Congrats to Cara Kent who won last week's featured product–a Chic Tots Bib.
Top stories this week
How to have the best care during pregnancy, childbirth–and beyond
Here are five ways to get the help you need for a positive birth experience
by: Sydney Loney
Pre- and post-natal care
- Take a childbirth education class, available through hospitals, birth centers or separate organizations, such as Lamaze International.
- When choosing a caregiver, decide who can support you best in the decisions that you're making. Ask questions to find out whether they'll respect your personal birth philosophy.
- A doula can be your one constant source of support when nursing shifts change and you're suddenly confronted by a new set of faces mid-labor.
- Many hospitals offer daily breastfeeding clinics, so find out ahead of time when and where they take place so you're not scrambling post-delivery.
rom where to deliver to how to choose the best healthcare professional, moms-to-be have a lot of important decisions to make–and it can be overwhelming. "You really need to plan ahead to create the most positive experience for you and your baby," says author and childbirth educator Gail J. Dahl. Here are five things you can do to ensure you get the best pre- and post-natal care possible.
1. Do your homework
"Reading a good childbirth book (and not just a book about pregnancy) is very important," says Dahl. "Women make better choices in birth when they have more information." Find out… To view the full story click here.
Overcoming your fears of giving birth
Can’t stop fretting about your upcoming labor? Here’s how to put your fears to rest.
by: Nancy Ripton
Childbirth fears
- Women who suffer from fear of childbirth during pregnancy are at an increased risk of having an emergency C-section or vaginal delivery involving vacuums or other instruments.
- What your mother says about childbirth and her attitude may influence your own feelings toward delivery.
- It's important to find out whether your own birth was difficult because it can have an effect on your subconscious.
- The more you learn about what to expect during delivery, the better you will feel about it.
- The most important step in easing childbirth fears is to surround yourself with a positive support network.
hen you think about childbirth, chances are the word "pain" is one of the first that comes to mind. While it's normal to feel a little apprehensive as you near the end of your pregnancy, some women can experience intense fear that makes them dread delivery and could actually affect their labor.
A U.K.-based study found that women who suffer from fear of childbirth during pregnancy have an increased rate of emergency Caesarean sections or more complicated vaginal deliveries involving vacuums or other instruments. A Swedish study found that pregnant women with intense fear of giving birth run a considerable risk of negative… To view the full story click here.
Creating a Birth Plan
Writing out your labor and delivery goals helps give you more control during your birth. Here’s how to get started.
by: Nancy Ripton
Birth Plan
- Creating a birth plan helps you communicate the way you want your delivery to go and can make you aware of options you didn't know existed, such as alternate methods of pain relief.
- If you need to be induced, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you want to try natural induction options first, such as breaking the water or nipple stimulation.
- Know that you can ask for a walking epidural if being able to move around during your labor is important to you.
- A birth plan encourages conversation about how to minimize the chances of an episiotomy, such as using mineral oil, warming packs, slower pushing or perneal massage.
- Use your plan to open discussions, but be prepared to be flexible as childbirth is unpredictable and doesn't always go exactly according to plan.
or all you type-A moms-to-be, creating a birth plan is a great way to organize your thoughts and help put you in charge of your delivery. "It can also make you aware of options you didn't know existed," says Mary Murry, director of Nurse Midwives at the Mayo Clinic. Your birth plan can be as simple or as detailed as you like. The goal is to open lines of communication with your doctor, doula or midwife and make sure you don't overlook anything that may be important to you during labor. To view the full story click here.
