Growing Facts Podcast: Recent Episodes
Growing Facts Podcast
A podcast in which the hosts, Shalaka and Alyson, navigate the science behind pregnancy to help decision-making based on facts. Shalaka is finishing her Ph.D. in child psychology and is trying to get 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.
Alyson and Shalaka wrap up season 1 with some updates, including Shalaka’s Ph.D and pregnancy, and Alyson’s twins! They also talk about extending grace in difficult periods such as the first trimester or when you have newborns… and a lot of talk about poops and farts. They’re taking a break from recording after season 1, but they’ll be back for a season 2 in the near future!
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
Shalaka and Alyson talk about the debilitating nature of first trimester symptoms - fatigue, nausea, “pregnancy brain”, and nipples. They talk about Alyson’s twins and passing the prematurity mark, planning inductions, and preparing pets for babies.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
Content warning: miscarriage
Shalaka and Alyson talk about planning what is in your power vs letting go of what isn’t, when it comes to all things pregnancy: fearing miscarriage in early pregnancy, preparing for birth, and choosing a health care provider.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
Shalaka will be interviewing Dr. Carolina de Weerth, and we’ll be aiming to answer the question: what does gut microbiota have to do with physical and mental health? We talk about the relationship between microbiota and different health outcomes, the link between the microbiota of the mother and child both prenatally and postnatally, and some possible avenues for future intervention.
In the post-interview discussion (37:20), Alyson and Shalaka discuss the implications of this research for possible intervention, symbiosis, and a holistic approach to health.
Links
Lab web page: https://dpblab.org/
Twitter: @WeerthDe
Citations
Ou, Y., Belzer, C., Smidt, H., de Weerth, C. (2022). Development of the gut microbiota in healthy children in the first ten years of life: associations with internalizing and externalizing behavior. Gut Microbes, 14(1):2038853.
Hermes, G., Eckermann, H., Vos, W.M., de Weerth, C. (2020). Does entry to center-based childcare affect gut microbial colonization in young infants? Scientific Reports, 10(1):10235.
De Weerth, C. (2017) Do Bacteria Shape our Development? Crosstalk between Intestinal Microbiota and HPA Axis. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 83:458-471.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
Shalaka and Alyson talk about Shalaka’s frozen embryo transfer, updates on the Alyson's twins, and prenatal classes. They also talk about navigating new parenthood when you and your partner have different ideas about how it’s done, and the perspective of the other partner who is not carrying the baby.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
Shalaka will be interviewing Dr. Sarah Hartman as the second part of a two-part episode. We’ll be aiming to answer the question: Can exposure to prenatal factors program greater sensitivity to environment after birth? We recap what differential susceptibility is, discuss markers like temperament or physiological stress response, and how exposure to prenatal stress might lead to such individuals.
In the post-interview discussion (40:25), Alyson and Shalaka discuss the importance of diversity among humans, how this research can bring comfort and hope to parents of sensitive children or pregnant people experiencing prenatal stress, and the importance of the other parent.
CitationsHartman S, Freeman SM, Bales KL, Belsky J. Prenatal Stress as a Risk-and an Opportunity-Factor. Psychol Sci. 2018 Apr;29(4):572-580. doi: 10.1177/0956797617739983. Epub 2018 Feb 7. PMID: 29412055; PMCID: PMC6350146.
Hartman S, Belsky J. Prenatal programming of postnatal plasticity revisited-And extended. Dev Psychopathol. 2018 Aug;30(3):825-842. doi: 10.1017/S0954579418000548. PMID: 30068425.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
Shalaka and Alyson talk about updates on Shalaka’s IVF (such as: what is an endometrial lining?) and Alyson’s twins, the test for gestational diabetes, and prepping for newborns.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
For today’s episode, Shalaka will be interviewing Dr. Jay Belsky as part of a two-part episode. Today we’ll be aiming to answer the question: Are some people more sensitive to their environment than others? We talk about how genes should always be looked at in environmental contexts, and how we tend to look at outcomes as a binary “good” vs “bad”, and some of the pitfalls of developmental psychology as a field.
Links
https://humandevelopment.ucdavis.edu/people/jay-belsky
CitationsBelsky, J. & Pluess, M. (2009). Beyond Diathesis-Stress: Differential Susceptibility to Environmental Influences. Psychological Bulletin, 135, 885-908.
Belsky, J., & Pluess, M. (2013). Beyond Risk, Resilience and Dysregulation: Phenotypic Plasticity and Human Development. Development and Psychopathology, 25, 1243-1261.
Belsky, J., Zhang, X., & Sayler, K. (2022). Differential Susceptibility 2.0: Are the same children affected by different experiences and exposures Development and Psychopathology, 34, 1025-1033.
Sayler, K., Zhang, X., Steinberg, L., & Belsky, J. (2022). Parenting, Peers and Psychosocial Adjustment: Are the Same—or Different—Children Affected by Each? Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 51, 443-457.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
Shalaka and Alyson talk about the financial/emotional/social cost of IVF, and the role of societal views of reproduction in how we view the right to reproduce and the right to abortion. They also talk about the appropriation of babies by non-parents and the at times transactional nature of “help”, and the best way to pitch in with newborns.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
Content warning: miscarriage
For today’s episode, Shalaka will be interviewing Dr. Margie Davenport. We’ll be aiming to answer the question: Is exercise safe during pregnancy? We discuss the strong benefits of engaging in exercise unless contraindicated, and the myths and assumptions associated with exercise in pregnancy.
In the post-interview discussion (33:30), Alyson and Shalaka discuss the importance of movement, exceptional cases such as bed rest, and playing the blame game with exercise and miscarriage.
Links
instagram: @exerciseandpregnancy
Website: www.exerciseandpregnancy.ca
Facebook: Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health Facebook Page
Twitter: @ExercisePreg
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCtvzYizIALcs5-RzfHrf5UA
Citations
1. Prenatal exercise for the prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis (Davenport et al., 2018):
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30337463/
2. No. 367-2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy (Mottola et al., 2018):
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30297272/
3. Infographic: Prenatal physical activity: baby steps for better health (Davenport et al., 2020):
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31377724/
4. Why can't I exercise during pregnancy? Time to revisit medical "absolute" and "relative" contraindications: systematic review of evidence of harm and a call to action (Meah, Davies, & Davenport, 2020):
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32513676/
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
In today’s episode, Alyson and Shalaka try to act like mature adults and talk about butt stuff without giggling. We’re talking hemmorhoids, constipation and poop. We also talk about pelvic floor and prevention! As they say in #Forever35podcast, butt care is self care.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
For today’s episode, Shalaka will be interviewing Dr. Ema Ferreira. We’ll be aiming to answer the question: Are medications safe for pregnancy? We discuss which medications are safe for pregnant women and how new medications are tested.
In the post-interview discussion (34:56), Alyson and Shalaka discuss the fact that pregnant people can and should be treated for health conditions using medication, supplements and other natural health products not labelled “medication”, and relying on expertise and not hearsay.
Links and resources
Grossesse et allaitement: guide thérapeutique Facebook page
(Pregnancy and breastfeeding: a therapeutic guide)
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063450594750
Centre IMAGe:
https://www.chusj.org/en/Care-Services/P/Pharmacy/Centre-IMAGe
Pregnancy and breastfeeding pocketbook (soon available in English): https://www.chusj.org/en/soins-services/P/Pharmacie/Centre-IMAGe/Petit-Guide-Grossesse-et-allaitement
Study of drugs quantification in breastmilk
https://www.chusj.org/en/soins-services/P/Pharmacie/Centre-IMAGe/Etude-dosage-medicaments-lait-maternel
Best use of medicine in pregnancy (UK site): https://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/
MotherToBaby – fact sheets(US site): https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/
Le CRAT (France – in French) - https://www.lecrat.fr/
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
Content warning: miscarriage
In today’s episode, Alyson and Shalaka talk a ton about embryos, including genetic testing and complicated feelings. They also talk progesterone shots and unwanted judgemental comments from strangers.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
Content warning: mention of intimate partner violence
For today’s episode, Shalaka will be interviewing Dr. Catherine Herba. We’ll be aiming to answer the question: How do lifestyle factors affect pregnancy and postpartum mental health? We discuss:
-possible biological mechanisms for the influence of prenatal stress on child outcomes, including stress hormones like cortisol and the placenta
-how prenatal stress is related to factors like sleep, exercise, and social support
-why the prenatal and postpartum period is a particularly vulnerable one
-how the Covid-19 pandemic affected maternal mental health
In the post-episode discussion (37:03), Alyson and Shalaka discuss normal stress, mental health in pregnancy and postpartum, and how a support system can help.
Linkshttps://professeurs.uqam.ca/professeur/herba.catherine/
Québec perinatal health https://www.santementaleperinataleqc.com
RRESPA study: www.resppa.ca
3D study: https://www.irnpqeo.ca/en/
Citations
Herba, C. M., & Glover, V. (2021). The Developmental Effects of Prenatal Maternal Stress: Evolutionary Explanations. In Prenatal Stress and Child Development (pp. 23-52). Springer, Cham.
Herba, C. M., Glover, V., Ramchandani, P. G., & Rondon, M. B. (2016). Maternal depression and mental health in early childhood: an examination of underlying mechanisms in low-income and middle-income countries. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(10), 983-992.
Review of lifestyle behaviours: De Weerth (2018). Prenatal stress and the development of psychopathology: lifestyle behaviousr as a fundamental part of the puzzle.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
In today’s episode, Alyson and Shalaka talk finding out the sex of the babies, chronic pain and some weird old wives’ tales about pregnancy. They also talk about the strange dichotomies that exist in conversations around pregnancy like “natural” vs “medical”, and the respective roles of community vs scientific expertise. They dissect the disproportionate amount of pressure placed on women and mothers, and how to not fall into this trap.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
For today’s episode, Shalaka will be interviewing Dr. Eszter Szekely. We’ll be aiming to answer the question: What do we mean when we talk about prenatal stress? We discuss what are the sources of prenatal stress, what are the impacts on the child and what we can do to mitigate the risk.
In the post-interview discussion (32:34), Alyson and Shalaka discuss how prenatal stress is a normal and inevitable part of pregnancy, focusing on the things that are in our control, and some of the gaps in medical prenatal care when it comes to maternal mental health.
Links
Québec Alliance for Perinatal Mental Health
Citations
1. Glover V, Capron L. 2017: Prenatal parenting.
2. Van den Bergh BRH et al. 2020: Prenatal developmental origins of behavior and mental health: The influence of maternal stress in pregnancy.
3. Szekely E et al. 2021: Maternal Prenatal Mood, Pregnancy-Specific Worries, and Early Child Psychopathology: Findings From the DREAM BIG Consortium.
4. Huizink AC. et al. 2004: Is pregnancy anxiety a distinctive syndrome?
5. Stoll K et al. 2018: A systematic review of nonpharmacological prenatal interventions for pregnancy-specific anxiety and fear of childbirth.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
Content warning: body image issues
Alyson had an appointment with a nutritionist for her twin pregnancy. She discusses with Shalaka changes in body and body image related to pregnancy, included fatphobia and eating disorders.
Then they finish off with an egg update! Spoiler : blastocysts!!
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
Content warning: animal testing, prematurity and preterm birth, surgical procedure, abortion
Today’s episode features an interview with Dr. Mathieu Nadeau Vallée, a anaesthesiology resident and a Ph.D researcher about immunology and preterm birth. The episode aims to answer the question: How does inflammation affect foetal development and birth? The interview covers:
-What is inflammation?
-Is there a link between preterm birth and inflammation? If so, can we prevent preterm birth ? Or at least predict it ?
-Also, some interesting statistics on COVID and pregnancy!
In the post-interview discussion (29:43), Alyson and Shalaka discuss how this research can influence clinical practice. With a few tangents about preeclampsia, surrogacy, vaccination and animal models.
Links to Dr. Nadeau-Vallée's work
https://www.tiktok.com/@wal_trudeau
https://scholar.google.fr/citations?user=xbKBB0wAAAAJ&hl=fr&oi=ao
Citations
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26304990/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28148737/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27679863/
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
Content warning: miscarriage, description of a medical operation
Shalaka and Alyson discuss egg retrieval in IVF and embryo math, mourning an “ideal” way to become and disclose pregnancy, being “outed” as pregnant, intrusive comments about bodies, and exercising.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
Today’s episode features an interview with Dr. David Laplante, a prenatal stress researcher, who helps us answer the question: How do natural disasters affect pregnancy? The interview covers:
-the effect of exposure to this kind of stress during pregnancy on child cognitive development, mental health, and behaviours
-Project Ice Storm
-”objective” vs “subjective” exposure to hardship and the role of individual responses to stress
-maternal stress during Covid-19
-how to support pregnant women during natural disasters
In the post-interview discussion (25:50), Alyson and Shalaka contextualize statistics, talk about the differences between objective and subjective hardship, and how to prioritize the care of pregnant people during stressful events.
Citations
Effect of Natural Disaster-Related Prenatal Maternal Stress on Child Development and Health: A Meta-Analytic Review
Stress During Pregnancy Affects General Intellectual and Language Functioning in Human Toddlers
Diaster-Related Prenatal Maternal Stress Explains Increasing Amounts of Variance In Body Composition Through Childhood and Adolescence
Links
http://dreambigresearch.com/
https://www.mcgill.ca/spiral/
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David-Laplante
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation provided by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
Content warning: miscarriage, still-birth
Shalaka is starting her IVF treatment with injections (ugh!), and talks about the side effects associated. They discuss how complicated it can be to disclose your pregnancy, and how miscarriage is still a taboo, and how fertility/infertility is such a sensitive issue.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Initial podcast consultation provided by Zoé Gagnon-Paquin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-p/
Sound production consultation provided by Fox Valley Audio
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
Today’s episode features an interview with Dr. Ashley Wazana, a child psychiatrist and researcher on prenatal stress (and Shalaka’s thesis supervisor!). The episode aims to answer the question: What is prenatal programming?
The interview covers:
-how influences during pregnancy can affect child development after birth
-why this research is important
-who conducts this kind of research, and how they do it
-some of the big questions being investigated right now in the field
In the post-interview discussion (33:42), Alyson and Shalaka discuss how this research can influence actual parenting practices.
Dr. Wazana - Lady Davis Research Institute
http://www.ladydavis.ca/en/ashleywazana
Prenatal research from Dr. Wazana’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio
Content warning: IVF, pregnancy
Meet the hosts of the Growing Facts podcast, Shalaka Shah and Alyson Baker. Shalaka is finishing her Ph.D. in child psychology and is trying to get 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.
In this episode, they talk about what motivated them to start this podcast, professionally and personally. They talk about why it’s so important to share scientific knowledge, and combat fear and misinformation. They also talk about where they are at in their pregnancy journeys, their intention to to be frank about how it feels to be (or try to be) pregnant, and the impact this has on their lives.
Prenatal research from Shalaka’s lab and the DREAM BIG consortium:
Dreambigresearch.com
Prenatal Stress and Child Development book (2021):
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-60159-1
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: growingfactspodcast@gmail.com
IG: growing_facts_podcast
Facebook: Growing Facts Podcast
Tiktok: growingfactspodcast
Logo design by Dale Byrns
Photo by Janko Ferlič
https://unsplash.com/@itfeelslikefilm
Music by lemonmusicstudio
https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/?tab=audio