Pregnancy Pearls

Your provider recommends inducing labor—and suddenly, you have questions. Why now? Is your body ready? What happens next? On this episode of Pregnancy Pearls, Dr. Nicole Plenty walks through labor induction in plain language, explaining how the process can involve preparing the cervix, starting contractions, and adjusting the plan based on how you and your baby respond. From cervical ripening medi...

Your baby is measuring small. Did you do something wrong? Why are there suddenly more appointments—and why would your doctor recommend delivery before your due date? On this episode of Pregnancy Pearls, Dr. Nicole Plenty breaks down fetal growth restriction, what ultrasound percentiles really mean, and how doctors evaluate a baby’s growth. She explains the role of the placenta, what Doppler studie...

Is this a normal pregnancy symptom—or should you call your doctor? You don’t have to figure it out alone. On this episode of Pregnancy Pearls, Dr. Nicole Plenty discusses how to recognize symptoms that deserve a call to your OB-GYN, an in-person evaluation, or emergency help. From bleeding and possible water breaking to contractions and changes in your baby’s movement, she explains why reaching ou...

Thinking about another baby? The calendar is only one part of the conversation. On this episode of Pregnancy Pearls, Dr. Nicole Plenty explores what deserves attention before your next pregnancy—from physical recovery and previous pregnancy complications to fertility concerns, emotional readiness, and the support you’ll need. Dr. Plenty breaks down pregnancy spacing and explains why feeling recove...

In this episode of Pregnancy Pearls, Dr. Nicole Plenty explains why pregnancy spacing matters and how the body continues recovering long after delivery. From rebuilding iron stores and balancing hormones to allowing the uterus and pelvic floor to heal, the time between pregnancies can affect both maternal health and the development of the next baby. Dr. Plenty discusses the potential risks associa...

In this episode of the Pregnancy Pearls Podcast, host Dr. Pliny breaks down May-Thurner syndrome (iliac vein compression syndrome)—a condition that is frequently overlooked when evaluating leg swelling and blood clot risks in expectant mothers. Learn why anatomic compression of the left common iliac vein by the right common iliac artery creates a 'garden hose' pressure effect, why pregnancy unmask...

In this special crossover episode of Pregnancy Pearls and Oh That’s Deep: Black Women Conversations, Dr. Nicole Plenty is joined by her friend and co-host Jănine Brunson for an honest conversation about uterine fibroids—a condition that affects millions of women and disproportionately impacts Black women. Dr. Plenty explains what fibroids are, the symptoms they can cause, their potential impact on...

In this episode of Pregnancy Pearls, Dr. Nicole Plenty explains hyperemesis gravidarum, a serious pregnancy condition involving persistent nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and significant weight loss. Drawing from both her medical expertise and her own difficult pregnancy experience, Dr. Plenty discusses common symptoms, possible hormonal factors, available treatments, and the warning signs that req...

In this episode of the Pregnancy Pearls Podcast, Dr. Nicole Plenty breaks down what expecting moms need to know about vaccinations during pregnancy. She discusses the flu, Tdap, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines, addressing common concerns and misconceptions while explaining why certain vaccines are recommended to protect both maternal and infant health. Dr. Plenty also explains passive immunity—how anti...

Your baby is breech. Does that automatically mean you need a C-section? It’s a question that can create anxiety, confusion—and plenty of conflicting advice. In this episode of Pregnancy Pearls, double board-certified OB/GYN and maternal-fetal medicine specialist Dr. Nicole Plenty breaks down what expecting parents need to know about breech babies and the complicated decision between a planned C-se...

When you’re pregnant, should you keep taking your regular medications—or stop them until you talk to your doctor? The answer could be more important than you think. On this episode of *Pregnancy Pearls*, Dr. Nicole Plenty welcomes Dr. Andrea Palmer for an essential conversation about **medication management before and during pregnancy**. From blood pressure medications and antidepressants to presc...

As Dr. Nicole Plenty returns to the podcast, she acknowledges what so many families are feeling—life has become increasingly stressful. From rising healthcare costs and political uncertainty to the everyday pressures of pregnancy and parenting, anxiety can feel overwhelming. That's why she's kicking off the new season with an important discussion on protecting your mental health before, during, an...

🎉 Join board-certified OB/GYN **Dr. Nicole Plenty** as she returns with all-new episodes dedicated to helping you navigate pregnancy, women's health, and motherhood with trusted, evidence-based information. In this special trailer, Dr. Plenty shares what listeners can expect in the new season while highlighting the importance of preventive care before, during, and after pregnancy. She discusses e...

Placental encapsulation involves the process of steaming, dehydrating, and grinding the placenta into a power that is then filled into capsules. Recently, there’s been a lot of talk about this topic. Check out this episode of the podcast to learn the pros and cons of placental encapsulation (based on my honest opinion). Then, you can make your decision own decision! Download and listen now!

On this week’s episode of the podcast, we got a little scholarly and learned about primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). You’re probably wondering what that is, right? Well, it’s a type of chronic liver disease that is rare but is diagnosed most often in women during their reproductive years. Check out this episode to learn more about PSC, how it affects pregnancy, and how it’s managed. Download a...

A lot of us now have higher educational and career aspirations, and that’s a great thing! So, it’s not uncommon to see people waiting until their 40s or even 50s to have children. Although age should not limit the desire to have children, there are some health considerations that should be discussed prior to conceiving. Check out this episode for the pros and cons to having babies after age 40yo a...

The growth of your baby during the pregnancy is a predictor about how healthy your baby really is. But why do some babies have poor fetal growth rates and some don't? Check out this episode where we explore reasons for fetal growth restriction (aka small babies during pregnancy), what high risk physicians look for when evaluating it, and how it is managed. You'll also learn about prognosis and why...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Unfortunately, 1:5 adults in the U.S. suffering from mental health issues, and during and after pregnancy is not an exception to this statistic. Actually, the physical impact of pregnancy compounded by lack of sleep and demands of a newborn exacerbate these diagnoses. Check out this episode of the podcast to learn about mental health issues, how they are addre...

In this episode, we have a little heart to heart. Some of us are making excuses for not following provider recommendations, calling it self advocacy. Asking questions, getting a second opinion, and even transferring your care are all things you SHOULD do when you feel you are not getting the answers or attention that you need. But it’s really important to follow through on recommendations. And if...

Most of prenatal care is spent trying to make sure you make it safely through pregnancy (as it should). And once you get to the delivery date, most exhale. Then you realize that you actually have to take the baby home, which will be a whole new world. Check out this episode to learn things to do to prepare for discharge and how to handle your “new” home life once you get home with your little one....

On this week’s podcast episode, all your questions about what you can and can’t eat during pregnancy were answered. More importantly, during this episode, you’ll learn WHY certain foods are safe and why some should be avoided. Download and listen now to learn more. And don’t forget to share it with your friends!

Several of you have asked if having babies later in life can cause issues with your health. Pregnancy, regardless of the age, can take a toll on the body. But there are studies that show some benefit of having babies later in life… and on average, that means living longer! Check out this episode where we discuss how babies keep you living longer. I also jump straight into your questions related to...

On last week's podcast episode, we chatted about Down syndrome, which sparked several questions about the amniocentesis procedure. So we discussed it at length during this week's podcast episode. An amniocentesis is a procedure that entails removal of amniotic fluid through introduction of a sterile needle into the uterine cavity, typically under ultrasound guidance. If you've been offered an amni...

Home births for low risk patients under the care of a qualified and certified healthcare provider is a safe and comfortable way for many patients to deliver. But post-covid, there's now a rise in free birth deliveries, which excludes delivery by a healthcare provider. But is it safe? Check out this episode where I compare free birth deliveries without a midwife or physician to traditional home bir...

This week, we dropped another #AskDrPlenty episode. This time, the focus was on all those questions you’re too embarrassed to ask your provider . From random odors during sex to how to talk to your partner about STDs, all your questions were answered! Make sure to check out this episode to be apart of the girl talk. And if you have personal questions, send those in as well!