A history of preeclampsia is 1 of 2 most common reasons Path to Baby clients work with me. What is preeclampsia? According to Preeclampsia Foundation, preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that is typically diagnosed after 20 weeks. It is diagnosed with persistent elevated blood pressure and additional complications such as protein in the urine, decreased kidney or liver function, fluid in the lungs, seizures or other symptoms. This graphic is not a diagnostic tool. If you

Do you feel that you deserve to heal and feel better on your fertility journey? Do you feel like you deserve to be a mother and experience a healthier pregnancy? Do you feel like you deserve to grieve your losses and bring a baby home from the hospital? Of course, we say that we deserve these things, but the problem is that we battle an underlying feeling of unworthiness. In this episode... The qualifications we use to call ourselves “infertile” [3:20] How we, as women, allow

November is Prematurity Awareness Month, so it’s a good time for us to discuss the basics. In today’s show, we’re talking about risk factors for preterm delivery and other information you need to know about this frightening experience. In this episode... Prematurity is the leading cause of death for children under five across the world---and the rate in the US keeps rising. [1:47] A history of preterm delivery is the #1 risk factor for another preterm delivery. [6:51] Many me

"She told me my pain was psychosomatic," a client told me. "I got so angry. How dare she tell me my symptoms are in my head? I fired that doctor immediately. I don't need someone to tell me my pain isn't real!" This client was so angry even when she recounted this story to me years after this incident had taken place. I get it. The word "psychosomatic" is so misused in the health sphere, and that's especially dangerous when we already have an epidemic of providers not taking

During pregnancy, our bodies change. Specifically, there is a natural shift in 3 major body systems - the endocrine (hormonal) system, nervous system and immune system - to sustain a healthy pregnancy. Nature has found the perfect balance that keeps all 3 systems in check, like a 3 legged stool that sits flat on the ground. When your body is under stress, that balance is disrupted. Imagine one of the legs becoming longer or shorter. It throws off that balance, the result of w

Bed rest and a high-risk pregnancy were hard enough on their own when I was at home by myself. I didn't have another child (or children) to also take care of and worry about. But most of my clients and the women I speak with have done the high-risk pregnancy/preterm delivery stint before and now are on their second or third tour PLUS have another child or two to take care of at the same time. Between the guilt of feeling like you're disappointing your toddler, to the frustrat

One of the biggest stressors many women have who end up on bed rest is how to continue contributing financially to the household. Whether you have to cut back on hours or take your maternity leave before baby is home or you take unpaid leave, bed rest can place a tremendous financial burden on women and their families. On top of that is the fear about what will happen to their careers and their jobs after bed rest is over and baby comes home. The solution? Start babyproofing

Are you having contractions...maybe they're Braxton Hicks, maybe they're preterm contractions...but you're SO scared that you will meet your baby too soon? Does every pull, twinge or ache in your belly start alarms in your head, making you worry about what it means and what's going to happen? You want to be positive...hope for the best...but the tightness and cramping your belly is making you feel more and more confident you'll deliver preterm. It's the worst, right? My

When you’re waiting for medical test results or a potential diagnosis for yourself or your baby, time seems to come to a grinding halt. You may feel flooded with feelings of anxiety, dread, guilt and worry. This wait can make you feel numb or it can make you feel like the Tasmanian Devil is living inside your head, running in 100 directions at once, wreaking havoc in your mind. During that time of limbo when you don’t know what is happening to you or your baby, during a criti

I was in my pre-pregnancy jeans within 2 weeks of delivering. Not due to any special diet or exercise routine or some secret all the celebrities use. Because my son was born extremely preterm...at 24 weeks and 5 days. Two weeks later, he was living in the NICU, still fighting to survive, his life in critical condition, and I had zero evidence that I had been pregnant or even had a baby. To be honest, I was so angry at my body for that. For delivering so early, for not having

When you're ready to start trying for a baby, it's pretty intuitive what changes you need to make. Stop drinking alcohol, stop smoking, eat healthy and exercise. Sounds pretty simple right? There's actually so much more to it than that! During this interview, I speak with my friend and colleague Katie Kahvo, who specializes in fertility nutrition on exactly what you need to know about nutrition and fertility to help yourself get pregnant as quickly as possible. We discuss thi

Surrogacy has an air of mysticism around it. On the outside, it seems like an option just for celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Sarah Jessica Parker or Marcia Cross. But it's a real, viable option for couples who cannot carry their own children. The reality is that surrogates don't do this because they want the baby. They do it to be able to give couples an opportunity to build their family. But it can feel daunting, overwhelming and scary to think about a complete stranger ca

Today’s guest is the expert of experts on gestational diabetes, Lily Nichols: registered dietitian, nutritionist, certified diabetes educator, researcher, speaker, and author. Gestational diabetes was Parijat’s 7th complication during her high-risk pregnancy and today she chats with Lily to candidly discuss her experience and how you can feel better guided in your pregnancy journey. Listen on iTunes | Listen on Stitcher | Listen on iHeartRadio Episode highlights..

There's SO much junk information out there and it infuriates me how it feeds into the fear-mongering that is prevalent in the fertility

Have you hit a pregnancy anniversary yet? ​ ​The day you found out ​​you were pregnant. ​ A due date you never hit. Hearing the heartbeat fo

Growing up you learn all the ways to prevent getting pregnant, but no one really discusses what happens when you want to get pregnant and can’t. On this episode, I talk with fertility expert Dr. Marc Sklar, a Harvard trained medical professional. He gives real advice on how to get pregnant and debunks some of the myths regarding fertility. Plus we cover many non-traditional options for enhancing male and female fertility if you're not yet ready (or jaded by) traditional Weste

On top of all of the changes that go on in your pregnancy, physical pain is one of the most difficult for many women to navigate. And many women who are pregnant want to avoid taking medication if they can avoid it. I frequently get asked by women who are in pain what else they can do to find some relief besides take pills. You might be in pain because your round ligament is stretching. Or maybe you stood a little too long at your job and your feet are swollen and achy. Maybe

For how much I'm supportive of motivational messages and maintaining hope, there is a downside to messages that we say far too often to women going through a high-risk pregnancy. The result is that far too many women end up minimizing their experiences and their emotions during their high-risk pregnancy and avoid talking about the realities of what they're going through and how hard it really is. The problem with that is, on the days you feel like your world is crumbling arou

It's so frustrating (and terrifying!) when you're having preterm contractions an you're doing everything you can think of but they just won't stop. Maybe you're drinking so much water you feel you could float away. You're also emptying your bladder every 2 second to make sure that isn't the reason you're contracting. Maybe you're staying off your feet - on self-imposed activity restrictions. Maybe you're even lying on your left side because you've heard it works. You'r

Have you ever found yourself feeling super frustrated because you know stress isn't good for your pregnancy and the baby....you're trying everything you can to lower your stress and you just cannot get it to stop? You've tried exercising, coloring, deep breathing, meditation, yoga, distraction, talking to friends and your partner, journaling, mindfulness apps....everything you can think of. But you're still tense. You're still anxious. You're still overwhelmed. You still feel