Growing Facts Podcast

Apr 17 2023 2

Growing Facts Podcast artwork

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.

Subscribe on Podcast Addict

23. Updates and season 1 wrap-up

Apr 17 2023 13 mins

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 futu

Ep 22. Start of pregnancy vs end of pregnancy

Apr 10 2023 33 mins

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.comEmail: [email protected]: growing_facts_podcastFacebook: Growing Facts PodcastTiktok: gr

21. Planning vs letting go

Mar 27 2023 32 mins

Content warning: miscarriageShalaka 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.comEmail: [email protected]: growing_facts_podcastFacebook: Growing Facts PodcastTiktok: g

20. What does gut microbiota have to do with physical and mental health? With Dr. Carolina de Weerth

Mar 20 2023 46 mins

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 intervent

19. An exciting announcement, twin updates, and partner involvement

Mar 13 2023 38 mins

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.comEmail: [email protected]: growing_fa

18. Can prenatal stress make a child more sensitive to their environment? With Dr. Sarah Hartman

Mar 06 2023 50 mins

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 s

17. Prepping, testing, and planning

Feb 27 2023 42 mins

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.comEmail: [email protected]: growing_facts_podcastFacebook: Growing Facts PodcastTiktok: growingfactspodcastPrenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG

16. Are some people more sensitive to their environment than others? With Dr. Jay Belsky

Feb 20 2023 41 mins

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 pitfal

15. The social, financial, and emotional costs of having children

Feb 13 2023 37 mins

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.comEmail: grow

14. Is exercise safe during pregnancy? With Dr. Margie Davenport

Feb 06 2023 53 mins

Content warning: miscarriageFor 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 Shala