Motherhood, Mayhem, & Medical Mysteries

(Re-release) On this special episode, join Mel & Miranda as Mel discusses illnesses often faced by first responders, and the long-term impacts still felt by those who survived and responded to the 9/11 Tragedy over 20 years ago. Miranda shares some tips on how to prepare for a successful parent- teacher conference... even though she may have missed one or two on accident... oops! SPOTLIGHT:World Trade Center Health Program The WTC Health Program is dedicated to helping those who were there during and after the attacks of September 11, 2001. The Program provides services to individuals who meet their requirements.https://www.cdc.gov/wtc Feal Good FoundationThe mission of the FGF includes educating elected officials and private entities on the various problems, concerns and issues faced by First Responders in their everyday duties. The FGF is therefore dedicated to advocating for First Responder rights and illuminating, to proper authorities, the serious issues they encounter.https://fealgoodfoundation.com/ SOURCES:Mel-https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_arising_from_the_September_11_attacks https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/health-effects-of-9-11-still-plague-responders-and-survivors/ Miranda-https://www.verywellfamily.com/expect-at-parent-teacher-conference-3545346 https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/parent-conferences.htmlhttps://www.edutopia.org/article/5-strategies-successful-parent-teacher-conferencehttps://www.varsitytutors.com/blog/5+things+to+do+after+a+parentteacher+conference https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/parent-engagement/articles/surviving-difficult-parent-teacher-conference

This week on the podcast, we’re diving into the final stretch of pregnancy—yes, the third trimester! We’ll cover everything from your baby’s growth spurt (and the epic hiccups that come with it) to what’s happening with your body as it prepares for the big day. Plus, Mel unpacks the mystery of VBACs: what it’s like to go for a vaginal birth after a C-section, and weighing the pros and cons so you’re totally in the know. Tune in for a blend of laughs, real talk, and all the info you need to finish your pregnancy journey strong!Spotlight:Every Mother Countshttps://everymothercounts.org/Every Mother Counts’ mission is to make pregnancy and childbirth safe, equitable, and respectful for every mother, everywhere.Sources:Mel-https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/21687-vaginal-birth-after-cesarean-vbacMiranda-https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/third-trimesterhttps://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/fetal-development/art-20045997https://www.webmd.com/baby/third-trimester-of-pregnancy

Welcome back, Mayhem Mommas!! This week, hear Mel share her recent misadventures driving back from Ohio in the midst of Hurricane Debby, aka Debby Downer! Next, Miranda discusses a corny, yet beneficial topic in the world of parenting... family meetings! What are they, why should you have them, and what should you talk about to make sure your fam is all on the same page when the calendars and the chaos collide. Lastly, Mel delves into a medical mystery we hear a lot about, but may not fully understand-- cholesterol! After this episode, you'll be able to rattle off the nuances between HDLs and LDLs, and maybe even triglycerides! Grab yourself a heart-healthy snack (like oatmeal with some almonds) and let's dive in to learn more! #cholesterol #hearthealth #familymeetings #parenting #motherhoodSpotlight: The American Heart Association www.heart.org From humble beginnings, the AHA has grown into the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. A shared focus on cardiovascular health unites our more than 35 million volunteers and supporters as well as our more than 2,900 employees.Sources: Mel-https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterolhttps://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23922-what-is-cholesterolMiranda-https://centerforparentingeducation.org/library-of-articles/healthy-communication/family-meetings-power-working-together/https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/Pages/How-to-Have-a-Family-Meeting.aspx

This episode is chock full of laughs-- hear about Mel & Miranda's recent "noncert." What's a "noncert," you ask? It's when you go to see a concert with your bestie and it gets cancelled due to thunderstorms... oh well-- the Gal Pals still managed to have a great time! Next, Melanie educates us about the origin of the word "hysteria," and the disturbing patriarchal history of its meaning. Not cool! Then, Miranda wraps up the episode with part two of her pregnancy series as she discusses the second trimester! You'll learn some weird facts and fetal development for sure! Put the kiddos to bed and join us for another episode of 4M podcast! Spotlight:The SeekHer Foundationhttps://seekher.orgSeekHer Foundation is on a mission to bridge the gender gap of mental health through advocacy, research, and support for emerging leaders who are impacting change in their local communities & beyond.Sources:Mel-https://uselessetymology.com/2018/01/17/the-etymology-of-hysteria/ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/HysteriaMiranda:https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/fetal-development/art-20046151https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20047732https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16092-pregnancy-second-trimester

Calling all Mayhem Mommas! You won't want to miss this super informative episode all about the challenges and chaos of BACK TO SCHOOL Season!! Mel gets us prepared to ward off those pesky B2S illnesses-- everything from the common cold to the stomach flu-- and Miranda shares some tips and tricks to kick off the school year successfully. Plus, find out how the Gal Pals rescued Miranda's husband after a cycling mishap, just in time to take the kiddos to the museum. It's wild, it's wacky, and it's just a downright weird time on this week's episode of the 4M podcast! #backtoschool #B2SSpotlight:Kids in Need Foundationwww.kinf.org Kids In Need Foundation is the only national nonprofit focusing on the nation's most under-resourced schools: those where 70 percent or more of the enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced-cost meals through the National School Lunch Program.Sources:Mel-https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2023/aug/how-to-prevent-back-to-school-illnesses/https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/back-to-school-health-tips-for-parents-infographic Miranda-https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/school/Pages/Back-to-School-Tips.aspx

The Gal Pals are celebrating Jonah's birthday this week by reminiscing on the day he was born. Mel shares all about her wild (but wondrous) birth story and enlightens us about her firsthand experience with gestational diabetes. Fast forward a few years, and before you know it, these itty bitty babies are staying home alone for a few hours after getting off the bus from school. Learn some tips from Miranda about how to prepare your age-appropriate youngster to confidently-- and safely-- stay home after school. SPOTLIGHT:National Child Safety Council (NCSC) is the oldest and largest 501(c)(3) federally, tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization dedicated entirely to the safety of children in the U.S. However, over the years, NCSC has expanded its scope to include adults and seniors. https://nationalchildsafetycouncil.org/SOURCES:Mel-https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/gestational-diabetes-a-to-z Miranda-https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/Red-Cross-Offers-Safety-Tips-For-When-the-Kids-Are-Home-Alone.html#:~:text=A%20general%20rule%20of%20thumb%20is%20that%20no,call%20to%20check%20in%20when%20they%20get%20home.https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Is-Your-Child-Ready-To-Stay-Home-Alone.aspx

(Re-Release) Ever have to speak loudly in public to clarify something your child said to people who may have overheard… we all have, right? Mel gives us the rundown on what we need to do about head lice. And Miranda takes a departure from her usual to talk about the fascinating topic of feral children. Spotlight - Feral Cat Helpershttps://www.feralcathelpers.com/ ​We are a non-profit cat rescue organization located in Mount Pleasant, SC. Founded in August 2015.  Our program TVAAR (Trap, Vaccinate, Alter and Return/re-home) is set up for the feral and stray cats in our community enabling them to be Charleston County protected Free Roaming Cats.Sources - Mel - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_louse https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/head-lice/symptoms-causes/syc-20356180 https://www.consumerreports.org/children-s-health/myths-and-facts-about-head-lice/ Miranda - https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/feral-children https://www.urbo.com/content/modern-cases-of-feral-children-raised-in-the-wild/

Rub those eyes, Momma, and join us for this week's episode about Pink Eye, also known as "conjunctivitis," and the benefits of reading with your kiddos!! Plus, Miranda spills the beans about a recent trip downtown that cost her a new tire and a phone call with the Mayor. Melanie informs us about the three types of Pink Eye and how to best prevent this crusty, goopy illness. Next up, Miranda discusses the many benefits of reading with your children on a regular basis. From regulated hormones to better cognitive performance, there's a lot of pros to turning the pages! Settle in with a nice eye mask and let's laugh and learn together this week on the 4M Podcast! SPOTLIGHT:Dolly Parton's Imagination Libraryhttps://imaginationlibrary.com/ Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children from birth to age five, through funding shared by Dolly Parton and local community partners in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Republic of Ireland.SOURCES:Mel-https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/pink-eye-myths-facts-conjunctivitis https://www.rchsd.org/health-safety/growing-up-columns/viruses-most-common-cause-of-pinkeye/#:~:text=Viral%20pinkeye%20is%20most%20common,or%20slightly%20thick%20whitish%20drainage. Miranda-https://www.healthline.com/health/childrens-health/reading-to-children#benefitshttps://childmind.org/article/why-is-it-important-to-read-to-your-child/ 

Hello Mayhem Mommas!! You won't want to miss this episode where Melanie confesses to why she licked a car that was parked near the beach. Then, Miranda describes all the nauseating in's and out's of the first trimester. Ever wonder why you had to pee so much, or why everything smelled?? Learn how rapidly a fetus grows during these first 90 days of pregnancy. And, to wrap up another zany episode, Mel breaks down the 3 H's that Miranda always got confused... what is the difference between Hernias, Hemorrhoids, and Hemorrhages?? You're about to find out, and you likely won't be able to forget them again after this deep dive! Join us for some laughs, some bestie friendship energy, and maybe a few fun facts along the way!! Spotlight:Catch Global Foundationhttps://www.catch.org CATCH Global Foundation is a 501(c)3 public charity founded in 2014 in partnership and with support from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Our mission is to empower school communities to cultivate Whole Child wellness as a lever for student success and social equity. The Foundation links underserved schools and communities to the resources necessary to create and sustain healthy change for future generations with their health education programs.Sources:Mel-https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15757-herniahttps://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15120-hemorrhoidshttps://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/hemorrhageMiranda-https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9699-first-trimesterhttps://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/prenatal-care/art-20045302https://mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20047208