What happens when a researcher studying pregnancy becomes a patient navigating her own autoimmune diagnosis? In this powerful episode of The MotherToBaby Podcast, genetic counselor Chris Stallman, CGC, sits down with Dr. Christina Longo, Assistant Professor at the University of Montreal and perinatal epidemiologist, to discuss her lived experience managing rheumatoid arthritis during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Dr. Longo shares how her first diagnosis during pregnancy reshaped her research …
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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 woman may experience.
Disclaimer: MotherToBaby provides information for educational purposes only. Our podcast episodes do not provide individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Ep. 94 – How Birth Defect Surveillance Protects Moms & Babies: From Zika to Opioid Exposure
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 …
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: …
