Growing Facts Podcast
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 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.
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Top 10 Growing Facts Podcast Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Growing Facts Podcast episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Growing Facts Podcast for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Growing Facts Podcast episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
6. How does inflammation affect foetal development and birth? With Dr. Mathieu Nadeau-Vallée
Growing Facts Podcast
11/29/22 • 47 min
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: [email protected]
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
14. Is exercise safe during pregnancy? With Dr. Margie Davenport
Growing Facts Podcast
02/07/23 • 53 min
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: [email protected]
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
10. How do lifestyle factors affect pregnancy and postpartum health? With Dr. Catherine Herba
Growing Facts Podcast
01/10/23 • 57 min
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.
Links
https://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.
www.growingfactspodcast.com
Email: [email protected]
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
BONUS holiday ep - bloopers!
Growing Facts Podcast
12/27/22 • 15 min
We threw something fun together that we thought you would enjoy - happy holidays!
23. Updates and season 1 wrap-up
Growing Facts Podcast
04/18/23 • 13 min
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: [email protected]
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
Ep 22. Start of pregnancy vs end of pregnancy
Growing Facts Podcast
04/11/23 • 33 min
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: [email protected]
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
21. Planning vs letting go
Growing Facts Podcast
03/28/23 • 32 min
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: [email protected]
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
20. What does gut microbiota have to do with physical and mental health? With Dr. Carolina de Weerth
Growing Facts Podcast
03/21/23 • 46 min
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: [email protected]
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
19. An exciting announcement, twin updates, and partner involvement
Growing Facts Podcast
03/14/23 • 38 min
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: [email protected]
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
8. What do we mean when we talk about "prenatal stress"? With Dr. Eszter Szekely
Growing Facts Podcast
12/13/22 • 50 min
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: [email protected]
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
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FAQ
How many episodes does Growing Facts Podcast have?
Growing Facts Podcast currently has 24 episodes available.
What topics does Growing Facts Podcast cover?
The podcast is about Child Development, Pregnancy, Podcasts and Science.
What is the most popular episode on Growing Facts Podcast?
The episode title 'Ep 22. Start of pregnancy vs end of pregnancy' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Growing Facts Podcast?
The average episode length on Growing Facts Podcast is 37 minutes.
How often are episodes of Growing Facts Podcast released?
Episodes of Growing Facts Podcast are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Growing Facts Podcast?
The first episode of Growing Facts Podcast was released on Oct 24, 2022.
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