The age of 35 is often treated as a turning point in pregnancy care, but as Dr. Meena Khandelwal explains, the truth is far more nuanced. While some risks increase gradually with age, much of the anxiety around the number 35 comes from outdated medical thresholds rather than sharp biological changes.

Note: This episode includes discussion of miscarriage and pregnancy loss. Please take care while listening.

Dr. Khandelwal is the Division Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Jefferson Abington Hospital. She specializes in high-risk pregnancies and provides comprehensive care for both parent and baby — from preconception counseling to advanced prenatal diagnostics.

In this episode, she offers clear, compassionate guidance on fertility timelines, prenatal vitamins, when to seek help conceiving, and how age, health and preexisting conditions all factor into pregnancy. She also discusses miscarriage, genetic testing options and what expecting parents over 35 can realistically expect.

Whether you’re starting to plan, actively trying, or just curious about what the research actually says, this episode is designed to bring reassurance, clarity and actionable insight.

Additional resources:

• What To Expect in the First 24 Hours After Giving Birth
• Understanding Uterine Anomalies: Implications and Treatments
• How To Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy

There is the version of running glamorized in sneaker commercials, depicting strong and resilient runners who get up early, no matter the weather, and hit the pavement to get their run in. For new runners, that version of running often isn’t their reality.

Dr. Philip Skiba knows running. In advance of the 2012 London Olympic Games, he developed a novel mathematical system to guide athlete training and performance, culminating in gold and bronze medals for the U.K. Men’s Triathlon Squad. Dr. Skiba serves on the medical boards of both USA Triathlon and USA Cycling and accompanied Team USA to the World Championships in Australia. Dr. Skiba worked on an international project to help Eliud Kipchoge run the first sub-two-hour marathon, setting a new world record. His efforts were detailed in the award-winning documentary “Breaking2,” produced by National Geographic. He has personally coached dozens of elite endurance athletes and Olympic medalists. Dr. Skiba also specializes in sports medicine and sees patients at the Jefferson Orthopedics & Sports Medicine – Walnut Street office and at Jefferson Health – Navy Yard.

In this episode, Dr. Skiba breaks down the top mistakes new runners make and offers his expert tips on how to develop a strong, healthy and consistent running routine.

Seeing blood in your stool can be stressful. Understanding the potential causes and knowing when to seek medical advice is crucial. Gastroenterologist Dr. Lucy Joo joins the podcast to explain the possible causes of bloody stool, from hemorrhoids and anal fissures to more serious conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer.

Dr. Joo breaks down how lifestyle habits, such as prolonged phone use in the bathroom, can impact gut health and contribute to issues like hemorrhoids. Dr. Joo also shares her expert tips for improving gut health, including the importance of fiber, hydration and stress management.

Resources:

• Bloody Stool: Is It Colon Cancer or Is It Something Else?
• Trust Your Gut: How Gut Health May Be Affecting Your Cancer Risk
• Prebiotics versus Probiotics for Gut Health: What’s the Difference?
• How Stress Is Affecting Your Gut Health—and What You Can Do to Manage It