Weekly ZIP - Zenith Health

Sweating, energy drinks, and advanced maternal age

It’s getting warmer out, but even beyond the spring weather, many moms ask whether or not it’s normal to run hotter during pregnancy than normal. If you feel like your internal thermostat is broken, you're not imagining it and you're not alone.

Acupuncture, eating for two, and new genetic clues to HG

The “eating for two” comment gets a lot of airtime despite dubious support from the scientific evidence on how many extra calories are actually required in a healthy pregnancy. But why, then, can hunger hit so hard - as early as the first trimester?

Swelling, pilates, and Black Maternal Health Week

“Is this much swelling normal? *insert ankle photo*” is posted at least daily on the pregnancy community forums, and it’s completely understandable – swelling is one of those symptoms that’s “completely normal and fine!” until suddenly it’s “go to the emergency room NOW.”

Metamucil, carpal tunnel and AROM

A tingling or prickly feeling in your hands is one of those symptoms leaving moms saying Huh?? How could this possibly be pregnancy related? Alas, there is a reason it happens more than you’d think ( to ~1 in 3 moms!) during pregnancy - so here’s what the science says about why.

IUGR, goat cheese, and peak nausea

Morning sickness is one of pregnancy's most notorious symptoms (and one of the most deeply unpleasant). Many moms ask “how much worse can it get?” or “when will it end?” - here’s the (slightly unsatisfying!) evidence on when and why nausea peaks, and when to expect to start feeling relief.

Microplastics, leaking, and salicylic acid

A new Netflix documentary has brough microplastics & fertility mainstream for many women – whether already exposure-conscious and wellness-optimizing, or just being introduced to this potential dimension of fertility. What studies actually exist, and do they support the link?

Colostrum, allergy meds, and cannabis

Colostrum comes with tons of questions - what is it? When will it come in? When it comes in, does that mean I’m about to go into labor? Should I be harvesting it before birth? Here’s a little bit more about what the evidence says you can expect.

Big babies, Braxton Hicks, and Tdap

“Your baby might be big.” Few ultrasound comments spark more follow-up questions, and pressure for a planned induction can follow quickly. But is it actually based in evidence that if you have a big baby, you definitely need to plan for induction?

Laughing gas, antidepressants and sunless tanning

Epidurals tend to get the most attention as moms prepare for labor pain relief, but they’re not the only option. Nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas,” is another pain management option that comes with its own pros and cons – so here’s what you can consider if you’re interested in trying it.

Curb walking, GBS, and acid reflux

What does “curb walking” even mean and why do you start hearing about it all of the sudden at the end of pregnancy? It does, indeed, mean walking with one foot on the curb and one foot on the road - and some say it can naturally induce labor. Is there any evidence behind this common practice?