True Birth

Our 100th Episode

30 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today is a big anniversary!  We have been at podcasting for 1 year and have reached out 100th episode. In this week's podcast we review our most down...

Placenta Encapsulation: Episode #99

26 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Placenta encapsulation is the procedure of taking a placenta and making it into pill form for consumption usually following birth. Placenta encapsulat...

Birth Plans for Labor Delivery & Pregnancy: Episode #98

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Birth plans have increased in popularity in the last several decades and many templates exist online from popular pregnancy and birthing websites, vlo...

Diagnostic Imaging in Pregnancy: X-Rays, CT Scans, MRIs and Ultrasound: Episode #97

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Radiology and imaging techniques in pregnancy are reviewed such as x-rays, CT scans and MRIs.  Find out when it is safe to get imaging done in prengn...

Uterine Anomalies in Pregnancy: Episode #96

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Different types of uterine shapes and sizes are reivewed and how they affect pregnancy and delivery, mainly septate, unicornuate, bicornuate, and dide...

Insomnia in Pregnancy: Episode #95

02 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What to do when you can't sleep in pregnancy. There are many reasons as to the source of sleepless nights in pregnancy; and the solutions vary by the ...

First Trimester Bleeding in Pregnancy: Episode #94

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bleedding in the first trimester of pregnancy is often more anxiety producing than dangerous in pregnancy. However, it is important to seek the consul...

AFP: The Alpha-Fetoprotein Test. Episode #93

21 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The AFP test of the Alpha-Fetoprotein Test is a blood test done in the second trimeter of pregnancy screening for nerual tube defects (NTDs).  This m...

Maternal Resources. Where Nature is What We Nurture: Episode #92

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Yaakov Abdelhak explains the inception of Maternal Resources, what makes it tick and how it's the most special place on the planet to have a baby....

Meconium in Pregnancy, Labor & Delivery: Episode #91

14 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Meconium is brown stained amniotic fluid and represents the passage of stool from the bowels of the baby in utero.    We'd love to hear your feedbac...

Thrombophilias in Pregnancy: Episode #90

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In pregnancy, thrombophilias or blood clotting disorders can either be inherited or  acquired. As you can imagine, blood clotting is not a preferred ...

Postpartum: What to Expect after you've had the Baby. Episode #89

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Everything that's key to know about the immediate postpartum period.  You've done all the hard work and delivered a healthy beautiful baby. Now, in t...

Sciatica, Muscle Cramps & Leg Pain in Pregnancy. Episode #88

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Different types of leg pain in pregnancy are reviewed.    Our practice website can be found at: Maternal Resources: https://www.maternalresources.or...

Fetal Echocardiograms: Detailed Ultrasounds of the Fetal Heart. Episode #87

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The fetal echocardiogram is a targeted ultrasound that is used to examine the fetal heart in more detail than a standard anatomy ultrasound.  This te...

Precipitous Labor & Delivery: Episode #86

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Precipitous labor is labor that is rapid, usually 3 hours or less from start to finish. This episode is a follow up to a previous episode with some ne...

How to Calculate Your Due Date: Episode #85

10 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

All the different ways to calculate and accurate due date in a pregnancy.   How to utilize the calender, ovulation and ultrasound technologies to det...

Macrosomia: Large for Gestational Age Infants: Episode #84

07 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Macrosomia refers to a fetus larger than 4000 to 4500 grams (or 9 to 10 pounds) at birth. About 9% of infants are born macrosomic and there is a wide ...

Pubic Symphysis Pain in Pregnancy: Episode #83

03 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pubic symphysis pain which is also known as symphysis pubis dysfunction refers to symptoms a patient feels when the joint between the left and right p...

Fibroids in Pregnancy: Episode #82

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Uterine fibroids, also known as uterine leiomyomas are benign smooth muscle tumors found in or around the uterus.  Fibroids are common in women of c...

Interesting Case #3: A Pregnancy with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Episode #81

24 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a very rare, autoimmune disorder in which the immune system damages the nerves, causing muscle weakness, paralysis a...

Gestational Diabetes: When the diagnosis happens in pregnancy: Episode #80

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Gestational diabetes or diabetes in pregnancy diabetes during pregnancy. This podcast will focus primarily on the type of diabetes that develops durin...

Listener Mail. Episode #79

17 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We've compiled all your emails and answered them in this listener mail episode.  Our practice website can be found at: Maternal Resources: https://ww...

Varicose Veins in Pregnancy: Episode #77

10 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Varicose veins are a farily common and benign finding in prengnacy. While these types of veins are not harmful, they can be unsightly and uncomfortabl...

Low Platelets in Pregnancy. Thrombocytopenia. Episode #76

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Platelets, also called thrombocyotes, are a component of red blood cells.  They are fragments of cytoplasm that are derived from the bone marrow and ...

Getting Pregnant after a Pregnancy. How long to wait? Episode #75

03 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How long is it necessary to wait to get pregnant after a pregnancy in various circumstances? There is no uniform or immediate answer. In this episode,...

Forensic Obstetrics. Deciphering clues about a obstetrical history: Episode #74

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Put on your Columbo jackets! When a patient tells the story of what happened in their labor and delivery experience, they often leave clues as to what...

Group Beta Strep (GBS) in Pregnancy: Episode #73

27 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Group B Strep Bacteria In this episode, we talk about Group B Strep bacteria found on the lower genital tract.  The reason why Group B Strep is a pro...

The Causes of the Cesarean Epidemic: Episode #72

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What was the c-section rate in 1970 compared to what the c-section rate is now?  It's much higher.  The c-section rate in the United States has been...

Vaginal Lacerations and Repair: Episode #71

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episodes walks through the different types of lacerations and how they are repaired.  Our practice website can be found at: Maternal Resources: ...

Pregnancy over 40: Episode #70

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our practice website can be found at: Maternal Resources: https://www.maternalresources.org/ Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  P...

Round Ligament Pain: Episode #69

13 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The round ligaments are ligaments that sit near the uterus and, pass near the inguinal canal and end in the labia majora. It is a very common report i...

Induction of Labor: Episode #68

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Induction of labor has been a topic of debate and study in the field of obstetrics for many years. One of the key discussions surrounding this practic...

The Cervical Exam in Pregnancy: Episode# 67

06 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What happens in a digital cervical exam done in pregnancy?  What is the purpose and what to expect are all reviewed in this podcast. Dilation, efface...

External Fetal Monitoring: Episode #66

03 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

All the categories and classifications of fetal monitoring explained in this thorough episode.  What is external fetal monitoring? What is the criter...

Progesterone Supplementation in Pregnancy: Episode #65

30 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Progesterone supplementation in pregnancy and the preconception period has been debated for several years as to its effectiveness.  In this episode, ...

Doctor, Nurse, Intern, Admin. Who are the players in Labor & Delivery? Episode #64

27 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Navigating through the intricacies of labor and delivery can be an overwhelming experience, especially if you're a first-time parent. The labor and de...

Anemia in Pregnancy: Episode #63

23 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Anemia in pregnancy is a common concern that affects a significant number of expectant mothers worldwide. It is characterized by a deficiency of red b...

Pitocin. Could be your Friend: Episode #62

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Pitocin is the synthetic version of a natural occurring endogenous hormone called oxytocin.  Oxytocin, also called the "love hormone"  is produced i...

Retained Placenta: Episode #61

16 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Retained placenta is when the placenta is not delivered within 30   minutes of the delivery of the baby.  Some facilities or institutions will consi...

Placenta Previa. Placenta #60

13 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Placenta previa is when the placenta (disposable organ of the pregnancy) extends over the cervix and cervical os. When the placenta is completely cove...

I'm Pregnant. Now What? Episode #59

09 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this fantastic episode check out all you need to know in that time in between your first positive pregnancy test and getting to your first OB/GYN a...

Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy. Episode #58

06 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Thyroid disease can be tricky to detect in pregnancy because many of the symptoms of thyroid disease can be mild and go undetected or are so similar t...

Covid Booster Vaccine in Pregnancy. Episode #57

02 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As Covid lingers on into the New Year especially with the new Omnicron variant on the loose, the question every pregnant woman wants to know is whethe...

New Perspectives on Preterm Labor: Episode #56

29 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Preterm labor is one of the most evasive disease processes we know about in pregnancy and is one of the leading reasons a pregnant woman seeks treatme...

055 What is a Woman's Worst Fear Surrounding Birth?

25 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We want to hear from you. What is your biggest fear in childbirth?  Listen is as our two hosts explain what they think a woman's biggest fear is. Als...

054 Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR)

22 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What's the cause of fetal growth restriction? How can you prevent it? In this episode of True Birth, we will talk about fetal growth restriction/FGR p...

053 How to Prevent Vaginal Tearing in Labor.

18 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most asked questions during an office visit is: "Doc, how do I prevent tearing?"  In this episode, we discuss how to prevent perineal tear...

052 Higher Weight Pregnancies

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

  A woman's weight and BMI during and after pregnancy is often discussed and debated. This is especially true in the case of high-weight women,...

051 Face Presentation

11 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Face presentation is when the baby's face is presenting through the cervix first. Normally, the baby's head is flexed so that the chin tucked.  No...

049 The Dentist and The Count

04 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Going to the dentist in pregnancy is not only allowed but its recommended.  Regular dental check ups and good dental hygiene are advisable in pregnan...

048 Types of Twin Pregnancies

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There are two main types Types of Twins twins when it comes to pregnancy, dizygotic twins and monozygotic twins.  In this episode, we review these di...

047 Picking a Pediatrician

28 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

046 Placental Abruption

25 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Placental abruption (aka abruptio placentae) is where there is  a partial or complete detachment of the placenta from the uterine wall prior to deliv...

045 Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (IHCP)

21 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP or IHCP) is characterized by itching and an elevation in blood bile acids, that usually develops in the lat...

044 Postterm Pregnancy.

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The best time to predict the due date of a pregnancy is at the beginning.    Early ultrasound is now routinely performed and exceptionally helpful s...

043 Uterine Tilt

14 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Uterine tilt is a term that you won't find in the text books but comes from working day to day in labor and delivery. It refers to the tilt a uterus c...

042 Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

11 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is typically defined as more than one pregnancy loss at any point in the pregnancy, but most often is associated with f...

041 Interesting Case #2

07 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The story of a courageous family and their journey to have 4 healthy children despite multiple complications: preterm labor, bleeding, cord prolapse, ...

039 What is the Definition of a High Risk Pregnancy

30 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Abdelhak expounds on what makes a patient high risk in pregnancy.    As always, we'd love to hear from you! Please get in touch with us on our w...

038 Fetal Screening: Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT). Abnormal Chromosome Screening

27 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, our hosts review how the screening for Down syndrome and other chromosome abnormalities has changed over the last few decades.  They...

037 Decreased Fetal Movement

23 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Decreased fetal movement (DFM) is when a woman is perceiving less movement than usual in her pregnancy in the second half of the second trimester or t...

036 Cord Prolapse

20 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When the umbilical cord slips out of the cervix before the head or the breech, this is a true obstetrical emergency. The cord is the baby's life suppl...

034 Pelvic Architecture: Architecture of the Birth Canal

13 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For many centuries physicians have been trying to understand why some women give birth with relative expediency while other women can have long drawn ...

033 Heart Palpitations in Pregnancy

09 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Palpitations in Pregnancy are a common phenomenon due to the increase blood flow and cardiac workload.  Dr. Abdlehak reviews when they are normal and...

032 Bait and Switch OB/GYN Practitioners.

06 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is all about what happens when you think you are signing up for one type of obstetrical care only to find out you have gotten something c...

032 Bait and Switch OB/GYN Practitioners.

06 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is all about what happens when you think you are signing up for one type of obstetrical care only to find out you have gotten something c...

031 Interesting Case #1

02 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Case of the Didelphys Uterus and the Vaginal Delivery After Cesarean Breech Delivery.  A uterine didelphys is a type of mullein duct abnormality ...

Ultrasounds in Pregnancy: Episode #30

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ultrasounds are an essential prenatal tool, using sound waves to create images of your baby, placenta, and amniotic sac, offering a safe, non-invasive...

029 Pre-Eclampsia: What Every Patient Needs to Know.

26 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that affects multiple organs and is progressive. It is generally characterized by new high blood pressure and...

028 Uterine Rupture: Not so Scary

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Uterine rupture is a complication of labor and delivery that is most often associated with women who are undergoing a vaginal birth after cesarean (VB...

027 Acid Reflux in Pregnancy. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

19 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Acid reflux or "gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)" pregnancy is when the acid that is normally found in your stomach backs up into your esophagus...

026 VBAC: Induction of Labor.

16 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Induction of labor is safe for women who have had a previous cesarean birth and would like to have a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and is an opt...

025 Higher Order Multiple Repeat Cesarean Sections

12 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There is no known threshold below which the number of repeat cesarean deliveries can be guaranteed to be uncomplicated. In this episode, Dr. Abdelhak ...

024 Dr. Google. Good or Bad?

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Recently, Dr. Abdelhak was interviewed by Elisabeth Sherman for Input Magazine www.inputmag.com about an article relating to the use and addiction of ...

023 Travel in Pregnancy

05 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Traveling in pregnancy is generally considered to be safe for most women. It is typically recommended to check in with your medical provider before bo...

022 Nuchal Cord. When the Umbilical Cord is Around the Baby's Neck.

02 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When there is a loop of umbilical cord around the baby's neck in the womb it called a nuchal cord.  This is actually a common ad normal finding durin...

021 Sweeping the Membranes. Membrane Stripping

29 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sweeping the membranes is a great tool that is often used at the end of the 9th month to help stimulate contractions or labor.   It is typically perf...

020 Shoulder Dystocia

26 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Shoulder dystocia is when the shoulders fail to delivery easier after the fetal head. If the shoulders do not deliver easily with a few simple maneuve...

019 Q&A with Dr. A

22 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Abdelhak answered some weekly questions about pregnancy.  If you have any comments or questions you would like us to answer please connect with u...

018 VBAC - Who is a Good Candidate?

19 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Long gone is the thought of once a cesarean always a cesarean. Women who have had a cesarean delivery in the past have the option of undergoing a tria...

017 Tracking Weight Gain in Pregnancy - What's the Point?

15 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How much weight gain in pregnancy is normal? The answer is it's individual and unique for each woman.  Excessive weight gain can pose problems in pr...

016 Assisted Vaginal Delivery

12 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Assisted vaginal delivery (also known as operative vaginal delivery) is when the doctor or midwife assists the woman to delivery using forceps, a vacu...

015 Cervical Insufficiency

08 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Cervical insufficiency (previously termed cervical incompetence) is  defined as recurrent and painless cervical dilation leading to  pregnancy loss ...

014 Occiput Posterior Position - The OP Baby

05 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The occiput posterior position otherwise known as the OP position is important to familiarize yourself with because it is the most common fetal malpos...

013 Listener Mail #1

01 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Yaakov Abdlehak and Kristin Mallon, CNM discuss listener mail and change their thinking on hyperemesis gravidarum.  You can now see the updated s...

012 Unexplained 2nd Trimester Loss - Explained! Part 2

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We're back with the second part of this information and extremely important episode about perinatal loss. We want to remind everyone that while Pregn...

011 Unexplained 2nd Trimester Loss - Explained! Part 1

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Perinatal loss is a profound experience for women and her family. Examples of perinatal loss include miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, n...

NatureBACK: Dr. Abdelhak's Method to Pregnancy & Childbirth

24 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

NatureBACK is a philosophical approach to pregnancy as well as a tool that optimizes a woman's chance of having a vaginal delivery. It represents the...

09 Forbidden Foods: Coffee, Sushi, Deli Meats, Cheese & Fish

22 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Abdelhak bust up some of the conventions that have been around for decades and dispels myths about what is safe and what isn't in pregnancy when i...

08 Episiotomy: Who really needs one?

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Episiotomy, which literally means surgical cutting "tomy" and epis "pubic region" is a practice that largely fell out of favor after this 2005 JAMA s...

Sleeping on your Back in Pregnancy: Episode #7

17 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Can a woman sleep on her back in pregnancy? Is the left side really best?  All of these questions answered in this mini-sode of True Birth Podcast. ...

06 Hyperemesis Gravidarum: Nausea & Vomiting in Pregnancy

14 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What are the best tips and strategies for preventing and treating nausea and vomiting in pregnancy?   Is it normal to feel nausea all day in the firs...

BONUS Episode: Why the Name True Birth?

11 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

True Birth is all about raw honest truths when it comes to labor, delivery, pregnancy and the postpartum period.   This episode covers what the liste...

Turn Baby Turn. Breech Babies. Vaginal Breech and External Cephalic Version (ECV): Episode 05

07 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Breech babies (or butt first) account for about 3% of babies at term. In this episode Dr. Abdelhak and Kristin take a comprehensive look at breech bir...

04 Multiple Gestation: Twins & Triplets Vaginally

01 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The incidence of multiple gestation (twin, triplet and more pregnancy) has gone up significantly over the past several decades, as women are using fer...

03 Getting the Covid Vaccine in Pregnancy

28 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Deciding weather or not to get the COVID vaccine during pregnancy can be a major cause of undue stress for many pregnant women during this precious t...

Induction of Labor. Friend or Foe? Episode #2

26 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When Kristin (a midwife, mind you) joined Dr. Yaakov Abdlehak over 10 years ago she was shocked to learn how high his induction rate was but also how ...

Meet Dr. Yaakov Abdelhak & Kristin Mallon: Episode #1

18 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Who are we? We're Dr. Yaakov Abdelhak, a NYC metro area Perinatologist, Maternal Fetal Medicine Doctor and Certified Nurse Midwife Kristin Mallon. The...

True Birth Trailer

11 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You're going to have a baby. Now what? Don't worry, we've got your vbac. Welcome to True Birth, the podcast that's all about giving you raw, honest t...