Growing Facts Podcast
A podcast in which the hosts, Shalaka and Alyson, navigate the science behind pregnancy to help decision-making based on facts. Shalaka has a Ph.D. in child psychology and is pregnant by IVF. Alyson is a doctor specializing in internal medicine with a particular interest in obstetrical medicine, and is pregnant with twins. Episodes will alternate between science and pregnancy update episodes. Science episodes will feature an interview with a prenatal scientist about a different aspect of prenatal development. In the pregnancy update episodes, Alyson and Shalaka will discuss different social, cultural, and psychological factors that shape their experience of their pregnancy journeys.
Episodes
Alyson and Shalaka wrap up season 1 with some updates, including Shalaka’s Ph.D and pregnancy, and Alyson’s twins! They also talk about extending grace in difficult periods such as the first trimester or when you have newborns… and a lot of talk about poops and farts. They’re taking a break from recording after season 1, but they’ll be back for a season 2 in the near future!
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfa...
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.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Content warning: miscarriage
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, and choosing a health care provider.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Shalaka will be interviewing Dr. Carolina de Weerth, and we’ll be aiming to answer the question: what does gut microbiota have to do with physical and mental health? We talk about the relationship between microbiota and different health outcomes, the link between the microbiota of the mother and child both prenatally and postnatally, and some possible avenues for future intervention.
In the post-interview discussion (37:20), Alyson ...
Shalaka and Alyson talk about Shalaka’s frozen embryo transfer, updates on the Alyson's 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.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Grow...
Shalaka will be interviewing Dr. Sarah Hartman as the second part of a two-part episode. We’ll be aiming to answer the question: Can exposure to prenatal factors program greater sensitivity to environment after birth? We recap what differential susceptibility is, discuss markers like temperament or physiological stress response, and how exposure to prenatal stress might lead to such individuals.
In the post-interview discu...
Shalaka and Alyson talk about updates on Shalaka’s IVF (such as: what is an endometrial lining?) and Alyson’s twins, the test for gestational diabetes, and prepping for newborns.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigre...
For today’s episode, Shalaka will be interviewing Dr. Jay Belsky as part of a two-part episode. Today we’ll be aiming to answer the question: Are some people more sensitive to their environment than others? We talk about how genes should always be looked at in environmental contexts, and how we tend to look at outcomes as a binary “good” vs “bad”, and some of the pitfalls of developmental psychology as a field.
Links
h...
Shalaka and Alyson talk about the financial/emotional/social cost of IVF, and the role of societal views of reproduction in how we view the right to reproduce and the right to abortion. They also talk about the appropriation of babies by non-parents and the at times transactional nature of “help”, and the best way to pitch in with newborns.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growin...
Content warning: miscarriage
For today’s episode, Shalaka will be interviewing Dr. Margie Davenport. We’ll be aiming to answer the question: Is exercise safe during pregnancy? We discuss the strong benefits of engaging in exercise unless contraindicated, and the myths and assumptions associated with exercise in pregnancy.
In the post-interview discussion (33:30), Alyson and Shalaka discuss the importance of movem...
In today’s episode, Alyson and Shalaka try to act like mature adults and talk about butt stuff without giggling. We’re talking hemmorhoids, constipation and poop. We also talk about pelvic floor and prevention! As they say in #Forever35podcast, butt care is self care.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfac...
For today’s episode, Shalaka will be interviewing Dr. Ema Ferreira. We’ll be aiming to answer the question: Are medications safe for pregnancy? We discuss which medications are safe for pregnant women and how new medications are tested.
In the post-interview discussion (34:56), Alyson and Shalaka discuss the fact that pregnant people can and should be treated for health conditions using medication, supplements and other ...
Content warning: miscarriage
In today’s episode, Alyson and Shalaka talk a ton about embryos, including genetic testing and complicated feelings. They also talk progesterone shots and unwanted judgemental comments from strangers.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Content warning: mention of intimate partner violence
For today’s episode, Shalaka will be interviewing Dr. Catherine Herba. We’ll be aiming to answer the question: How do lifestyle factors affect pregnancy and postpartum mental health? We discuss:
-possible biological mechanisms for the influence of prenatal stress on child outcomes, including stress hormones like cortisol and the placenta
-how prenatal stress is related to...
We threw something fun together that we thought you would enjoy - happy holidays!
In today’s episode, Alyson and Shalaka talk finding out the sex of the babies, chronic pain and some weird old wives’ tales about pregnancy. They also talk about the strange dichotomies that exist in conversations around pregnancy like “natural” vs “medical”, and the respective roles of community vs scientific expertise. They dissect the disproportionate amount of pressure placed on women and mothers, and how to not fall into this ...
For today’s episode, Shalaka will be interviewing Dr. Eszter Szekely. We’ll be aiming to answer the question: What do we mean when we talk about prenatal stress? We discuss what are the sources of prenatal stress, what are the impacts on the child and what we can do to mitigate the risk.
In the post-interview discussion (32:34), Alyson and Shalaka discuss how prenatal stress is a normal and inevitable part of pregnancy, focusing on ...
Content warning: body image issues
Alyson had an appointment with a nutritionist for her twin pregnancy. She discusses with Shalaka changes in body and body image related to pregnancy, included fatphobia and eating disorders.
Then they finish off with an egg update! Spoiler : blastocysts!!
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Pod...
Content warning: animal testing, prematurity and preterm birth, surgical procedure, abortion
Today’s episode features an interview with Dr. Mathieu Nadeau Vallée, a anaesthesiology resident and a Ph.D researcher about immunology and preterm birth. The episode aims to answer the question: How does inflammation affect foetal development and birth? The interview covers:
-What is inflammation?
-Is there a link between preterm birth...
Content warning: miscarriage, description of a medical operation
Shalaka and Alyson discuss egg retrieval in IVF and embryo math, mourning an “ideal” way to become and disclose pregnancy, being “outed” as pregnant, intrusive comments about bodies, and exercising.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspod...
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