Healthful Woman Podcast

In this episode of the Healthful Woman Podcast, Drs. Nathan Fox and Shari Gelber discuss cytomegalovirus (CMV) and its impact on pregnancy. They explain how CMV can affect newborns, the differences between primary infection and reactivation, and the challenges of testing and screening. The conversation also covers potential treatments, vaccine development, and advances in pediatric care that help improve outcomes for babies with CMV.

Dr. Caroline Friedman returns to Healthful Woman to discuss shoulder dystocia. Shoulder dystocia occurs when the baby’s shoulders don’t come out within about 60 seconds of their head during delivery. Dr. Friedman and Dr. Fox explain why this happens and what obstetricians do to overcome it.

This episode explores public concerns about using Tylenol during pregnancy and examines the scientific evidence behind claims linking it to autism. Dr. Fox and economist Emily Oster break down why current studies are flawed, how sibling-comparison research offers clearer answers, and why existing high-quality data does not support Tylenol as a cause of autism. They also discuss the real-world consequences of misinformation, such as rising parental guilt, unnecessary fear, and the risks of avoiding needed treatment during pregnancy.

Dr. Stephanie Melka returns to Healthful Woman to discuss ECV, a procedure to turn babies who are breech. She and Dr. Fox discuss how this procedure works, complications in breech delivery, C-sections, and more.

In this episode of the Healthful Woman Podcast, Dr. Nikki Pensak joins Dr. Fox to discuss her book, Rattled, and the often-overlooked complexities of postpartum mental health, motherhood, and maternal brain changes. The conversation explores the myths, challenges, and strategies surrounding early parenthood, aiming to help mothers move from merely surviving to truly thriving.