Is my medication still ok to take if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding? What about marijuana? Is it ok? These are questions Chris Stallman, a mom just like you, hears every day through her work as a genetic counselor and teratogen information specialist, which is a fancy way of saying she's an expert in anything a woman might come in contact with and its known risks during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. She's part of a non-profit service called MotherToBaby and in The MotherToBaby Podcast, she’ll answer your burning questions about what’s ok and what’s not during pregnancy and breastfeeding. No judgment. No topics are off-limits. Subscribe to The MotherToBaby Podcast and learn more at www.MotherToBaby.org.
Host Chris Stallman, CGC, welcomes back Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist and social media health educator, Dr. Shannon Clark of @babiesafter35. Dr. Clark joins the podcast for a special Folic Acid Awareness Week episode and debunks potentially dangerous folic acid myths being spread on social media. Hear the evidence-based facts in this important episode!
8/16/24 • 16:20
Taylor Dubuisson, the Coordinator of Training and Best Practices for the Disaster Distress Helpline, joins host Chris Stallman, CGC to talk about dealing with a natural disaster during pregnancy and breastfeeding. She describes what a parent should prepare in an emergency kit and the free resources available should disaster strike. Taylor is also a mother of two toddlers and has spent the last 15 years living in hurricane-prone areas including southern Florida, Guam, and coastal Mississippi. Resources mentioned in this episode: Disaster Distress Helpline: Call/Text 1-800-985-5990 MotherToBaby Hurricane Blog American Red Cross Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Prepare for a Hurricane
7/19/24 • 17:13
Kirstie Perrotta, MPH, and Angela Messer, MS, join host Chris Stallman, CGC in this special "summer grab bag" of topics related to common summer activities during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Our guest experts talk about everything from chlorine and sunscreen to Zika. Kirstie Perrotta, MPH, is an information specialist at MotherToBaby California, where she provides counseling by phone and chat. She received her Masters in Public Health (MPH) from the University of San Francisco, and has worked in the field of reproductive health for over 9 years. Kirstie currently serves as a member of the MotherToBaby Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF). Her interests include vaccines, infectious disease, and mental health during pregnancy. Angela Messer, MS, is an information specialist with MotherToBaby California. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from Chapman University and her graduate degree from Kansas State University in academic advising/counseling. Angela has been with MotherToBaby since 2009, with experience in both research and counseling. She appreciates the opportunity to speak with people who are pregnant and/or breastfeeding and healthcare professionals regarding exposures and medications, and holds a special interest in stress and anxiety in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
6/6/24 • 12:33
Rebecca J. Schmidt, PhD, a molecular epidemiologist at UC Davis, joins host Chris Stallman, CGC, to talk about research surrounding wildfires, pollution and the effects on pregnancy. Dr. Schmidt also gives some information on a DIY project to reduce pollutants in your own home. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: How to build a Corsi-Rosenthal Box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIuH-2naozI "Keeping Your Cool When Fire Season Heats Up," MotherToBaby Blog
5/22/24 • 19:09
Psychiatric nurse practitioner, Becky Spencer, PhD, APRN, PMHNP-BC, IBCLC, PMH-C, FILCA joins host Chris Stallman, CGC, to talk about maternal mental health, how common postpartum mental health challenges are and what to do to get help. Resources mentioned in this episode: Postpartum Support International MotherToBaby Maternal Mental Health Hub
5/15/24 • 25:14
In this special episode, MotherToBaby Podcast host, Chris Stallman, CGC, introduces listeners to Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) an evidence-based, community health program with 45 years of research showing significant improvements in the health and lives of first-time moms and their children affected by social and economic inequality. Guests, Marie James and Savannah Bertrand, talk about the impact NFP has had on their lives and how the parents can find a local NFP nurse where they live. Marie James, MHA, MHEd, BSN, RN has more than 30 years of clinical, public health and program administrative experience. She currently serves as a Senior Manager, Nursing Practice with the National Service Office for Nurse-Family Partnership and Child First. Savannah Bertrand, an NFP Parent Ambassador, was introduced to Western Wisconsin Nurse-Family Partnership Consortium in 2019 by her local WIC office after becoming pregnant with her second child and disclosing pre-existing mental health issues. Savannah says her NFP nurse gave her confidence to take care of her own mental health plus the reassurance that she would be an excellent parent.
5/8/24 • 33:54
Laney Poye and Trashaun Powell of the Preeclampsia Foundation share their personal stories and avenues for preeclampsia information with host, Chris Stallman, CGC. Laney Poye serves as the Director of Communications and Engagement for the Preeclampsia Foundation supporting their work to improve maternal healthcare and find a cure for families affected by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. In addition to her many years of professional experience in maternal health patient advocacy, Laney also serves as a representative voice for women who have experienced infertility, IVF, and pregnancy loss. Trashaun Powell is a maternal health advocate based in New Jersey. She survived a near-death pregnancy experience as a result of HELLP Syndrome. This resulted in the immediate birth of her daughter Mia Jane at 23 weeks. Unfortunately, due to Mia’s severe prematurity, she passed away 2 days later. Trashaun continues to amplify and illustrate her compelling childbirth experience of tragedy and hope. Resources mentioned in this episode: Preeclampsia Foundation Website MoMMA's Voices Website Episode 26: Preeclampsia, Eclampsia and Postpartum Preeclampsia
4/26/24 • 25:53
Lisa Bain and Chardá Bell of the Global Communities' Healthy Start program join host Chris Stallman to talk about breastfeeding, the racial and economic disparities affecting many communities across the nation and what they're doing about it in San Diego, CA.
3/27/24 • 19:20
From snake bites to polar bear liver, Adam Overberg, a pharmacist, board-certified clinical toxicologist, and the director of the Indiana Poison Center, joins host Chris Stallman, CGC, to dish on the most interesting exposure questions he gets. Overberg is an alumnus of the University of North Carolina and completed his residency and toxicology training in Indianapolis, IN. He loves talking tox and poison centers with anyone in earshot and is an ardent proponent of equity in healthcare education, practice, and research.
3/13/24 • 21:12
Becky Spencer, PhD, APRN, PMHNP-BC, IBCLC, PMH-C, FILCA joins host Chris Stallman, CGC, to talk about updated information about having HIV and breastfeeding. Dr. Spencer discusses the stigma and provides the latest evidence-based guidelines for HIV-positive parents.
2/28/24 • 14:48
Host Chris Stallman, CGC, welcomes back Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist and social media health educator, Dr. Shannon Clark of @babiesafter35. Dr. Clark debunks myths about the risks associated with having children later in life. She also gives the audience insight into her own personal journey having children after age 35.
2/14/24 • 17:44
Sarah Obican, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at the University of South Florida and medical director of MotherToBaby Florida, joins host Chris Stallman, CGC to discuss what's known about Ozempic, berberine supplement and other weight loss trends during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
1/31/24 • 14:27
Dr. Linda Eckert, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist and member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) Expert Immunization Committee, talks to host Chris Stallman, CGC, about the RSV vaccine approved specific to pregnant people. They discuss how the vaccine can protect the pregnant person and unborn baby as well as when to receive the vaccine. Links mentioned during the episode: RSV Vaccine Finder ACOG Vaccine Resource More about expert and author Dr. Linda Eckert
1/25/24 • 20:47
Amanda Devereaux, RN, BSN, from the National CMV Foundation, joins host Chris Stallman, CGC, to talk about what CMV is, how it affected her child and ways to prevent the spread of the infection during pregnancy. This is a special Birth Defects Awareness Month-focused episode. #everyjourneymatters #NBDAM #stopCMV
1/17/24 • 29:11
Robert McDonald, MD, MPH joins host Chris Stallman, CGC to talk about congenital syphilis, which experts say is on the rise in the United States. Dr. McDonald is a medical epidemiologist in the Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP) at the National Center for HIV, Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. McDonald serves as a CDC congenital syphilis subject matter expert, and he is also a practicing physician, focusing on HIV, STI, and harm reduction care at a free clinic in Atlanta, Georgia. Resource Links: Congenital Syphilis CDC Factsheet
1/3/24 • 16:09
Amy Nelson, MBA, BSN, RN, the Clinic Director at Pipestone Family Clinic in Pipestone, MN, joins host Chris Stallman, CGC, to talk about the importance of folic acid and a special program in Minnesota that's changing the habits of people of childbearing age through folic acid intervention. The Interventions to Minimize Preterm and Low Birth Weight Infants through Continuous Improvement Techniques (IMPLICIT) Network is a quality improvement collaborative focused on improving the health of women and their birth outcomes. This is a special episode in collaboration with Folic Acid Awareness Week. To learn more about folic acid, please see the MotherToBaby Folic Acid Fact Sheet or speak with an expert at MotherToBaby.org.
9/13/23 • 15:31
Grant Houselog, PharmD, CSPI, the assistant director of the Iowa Poison Control Center talks to host Chris Stallman, CGC, about the most common, as well as the rarest, questions his staff gets. From hand sanitizer to garfish, episode 59 touches on quite the range of exposure topics!
6/16/23 • 25:01
Dr. John Esdaile, the founding Scientific Director of Arthritis Research Canada, joins host Chris Stallman to talk about Lupus and the medications to treat the condition during pregnancy. He also discusses the strides being made in research and how others can get involved in it, such as participating in MotherToBaby's Lupus in pregnancy study.
5/25/23 • 18:24
Dr. Katayune Kaeni, aka "Dr. Kat," joins host Chris Stallman to talk about maternal mental health including postpartum depression, anxiety and psychosis. Dr. Kat serves on the board of directors for Postpartum Support International. She's a psychologist certified in Perinatal Mental Health. She works with pregnant, loss and postpartum parents in California. She also hosts the Mom & Mind podcast.
5/25/23 • 29:36
Dr. Steven Dudley, Director of the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, joins host Chris Stallman, CGC to discuss the most frequently asked questions its poison center receives from pregnant people. Some questions addressed during this episode include ones that are unique to Arizona, such as rattlesnake and scorpion bites. Dr. Dudley is a board-certified clinical toxicologist who graduated with a PharmD from the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy in 2015. He completed a toxicology fellowship with the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center in 2017 and spent nine years working in retail pharmacy
5/5/23 • 29:34
Jonathan Cherry, Senior Director of Research Operations from the March of Dimes, joins The MotherToBaby Podcast host, Chris Stallman, to discuss preterm birth and the latest research surrounding it.
4/21/23 • 28:08
Leslie, a mom of two, joins host Chris Stallman to talk about her experience participating in a MotherToBaby pregnancy study. She describes the time commitment, benefits, study results and why she decided to take part in the first place.
3/23/23 • 10:39
In this special World Birth Defects Day-themed episode, Dr. Christina Chambers, a UC San Diego Professor of Pediatrics and Past President of MotherToBaby, joins host Chris Stallman, CGC, to talk about the importance of pregnancy study participation and the role research plays around the world. Leslie, a past research participant and mom of two, talks about her experience being in a study.
3/1/23 • 21:19
Dr. Phil Anderson, medications in breastfeeding expert, joins host Chris Stallman, CGC, to discuss LactRx, a free new app providing current information on the use of medications, vaccines, diagnostic agents & drugs of misuse during breastfeeding. The LactRx app provides easy access to the LactMed database, a resource from the National Library of Medicine (NLM). Download LactRx: iPhone Android
2/14/23 • 11:23
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist and social media health educator, Dr. Shannon Clark of @babiesafter35 joins host Chris Stallman to discuss high risk pregnancies and top ways to prevent birth defects.
1/27/23 • 21:03
Two experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) join host Chris Stallman, CGC, to talk about birth defects awareness "across the lifespan" and why it's important for future generations. Resources mentioned on the episode: Free Materials about Congenital Heart Defects | CDC Congenital Heart Defects Toolkit for Physicians | CDC Birth Defects and Infant Disorders Resources |CDC Free Materials on Spina Bifida | CDC
1/24/23 • 15:22
Dr. Tolúwalàṣé (Laṣé) Ajayi, MD, FAAP from Scripps Research Digital Trials Center in California, joins host Chris Stallman, CGC to talk about PowerMom. PowerMom is a data-driven research project fueled by pregnant participants aimed at improving pregnancy health. Participants contribute information through the PowerMom website/app during their pregnancies and gain feedback as pregnancy progresses. Dr. Ajayi also shares her personal encounter with health disparities and why research may be one of the ways to help reduce the problem. PowerMom: https://powermom.scripps.edu/
1/20/23 • 27:12
Dr. Sarah Verbiest, of the University of North Carolina Collaborative for Maternal and Infant Health joins host Chris Stallman, CGC to discuss preconception health (before people become pregnant) and why it's important for reducing the risk for birth defects while leading to a healthier life across the lifespan of their offspring. The "Across the Lifespan" concept is part of the theme for January's Birth Defects Awareness Month.
1/13/23 • 28:24
Kimberly Harper, MSN, RN, MHA of The 4th Trimester Project and the University of North Carolina Collaborative for Maternal and Infant Health joins host Chris Stallman, CGC to discuss preparing for the critical weeks after getting home from the hospital with a newborn, also known as "the 4th trimester." Resources mentioned during the podcast include: New Mom Toolkit: https://newmomhealth.com/
1/6/23 • 22:38
The American Academy of Pediatrics' Alexandra Yonts, MD, FAAP joins host Chris Stallman, CGC, to talk about the symptoms of long COVID and the risks of it associated in pregnancy and children. Resources for families and healthcare providers mentioned by Dr. Yonts during the episode include: https://www.longcovidkids.org/ https://www.survivorcorps.com/advocacy
10/14/22 • 17:48
