The MotherToBaby Podcast

Show Notes: In this episode of the MotherToBaby Podcast, host and genetic counselor Chris Stallman welcomes Dr. Emily Caffrey, a certified health physicist at the Health Physics Society and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Together, they dive into one of the most frequently asked topics: how radiation exposure may impact breastfeeding. Dr. Caffrey explains the difference between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, details how imaging procedures like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs interact with the body, and addresses concerns around contrast agents and radioactive tracers. The episode also covers what breastfeeding women working around radiation should know, including practical safety tips and case-by-case considerations. Key Takeaways: Diagnostic imaging procedures do not make breast milk radioactive or require stopping breastfeeding Some radioactive tracers or therapeutic treatments may require temporary or permanent changes to breastfeeding plans, depending on the specific agent and dose Always inform your healthcare provider that you're breastfeeding and ask questions about any upcoming procedures Expert help is available—don't rely on internet searches alone Resources mentioned in this episode: MotherToBaby.org Health Physics Society American College of Radiology Guidelines Call 866-626-6847 or text 855-999-3525 to speak with a MotherToBaby specialist

What do GLP-1 medications like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Mounjaro® mean for pregnancy, fertility, and breastfeeding? In this episode of The MotherToBaby Podcast, host and genetic counselor Chris Stallman welcomes Dr. Christina Han—Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and division director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at UCLA, co-director of the Diabetes in Pregnancy Program, and Board Member of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Dr. Han breaks down current knowledge about GLP-1 receptor agonists and how they may impact people planning to conceive, those who are pregnant, and those breastfeeding. She also discusses considerations for people using these medications to manage type 2 diabetes or for weight loss.

In this episode, Jenn Wisdahl, Chief Operating Officer at the non-profit FASD United, and Laura Bousquet, a mother to a young adult son diagnosed with FASD in his teens, join host Chris Stallman, CGC to discuss challenges many families with lived FASD experience face. Wisdahl leads FASD United's legislative and policy agenda and trains members of the FASD community to serve as advocates. She was also an executive producer on the award-winning short film “The FASD Project,” and is a proud parent to 3 young adults with FASD. Bousquet is a passionate FASD advocate and active FASD United Board member whose own FASD diagnosis at age 57 deepened her dedication to inspiring positive change in the FASD community. BONUS: Earn continuing education credits for listening to our series. Scroll down to learn more. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: FASD Family Navigator - FASD United https://fasdunited.org/family-navigator/ Resource Directory - FASD United https://fasdunited.org/resource-directory/ Glimpses of FASD - FASD United https://fasdunited.org/glimpses-of-fasd/  Give FASD a Seat at the Table - FASD United https://fasdunited.org/give-fasd-a-seat-at-the-table/  FASD State Data Sheets - FASD United https://fasdunited.org/fasd-state-data-sheets/ Video Series: Lived Experiences with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders - CDC https://www.cdc.gov/fasd/stories/video-series.html    MotherToBaby: FASD Podcast - Living with FASDs - January 23, 2025 (Podcast) - PD4929-012325 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: This podcast series is intended to reach various audiences, including healthcare professionals, who can use the information presented to inform their practice and their interaction with clients/patients. The podcast episodes will educate participants on 1) the discovery, prevalence, and newest research on the topic of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), 2) CDC's work in addressing prenatal alcohol and other substance use and FASDs, and 3) the experiences of people living with FASDs. OBJECTIVES: After completing this course, the learner will be able to: 1.      Describe Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). 2.      Describe the National Center of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities' (NCBDDD) approach to addressing FASDs. 3.      Describe the impact on people who are living with FASDs. 4.      Describe how interprofessional collaboration addresses FASDs. 5.      Describe how interprofessional teams can help people living with FASDs transition from pediatric to adult healthcare.   FACULTY/                                                   CREDENTIALS: Laura Bousquet, Family Navigator/Self-Advocate, FASD United Christina Chambers, PhD, MPH, Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego Elizabeth Dang, MPH, Behavioral Scientist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Nicholas Deputy, PhD, MPH, Health Scientist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Kenneth Jones, MD, Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego  Chris Stallman, MLS, MS, CGC, Director,    MotherToBaby Arizona, University of Arizona  Jennifer Wisdahl, Chief Operating Officer, FASD   United   CE ORIGINATION DATE: CE EXPIRATION DATE:   January 23, 2025 January 23, 2027     URL   https://momtobaby.org/youtubeFASDfamilies   INTENDED AUDIENCE:   Advanced Practice Nurses, Certified Health Educators, Medical Assistants, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses, Physicians, Physician Assistants, Registered Nurses, and Social Workers   PREREQUISITES:   Learners will have a basic understanding of what fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are.   FORMAT: This activity is Web on Demand   CONTACT INFORMATION: CDC's CE Accreditation Team has a policy for grievances that is available upon request.   Division of Birth Defects and Infant Disorders cdcinfo@cdc.gov   ACCREDITATION STATEMENTS:       In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention MotherToBaby. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team   CME: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. CNE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this activity for 0.5 nursing contact hours. CEU: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is authorized by IACET to offer 0.1 CEU's for this program. CECH: Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 0.5 total Category I continuing education contact hours. Maximum advanced level continuing education contact hours available are 0. Continuing Competency credits available are 0.5. CDC provider number 98614. DISCLOSURE: In compliance with continuing education requirements, all planners and presenters must disclose all financial relationships, in any amount, with ineligible companies during the previous 24 months as well as any use of unlabeled product(s) or products under investigational use.    CDC, our planners, and content experts wish to disclose they have no financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, reselling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. Content will not include any discussion of the unlabeled use of a product or a product under investigational use. CDC did not accept financial or in-kind support from ineligible companies for this continuing education activity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity). To learn more visit: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/nondiscrimination/index.html.   Instructions for Obtaining Continuing Education (CE) To receive continuing education (CE) for MotherToBaby: FASD Podcast - Living with FASDs - January 23, 2025 (Podcast) - PD4929-012325, please visit CDC TRAIN and search for the course in the Course Catalog using PD4929-012325 Follow the steps below by January 23, 2027. Register for and complete the course. Pass the post-assessment at 75 %. Complete the evaluation. Visit Your Learning to access your certificates and transcript. FEES: No fees are charged for CDC's CE activities. ________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for even more education about FASD? Don't miss a special free Birth Defects Awareness Month webinar January 31, 2025 at 9a PT/12p ET. The webinar will be presented by Dr. Noemi Spinazzi of the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is a free webinar, but advanced registration is required at the following link: https://momtobaby.org/FASDwebinar2025

In the second episode of the fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) special series, we explore the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's work addressing FASD and how scientific findings are helping shape prevention efforts. BONUS: Earn continuing education credits for listening. Scroll down to learn more. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: About CDC's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities About Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders  What CDC Is Doing: FASDs  Online Trainings and Resources FASD National Partner Network Toolkit  Video Series: Lived Experiences with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders  “Let's Talk” Materials Toolkit  _________________________________________________________ MotherToBaby: FASD Podcast - CDC's Work Addressing Prenatal Alcohol and Other Substance Use and FASDs - January 16, 2025 (Podcast) - PD4929-011625 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: This podcast series is intended to reach various audiences, including healthcare professionals, who can use the information presented to inform their practice and their interaction with clients/patients. The podcast episodes will educate participants on 1) the discovery, prevalence, and newest research on the topic of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), 2) CDC's work in addressing prenatal alcohol and other substance use and FASDs, and 3) the experiences of people living with FASDs. OBJECTIVES: After completing this course, the learner will be able to: 1.      Describe Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). 2.      Describe the National Center of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities' (NCBDDD) approach to addressing FASDs. 3.      Describe the impact on people who are living with FASDs. 4.      Describe how interprofessional collaboration addresses FASDs. 5.      Describe how interprofessional teams can help people living with FASDs transition from pediatric to adult healthcare.   FACULTY/                                                   CREDENTIALS: Laura Bousquet, Family Navigator/Self-Advocate, FASD United Christina Chambers, PhD, MPH, Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego Elizabeth Dang, MPH, Behavioral Scientist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Nicholas Deputy, PhD, MPH, Health Scientist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Kenneth Jones, MD, Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego Chris Stallman, MLS, MS, CGC, Director,    MotherToBaby Arizona, University of Arizona  Jennifer Wisdahl, Chief Operating Officer, FASD   United   CE ORIGINATION DATE: CE EXPIRATION DATE:   January 16, 2025 January 16, 2027     URL   https://momtobaby.org/FASDep82YouTube   INTENDED AUDIENCE:   Advanced Practice Nurses, Certified Health Educators, Medical Assistants, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses, Physicians, Physician Assistants, Registered Nurses, and Social Workers   PREREQUISITES:   Learners will have a basic understanding of what fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are.   FORMAT: This activity is Web on Demand   CONTACT INFORMATION: CDC's CE Accreditation Team has a policy for grievances that is available upon request.   Division of Birth Defects and Infant Disorders cdcinfo@cdc.gov   ACCREDITATION STATEMENTS:       In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention MotherToBaby. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team   CME: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. CNE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this activity for 0.5 nursing contact hours. CEU: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is authorized by IACET to offer 0.1 CEU's for this program. CECH: Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 0.5 total Category I continuing education contact hours. Maximum advanced level continuing education contact hours available are 0. Continuing Competency credits available are 0.5. CDC provider number 98614. DISCLOSURE: In compliance with continuing education requirements, all planners and presenters must disclose all financial relationships, in any amount, with ineligible companies during the previous 24 months as well as any use of unlabeled product(s) or products under investigational use.    CDC, our planners, and content experts wish to disclose they have no financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, reselling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. Content will not include any discussion of the unlabeled use of a product or a product under investigational use. CDC did not accept financial or in-kind support from ineligible companies for this continuing education activity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity). To learn more visit: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/nondiscrimination/index.html. Instructions for Obtaining Continuing Education (CE) To receive continuing education (CE) for MotherToBaby: FASD Podcast - CDC's Work Addressing Prenatal Alcohol and Other Substance Use and FASDs - January 16, 2025 (Podcast) - PD4929-011625, please visit CDC TRAIN and search for the course in the Course Catalog using PD4929-011625 Follow the steps below by January 16, 2027. Register for and complete the course. Pass the post-assessment at 75 %. Complete the evaluation. Visit Your Learning to access your certificates and transcript. FEES: No fees are charged for CDC's CE activities. _________________________________________________________ Looking for even more education about FASD? Don't miss a special free Birth Defects Awareness Month webinar January 31, 2025 at 9a PT/12p ET. The webinar will be presented by Dr. Noemi Spinazzi of the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is a free webinar, but advanced registration is required at the following link: https://momtobaby.org/FASDwebinar2025

In this episode, Dr. Kenneth Lyons Jones, one of the pioneers who first identified Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in the United States in 1973, and Dr. Christina Chambers, a renowned epidemiologist who has conducted groundbreaking research on the prevalence of FASD, join host Chris Stallman, CGC, to discuss the discovery of FASD, its common physical and cognitive traits, and its prevalence today. BONUS: Earn continuing education credits for listening to our entire FASD 3-part series. Scroll down to learn more. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Dr. Kenneth Lyons Jones on the History of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - FASD  Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in 4 US Communities | Antenatal Exposures and Child Outcomes | JAMA | JAMA Network  Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders – American Academy of Pediatrics Types of Treatment for FASDs | Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders | CDC Choline supplements in young children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder have lasting cognitive benefits | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)  _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ MotherToBaby: FASD Podcast SCPD4929     PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: This podcast series is intended to reach various audiences, including healthcare professionals, who can use the information presented to inform their practice and their interaction with clients/patients. The podcast episodes will educate participants on 1) the discovery, prevalence, and newest research on the topic of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), 2) CDC's work in addressing prenatal alcohol and other substance use and FASDs, and 3) the experiences of people living with FASDs. OBJECTIVES: After completing this course, the learner will be able to: 1.      Describe Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). 2.      Describe the National Center of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities' (NCBDDD) approach to addressing FASDs. 3.      Describe the impact on people who are living with FASDs. 4.      Describe how interprofessional collaboration addresses FASDs. 5. Describe how interprofessional teams can help people living with FASDs transition from pediatric to adult healthcare.   FACULTY/                                                   CREDENTIALS: Laura Bousquet, Family Navigator/Self-Advocate, FASD United Christina Chambers, PhD, MPH, Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego Elizabeth Dang, MPH, Behavioral Scientist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Nicholas Deputy, PhD, MPH, Health Scientist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Kenneth Jones, MD, Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego  Chris Stallman, MLS, MS, CGC, Director,    MotherToBaby Arizona, University of Arizona  Jennifer Wisdahl, Chief Operating Officer, FASD   United   CE ORIGINATION DATE: CE EXPIRATION DATE:   January 9, 2025 January 9, 2027     URL   https://momtobaby.org/FASDep81youtube   INTENDED AUDIENCE:   Advanced Practice Nurses, Certified Health Educators, Medical Assistants, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses, Physicians, Physician Assistants, Registered Nurses, and Social Workers   PREREQUISITES:   Learners will have a basic understanding of what fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are.   FORMAT: This activity is Web on Demand   CONTACT INFORMATION: CDC's CE Accreditation Team has a policy for grievances that is available upon request.   Division of Birth Defects and Infant Disorders cdcinfo@cdc.gov    ACCREDITATION STATEMENTS:     In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and MotherToBaby. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team   CME: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. CNE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this activity for 0.5 nursing contact hours. CEU: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is authorized by IACET to offer 0.1 CEU's for this program. CECH: Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 0.5 total Category I continuing education contact hours. Maximum advanced level continuing education contact hours available are 0. Continuing Competency credits available are 0.5. CDC provider number 98614. DISCLOSURE: In compliance with continuing education requirements, all planners and presenters must disclose all financial relationships, in any amount, with ineligible companies during the previous 24 months as well as any use of unlabeled product(s) or products under investigational use.    CDC, our planners, and content experts wish to disclose they have no financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies with the exception of Dr. Christina Chambers, PhD, MPH and she wishes to disclose she receives research funding from Amgen, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Inc., Regeneron, Hoffman La-Roche-Genentech, Genzyme Sanofi-Aventis, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sanofi, UCB Pharma, USA, Leo Pharma, Sun Pharma Global FZE, Gilead, Novartis, and the Gerber Foundation.  All relevant financial relationships listed for this individual have been mitigated. Content will not include any discussion of the unlabeled use of a product or a product under investigational use. CDC did not accept financial or in-kind support from ineligible companies for this continuing education activity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity). To learn more visit: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/nondiscrimination/index.html. Instructions for Obtaining Continuing Education (CE) To receive continuing education (CE) for SCPD4929 – MotherToBaby: FASD Podcast, please visit CDC TRAIN and search for the course in the Course Catalog using SCPD4929 Follow the steps below by January 9, 2027. Register for and complete the course. Pass the post-assessment at 75 %. Complete the evaluation. Visit Your Learning to access your certificates and transcript.   FEES: No fees are charged for CDC's CE activities.   ______________________________________________________________________ Looking for even more education about FASD? Don't miss a special free Birth Defects Awareness Month webinar January 31, 2025 at 9a PT/12p ET. The webinar will be presented by Dr. Noemi Spinazzi of the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is a free webinar, but advanced registration is required at the following link: https://momtobaby.org/FASDwebinar2025

Dr. Kiarra King, MD, FACOG, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and social media influencer with thousands of followers, joins host Chris Stallman, CGC to talk about the importance of diversity in pregnancy studies as well as self-advocacy during pregnancy. Dr. King was recently named one of the top 15 Chicago-based "influencers to follow" for her thoughtful content on women's health, well-being, self-care, lifestyle, fashion and family.  Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Join a Pregnancy Study Dr. Kiarra King's website Dr. Kiarra King on Instagram

Dana Howe, a communications director for a non-profit called Vaccinate Your Family and soon-to-be mom, joins host Chris Stallman to discuss some common questions and fears surrounding vaccination during pregnancy. She helps debunk common myths to set the record straight. Howe holds a degree in biology and community health and a master's degree in health communication. Resources mentioned in this episode: Vaccinate Your Family www.VaccinateYourFamily.org 

Michelle Fiscus, MD, FAAP from the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) joins host Chris Stallman, CGC to discuss respiratory virus season and what pregnant people can do to help protect their babies against RSV, COVID-19, Seasonal Influenza (flu) and whooping cough (pertussis).   Resources mentioned in this episode: Association of Immunization Managers: Immunizationmanagers.org BOOSTRIX Tdap Vaccine - MotherToBaby Pregnancy Study

Dr, Jessica Brumley, the current president of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) and an Associate Professor at the University of South Florida in the Department of OBGYN joins host Chris Stallman, CGC. Dr. Brumley addresses the most common questions she gets about midwives, who they serve (hint: it's not just pregnant people) and where you can learn more about midwives in your area. Dr. Brumley has worked in her state on quality improvement work including the Promoting Intended Vaginal Delivery and Mother-Focused Care Initiatives. Her research has focused on group prenatal care implementation and human milk and lactation optimization. Dr Brumley is an internationally recognized expert in midwifery, physiologic birth, lactation, and respectful care. Resources mentioned in this episode: Find a Midwife American College of Nurse-Midwives (midwife.org)

Dr. Emily Caffrey, a certified health physicist with the Health Physics Society, joins host Christ Stallman, CGC to talk about different types of radiation and their potential effects on a pregnancy. Links Mentioned in This Episode: Health Physics Society's Ask The Experts https://HPS.org   Ep. 76 Transcript  You're listening to the MotherToBaby podcast, medications and more during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Ask the experts with your host, genetic counselor and mom of four, Chris Stallman.   This episode contains evidence based information that's current as of the day recorded and may change as more data becomes available. To get the very latest information about this topic or other topics in pregnancy and breastfeeding, please contact a mother to baby specialist at 866 626 6847 by text at 855 999 3525 or through our website at mothertobaby.org.   Welcome to another episode of the mother to baby podcast. My name is Chris Stallman, and I'm a genetic counselor, a mom of four, and a teratogen information specialist. So what that means is that I talk to people, so patients, family members, healthcare providers, the general public, about exposures that can happen before pregnancy, during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, and in cases of adoption.   Thank you And an exposure can be anything. So it could be a medication you take. It could be a vaccine. It could be a hair treatment. And in some cases it could be in the place where you work. Today we're going to talk about a very specific exposure, radiation. And we have a very special guest to talk with us today.   Dr. Emily Caffrey is the program director and an assistant professor for the master's in health physics program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is also a certified health physicist that specializes in calculating radiation doses from environmental sources of radiation. Dr. Caffrey, welcome to the show.   Thanks for having me. Excited to be here. Great. So let's get started today. We're going to talk about radiation. Can you tell us a little bit about what radiation is and how people are exposed to it? Yeah, absolutely. Um, you know, radiation is just a form of energy. So there's two types of radiation. There's non ionizing radiation and ionizing radiation.   So non ionizing radiation are lights, microwaves, your cell phone emits non ionizing radiation, things like that. There's also ionizing radiation, and that type of radiation is a little bit higher energy, um, that makes charged particles. Um, and that's the kind of radiation you get when you're talking about a CT scan or an x ray, something like that.   Um, that's ionizing radiation. Uh, and I, and I just want to point out that radiation is all around us. It was present when life first evolved on Earth. It was present when dinosaurs lived. It's still present today. Uh, we live in a radioactive world, and I think a lot of people don't know that. So I'd like to start with, radiation's all around you, and it has been your whole life.   Um, natural radiation comes from space, and it comes from living things that are in the Earth. The Earth's crust is radioactive. You may, if you live in a place that has high radon, um, you may have heard of radon coming from Earth up into your basement. That's a really common source of exposure. Um, and our human bodies and cells have adapted over time to respond to and repair the small amounts of damage you might get from these low levels of ionizing radiation.   So some of the more common forms of radiation, like you described, light, microwaves, CTs, would that also include mammograms and would that increase risks to a pregnancy? Yeah, that doesn't include mammograms. The mammogram is again a low energy type of x ray that's used to image the breast tissue to look for cancer usually.   Um, and You know, just like all other types of, of diagnostic imaging procedures, and I think we'll talk a little bit more about this as we get into it, um, you really aren't at risk when you have a low, a low, a diagnostic imaging procedure, those are very low doses, your, your pregnancy is not at risk, the unborn child, not at risk from those types of exposures.   And I'm really glad that we can talk about that and hear about that again, because it is the kind of thing, you know, if. certainly if you need it in pregnancy, it's a good idea to get your cancer screenings. Absolutely. Dr. Caffrey, can you tell us a little bit about the Health Physics Society? Yeah. And I like to tell people like health physics is a profession you've never heard of, but the health physics society is the professional society for health, which are radiation protection professionals.   So we are the profession that is devoted to the safe use of radiation. Um, so anywhere radiation is used, whether that's a hospital, a nuclear power plant, um, the government and military installations, um, there's gonna be a health physicist, a radiation safety officer, someone there making sure that the people and the environment are safe from that ionizing radiation.   So you may not see us, but we are there making sure that we're following regulations and keeping people safe. When you mentioned earlier that radiation comes from space, I got to say, I love hearing that. I think that that's such a cool and exciting thing. So let's talk about cosmic ionizing radiation. So what is that specifically?   And does that increase risks to a pregnancy? Yeah, it's space is always fun, right? And we're talking about sending astronauts to Mars and things, right? Radiation. So, you know, one component of your natural radiation dose that you get just by living here on Earth is from outer space, and that's called cosmic radiation.   Um, so particles and electromagnetic magnetic waves from outer space, um, come and hit and impact Earth. So you may have heard of solar flares and things like that. And the sun flings off all these charged particles. So those come and hit Earth. Now, Earth is actually pretty well protected. We have this magnetic field that's around Earth that deflects a lot of those particles.   Think of it as like a shield around Earth. And then our atmosphere, like a literal atmosphere above us, also protects us from a lot of that radiation, but not all of it. So some of that radiation is going to come in and actually get into Earth, like where you and I are sitting here right now. Um, and, and, and, There's more at the north and south poles and as you go higher in elevation because at the north and south pole the magnetic field that protects us is weaker and at higher altitudes you're just physically closer to the radiation coming from space.   So if you're, um, your background radiation dose, if you're at the North Pole or if you're standing on top of a 14 year in Colorado is going to be higher than me sitting here in my office in Huntsville, Alabama, which is basically at sea level, right? So it's just a small difference, but it does change a little bit.   Um, but you know, cosmic radiation contributes Um, about 5 percent of our average total background dose. So that's a very low, low number. You and I just living on Earth, which is radioactive, get about 3 millisieverts per year. And a millisievert is just a unit of radiation, uh, dose that we, that we use to count, you know, when we're talking about radiation doses, that's just a number we, a unit that we use.   Um, so you and I get about 3 millisieverts per year, and about 5 percent of that 3 millisieverts is from cosmic space radiation. Um, and I, and I want to add to that background radiation doses are too low to increase your risk of pregnancy or cause any harm to your unborn child. We are not worried about background radiation doses or doses that are lower, um, in, in than, especially not background, but lower than three is definitely not a concern.   And we'll talk a little bit more about what levels you might want to start thinking about, about, you know, where, at what levels you might want to be concerned, but definitely not at background levels. Great. Okay. So thinking about space occupation, what's out there? What about radiation exposure for someone who's working as a flight attendant?   I got to tell you, I got this question for the very first time, maybe six or seven years ago. And until then, it never even occurred to me. I was like, yeah, of course, there's radiation in the atmosphere. So I'm going to stop talking and let you give us this answer. Yeah, and I'm really glad you asked that question because we hear this concern a lot, both from flight attendants, pregnant women that travel for work a lot, uh, pilots, right?   We hear this question a lot. And I think people, uh, I certainly didn't before I got into this field, didn't think about flight attendants being, uh, people that are exposed to COVID. More than average, right? Um, but when you fly up high, especially people that fly transcontinental flights that go over those poles where you have a higher radiation dose, they get a higher radiation dose in the background.   They actually, in some cases, get higher radiation doses than workers at nuclear power plants, but higher does not mean there's a problem. So let's back up for just a second. Um, so the amount of exposure that you get from flying is significantly lower than, um, The exposure needed to cause any harmful effects to your, to your unborn child or to you, the pregnant, pregnant person, rightly, that we're not concerned.   Um, and just to give you some context, right, we talked about 3 millisieverts as our background radiation dose. Um, the radiation dose needed to cause harmful effects is roughly, and again, there's a lot of research on this that's ongoing all the time as we improve our models, but we're talking roughly 100 millisieverts.   Um, and again, millisieverts just being a unit of radiation dose, so 3. Is your background radiation dose, and 100 is what we're talking about for harmful effects. Um, and then to talk a little bit more specifically about flight, so how much radiation do you get in a flight? Well, your radiation exposure during a commercial flight is about 0.   01 millisieverts per hour of flying time. So to get to 100 then right? That means you need if you do some quick division. That means you need about 10, 000 hours during your pregnancy to reach the amount of radiation that might be harmful. I don't think anyone is even flight attendants, right? You're not flying in 10, 000 hours.   You really aren't quite safe from as a as a flight attendant or a pilot or even just someone that travels a lot while you're pregnant. That's it's not of concern. Excellent. And I'm so glad that you mentioned, you know, it could be higher than 100. wherever we start out. But that alone doesn't necessarily mean that there is a problem.   We have to have more information. We have to have all the pieces and that's so important for all exposures. But again, certainly for one like this, where you may not have known or you may not have remembered, it's like, oh, there's radiation all around us. Oh, wait, it also depends on how much we're being exposed to.   Now, for my favorite thing to ask all of the guests on the show, when I get the opportunity, what is the most interesting question about radiation and pregnancy that you or the Health Physics Society has received? Yeah. And I'm, and again, this is a great question. We get hundreds of questions from pregnant women and thousands of questions from the general public.   Yeah. Um, and you know, it's kind of, I didn't pick something like when I was thinking about this, I didn't pick something light hearted because this, this particular question that I'm going to throw is one that has stuck with me and it's the one I that just reminds me of why talking to people and using my knowledge to explain why things are okay or not okay or what you need to be concerned about and what you shouldn't be concerned about is so important.   Um, and so about, about a year ago, we had a woman right in, um, an Italian woman and she had had a diagnostic x ray of her pelvis before she knew she was pregnant. And her, her gynecologist told her the pregnancy was probably more risky because of the x ray. And she specifically asked us if she should terminate her pregnancy.   And under Italian law, you know, that was very time sensitive because she only had a week to make such a like, insanely impactful life decision. Um, and so I was so glad that she found us because I just want to be really clear here. The answer to that question is absolutely not. A diagnostic x ray, even to the pelvis, um, is not going to cause any harm to your unborn child.   And just the relief that we were able to provide, um, that, that soon to be first time mom was just like overwhelming. She wrote back to us, um, several times over the course of, you over the course of her pregnancy just to check in and she told us she sent us an email saying that her son was born happy and healthy and she was just so grateful and so relieved because she didn't know right and and so being able to offer that service and being able to help people understand and make massive decisions is just really amazing.   Uh, it gives me the warmth, like, that is amazing. I am not only so glad that the society exists and that folks like yourself are out there giving this information. I'm so glad they found you. I'm so glad that, you know, it seemed like a good outcome for them. That's wonderful and so important. And it is one of those things where, you know, you don't know what you don't know.   The good news is in a lot of cases, there are people, um, again, like you and the health physics society that are out there assisting with some of this information that isn't as commonly available. So thank you so much. What a great story. So Emily, if someone has a question specific for the health physics society, so radiation.   Or even, you know, concerns in the pre pregnancy or after pregnancy planning stage. How did they get to your organization to find this information? Yeah, thanks for asking that. Um, so you can find us at hps. org, hps. org. That's the website of the Health Physics Society. And you'll see a little Ask the Experts button.   And you just click that button and you'll see our webpage. Um, there's a webpage specifically for pregnancy and radiation. And on that web page are a couple of videos that the Health Society has produced. There are fact sheets about radiation and pregnancy. There are Q& A's from, uh, not only some, some basic Q& A's that we have written, but also, um, some stories that other people have, other questions that people have written in with.   We, we anonymize them, of course, and we post some of those to our website. And we cover everything from, um, background radiation, to pregnancy and flying, to what if I need a medical procedure, to I'm a lactating mom that's breastfeeding, you know, and I have to have this nuclear medicine procedure, you know, if, am I okay, what should I do?   Um, I think the medical industry does a good job of providing information, but I think people sometimes still want, you're still overwhelmed, right? When you, you have a child and you are doing something in the medical realm, like those are two very overwhelming things. In and of themselves. And so when you have another question that didn't get answered, please reach out to us and we're always happy to help.   That's awesome. And we are going to put information for the Health Physics Society in the show notes. Something else, um, that I was just thinking of, I, you know, talk to people all day. That's my job. But if I forget to ask my doctor or healthcare provider something, or if I'm traveling or busy, I might not always have the opportunity to connect with them, and I will say that sometimes I turn to Google.   So it's great to know where they can find this information. Providers are wonderful. They give good information. Sometimes I do not have it in me to wait 30 minutes on the phone. You know, life is busy. So it's great to know that we can find this information online as well. Dr. Caffrey, before I let you go for this episode, um, cause I would love to have you come back and talk more about radiation.   Is there a final thought that you would like to leave our audience with? Yeah, I think, you know, I think the thing I want to emphasize is that radiation can be scary. You can't see it. You can't feel it. You don't know it's there. Like anything you can't see and you don't know is there. Can be scary, but I just I want to emphasize that our bodies evolved in this radioactive world.   They have repair mechanisms for low doses. And we know from population studies from epidemiological studies. That the amount of radiation used in these diagnostic procedures, so x ray scans, mammograms. Um, even to the pelvis area are just not are way too small to cause harm to your unborn child. So you don't need to worry about those types of procedures.   You know, and if you are concerned or you had a specific procedure or you had a nuclear medicine procedure, you know, those are things that experts can talk to you about and counsel you through, um, to make sure that you're getting up to date information. And it's so important to remember to ask those questions because diagnostic procedures can prevent a lot of issues that are harmful to your baby, right?   And, or could be harmful to your, to your unborn child and, or yourself, right? As the pregnant woman, like, um, There are actual harms that can be done by not having a CT scan when it's clinically indicated, and the radiation dose should, should be something that you think about, um, and, and be aware of and educated about, but it should not stop you from getting a diagnostic procedure that could potentially save your life or your unborn child's life.   So radiation's scary, but we, um, myself, the Health Physics Society, and all of my topic editors and experts are here to help. Hps. org or through the mother's baby website, there are links, um, and you can find us online and we are, please reach out. We are happy to help. Absolutely. And thank you. Thank you for the reminder that, you know, these procedures, MRIs, CTs, and so forth are not done lightly.   They are done because someone needs it, especially during pregnancy and you, you probably do need it. So please feel free to contact. The health physics society or mother to baby with any questions that you have. Dr. Caffrey, it was my pleasure to speak with you today. Thank you so much for being on the show, giving us all this great information, and we hope to have you back in the future.   Thank you so much for having me. It's been a pleasure. And that's going to do it for this episode of the mother to baby podcast. Be sure to hit that subscribe button. So that way you never miss a new episode and you can go back and listen or relisten to some of those older episodes as well. You can find us on iTunes, Spotify, Audible, or however you like to listen to podcasts.   And if you want to be on the podcast, or if you have an idea for the show, we would love to hear from you. Please feel free to email us at contactusatmothertobaby. org. And Mother 2 Baby is here to answer your questions about exposures before and during pregnancy while breastfeeding, or if you have questions about exposures and adoption, you can reach us by phone at 866 626 6847.   Buy text at 855 999 3525. You can visit us on our website, mothertobaby. org. And there you can chat with an information specialist. You can look at our many blogs, information pages, our hundreds of fact sheets that are available free in English and in Spanish. And you can also listen to our podcast. Or, find out how you can participate in our pregnancy studies.   If you would like to support the MotherToBaby podcast, as well as all of the ways we get critical pregnancy and breastfeeding health information to you at home, we have a new way to do just that. Encircle is our new monthly giving society that helps ensure we can continue to provide our services at no cost.   Join the community today and encircle parents and babies in health. Members will be recognized on the podcast and website. Visit mothertobaby.org/donate today. Until next time, remember, MotherToBaby is here for you. Take care. MotherToBaby is a service of the nonprofit organization of Teratology Information Specialists and supported by the Health Resources and Service Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It's made possible through generous donations from listeners like you. To learn more about MotherToBaby, please visit 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! 

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  

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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. 

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! 

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. 

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.  

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  

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/ 

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.

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/ 

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 

The MotherToBaby Podcast welcomes CDC scientist CAPT Jennifer Williams to talk folic acid and its role in preventing birth defects of the brain and spine. This episode contains evidence-based information that's current as of the day published and may change as data emerges. To get the very latest information about this topic in pregnancy/breastfeeding, please contact a MotherToBaby specialist at 866-626-6847, via text message at 855-999-3525 or through https://mothertobaby.org. 

Nevena Krstić, MS, CGC, an expecting mom and teratogen information specialist at the MotherToBaby Florida affiliate joins host Chris Stallman, CGC to talk about yeast infection treatments during pregnancy. This episode contains evidence-based information that's current as of the day published and may change as data emerges. To get the very latest information about this topic in pregnancy/breastfeeding, please contact a MotherToBaby specialist at 866-626-6847, via text message at 855-999-3525 or through https://mothertobaby.org. 

Laura Morehouse, MPH, CHES, Community Outreach Coordinator from the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center joins host Chris Stallman, CGC, to talk about the recent controversy surrounding melatonin overdoses.  This episode contains evidence-based information that's current as of the day published and may change as data emerges. To get the very latest information about this topic in pregnancy/breastfeeding, please contact a MotherToBaby specialist at 866-626-6847, via text message at 855-999-3525 or through https://mothertobaby.org. 

Dr. Jessica Vernon, a New York-based OBGYN recently featured on the Today Show, continues telling her story of postpartum depression and anxiety (also known as perinatal mood disorders). In this second part of the conversation, she talks about certain medications prescribed during pregnancy and breastfeeding.  This episode contains evidence-based information that's current as of the day published and may change as data emerges. To get the very latest information about this topic in pregnancy/breastfeeding, please contact a MotherToBaby specialist at 866-626-6847, via text message at 855-999-3525 or through https://mothertobaby.org. 

Dr. Jessica Vernon, a New York-based OBGYN recently featured on the Today Show, shares her story of postpartum depression and anxiety (also known as perinatal mood disorders). Even as an OBGYN, the often-debilitating condition was difficult to recognize during her own motherhood journey. Dr. Vernon joins host Chris Stallman, certified genetic counselor, to share the lesser-known symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety and when it's time to get help. This episode contains evidence-based information that's current as of the day published and may change as data emerges. To get the very latest information about this topic in pregnancy/breastfeeding, please contact a MotherToBaby specialist at 866-626-6847, via text message at 855-999-3525 or through https://mothertobaby.org. 

Chris Stallman, Certified Genetic Counselor, is joined by Alfred Romeo, RN, PhD of MotherToBaby Utah to answer questions about household cleaners and sanitizers during pregnancy and breastfeeding.  This episode contains evidence-based information that's current as of the day published and may change as data emerges. To get the very latest information about this topic in pregnancy/breastfeeding, please contact a MotherToBaby specialist at 866-626-6847, via text message at 855-999-3525 or through https://mothertobaby.org. 

Chris Stallman, Certified Genetic Counselor, is joined by Alfred Romeo, RN, PhD of MotherToBaby Utah to answer questions about lead exposure during pregnancy and breastfeeding.  This episode contains evidence-based information that's current as of the day published and may change as data emerges. To get the very latest information about this topic in pregnancy/breastfeeding, please contact a MotherToBaby specialist at 866-626-6847, via text message at 855-999-3525 or through https://mothertobaby.org. 

Sura Alwan, MSc, PHD of the University of British Colombia and co-director of the Teratogen Information System (TERIS) at the University of Washington joins host Chris Stallman, CGC to discuss acetaminophen (Tylenol) use in breastfeeding.  This episode contains evidence-based information that's current as of the day published and may change as data emerges. To get the very latest information about this topic in pregnancy/breastfeeding, please contact a MotherToBaby specialist at 866-626-6847, via text message at 855-999-3525 or through https://mothertobaby.org. 

Sura Alwan, MSc, PHD of the University of British Colombia and co-director of the Teratogen Information System (TERIS) at the University of Washington joins host Chris Stallman, CGC to discuss acetaminophen (Tylenol) use in pregnancy.  This episode contains evidence-based information that's current as of the day published and may change as data emerges. To get the very latest information about this topic in pregnancy/breastfeeding, please contact a MotherToBaby specialist at 866-626-6847, via text message at 855-999-3525 or through https://mothertobaby.org. 

Jennita Reefhuis, PhD from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Carissa Rocheleau, PhD from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) join The MotherToBaby Podcast host Chris Stallman, CGC, for the fourth in a series about workplace exposures. On this episode, Jennita and Carissa talk about #pregnancy and exposures like lead, loud noises, exhaust and more while working in the military, concert venues and other jobs. This episode contains evidence-based information that's current as of the day published and may change as data emerges. To get the very latest information about this topic in pregnancy/breastfeeding, please contact a MotherToBaby specialist at 866-626-6847, via text message at 855-999-3525 or through https://mothertobaby.org. 

Jennita Reefhuis, PhD from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Carissa Rocheleau, PhD from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) join The MotherToBaby Podcast host Chris Stallman, CGC, for the third in a series about workplace exposures. On this episode, Jennita and Carissa talk about pregnancy and exposures while working at nail and hair salons, as well as jobs that require heavy lifting. This episode contains evidence-based information that's current as of the day published and may change as data emerges. To get the very latest information about this topic in pregnancy/breastfeeding, please contact a MotherToBaby specialist at 866-626-6847, via text message at 855-999-3525 or through https://mothertobaby.org.