Pregnancy Pearls

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 and listen now! And let your friends know, too.

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 and what you can do to prepare. Download and listen now!

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 some babies need to be delivered early. Download and listen now!

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 addressed in pregnancy, and what you can do for loved ones suffering from them. Download and listen now!

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 you don’t, be upfront and honest about not doing so and why. Check out this episode to learn tips for effective communication with your provider and the importance of being compliant. EVERYONE can benefit from this episode. Download and listen now!!

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. You’ll also learn things to watch out for that should prompt you to go back to the hospital. This one is a MUST LISTEN!! Subscribe and download now!

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 being of a mature age and having kids. Download and listen now!

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 amniocentesis during your pregnancy, want to learn about reasons they are done, or want to know more about what happens during and after the procedure, this is the episode for you. Download and listen now!

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 birth deliveries. We'll also chat about why some women are considering free births over being delivered by providers. This is a good conversation that needs to be had. Download and check out the episode now!

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!

Pregnancy is a beautiful thing, but there are several things that can happen during pregnancy. One diagnosis that is more than twice as likely to occur during pregnancy that we don’t talk about enough is Bell’s Palsy. Bell’s Palsy can mimic a stroke but is actually a paralysis of the facial nerve (or the main number that controls muscles in the face). Check out this episode to learn why pregnant and postpartum women are more likely to have Bell’s Palsy, the prognosis in pregnancy vs being diagnosed outside of pregnancy, and how it’s treated. If you’re expecting or want to learn more, download and listen now!

With the recent ruling of the Alabama Supreme Court giving frozen embryos the same rights as children, many of you were in a state of either shock or panic, which prompted several questions. Check out this episode of the podcast where I answer your questions regarding the ruling and give my personal and professional take on it and other bigger implications to come. We also discussed some considerations if you currently have frozen embryos and/or are considering IVF in the future. You don't want to miss this episode. Download and listen now!

So recently, there was a viral story about a woman who was pregnant with one baby and then found out she was pregnant again. So, is this a real thing? Superfetation happens when a person is already pregnant and then gets pregnant again. Yep, you read it right. But how could this be, right? Well, in this podcast episode, we're going to talk about superfetation, how it's more common in animals and how difficult it is to confirm in humans. We'll also talk about why it's more likely for patients with IVF pregnancies. Download and listen to the episode now!

Although you might hear about folks "accidentally" getting pregnant, getting pregnant is actually pretty hard! And if you're struggling with infertility or questioning whether you have an issue with your fertility, trying to have a baby can feel like a full time job. Thousands of women just like you are trying to conceive as we speak. So, if you've been trying for a while, you are not alone. Join in on the conversation by checking out this episode where you will learn more about ovulation and the optimal time to have intercourse. We'll also discuss things you should avoid to increase your chances of conceiving and when you should seek help from a fertility specialist if you haven't been successful in getting pregnant. If you're planning to get pregnant, actively trying to get pregnant, or just seeking more information, this episode is a great start. Download and listen now!

Hemorrhage, or significant bleeding, can occur at any time during or within the weeks after pregnancy. Despite advances in healthcare, it still remains the most common cause of pregnancy-related deaths worldwide. Check out this episode to learn about who’s at highest risk for having a hemorrhage, causes of hemorrhage, and how it’s treated. You’ll also learn what steps you should take at home if you start bleeding. Download and listen to the episode now to learn more!

It's February, which means that it's Black History Month and Heart Health Month. So on this episode of the podcast, we discussed heart disease, one of the top causes of pregnancy-related deaths in women, particularly Black women. Check out this episode of the podcast where you'll learn about different types of heart disease, symptoms of heart disease and warning signs of a heart attack. You'll also find out if you're at risk for heart disease and steps you should take before, during and after pregnancy to ensure that you safely navigate through the pregnancy and beyond. EVERYONE should listen to this episode. Knowing more could save your life or the lives of your loved ones. Subscribe and download now!

A lot of us have made resolutions as we kick off 2024. For some, it might be to lose weight. For others, it could be to save for a house. But for many people, it’s to be healthier, including kicking that nasty smoking habit. There are a ton of smoking alternatives on the market with e-cigarettes and nicotine patches being two of the most common ones. But if you’re pregnant, are these alternatives safe? Check out this episode of the podcast where we explore the risks of vaping and nicotine patch use to you and your unborn baby compared to traditional cigarette use. If you’re trying to quit and still considering having children, this is one to definitely listen to. Download and listen now!

Dr. Plenty is on vocal rest this week so we are giving out pearls, case pearls. Dr. Plenty's intern has pulled some of the doctor's most wanted cases for you to review. Make sure to Subscribe, follow, rate and comment wherever you get your podcasts.