Pregtastic Online Radio

During pregnancy, exercise can help you stay in shape and prepare for labor and delivery. And after your baby is born, those extra endorphins can improve your overall mood, making you healthier inside and out. Those are the facts. But, there are also many myths surrounding exercise, both prenatal and postpartum. Connie Marshall, a certified personal trainer, is this week's PregTASTIC expert.

Pregnancy is one of the most emotional events in a womanʼs life. Sometimes youʼre up and sometimes youʼre down. And sometimes the key to surviving it all is to know youʼre not alone. So, brace yourself as we explore our own personal roller coaster rides.

Will you be co-sleeping with your baby? What are the benefits, short and long term, to co-sleeping? Is co-sleeping safe? What constitutes a safe sleeping environment regardless of where baby sleeps? Does co-sleeping effect your babies ability to fall asleep in his/her bed when older? Is there a correlation between co-sleeping and SIDS? Dr. Fredrick Johnson, Chief of Pediatrics at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital is this week's PregTASTIC expert.

Whether youʼre a first time parent or a seasoned pro, the labor and delivery process can be intense. Itʼs important to know your options. Childbirth classes provide you with the information you need to minimize your fears and help you make informed decisions. Childbirth educator Kimberly Hicks discusses the different types of classes and which one is best for you.

Discover the secret language of baby cries. Are you afraid your baby will be crying and you won't know why? Wouldnʼt it be great if you knew EXACTLY what your baby needed when he/she was crying? Certified Dunstan Baby Educator, Cheryl Clift, shares the five common cries babies use to communicate their everyday needs?

Different day, different symptom. Sound familiar? Pregnancy is full of ups and downs. We all experience them and sometimes it helps to share the experiences with others. So get ready to bare it all!

Have you thought about what to do with your placenta after the birth of your baby? Did you know your placenta can continue to provide both you and your baby essential nutrients for weeks after giving birth? What is placenta encapsulation? What are the benefits to eating or consuming the placenta and what is the process? What are hospital policies for taking your placenta? Fruit of the Womb's Mykael Richards answers our questions and offers advice for parents who wish to learn more about the benefits of consuming the placenta.

What exactly is the placenta, its function, and why is it essential to the survival of a developing baby? What are some common placenta problems women may face and how are they overcome? What is placenta previa? Placenta abruption? What can expecting mothers do to help make their placentas strong and healthy? What is the lifespan of a placenta? Certified childbirth educator and owner of Babies in Bloom, Rochelle McLean is this week's PregTASTIC expert.

Oona and her husband Dave planned on a water birth with a midwife because they wanted to bring their baby into the world without medication and within the walls of their own home. How long did Oona labor, and when and why did they have to go to the hospital? What advice does Oona and her husband have for expecting parents?

After months of waiting, youʼve successfully made it through labor and delivery... now what? Silvia Bustamante, Health Educator Specialist for Kaiser Permanente joins us with “Baby Care Basics”. Is your home safe for a newborn? How do you care for your newborn's umbilical cord stump? When and how to feed, burp and swaddle your new baby, and what are the common mistakes new parents make? Plus, back to sleep and what's a Peepee Teepee?  

For many women, pregnancy is an emotional and physical roller-coaster ride. One moment youʼre “up” and thenext moment youʼre “down”. But believe me, youʼre not alone. Thatʼs what our monthly “Ups and Down” episode is allabout.

Is your hospital a baby-friendly hospital? What exactly does that mean and what are the benefits to you and your family? Plus, resources to see if your hospital is baby-friendly and how to locate a baby-friendly hosptial in your area. Nurse/Midwife and Lactation Consultant, Vicki Wolfrum is this week's PregTASTIC expert.

We know "breast is best" but what if you can't breastfeed? What if you have an abundance of milk and would like to help someone who can't breastfeed? What are the requirements to receive milk and how do milk banks prioritize? What are the requirements of being a donor and how to receive your donor number? What is the minimum you can donate and when is the best time to donate to a breast milk bank? What are the costs and/or does insurance cover it? Dr. Nancy Wight is this week's PregTASTIC expert.

Sunny's birthing story. Her birth plan, epidurals and recuperation after a 9.2 lb baby. How did she know she was in labor and where was she? The importance of packing your bags in advance; you won’t believe what she accidentally left behind! Plus, not all is well post birth, and why she's vowed to become the spokesperson for epidurals.

Swollen feet and ankles, backaches and sore breasts? Cute belly bumps, baby kicks, and an amazing pregnancy glow? What are your pregnancy ups and downs? The PregTASTIC crew shares some highs and lows of their pregnancies. Plus, two call-in guest panelists.

Infertility is relatively common, occurring in about 11% of couples of childbearing age. Fortunately more than 80% of couples with fertility problems will get pregnant. Dr. Arlene Morales, Founder and Medical Dir. of Fertility Specialists Medical Group, is this week's expert. When should you look into medical treatments? What are some of the more common treatments and their success rates? What problems and treatments are recommended for males? Why can secondary infertility be an issue? And how to speak and comfort a friend, family member or colleague about their struggles with infertility. Plus, infertility myths vs. facts..  

For some, getting pregnant was a long, difficult, and expensive process. In fact one in six couples trying to get pregnant experience some degree of infertility. Sky Williams and her husband struggled with infertility for 3+ years but earlier this year they welcomed the birth of their baby girl. Sky shares her experience and how she is helping raise awareness while giving women confidence to be there for others who may be struggling with infertility.

After learning Kristen's baby was frank breech, she tried everything to turn her. Did their daily chanting work? What about the soothing sounds of Sting and the Philharmonic Orchestra? Plus, her experience with placenta encapsulation... It's not as barbaric as you may think. And, her product recommendations.

Every Pregnancy is filled with highs and lows. Some days are better than others, but the amazing experience of carrying our unborn child is something we wouldn't trade for the world. Just as long as we can share those experiences along the way.

Throwing a baby shower is an honor and lots of fun, but it can also be stressful. Much like planning a wedding, everyone seems to have their personal opinion on what works best. Today our PregTASTIC panel of mommies-to-be tackle the tough issues surrounding baby shower etiquette. Who should throw the baby shower? Who pays? Do co-ed baby showers really work? What about “virtual” baby showers... one of our expectant moms tells us all about her experience. Plus, what the heck is a baby “sprinkle”?