The first hour after your baby is born is a critical time for bonding and transitioning to life outside the womb. This episode answers a question about how important this time really is and provides practical tips on how to prepare for it. Learn about the evidence on skin-to-skin contact, delayed umbilical cord clamping, and how to navigate newborn procedures while prioritizing bonding. We also explore what to expect during the first hour, including considerations for cesarean births and how your partner can play an active role.     Thank you to our sponsor   Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. That’s a $48 value for FREE! Just one daily scoop provides whole-body benefits like gut, immune, and stress support. AG1 sources bioavailable ingredients that actually work with your body. Plus, their formula has all non-GMO ingredients and contains no added sugar. With AG1, I know I am filling any nutrient gaps and supporting my gut for healthy digestion. (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.

This episode is your guide to all of the administrative tasks you are responsible for after having a baby. From submitting maternity or paternity leave paperwork to applying for critical identification documents like a birth certificate, social security number, and passport. Learn how to ensure your baby is added to your health insurance and how to stay on top of pediatrician appointments. Plus, key considerations to update your estate planning and financial accounts. Procrastinating and putting off these responsibilities will take more work or cost you more money or frustration in the future. Being proactive is the key to staying organized and on top of these tasks. This episode provides practical guidance to help you confidently navigate the administrative side of parenting.     Thank you to our sponsors   VTech is the most trusted choice for baby monitors and North America's leading #1 baby monitor brand. The Vtech V-Care Over the Crib Smart Nursery Baby Monitor has every feature you could want in a monitor to keep an eye on your baby and have peace of mind that they are safely sleeping. The V-Care has built-in intelligence to alert you if your baby's face is covered or has rolled over on their stomach, full high-definition video, infrared night vision technology, and even analysis of sleep patterns and quality. The V-Care Over the Crib Smart Nursery Baby Monitor is exclusively available on 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.

Plastic has been the go-to material for baby bottles for decades, but recent concerns have raised questions about its safety. Although BPA was banned in baby bottles over a decade ago, similar chemicals like BPF and BPS are still used as replacements, and research on their long-term effects is ongoing. Additionally, the issue of microplastics in plastic bottles has become a growing concern, with studies suggesting that babies may be exposed to tiny plastic particles that could impact their development. In this episode, you'll learn practical tips to minimize risks associated with plastic baby bottles, from safe handling and cleaning practices to the importance of avoiding excessive heat. We’ll also discuss alternatives, including the pros and cons of glass, silicone, and stainless steel bottles. Whether you’re already using plastic bottles or exploring other options, this episode will empower you to make a well-informed choice for your baby’s health and safety.     Thank you to our sponsor   Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. That’s a $48 value for FREE! Just one daily scoop provides whole-body benefits like gut, immune, and stress support. AG1 sources bioavailable ingredients that actually work with your body. Plus, their formula has all non-GMO ingredients and contains no added sugar. With AG1, I know I am filling any nutrient gaps and supporting my gut for healthy digestion. (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.

In the United States, the average cost of vaginal birth is nearly $10,000, and the average price for a cesarean section is close to $14,000. There are tools and strategies you can use to save money on your medical bills. Insurance can help cover the cost of prenatal care and birth. Tax-advantaged accounts like flexible spending or health savings accounts can save you money on the expenses you have to pay.   Whether you already have insurance or are shopping for a new plan, learn how your insurance works and how to minimize costs. Plus, get an overview of tax-advantaged accounts you can use to pay qualified medical expenses. If you are not in a financial position to obtain insurance or utilize tax-advantaged accounts, this episode also has tips for understanding the costs and how you can get assistance with coverage.   This is not intended to be used as tax advice. Please consult your CPA, accountant, or tax professional for questions and more information.     Thank you to our sponsors   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.   Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. That’s a $48 value for FREE! Just one daily scoop provides whole-body benefits like gut, immune, and stress support. AG1 sources bioavailable ingredients that actually work with your body. Plus, their formula has all non-GMO ingredients and contains no added sugar. With AG1, I know I am filling any nutrient gaps and supporting my gut for healthy digestion. (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.

Ultrasounds have revolutionized prenatal care, and it is incredible that we have technology that allows us to see a baby inside the womb. Ultrasound technology began with 2D black-and-white pictures and has advanced to include 3D, 4D, and even 5D images and video. While prenatal care providers sometimes use 3D ultrasounds, most are elective ultrasounds for parents to see their baby and get keepsake images and videos. While this has become popular, the medical community has raised concerns about elective ultrasounds. Learn about 3D ultrasounds, the evidence on safety, potential risks, and tips for making an informed decision.   Thank you to our sponsor   Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. That’s a $48 value for FREE! Just one daily scoop provides whole-body benefits like gut, immune, and stress support. AG1 sources bioavailable ingredients that actually work with your body. Plus, their formula has all non-GMO ingredients and contains no added sugar. With AG1, I know I am filling any nutrient gaps and supporting my gut for healthy digestion. (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.

Some expecting mothers feel an instant connection with their baby as soon as they see a positive pregnancy test. For other mothers, feeling a bond doesn’t come naturally. Every parent experiences pregnancy differently, and no matter where you are on the spectrum, how you feel about your baby right now is okay and normal. It is widely accepted that a parent’s emotional involvement with their baby influences their parenting. Can you bond with your baby during pregnancy and get a head start on building that connection early? Learn what research tells us about bonding with your baby during pregnancy and tips on how you and your partner can start building a connection with your baby now.     Thank you to our sponsors   VTech is the most trusted choice for baby monitors and North America's leading #1 baby monitor brand. The Vtech V-Care Over the Crib Smart Nursery Baby Monitor has every feature you could want in a monitor to keep an eye on your baby and have peace of mind that they are safely sleeping. The V-Care has built-in intelligence to alert you if your baby's face is covered or has rolled over on their stomach, full high-definition video, infrared night vision technology, and even analysis of sleep patterns and quality. The V-Care Over the Crib Smart Nursery Baby Monitor is exclusively available on Amazon.   Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. That’s a $48 value for FREE! Just one daily scoop provides whole-body benefits like gut, immune, and stress support. AG1 sources bioavailable ingredients that actually work with your body. Plus, their formula has all non-GMO ingredients and contains no added sugar. With AG1, I know I am filling any nutrient gaps and supporting my gut for healthy digestion. (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.

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 can you do if you have trouble swallowing pills or experience nausea? And how long should you continue taking one after having your baby? Tune in to this episode to get answers to these essential questions and more, and ensure you and your baby are getting the right nutrients at the right time.     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 October 2024, you can save 40% off the Zahler Prenatal +DHA on Amazon with the code PREPOD40. You can always see the current promo code for the Zahler prenatal vitamin by clicking here.     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. https://pregnancypodcast.com

The COVID-19 pandemic was the most significant global health crisis since the 1918 Spanish Flu. Fortunately, the severity and lethality of COVID-19 have greatly diminished. The overall risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 is now low, including for pregnant women. However, there is evidence that contracting COVID-19 during pregnancy may increase the risk of adverse outcomes such as preterm birth, cesarean delivery, preeclampsia or eclampsia, and blood clots. To reduce these risks and provide passive immunity to the baby, healthcare professionals recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant women. Deciding whether to get vaccinated during pregnancy can be challenging, as it requires weighing the potential risks and benefits.    This can be even more challenging with new vaccines that use innovative technology, where there is limited data and no long-term research yet available. Additionally, if you opt in to the COVID-19 vaccine you have choices regarding the type of vaccine and when to receive it. Learn about the available evidence on the safety, risks, and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy so you can make an informed and confident decision.     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. In October 2024, you can save 40% off the Zahler Prenatal +DHA on Amazon with the code PREPOD40. You can always see the current promo code for the Zahler prenatal vitamin by clicking here.   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.   Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. That’s a $48 value for FREE! Just one daily scoop provides whole-body benefits like gut, immune, and stress support. AG1 sources bioavailable ingredients that actually work with your body. Plus, their formula has all non-GMO ingredients and contains no added sugar. With AG1, I know I am filling any nutrient gaps and supporting my gut for healthy digestion. (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.

This episode responds to a listener facing constant morning sickness and the conflicting emotions of wanting to be excited about pregnancy while struggling with uncomfortable symptoms. Morning sickness affects 60-80% of expecting mothers, and while the good news is that it typically subsides over time, there’s no one-size-fits-all cure. Finding relief can be a trial-and-error process. In this episode, we explore a variety of evidence-based remedies that may help alleviate nausea, including dietary changes, supplements, essential oils, and physical interventions.     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 October 2024, you can save 40% off the Zahler Prenatal +DHA on Amazon with the code PREPOD40. You can always see the current promo code for the Zahler prenatal vitamin by clicking here.     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.

RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus, a common respiratory virus that usually causes upper respiratory illness with mild, cold-like symptoms. For some groups, like infants, RSV can be a severe lower respiratory tract illness. With no licensed vaccine available for babies, there are two options for protection against RSV. One option is a maternal RSV vaccine during pregnancy between 32 and 37 weeks from September through January. The other option is monoclonal antibodies administered to newborns within a week after birth. The vaccine and antibodies for RSV are both relatively newly approved treatments. This episode examines the available research to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these options so you can make an informed decision for yourself and your baby.     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.In October 2024, you can save 40% off the Zahler Prenatal +DHA on Amazon with the code PREPOD40. You can always see the current promo code for the Zahler prenatal vitamin by clicking here.   Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. That’s a $48 value for FREE! Just one daily scoop provides whole-body benefits like gut, immune, and stress support. AG1 sources bioavailable ingredients that actually work with your body. Plus, their formula has all non-GMO ingredients and contains no added sugar. With AG1, I know I am filling any nutrient gaps and supporting my gut for healthy digestion. (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.

Vaccines can be a complex and controversial topic, especially for new parents. In this episode, we answer a listener's question about whether family members and visitors should be vaccinated before being around a newborn. We review the official vaccine recommendations and explore key considerations for your specific situation. Plus, we provide guidance on how to approach this conversation and handle any disagreements if you do request that close friends or family get vaccinated. Like any parenting decision, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Tune in to get the information you need to make an informed and confident decision for you and your baby.     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 October 2024, you can save 40% off the Zahler Prenatal +DHA on Amazon with the code PREPOD40. You can always see the current promo code for the Zahler prenatal vitamin by clicking here.     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.