And that’s a wrap on Season 2 of The Birth Squad Podcast!  We hope you enjoyed the incredible stories and expert insights from this season. If you missed any episodes, they’re all available wherever you get your podcasts.  Stay tuned for more empowering stories and expert advice in our next season. Leave a comment and tell us what you want to hear next! To learn more and connect with some of our amazing birth warriors this season check out their information below! Season Two Birth Warriors: * Dr. Aldene Zeno  * https://draldene.com * @dr.aldene * Book-Thriving through Pregnancy with Fitness and Black Mama Magic * Dr. Brandye Wilson-Manigat * https://drbrandyemd.com/ * Book-A Committed Woman's Guide To Getting The Great Sex She Deserves * Dr. Jess Daigle  * @momandme_md  * Drs Martinez and Burton * Dr. Nikki Christian-Genius  * nicole.christian-genius@med.usc.edu  * Doulas Chandler Garrett and Mish Akoro * Chandler * https://thebumpculture.com/ * https://www.instagram.com/thebumpcult… * Mish  * https://homeofgoodmother.squarespace  * https://homeofgoodmotherdoula   * Dr. Rauvynne Sangara * Dr. Griselda Reyes * grisarlreyes@gmail.com  * Deja McCullough, RN * Dr. Nikki Liburd  * Allyson Felix  * @allysonfelix  * https://linktr.ee/allysonfelix

ven Track & Field Olympic Gold Medalist Allyson Felix had to find her voice during her pregnancy. Join us as we close out season 2 with her, as she shares her birth story and desire for a VBAC with us! Don't forget to check out season 1&2 of The Birth Squad Podcast available now! Link to Preeclampsia Calculator https://fetalmedicine.org/research/assess/preeclampsia/first-trimester Terms: Preeclampsia (formerly called toxemia):  High blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy that leads to end organ damage.  Signs/symptoms include:  Swelling of your legs, headache unrelieved by pain medication, vision changes, protein in your urine, elevated liver enzymes, kidney failure, and low platelet levels.  Treatment:  Magnesium is usually used to prevent seizures and IV blood pressure  Eclampsia:  A seizure-related high blood pressure  NICU:  the intensive care unit of babies who are sick or born early.  Hospitals have different NICU levels that they offer: Level 1 NICU | Basic care - provide care for healthy full-term babies.  Level 2  NICU| Advanced care - offer care for babies born at or after 32 weeks. Level 3 NICU| Specialized care - care for very sick babies and offer access to a wide range of pediatric specialists and equipment.  Level 4 NICU| Highest level of care - provides a full range of healthcare providers and equipment for very sick babies.  Trial of Labor After Cesarean (TOLAC):  Patients who have undergone a previous cesarean birth have the option of proceeding with a trial of labor if they have had two or fewer cesareans.  Please talk to your provider to see if your hospital offer this option  Uterine rupture:  when the uterus opens and a part of the fetus, amniotic fluid, or the umbilical cord enters the abdomen.  A uterine rupture can cause abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, a change in the contraction pattern, or a nonreassuring fetal heart rate tracing. Fetal Heart Rate Tracing:  Monitoring of the baby’s heart rate.  Acceleration:  When the fetal heart rate goes up indicating good oxygenation.  Deceleration:  A drop in the fetal heart rate, which can indicate fetal head compression, umbilical cord compression, or a decrease in oxygenation. Hypnobirthing:  aims to help a woman deal with any fear or anxiety she may have around birth. It involves various relaxation and self-hypnosis techniques to help relax the body before and during labor and birth.

We chat with Dr. Nikki Liburd, who opens up about her personal and professional experiences with fibroids, surgery, infertility, and pregnancy. Terms: Uterine fibroids (also called leiomyomas):  growths made of muscle and tissue that form in or on the wall of your uterus. usually not cancerous (benign) and are the most common noncancerous tumors in women Myomectomy:  surgery to remove uterine fibroids. In vitro fertilization (aka “IVF”):  where the egg is removed and fertilized outside the body and then placed back into the patient. This can be done immediately or later if not ready for use. Also option for same-sex partners or those pursuing single parenthood.  Saline Sonogram:  ultrasound procedure that instills water into your uterus to determine if there is abnormal tissue inside  Hydrosalpingogram:  x-ray procedure where they inject dye in your uterus to determine if your fallopian tubes are open. Uterine artery embolization (UAE):  a minimally invasive procedure most commonly used to treat vaginal bleeding caused by uterine fibroids Radiofrequency ablation (RFA):  a minimally invasive technique that shrinks the size of tumors, nodules or other growths in the body. Uterine rupture:  a complete division of all three layers of the uterus. A medical emergency requiring immediate delivery of the baby  Advanced maternal age (AMA):  a birthing individual age 35 or older  Preeclampsia (formerly called toxemia):  High blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy that leads to end organ damage.  Signs/symptoms include Swelling of your legs, headache unrelieved by pain medication, vision changes, protein in your urine, elevated liver enzymes, kidney failure, and low platelet levels.  Treatment:  Magnesium is usually used to prevent seizures and IV blood pressure  Eclampsia:  A seizure-related high blood pressure  Ectopic pregnancy:  a pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus.  Fetal Echo:  a specialized ultrasound test performed during pregnancy to evaluate the position, size, structure, function and rhythm of the unborn baby's heart.

In this episode, we sit down with Deja as she bravely shares her personal journey through a forceps delivery. From the initial decision-making process to the physical and emotional aftermath, Deja provides a raw and honest account of her experience. Terms Operative Vaginal Delivery:  a birth in which the operator uses forceps, a vacuum device, or another instrument to extract the fetus from the vagina, with or without concurrent maternal pushing. Forceps Delivery:  a form of assisted delivery using an instrument that grasps the baby’s head, that can help mothers deliver their babies vaginally when labor is not progressing.  Vacuum Delivery:  is a method to assist delivery of a baby using a vacuum device. Occiput Posterior Position:  your baby's head is down, but it is facing the mother's front instead of her back. It is safe to deliver a baby facing this way. But it is harder for the baby to get through the pelvis. Trial of Labor After Cesarean (TOLAC):  Patients who have undergone a previous cesarean birth have the option of proceeding with a trial of labor if they have had two or less cesareans.  Please talk to your provider to see if your hospital offer this option  Vaginal birth After cesarean section (VBAC): is the term applied to women who undergo vaginal delivery following cesarean delivery in a prior pregnancy. Types of Vaginal Lacerations: 1st degree:  small tear that does not include any muscle 2nd degree:  the most common and involves part of the muscles of your pelvic floor, which is the support system of the vagina 3rd degree:  means that part of your rectal muscle is involved  4th degree:  means that your tear extends all the way through to your rectum

In this episode, we chat about twin pregnancies with Birth Warrior and OBGYN, Dr. Griselda Reyes. Terms: Twins:  there are two fetuses in the uterus. This is a rare occurrence that can be due to family history, fertility treatments or other factors. Dichorionic diamniotic twins – each has their own separate placenta and separate sac. Monochorionic diamniotic twins – share a single placenta but have their own separate sacs.  Monochorionic monoamniotic twins – share both a placenta and a sac.  Maternal Fetal Medicine (Perinatologist):  OB/GYNs who get specialized training on high risk pregnancies.  Doula:  A labor coach or birth assistant who can provide prenatal, labor, and postpartum support. This includes helping to create a birth plan, manage pain during delivery, and assist with breastfeeding/lactation needs.  Bradycardia:  occurs when a fetus (developing baby) has a sustained heart rate slower than 110 beats per minute (BPM). Preeclampsia (formerly called toxemia):  High blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy that leads to end organ damage.  Signs/symptoms include:  Headache unrelieved by pain medication, vision changes, protein in your urine, elevated liver enzymes, kidney failure, and low platelet levels.  Treatment:  Magnesium is usually used to prevent seizure and IV blood pressure  Eclampsia:  A seizure related high blood pressure  Ketamine:  an anesthetic used medically for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. NICU:  the intensive care unit of babies who are sick or born early.  Hospitals have different NICU levels that they offer: Level 1 NICU | Basic care - provide care for healthy full-term babies.  Level 2  NICU| Advanced care - offer care for babies born at or after 32 weeks. Level 3 NICU| Specialized care - care for very sick babies and offer access to a wide range of pediatric specialists and equipment.  Level 4 NICU| Highest level of care - provides a full range of healthcare providers and equipment for very sick babies.  Trial of Labor After Cesarean (TOLAC):  Patients who have undergone a previous cesarean birth have the option of proceeding with a trial of labor if they have had two or less cesareans.  Please talk to your provider to see if your hospital offer this option  Bilateral Tubal Ligation:  a surgical procedure that creates permanent contraception, or sterilization.

On this episode Rauvynne shares her unique path to motherhood with her wife. From navigating IVF to the emotional journey of egg retrieval, discover the raw and heartwarming moments that redefine the traditional narrative of starting a family. Terms: Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM):  OB/GYNs who get specialized training on high risk pregnancies.  Fetal Echo:  a specialized ultrasound test performed during pregnancy to evaluate the position, size, structure, function and rhythm of the unborn baby's heart.  NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing):  is a method of determining the risk that the fetus will be born with certain genetic abnormalities. IVF (in vitro fertilization):  a type of artificial reproductive technology that allows people with a range of fertility issues to conceive a child. IUI (Intrauterine insemination):  boosts the chances of pregnancy by placing specially prepared sperm directly in the uterus. Biochemical pregnancy:  is a very early miscarriage that occurs in the first few days of pregnancy.

Join us as we chat with two Black Doulas, SoCal-based Chandler Garrett and Bay Area-based Mish Akoro, about labor support. Including virtual care! Learn more about Chandler at: https://thebumpculture.com/ Instagram: thebumpculture Learn more about Mish at: https://homeofgoodmother.squarespace.com/ Instagram: homeofgoodmotherdoula Terms: Doula:  A labor coach or birth assistant who can provide prenatal, labor, and postpartum support. This includes helping to create a birth plan, manage pain during delivery, and assist with breastfeeding/lactation needs.  Doula Training International (DTI):  Provides doula trainings online and in person, which certify birth doulas, postpartum doulas, and full spectrum doulas. Doulas Of North America (DONA):  Founded in 1992, the organization both trains and certifies the non-medical birth support of doulas. Hypnobirthing:  aims to help a woman deal with any fear or anxiety she may have around birth. It involves various relaxation and self-hypnosis techniques to help relax the body before and during labor and birth. Birth Plan:  a written summary of your preferences for when you are in labor and giving birth. It includes things like what position you want to give birth in, what pain relief you prefer (if you need it), and who you would like to be with you at the birth.

Meet birth warrior and expert, Dr. Nicole Christian-Genius who shares her experience with stillbirth and her path toward becoming a midwife. Terms Midwife:  Obstetrical providers who often work in conjunction with OB/GYN CNM (A certified nurse midwife) - can deliver your baby if you have a vaginal delivery, and also provide routine health care outside of pregnancy. LM (licensed midwife) - can provide prenatal care and deliver your baby. Preeclampsia (formerly called toxemia):  High blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy that leads to end organ damage.  Signs/symptoms include headache unrelieved by pain medication, vision changes, protein in your urine, elevated liver enzymes, kidney failure, and low platelet levels.  Treatment:  Magnesium is usually used to prevent seizures and IV blood pressure  Eclampsia:  A seizure-related high blood pressure  Placenta previa:  the placenta attaches low in the uterus. The placenta might partially or completely cover the opening of the uterus, called the cervix. Placenta previa can cause severe bleeding in the mother before, during or after delivery. Stillbirth:  is when a baby dies in the womb after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Most stillbirths happen before a pregnant person goes into labor, but a small number happen during labor and birth. Stillbirth affects about 1 in 160 pregnancies each year in the United States. Preterm labor:  labor occurring between after 20 and before 37 weeks gestation. Fetal Kick Counts:  Ten movements (kicks, flutters or rolls) in one hour is considered typical fetal movement.  Some things you can try to get the fetus to move are: Drinking juice or another sweet beverage. Drinking something that is cold. Doula:  A labor coach or birth assistant who can provide prenatal, labor, and postpartum support. This includes helping to create a birth plan, manage pain during delivery, and assist with breastfeeding/lactation needs.  Birth Center:  A facility where you can deliver with minimal interventions. Home Birth:  When someone delivers at home. Usually a birth attendant is present to assist.   Community Hospital:  A smaller hospital that serves a specific location.  Academic Center:  A hospital that serves a large population of people. Participates in research and has trainees at different levels, which includes medical students, residents, and other higher educational programs. Also, may have the highest level of care. Usually affiliated with a school like USCF, UCLA, USC, Harvard, etc.  Hypnobirthing:  aims to help a woman deal with any fear or anxiety she may have around birth. It involves various relaxation and self-hypnosis techniques to help relax the body before and during labor and birth. Aromatherapy:  the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic benefit. Lamaze:  involves psychological and physical preparation in various techniques (such as controlled breathing and alternative birthing positions) by the mother to reduce pain and facilitate delivery without unnecessary medical intervention. The Bradley Method:  Course where women are taught relaxation exercises to help endure labor. Their support person is also trained to aid her in achieving a physiologic birth and to help keep outside factors from interfering with the process. Peanut Ball:  is shaped like a peanut shell, where the middle circumference is smaller than the ends. To facilitate the desired upright position for successful labor progression, a peanut ball could be placed between a woman's legs while she is limited to staying in bed.

We chat with two OB Anesthesiologists, Dr. Lydi Martinez and Dr. Brittany Burton, about the ins and outs of pain control in labor. Terms Anesthesia:  a medical intervention that prevents patients from feeling pain during procedures like surgery, certain screening and diagnostic tests, and tissue sample removal.   Perioperative:  Around the time of surgery. This usually lasts from the time the patient goes into the hospital or doctor's office for surgery until the time the patient goes home. Pain Medications (Analgesics) During Labor:  medications that relieve pain Fentanyl:  a synthetic opioid. Morphine:  a non-synthetic opioid. Epidural catheter:  a very fine plastic catheter, or tube, that is placed through the skin into the epidural space in your spine. This temporary catheter is left in place for a defined period of time Epidural space:  space filled with fluid that surrounds your spinal cord; like a liquid sleeve around your spinal cord. NPO:  Nothing by mouth.  Aspiration:  Breathing in a foreign object (for example, sucking food into the airway). Spinal Cord:  the long, cylindrical structure that connects your brain and lower back. It contains tissues, fluids, and nerve cells There are five levels, starting at the top and going downward: Cervical (C), Thoracic (T), Lumbar (L), Sacral (S), and Coccygeal (Cx). These main sections include a group of vertebrae, each of which is given a number that increases as you move down the spine. Spinal headache:  caused by leakage of spinal fluid through a puncture hole in the membrane that surrounds the spinal cord. This leakage decreases the pressure exerted by the spinal fluid on the brain and spinal cord, which leads to a headache. Blood patch:  a procedure in which a small volume of your own blood is injected into a patient's epidural space to stop a leak of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Retained products of conception:  intrauterine tissue that develops after conception and persists after medical and surgical pregnancy termination, miscarriage, and vaginal or cesarean delivery. (For example, retained pieces of placenta after delivery). Postpartum hemorrhage: 1000ml or more of blood loss in the first 24 hours after delivery

Dr. Jess Daigle, NICU specialist, shares her story of having a a baby in the NICU as well as her professional experience as a physician who cares for preterm babies. Terms: Premature infant (premie):  babies born more than 3 weeks earlier than their expected due date (i.e. earlier than 37 weeks). 24 weeks | Fetal viability:  the point where a baby can survive outside the womb with medical support.  32 weeks | Fetal brain development:  the point where your baby no longer needs medication for cognitive support.  34 weeks | Lung development:  the point where your baby may or may not need steroids for assistance with lung maturation.  Steroids (Betamethasone):  is a steroid that can help speed up lung development in preterm babies. NICU:  the intensive care unit of babies who are sick or born early.  Hospitals have different NICU levels that they offer: Level 1 NICU | Basic care - provide care for healthy full-term babies.  Level 2  NICU| Advanced care - offer care for babies born at or after 32 weeks. Level 3 NICU| Specialized care - care for very sick babies and offer access to a wide range of pediatric specialists and equipment.  Level 4 NICU| Highest level of care - provides a full range of healthcare providers and equipment for very sick babies.  Neonatologist:  a pediatrician who specializes in premature babies or newborns with high-risk or complex health conditions. Pulmonary surfactant:  low levels are noted to cause neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS), a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in premature infants. Progesterone: a hormone produced by the body that plays a role in pregnancy maintenance.  Cervical insufficiency:  Inability of the cervix to retain a pregnancy in the absence of signs and symptoms of clinical contractions, labor, or both in the second trimester  LEEP:  is a treatment to remove precancerous cells from the cervix. Can be performed in the clinic.  Cold Knife Cone:  Similar procedure as a LEEP where more tissue is taken. Performed in the operating room.  Cerclage: a treatment that involves temporarily sewing the cervix closed with stitches. This may help prevent preterm birth. Jaundice:  is an immature liver, which is common in preterm babies.  Aspiration:  breathing in a foreign object (for example, sucking food into the airway). Social worker: helps individuals, groups, and families prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives. Tracheal tube (trach):  tube placed in the windpipe to help with breathing.  Ventilator machine (vent):  mechanical ventilators are machines that act as bellows to move air in and out of your lungs.  Feeding tube:  delivers a liquid nutrition formula directly into your digestive system. Speech therapy:  The goals of speech therapy include improving pronunciation, strengthening the muscles used in speech, and learning to speak correctly. Links: PSI (Postpartum Support International): An organization that aims to raise awareness about the emotional changes that women experience during  and postpartum by educating and training the community https://www.postpartum.net/about-psi/  Early Childhood Intervention:  https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/parents/states.html

Featuring Dr. Brandye Wilson-Manigat (a.k.a. Dr. Brandye), one of the leading experts in Women’s Sexual Health and author of "My Oh My." In this episode we discuss how women can reconnect with their passion, excitement, and desire so that they get their sexy back Learn more about Dr. Brandye and her book drbrandyemd.com www.youtube.com/@dr.brandyemd5384 Terms: Low libido:  a decrease in sexual desire. Menopause:  diagnosed after you've gone 12 months without a menstrual period. Postpartum depression:  a medical condition that many women get after having a baby. It's strong feelings of sadness, anxiety, and tiredness that last for greater than 2 weeks after giving birth. Adrenal fatigue:  tiredness and other symptoms which are thought to be due to long-term exposure to stressful situations. Autonomic nervous system:  a component of the nervous system that regulates involuntary processes like heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, digestion, and sexual arousal. Pelvic Floor muscle:  The muscles of the pelvis that support the body. Can be affected by pregnancy, traumatic birth, weight gain, chronic cough, etc.  Urinary Incontinence (UI): involuntary loss or leaking of urine Stress UI: when your bladder leaks urine during physical activity or exertion. Urge UI: the sudden and very intense need to pass urine and you're unable to delay going to the toilet. Endometriosis:  a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, which can cause severe pain in the pelvis and make it harder to get pregnant. Fibroids:  usually noncancerous tumors made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue that develop in the uterus. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors):  A class of medications used in the treatment of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and other psychological conditions. Works by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain Antipsychotics:  a type of psychiatric medication to treat psychosis. Antihypertensives:  Medications that lower blood pressure.   Beta-blockers - a type of antihypertensive that causes the heart to beat more slowly and with less force. Diuretics - a type of antihypertensive that helps reduce fluid buildup in the body. Testosterone pellet therapy:  can help improve a postmenopausal women’s sex drive and decrease vaginal dryness. Placebo:  a harmless pill, medicine, or procedure prescribed more for the psychological benefit to the patient than for any physiological effect.

We chat about fitness in pregnancy and postpartum with Dr. Aldene Zeno urogynecologist, fitness enthusiast, and author of “Thriving Through Pregnancy with Fitness and Black Mama Magic.” Learn more about Dr. Aldene and her book “Thriving Through Pregnancy with Fitness and Black Mama Magic.” https://draldene.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Thriving-through-Pregnancy-Fitness-Black/dp/B0CSX4SJHK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4D3VVNZIJ1AL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BCdcKC8fv9rSLEgwfzo0Tg.ltBpSftCdIa7ZpDpGf3fhZkyq7H-AhqHP-UKgB08c7o&dib_tag=se&keywords=aldene+zeno&qid=1709482319&sprefix=aldene+zeno%2Caps%2C144&sr=8-1 Terms: Urogynecology: a specialized field of gynecology and obstetrics that deals with female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. BSN: Bachelor of Science in Nursing refers to someone who has earned a bachelor's degree in nursing. Urinary Incontinence  Stress: when your bladder leaks urine during physical activity or exertion. Urge: the sudden and very intense need to pass urine and you're unable to delay going to the toilet. Fecal Incontinence: when you are not able to hold your feces or stool until you get to a toilet. Prolapse: when the uterus, bowel, bladder, or top of the vagina slips down from their normal position and bulge into the vagina. PCOS: Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition in which the ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgens, which are male sex hormones that are usually present in women in small amounts. Male factor infertility: caused by factors such as abnormal sperm production, blockage of delivery of sperm or low sperm production. IUD: a type of long-acting, reversible contraception (LARC) that provides birth control for 3 - 12 years depending on the type. Can be hormonal or non-hormonal. BMI: a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters.  Screens for weight categories may lead to health problems, but it does not diagnose the body fatness or health of an individual. ACOG: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is a professional association of physicians specializing in obstetrics and gynecology in the United States. Hypoglycemia: a condition in which your blood sugar (glucose) level is lower than the standard range. Labor down: the process of not actively pushing once you are fully dilated to 10cm.  Some people wait one to two hours before pushing, which allows the baby to move down the birth canal naturally. Rectus diastasis: an increased distance between a part of the abdominal muscles at the midline caused by weakness in the anterior abdominal wall. Pelvic floor therapy:  Physical therapist trained to evaluate and treat issues that involve the pelvis, such as pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, or leaking urine. Pelvic Floor muscle:  The muscles of the pelvis that support the body. Can be affected by pregnancy, traumatic birth, weight gain, chronic cough, etc.  Kegels:  Exercise used to contract your pelvic floor. Think:  holding your pee when you go to the bathroom—same muscles.  Mastitis: inflammation that results in breast pain, swelling, warmth, and redness of breast tissue that sometimes involves an infection. Most commonly affects women who are breast-feeding

Welcome back to Season 2 of The Birth Squad Podcast! Dr. Ijeoma Okwandu and Dr. Kimeshia Thomas, share what you can expect this season. Tune in every other Sunday to The Birth Squad to discuss pregnancy, reproductive health, and all things in between.  Visit thebirthsquad.com Connect with us on social media! Instagram: @thebirthsquad  X: @_thebirthsquad Facebook: thebirthsquad Use the hashtag for this podcast is #thebirthsquad  #thebirthsquadpodcast

Dr. Ijeoma Okwandu and Dr. Kimeshia Thomas recap some highlights and reflect on season 1 of The Birth Squad. Join us next season to discuss reproductive health, gynecology, and all things in between. Do you want to be featured? Are there topics you want to hear more about? Hit us up! Instagram: @thebirthsquad | Twitter: @_thebirthsquad | Email: yourbirthsquad@gmail.com Follow, tag us, share, and repost! Use the hashtag #thebirthsquadpodcast and #thebirthsquad

Meet Brandon, a badass birth supporter who shares how he supported his partner, navigated relationship dynamics, and the challenges of pregnancy and labor from the lens of a father.  Follow and tag us on Instagram: @thebirthsquad | Twitter: @_thebirthsquad   Use hashtags  #thebirthsquad and #thebirthsquadpodcast    **Episode Notes**  Terms Fibroids: fibroids are benign/non-cancerous masses made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue that develop in the uterus. It’s estimated that up to 80% of women have fibroids, but most will not develop symptoms or need treatment. Symptoms include pelvic pressure, heavy or prolonged periods. During pregnancy, they are often asymptomatic. In the setting of larger fibroids, they may increase risk of fetal growth restriction, pain during pregnancy, or heavy bleeding postpartum Tdap: A vaccine that protects against a viral disease called pertussis (aka Whooping cough). This contagious disease can be very serious in babies. One-half of babies who get pertussis end up in the hospital. While there is a vaccine for pertussis, babies can’t get it until they are 2 months old. You can protect your newborn by getting vaccinated with TDAP when you are pregnant as well as anyone who will be in close contact with baby. The ideal time is between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Studies show the Tdap vaccine reduces pertussis in infants whose moms got Tdap during pregnancy and reduces hospitalizations from pertussis in these infants. Resources Find a doula: www.dona.org https://www.blackwomenbirthingjustice.com/black-doula-locator  Sample Birth Plans:   https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/how-to-write-a-birth-plan  https://www.thebump.com/a/tool-birth-plan Contact Brandon Instagram: @thegriotb Schoolyard Rap: https://www.schoolyardrap.com/Musical Griot B on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/032PTKNjK5wizICJDFersE?si=Ve8yxauZQaaFlcLcw7FelA 200 seconds song on Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/032PTKNjK5wizICJDFersE?si=Ve8yxauZQaaFlcLcw7FelA⁠

You can find out more information about Dr. Chatterjee and her practice at Meridian Psychiatric Partners. You can also follow Meridian on Facebook and Instagram! Articles: The Roles of Maternal Depression, Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Treatment, and Concomitant Benzodiazepine Use on Infant Neurobehavioral Functioning Over the First Postnatal Month Terms: Preconception counseling: an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss and plan future pregnancies. Family history, risk factors, medical conditions, and lifestyle are discussed. Cystic Fibrosis: a genetic condition that affects a protein in the body. Sickle Cell: an inherited blood disorder in which red blood cells form into a sickle shape which can block blood flow causing pain (sickle cell crisis) Ferning: Amniotic fluid crystallizes in a fernlike pattern when dried on a glass slide Rupture of membranes:  the sac (amniotic membrane) surrounding your baby breaks (ruptures) Fetal Heart Rate Tracing:  monitoring of the baby’s heart rate.  Acceleration:  When the fetal heart rate goes up indicating good oxygenation.  Deceleration:  A drop in the fetal heart rate, which can indicate fetal head compression, umbilical cord compression, or a decrease in oxygenation. Postpartum anxiety: characterized by excessive worrying that occurs after childbirth. Those with postpartum anxiety may feel consumed with worry and constantly nervous or panicked. Baby blues:  Changes in mood that result from the loss of hormones experienced after birth. Occur in the first days after birth up to 14 days. Fourth trimester: Often referred to as the 12-week period after giving birth. It is a period of adjustment as the baby adjusts to being in a new environment and birth warriors adjust to parenthood.  SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors):  A class of medications used in the treatment of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and other psychological conditions. Works by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain SSNRI (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors): A class of medications that in the treatment of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social phobia, among other conditions PPHN (Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn): a rare condition in which the normal circulatory transition after birth does not happen. Babies may have symptoms such as fast breathing, fast heart rate, grunting or moaning when breathing, decreased oxygenation Neonatal adaptation syndrome: Symptoms may include poor muscle tone, tremors, jitteriness, irritability, seizures, feeding difficulties, sleep disturbances, low blood sugar, and respiratory distress. Has no long-term consequences for the baby.  Links: PSI (Postpartum Support International): An organization that aims to raise awareness about the emotional changes that women experience during  and postpartum by educating and training the community  https://www.postpartum.net/about-psi/ MotherToBaby: An organization that is a source of evidence-based information on the benefit or risk of medications and other exposures (eg. vaccines, chemicals, herbal products) during pregnancy and while breastfeeding https://mothertobaby.org/

Meet Letitia, a badass birth warrior who discusses her infertility journey and a "geriatric pregnancy" Follow and tag us on  Instagram: @thebirthsquad | Twitter: @_thebirthsquad Use hashtags  #thebirthsquad and #thebirthsquadpodcast ---- **Episode Notes** Links https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/pregnancy/pregnancy-after-age-35 Terms AMA (advanced maternal age) - a birthing individual age 35 or older  Amniocentesis - a diagnostic procedure to obtain amniotic fluid with fetal cells. Offered to anyone over 35 or with an abnormal genetic screening  NST (non-stress test) - fetal heart rate monitoring for 20 minutes to assess fetal well being  PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) - a constellation of symptoms with irregular periods or absence of a period being the main finding. Also, notable for excess hair growth and acne. Can be associated with infertility or increased risk for abnormal uterine cells. Tests for infertility  AMH (anti-mullerian hormone) - test to assess ovaries receptivity to infertility treatments (i.e. how hard or easy will it be to get you pregnant) Pelvic Ultrasound - abdominal and vaginal ultrasound to look at your uterus and ovaries.  Saline Sonogram - ultrasound procedure that instills water into your uterus to determine if there is abnormal tissue inside  Hydrosalpingogram - x-ray procedure where they inject dye in your uterus to determine if your fallopian tubes are open. Follicle count - an ultrasound exam by a GYN or fertility specialist to assess the number of follicles your ovaries have. Also, a way for them to determine how easy or hard it will be to get you pregnant. Semen analysis - assessment of sperm count, morphology, and motility. Is it normal or not? Ovulation induction medications:  medications that encourage ovulation  Clomid - ovulation induction medication with the highest risk for multiples Letrozole - ovulation induction medication better for PCOS patients and lower the risk of multiples Neonatologist - high-risk OB who specializes in complicated pregnancies or pregnancy disorders. Doula - a birthing coach who offers prenatal visits, labor support, and postpartum assistance. Cannot deliver babies  Induction - medications used to start labor Birth center - a place where you can deliver if you are low risk. Usually run by midwives  Midwife - a licensed nurse who can deliver low-risk infants

Meet Jess, a badass birth warrior who discusses her miscarriage and rainbow baby Follow and tag us on  Instagram: @thebirthsquad | Twitter: @_thebirthsquad Use hashtags  #thebirthsquad and #thebirthsquadpodcast ---- **Episode Notes** Links Jess' Blog: https://collective.world/i-had-a-miscarriage-on-the-first-day-of-2022-but-im-starting-2023-as-a-new-mother/?utm_campaign=cw-email&utm_source=article-published&utm_medium=jessy_lynn_g Micronized Vaginal Progesterone to prevent miscarriage: https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(19)32762-0/fulltext#:~:text=The%20PROMISE%20 Optimal Timing of Induction of Labor: https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(22)00742-6/fulltext Terms Miscarriage:  pregnancy loss in the first 12 weeks of gestation or first trimester 80% occur in the first trimester  50% due to chromosome abnormalities  Types of miscarriage: Missed abortion - no symptoms but the pregnancy stops growing. Diagnosed on ultrasound.  Threatened abortion - bleeding and cramping, a fetal heartbeat, and the cervix is closed. Inevitable abortion - bleeding and cramping, a fetal heartbeat, and the cervix is open. Will likely pass the pregnancy soon. Spontaneous abortion - actively passing the pregnancy. Retained products of conception:  When all the pregnancy tissue does not come out Ectopic:  a pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus.  Pitocin: “bonding/love hormone’ your body naturally makes. Pitocin is the synthetic version IV medication that results in regular uterine contractions and dilation Side effects -  Too frequent contractions but can easily be controlled because they can be started and stopped Fetal Heart Rate Tracing:  Monitoring of the baby’s heart rate.  Acceleration:  When the fetal heart rate goes up indicating good oxygenation.  Deceleration:  A drop in the fetal heart rate, which can indicate fetal head compression, umbilical cord compression, or a decrease in oxygenation. APGAR score:  The score Pediatricians assign the baby at minute 1, 5, and 10 minutes of life. A total score of 1 to 10 and the higher the score, the better the baby is doing, with 7, 8, and 9 being normal scores. Carpal tunnel syndrome:  Swelling in your hands/wrists that leads to nerve compression and can cause numbness and tingling in one or both of your hands.  Ulcerative colitis or UC:  An inflammatory bowel disease associated with blood in your stool. Who's in your squad?:   OB/GYN:  Doctor who can deliver your baby or perform surgery like C-sections. Midwife: CNM (A certified nurse midwife) - can deliver your baby if you have a vaginal delivery, and also provide routine health care outside of pregnancy. LM (licensed midwife) - can provide prenatal care and deliver your baby. Doula:  A labor coach or birth assistant who can provide prenatal, labor, and postpartum support. This includes helping to create a birth plan, managing pain during delivery, and assisting with breastfeeding/lactation needs.  Maternal Fetal Medicine:  A high-risk OB consultant trained to manage complicated pregnancies and assist your birth provider with your care. Anesthesiologist:  A doctor who provides pain relief for epidurals or C-sections, but they also put patients to sleep for other surgeries.  CRNA:  Certified registered nurse anesthesiologist. Can also provide pain relief and put patients to sleep for surgeries.  Resident:  A doctor who is in training. This occurs after medical school.  Birth Center:  A facility where you can deliver with minimal interventions. Home Birth:  When someone delivers at home. Usually, a birth attendant presents to assist.   Community Hospital:  A smaller hospital that serves a specific location.  Academic Center:  A hospital that serves a large population of people. Participates in research and has trainees at different levels, which includes medical students, residents, and other higher education programs. Also, it may have the highest level of care. Usually affiliated with a school like USCF, UCLA, USC, Harvard, etc.

Meet Sasha, a badass birth warrior who discusses the challenges she faced during pregnancy and describes her experience with pre-eclampsia Follow and tag us on  Instagram: @thebirthsquad | Twitter: @_thebirthsquad Use hashtags  #thebirthsquad and #thebirthsquadpodcast ---- **Episode Notes** Links: Calculator for pre-eclampsia risk ⁠https://www.ultraheli.ee/en/preeclampsia-risk-calculator ACOG Article https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2021/12/low-dose-aspirin-use-for-the-prevention-of-preeclampsia-and-related-morbidity-and-mortality Terms: Preeclampsia:  High blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy that leads to end organ damage. Signs/symptoms include Headache unrelieved by pain medication, vision changes, protein in your urine, elevated liver enzymes, kidney failure, and low platelet levels.  Treatment:  Magnesium is usually used to prevent seizures and IV blood pressure  Eclampsia:  A seizure-related high blood pressure  IUD: hormonal or non-hormonal form of birth control Nausea and vomiting during Pregnancy:  Vitamin Bit 6 - prevent nausea  Doxylamine/ Unisom - prevent nausea and dry out your mouth or mucus membranes; SE: Makes you sleepy  Reglan - prevent vomiting; SE: Stimulates your bowels > diarrhea  Zofran - prevent vomiting; SE:  Causes constipation. Used in the first-trimester limited data shows it may cause cleft palate or cardiac abnormalities  Hyperemesis Gravidarum: Extreme nausea and vomiting that leads to weight loss (usually at least 5% of prepregnancy weight). Sometimes associated with electrolyte abnormalities. Occurs in 0.3 - 3% of pregnancies. Baby Blues:  Changes in mood that occur as a result of the loss of hormones experienced after birth. Occur in the first days after birth up to 14 days. Triage:  Location where you are assessed by a nurse prior to being admitted to the hospital. Sometimes if you are not in labor they will send you back home.  Back Labor:  Commonly occurs when that baby is “sunny side up.”  Most babies are born looking at the ground. IV pain meds:  Given to help take the “edge off” pain (Ex:  Fentaly, Stadol, Nubian) Spinal headache:  Headache worse with standing or sitting up and improved by lying down. Caused by spinal/epidural.  Blood patch:  Procedure to relieve a spinal headache. Take your own blood to form a clot/patch in the area of the spinal tap. OB/GYN:  Doctor who can deliver your baby or perform surgery like C-sections. Midwife: CNM (A certified nurse midwife) - can deliver your baby if you have a vaginal delivery, and also provide routine health care outside of pregnancy; LM (licensed midwife) - can provide prenatal care and deliver your baby. Doula:  A labor coach or birth assistant who can provide prenatal, labor, and postpartum support. This includes helping to create a birth plan, managing pain during delivery, and assisting with breastfeeding/lactation needs.  Maternal Fetal Medicine:  A high-risk OB consultant who is trained to manage complicated pregnancies and assist your birth provider with your care. Anesthesiologist:  A doctor who provides pain relief for epidurals or C-sections, but they also put patients to sleep for other surgeries.  CRNA:  Certified registered nurse anesthesiologist. It can also provide pain relief and put patients to sleep for surgeries.  Resident:  A doctor who is in training. This occurs after medical school.  Birth Center:  A facility where you can deliver with minimal interventions. Home Birth:  When someone delivers at home. Usually, a birth attendant is present to assist.   Community Hospital:  A smaller hospital that serves a specific location.  Academic Center:  A hospital that serves a large population of people. Participates in research and has trainees at different levels, which includes medical students, residents, and other higher education programs. Also, it may have the highest level of care. Usually affiliated with a school like USCF, UCLA, USC, Harvard, etc.

Meet Dr. Brittney Johnson, a badass birth warrior who discusses her labor and facing the most common delivery complication- postpartum hemorrhage Follow and tag us on  Instagram: @thebirthsquad | Twitter: @_thebirthsquad Use hashtags  #thebirthsquad and #thebirthsquadpodcast ---- **Episode Notes** Articles NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/02/12/upshot/child-maternal-mortality-rich-poor.html MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH INEQUALITY: NEW EVIDENCE FROM LINKED ADMINISTRATIVE DATA https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w30693/w30693.pdf Breast Feeding Resource: KellyMom.com Terms: IUD: a hormonal or non-hormonal form of birth control.  Skyla - hormonal lasts up to 3 years Kyleena - hormonal lasts up to 5 years  Liletta - hormonal last up to 7 years (very similar to Mirena) Mirena - hormonal lasts up to 8 years (increased from 5 years) Paragard - non-hormonal/copper lasts up to 12 years (increased from 10 years) Ovulation sticks vs LH kits: a hormone that is detected in your urine that lets you know when you are ovulating  Ectopic:  a pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus.  Miscarriage:  pregnancy loss in the first 12 weeks of gestation or first trimester 80% occur in the first trimester  50% due to chromosome abnormalities  Full term:  37 weeks of pregnancy to 40 weeks, your due date Postpartum hemorrhage:  1000+ blood loss in first 24hrs after delivery Management for postpartum hemorrhage  Medical interventions - Uterotonics:  Medications to help stop bleeding Pitocin given intravenously (IV)  Methergine given as an injection Cannot give if you have high blood pressure  Side effect is high blood pressure Hemabate given as an injection Cannot give if you have bad asthma  Side effect is diarrhea (sorry!) Cytotec, pills given orally or rectally  Side effect is fever  Tranexamic acid (TXA) given in the IV Mechanical interventions: Bakri:  Balloon placed in the uterus to apply pressure and drain the uterus Vaginal pack:  gauze placed in the vaginal to apply pressure  Surgical interventions for PPH: Dilation and Curettage (D&C):  removal of contents of the uterus  Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE):  Procedure performed by Interventional Radiology (IR) to place medicine in the artery that supplies blood flow to the uterus. Hysterectomy:  Removal of the uterus completely Anemia in Pregnancy  First trimester – Hemoglobin <11 g/dL (approximately equivalent to a hematocrit <33 percent) Second trimester – Hemoglobin <10.5 g/dL (approximate hematocrit <31 or 32 percent) Third trimester – Hemoglobin level <10.5 to 11 g/dL (approximate hematocrit <33 percent) Symptoms:  fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and headache  Lactation consultant:  people trained to help with breastfeeding