In today's (very long!) episode, I'm breaking down all of the expenses parents have to consider in the first year of baby's life. We're talking childcare, breastfeeding, diapers, strollers and more! And, because there's just so much to buy, I've had to break this episode into two parts. But before you get overwhelmed, tune in as I'm sharing some ways for you to cut back on your baby expenses and save money! First year baby costs calculator: https://www.babycenter.com/baby-cost-calculator Want to...
Oct 05, 2022•56 min•Season 1Ep. 36
A few weeks ago I shared that my doctor was sending me for some fertility tests. Well, I've finished the tests and my results are in. In this week's episodes I'm breaking down what fertility tests I completed, how the tests went, what my results were and what this means for my conception journey. As always, I hope this episode is helpful if you are going through any fertility issues or testing and I want to thank you for listening to me share my own TTC story! Want to share your pregnancy or TTC...
Sep 28, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 35
We talk a lot on this podcast about fertility, infertility, conception, ovulation and all that, but almost always from a female biological perspective. But what about the other partner? On today's episode, we're diving into how male partners (or whoever is providing the sp3rm) can get more involved in the TTC (trying to conceive) process and exactly what physical and emotional role they play in fertility. TLDR: we're talking about the swimmers! Resources mentioned: https://my.clevelandclinic.org...
Sep 21, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 34
One of the most popular episodes of this conception, fertility and pregnancy podcast was all about the difference between implantation bleeding and regular period/menstrual bleeding. But turns out, implantation bleeding might not even be a real thing! In this week's episode, I'm diving into some of the research around implantation bleeding and what it actually means if you're spotting during the TWW (two week wait). Plus, ever tried to conceive while you and your partner are sick with covid and ...
Sep 14, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Slightly longer episode this week to dive into a pretty meaty topic: How do you take parental leave (aka maternity leave) when you're self-employed? In this episode I'm talking through the finances and how to save up and self-fund time off with your baby, the timing and how to map out your timeline, and the actual work that you want to be doing before, during and after your parental leave. If you're self-employed, run your own company, work as a contractor or freelancer, or even have a side hust...
Sep 07, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Back in episode 24, I shared my reaction to some of the most popular baby names. So in this episode, I'm going through how you can actually choose a name for your baby! Whether you're pregnant, trying to conceive or just love hearing how people choose names, listen up for some expert tips plus my top 10 rules for choosing your baby's name. Expert tips: https://www.thetot.com/mama/10-expert-tips-for-choosing-a-baby-name/ Baby name app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/babyname-find-it-together/id950...
Aug 31, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Turns out that the TTC journey really is a journey! Trying to conceive has its ups and downs, with lots of moments of disappointment and optimism when it comes to fertility, conception and pregnancy. In this week's episode I'm sharing where I'm at in my journey, updates on my fertility tests and how I'm staying hopeful. Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea? Leave me a voice memo! Record yours here: https://anchor.fm/anyquestionspregnanc...
Aug 24, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In today's episode I'm talking all about my latest TWW (two week wait), PMS vs pregnancy symptoms, and what came of the call I finally got to have with a gynaecologist! After being diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) in the spring, I finally got to talk to a gyno and received some next steps for hormone and fertility testing. Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea? Leave me a voice memo! Record yours here: https://anchor.fm/an...
Aug 17, 2022•21 min•Season 1Ep. 29
When do you announce a pregnancy at work? How do you tell your boss? And what sort of things do you need to discuss with them about your pregnancy and parental/maternity leave? I'm discussing all of that and more in this week's episode. Plus, I'm talking about how this works if you're self-employed (or a contractor/freelancer) like me! Even if you don't have a boss or work a traditional job, it's good to think about how you'll handle work in your pregnancy and in the early newborn days. Want to ...
Aug 10, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 28
In this week's episode we're diving into social media when you're trying to conceive (TTC), when you're pregnant and when you have your baby. How do you find a supportive community on social media without comparing yourself to all the parents and pregnant people who are doing it better than you? How and when do you announce your pregnancy on social media? And should you share photos on your baby on social media? We're diving into all of that and more on today's episode of Any Questions! Want to ...
Aug 03, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 27
A few weeks ago I talked about how NOT to get your hopes up when you're trying to conceive (TTC)...but what if it's okay to get your hopes up? On today's episode, I'm sharing my experience of the TWW (two week wait) and how I'm keeping hope alive whether I'm pregnant or not. Am I setting myself up for disappointment? Maybe! Want to share your TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea? Leave me a voice memo! Record yours here: https://anchor.fm/anyquestionspregnancy/message...
Jul 27, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 26
To share or not to share? That's the question in this week's episode. If you're trying to conceive (TTC), should you share your journey? Or do you just wait to break the news when you get pregnant or when the baby arrives? If you're going to share your TTC journey, who should you tell and when? What are the pros of keeping it secret and what are the cons? We're diving into all of that in today's episode! Want to share your TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea? Leave m...
Jul 20, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 25
On this week's episode, we're having some fun and reacting to popular baby names. What were the most common names in 2021? What names are trendy in 2022? And what exactly is an "aesthetic baby name" anyway? Sure, I'm not pregnant (yet!) but it's fun to dream and think about what we may name a baby one day. I hope these names inspire you and help you dream about the future too! Want to share your TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea? Leave me a voice memo! Record yours...
Jul 13, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 24
I'm super excited to dive into this week's topic all about the things interracial couples have to consider when TTC, getting pregnant and raising a mixed race baby. Of course, a lot of these factors apply to same-race couples as well. Listen in as I discuss how issues like language, where to live and what holidays to celebrate impact lives for mixed race couples based on my experience both as a mixed race person and being in an interracial marriage! As I say at the top of the episode, I'm only a...
Jul 06, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 23
TTC (trying to conceive) is no joke! It's a difficult process that can strain you mentally, physically and emotionally. And when all you want to see are two lines on that pregnancy test, it can be crushing to keep getting a BFN (big fat negative). So how do you keep hope alive when you want to be pregnant but aren't? How do you stop getting your hopes up and feeling disappointed? Want to share your TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea? Leave me a voice memo! Record yo...
Jun 29, 2022•21 min•Season 1Ep. 22
No, I am not announcing my pregnancy (maybe one day!). But I am sharing 21 ways to announce a pregnancy to friends and family! I'll go through 21 ideas for a pregnancy announcement, give you my take, and suggest some creative ways to make these ideas your own. Plus, I'm also talking about when to announce a pregnancy and who we're planning to tell first. 21 ways to announce to your family that you're pregnant: https://widgetsfamilyfun.com/ways-to-announce-pregnancy-to-family-in-person/ Want to s...
Jun 22, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Can I bring a kid home to 850 square feet? How long can a baby stay in our bedroom? Is it okay to live in a one bedroom apartment as a family of three? On today's episode I'm talking all about small space living as a family. I'm still in the thick of my TTC (trying to conceive) journey but I'm looking ahead past pregnancy to what our life might look like with a little one in the picture. As mentioned in the episode, check out this awesome short documentary about IVF and TTC: https://testivffilm....
Jun 15, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Many people who want to become human parents are already dog parents. But what happens when you bring a baby home? How will your dog react to your new baby? What if your baby doesn't like your dog? How do dogs react to pregnancy and all of these changes? I don't have any of the answers but as a fellow dog mom, I'm right there with you worried about how our dog (who most definitely sleeps in our bed every night) will adjust to sharing her space with our future baby. Want to share your TTC journey...
Jun 08, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Travel is one of my biggest passions - I've been to over 40 countries on 6 continents and have lived, worked, studied and volunteered abroad. So family travel and travelling with a baby is something I'm definitely interested in! But can you actually travel with a baby? What do traveling families say and what changes when you have a little one along for the ride? Tune in as I share my thoughts on family travel as well as our tentative plan to spend 18 months of parental leave on the road! Have we...
Jun 01, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 18
So often it feels like only one partner (usually the one who will carry the baby) is the only one involved in TTC (trying to conceive). They're the one doing the research, tracking ovulation, taking their BBT, tracking CM, patiently getting through the TWW, waiting for signs and symptoms, etc. And while the conception and pregnancy process may only happen in one body, it's both partners who are building a family. On today's episode I'm talking about how we can share the TTC journey with our part...
May 25, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Do I really have to do that with a baby? I doubt it! In today's episode I'm sharing 5 things I plan to do differently with my baby that might not be in line with traditional parenting choices. (Don't worry, I'm not talking about skipping any vaccines!) Tune in to hear what we're planning and get permission to make your own choices and design a pregnancy and parenting life that works for you! PS: Apologies for missing a week on the podcast. I explain where I was and what the plan is going forward...
May 18, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Surprise: I have PCOS! In today's episode I'm chatting all about how I got diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), what the symptoms are and how you can manage your symptoms to try and conceive. Getting pregnant with PCOS isn't easy but it's not impossible either. If you think you may have PCOS, or just want to hear more about my TTC journey, tune in to today's episode! Resources: Johns Hopkins Medicine , Healthline Want to share your TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an ...
May 04, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 15
When everyone around you is getting pregnant or having babies, it can feel like you are falling behind. The TTC (trying to conceive) journey can be a lot longer and harder than most of us expect! If you feel like you're getting left behind while everyone moves on with their life, know that you are not alone. In today's episode, I talk through how normal these feelings are and some things you can do to feel better about where you are in your journey, even if it doesn't look like everyone else's. ...
Apr 27, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Does anyone actually have a normal 28 day menstrual cycle? Obviously, people do, but less than you'd think! This week's episode is a bit of a shorter one where I give an exciting update on my TTC (trying to conceive journey), what it's like to share your fertility journey with friends and when you may want to get your healthcare team involved.
Apr 20, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 13
So my period is late...like really late. But my pregnancy test was negative. So what is happening!?!? On this week's episode of Any Questions I share more about where I'm at with my (very long) cycle and go through 10 reasons why your period is late/missing if you're not pregnant. Do any of these reasons explain why your menstrual cycle is wonky? Fingers crossed, positive vibes and baby dust to us all! Article referenced: https://www.verywellhealth.com/reasons-you-missed-your-period-2757503...
Apr 13, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 12
It's scary to think about, but the thought has probably crossed the mind of anyone TTC (trying to conceive): What if you can't have kids? If you can't conceive and get pregnant naturally, what do you want to do? In today's episode, I break the taboo of talking about this scary side of conception, discuss the different options, and try to find some happiness at the end of the journey no matter what happens.
Apr 06, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 11
When you're trying to conceive (TTC) it can feel like everyone around you is pregnant. From walking your dog to scrolling through Instagram, you're constantly running into pregnant people, babies and cute kids. And when you're struggling with fertility, this can feel like such a gut punch! So what do you do? How do you consumer social media without feeling awful? How do you stop yourself from rolling your eyes when yet another person on social media announces a pregnancy? (Hint: You don't. Roll ...
Mar 30, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 10
So many couples go through the TTC (trying to conceive) journey in secret. I totally get wanting to keep things secret so you can surprise your loved ones and avoid unnecessary pressure or opinions. But why, as a society, are we making TTC so mysterious? Does this add to the shame and judgment people (usually women) feel when they think they aren't getting pregnant as fast as they should be? I don't have the answers, but I hope you'll join me as I explore this question and more on today's episod...
Mar 23, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Sure the actual deed of TTC (trying to conceive) might be fun - if it hasn't become a chore thanks to calendars, tracking and charts! But how do you enjoy the TTC journey? If you're hoping to become a parent but not getting pregnant right away, the TTC process can be challenging and stressful. Beat the anxiety and reframe this part of your conception journey with the tips I share in today's episode. Happy baby making!
Mar 16, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 8
If it's getting towards the end of your TWW (two week wait) and you see a little spotting or light bleeding, you might be freaking out. But here's the big question: Is it implantation bleeding or is it just your period starting? As if pregnancy symptoms weren't hard enough to decipher, we now have actual bleeding that may or may not mean we're pregnant. Tune into this week's episode to learn the difference between implantation bleeding and your period, and to hear how my body decided to not care...
Mar 09, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 7
