How do public health experts detect emerging risks to pregnancies before they become widespread crises? In this episode of The MotherToBaby Podcast, host Chris Stallman, genetic counselor, mom of four, and teratogen information specialist, sits down with Dr. Amanda Elmore, Assistant Professor of Maternal & Child Health at the University of South Florida, to explore the powerful role of birth defect surveillance. Dr. Elmore shares how her career in public health began during the Zika virus …
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About Our Podcasts
Host Chris Stallman, a mom-of-four, genetic counselor, and MotherToBaby information specialist, answers your burning questions about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Chris and her guest experts take listeners’ questions and do a deep dive to offer insight into the safety and risk of many different types of exposures that a pregnant or breastfeeding person may experience.
Disclaimer: MotherToBaby provides information for educational purposes only. Our podcast episodes do not provide individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Ep. 93 – The Fourth Trimester: Medications, Beauty Products & Breastfeeding After Birth
The weeks after delivery (often called the fourth trimester) can raise just as many questions as pregnancy itself. From pain management and supplements to beauty treatments and mental health medications, many parents are unsure how different exposures may affect breastfeeding. In this episode of The MotherToBaby Podcast, host Chris Stallman, MS, CGC, is joined by Kirstie Perrotta, MPH, and Angela Messer, MS, Teratogen Information Specialists from MotherToBaby California, to discuss some of …
Ep. 92 – Coffee, Sushi, Medicine and More in Pregnancy
Expecting a baby often comes with a long list of questions—and a lot of conflicting information. Can you really drink coffee? What about sushi or soft cheese? Which cold medications are ok in pregnancy? And how should you handle everyday exposures like cleaning products? In this episode of The MotherToBaby Podcast, host Chris Stallman, Certified Genetic Counselor and mom of four, is joined by returning guests Angela Messer and Kirstie Perrotta, both experienced teratogen information …
Ep. 91 – From Strep to RHD: A Mother’s Story and a Community’s Fight
Group A strep might sound like a simple sore throat—but for many children and families in American Samoa, it can have life-threatening consequences. In this episode of the MotherToBaby Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Anaise Uso, a public health leader and mother, who shares both her professional and deeply personal experiences with strep infections, rheumatic fever, and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Together, we explore: 👉 Resources mentioned in this episode: …
Ep. 90 – Sorting Fact from Fiction: Finding Reliable Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Information Online
With so much information online, it can feel overwhelming to know what’s trustworthy—especially when you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a family. In this episode of The MotherToBaby Podcast, host Chris Stallman, CGC, sits down with Bridget Maloney, MS, CGC of the University of Arizona and MotherToBaby Arizona to unpack how to separate credible health information from clickbait headlines. In this episode, they discuss: -How to tell if a website or social media post is …
