Choosing Your Health Care Provider: Birth Doulas

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

Losing a baby- no matter how early in pregnancy- is very real and so is the grief that comes with it. Today we'll hear three women discuss their personal experiences when it comes to miscarriage and stillbirth. How were they able to cope with this loss? What was the reaction from family and friends? And what type of resources did they find most helpful? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most pregnant women will experience at least one food craving or aversions during their pregnancy. So, what causes us to have these dramatic feelings toward certain foods? Will they continue throughout your pregnancy? How do you "tame" these intense feelings? Plus, what in the world are pica cravings? 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

While you may need to forego you favorite drink while you're expecting, you shouldn't have to miss out completely. Introducing the "mocktail" which combines great ingredients and garnishes for the perfect non-alcoholic drink during your pregnancy. Today we're putting some of these recipes to the test by making them right in our studio! 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

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

Having a miscarriage or an early infant loss can be isolating and emotionally difficult for a family. How can you reach out and get the support you need? How do pregnant women and their partners process these experiences differently? If this happens to someone you love, what are some helpful ways to show your support and demonstrate that you care? Moms who have experienced this loss firsthand share their advice. 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

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