Motherhood Channel (Audio)

About Motherhood Channel (Audio)

Expecting a new bundle of joy? From the first kicks to the first months, the Motherhood Channel is your trusted source to provide in-depth information from UC San Diego experts focused on pregnancy, childbirth, and the first year of life.

Publisher

UCTV

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

3 Dec 2012

Latest episode

19 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

67 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Sept 2026

   Social Isolation is a Biological Risk Factor in Recovery after Maternal Birth Injury with Dr. Lindsey Burnett

   Social isolation may influence how the body recovers from pelvic floor injury after childbirth. Lindsay Burnett, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor and physician-scientist at UC San Diego, studies factors during pregnancy and postpartum that may affect pelvic floor muscle recovery, including medications, diet, exercise and social interaction. Her research grew from clinical observations connecting patients’ perceptions of traumatic births with physical outcomes such as fecal incontinence. In a preclinical model, social support was associated with improved pelvic floor muscle regeneration and distinct metabolic changes. Burnett is investigating metabolites involved in wound healing and skeletal muscle regeneration, along with possible connections between social interaction, the gut microbiome and systemic metabolism. The research offers a biological perspective on why emotional and social support may matter during postpartum recovery. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 41640]

2. 

   15 Sept 2026

   Mechanosensory Control of Pregnancy and Parturition

   Mechanical forces may help the body coordinate pregnancy and labor. Yunxiao Zhang, Ph.D., of Scripps Research Institute, examines how PIEZO1 and PIEZO2, proteins that open in response to stretch, contribute to uterine contractions and the timing of birth. Zhang finds PIEZO1 in uterine smooth muscle and PIEZO2 in sensory nerve fibers around the cervix. In mouse models, removing both channels weakens labor contractions, delays the start of delivery and increases the time between pups. The findings suggest that PIEZO1 helps prepare uterine muscle for stronger contractions, while PIEZO2 helps sensory nerves detect cervical stretch. Zhang also discusses how fats in cell membranes may change PIEZO1 sensitivity and why uterine cells and sensory nerves have connected roles. This research offers a new way to study how physical forces help regulate labor. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 41642]

3. 

   4 Sept 2026

   Creating the UC Menopause Collaborative: An Opportunity for Research and Clinical Collaboration

   Menopause care is changing as more patients seek evidence-based guidance for symptoms, prevention, and long-term health. Kathryn Macaulay, M.D., M.S.C.P., F.A.C.O.G., UC San Diego Health, and Rajita Patil, M.D., M.S.C.P., F.A.C.O.G., UCLA Health, explain why many people still struggle to find trained care, even as menopause affects sleep, mood, work, genitourinary health, and cardiometabolic risk. They connect hormone therapy history with today’s demand for reliable, individualized options, including non-hormonal approaches, and outline the UC Menopause Collaborative’s work to expand training, standardize work flows, support flexible care models, and build research-ready data across UC health centers. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 41634]

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.