Dr. Samantha Do returns to discuss intrahepatic cholestasis or pregnancy, more commonly called ICP or cholestasis. She describes this as a “pregnancy specific” condition in which the liver produces excess bile. Dr. Do explains why this causes uncomfortable symptoms like intense itching as well as...

Casey Seiden, a registered dietitian, joins the podcast to talk about dieting. She explains why fad diets fail and how to create healthy lifestyle habits instead.

Dr. Tracey Agnese joins Dr. Fox to discuss the importance of planning to take care of a newborn as well as the mother’s needs through the fourth trimester, not just making a birth plan during pregnancy. She explains what considerations should go into a postpartum plan and what parents should expe...

On this episode of Healthful Woman, genetic counselor Estie Rose joins Dr. Fox. Estie works for JScreen, a not-for-profit organization that works with the Ashkenazi Jewish community, which is at a higher genetic risk for several conditions. She describes the process for genetic counseling in both...

On this rare solo episode of Healthful Woman, Dr. Fox responds to an article in the New York Times about prenatal screening and testing. Dr. Fox offers a rebuttal to this article’s claims that prenatal screening results are “usually wrong,” explaining that the appropriate interpretation by both d...

Dr. Susan Lobel, a reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist, returns to the podcast to talk more about fertility treatments. In this episode, she reviews when patients should seek fertility treatment, including some reasons why patients might need to seek treatments sooner than other...

Dr. Barbara Luke, an MPH, reproductive epidemiologist, nurse, nutritionist, and author of a book on expecting twins, joins Dr. Fox to discuss prenatal nutrition in twin pregnancies. Dr. Luke says that she finds prenatal nutrition to be “the most positive and preventative medicine you could possib...

Chanie Fingerer from the Happy Birthway podcast returns to discuss baby-friendly hospitals. She explains what baby-friendly hospital accreditation requires as well as some pros and cons that patients might find. She and Dr. Fox also discuss the couplet model of nursing, how baby-friendly hospital...

Dr. Simi Gupta and Dr. Fox discuss high blood pressure in pregnancy, including chronic hypertension and pre-existing hypertension. Dr. Gupta reviews risks like high body weight and advanced maternal age, how hypertension is diagnosed, complications it may cause, and treatment options.

Dr. Fox and guest Dr. Shari Gelber discuss vaccines in pregnancy. Covid-19 brought vaccines to the forefront of conversations, but Dr. Fox and Dr. Gelber agree that vaccines of all sorts have long been studied and proven to be safe during pregnancy. They discuss considerations including clinical ...

Dr. Kelly Zafman joins Dr. Fox to discuss her research on antepartum fetal testing. In part one, they discuss how antepartum testing helps determine the risk of stillbirth and kick counts, or tracking a baby’s movement to gauge the health of the pregnancy.

In part two of this episode, Dr. Kelly Zafman and Dr. Fox continue their discussion of antepartum testing. Dr. Zafman explains nonstress tests, which compares a baby’s heart rate with contractions. She also reviews the biophysical profile, or BPP, as well as a modified biophysical profile.

Dr. Alicia Ferriere joins the podcast to discuss physical and pelvic therapy during and after pregnancy. She explains how pelvic physical therapy can focus on helping patients return to sports or exercises that they love as well as some common issues she sees in patients. Connect with Alicia onli...

Dr. Jen Lam-Rachlin returns to the podcast to discuss polyhydramnios, or high fluid during a pregnancy. Dr. Lam-Rachlin explains that this is a very frequent diagnosis, and one that can be difficult to make because of imprecise fluid measurement. She and Dr. Fox also review some concerns that may...

Dr. Emily Oster, an economist and expert in pregnancy who has authored data-driven parenting books including Expecting Better and Cribsheet, meets virtually with Dr. Fox to discuss what parents can expect in regards to the COVID-19 virus. How are the virus and social distancing impacting pregnanc...

Dr. Emily Oster and Dr. Fox review their predictions about COVID-19 from the pilot episode of Healthful Woman. They review how things have changed, the unknowns that remain, and the mistakes and successes we’ve seen in the past two years.

Dr. Melka explains teaching hospitals and resident education: what they are, what they do, and what patients need to know. At a teaching hospital, unlike a community hospital, patients will interact with residents and fellows receiving ongoing training after earning their MDs. Dr. Melka explains ...

Dr. Bender explains the complex answer to a common patient question: what is your rate of cesarean delivery? Learn more about why cesarean delivery rates are higher than in the past, the importance of choosing an obstetrician you trust, and more.

Dr. Melka returns to Healthful Woman to discuss C-sections. In this episode, she covers the reasons why an obstetrician may recommend a planned C-section, choosing an induction date, and what patients can expect during the labor and delivery.

Dr. Kostant returns to Healthful Woman talk about the first prenatal visit. In this episode, she explains what patients can expect in their first appointment with a new OB/GYN, when to schedule a prenatal appointment, and more.

Chanie joins us to talk about VBAC and why she considered herself technically high risk, though not as high risk as others. Chanie tells the story of her first C-section birth, planning for her VBAC and having a second C-section, and working with a new practice and a doula to have her third baby ...

Dr. Melka returns to Healthful Woman to discuss forceps and vacuum deliveries, which are known medically as operative vaginal deliveries. In this episode, she and Dr. Fox cover common concerns and misconceptions, explain why obstetricians turn to forceps or vacuum deliveries, and more.

Before, during, and after pregnancy, mental health is just as important as physical health. For this episode of Healthful Woman, Dr. Fox is joined by Dr. Susan Park, a reproductive psychiatrist, who talks about the awareness factor of your wellbeing, from your biological, psychological, and socia...

Bridget Travinski shares her High Risk Birth Story and experience with HELLP Syndrome. Bridget already knew she had high blood pressure going into pregnancy, but was advised to stop taking her blood pressure medication due to growth restriction concerns. This resulted in a visit to the ER due to ...