Whether you’re planning a natural childbirth or opting for an epidural, it’s so important to know your labor pain relief options before you head to the maternity ward. Pain is, unfortunately, an unavoidable part of giving birth, but there are ways to decrease the intensity. There’s a reason many nurses refer to pain and “the …
Taking a maternity hospital tour? Find out which questions you should be asking now for the best birthing experience later! You’ve been pregnant for what seems like forever, but now you’re in week 30, and the preparations are getting real. The baby shower invites have gone out, you’ve finally settled on a theme for …
7 Questions to Ask During a Hospital Maternity Tour Read More »
Can you have a natural birth after a c-section? Short answer, most likely, but it depends on a few important factors. By the way, this type of birth is called a VBAC, and here’s everything you need to know about it! Putting aside the fact that the term “VBAC” sounds more like something you’d …
What You Need to Know about Having a Natural Birth After a C-Section Read More »
Planning your baby registry? Make sure you add these postpartum essentials to your list! Whether you’re a first-time mom or a fourth-time mom, you’re guilty of the same thing: forgetting that you have essential items that you’ll need during the postpartum phase. Most moms will put their needs on the back burner because of the concern …
9 PostPartum Essentials That Every Momma Needs to Have Read More »
Labor has got to be one of those times in a woman’s life that is full of every emotion imaginable. From happiness to immense pain to anxiety, labor brings out the best, worst and sometimes the funniest in us. If you’ve ever been in labor, you probably remember saying and doing some things you normally …
Embracing your post-baby body can be a challenge. When you look in the mirror after having a baby, things look inevitably different. Don’t forget, you literally grew a baby inside you for nine (long) months! Trust me when I say, that almost all of us have struggled with loving our new bodies at one time …
Congratulations on your pregnancy! For most woman, from the moment they see the plus sign on the pregnancy test, they are thinking about two things: the health of their baby and their childbirth plan. Their own health often takes second fiddle (which continues once the baby has come out, in many cases). It’s important to …
5 Easy Steps to Prepare Your Body for Childbirth Read More »
I’ll be honest, as a late-20-something woman, pregnant for the first time, I had certain opinions of C-sections. I had plenty of friends who had delivered their babies by C-section, and while my brain knew that there are very legitimate reasons for a C-section, my heart focused on a medicine-free vaginal delivery. My OB-GYN and …
I recently came across a question in a pregnancy forum about how much walking is safe when you’re in labor. This dad-to-be was trying to determine if he and his wife could hoof it to the nearby hospital (about a third of a mile, or 500 meters away) once she was in labor. He went …
Wondering where to sell maternity clothes? After the birth of your baby, you won’t need them anymore (unless you’re planning on having more kids, of course), but what do you do with them? Why not sell them and make some extra cash? After all, you’re going to need all the extra funds you can get …
Where to Sell Your Used Maternity Clothes for Extra Cash Read More »
Post pregnancy workout books are a great tool for helping you get back into shape after delivery. It can be incredibly difficult for many new moms to get back into an exercise routine after having had a baby. We are exhausted; our bodies hurt; the baby won’t stop crying, and for some of us the …
5 Best Post-Pregnancy Workout Books to Whip You Back into Shape Read More »
OMG! This has got to be the most beautiful thing in this world. I will admit, at first I was hesitant to watch the video because I get grossed out pretty easily. The baby was born on Saturday, August 6, 2016 in Barretos, Brazil. The baby was born in the amniotic sac and is actually …
Baby Born in Amniotic Sac is Simply Breathtaking! Read More »
Whether you’re having a home birth or delivering in the hospital, these five birthing aids will definitely make your delivery much easier to bear. Now, I’ll be totally honest with you; I didn’t get to have a natural delivery. I was still trying to decide which type of delivery to go with (totally natural versus …
5 Birthing Aids You Absolutely Want With You During Delivery Read More »
Can I choose to have a c-section? You are nearing the end of your pregnancy and getting antsy. The nesting phase has come and gone, the nursery and everything in your house is prepared and cleaner than ever before and you are just ready to have your baby. But you still have to wait. This …
Are there benefits to having a doula? What is a doula? Doula actually means woman’s servantin Greek (she is also called a labor support companion). Keep that in mind as you read this article, because when it comes down to it, that is all she is, there for you Check out the benefits to having …
Are there alternatives to an epidural during labor? The good news is yes there are! Whether you’re planning on going the natural childbirth route or you just don’t like the idea of a giant needle going into your back, there are many reasons you might be considering alternatives to an epidural. Something to remember when …
Are There Any Good Alternatives to an Epidural During Labor? Read More »
What are the benefits to having a midwife? It really is a personal choice when it comes to who is going to monitor your care while pregnant. We all know (or maybe we don’t) how doctors can be. They typically are rushed and crunched for time when it comes to meeting with patients. A midwife …
Should You Considering Using a Midwife During Your Pregnancy & Delivery? Read More »
Breathing during labor is important (well, it’s important in life in general) but what are the pros and cons of Lamaze? Labor is painful, there is no way around it, even Lamaze won’t take the pain away, but there are pros to using the Lamaze method of breathing while laboring, here are some of them. …
Pros & Cons of Lamaze: Will it Really Help You with Labor Pain? Read More »
I have closed up the baby shop, but I wish someone had given me tips for a natural delivery when I was pregnant with my first, who I wanted to birth naturally. It is possible! If you are thinking of delivering naturally there are some things you should know, that I wish I had known …
5 Awesome Tips for A Natural Delivery You Should Know Read More »
What are the benefits of a home birth? This is a question that you may be considering as you start to weight your delivery options. The idea of having your baby in the comfort of your own home is definitely appealing! Back in the day (I mean way back), home births were the only option. Then …
What are the benefits to a water birth? It might sound a little scary at first, a small human being born into a pool of water, but think about the atmosphere your baby has been living in while inside you? It’s full of fluid! In reality, it is the more natural way to be …
Did You Know About These Benefits of Water Birth? Read More »
You are at the end of your pregnancy and so excited and nervous and probably packing your hospital bag. It is the unofficial start to the end of your pregnancy, the act of packing that sacred bag. Other than the no-brainers of baby’s going home outfit, diapers (of which the hospital provides by the way) …
5 Things You Need To Pack In Your Hospital Bag (beyond basics) Read More »
A recent article from the National Post is making waves. Check out the article: Canadian pediatricians recommend letting 22-week-old preemies die. Should doctors try to save the tiny newborns? This article is heavy, but an important issue that is affecting the care options for parents of preemies born at 22 and 23 weeks. The article …
Tough Choices: Should Doctors Provide Care For Preemies Born At 22 Weeks? Read More »
You might be thinking that as a new mom, there is no way you are getting into a swimsuit this summer. Why not? So you might not be down to your goal weight or you might feel a bit uncomfortable with your appearance, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend your time at the …
Wondering how to pick a baby name without causing an argument between you and your partner? You’re not alone! So many choices. So many combinations. Picking a name for your baby can be a very stressful thing to do! After all, you are giving your child something he or she will have for the rest …
Going into labor is an exciting day, but giving birth while sick can put a damper on the excitement! Today we’re sharing a few ways to cope if this happens to you! After all, you’re already survived so much during your pregnancy! From morning sickness to swollen ankles, your body has been put through …
First of all, congratulations are in order! Preparing for natural childbirth is an exciting time! Whether you are the one pregnant, thinking of getting pregnant, or know someone who is, it is a happy time! You have some choices when it comes to labor and delivery. Natural childbirth is a beautiful thing and it can …
Mother To Mother: Tips for Preparing For Natural Childbirth Read More »
Think there’s only one way to have a baby when it comes to natural childbirth methods? Think again! While many natural childbirth methods have common aspects, each method offers a little something different. If you’re planning to go the natural route, knowing which method is right for you can mean the difference between success and …
Natural Childbirth Methods: There’s More than One Way to Have a Baby! Read More »
For some expectant mothers, these Great Childbirth Education Classes Online are the only viable option for them. Whether they are on bed rest, limited by the area they live in, or just struggle with being around people these are some great choices for learning about the childbirth process that will help them. Learning how to …
For expectant mothers making choices about childbirth, these Natural Childbirth Statistics may come in handy. While it is ideal to have a truly natural childbirth experience, we often find it doesn’t work out the way we had planned. These statistics are here to help you feel better about your decision, but also remind you that …
Whether you are having your first, second or fifth child, Childbirth Education Classes are a great thing to consider as you approach the upcoming birth process. Not only do these classes offer you education, they can give you great tips and tools for making the labor and delivery experience easier physically and mentally for both …
Childbirth Education Classes: Choosing What Is Right For You Read More »
A Toronto mom lost her Instagram account after she shared a breastfeeding photo with her and her daughter. CTV News shared the story of Heather Bays, a professional photographer who is completely heartbroken after losing her account. Bays not only used Instagram to document her own journey as a mom, but also to showcase her …
Breastfeeding Photo Deemed Offensive, Takes Down Mom’s Instagram Account Read More »
Every now and then I come across a news story so powerful that it leaves me mulling it over for days. Right now, a Canadian woman is in a coma and on life support. She’s brain dead, which means she’s pretty much gone. Machines are keeping her heart beating and her blood pumping, but she’s …
Would You Want to Stay on Life Support to Save Your Unborn Baby? Read More »
November is prematurity awareness month; a special month set aside to inform others about the issues that surround and follow premature babies. For those of us who went through giving birth to preemies, though, the month means something entirely different. See, we already know what happens when your baby is born weeks (or months!) away …
Raising Awareness about Premature Babies: Stories from the NICU Read More »
Is breastfeeding in public a natural act of feeding a child or is it indecent? Both sides of the debate have very strong opinions! Check out the different arguments and decide for yourself if women should be left to feed their babies in peace or banned from public breastfeeding entirely.
Giving birth is a busy time. Going back to school is also insanely busy. Giving birth when your older child is going back to school is a double crazy time! Between getting everything ready for your new arrival and making sure your previous arrival has all the right tools for a successful school year, it’s …
Giving Birth When Your Child is Heading Back to School Read More »
When it comes to labor pain relief you may have more options than you think. Many people believe that they only have two choices: take the epidural or deal with the pain. There are actually quite a few different ways to relieve labor pain. Some involve medications. Others use natural methods of reducing pain. Understanding …
Breastfeeding is the best way to ensure your newborn gets all the right nutrients and beneficial antibodies. For many women, however, it doesn’t come without challenges. Sore nipples, infections, baby feeding strikes and milk supply issues are among the most common breastfeeding challenges. Fortunately, there are usually ways to deal with each challenge so …
Guest post by: Tanya Allsop at BreastPumpReviewSite.com Many of us who have babies are familiar with some recent formula recalls. It has made a lot of mothers second guess ever giving formula to our babies, and instead opting to exclusively breastfeed our babies. Not only breast milk and breastfeeding is beneficial for baby and mom , …
Guest Post: The Best of The Breast: Why Every Mother Should Own a Breast Pump Read More »
In the breastfeeding versus formula feeding debate, both sides present valid arguments for the pros, and both sides have their downfalls. The debate between breastfeeding versus formula feeding has long been a raging one on parenting forums, in mommy playgroups and anywhere else that moms or soon-to-be moms gather. It can get really heated and …
Breastfeeding versus Formula Feeding: The Pros and Cons of Each Read More »
Despite all the advanced in medical care over the last several decades, the number of babies born prematurely continues to rise. According to the March of Dimes, the numbers are up 36 percent over the last 25 years, and one out of every eight babies will be born too early. Thankfully, although medical advances don’t …
As a nurse, I see many patients that have given birth via C-section. What most people have a difficult time with is the recovery process. You have a new baby that you need to take care of but you also have to take care of yourself. The time it takes to recover from a …
Do you know the early signs of labor in the third trimester of pregnancy? If not, now’s a good time to find out! These are things you want to know before you reach your final weeks, so you’re not taken by surprise! When you’re getting to the end of your pregnancy, you’ll find yourself wondering …
Early Signs of Labor in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy Read More »
When you receive news of an impending arrival, one of the first things you do is to clear out the spare room full of junk and set about turning it into the kind of baby nursery you see in glossy magazines and on the TV. But before you stock up on paint and nursery furniture …
New moms might think that trying to exercise after giving birth is too strenuous but in reality, it is very helpful to start some sort of gentle exercise program immediately after you have given birth. When you first get home with your new baby, you are excited, tired, happy, sad, and all mixed up in …
The benefits and cons of going natural in birth are still contested by health professionals and experts. It is up to the mother to decide what is best for baby and herself. Make an informed decision based upon the facts. A natural birth does not suit everybody, so be prepared to take a decision …
I have to admit to eating my share of humble pie in the last two years. In regards to my knowledge of child development and confidence in parenting skills, I didn’t think I was arrogant or proud, merely experienced. When post-partum depression literally knocked me off my feet in the first few days of motherhood, humble pie …
My Journey Through Post-Partum Depression: The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow Read More »
Losing weight after giving birth is definitely a challenge! As soon as you come back from the hospital with your little angel, you want to get rid of those pregnancy clothes and start putting your pre pregnancy ones. But, you still have a belly and some people think that you are still pregnant. It is …
When you’re close to your due date, something you don’t want to leave for the last minute is packing your hospital bag. Making a hospital bag checklist will help ensure that you don’t forget anything! Contractions and labor can start without warning making you forget the most obvious items. It is recommended that you have your bag …
You prepared the baby’s room, your hospital bag checklist. You probably started your maternity leave and you are waiting impatiently for your baby. But how can you tell that you are in active labor? What are the signs of labor? Every woman’s labor is unique. Understanding the typical signs of labor can help you know …
Signs of labor: How do you know that baby is coming Read More »