Dr. Lori Gore-Green | Women's Health Professional

Dr. Lori Gore-Green's Portfolio of Experience as a Women's Health Professional

Great Pregnancy Podcasts For Expecting Mothers In 2022

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Getting pregnant can be exciting, but it can also feel like a daunting experience. With so many changes happening in your body and mind during this time, it can be hard to keep up with all the latest developments. Fortunately, pregnancy podcasts are a great way to get all the information you need about becoming a mother.

 

There are a variety of pregnancy-focused podcasts out there, and they’re designed to help parents-to-be navigate the various stages of becoming a mother. They also provide valuable advice from experts and parents-to-be who have been there. Aside from being able to provide helpful information, these podcasts also allow busy parents to listen while they’re doing the dishes or buying baby clothes. Here are a few great podcasts for pregnant mothers.

 

If These Ovaries Could Talk

If These Ovaries Could Talk is a comedy pregnancy podcast that’s dedicated to celebrating the baby-making experiences of LGBTQ+ families. It’s hosted by Robin Hopkins and Jaimie Kelton, and it features guests who talk about their own experiences as queer people as they prepare to become parents, sharing the challenges they face, as well as their own fears and aspirations about becoming parents.

 

Plus Mommy Podcast

The Plus Mommy Podcast is hosted by Jen McLellan, and it features a variety of body-positive guests who are committed to supporting and celebrating all women who are expecting. While anyone can enjoy and take something away from the show, its main goal is to destigmatize topics surrounding plus-sized pregnancies, letting plus-sized mothers know that they’re not alone out there.

 

All About Pregnancy and Birth

One of the best podcasts for first-time parents is The Pregnancy Podcast, which is hosted by Nicole Rankins. She has over 15 years of experience as an ob-gyn, and she shares the latest information about pregnancy and parenting. Each episode features expert guest stars who Nicole interviews, as well as parents who share their own experiences being a first-time parent, covering topics such as postpartum recovery, IVF, and so much more.

 

The Birth Hour: A Birth Story Podcast

Sometimes, listening to the inspiring stories of others is just what’s needed during those long nine months of pregnancy. This show, which is hosted by Bryn Huntpalmer, features stories from every step of the journey, as well as interviews with birth professionals. You’ll hear stories about navigating the postpartum period, trying to actually conceive, and just generally getting ready for your baby to arrive.

Can You Donate Blood When You’re Pregnant?

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When you discover you’re about to become a parent for the first time, your outlook on the world may change a little bit. Often times people will think about how they want to raise their children in a happy, safe world, and maybe you’re considering becoming a little more altruistic. While it’s great to want to do good, if you’re pregnant, you need to be careful about what you choose to do. For example, donating blood. Donating blood is a great thing to do, and when you’re pregnant your blood volume increases significantly. Think again, as donating blood when pregnant is not a good idea.

Being pregnant can be one of the most beautiful and exciting times of your life, but it can also be incredibly nerve-wracking. There are so many resources out there that can help you make informed decisions, and it can be hard to decide what is safe and what isn’t. There are always things you should avoid when pregnant such as alcohol and caffeine. Blood donation is one of those things.

The American Red Cross’ eligibility requirements state that pregnant women are not allowed to donate blood. Doing so can have detrimental effects on your health and the safety of your child.

Donating blood typically leads to a drop in iron. A drop in iron can lead to anemia, and it’s especially harmful to pregnant women since they’re at high risk for this condition. According to Dr. Janelle Mary Jackman, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist at Kindbody in Silicon Valley, iron is very important to both mother and baby’s health during pregnancy, as it transports oxygen to various parts of the body, including the placenta, which is where oxygen diffuses into the baby’s blood.

This can lead to low oxygen levels throughout the body, which can cause premature birth and low birth weight. Aside from this, iron is also important for the development of the fetus and the red blood cells that nourish the mother.

It’s important to note that iron deficiency anemia isn’t a rare condition during pregnancy. According to Jackman, it’s caused by the plasma component of blood rising faster than the red blood cells. This causes physiological anemia in the mother. To avoid this, she recommends increasing your iron intake by around 350 to 500 mL. If you’re worried about an iron deficiency or an issue with your baby’s health, talk to your doctor about it. He or she can monitor your baby’s health and provide you with the correct information.

How Long After Giving Birth Can You Donate Blood?

If you’re still interested in blood donation once you’ve given birth, talk to your doctor about it. The American Red Cross won’t allow you to give blood until six weeks after you’ve had your baby, but you may want to wait between 6 to 9 months after childbirth as breastmilk relies on iron, and childbirth typically involves a large amount of blood loss.

Health Benefits of Breastfeeding for the Mother and Baby

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If you’ve been thinking about not breastfeeding your baby, then you probably have plenty of information to sift through.

Before you make a decision, check out all the benefits of breastfeeding for both you and your baby.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that exclusive breastfeeding is the best way to provide optimal nutrition for babies. This means that you should start breastfeeding your baby for at least six months before transitioning to solid food.

The World Health Organization and other health organizations recommend that new moms breastfeed their babies until they are two years old.

How Breastfeeding Benefits Babies

  1. Breast milk contains essential nutrition for babies

Most healthcare professionals also recommend breastfeeding for at least six months. It provides the nutrients needed for a baby’s first six months.

During the first few days after birth, your body produces a thick and yellowish fluid called Colostrum. It’s high in protein, low on sugar, and loaded with beneficial nutrients.

Colostrum is the ideal first milk for a newborn because it helps the baby’s digestive tract develop.

Although your milk supply is magical, it won’t provide enough vitamin D. To get enough in your system, consume vitamin D drops.

  1. It also contains antibodies 

It also contains anti-virus and bacteria-fighting antibodies, which help protect the baby from illness during the early months.

When a baby is exposed to bacteria or viruses, the IgA antibodies begin to form in the milk. This immunity system helps protect the baby from getting sick.

Unfortunately, formula doesn’t provide enough protection for babies; not being breastfed increases a baby’s chances of getting sick.

  1. The nutrients and antibodies may reduce disease risk

Exclusive breastfeeding is beneficial for your baby. It can reduce your child’s risk of many illnesses and diseases.

It’s also important to exclusively breastfeed for the protection of babies from various illnesses. Breastfeeding can also help protect babies from respiratory tract infections and other gastrointestinal illnesses. It can also decrease the risk of getting a serious cold.

Also, breastfeeding can help prevent infant mortality due to intestinal tissue damage. It’s also linked to a reduction in the risk of Sudden infant death syndrome. Being breastfed can also help prevent a baby from developing various diseases, such as colitis and Crohn’s disease. It can also decrease the risk of type 1 diabetes and childhood leukemia.

Studies show that breastfeeding can promote healthy weight gain and prevent childhood obesity. It’s believed that the beneficial bacteria in the gut of breastfed babies can affect the storage of fat.

Also, breastfeeding produces higher levels of the hormone leptin in its systems, which helps regulate appetite and fat storage. This helps breastfeeding babies develop healthy eating patterns.

  1. Breastfeeding may correlate to childrens’ intelligence

It’s also believed that breastfeeding helps boost the brain development of infants.

Factors such as breastfeeding’s effect on a baby’s intelligence and the nutrients it provides are also known to have a positive effect on a child’s development.

The long-term effects of breastfeeding are also beneficial for infants with a higher risk of developing developmental issues.

How Breastfeeding Benefits Mothers

  1. Breastfeeding can help mothers lose baby weight

There are also many reasons why breastfeeding babies can seem to gain weight. One of these is that it burns more calories than breastfeeding. After three months, the effects of breastfeeding seem to be less significant.

  1. Breastfeeding helps your uterus contract

During pregnancy, the uterus grows rapidly and fills almost the entire abdomen. This process, known as involution, is caused by the hormone oxytocin.

The high levels of oxytocin that you secrete during labor can help nourish the baby and reduce bleeding. Studies also suggest that breastfeeding can help improve the blood flow to the uterus.

  1. Breastfeeding lowers your risk for PPD

Postpartum depression is a condition that can develop after a woman has given birth. A 2012 study found that breastfeeding mothers were less prone to experiencing this type of depression.

Although women who have had a baby are less likely to experience postpartum depression, those who are still breastfeeding are still more prone to having difficulty doing this.

  1. It also lowers your risk for disease

Being a breastfeeding mother is known to lower a woman’s risk of various diseases and cancer. In addition, being a part of a breastfeeding group is linked to a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

  1. It can prevent menstruation post-birth

Being a breastfeeding mother can also help women maintain a regular menstrual cycle. It’s believed that this process helps nourish the uterus and provides a sense of time for women.

  1. Breastfeeding saves you money and time

Most breastfeeding mothers are free to choose breastfeeding. Not only do they save time, but they also don’t have to spend a huge amount of money on formula. Having a well-trained and organized breastfeeding staff can help you make breastfeeding easier and less time-consuming.

Although it’s recommended that women start breastfeeding at the age of 6 months, most health agencies still recommend it for everyone.

It’s also known that breastfeeding helps protect a baby from chronic diseases and illness.

Since there are many reasons to choose to breastfeed, your healthcare team can help you make the best possible choice for yourself.

What you should take away

Despite the numerous advantages of breastfeeding, most health agencies still recommend it for everyone. Milk contains various antibodies that can protect the baby from illness.

Your healthcare team can help you make the right choice for yourself and your baby.