Healthful Woman Podcast

Dr. Stephanie Melka returns to Healthful Woman to discuss exercise during pregnancy. She and Dr. Fox answer what kinds of exercise women can and should do during pregnancy, debunking misconceptions, and review specific tips for various kinds of exercise.

Adrienne Van Ardsall joins Dr. Fox to discuss her experience as a gestational carrier. Adrienne was the carrier for Simon and Adina Brief, who told their side of the story in a previous episode. She explains why she chose to be a gestational carrier, advice for women who are interested, and how she felt about the experience.

Dr. Fox welcomes Adina and Simon Brief, who had their third child with the help of a gestational carrier. Adina and Simon tell their story, including why they chose a gestational carrier (or surrogate), their advice for other parents, and explaining the process to friends and family.

Karen Bleier, a patient and friend of Dr. Fox, joins the podcast to talk about her experience with pregnancy in her 40s. She and Dr. Fox discuss the risks of pregnancy in your 40s and the symptoms or birth experience that older patients might expect in their own pregnancies.

In the first episode of the "Fertility" miniseries, Dr. Fox welcomes Dr. Susan Lobel, a reproductive endocrinologist and founder of Metropolitan Reproductive Medicine in New York City. Dr. Lobel explains the most common reasons couples struggle to conceive, fertility treatments, IVF, and more.

Dr. Stephanie Lam explains the postpartum visit, which is a new mother’s first visit with her OB/GYN after giving birth and takes place anywhere between 3-12 weeks after delivery. Dr. Lam explains what she looks for during this visit, why she does “a full exam, head to toe,” and what most patients could expect from the first several weeks postpartum.

Dr. Sara Kostant returns to Healthful Woman to discuss the early stages of recovery for new mothers after vaginal and cesarean delivery. In this episode, she and Dr. Fox explain what patients and their loved ones can expect immediately after delivery until the first postpartum visit. This includes care if the patient tears, symptoms like swelling, breastfeeding a newborn, and more.

Dr. Fox interviews Dr. Chavi Eve Karkowsky, a friend, fellow maternal fetal medicine specialist, and author of “High Risk: Stories of Pregnancy, Birth, and the Unexpected.” They discuss what lead Dr. Karkowsky to write the book, how she chose which stories to tell, protecting patients’ privacy, and more.

Dr. Melka and Dr. Fox discuss whether it’s safe for pregnant women to fast, particularly with regards to Jewish fast days. On fast days, observers do not eat or drink for up to 25 hours, depending on the holiday. Dr. Fox and Dr. Melka explain when it is and isn’t safe for pregnant women to fast and how they advise their Jewish patients.

In the final episode of the mini series, Dr. Stephanie Martin explains critical care for pregnant women or newly postpartum mothers. Critical care is necessary for situations or conditions that put the patient’s life at risk, and Dr. Martin is an expert and lecturer on this topic. She explains how hospitals and doctors should plan for critical care in labor and delivery and what common situations can arise.