This episode answers a listener’s question about how to know when the time is right to have a baby. Whether you are thinking about your first child or adding to your family, the decision can feel overwhelming. We explore the emotional side of this choice, what medical organizations recommend about pregnancy timing, birth spacing, and how lifestyle, age, fertility, finances, and family dynamics can all factor in. You will also hear why waiting for the “perfect” time may not be realistic and how to sort through the noise and trust your own timing. Thank you to the brands that power this podcast. Inito is the first at-home fertility monitor that tracks four key fertility hormones (estrogen, LH, PdG, and FSH) all on a single test strip. In just ten minutes, you get accurate, personalized hormone data to help you understand your unique cycle and optimize your chances of conceiving. Unlike ovulation test kits that can only predict ovulation, Inito not only predicts but also confirms when ovulation actually happens. Inito is 96% as accurate as a blood test, without the cost, wait time, or hassle of going to a lab. If you are on a fertility journey, Inito provides you with clear insights into your unique hormone patterns, allowing you to stop guessing and start understanding your cycle more effectively. The Inito Starter Pack is available for just $89 with the code PREGNANCYPODCAST: https://bit.ly/PREGNANCYPODCAST See all discounts exclusive for Pregnancy Podcast Listeners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/resources/ Get more from the Pregnancy Podcast Full article and resources for this episode: https://pregnancypodcast.com/pregnancytiming/ Join Pregnancy Podcast Premium for ad-free episodes , full access to the back catalog, and a copy of the Your Birth Plan book: https://pregnancypodcast.com/premium Follow your pregnancy week-by-week with the 40 Weeks podcast. Learn how your baby grows, what’s happening in your body, what to expect at prenatal appointments, and get tips for dads and partners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/week For more evidence-based information, visit the Pregnancy Podcast website: https://pregnancypodcast.com
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20:31
Mastering the Basics of Breastfeeding
Many new moms expect breastfeeding to come naturally. For most, it takes time, practice, and support. Despite strong evidence in favor of breastfeeding, many parents supplement or switch to formula within the first year. Preparing yourself with foundational knowledge can make a big difference in reaching your breastfeeding goals. This episode covers the essential information you need to get started, along with practical tools and tips to make breastfeeding more manageable and rewarding. Full article and resources for this episode: https://pregnancypodcast.com/breastfeedingbasics/ Thank You to the Brands That Power This Podcast: Inito is the first at-home fertility monitor that tracks four key fertility hormones (estrogen, LH, PdG, and FSH) all on a single test strip. In just ten minutes, you get accurate, personalized hormone data to help you understand your unique cycle and optimize your chances of conceiving. Unlike ovulation test kits that can only predict ovulation, Inito not only predicts but also confirms when ovulation actually happens. Inito is 96% as accurate as a blood test, without the cost, wait time, or hassle of going to a lab. If you are on a fertility journey, Inito provides you with clear insights into your unique hormone patterns, allowing you to stop guessing and start understanding your cycle more effectively. The Inito Starter Pack is available for just $89 with the code PREGNANCYPODCAST: https://bit.ly/PREGNANCYPODCAST AG1 Next Gen is a clinically-backed Daily Health Drink that combines a multivitamin, probiotic, and blend of superfoods into one scoop. AG1 delivers optimal amounts of nutrients in forms that help your body thrive. Just one scoop contains essential vitamins and nutrients, supports gut health, helps you feel sharp and focused, and supports a healthy immune system. (As a friendly reminder, pregnant or nursing women should seek professional medical advice before taking this or any other dietary supplement.) Get a free welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2, and 5 free travel packs in your first box: https://drinkAG1.com/pregnancypodcast See all discounts exclusive for Pregnancy Podcast listeners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/resources Get More from the Pregnancy Podcast Join Pregnancy Podcast Premium for ad-free episodes, full access to the back catalog, and a copy of the Your Birth Plan Book: https://pregnancypodcast.com/premium Follow your pregnancy week-by-week with the 40 Weeks podcast. Learn how your baby grows, what’s happening in your body, what to expect at prenatal appointments, and get tips for dads and partners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/week For more evidence-based information, visit the Pregnancy Podcast website: https://pregnancypodcast.com
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43:35
Q&A: Do You Really Need to Stop Using Retinol During Pregnancy?
Retinol is a vitamin A compound and one of the most effective ingredients in skincare. But with powerful results come potential side effects, especially during pregnancy. In this episode, we dive into the science behind retinoids, how they work, and why some forms may be risky if you are expecting. We break down the differences between oral and topical vitamin A compounds, review what the research and medical guidelines say, and explore how to weigh the benefits and risks for your skin and your baby. Plus, we cover safe and effective alternatives for both acne and anti-aging, and how to talk to your doctor or midwife about your skincare routine. Thank you to our sponsor Zahler goes above and beyond to use high-quality bioavailable ingredients like the active form of folate, bioavailable iron, and omega 3s. The Zahler Prenatal +DHA is my #1 recommendation for a high-quality prenatal vitamin. In July 2025, save 40% off the Zahler Prenatal +DHA on Amazon with the code PREPOD40. You can always see the details and the current promo code for the Zahler prenatal vitamin at PregnancyPodcast.com/vitamin. 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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18:57
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18:57
The Complete Guide to Packing Your Birth Bag
If you went into labor and arrived at the hospital or birth center with absolutely nothing packed, it would not be the end of the world. Sure, your partner might need to make a quick trip to buy a car seat so you can bring your baby home, but you would survive. That said, having a well-packed birth bag can make your labor, birth, and postpartum experience much more comfortable. This episode guides you through exactly what to pack for yourself, your baby, and your partner, ensuring everyone is prepared. No need to take notes; you can download a free checklist to make the process easier. Thank you to our sponsors The VTech V-Hush Stroller Rocker is a portable device that features a mechanical rocking mechanism to gently rock your baby’s crib or stroller to promote better sleep on the go. Plus it has a built-in amber night light, a rechargeable battery, soothing sounds, white noise, and sweet lullabies. Soothe your baby to sleep anywhere with the VTech V-Hush Stroller Rocker. Check it out at PregnancyPodcast.com/StrollerRocker AG1 Next Gen is a clinically-backed Daily Health Drink that combines a multivitamin, probiotic, and blend of superfoods into one scoop. AG1 delivers optimal amounts of nutrients in forms that help your body thrive. Just one scoop contains essential vitamins and nutrients, supports gut health, helps you feel sharp and focused, and supports a healthy immune system. Check out DrinkAG1.com/pregnancypodcast to get a free welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2, and 5 free travel packs in your first box. (As a friendly reminder, pregnant or nursing women should seek professional medical advice before taking this or any other dietary supplement.) Download the checklist and 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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34:58
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34:58
Heat Exposure During Pregnancy, What’s Safe and What to Avoid
This episode explores how various sources of heat exposure can impact your core temperature and your baby during pregnancy. Get evidence-based information on everything from hot weather and physical activity to hot tubs, saunas, and heating pads. This episode breaks down the nuance in the research to go beyond the typical conservative advice to avoid everything. Learn how to stay cool, protect your baby, and confidently navigate heat exposure. Whether the heat comes from something you can control, such as a hot yoga class, or something you cannot, like a summer heatwave, this episode will help you make informed decisions and stay safe. Thank you to our sponsors Zahler goes above and beyond to use high-quality bioavailable ingredients like the active form of folate, bioavailable iron, and omega 3s. The Zahler Prenatal +DHA is my #1 recommendation for a high-quality prenatal vitamin. Save 20% off the Zahler Prenatal +DHA on Amazon with the code PREPOD20. You can always see the details and the current promo code for the Zahler prenatal vitamin here. The VTech V-Hush Pro Baby Sleep Soother has every feature you could possibly want to transform any room into a sleep sanctuary. Create ideal sleep patterns and environments for your baby so your whole family gets better and longer sleep. The V-Hush Pro has built-in sleep programs and sleep tips from WeeSleep experts, over 200 pre-programmed stories, classical music, lullabies, and natural sounds. You can even record and upload your own voice, songs, or stories using the subscription-free app. The VTech V-Hush Pro Baby Sleep Soother is available at Walmart and Amazon. 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.
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.
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