Healthful Woman Podcast

Dr. Stephanie Lam returns for an episode on contraception. In this episode, she explains the discussions that gynecologists have with patients on contraception, including choosing the right type of birth control, the symptoms that contraception can alleviate, and protection against STDs.

In this "Mailbag" episode of Healthful Woman Podcast, Dr. Nathan Fox tackles a wide range of listener questions, covering topics from the mechanics of twin vaginal delivery to fetal heart arrhythmias and the genetics of balanced translocations. He also addresses the significance of fetal fraction results in prenatal screening and what they may indicate about placental health. The episode wraps up with a thorough discussion on the safety of multiple C-sections, offering a nuanced, non-judgmental perspective on how risk should be evaluated on an individual basis rather than by a fixed number of procedures.

Dr. Tracey Agnese, a pediatrician, joins the podcast to discuss newborn evaluations and what pediatricians look out for in a baby’s first appointments. Plus, she and Dr. Fox discuss her Youtube channel and Instagram account, @babydocmama, which she started to answer common questions from new parents.

In this episode of the Healthful Woman Podcast, Dr. Nathan Fox speaks with Shayna Safran, a survivor of severe hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and founder of Shifrah, a nonprofit supporting women with this debilitating condition. Shayna shares her personal journey through multiple HG pregnancies, the life-changing discovery of vitamin deficiencies, and how these experiences inspired her to create educational resources, peer support programs, and guidance for both patients and healthcare providers. Together, they discuss Shifrah’s mission to improve outcomes, raise awareness, and empower women to advocate for safe, effective care during HG pregnancies.

In this 30th “Mailbag” episode of the Healthful Woman podcast, Dr. Nathan Fox answers listener questions on a range of women’s health topics, including the safety of teeth whitening during pregnancy, options for vaginal birth after multiple C-sections, and strategies to reduce the risk of recurrent intrauterine growth restriction. He also discusses the nuances of prenatal genetic screening.

In this episode of the Healthful Woman Podcast, Dr. Nathan Fox sits down with Dr. Tracy Scheller, an OB-GYN and fellowship-trained integrative medicine physician, to explore how nutrition, stress management, mindfulness, and lifestyle changes play a critical role in women’s overall health. Dr. Scheller shares her professional journey from traditional obstetrics and gynecology to integrative medicine, explaining how evidence-based complementary therapies can work alongside conventional care to address chronic conditions, mental health, and long-term wellness. Together, they discuss who benefits most from integrative medicine, how it differs from functional medicine, and why patient partnership, mindset, and sustainable habits are central to meaningful healing.

In Part Two of our previous episode, Dr. Marla Baum expands her discussion on neuropsychological testing for children. She and Dr. Fox discuss when a child should be tested, stigma in learning disabilities, accommodations for children who struggle, and more.

In this episode of "What Does the Fox Say?", Dr. Nathan Fox answers questions regarding moderate alcohol use in pregnancy, immune system changes and food safety, fast labor and when to head to the hospital, how to interpret placental pathology findings, and whether first-trimester bleeding always requires an ER visit. Throughout the episode, Dr. Fox emphasizes balancing medical data with real-world decision-making, empowering listeners to understand recommendations and advocate for themselves during pregnancy.

Rivki Chudnoff, MSPT, explains pelvic floor therapy. A physical therapist practicing in Bogota, New Jersey, Chudnoff discusses her training for this specialty and how physical therapy helps women with pelvic health issues.

In this episode of the Healthful Woman Podcast, Dr. Nathan Fox speaks with Ruthie, a physician assistant and mother of two, as she shares her experience with postpartum depression following the birth of her first child. Together, they explore how maternal mental health challenges can emerge despite preparation and support, how symptoms can differ from typical postpartum adjustment, and the critical role of timely intervention and specialized care. The episode also highlights the importance of reducing stigma, offering meaningful support to new mothers, and creating space for honest conversations so women feel less alone and more empowered to seek help.

Dr. Zevy Hamburger returns to Healthful Woman to explain epidurals: how they work, how they are administered, and the advantages of different types of pain relief during labor and delivery. Plus, he gives an update on his experience at Mt. Sinai Hospital through the Covid-19 crisis.

In this episode of "What Does the Fox Say?", Dr. Nathan Fox answers questions regarding moderate alcohol use in pregnancy, immune system changes and food safety, fast labor and when to head to the hospital, how to interpret placental pathology findings, and whether first-trimester bleeding always requires an ER visit. Throughout the episode, Dr. Fox emphasizes balancing medical data with real-world decision-making, empowering listeners to understand recommendations and advocate for themselves during pregnancy.

Dr. Sarah Roer Bendheim discusses her work with eating disorder patients. In this episode, Dr. Bendheim explains her path to studying psychology, treating eating disorders, counseling parents of children with eating disorders, and more.

In this episode of the Healthful Woman Podcast, Drs. Nathan Fox and Shari Gelber discuss cytomegalovirus (CMV) and its impact on pregnancy. They explain how CMV can affect newborns, the differences between primary infection and reactivation, and the challenges of testing and screening. The conversation also covers potential treatments, vaccine development, and advances in pediatric care that help improve outcomes for babies with CMV.

Dr. Caroline Friedman returns to Healthful Woman to discuss shoulder dystocia. Shoulder dystocia occurs when the baby’s shoulders don’t come out within about 60 seconds of their head during delivery. Dr. Friedman and Dr. Fox explain why this happens and what obstetricians do to overcome it.

This episode explores public concerns about using Tylenol during pregnancy and examines the scientific evidence behind claims linking it to autism. Dr. Fox and economist Emily Oster break down why current studies are flawed, how sibling-comparison research offers clearer answers, and why existing high-quality data does not support Tylenol as a cause of autism. They also discuss the real-world consequences of misinformation, such as rising parental guilt, unnecessary fear, and the risks of avoiding needed treatment during pregnancy.

In this episode of the Healthful Woman Podcast, Dr. Nikki Pensak joins Dr. Fox to discuss her book, Rattled, and the often-overlooked complexities of postpartum mental health, motherhood, and maternal brain changes. The conversation explores the myths, challenges, and strategies surrounding early parenthood, aiming to help mothers move from merely surviving to truly thriving.

In this episode, Dr. Fox and Dr. Kostant discuss the preconception visit, when a patient and her OB/GYN discuss conception and early pregnancy. They explain when patients should start thinking about preconception and the topics covered during that appointment, including vitamins, vaccinations, carrier screenings, IVF, and more.

In this episode of "What Does the Fox Say?", Dr. Fox answers listeners’ top questions about pregnancy and childbirth, from why some labors are easier than others to how C-section timing affects future pregnancies. He breaks down the science behind labor outcomes, uterine rupture risk, and preterm birth prevention, offering clear, evidence-based insights for expectant and future moms alike.

In this episode of "What Does the Fox Say?" with host Dr. Nathan Fox, we cover questions regarding when to see a fertility specialist, the causes of PROM (premature rupture of membranes), COVID during pregnancy and later complications, not being immune to certain viruses in pregnancy, and transferring two embryos during IVF.

Dr. Alan Garely, a urogynecology specialist, explains urinary incontinence. In this episode, he and Dr. Fox discuss the urogynecology specialty, common causes for urinary incontinence, surgery, and treatment options.

In this episode of "What Does the Fox Say?" with host Dr. Nathan Fox, he answers listeners' questions regarding choroid plexus cysts, placing an IUD during a C-section, third trimester bleeding, the difference between Cervidil and Pitocin for induction, and family history of pregnancy complications.

Dr. Stephanie Melka returns to discuss VBAC, or vaginal birth after cesarean. In this episode, she and Dr. Fox review risks associated with VBAC, which patients are candidates for VBAC, and choosing between cesarean and vaginal deliveries.

On this episode of the Healthful Woman Podcast, Dr. Fox continues his discussion with Jordanna Nadritch, President of Sharsheret's Board of Directors. She shares her journey as a BRCA1 previvor, navigating multiple surgeries, raising young children, and finding healing through volunteering and connecting with others. She reflects on the power of sharing her story, giving back, and honoring her mother’s legacy while discovering her own resilience.

On this episode of the Healthful Woman Podcast, Dr. Fox speaks with Jordanna Nadritch, President of Sharsheret's Board of Directors. Jordanna shares her mother’s battle with aggressive breast cancer, her own BRCA1 diagnosis, and the difficult choice to undergo a double mastectomy at just 34. With honesty and strength, she reflects on how her mother’s story ultimately saved her life and inspired her path to advocacy and leadership within Sharsheret.

In the final episode of this miniseries, Dr. Fox and Dr. Weltz discuss diagnosing breast cancer through mammograms and biopsy, as well as, treatment options for women who are diagnosed.

In the second part of Dr. Weltz and Dr. Fox’s discussion on breast cancer, they cover treatment and therapies, improving recovery rates, and why breast cancer screening remains important.

In this episode of “What Does the Fox Say?” with host Dr. Nathan Fox, we cover questions regarding cervical insufficiency, fetal measurements during pregnancy, nutrition in pregnancy, traveling abroad while pregnant, and postpartum hemorrhage.

Dominique Weiss tells her birth story of pregnancy and delivery of twins. Dominique is a labor nurse and found out she was pregnant with twins a few months after a miscarriage. She shares her story with early ultrasound mishaps, delivering her twins vaginally, and more.

In this episode of "What Does the Fox Say?" with host Dr. Nathan Fox, he answers listeners' questions regarding when gestational diabetes typically occurs during pregnancy, whether cervical checks can increase the risk of developing endometritis after delivery, whether or not it's appropriate to undergo an NT scan along with more accurate blood tests when undergoing genetic screening, whether or not a woman can control whether she conceives a girl or a boy, what research says about generational recurrence of complications in pregnancy, and dealing with patients with tokophobia, or the fear or childbirth.

In this episode of Healthful Woman, Dr. Nathan Fox is joined by Dr. Stephanie Melka for an in-depth discussion on elective induction of labor. Building on past episodes about labor induction and the ARRIVE Trial, they explore what it truly means to choose induction without a strict medical indication. The conversation delves into the nuances of the term “elective,” its possible stigma, and how evolving evidence, particularly from the ARRIVE Trial, has shifted the medical community’s perspective. Dr. Fox and Dr. Melka also touch on the motivations behind induction requests and the balance between medical necessity and patient preference in modern obstetrics.

Dr. Tamar Goldwaser explains genetic cancer, including how inherited genetic mutations increase a risk for cancer, and which patients are at a higher risk. She and Dr. Fox discuss when women should choose genetic cancer screening, which cancers to screen for, and genetic counseling and cancer.

On this episode of the Healthful Woman Podcast, Dr. Fox speaks with listener Penny, who shares her birth story. After two successful pregnancies, Penny shares the story of her third pregnancy, during which she experienced a hematoma caused by placental abruption. She dives into the entire experience, the emotions she felt regarding the outcome of that pregnancy, and her experience with her fourth pregnancy.

In this episode of "What Does the Fox Say?" with host Dr. Nathan Fox, we cover questions regarding which vitamins should be taken early in pregnancy, when in the pregnancy journey women should avoid caffeine, what causes choroid plexus cysts, the likelihood of experience kidney infections during pregnancy after experiencing them in the past, whether or not women should ride horseback when pregnant, whether the RSV vaccine is recommended for pregnant women, and whether or not there is evidence to induce pregnancy early if the baby is measuring large.

In this episode of Healthful Woman, Dr. Nathan Fox and Dr. Celia Muoser discuss antenatal corticosteroids, which are short courses of steroids given to pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery to help accelerate the baby’s lung development and improve outcomes. They explain why timing and patient selection are crucial for physicians in maximizing benefits while minimizing risks.

Dr. Monica Prasad-Hayes explains GYN oncology, or treatment of gynecologic cancers. Dr. Hayes is an associate professor of OB-GYN, director of the GYN oncology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital, and a practicing GYN oncologist. She explains testing, treatment, and symptoms of ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and more.

In this episode of "What Does the Fox Say?" with host Dr. Nathan Fox, we cover questions regarding how to manage anxiety with subsequent pregnancies following miscarriage, postpartum hypothyrodism, whether or not augmentation is always needed for failed BPP during labor, at what age a woman is considered to be at advanced maternal age, whether or not women can drink energy drinks while pregnant, and how the the baby's positioning and movements in the womb change from trimester to trimester.

In this episode of the Healthful Woman podcast, Dr. Nathan Fox and Dr. Melka dive into the important topic of contraception, and what to expect during a birth control consultation.They also debunk common myths and review pros and cons of various birth control methods to help you make informed decisions.

Welcome back to Healthful Woman for a round of "What Does the Fox Say?" with host Dr. Nathan Fox. Today, we cover questions regarding whether there is a correlation between breastfeeding and miscarriage, whether or not a mother being a carrier for cystic fibrosis could have any negative impacts on the baby in the womb, mobility following an epidural, natural variation in gestation length, whether or not someone with half a uterus can deliver vaginally, and maternal CMV infection in the first trimester.

In part 2 of this Healthful Woman Podcast episode, Rachel and Dr. Fox reflect on Rachel’s emotionally challenging but medically smooth pregnancy following a prior loss. At 36 weeks, she went into labor naturally, delivering a healthy baby boy quickly and without an epidural. Looking ahead, Rachel feels reassured by this experience but knows she’ll still carry some anxiety into future pregnancies.

In part 1 of this Healthful Woman Podcast episode, Rachel shares her emotional experience with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and the impossible choices she faced to try to save her babies. With guidance from her doctors, religious leaders, and loved ones, she ultimately underwent a radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to give one twin the best chance at survival. Rachel reflects on the trauma, the grief, and the strength it took to move forward during one of the most difficult times of her life.

Welcome back to Healthful Woman for a round of "What Does the Fox Say?" with host Dr. Nathan Fox. Today, we cover questions regarding fetal kidney health, epidurals, abdominal pain in pregnancy, choosing a practice nearby vs. farther away, and IVF pregnancies.

In this episode of Healthful Woman, Dr. Nathan Fox and Dr. Melka discuss the importance of the postpartum visit, which typically occurs around six weeks after delivery. They explain the purpose of the visit, and address topics like exercise, sexual activity, and birth control.They also highlight the value of clear communication and patient education to ensure that women are prepared and know what to expect as they transition back to normal life after childbirth.

Welcome back to Healthful Woman for a round of "What Does the Fox Say?" with host Dr. Nathan Fox. Today, we cover questions on the topics of: what causes a baby to stay breech until delivery, whether a mother can lower her chances of having gestational diabetes again, what the chances of PROM occurring during a second delivery are, getting your gallbladder removed during pregnancy, and what to consider when having future children with a history of preeclampsia.

In this Healthful Woman episode, Dr. Nathan Fox and Julia Nudelman discuss her successful yet challenging pregnancy. At 37, with a history of C-sections and preeclampsia, Julia sought Dr. Fox's advice before trying for another child. When she got the green light, she unexpectedly became pregnant with twins. The episode highlights the risks of her fourth pregnancy and the care and support Julia received throughout her high-risk journey.

In this Healthful Woman Podcast episode, Dr. Nathan Fox speaks with Author Gila Pfeffer and Genetic Counselor Estie Rose. They discuss important topics around genetic testing, breast cancer prevention, and the role of genetic counseling in women’s health. The conversation delves into Gila’s personal experience as a breast cancer previvor and advocate, and how her story intertwines with Estie’s work as a genetic counselor.

In this episode of Healthful Woman, Dr. Nathan Fox and Dr. Samantha Do discuss the topic of hypertension during and after pregnancy, with a focus on high blood pressure that may emerge during labor and delivery. The conversation highlights the importance of monitoring blood pressure during labor, as high blood pressure can arise even in women with no prior history of hypertension. Their discussion emphasizes the need for vigilant care and personalized treatment to ensure both maternal and fetal well-being during labor and delivery.

Dr. Fox welcomes Dr. Susan Lobel, a reproductive endocrinologist and founder of Metropolitan Reproductive Medicine in New York City. Dr. Lobel explains the most common reasons couples struggle to conceive, fertility treatments, IVF, and more.

In part 2 of this Healthful Woman Podcast episode, Dr. Nathan Fox continues his conversation with Israeli Midwife Chani Turk. They discuss how the October 7th terrorist attacks in Israel dramatically altered her professional and personal life. Despite the chaos, Chani continues to provide care, with notable changes like allowing family members to stay with mothers during epidurals to offer comfort. Chani's firsthand experience offers a deeply emotional and insightful look into the impact of the tragedy on everyday life, both at work and in the community.

In part 1 of this Healthful Woman Podcast story, Dr. Nathan Fox speaks with Chani Turk, an Israeli Midwife. They discuss her personal experience of moving to Israel from the States, as well as her journey to becoming a midwife and experiences taking on this role.