Whooping cough is back—and our most vulnerable patients are at risk.

In this episode of MamaDoc BabyDoc, we dive into everything you need to know about whooping cough (pertussis): what it is, why cases are rising again, and why babies—especially newborns—are at the highest risk for severe illness.

We break down the symptoms, how it spreads, and the alarming reasons behind the recent surge, including waning immunity and gaps in vaccination. Most importantly, we focus on what you can do as a pregnant mom or parent of a newborn to protect your baby during those critical early months.

From the importance of the Tdap vaccine in pregnancy to creating a "cocoon" of protection around your newborn, we offer practical, evidence-based guidance to help keep your little one safe.

If you're expecting, recently delivered, or caring for a young infant, this is a must-listen episode.

Because when it comes to whooping cough, prevention isn't just important, it's lifesaving.

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have transformed the way we treat type 2 diabetes and obesity—but what happens when pregnancy enters the picture?

In this episode of MamaDoc BabyDoc, we break down the growing use of GLP-1 receptor agonists and what patients (and providers) need to know about their safety before, during, and after pregnancy. We discuss how these medications work, their effects on ovulation and fertility, and why they are not recommended during pregnancy based on current evidence.

We also cover:

• When to stop GLP-1 medications if you're trying to conceive

• What to do if you become pregnant while taking one

• Potential risks to fetal development

• The role of weight management and metabolic health before pregnancy

• Safe alternatives for managing diabetes in pregnancy

As an OB/Gyn physician, I aim to give you clear, evidence-based guidance so you can make informed decisions for both mom and baby.

Whether you're a patient considering these medications or a provider counseling women of reproductive age, this episode offers practical, up-to-date insight on a rapidly evolving topic.

🎧 Tune in to MamaDoc BabyDoc for expert conversations on pregnancy, women's health, and everything in between.

Nobody briefs the partner.

They show up to the delivery room loving you completely, wanting desperately to help, and having absolutely no idea what their job is. So they hold your hand, try to look calm, and hope for the best.

This week, MamaDoc brings in a special guest: her husband Edson, a physician and father of seven. Together they pull back the curtain on what partners actually do during a labor that helps, what they do that doesn't, and what MamaDoc has personally watched PapaDoc do across three decades of marriage that she is now describing in front of an audience.

Edson gets to respond. It's fine. They have a strong marriage.

In this episode:

• Why calm on the outside IS the job — and why that's harder than it sounds
• The ice chip principle (it's not really about the ice chips)
• How to be your partner's advocate when she can't advocate for herself
• What not to do — including the breakfast burrito incident (not Edson)
• Why partners experience birth trauma too, and why nobody talks about it
• What Edson would tell himself before birth number one

"You don't have to fix it. Just stay."