Every woman is unique and each birth is a special event. Whether you have a
cesarean birth or a vaginal delivery each woman will make her own way through
the transition to motherhood. Join us in the celebration of Madeline's Cesarean
Birth.
What effect does alcohol have on your pregnancy? One of the most commonly
asked questions among pregnant women is, "Can I drink an occasional glass of
wine while pregnant?" Most pregnant women are willing to do anything to ensure
the health and well being of their unborn baby. Giving up alcohol is often
however, one of the most difficult 'indulgences' a mom-to-be might face during
her nine months of pregnancy.
Tips for Relieving
Back Pain During Pregnancy.
One of the most complained about
pregnancy symptoms. Almost all pregnant women at one point or another will
suffer from a backache. Some will experience more discomfort than others.
Pregnancy pillows
may help reduce pregnancy related backache.
Cesarean Section
Recovery
What to Expect in the Days Following a C-Section: Recovering from labor
and delivery is slightly different if you undergo a cesarean section. Typically
after a C-section you will be whisked away to a recovery room, where you will be
closely monitored for about an hour to ensure that you don't develop any
complications from surgery.
When you are expecting one of the decisions you will have to make is the type of
healthcare provider you would like to attend to your during and after your
pregnancy. Many women opt for natural births, particularly with their second or
subsequent children. Natural births can be performed in the home or in a medical
care environment, with as few medical interventions as possible. Check out our
due date calculator
which will help you determine when you might deliver
and how soon you might require delivery assistance.
There are many breastfeeding problems women have when they first start
breastfeeding after the delivery of their newborn baby. This is perfectly
natural, as breastfeeding an infant presents many unusual challenges during the
first few weeks of life.
FDA Warns against
Breast Milk Drug in Breastfeeding Women
A recent report from the Food and Drug Administration
cautions
breastfeeding women to avoid a drug called
domperidone which may increase the secretion of
prolactin in breast feeding women. However,
domperidone is not approved by the FDA for use in
lactating women.
Do you know the
basic facts about Folic Acid? Do you know
how much Folic Acid during pregnancy is recommended? During your
pregnancy, week by week, it is vital that you
consume enough folic acid to nourish your body and baby.
Folic acid might be considered the single most important
nutrient a mom-to-be can consume before, during and
after her pregnancy.
From the moment you exhibit
early signs of pregnancy symptoms, you need to be extra careful about your
nutrient intake. Learn what foods to eat and what to avoid during pregnancy to
ensure a happy, healthy environment for your unborn baby.
What is it and who is at risk? Gestational diabetes is a
form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. The term
'gestational' refers to pregnancy. When a woman develops
high blood sugar during pregnancy but has never had
elevated blood sugar in the past, she is diagnosed with
gestational diabetes.There are repercussions for the
newborn baby and the mother.
Your overall health and well being will impact your
ability to deal with the physical changes of pregnancy
successfully. Physical consequences include
pregnancy stretch marks, weight gain, and more. One
of the best things you can do to ensure a rapid physical
recovery is partake in regular prenatal care, eat well
and exercise throughout your
pregnancy week by week and in the period after.
Expectant mothers will have signs of pregnancy related
effects, some of them psychological. Among the major and recurring psychological
themes prevalent in pregnant and new mothers including feelings of depression,
emotional liability, self-esteem issues, body image issues and personal feelings
regarding control.
For
women's sexual health, intimacy during pregnancy is
fraught with questions. During your pregnancy and after,
your sexual relationship may change. This is normal and
not necessarily a negative consequence of pregnancy. In
fact, many women report a better sexual relationship in
the years post pregnancy.
Unless you are an advocate of natural delivery, you are probably interested in
exploring your pain relief options during pregnancy. Birthing a baby is a
tremendous experience, and one that is often accompanied by pain and discomfort.
Even some women who have committed themselves to a natural delivery sometimes
find themselves seeking out pain relief during pregnancy.
As you come into the final weeks of your pregnancy you might start wondering
what to pack in your hospital bag. It is a good idea to have your bags packed
and ready to go from about 35 weeks on; you simply never know when your little
one will make a 'surprise' entrance.
Just as every woman and baby is unique, so too is their labor and delivery
experience. How well you recover after a vaginal delivery will depend on a
number of factors. The overwhelming feeling most women are consumed with
immediately after a vaginal delivery is fatigue.
Many women will experience a type of pain referred to as "round ligament pain"
during their pregnancy. This is associated with abdominal pain or discomfort.
Since any type of abdominal pain during pregnancy can be disconcerting, it is
important to talk about round ligament pain to relieve any anxiety or fears you
may have regarding the late or early
pregnancy symptoms you are feeling. Round ligament pain is due to normal
changes that take place in the body during pregnancy.
Smoking is perhaps one of the most dangerous habits a woman can engage in during
pregnancy. Smoking during pregnancy can lead to many different complications and
serious health problems for your newborn baby. It is estimated that
approximately 25% of American women smoke during their reproductive years. Many
women who smoke prior to pregnancy, those who started
smoking as teens, continue to smoke during and after their pregnancies.
The social effects of pregnancy and delivery often center on the need for a new
mom to balance the competing roles of parent, partner, friend and individual. No
one woman will react to their new role of parent in the same manner. One thing
is certain, becoming a parent is one of the most rewarding and challenging
'jobs' a mother to be will take on. With this job comes certain social pressures
and influences that may impact your role as parent and mother.
You made it! If you are reading this undoubtedly you are
approaching or soon will be approaching the final stages
of pregnancy. You can check the
due date calculator to see when your time is. You
may be wondering what exactly to expect during labor and
delivery. There are two distinct phases of labor - early
or latent labor and active labor. Active Labor is
subdivided into three stages, which will be described in
more detail below.
There are steps to insure a woman's health and
pregnancy week by week. Between your 35 and 37th
weeks of pregnancy you will be tested for Group B strep
or GBS. GBS is a type of bacteria that one to three
women carry in their vagina. These bacteria, though
benign to women in general, may pose serious and
potentially life threatening consequences for your baby
during birth. However, with proper screening women who
test positive will be treated with an antibiotic during
labor to prevent passing these bacteria on to their
baby.
Take the mystery out of healthy eating and learn what it takes to ensure the
health and well being of your unborn child! There is a wealth of information
available today that offers tips for eating well starting from the moment you
get early pregnancy symptoms. Sometimes it almost seems as if there is too much
advice available. Fortunately there is hope; you can eat healthily and
nutritiously during your pregnancy if you follow the healthy pregnancy diet.
Though morning sickness doesn't always come hand in hand with pregnancy,
approximately half of all women who are pregnant will experience morning
sickness. The term "morning sickness" is actually a misnomer. Feelings of
nausea, heartburn and even vomiting can strike at any time during the day. What
causes morning sickness? There are many theories. Some believe that the changing
hormone levels in a woman's body result in nausea and a general sense of
malaise.
Think you might be pregnant? Have the early
pregnancy symptoms? You are not alone! Many women
often ponder their pregnancy status in the first
couple of weeks after ovulation. Chances are you
won't experience any true pregnancy symptoms until
the time when you missed your period, or even a week
or a few weeks later than this.
The amount of weight a woman will gain during pregnancy depends on a number of
factors, including their height and pre-pregnancy weight. Women who are carrying
multiple babies, twins, triplets or more will be encouraged to gain more weight
than women who are carrying a single baby. In general, most women will gain
between 15-35 pounds during their pregnancy. The amount you gain will depend on
whether you are under, over or normal weight prior to conception.
Weight gain during pregnancy is a normal and healthy process that ensures both
you and your baby are adequately nourished and supported during pregnancy.
Weight loss after pregnancy can often be slow, and some mothers may find this a
bit frustrating. It is very important that you do not go on a crash or fad diet
in the post partum period. Even though you are no longer pregnant, your body
still needs adequate nourishment, particularly if you are breastfeeding.
Routine pregnancy week by week prenatal care is essential for the well being of
you and your baby. Visiting your healthcare provider can be a fun and exciting
experience. Knowing what to expect will help you remain calm and prepared during
each prenatal visit. Generally most OB/GYN's will want to see you when you are
between 8-12 weeks pregnant for your first prenatal visit. This may vary if you
have health problems or other complications that might warrant an earlier visit.
Congratulations on your decision to start a family and trying to conceive!
Women's health conditions are passed on to their babies. As a mom to be, one
of the most important things you can do to ensure the well being of your
children is to eat a healthy and nutritious diet. Healthy eating begins long
before conception ever occurs.
Herpes is one of the most common viral
infections known to man, affecting more than 80% of
the population at one time or another, including
more than 20% of pregnant women. Women who have a
history of genital herpes often wonder whether or
not it is safe for them to deliver their baby
naturally.
The most common tests recommended by doctors on
pregnant women are a Triple Screen test, and either
an Amniocentesis or a Chorionic villus sampling (CV
Sampling).
So what exactly is ‘postpartum depression’ – and is
there any difference between PPD and the ‘baby
blues’ that mom or grandma may have talked about
before?
Over four million umbilical cords are thrown away
each year in the United States shortly after the
mother gives birth. New research has shown that the
blood remaining in the umbilical cord (cord blood),
which is high in stem cells, can help to treat many
diseases.
