A Guide to Understanding Ultrasounds Getting a routine pregnancy ultrasound is a good idea to keep track of baby’s growth and their health in the womb. Learn about this safe and helpful checkup. What is Ultrasound? Ultrasound uses sound waves at frequencies higher than the human ear can hear. The doctor or technician runs the […]
The Cause of Labor Pain It takes a lot of pushing and stretching to move a baby the size of a melon through a cervical opening that starts out as the size of a kidney bean. Muscles don’t flex or tissues stretch without letting your body know it. Contrary to popular belief, it’s usually not […]
3 Relaxation Techniques for Labor To practice relaxation techniques for labor with your partner, you need to be very comfortable. Collect a bunch of pillows and teach your partner where you like them. Do these exercises in various positions: standing and leaning against your partner, a wall or a piece of furniture, sitting down, lying […]
A Massage During Labor brings Needed Relief A soothing massage, a caring caress, a passionate kiss, even a simple foot rub can be blissful relief to a laboring mother. By stroking the receptor-rich skin and kneading the pressure receptors beneath the skin, you bombard the brain with pleasant stimuli, leaving less room for painful ones. […]
Breathing Techniques During Labor for Easier Childbirth Childbirth can be made easier or harder depending on how well you breathe. Make your childbirth easier with these 9 breathing techniques during labor. 1. Breathe Naturally Breathe naturally between contractions, as you do when you are falling asleep. 2. Release Stress when Exhaling When a contraction begins, […]
The Most Common Epidural Births There are several different ways to administer an epidural during labor. See the 7 most common kinds of epidural births. 1. Continuous Epidural A continuous epidural means that a bedside pump continuously infuses your dura with pain-relieving medication. The continuous epidural is the most common type of epidural births because […]
Using Pain Medication During Labor Safely If only there were a perfect analgesic (meaning painkiller) that would act on only the pain pathways in mother and didn’t cross over the placenta to baby. Unfortunately, complete pain relief without risk is a promise no doctor can deliver. When narcotic analgesics relieve mother’s body of pain, they […]
Answering some Cesarean Birth Questions You may find out you need to go through with a cesarean birth while you’re in labor which doesn’t leave a lot of time for asking detailed questions about the procedure. These common questions about cesarean births will help educate you on what it entails should you have to do […]
Increase Your Chances for a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean A vaginal birth after cesarean is possible, but you need to make sure it will be safe for you and baby. Follow these suggestions to increase your chances for a VBAC. 1. Select VBAC Friendly Birth Attendants and a Birth Place Be sure both your practitioner […]
Options for a Breech Birth Although surgery is often suggested for a breech birth, it is not the only option. Carefully consider these 5 alternatives for how to deliver your breech baby. 1. Your Baby Still Might Turn Consider the possibility that your baby might turn. Around half of all babies start out bottom down […]
The Importance of Eating Right While Pregnant Studies show that if a woman is eating right while pregnant, the more likely she is to deliver a healthy baby. Eating too little (or too little of the needed foods) increases the risk of giving birth to a baby who may be born too soon or too […]
Eating Habits During Pregnancy will Change When you are pregnant, you are eating for two which means your eating habits change. Make sure the change is a healthy one. Here are 10 reasons why your eating habits during pregnancy will change: 1. Nutritional Needs and Intestinal Function Change. Your body needs more nutrients to feed […]
