What does your sleep position say about you?

I worried about losing my career, my friends, my identity. And everything did change. I’m happy with where I am today, but none of it was easy. 

The way society saw me changed, too. Example: The pediatrician, barista, and gas station attendant all felt entitled to call me “mom.” That was a lot. 

In the years since, thanks in part to shifting cultural convos and more women's health research, we're all more aware of how major the transition to parenthood is, physically and mentally –– and of all the other options we have.

Here are some of our favorite recent stories on "the kid question,” whether you’re a parent, thinking about it, or building a childfree life…

• What the brain on psychedelic drugs and new motherhood have in common.

• “Why are so many parents telling me not to have kids?”

• Attention non-birthing parents: Your brain could radically change, too.

• Freezing your eggs? Here's the script to take into your convo with your doctor.

• How to cope with infertility — and what not to say to your friend who’s going through it.

• One more time, courtesy of Tracee Ellis Ross: Childfree people can — and do — mother all the time.

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— Anna “I am Not Your Mother” Davies, Writer 

Upset stomach after ice cream? It may not be the lactose.

Tone deaf? Zero boundaries? Unhygienic? "Pregnancy roulette" on Mormon Wives broke our brains.

The TLDR on RFK's "Make America Healthy Again" report? Limited meds, spend more time outside, and be wary of (scientifically validated, effective) vaccines... starting with the Covid shot for healthy pregnant people and kids.

Sperm racing is an actual ticketed event now. Do we add this under “ball sports” or is it its own category?

The FDA just banned a certain type of GLP-1 drugs. Here’s what to know if you’ve been taking them.

Are you a side-sleeping moon or back-sleeping sun? Here’s what your sleep position says about how you cope during daytime hours.

The woman who brought you caffeinated sunscreen has a new toxin-free solution to sell you. Meet… “the Birkin of toilet paper.” Which, yes, could also wipe out your bank account.

JLaw is back on the awards circuit with Die, My Love, a surreal dramedy about a woman with postpartum psychosis. And she's getting candid about her her transition to motherhood. She describes becoming a mom as “almost like feeling a blister or something — like, so sensitive,” and says about postpartum, “You feel like an alien.”

New research is digging into what actually happens to the brain during pregnancy and postpartum, and the findings could help spotlight new moms themselves — not just their babies — as worthy of focused care.

Here’s what we know: Last year, a first-of-its’-kind study mapped one woman’s brain throughout her pregnancy and for two years postpartum. Among the findings: The brain’s gray matter (tissue responsible perception, learning, emotion, movement, etc.) shrunk significantly. That sounds bad, but it's not. One neuroscientist compared it to a sculpting process that “enables the brain to become more specialized.”

That research, on top of this recent study that linked certain brain changes to postpartum depression, could eventually help doctors better predict who is more vulnerable before symptoms start.

The More You Know:

• Speak Up. One report estimates that one in five US moms experience some kind of mental-health condition, but only 25% of them get the treatment they need. Talk with your doc about your concerns –– even before pregnancy.

• Commiserate. “Baby brain” is real. (See: Hailey Bieber’s “where did I put this?” moment.) Connecting with other new moms, even parasocially, helps. (This Iliza Shlesinger comedy special is a fave.)

• Turn on the AC. One wild study found that postpartum individuals preferred cooler temperatures.

FEATURED EXPERT:

Shanina Knighton

PhD, RN, CIC, associate professor at Case Western Reserve University's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing and infection preventionist

"It’s smart to be cautious. While you don’t need to worry about catching an STI from the toilet seat, you do need to worry about E. coli, pinworms, norovirus — all of which can spread relatively easily. 

• I carry a small eco-friendly disinfectant spray in my bag to spray the toilet seat, the handle, or anything that looks questionable. 

• I avoid touching the stall walls with my coat or bag because they rarely get cleaned. 

• I never put my purse on the floor. I either hang it, keep it on my lap, or wear it — anything but letting it touch the ground. And I always make sure to put my phone away. 

• When I leave, I always use a piece of tissue to grab the door handle."

Shake It Off:  The Dirty Truth About Hand Dryers

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If appliances had personalities, the air filter would be your home’s wise grandma. Quietly looking out for everyone, and very concerned with the well-being of your nasal passages. Heading into air quality alert season, here are the ones we want to invite into our home to stay awhile…

Honeywell

Honeywell AllergenPlus HEPA Air Purifier is the best for allergies.

GermGuardian

GermGuardian Air Purifier With HEPA 13 Filter is the best for germs.

Sharp

Sharp Air Purifier And Humidifier With Plasmacluster Ion Technology is the best with a humidifier.

Here’s the complete list of the 12 best air purifiers, medically reviewed by the CEO of Allergy Standards in Dublin.

If the words “farro” and “salad” cause your eyes to glaze over, rejoin the class because this recipe is about to be a sleeper hit. 

Imagine this: Sweet farmers market tomatoes, crunchy pistachios, a handful of basil, farro salted like you mean it, and an unlimited amount of shaved Parm. This is worth breaking out the good olive oil.

Last step: Pull up a seat alfresco. Prego.

Pop Quiz

Do you know which healthcare providers can help if you determine if what you are experiencing are symptoms of PPD? Symptoms can include depressed mood, loss of interest in hobbies, or trouble bonding with your new baby.^†

A) OB-GYNs (obstetrician-gynecologists)

B) Primary care providers

C) Nurse practitioners or physician assistants

D) Psychiatrists

E)All of the above

If you guessed E, all of the above, you’re right. It can be difficult to know where to start a conversation about PPD, but it’s one of the most common complications associated with pregnancy — and there are treatment options available. ZURZUVAE^® (zuranolone) is the first and only FDA-approved 14-day oral treatment for adults with PPD. Learn how to get the conversation started here.