Shalaka and Alyson talk about the debilitating nature of first trimester symptoms - fatigue, nausea, “pregnancy brain”, and nipples. They talk about Alyson’s twins and passing the prematurity mark, planning inductions, and preparing pets for babies.

Shalaka and Alyson talk about planning what is in your power vs letting go of what isn’t, when it comes to all things pregnancy: fearing miscarriage in early pregnancy, preparing for birth, choosing a health care provider.

What does gut microbiota have to do with physical and mental health?

With Dr. Carolina de Weerth

Shalaka and Alyson talk about Shalaka’s frozen embryo transfer, updates on the twins, and prenatal classes. They also talk about navigating new parenthood when you and your partner have different ideas about how it’s done, and the perspective of the other partner who is not carrying the baby.

Can prenatal stress make a child more sensitive to their environment?

With Dr. Sarah Hartman

Shalaka and Alyson talk about updates on Shalaka’s IVF journey (such as: what is an endometrial lining?) and Alyson’s twins, the test for gestational diabetes, and prepping for newborns.

Are some people more sensitive to their environment than others?

With Dr. Jay Belsky

Shalaka and Alyson talk about the fiancial, emotional, and social cost of IVF and the role of society views on reproduction.

Is it safe to exercise during pregnancy?

With Dr. Margie Davenport

Alyson and Shalaka try to act like mature adults and talk about butt stuff without giggling. We’re talking hemorrhoids, constipation and poop. We also talk about pelvic floor and prevention!

Are medications safe during pregnancy?

With Prof. Ema Ferreira

Today’s chat is on embryos, progesterone shots and unwanted judgmental comments from strangers.

How do lifestyle factors affect pregnancy and postpartum mental health?
with Dr. Catherine Herba

Chitchat with the hosts about finding out the sex of the babies, chronic pain and some weird old wives’ tales about pregnancy.

Whats is prenatal stress ?

with Dr. Eszter Szekely

Teatime with the hosts about nutrition and body image + blastocysts!!

How does inflammation affect foetal development and birth?

with Dr. Mathieu Nadeau Vallée

Tête à tête with the hosts about announcing pregnancy, irritating comments and embryo math!

How do natural disasters affect pregnancy ?

with Dr. David Laplante

Discussion with the hosts about nutrition and body image in pregnancy

What is prenatal programming?

with Dr. Ashley Wazana

Meet the hosts

I am a doctor/psychologist, not a website creator so sometimes links don’t work as they should. If that’s the case, please let me know by emailing growingfactspodcast@gmail.com and I’ll get on that ASAP.

Alyson and Shalaka