Pregnancy Podcast
by Vanessa Merten
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 beyond. The show covers everything from pregnancy to caring for a newborn. Topics include prenatal care, labor, natural birth, hospital birth, cesarean birth, preparing for your baby, breastfeeding, postpartum, and caring for a new baby. This is your evidence-based resource to help you make informed decisions about your pregnancy and your baby.
Episodes
-
Third Trimester Guide: Symptoms, Baby's Position, and Birth Prep
You have made it to the third trimester, and the finish line is in sight. These last weeks also bring a new wave of advice, from which vaccines to get to whether you should be counting kicks. Some of it rests on solid research, and some of it is simply habit. In this episode, you will learn how...
-
Second Trimester Guide: Baby Kicks, the Anatomy Scan, and Your Body
The nausea is fading, your energy is returning, and your bump is starting to show. The second trimester of pregnancy is often called the easy stretch, but it is also when some of the biggest milestones and decisions land. In this episode, you will learn when you are likely to feel your baby move,...
-
First Trimester Guide: Symptoms, Baby Growth, and Your First Appointments
You are pregnant, and your body already feels different, even though no one else can tell yet. The first trimester brings some of the biggest changes of pregnancy, often before you share the news. In this episode, you will learn how your baby grows through week 12 and which symptoms to expect.…
more -
Just Found Out You're Pregnant? Pregnancy Basics for a Healthy Start
You just saw a positive pregnancy test, and suddenly everyone has advice. Cut out coffee. Never eat sushi. Stay out of hot tubs. Some of that advice is backed by solid research, and some of it is far more cautious than the evidence supports. In this episode, you will learn when your prenatal care...
-
Heartburn During Pregnancy and How to Treat It Safely
It is late, you are finally lying down, and the burning starts again. Heartburn during pregnancy affects roughly 4 in 10 expecting mothers, and the advice is all over the place. Some of it is folklore. Some of it points to medications that were pulled from shelves years ago. In this episode, you...
-
Flu Vaccine During Pregnancy and What the Research Shows About Safety (2026-27 Flu Season)
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,...
-
Evidence-Based Solutions for Pregnancy Insomnia and Sleep Issues
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...
-
Evidence-Based Tips on How to Sleep Better During Pregnancy
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…
more -
How Your Birth Environment Affects Labor
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…
more -
Is Pregnancy Brain Real? What the Research Says About Memory and Brain Fog
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…
more -
Your Guide to Weaning and How to Stop Breastfeeding Without Stress
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...
-
Top 5 Reasons Moms Stop Breastfeeding Early
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...
-
How to Increase Your Milk Supply and Keep It Up
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...
-
How Your Breasts Change During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
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…
more -
Why Swelling Happens During Pregnancy and How to Find Relief
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...
-
How to Prevent and Relieve Back Pain During Pregnancy
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...
-
How Much Pregnancy Weight Gain Is Healthy and What Actually Matters
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...
-
Sun Safety During Pregnancy (Sunscreen, Tanning, and Protecting Your Skin)
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...
-
Your Partner's Role in Supporting You in Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum
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…
more -
The Truth About Vitamin D in Pregnancy (Most Moms Don't Get Enough)
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...
-
Home Birth: The Evidence on Safety
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…
more -
Birth Center: Exploring Your Options
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…
more -
Hospital Birth: What to Expect
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,...
-
10 Tips to Mentally Prepare for Motherhood
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…
more -
Prenatal Testing in the Second Half of Pregnancy
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…
more -
Prenatal Testing in the First Half of Pregnancy
Prenatal testing starts the moment you find out you are pregnant and continues throughout your entire pregnancy. Some tests screen for conditions you may have. Others look at your baby's development and genetics. These tests are valuable tools, however they can also be a source of real anxiety…
more -
How to Relieve Constipation During and After Pregnancy
About one in three pregnant women experiences constipation, and it becomes even more common after birth. It can be uncomfortable, sometimes painful, and a source of real frustration when you are already dealing with so much else. The good news is that there are many safe, evidence-based ways to...
-
Gentle Cesarean and Evidence-Based Options for a Family-Centered Birth
A gentle cesarean, also called a family-centered cesarean, involves adjustments that shift a cesarean from a standard surgical procedure to a more personal, connected birth experience. As cesarean births have become more common, the options available to you have expanded significantly. However,...
-
What to Expect in a Cesarean Birth
A cesarean birth is among the most common surgeries in the US, with about one in three babies delivered this way. Whether you are planning a cesarean or aiming for a vaginal birth, understanding this procedure helps you feel more confident to handle any situation. This episode explains why…
more -
Understanding Ultrasound During Pregnancy: Safety, Accuracy, and Your Options
Ultrasound during pregnancy is one of the most common tools your care provider uses to monitor your baby's health and development. Whether it is your first scan in the early weeks or the anatomy scan in your second trimester, ultrasounds provide valuable information about how your baby is…
more -
Navigating Morning Sickness During Pregnancy
Morning sickness is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy, affecting up to 80% of expectant mothers. Despite the name, it can occur at any time of day and range from mild nausea to severe vomiting. Explore the science behind its causes, including groundbreaking research on the hormone…
more -
Vaginal Tears During Birth: Prevention, Healing, and What to Expect
Vaginal tears are one of the most common parts of birth that expecting mothers are not prepared for. More than half of women experience some degree of tearing during a vaginal birth, and rates are even higher for first-time moms. The good news is that there are evidence-based strategies to reduce...
-
Body Image During Pregnancy and After Birth
Your body goes through a greater physical transformation during pregnancy than at any other time in your life. While growing a baby is an incredible feat, not everyone feels positive about the changes that come with it. Research shows that body dissatisfaction is common during and after…
more -
The Science Behind Eating Dates to Prepare for Labor
Can eating a specific fruit in your final weeks of pregnancy actually change how your labor goes? Multiple studies have examined whether eating dates in the final weeks of pregnancy affects cervical dilation, labor length, and intervention rates. This episode breaks down the research, explains…
more -
What Every New Mom Should Know About Postpartum Mood Changes
Many expecting mothers skip past information about postpartum mood changes, assuming it won't apply to them. Especially when they're anticipating one of life's happiest moments and have no history of depression. But baby blues and postpartum depression are common complications of birth that…
more -
Lifting Weights and Strength Training During Pregnancy
Strength training offers significant benefits for physical and mental health, but many expecting parents wonder whether lifting weights is safe during pregnancy. While there is extensive research on exercise during pregnancy, specific studies on strength training are limited. This episode…
more -
Prenatal Yoga: Benefits, Safety Research, and Pose Modifications
Many studies demonstrate the benefits of yoga during pregnancy, including shorter labor and improved newborn outcomes. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that modified yoga is one of the safest exercises for pregnant women. But what exactly does modified yoga mean?…
more -
Cardio Exercise During Pregnancy (Running, Walking, Swimming, and more)
This episode takes a deep dive into cardio exercise during pregnancy, including walking, running, swimming, cycling, and more. Cardio is a broad category that includes any activity that raises your heart rate. During pregnancy, normal changes to your cardiovascular system mean your heart is…
more -
What the Evidence Says About Exercise During Pregnancy
Recommendations for exercise during pregnancy can feel confusing, especially when advice sounds restrictive, outdated, or inconsistent. Rather than feeling afraid to work out, this episode examines the evidence to clarify what actually matters when exercising during pregnancy. You will learn how...
-
Making Sense of Food Cravings and Aversions During Pregnancy
Pregnancy cravings and aversions are common symptoms during pregnancy. While it may be fun to make jokes about pickles and ice cream, for some expecting moms, this can be a source of stress. You may find yourself craving junk food or completely turned off by healthy foods, even though they were...
-
What You Need to Know About Recent Vaccine Schedule Changes
The CDC recently made significant changes to the childhood vaccination schedule, prompting widespread coverage and discussion. Vaccines are a complex and often polarizing topic. For expecting parents, clickbait headlines can feel overwhelming or confusing. This episode breaks down how these...
-
How Accurate is Your Due Date?
One of the first things you do when you find out you are pregnant is to determine your due date. This date rules everything about your pregnancy, from your prenatal care to the timing of your baby shower. This is also the most common question from friends, family, and strangers. As you get close…
more -
A Practical Guide to Creating Your Birth Plan
A birth plan is a document that outlines your preferences for labor and what happens immediately after your baby's birth. A birth plan is much more than a piece of paper you hand to your care provider. It is the process you go through to prepare for your desired birth experience. This process…
more -
Going into Birth with Confidence
It is completely normal to feel nervous about giving birth, especially with so many unknowns about how labor will unfold. Research shows that fear of birth can affect your experience, but you are not powerless against it. In this episode, you will learn how to identify what is driving your…
more -
Q&A: Worried About Pooping During Labor?
There are many things that can happen during pregnancy and birth that might feel embarrassing in other settings, but are normal parts of having a baby. The possibility of pooping during labor is one of these topics. This episode addresses a listener's questions about how common this really is and...
-
Getting Sick During Pregnancy and Finding Safe Relief
Getting sick can feel especially tough when you're pregnant. Unfortunately, during pregnancy, you're more vulnerable to illnesses like colds, the flu, and COVID-19. This episode helps you understand what kind of illness you might have, how to treat your symptoms safely, and when to reach out to...
-
The Science of Gratitude in Pregnancy
Gratitude is something most of us feel instinctively, but does science actually back up the benefits? This episode explores the research on gratitude, including how it affects emotional well-being, relationships, stress, and even physical health. Hear about studies focused specifically on...
-
Supporting and Boosting Your Immune System During Pregnancy
How the immune system works, how it shifts during pregnancy, and what those changes mean for staying healthy. Learn why the most effective way to support your immune system begins with the core foundations of your health. The episode also examines the evidence on popular immune-support…
more -
Hypertension and the Hidden Risk Beyond Your Blood Pressure Checks
Some fluctuations in blood pressure during preganncy are expected, but hypertensive disorders are one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal mortality worldwide. This includes chronic or gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, HELLP, and eclampsia. High blood pressure during pregnancy…
more -
Q&A: Common Questions About Prenatal Vitamins
You probably know that taking a prenatal vitamin during pregnancy is important, but there's more to it than just that simple advice. I've received a lot of questions recently, including: When should you start taking a prenatal vitamin? Is a prenatal really that different from a multivitamin? What...
About this show
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 beyond. The show covers everything from pregnancy to caring for a newborn. Topics include prenatal care, labor, natural birth, hospital birth, cesarean birth, preparing for your baby, breastfeeding, postpartum, and caring for a new baby. This is your evidence-based resource to help you make informed decisions about your pregnancy and your baby.
Hosted by
Vanessa Merten