Informed Pregnancy Podcast

With so many important health decisions to make for their little ones, new parents typically research available options and make informed choices together with their medical providers. But, when it comes to childhood vaccination it has become practically taboo to look into risks and benefits or to consider options. Dr. Bob Sears, a practicing pediatrician and author stops by for respectful convers...

A midwife is your primary care provider during your pregnancy and birth, a doula is a non-medical labor support person, and a monitrice is an interesting blend of these two roles. Midwife (and monitrice!) Abby Vidikan joins the podcast to explain and discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ilana Muhlstein, M.S., R.D.N., is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Wellness Enthusiast and Educator, and has become one of the most sought-after weight loss experts and influencers around the world. Tune in as she gives us the tips and tricks to losing weight, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and eating healthy throughout pregnancy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice...

Pelvic floor health is often overlooked but is an extremely important component of overall health and wellness, especially during and after pregnancy. Pelvic floor physical therapist Anna McMaster educates us on what the pelvic floor is and does and how to evaluate, maintain and restore pelvic floor and core health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Holistic skin care guru Nousha Salimi returns share how her plans for a vaginal birth after cesarean played out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cosmetic rejuvenation artist and Reiki healer Nousha Salimi talks about the dos and don'ts of pregnancy skincare, her unique approach to conscious aging, and she shares her unique first birth story and plans for the upcoming birth of her second child. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actress, singer, adoptive and foster mother Jen Lilley is 39 weeks pregnant with her first biological child and joins us to talk about parenting, pregnancy, her breech baby experience and her plans the the imminent birth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hypnobabies founder Kerry Tuschoff joins Dr. Berlin to talk about her personal background as well as the origins and theories behind the popular birthing technique. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pediatrician Dr. Robert Hamilton, creator of the baby calming technique the "Hamilton hold" joins the podcast to give us tips and tricks for finding the right pediatrician, the secret to calming a crying baby and other gems gleaned from his decades of practice in pediatric medicine and his new book.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brand new mommy, actress Claire Holt returns to the podcast and shares her authentic labor and birth story including the ups, downs, twists and turns as she experienced them in the moment and in retrospect.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Erica Smith is a Chiropractor and Craniosacral therapist with a focus on pregnancy, postpartum and care of children from birth through adolescence. In this episode Dr. Smith discusses Craniosacral therapy - a gentle yet powerful modality. We talk about what craniosacral therapy is, how its diagnostic and therapeutic elements work and what a sessions feels like, as well as who may benefit from...

Intrahepatic Cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a condition that can occur during pregnancy that typically causes very uncomfortable itching for the expectant mother but can be more serious for the baby. Our guests Dr. Emiliano Chavira and Midwife Davi Khalsa discuss what cholestasis is,, how often it occurs, signs and symptoms, testing and treatment options. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

One day after recording our BEFORE episode in which Kate shared her plans for a home birth, she develops uncomfortable symptoms and soon learns that she has a condition which may put her baby in danger. Kate and Jamie's birth plan takes a sharp turn down what turned out to be a wild and unpredictable path. In this episode Kate shares her birth story and in the middle Jamie joins the discussion too...

Actress Kate Mara in a rare personal interview talks about her youth, growing up in a double NFL football family, her road to Hollywood, meeting her husband, her pregnancy experience, and plans for her upcoming birth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At 38 weeks Suzanne is full term with her twins. Baby A is head down and baby B is breech. Suzanne and her doctors decide to induce labor working towards a vaginal birth. Tune in as Suzanne shares her birth story and discusses newborn care of twins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Suzanne (Frank) Mercer is a prenatal and pediatric chiropractor, doula and labor bodyworker. She shares her rich background of experience, ranging from whole family practice to prenatal/postnatal care. Now, she is 38 weeks pregnant with twins - due to deliver at any moment. Suzanne talks her fertility journey while having PCOS, the moment she found out she was having twins, experiences with tw...

Erica Mock is passionate about nutrition. She is a new mom and founder of 'Twenty-Five Eight', a company that aims to empower every woman to intuitively trust her cravings to guide her on what to eat before, during and long after pregnancy. Erica is changing the way we eat, focusing on quality rather than quantity, knowing the journey of food from conception to harvest and by eating with the seaso...

Belly Bandit is a unique company specializing in postpartum compression wraps, modernizing the ancient practice of belly binding. Founding member Kari Caden shares the struggles that she and her sisters had with the physical transformations of pregnancy and postpartum that lead to the creation of Belly Bandit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actress / Producer / Podcaster and now incubator Pallavi Sastry chats about her background in musical theater and transformation into TV, and what it was like growing up as an Indian American post 9/11. She gets real about real life challenges with conception and mental health. We discuss how her pregnancy has progressed so far and some of her fascinating upcoming projects. Learn more about your a...

The creators of the smash hit YouTube design show "Mr. Kate" are expecting an add-on of their own! Kate and Joey stop by to talk pregnancy, birth planning, and nursery design as well as their #creativeweirdo journey, becoming YouTube entrepreneurs and the importance of being authentic and unapologetic in all aspects of life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lele Akalu immigrated to the United States from Ethiopia at the age of 14 to pursue higher education. After three years of nursing school, she realized that nursing wasn't her passion and did a 180 career change to pursue the arts. She is currently working on the animated series - DISENCHANTMENT on Netflix. Lele was aiming for an unmedicated hospital birth but had her doubts about whether or not s...

TV personality, blogger and new Mom, Stuart Brazell walks us through the importance of authenticity and creativity while building your personal brand and her journey to becoming an influencer. Stuart shares the story of her recent birth to her son Asher and gives us insight into her life as a new mom juggling a thriving career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you know when labor is starting? What is the difference between Braxton-Hicks and labor contractions? When do you call the doula? Birth practitioner? Long time midwife Aleksandra Evanguelidi shares her expert perspective on identifying the signs and symptoms of pre and early labor and some practical tips for what to do during these phases. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...

Super pregnant actress, model, wife and mother Denise Vasi shares the beautiful story of her first pregnancy and home birth - spoiler alert the baby arrived before the midwives did. Denise talks about life as a pregnant and working mother and her latest project Maed: A website for women who balance career, motherhood and family life without sacrificing self-care and style.  Photo credit - Lauren A...

Erica Ciccone Clancy is back to share her home birth experience. After months of preparation, education, and building a solid birth team, Erica quickly progresses into active labor. Tune in for an entertaining and inspiring listen as she walks us through the details of her wild ride. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices