Preggie Pals: Your Pregnancy, Your Way

There are many reasons you may need to have a fetal non-stress test, or NST, during your pregnancy. Perhaps your baby isn't moving as much as before or perhaps you have a high-risk pregnancy. So, how are these tests performed, and are there any risks to mom and baby? Also, what typically happens if the results are abnormal? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The placenta is an amazing organ providing nourishment to your baby throughout your pregnancy. But did you know your placenta can provide you with essential vitamins and nutrients your body needs after childbirth? What are some of the benefits of consuming your placenta and are these benefits well documented? Are there any known risks or side effects? Plus, how is the placenta prepared and the importance of the herbs added during the encapsulation process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pregnancy causes stress on your body and one of the areas impacted the most is your pelvic floor. What is the pelvic floor and what does it control within your body? How can pregnancy and birth impact your ability to control your pelvic floor? And what can you do during pregnancy to keep this important area of your body strong? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pregnancy is usually a happy, healthy event. But some moms-to-be may experience complications or chronic conditions that threaten their well-being or that of their baby. What does it mean to have a high-risk pregnancy? What are the common risk factors? And what type of care can you expect to receive if this happens to you and your baby? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When pregnant, your body may have a more difficult time processing sugar. This condition is known as gestational diabetes and may require a significant change in diet and exercise in order to ensure the health of you and your baby. How are pregnant women tested for gestational diabetes? How do you test your blood sugar? Plus, recommendations for lowering your sugar intake and burning excess sugar through exercise.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you know when labor is "the real thing" and not a false alarm? This is the question many pregnant women ask themselves, whether it's their first baby or their fifth. Since every pregnancy is different, what are some warning signs that indicate you're probably in labor? What do real contractions feel like as opposed to Braxton Hicks? How should you time your contractions? And what the heck is a "mucus plug"?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By now, you've probably heard that breast is best. But why? Why is breast milk considered the perfect food for your little one? What are the health benefits short term and long term? And how can it improve the bond your partner has with the baby? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gaining weight during pregnancy is inevitable. Your baby's growth and development depend on it. However, the amount of weight you gain could make the difference between a healthy pregnancy, and one that's more complicated. How much weight should you gain and when? Where does the weight go during pregnancy? And what should you do about your crazy cravings and food aversions? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pregnancy is an amazing time in your life- filled with lots of new changes. What exactly is happening to you and your body during your first trimester? How long is this trimester and what stages of growth and development is your new baby experiencing? Plus, how do these changes impact how you feel and how well you function? We're kicking off our new series focused on fetal development with a closer look at the first trimester.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where should you birth your baby? If a hospital doesn't feel right but home birth is also out of your comfort zone, then you may want to consider a birthing center. So, what exactly is a birthing center and what type of care can you expect to receive?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Water can help you relieve pressure throughout your pregnancy, so it only makes sense that giving birth in the water can improve your overall childbirth experience as well. What are some of the benefits waterbirth provides for both mother and baby? How are babies monitored if mom is laboring in the water? And is it really safe for babies to stay underwater as they're being born? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's one the biggest questions on your mind after finding out you're pregnant- is it a boy or girl? And sometimes that intense anticipation is met with disappointment if it's not the gender you were hoping for. Is it wrong to feel disappointed after getting the news? How do we handle feelings that seem uncontrollable? And are we causing more problems by finding out the gender in advance?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pregnant women usually experience symptoms such an extreme fatigue, body aches, and nausea. You may also be on your feet all day at work or at home running around as you care for your other children. Bottom line: the world isn't going to stop simply because you're pregnant. What can you do to pamper yourself a bit so you can enjoy the experience more? We've got some great ideas to help relieve stress and improve your physical and emotional well being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Regardless of how you deliver your baby, you will need to rely on a team of health care providers to help you along the way. This new series explores the various options available to you- starting with a birth doula. What is the doula's role during your childbirth experience? What qualities should you look for in a doula? And where should you start looking for a doula? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you choose to birth in a hospital, birth center or home, there are small things you can do to help make your birth experience as calm and comfortable as possible. How can we tame our five senses so we can relax more easily? Can aromatherapy and essential oils help your labor progress faster? Does special lighting help with pain management? And can your favorite music playlist re-energize you for those last few pushes when your baby is crowning? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices