topic, pregnancy adds an additional layer of concern about bug bites. When you are pregnant, increased skin sensitivity can make itchy or painful bug bites more bothersome. Some illnesses spread by insects, like the Zika virus, pose additional dangers during pregnancy. Plus, you need to be cautious about exposure to chemical ingredients found in many insect repellants. The good news is there is a lot you can do to mitigate your risk of insect bites during pregnancy, and there are repellants that are safe to use when you are expecting.
 
 
Thank you to our sponsors
 
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.)
 
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% with the promo code PREGNANCYPODCAST. The Pregnancy Survival Kit 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. The amazing products from 8 Sheep are made with safe ingredients for you and your baby during pregnancy. Every product from 8 Sheep Organics comes with a 100-Day Happiness Guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.
 
 
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.
Overcoming Fear and Anxiety to Go into Birth with Confidence 0
Jun 2, 2024
All expectant mothers experience some level of anxiety or fear about the unpredictability of labor. Not only can it be stressful to have anxiety about giving birth, but research shows fear of birth can negatively impact your birth experience. There will always be unknowns about how your labor will unfold. The good news is that there are many strategies you can employ to overcome anxiety or concerns. Learn how to tackle specific fears, overcome general anxiety about labor, reframe your mindset, and build your confidence about labor and birth.
 
 
Thank you to our sponsors
 
Ibotta is a free app that gives you the most cash back every time you shop on hundreds of items from groceries to beauty supplies to toys. Join the over 50 million users and earn cash back every time you shop from over 2,700 brands and retailers, including all your favorite grocery stores, Lowes, Macy’s, Sephora, Best Buy and more! Right now, Ibotta is offering Pregnancy Podcast listeners $5 just for trying Ibotta by using the code PREGNANCYPODCAST when you register. Just go to the App Store or Google Play store and download the FREE Ibotta app to start earning cash back and use code PREGNANCYPODCAST.
 
Unlock brain-building play with KiwiCo Panda Crate! Get 20% off your first month with code PREGNANCYPODCAST at kiwico.com/panda. The KiwiCo Panda Crate is a bimonthly subscription for babies ages 0-24 months. KiwiCo baby products are safe and high quality and support your baby's rapid development with products that support child-led play and encourage open-ended exploration. Unlock brain-building play with KiwiCo Panda Crate! Get 20% off your first month with code PREGNANCYPODCAST.
 
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.
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