Healthful Woman Podcast

Dr. Stephanie Melka explains the medical side of breastfeeding, and how she has worked to fill the gap between other obstetricians or pediatricians and lactation consultants, who are knowledgeable but don’t diagnose or treat. She shares common advice for mothers on breastfeeding, her own experience breastfeeding, and more.

In this episode, Dr. Fox interviews Dr. Samantha Do, who recently returned to New York to join Maternal Fetal Medicine Associates after a residency at Stanford University. They discuss immunology, why pregnant women are considered immunocompromised, and treating women with autoimmune diseases through pregnancy.

Dr. Caroline Friedman explains PMS. While commonly used to describe any symptoms a woman might have before her period, an OB/GYN will diagnose PMS if these symptoms interfere with daily life. In this episode, Dr. Friedman and Dr. Fox explain how this diagnosis is made and when patients should seek treatment.

In this episode of Healthful Woman, Dr. Stephanie Melka returns to cover birth plans, or “your vision of what your birth is.” She and Dr. Fox explain how women should discuss birth plans with their obstetricians, “deal breakers,” and common requests patients make in their birth plans.

Dr. Alan Garely, a urogynecology specialist, explains urinary incontinence. In this episode, he and Dr. Fox discuss the urogynecology specialty, common causes for urinary incontinence, surgery, and treatment options.

Dr. Stephanie Melka returns to discuss VBAC, or vaginal birth after cesarean. In this episode, she and Dr. Fox review risks associated with VBAC, which patients are candidates for VBAC, and choosing between cesarean and vaginal deliveries.

In the final episode of this miniseries, Dr. Fox and Dr. Weltz discuss diagnosing breast cancer through mammograms and biopsy, as well as, treatment options for women who are diagnosed.

Dr. Fox interviews Elana Silber, CEO of Sharsheret, a nonprofit support organization for women facing breast and ovarian cancer. They discuss Sharsheret’s virtual support model to meet the needs of busy, active women who are at a higher risk for or diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer.

In the second part of Dr. Weltz and Dr. Fox’s discussion on breast cancer, they cover treatment and therapies, improving recovery rates, and why breast cancer screening remains important.

In part one of a discussion of breast cancer, Dr. Fox introduces Dr. Christina Weltz, an assistant professor of surgery and surgical oncology at Mount Sinai Hospital. In this episode, they discuss Dr. Weltz’s path to medicine, why breast exams are difficult for doctors, and more.