What To Expect

Deena Margolin and Kristin Gallant are the moms behind ‘Big Little Feelings’—a research-based, online resource for parents to reign in the chaos and raise happy kids. This week, Deena and Kristin join Heidi and Emma to answer your biggest questions about toddler emotions and behavior. From how to handle tantrums to navigating bath time, screen time, and picky eaters, this honest conversation will empower you to take all of those big little feelings in stride.

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Chrissy Lawler is a licensed therapist, baby sleep specialist, and a mom of 4 kids. This week, she joins Heidi to take the fear and anxiety out of baby sleep. Heidi and Chrissy answer your biggest questions about newborn sleep, give tips and tricks to help your baby learn to sleep, and Chrissy talks through her gentle sleep training method – without relying on “cry it out”.

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Anna Victoria is a fitness trainer who has shared her pregnancy and parenting journey with millions. This week, she joins Heidi to talk openly about her journey to parenthood, which included infertility, IVF, and her unexpectedly difficult labor and delivery. She also reveals what it’s been like parenting her 6-month-old daughter, Aurora, during the pandemic, and what she wants every woman to know about exercise during and after pregnancy.

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It’s one of the most important purchases you’ll make for your baby - a car seat. This week, Heidi is joined by pediatrician Dr. Alisa Baer, known as ‘The Car Seat Lady’. Alisa breaks down how to choose a car seat that will work for your car and your lifestyle, how to know if it’s installed correctly, and the best ways to make sure your baby is buckled in safely. Heidi and Alisa also tackle the biggest questions from the WTE community, including the differences between an infant seat and a convertible seat, the truth about car seat mirrors, and the surprising ways to know if your child has outgrown their car seat.

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Have you ever noticed that being pregnant seems to give everyone license to offer unsolicited advice? And make comments about everything from your habits to your body? This week, Heidi and Emma are turning to the What To Expect community for the most shocking things they’ve heard while expecting. And, listeners are also sharing the best advice and comments they’ve received about pregnancy and parenting, from the inspirational to the practical.

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Dr. Richard Besser is the former acting director for the CDC, and is currently president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. He’s also a pediatrician. This week, he joins Heidi to answer your biggest questions about vaccines. Dr. Besser explains how vaccines are tested for safety, along with the latest recommendations on the Covid-19 vaccine and pregnancy. Heidi and Dr. Besser also cover the maternal and childhood vaccines you ask about most—from the flu shot, to the TDAP, to the first year of vaccinations for your baby.

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Most parents make a lot of purchases when they’re expecting their first baby. But how much baby stuff do you really need? This week, Heidi and Emma break down the most important newborn and postpartum necessities, the best baby products to get as hand-me-downs, and the things you can wait on—or save your money on.

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It’s one of the first big decisions you’ll make for your baby—their name. This week, Heidi and Emma break down the biggest baby name trends, and everything from how to deal with opinions from family, to the biggest questions and best baby name advice from the What To Expect community.

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Pregnancy comes with a lot of questions, including some that may feel super personal. Not to worry: that's completely normal! This week, Heidi and Emma give unfiltered answers to real questions from What to Expect community moms — and nothing is off limits. From pregnancy sex to what goes on during labor and delivery to all-things vagina care, get clarity on your top "TMI" pregnancy questions by listening to this helpful conversation.

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It’s one of the most momentous (and messy) milestones of the first year: starting solids. But as you think about baby’s first bite, you’re probably wondering what exactly that first bite should be… not to mention exactly how and when you should be serving it up. This week, Heidi and Emma cover everything you need to know about starting solids, from the questions to ask your pediatrician, to baby led weaning, to the best first foods to try and concerns about allergies.

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You all know that Heidi loves answering your pregnancy questions! This week, Heidi is joined by What To Expect Community Director, Sara Stefanik. Sara has collected the most popular questions from the What To Expect community for Heidi - everything from symptoms, to labor and delivery, to the safety of some of your favorite things, like hair dye and blue cheese.

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Pelvic floor Physical Therapist, ‘The Vagina Whisperer’, Sara Reardon is back! This week, she joins Heidi to cover everything you need to know about postpartum recovery. How much pain is normal, and what can you do to find relief? How can you take the fear out of the first poop, and optimize postpartum bladder control? And what about getting back to sex and exercise? Whether you have a vaginal delivery or a c-section, this episode is full of tips, tricks, and information that will empower you to prioritize healthy healing.

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Your pelvic floor is a hammock of muscles that support your vagina, uterus, bladder, and bowels - and not surprisingly, your pelvic floor muscles are pivotal during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Pee when you laugh or cough? Had back, hip, pelvic or pubic pain or pressure? That’s likely your pelvic floor muscles talking. This week, Heidi is joined by ‘The Vagina Whisperer’, pelvic floor Physical Therapist, Sara Reardon. Heidi and Sara cover everything you need to know about managing your most common pregnancy aches and pains, the truth about kegels, preparing your body for a smooth labor and delivery, and so much more

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In honor of Mother’s Day week, Heidi is joined by 5 pregnant moms from across the country to answer their biggest pregnancy and parenting questions. They cover visitors and germs, gestational diabetes, picking the right doctor, the truth about morning sickness, and so much more! Heidi and the What To Expect family are wishing the entire community a happy and healthy Mother’s Day.

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Whether it’s pregnancy pimples, rashes, sensitivity, an itchy belly, or stretch marks - most expectant mothers can expect their skin to change. This week, Heidi is joined by dermatologist Dr. Jessica Wu to break down your biggest pregnancy skin problems, the solutions she recommends to her patients, and the ingredients she wants you to steer clear of during pregnancy.

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You’ve been so focused on your new baby - but what will your new baby mean for your relationship? This week, Heidi and Emma are joined by Clinical Psychologist and Couples Therapist, Dr. Tracy Dalgleish. Together, they break down how to prepare for and maintain a healthy relationship after baby - from maintaining intimacy, to preventing resentment, and learning to communicate and work as a team to parent your new little bundle of joy. 

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The heavy lift of pregnancy - and the possibly even heavier lift of labor and delivery - is over, and your baby is finally here. But what can you expect when it comes to postpartum symptoms? Heidi and Emma break down the biggest postpartum symptoms, surprises, and how to prepare. From the dreaded fundal massage, to what you need to know about breastfeeding, bleeding, night sweats, peeing and pooping - nothing is off-limits.

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There are plenty of symptoms you expect during pregnancy—from nausea to cravings to puffy ankles. But what about the symptoms you might not expect? This week, Heidi and Emma turn to the What To Expect community to hear about the pregnancy symptoms that surprised them most. Find out why the most unexpected symptoms happen by trimester (metal mouth, skin changes, and nosebleeds, anyone?), and what you can do about them.

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Every expectant parent goes through the process of finding a pediatrician for their baby. But when and where do you start? What questions should you ask? This week, Heidi is joined by board certified pediatrician, Dr. Lauren Crosby, to talk through how to find the baby doctor that’s right for you and your baby.

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The crib is assembled, the car seat is installed, and those tiny onesies are washed and folded. But babies don’t come with instruction manuals, like cribs and car seats do. This week, pediatrician Dr. Lauren Crosby joins Heidi for a “bringing baby home” bootcamp. From the most common questions she hears from new parents, to baby’s first trip out, to what to expect in those early diapers, this episode will prepare you for those first few weeks with your newborn.

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This week, Heidi and Emma are covering your biggest questions about body image and weight gain during pregnancy. From the temporary and permanent changes, to keeping yourself and your pregnancy healthy as you and your baby grow, to how to love your pregnant body—this is a real conversation every pregnant woman can benefit from hearing.

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Hamilton’s Leslie Odom Jr. and Broadway star Nicolette Robinson are expecting their second child, a boy, this spring. This week, they join Heidi to talk about all things pregnancy and parenting. Leslie and Nicolette share how their 3.5 year old daughter, Lucy, is handling the news, how this pregnancy has been different from their first, and the surprising sympathy symptoms Leslie says he experienced during Nicolette’s pregnancy with Lucy. The couple also talks openly about postpartum depression, sex after baby, and breastfeeding.

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New year, new baby? If you’re visiting ‘What To Expect’ because you’re at the beginning of your baby-making journey, this week’s episode is for you. From what to expect at a preconception doctor's appointment, to the best ways to boost fertility and prepare your body for baby, Heidi and Emma have your planning for pregnancy needs covered - before you get busy!

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This holiday season might look a little different than you’re used to—but at What to Expect, we’re here to help make your holiday as festive, fun, and joyful as possible. This week, Heidi and Emma talk about what to expect during an unexpected holiday season – from how to safely get the cutest Santa photos with your little one, to the most thoughtful ideas for everyone on your gift list, from babies, to expecting and new moms, to grandparents. 

Go to www.whattoexpect.com/giving to find out how you can help families in need this holiday season.

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It’s one of the biggest questions you have during pregnancy: “Can I eat that?” Whether you’re wondering about Caesar salad, your favorite medium-cooked burger, turkey sandwich, soft cheese, or penne alla Vodka, Heidi and Emma are answering your biggest pregnancy-related food questions. You might be surprised to discover that baby-making can actually mix surprisingly well with the pleasures of eating.

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Close to one in three moms end up delivering via C-section. Scheduled for a C-section? Hoping to avoid one? Just plain stressed about the possibility you might need one or have questions about what to expect if you do? Wondering how different the recovery really is from a vaginal delivery? This week, Heidi is joined by Fetal Medicine Specialist Dr. Sarah Obican to walk through exactly what to expect if you need a C-section.

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There’s no sugar coating it - 2020 has been a difficult year. This week, Heidi and Emma are celebrating what so many pregnant women and parents did love about 2020. From enduring nausea from the comfort of your own home, to extra time bonding with a new baby - the silver linings are there if you know where to look for them. Heidi, Emma, and the whole What To Expect family are sending lots of love, hugs and so many wishes for a healthy, safe, and happy holiday season.

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Last week, we covered your sleep during pregnancy - but what about sleep after baby? Namely, for your newborn? This week, Heidi and Emma are diving deep into all things newborn sleep. How much, how often, how to do it safely, and when and how to start making bedtime routines that will help everyone in the family sleep more soundly.

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Sure, sleep deprivation comes with the new mom territory. But you might not have expected the sleepless nights to start while you’re still pregnant! This week, Heidi and Emma break down the biggest causes and solutions to pregnancy insomnia, so you can put those pregnancy sleep problems to bed once and for all. 

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This week, it’s all about birth plans. Do you need one? And what should go into it? And what happens when things don’t go according to plan? From choices about who’s in the room, to doulas, to epidurals, to what to do with your placenta and cord blood, this episode will help you feel even more prepared for the delivery room.

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Bonding with your brand-new baby. It’s supposed to be the easy part after the challenges of pregnancy and childbirth, right? For many moms, that’s not the case. This week, Heidi and Emma break down the realities of bonding with your baby, and what to do if it doesn’t happen right away.

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Tia Mowry has been part of our lives since she and her twin Tamera co-starred on the hit ‘90s series, Sister, Sister.Now, Tia is an author, producer, entrepreneur, wife, and mom of 2 adorable kids, Cree and Cairo. This week, Tia opens up to Heidi and Emma about the endometriosis symptoms and diagnosis that changed her pregnancy journey, the health challenges she faced during both pregnancies, and how she and her husband Cory have managed parenting during quarantine.

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Should you have sex multiple times a day when you’re ovulating? Is there an ideal time of day? What about lube? And what are the best ways to track ovulation to hit baby bingo? From scheduling sex to cervical mucus, nothing is off-limits in this hilarious and informative mother-daughter conversation dedicated entirely to TTC.

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Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has been serving for 14 years, first in the U.S. House of Representatives and now as the junior Senator from NY. And she’s served even longer as a mom – to 16 year old Theo and 12 year old Henry. Many of you may know Senator Gillibrand as a champion for women and families. This week, she joins Heidi to talk about the growing movement towards Paid Family Leave in America, alarming gaps in healthcare, the need for affordable childcare, and why it’s so important for every mom in America to register and vote this November.

Visit What To Expect’s #MomTheVote voter guide: https://www.whattoexpect.com/momthevote

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How much screen time is too much screen time? It’s one of the most popular questions Heidi gets asked, especially over the last several months. This week, Heidi and Emma break down the truth about screen time for your baby and toddler, no guilt allowed! Heidi and Emma share their different philosophies, the best way to use screens, and what the science says about TV, tablets, YouTube, and your little ones.

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This week, Heidi and Emma cover what to expect during labor and delivery. From how to know if you’re really in labor, to the right way to push, to the truth about pooping and tearing, this episode will help prepare you for the delivery room. In “Help Me Heidi”, Heidi reveals the best and worst at-home methods to induce labor and dishes on a funny anecdote featuring Chris Rock from the filming of the ‘What To Expect’ movie!

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Why is there so much guilt and pressure around breastfeeding? In this week’s episode, Heidi and Emma are shutting down breastfeeding shamers. Emma opens up about when she knew it was time to turn to formula, and Heidi answers your biggest questions about feeding your baby.

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"The View" co-host Sara Haines joins Heidi to talk about life as a working mom of three. Sara opens up about her philosophy on marriage and parenting, perinatal and postpartum depression, and how she handled internet trolling and body shaming during and after her third pregnancy.

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What should you expect if you’re pregnant during the pandemic? This week, Heidi is joined by maternal fetal medicine specialist Dr. Sarah Obican to answer your biggest questions about pregnancy in the time of Covid-19. Heidi and Dr. Obican break down all of the latest research, including prevention, changes in prenatal care, what you can expect in the hospital, recommendations for family visits, and much more.

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No news flash here: most pregnancies start with sex. But does pregnancy have to end sex? It’s one of the most common questions Heidi gets asked. From the safest and most comfortable sex positions during pregnancy, to the truth about toys, Heidi and Emma aren’t holding back with your biggest pregnancy sex questions.

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Heidi and Emma explain what you need to know about eating well when you’re expecting and answer some of the most common pregnancy-related food questions. What should you eat if you’re too sick to keep anything down, including your prenatal vitamin? What about heartburn and headaches? Or, are you wondering if your paleo, keto, or vegan lifestyles are safe for baby? Get ready to fill up on information about what to eat to stay healthy throughout your pregnancy and beyond.

Eating Well When You’re Expectingby Heidi Murkoff is available online and in bookstores everywhere.

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Could you or someone you love be suffering from postpartum depression or a postpartum mood disorder? How do you know the difference between PPD and baby blues? Heidi and Emma talk about the biggest warning signs of postpartum depression that often go overlooked. From treatment, to prevention, and how to ask for help, this is a conversation every expectant and new parent needs to hear. Emma also opens up about her experience with PPD after her second pregnancy.

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New mom Amy Schumer opens up to Heidi about suffering with hyperemesis gravidarum during her pregnancy. What was it like to perform standup after puking night after night? Amy and Heidi also discuss maternal health issues in America, Amy’s first year of motherhood, and Amy turns the table to ask Heidi her biggest parenting questions.

Watch Expecting Amystreaming on HBO Max.

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Congratulations - you’re pregnant! But, who should you tell and when? Heidi and Emma break down what you need to know about announcing your pregnancy, from your rights in the workplace to sharing ultrasound pictures, baby names, and social media gender reveals.

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When Heidi Murkoff wrote the book ‘What To Expect When You’re Expecting’, she was pregnant with her daughter Emma. Her mission was simple: to help parents know what to expect, every step of the way. That mission has grown to include the world's bestselling pregnancy and parenting series and most popular pregnancy and parenting app. Now, Emma is a mom too—and they’re teaming up on the ‘What To Expect’ podcast to help you navigate your entire journey, from conception, to pregnancy, to the first years of parenting. Heidi and Emma break down your biggest questions, interview famous moms, and cover the issues you need to know about—from healthcare to childcare to maternal leave. Nothing is TMI, and nothing is off-limits! For more from Heidi and Emma, find them at @HeidiMurkoff, @EmmaBingWTE and @WhatToExpect.

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