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PODCAST

Pregnancy Podcast

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

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

39:07

Flu Vaccine During Pregnancy and What the Research...

Pregnancy Podcast ·

2026/10/04

Your provider offers you a flu shot, and you are not sure what to do. You have heard it protects your baby. You have also heard it barely worked last year and that the guidance keeps changing. Both have some truth to them, and you have choices beyond just opting in or opting out. In this episode, you will learn what the research shows about the flu shot during pregnancy, how safe it is, how well it works, when to get it, and which shot to ask for. Full article and resources for this episode:

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51:40

Evidence-Based Solutions for Pregnancy Insomnia and...

Pregnancy Podcast ·

2026/09/27

If you are lying awake at night, you are in good company. Pregnancy insomnia and other sleep problems affect the majority of expecting mothers, from heartburn and leg cramps to a racing mind at 3 a.m. Then your baby arrives, and sleep gets disrupted in a whole new way. In this episode, you will learn what drives the most common pregnancy sleep problems, what the research says helps, and which remedies and medications have evidence behind them. You will also learn what to expect from sleep with a

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38:46

Evidence-Based Tips on How to Sleep Better During...

Pregnancy Podcast ·

2026/09/20

Sleep during pregnancy is one of the most powerful tools you have for your health and your baby's health, yet it is often one of the first things to slip. Your body is working harder than ever, and a long list of pregnancy changes can get in the way of a good night's rest. The good news is that you have more control over your sleep than you might think. In this episode, you will find out how sleep actually works and what the research says about poor sleep in pregnancy. You will also walk away with

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34:07

How Your Birth Environment Affects Labor

Pregnancy Podcast ·

2026/09/13

The room where you give birth has more influence over your labor than you might expect. Oxytocin is the key hormone driving labor, and stress hormones can interfere with it. So a birth environment that feels calm, safe, and private can help labor progress more efficiently and comfortably. The good news is that you have options no matter where you plan to give birth. Whether that is at home, in a birth center, or in a hospital room, small adjustments to lighting, sound, scent, and privacy add up

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33:28

Is Pregnancy Brain Real? What the Research Says About...

Pregnancy Podcast ·

2026/09/06

You walk into a room and cannot remember why. A word you use every day disappears mid-sentence. You read the same paragraph three times, and none of it sticks. Pregnancy brain is one of the most talked-about symptoms of pregnancy and one of the least understood. This episode covers what researchers actually find when they test memory and thinking during pregnancy. Learn why this feels more dramatic than what researchers can actually measure, and how long it lasts. Importantly, find out why pregnancy

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44:17

Your Guide to Weaning and How to Stop Breastfeeding...

Pregnancy Podcast ·

2026/08/23

Most breastfeeding resources are full of information on why you should keep going, and very short on practical help for when you are ready to stop. If you have gone looking for guidance on weaning, you have probably found long lists of reasons not to quit and anxiety-inducing articles about everything that can go wrong. Breastfeeding is amazing, but every mom will reach a point when she is ready to stop. When you reach that point, you should have access to evidence-based, judgment-free support. This

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27:20

Top 5 Reasons Moms Stop Breastfeeding Early

Pregnancy Podcast ·

2026/08/16

New mothers go into breastfeeding with the best intentions. Unfortunately, many run into issues that make breastfeeding feel difficult or even impossible. By six months, fewer than one in three babies is still exclusively breastfed. Researchers across many countries have examined why mothers supplement with formula or wean before their baby's first birthday, and the same themes come up again and again. This episode walks through the top five reasons moms stop breastfeeding early and, more

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36:09

How to Increase Your Milk Supply and Keep It Up

Pregnancy Podcast ·

2026/08/09

Milk supply is the number one reason mothers stop breastfeeding early or reach for formula. The good news is that most of what protects and builds your milk supply comes down to a few simple things you can control. This episode breaks down how milk production actually works, how to gauge your supply accurately, and why so many mothers worry they are not making enough when they truly are. You will learn practical ways to establish breastfeeding in the first days and weeks, and find out how to

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33:41

How Your Breasts Change During Pregnancy and...

Pregnancy Podcast ·

2026/08/02

During the nine months of pregnancy, your body changes more than at any other time in your life, and there are many changes to your breasts. From the first tender, swollen weeks through the months you spend breastfeeding, your breasts go through a major transformation. Some of these breast changes during pregnancy are visible, like growth, darker areolas, and more prominent veins. Others are internal as your body builds the machinery to feed your baby. Learn exactly what to expect, why each change

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30:47

Why Swelling Happens During Pregnancy and How to Find...

Pregnancy Podcast ·

2026/07/26

The medical term for swelling during pregnancy is edema, and it affects the vast majority of expecting moms. Swelling in your legs, feet, and ankles is usually normal and nothing to worry about. However, it can occasionally signal something more serious, like preeclampsia or a blood clot. This episode explains why swelling during pregnancy happens, what you can do to prevent and treat it, and the warning signs that mean you should call your doctor or midwife. We also cover related issues like carpal

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52:19

How to Prevent and Relieve Back Pain During Pregnancy

Pregnancy Podcast ·

2026/07/19

Many of the physical changes that come with pregnancy can put stress on your back and lead to pain or discomfort. Back pain during pregnancy is almost always lower back pain, and it falls into one of three categories: lumbar spine pain, posterior pelvic pain, or a combination of the two. It is incredibly common, and the likelihood only goes up as your pregnancy progresses. Still, common does not mean you have to suffer through it. This episode breaks down why back pain happens during pregnancy, how

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39:58

How Much Pregnancy Weight Gain Is Healthy and What...

Pregnancy Podcast ·

2026/07/12

Your doctor or midwife will track your weight throughout pregnancy. For many expecting moms, stepping on the scale is a source of anxiety. This episode breaks down healthy pregnancy weight gain, including where the guidelines come from, how much weight is recommended for your body, and where all that weight actually goes. We will examine what the research shows, including the fact that most women do not gain within the recommended ranges. You will learn why lifestyle changes have a smaller effect

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38:32

Sun Safety During Pregnancy (Sunscreen, Tanning, and...

Pregnancy Podcast ·

2026/07/05

Sunlight comes with both benefits and risks, and pregnancy adds a few extra considerations to both. Some of the upside is real. Your body makes vitamin D from sunlight. There is evidence that the sun lifts your mood. Getting exposure to sunlight at the right times of day even helps your sleep. On the flip side, UV light damages the DNA in your skin cells, which raises your risk of skin cancer and speeds up aging. Pregnancy hormones can also change your skin and how it reacts to the sun. This episode

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29:10

Your Partner's Role in Supporting You in Pregnancy,...

Pregnancy Podcast ·

2026/06/21

Most of the mental and physical work of having a baby falls on mom. One of the most common things I hear from partners is that they do not know what to do. They feel useless, or like there is nothing for them to help with. That could not be further from the truth. There is so much a partner can do during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, and your role matters more than you might think. This episode walks through your partner's role at every stage and the many practical, evidence-based ways they can

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47:56

The Truth About Vitamin D in Pregnancy (Most Moms...

Pregnancy Podcast ·

2026/06/14

Vitamin D in pregnancy is one of those topics that sounds simple, but the details really matter. You use this essential vitamin in nearly every part of your body, and your baby depends entirely on you to supply it. The problem is that most pregnant moms do not get enough. Deficiency is incredibly common, and it is linked to a higher risk of complications like preeclampsia. To make things more confusing, most prenatal vitamins contain far less vitamin D than the evidence suggests you need during

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50:20

Home Birth: The Evidence on Safety

Pregnancy Podcast ·

2026/06/07

A home birth means welcoming your baby in your own space with the freedom to labor however feels right to you. It is also the birth setting that raises the most questions and concerns because safety is the central issue. This episode takes that debate seriously. It digs into the research on safety and outcomes, including where the evidence is strong, where it is genuinely contested, and the conditions that make the biggest difference. It also walks through what a home birth actually involves, who

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50:46

Birth Center: Exploring Your Options

Pregnancy Podcast ·

2026/05/24

A birth center sits in the middle ground between a home birth and a hospital. You get a home-like setting and midwife-led care built around a low-intervention birth. A birth center is not the right fit for every pregnancy, and it is not the right choice for everyone who is eligible. It is, however, an option that many expecting parents never seriously consider. Part of that is that a birth center is less familiar than a hospital. There are also many misconceptions about what the experience is like

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52:17

Hospital Birth: What to Expect

Pregnancy Podcast ·

2026/05/17

The vast majority of births in the United States occur in a hospital. A hospital birth offers around-the-clock staffing, a wide range of pain management options, and surgical capacity. Plus, a hospital has an on-site NICU if your baby needs additional care. Hospitals also have policies, routines, and a care model that shape your experience. Whether you have already decided on a hospital birth, are weighing your venue options, or want a backup plan, this episode will prepare you for what to expect

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42:46

10 Tips to Mentally Prepare for Motherhood

Pregnancy Podcast ·

2026/05/10

There is so much focus during pregnancy on the physical side and on getting ready for your baby's arrival. Your body is changing, you are preparing for birth, and there is a long list of things to learn about feeding, sleep, and caring for a newborn. All of that matters. What gets less attention is the mental and emotional shift that comes with becoming a mother. This episode walks through ten ways to mentally prepare for motherhood. Hear what the research tells us about how your brain adapts during

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35:27

Prenatal Testing in the Second Half of Pregnancy

Pregnancy Podcast ·

2026/05/03

Prenatal testing in the second half of pregnancy is a different conversation than the testing offered earlier. Many of these tests produce results in real time, and many can directly affect your birth plan. As a result, decisions at this stage can feel heavier, both because you are closer to birth and because the consequences of these results land more immediately. This episode is a comprehensive, evidence-based guide to prenatal testing in the second half of pregnancy. We walk through gestational

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230 results

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