Pregtastic Online Radio

What exactly is homebirth? Who is a good candidate and why might you want to consider a homebirth? How and why a homebirth is safe. When is a homebirth not recommended, and what's the plan of action if hospital transfer becomes necessary? What are the costs and what does insurance cover? And, thoughts on young siblings being present during a birth. Midwife Marla Hicks is this week's guest on PregTASTIC!

Mindy's four-week early birth, epidural bliss, dealing with pressure to feed her newborn, must haves at the hospital and what's with the weird toe comment from the nurse?

What exactly is natural childbirth? What happens with a woman’s hormones during a natural childbirth? What causes pain during childbirth? Tips to achieving an unmedicated birth where you feel most comfortable, and how to best prepare yourself and your partner. Midwife and creator of It's My Body My Baby, My Birth DVD, Maria Iorillo joins PregTASTIC. 

The importance of exploring your childcare options early in your pregnancy. Day care, nanny, family care, etc. Pros and cons and what will you pay for these services? Due diligence, the right background check and what not to do in your search.

Sarah is back to share her birth story. We’ll find out if she was induced, hear about her surprise rupture of membranes, and the pros and cons of the epidural wearing off a little too early. 

What should you organize before the birth of your second child? How to prepare your toddler for baby #2. How to cope with differing schedules, easing your toddler’s transition, go-to items and Me time. PregTASTIC hosts Jennifer Hull, mother of two and author of Beyond One: Growing a Family and Getting a Life.

Maggie shares her surprise birth, 4-weeks early, no bag packed, no name picked, car seat drama at the special care nursery and breastfeeding: “udderly intense”. Maggie’s sense of humor pulls her through! And, win a $100 shopping spree! 

When and how do you share your pregnancy news with your boss and coworkers? How do you keep up the pace during those first tired months? Maternity leave ideas, staying connected to work and baby, signs that you’re ready to return to work, and childcare dilemmas. Dr. Marjorie Greenfield, OB/GYN and author of The Working Woman’s Pregnancy Book talks work concerns with PregTASTIC.

Christina’s back to share how her 2nd c-section compared to the first, anesthesia surprises, an over-the-curtain paparazzi dad, how she prepared her toddler for the baby and a Facebook baby name poll! 

Dads-to-be: What excites them? What are their top concerns? Worries? What don’t they want to talk about? What helps dads become better birth partners? And the difference between how men and women talk about pregnancy and birth. Sam Holt shares his insights on the male perspective of pregnancy and birth which he gathered while making the film Being Dad: Inspiration and Information for Dads to be. 

How was her all natural, birth center experience? The pros and cons of her quick, first time labor. Did she have time to get relaxed for hypnobabies? Boy or girl? What is code pink? And, why she missed being at the birth center once they were home. Kate’s back to share it all!

What constitutes an “elective” cesarean? Do the benefits outweigh the risks for mom and baby? "Wet lungs" and respiratory problems from cesareans. When is the earliest you should have an elective c-section? The importance of fetal development during the last 2 weeks of gestation, and possible breastfeeding complications from cesareans. Dr. Thomas Moore, Chair of Reproductive Medicine at University of California at San Diego is this week's guest.

What emotional changes do moms experience after having a baby? What are some signs that Mom feels she’s lost her identity? How can you tell if you are a “Mommy Martyr”? How do you integrate your new identity as a mother with who you were before motherhood? Sara Holliday a licensed marriage-family therapist answers these questions and more. 

What is the 4th Trimester? What are the 5 S's to keep your newborn happy? Why is your newborn fussing and what can you do to make him/her happy? Plus, replicating the womb, how to properly swaddle, importance of white noise, thumb sucking vs. pacifier and tips to create a healthy environment for your newborn. Also, how do you help well-meaning family members understand you’re not “spoiling” your baby? PregTASTIC hosts world-renowned pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp.

How to decide which childbirth option is right for you, and five tips on what to consider when making your decision. Plus, how do we stop the judgment of each other’s child birthing choices? Author, Marisa Cohen joins PregTASTIC to discuss her book Deliver This!: Make the Childbirth Choice That's Right for You . . . No Matter What Everyone Else Thinks.

HypnoBirthing, meconium in her amniotic fluid and how her itching condition affected birth. Plus, their unique name choice, her most comfortable laboring position and a hospital cafeteria Thanksgiving! Former podcaster Stacey returns to share her birth story.

From choosing gear and throwing showers to finding a doula, a doctor and even childcare; learn what baby planners do during pregnancy and beyond with Carrie Furet from Essential Baby Planner.

Meridith’s back with her birth story! She details the ups and downs of a 4-hour labor -- are there downs to that? How she shared the birth with her fiancé overseas, why she was all over Tim-buck-two hours after birth, an insurance phone call and how she got back into the swing of things so quickly.

Prenatal ultrasounds: Should you get a “storefront” 4-D ultrasound? Are there risks involved? How do they work and why are they done? What are some false-positives? Why a full bladder? PregTASTIC hosts Dr. Dolores Pretorius, Professor of Radiology at University of California San Diego and Director of Fetal Imaging at the UCSD Fetal Care and Genetics Center and gets the 411 on prenatal ultrasounds.

Has your sex drive changed during your pregnancy? What are some common issues that interfere with intimacy and how you can overcome them? Will your sex life ever be the same as before pregnancy? And the feel good hormone. Sara Holliday a licensed marriage-family therapist discusses the ups and downs of sex throughout pregnancy and shares how to keep the intimacy of your relationship intact.