General::Birth

Was your birth everything that you had hoped and planned for?

Comments: General::Birth

Comments 1 to 24 of about 67.
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CooD - 165 days ago.
I am so excited 5 weeks pregnant

marthashol@gmail.com - 277 days ago.
Hey girls. check out this amazing fetal monitor app-it's called my baby beat and it allows u to hear the babys heartbeat and record it and it's only like 4$!!! worth it!!..i got the info from here http://www.babble.com/products/pregnancy-products/pregnancy-apps-iphone-top-25-my-babys-beat/

the scroggins - 304 days ago.
I REALLY need some advice!! It's been 6 weeks since I gave birth to my son and me and my hubby tried having sex last night for the first time and it was definatly NOT happening. It hurt so bad and even with him touching in that area hurt. :( Is this normal? With my first child we were having sex before 6weeks was up and NO problems! But she was a lot smaller. My son was 8lbs and 4oz and did a lot of damage down there... please someone comment on my page with advice!! :(

dresses12 - 315 days ago.
I GOT MY WEDDING DRESS!!!! Sorry for shouting, but I'm SO EXCITED!! It is BEAUTIFUL, if I do say so myself. ;D ;D We all kept saying 'wow' the whole time I had it on. Go figure it was also the most expensive one (by far) I put on all day, but man it's so worth it. In my Mom's words: 'That dress is kickass' (so not a comment my mom usually makes, either). Not only did I get the dress of my DREAMS, but I also got a veil, shoes, and picked out bridesmaids dresses- all in about 4 hours! Edited to add the link: http://www.RomanceAround.com. The pictures don't even do it justice. The bottom and back of the dress are just incredible.

sam@maternitycentral.co.uk - 330 days ago.
http://maternitycentral.co.uk/hospital-bag/mama-tens-pain-relief-machine-rental-service/ Recommended item thats a must for expectant Mums :)

LuckyIrishLady - 411 days ago.
Is there anyone in the Fayetteville NC area that can recommend a good OB/GYN that handles high risks pregnancys? Also I would really prefer a doctor that allows me to make the decisions in regards to my birthing plan when reasonable. Thank you for the input!

hyd1986 - 437 days ago.
Dear sir/madam we are international leather goods trading company. We retail Top quality Designer Handbags Gucci Brand. we could offer the lowest wholesale price. if you are interested in our products, we appreciate you can contact us. website http://www.gucciooutletonline.com email: dong@gucciooutletonline.com

naturalwellness - 443 days ago.
Do Postpartum Belly Wraps really work? Can a postpartum belly wrap really help get you back into shape after giving birth? By Valerie Lynn-McDonough The short answer, YES, a postpartum belly wrap, without a doubt, helps a woman not only reshape her stomach but also her body after pregnancy. A major concern for new moms is how to regain their pre-pregnancy body and flatten their tummy after delivery. This leads many women to seek out a modern version of the ancient practice of belly binding. It may be an ancient custom but it is still widely practiced as it is a “no-brainer” how such a product helps women regain their figure after childbirth. The idea behind a postpartum tummy wrap is simple, to support the abdomen area, to hold in the flabby tummy skin and fat so it doesn’t hang relieving the skin tissue from downward stress. It works like a compression garment to support the area that has been “injured” (according to how the body interprets the healing process) allowing blood circulation to happen freely as well as the encouragement of water retention and air to be released faster. Your immediate post-baby tummy (and body) is full of water and air, not to mention expanded organs in the womb area such as the cervix and vagina. When the baby is born the excess water and air is no longer needed and the cells will naturally release and shrink back to its pre-pregnant size. The role a postpartum wrap plays is it speeds up this process with constant pressure on the abdomen area thus reducing recovery time. The following are excerpts from an article, “A Belly Good Wrap” by a very well known Malaysian OBGYN, Dr. Nor Mokhtar. Dr. Nor, cautions women, “Mother’s need to be aware that the shapeware market has been flooded with companies selling belly wraps, abdominal binders, bodyshapers, and girdles that are conveniently labeled as “postpartum products”. We are all fans of shapewear and it’s an excellent way to smooth and slim your body for a specific outfit, especially for a special event; however, shapewear is not appropriate support for a post-baby body.” During pregnancy, musculoskeletal changes are stimulated by hormone secretions and the continuous expansion of the uterus. Some of these changes include: • Abdominal wall expansion and abdominal wall separation (Diastasis recti) • Spine and posture realignment • Pelvic floor relaxation (For a simple and very useful medical perspective on how a postpartum belly wrap provides support http://www.mypostpartumwellness.com/a-belly-good-wrap/ ) A postpartum wrap helps to support your back and relieves some of the back pain associated with the immediate post-natal period. This also helps to reduce the strain involved in lifting and carrying of your baby. It also provides back support when breastfeeding, as most mothers don’t know they are slouching. For the best results you have to start wearing the girdle as soon as you can after giving birth, as early as in the first 24 hours. Continue to wear it each day for at least 40 days and even longer if you are not satisfied with the results. When purchasing a postpartum tummy wrap please keep the following features in mind: 1. The design that provides the most comprehensive support should be long enough to wrap the area from under the breast to just below the buttocks (so you can easily go to the bathroom when needed). Important: Most modern postpartum wraps only support the tummy area which is only one area of the healing process that is taking place. A longer design takes into account the other organs that need temporary support as they shrink and become realigned. 2. The type of material is also important so a rash doesn’t develop. Unbleached cotton is recommended. 3. The material should NOT be elastic as postpartum wraps are not meant to give or stretch as this compromises support to the organs. 4. A postpartum wrap should be worn under loose clothes and tied as tightly as possible BUT NOT too tightly. You don’t want to cause major discomfort or cut off any circulation as it should be worn a minimum of 12 hours per day. For even better results wear it for 24 hours (taking off for bathing). ________________________________________ Valerie Lynn-McDonough, author of The Mommy Plan, studies postpartum traditions, beliefs, products and services as well as traditional postpartum massage techniques. She dreams that wonderful, all natural postpartum recovery products and traditions will become part of American culture so women will have a “balanced” recovery from childbirth. www.mypostpartumwellness.com Read more great articles about postpartum wellness on our blog: http://www.mypostpartumwellness.com/?page_id=607 and like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PostpartumWellness

naturalwellness - 443 days ago.
Birth, the Main Event (but what about after?) We are independent, responsible, self-reliant income earning modern Moms. We are Moms that make informed decisions about all aspects of our lives after perusing the depths of the internet. We are increasingly choosing to have children when we want to and with or without a partner. Due to technological advances, pregnancy is increasingly occurring among women over 40 in the United States. We are the movers and shakers of our own life who makes things happen and we DO NOT settle for less. We are WOMEN and we are STRONG! If we are so strong then why did 3.68 million of us (80% of 4.6 million women who gave births in 2009) experience some sort of postnatal mood disorder last year? That’s a lot of well informed modern moms who weren’t able to control what’s happening in their own bodies. I think with all of our control issues and in depth research we assume that we are well prepared Super Moms who are able to overcome any challenge motherhood throws at us! Hmmm, well statistics clearly show we may be not as prepared as we thought. And it didn’t sink in that we have an “internet education” and that we have not actually experienced reality yet. The realty of bringing home our first or successive child normally sets in after a few days or weeks. Then we realize we may have overestimated our abilities to cope with the extra demands and life change. That’s OK. We are humans and we are known for adapting to situations. However there are a few things we can do to help ourselves before we find ourselves at our wits end exhausted and in tears while holding a crying baby! Eroded Family Support In this day and age the family support in the U.S. is not nearly what it used to be even 30 years ago. Family members live separate lives, sometimes in different states and countries and get together infrequently. That’s OK, it’s the world we live in now and we make our own choices. However with the celebration of a new baby this is a time when families go out of their way to make time to welcome a new addition to the family, so why not piggy back on that to ask for a little help with the new bundle of joy? Help Schedule What expecting moms need to be aware of is that the transition is going to be more difficult than imagined and that it is OK to ask for help from those around us. However to develop this support network we need to make a Help Schedule before we give birth. People have busy lives and making a plea for help at the time when we need it may not be conducive to other people’s schedules. Your Help Schedule should cover at least the first six weeks postpartum. You define your own needs that you need help with, be it cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, coming over to watch the baby while you refresh yourself by taking a nap, a long shower, taking an hour to apply postpartum recovery products, getting a postpartum massage, a walk to get fresh air and have some time to yourself. Whatever will help recharge your batteries. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You never know what people will do unless you ask. People are always surprised by the kindness shown from people around us, as well as those we don’t expect much of, when all we do is ask. People are inherently good. Valerie Lynn-McDonough, author of The Mommy Plan, dreams that wonderful, all natural postpartum recovery products and traditions will become part of American culture so women will have a “balanced” recovery from childbirth. www.mypostpartumwellness.com Read more great articles about postpartum wellness on our blog: http://www.mypostpartumwellness.com/?page_id=607 and like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PostpartumWellness

naturalwellness - 450 days ago.
Can my womb really fall out?! Uterine Prolapse is a common postpartum complication expecting Moms should be aware of In June 2010 a new bill named, the Global MOMS Act, went before the US House of Representatives calling for increased US support for maternal health and describes prolapse as one of several 'pregnancy-related injuries' that affect 10 million women worldwide. A uterine prolapse happens when both the uterus is displaced and the pelvic floor is in a weakened state from child birth causing the uterus to slip through the vagina to protrude outside the body. Uterine prolapse varies in severity and a mother may experience no signs or symptoms in a mild case. For a moderate to severe prolapse a woman may experience the following: • Sensation of heaviness or pulling in the pelvis. • Tissue protruding from the vagina. • Urinary difficulties, such as urine leakage or urine retention. • Difficulty having a bowel movement. • Low back pain. • Feeling as if you're sitting on a small ball or as if something is falling out of your vagina. • Sexual concerns, such as sensing looseness in the tone of your vaginal tissue. • Symptoms that are less bothersome in the morning and worsen as the day goes on. A mild prolapse doesn’t require treatment however it wouldn’t hurt to see your doctor or midwife. In a severe case when signs and symptoms become bothersome and interfere with normal activities see your doctor immediately. The normal position for a woman’s uterus is tipped forward, however after birth it may be displaced and lying directly above the vaginal opening. After child birth, the pelvic floor is in a weakened state. A weakened pelvic floor and a displaced uterus puts the uterus in danger of falling out of the body through the vagina. Prevention is the key and a woman must ensure she is tone inside. At least 100 or more kegel exercises should be done every day towards the end of pregnancy and up the number to 300 after delivery. Adequate rest is also very important. If a mother pushes herself to get back into full activity too quickly, she runs the risk of losing her uterus. A warning sign that you have partially prolapsed is feeling your cervix too low, or close to your vaginal opening. If you feel or see your cervix protruding from your vagina, lie down immediately and put pillows under your buttocks. Call your midwife or doctor who will normally be able to put your uterus back into its normal position manually. Uterine prolapse does not mean you need a hysterectomy. If your doctor recommends a hysterectomy, get a second and even a third opinion. Even in severe cases of uterine prolapse it is often possible to save the uterus. A woman’s uterus has many functions and is essential for her entire life. Do not allow your uterus to be removed unless there is no alternative and your condition is life threatening. You will be instructed to stay in bed, lying on your back, with hips elevated for a few days. Continue to do at least 300 kegel exercises daily. This will strengthen the pelvic floor and the muscles that hold the uterus in place will regain their strength. A uterine prolapse increases the risk of uterine infection so you will need help with your hygiene for the next few days as well as help with your baby. If a woman has a uterine prolapsed, she runs the risk of it happening with subsequent births. Valerie Lynn-McDonough, author of The Mommy Plan, continues to draw attention to the lack of understanding and importance placed on a new mother's postpartum recovery, leading to an unbalanced recovery by many women from child birth. www.mypostpartumwellness.com Read more great articles about postpartum wellness on our blog: http://www.mypostpartumwellness.com/?page_id=607 and like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PostpartumWellness

naturalwellness - 458 days ago.
Natural Postpartum Recovery Traditional postpartum recovery beliefs centers around the notion that after birth a woman’s body is depleted of all its energy and therefore the mother must have complete rest and change her diet to restore its vitality. The postpartum products are always all natural and vary but overall the following are just a few of the healing properties: stimulates blood circulation and the metabolism to remove toxins, promotes loss of water retention and flatulence, and helps to rid blot clots from the uterus. The natural ingredients have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties which help to reduce overall body swelling as well as vaginal swelling which causes contracting of the genital tissues resulting in faster healing helping the womb, cervix and vaginal area to reduce in size to its non-pregnant size. A postpartum tummy wrap is used with topical products that stimulate blood flow to the abdominal area and strengthens and firms the stomach muscles. A postpartum tummy wrap which is worn under loose clothing realigns the spine and supports the internal organs and pelvic floor. It also supports the flabby stomach reducing the risk of stretch marks. However you must be very cautious when deciding which stomach wrap to purchase because the many shape-ware garments or belly wraps out in the market making postpartum claims could do more harm than good to your recovering body. The best size wrap to purchase is one that supports your body from under the breast to just below the buttocks and is made of fabric that doesn’t stretch so you have a nice snug, supportive fit. . (A Belly Good Wrap, by Dr. Nor, OBGYN) I can tell you from seeing results first hand when the products are used together the results are nothing short of astonishing how quickly women recover from child birth and if they haven’t gained huge amounts of weight their pre-pregnancy figure is also recovered. The most effective time to start using such products is from the day you deliver. Cultural beliefs surrounding postpartum recovery are well and truly entrenched in many countries around the world and vary greatly. Many cultures recognize that the postpartum recuperation period begins on the day of child birth (considered as Day 1). Recuperation periods are as short as 22 days extending up to 100 days with the average time period of 40 days. Special postpartum precautions are taken for a mother’s diet, hygiene and activities, not to mention the wonderful products and services that are provided to the mother. There is recognition of the intense and fast internal transition of a women’s body back to a non-pregnant state during that period as the sudden drop in the level of hormones occurs when the placenta is expelled. Intense healing occurs for three weeks and then slows down. During this time a mother is in a vulnerable and weakened state (even if she doesn’t realize it) and if she doesn’t take special care of herself during this period the odds of postpartum complications are high, physically and emotionally, as well as poor health much later in life. For example there is a real risk to diabetes, within 1 – 2 years if the stomach fat is not lost. Heart disease is also an increased threat as excess stomach fat is the worst type of fat to carry because it’s near the heart. The common thread for such postpartum beliefs is that the mother needs special care, products, food, and services to help her recover from such a significant body altering experience. Her body needs much rest to be re-energized. Caring for a mother during her postpartum recovery only ensures that she is in the right state of mind to take care of the demands of her new baby. What is happening in America is the recognition by corporate America and the government of the social problems that are arising during the 12 week postpartum Maternity Leave period as mother’s transition back to their “normal” lives, which is never again normal with the addition of a new child or successive children. The Blue Cross Blue Shield (that supplies over 98 million Americans with insurance) Anthem, Missouri branch introduced New Born and Parenting Resources in January 2010. This new service is designed to help new mothers adjust to their newborn baby and return to work after maternity leave. New mothers have 8 weeks of counseling by licensed professional coaches who have advanced degrees in counseling and/or child development. The coaches provide support and help mothers set goals, address concerns and identify resolutions on topics including: returning to work, adjusting to a new baby, work/life balance, issues with older siblings, health and nutrition, child development and parent well-being. The coaches are available via e-mail, instant message chat, online journal and telephone. So as you can see there is certainly a growing recognition that mothers aren’t coping well with modern day pressures of life, don’t have the needed family support and thus aren’t recovering well during the postpartum period. This is resulting in increasing statistics of women experiencing extended Maternity Blues and Postpartum Depression, 80% and 20% respectively which is very high comparably. However since our culture doesn’t have the family support like years ago, women must take their postpartum recovery into their own hands and manage it. Make sure you get a hold of natural products that specifically helps your body with its recovery from pregnancy and child birth before you give birth. Have them ready to use on Day 1, or the day you give birth. Do your research on the products and traditions of other countries and incorporate traditions that are appealing to you and your life. Make a plan, arrange for assistance with cleaning, meals, and the baby so you can rest. Don’t be under the illusion that your body doesn’t need help with its recovery. Just like putting antiseptic and a band aid on a cut allows it to heal faster, better and stronger so would your body heal with the correct postpartum recovery products and a temporary change in diet, hygiene and activities. ________________________________________ Read more great articles about postpartum wellness on our blog: http://www.mypostpartumwellness.com/?page_id=607 and like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PostpartumWellness

naturalwellness - 462 days ago.
Why do American women do nothing to recover from pregnancy? I get asked time and time again by women I meet outside of the U.S., “So what DO American women do to recover from pregnancy?” And my response is, “For the most part, nothing. American women hardly do anything more than rely on their bodies to naturally revert to its non-pregnant state.” The normal response I get is a baffled stare because of the incomprehensible thought that women in America don’t do anything to help their body recover internally (hormonally) or physically after they’ve given birth. A follow up comment is something like, “But America has EVERYTHING! Surely American women follow some sort of recovery program, take special precautions regarding their diet and hygiene or use some kind of postpartum recovery products? They must do something! The BEST products come from America!” In this case, sadly, the best products do not necessarily come from America nor are they even found in America. Our cultural beliefs about pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum recovery are focused around the baby. The mother becomes secondary; well that is even a stretch, probably not even secondary. In American culture, the postpartum recovery of the mother has never been given much attention and thus largely not seen as important. For someone like me, that has spent most of the past 15 years in Asia seeing first-hand the wonderful, caring traditions surrounding a new mother from when she discovers she is pregnant through to her postpartum recovery period; and how well a woman recovers in 6-8 weeks, not having any extended postpartum emotional feelings and physically being strong and back to their normal state, it was an eye-opener when I returned to the U.S. to have my son in 2007. Like the typical American, pregnant mom-to-be I didn’t give any thought to my own postpartum recovery as no one had mentioned it to me, my doctor, nurses, dietician, family, friends or anyone else. Then when I was eight months pregnant I went to purchase a typical postpartum recovery set that I knew of and found out such products didn’t exist in America! I lost count how many and different types of stores I went into asking the sales person if they carried postpartum recovery products only to tell me they had stretch-marks creams, pregnancy teas and pre-natal vitamins and that they never even heard of such products. Belly wraps weren’t really popular then either. I even contacted various embassies and organizations and they all told me that they had their families send over such products. I was dumbfounded and found myself angry that women in America don’t have access to such products. Postpartum recovery products play a vital role in many, many countries to ensure a woman has a “balanced recovery” from child birth. Balanced, both hormonally and physically, which enables a mother to recover in a shorter time period, to function properly and resume their lives. After doing much research regarding exactly why postpartum recovery is overlooked in America vs. being an auspicious part of the pregnancy experience in other countries I found it has come down to the fact that American doctors don’t emphasize the importance of recovery. Most births take place in hospitals and babies are delivered by OBGYN surgeons. Therefore expecting moms listen to the advice their doctor gives them throughout their pregnancy, but the advice stops after the baby is born. Now, I’m not blaming the medical community. Their job is to monitor our pregnancy and to do everything in their power to deliver a healthy child. However that is where their job ends. In other cultures this is where traditional beliefs take over and it is up to the mother and extended family to do everything in their power to ensure the mother has a healthy and balanced recovery. It is a family affair. ___________ Read more great articles about postpartum wellness on our blog:http://www.mypostpartumwellness.com/?page_id=607 and like us on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/PostpartumWellness

naturalwellness - 474 days ago.
Morning Sickness: Nature’s Safety Mechanism & Natural Remedies There’s good news and bad news about morning sickness. The bad news is about 80% of expectant Mothers suffer from varying degrees of morning sickness, nausea, vomiting or both during the first three months of pregnancy. The degrees of morning sickness can not only vary women to women but also from pregnancy to pregnancy of the same woman. Some expectant Mommies are ill in the morning and recover about noon, while some are nauseas all day, wondering why it’s called morning sickness. What causes morning sickness? The traditional school of thought was during the first trimester of pregnancy there is a surge of hormones and levels hit an all time high. This levels out in the second trimester and morning sickness usually subsides at this point. However there has been recent evidence that morning sickness may be Mother Nature's way of keeping harmful food toxins out of women's bodies and away from developing babies, say researchers from the University of Liverpool. Researchers analyzed 56 previous studies from 21 countries, and concluded that morning sickness may have evolved as a way to prevent miscarriages brought on by ingesting harmful foods such as meat, alcohol, sugar and oils. Eating particular foods may not be as dangerous now as it was before the invention of refrigeration and food safety measures, women's bodies may be 'pre-programmed by evolution' to avoid certain foods in the first few months of pregnancy. “It may be that the nausea women feel towards certain foodstuffs could be helpful, and that although it is inconvenient and miserable, their nausea could be Mother Nature's way of avoiding problems in pregnancy for both mother and fetus,' says Dr. Craig Roberts, lead researcher. The most important part of a baby’s development happens in the first trimester, so it that may be why nature might include a safety mechanism such as morning sickness. Important recommendations are for expectant Mommies to avoid alcohol, smoking and drugs while pregnant, and to eat healthy foods and get adequate levels of folic acid. The good new is there are many remedies, pharmaceutical and natural, that can help. You just have to keep trying one remedy after another until you find the one that your body responds to. However, it remains a mystery as to the reason behind why some women are affected by nausea while others remain free from it. Home remedies have been becoming increasingly popular in light of rising medical costs, as they are inexpensive, safe, natural and free from serious side effects. I’ve collected a whole bunch of ‘em. There is bound to be something here to help no matter whether your morning sickness consists of a little morning nausea or the all day eat and throw up variety. However, be sure to contact your caregiver if the nausea and vomiting becomes unbearable or causes you to lose weight. • Get plenty of rest. • Graze. Eat frequent, small meals. You may want to eat five to six times a day rather than having three big meals. Sometimes, hunger pangs bring on the feelings of nausea. That's because acids in the stomach have nothing to digest when there's no food around. • Chew your food thoroughly. • Stick to bland foods. Spicy foods are not a good choice right now. • Choose complex carbohydrates. Pasta, bread, potatoes -- the foods you think of as starches -- are easier to digest and they're soothing. • Make sure you are sufficiently hydrated. Dehydration can bring about nausea. Expectant mothers must drink 8 glasses of water a day. • Vitamin B6. A number of physicians recommend taking a supplement of this vitamin -- the usual dose is 10 to 25 milligrams three times a day -- to combat the nausea of morning sickness. Talk to your doctor before trying a supplement, however, and be sure not to exceed 75 milligrams of the vitamin each day. • Special sea bands are sold in health food stores that help curb that 'green: feeling caused by both morning and motion sickness.' Place these bands three-quarters of an inch down your wrist. They have done wonders for some. • Some women claim that going and having acupuncture done by a reputable doctor is remarkable. Be sure he or she knows you are pregnant and the reason for your visit. • Try adding oils made of natural grapefruit, orange, mandarin or lime to your bathwater. There's an ingredient in citrus that seems to help overcome the feelings of nausea. • Make sure your stomach is never completely empty. Carry fruit, cheese and/or crackers around with you to nibble on throughout the day. • Keep a snack by the bed for when you get up during the night to visit the bathroom or soothe one of the kids. • Also keep a snack by the bed to eat before you lift your head from the pillow in the morning. Then, get up slowly. • Avoid sudden moves. Don't change your posture quickly, as you do when you get out of bed quickly. • Eat a high protein snack before bed at night. • Eat a diet high in carbohydrates and protein, low in fats. • Eat salty, crunchy foods. • Sniff a fresh lemon peel. • Make sure your breads and crackers are whole grain. • Drink wheat germ dissolved in warm milk, a few teaspoons every hour. • Take 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon honey in cold water before bed. • Avoid strong odors and stuffy or smoky rooms. • Suck a piece of peeled ginger root. • Drink red raspberry leaf, peppermint, or spearmint tea. • Drink ginger tea made by boiling some ginger root in water. Strain it and add honey to sweeten. Ginger has been known for centuries for its healing powers and is especially great for an upset stomach. • If you are vomiting a lot, try limiting your diet to a single food, one that you know you can tolerate. Add one additional food per day as you can tolerate them. • Put three drops of lavender essential oil and one of peppermint in a diffuser or humidifier to scent the air. • Place a cool lavender scented compress on your forehead and a warm lavender compress over your rib cage. • Get a massage with chamomile massage oil. • Drink liquids between rather than with meals. • Avoid greasy foods. • Snack on ginger snap cookies, homemade and with real ginger, if possible. • Chew gum. • Get regular, gentle exercise like taking a walk to get fresh air. • Try taking your vitamins later in the day. • Try changing your iron supplement. • Give in to your food cravings, but don’t eat excessively. • Sip a carbonated beverage. • Get plenty of fresh air. • Try tart flavors; lemonade, sour pickles, etc. • Don’t brush your teeth immediately after eating. • Lie completely still with your eyes closed. • Suck on frozen popsicles, especially lemonade. Don't forget to brush. If you do succumb to vomiting, take good care of your teeth by brushing afterward or at least rinse your mouth if you can't brush right away. Otherwise, the frequent contact with the harsh acids in your vomit can eat away at tooth enamel. Read more great articles about postpartum wellness on our blog: http://www.mypostpartumwellness.com/?page_id=607 and like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PostpartumWellness

naturalwellness - 474 days ago.
What is an Episiotomy? Will it be painful, and how will it heal? An episiotomy is a surgical incision that enlarges the vaginal opening to help deliver your baby. Normally the decision whether you need such a procedure is made solely by your doctor if you do not discuss it prior to delivery. It is carried out very quickly under local anesthetic so it is unlikely you will feel any pain. Common reasons given for the suggestion of an episiotomy are: • If your baby's head is too large for your vaginal opening • If you need forceps assisted delivery • If your baby is breech position • If your baby is in distress, and the doctor tries to hurry up the delivery The recovery period is another matter and you're quite likely to feel discomfort or pain as the wound heals, particularly in the first few days when the vaginal area is quite swollen. You can help recovery and ease discomfort in the same way that you would for natural tearing: • Pour warm water on your perineum as you urinate as the water will dilute the urine so that it doesn’t sting the cut. Keep a spray bottle or cup in the bathroom for this purpose. • During your first bowl movements you may like to support your perineum area as you may be worried that the stitches will tear. This is unlikely, but to ease your mind and help you relax you can use a clean sanitary pad to support your perineum (press lightly upwards) as you open your bowels. • Make sure you include plenty of fiber in your diet during this period to help avoid constipation and uncomfortable bowel movements. • Toilet hygiene is very important during your recovery period to reduce the risk of infection. Make sure you only wipe from the vagina towards the anus, NOT vice versa. You can also pour warm water over your vagina area after you urinate or have a bowel movement which will help keep the area clean. • Take a shallow warm bath (pouring warm water over your upper body) preferably a herbal bath with healing herbs, to relax and promote healing. Keep bathing time relatively short as a long soak will make the perineal tissues soggy and could pose an infection risk. • Change your maternity or sanitary pad frequently- at least every four hours, and ensure it’s firmly in place so that it doesn't rub against the stitches. • Keeping maternity pads in the freezer will ensure they are cool and soothing when you put them on. Another option is to use a cooled gel pad on the area to help reduce swelling, particularly in the first couple of days. I you can avoid ice packs as you may get ice burn, but if you need to use them please wrap them with a cloth before placement on your stitches. • Gently pat the vaginal area dry and don't rub your stitches as this will cause irritation. Make sure the area is dry before dressing. • Exercise your pelvic floor - as soon as you can after the birth. Kegel exercises help speed up recovery by increasing blood flow to the area. Toning up the perineum will also help combat any post-natal problems you may have with incontinence (urinary leakage). Aim to do 50 to 100 every day. • To speed up healing, let the fresh air in. Lie on the bed on an absorbent pad or old towels and remove your underwear and sanitary pad for at least ten minutes daily, or as often as you can. Fresh air always aids in healing wounds. • Avoid standing or sitting for long periods as this puts pressure on the area. If you do need to sit for a while use a specially designed donut-shaped, perineum pillow. The wound should heal within two weeks, but the area may be uncomfortable for a long time, even after superficial healing. If the wound continues to be very painful several days after the birth, if there is an unpleasant odor from the area, or if you have a fever, then you should contact your health-care provider. An episiotomy incision is usually fully healed by the time of your post-partum check six weeks after the birth, and is one of the things your doctor will examine. There are many newly published studies on the risks and side effects of episiotomies. Results have been published that such a procedure is largely unnecessary and may make the very complications it is supposed to prevent much more likely. Also reported is the higher incidence of pain and side effects such as vaginal dryness and decreased libido. There have been reported incidences of the vagina being stitched up too tightly after birth thus reducing the size of the vagina and making sex painful for a long time. Do your research, learn the side effects, discuss this procedure with your doctor extensively and determine if it is right for you. Read more great articles about postpartum wellness on our blog: http://www.mypostpartumwellness.com/?page_id=607 and like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PostpartumWellness

naturalwellness - 475 days ago.
SELF-PERINEAL MASSAGE What is it? And what are the benefits for child birth? A perineal massage is a gentle massage that prepares the perineum, the area between the vagina and the rectum, for birth. The perineum is stretched during childbirth, and often will tear. This massage promotes the elasticity of the lower regions of the cervix causing the tissues to be more supple, which improves the overall flexibility of the area making it easier for the tissues to stretch as the baby is born. A perineal massage also familiarizes the mother with the stretching sensations she will feel as the baby is born. This helps her learn to keep her perineal area relaxed during the stretching of crowning which can help prevent tears. It has been shown to reduce the incidence of episiotomy and perineal tears during childbirth. To perform a perineal massage, follow these steps: 1.Wash and sanitize your hands, and trim your nails. -Find a warm, comfortable area to sit. -Use a mirror to find your perineum, to see what it looks like. A full length mirror works best. 2.Apply a natural lubricant such as Virgin Coconut Oil, Vitamin E oil, massage oil or pure vegetable oil to your thumbs and the perineum. -Insert your thumbs into the vagina and spread your legs. -Press downward and pull towards the sides. You will feel a tingling or burning, but you should not feel any large amount of pain. 3.Hold this press for about 2 minutes. 4.Rub your perineum between your thumb and forefingers back and forth for one minute. 5. After you’re comfortable and have mastered the technique, add kegel exercises to the process. You can begin to do this massage around the 34th week of your pregnancy. If you are further along and haven't started, there is still benefit from doing it. You can do this massage as often as once a day. Caution: Avoid pressure at the top of the vaginal opening. Massage gently as forceful massage could cause bruising or swelling. Do not massage if there is active vaginal infection or herpes lesions as you could spread the herpes infection to other areas. Read more great articles about postpartum wellness on our blog: http://www.mypostpartumwellness.com/?page_id=607 and like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PostpartumWellness

naturalwellness - 476 days ago.
Episiotomies are NOT Necessary Then why are rates at 99% for vaginal births in hospitals? When a baby is stuck (in the birth canal) during childbirth, it is not necessary to cut a woman (episiotomy) in order to have a safe delivery according to American researchers on birthing techniques. It is more effective and desirable to maneuver the baby than carrying out an episiotomy. According to researchers at John Hopkins University, ‘an episiotomy does not reduce the infant's risk of shoulder injury at all. In fact, the risk may be increased.’ Dr Edith Gurewitsch and colleagues examined the medical records of 127 cases where delivering the baby's shoulders was difficult. Nerve damage rates to the delivered babies in these 127 cases were no better if the mother was given an episiotomy. Maneuvering alone was 35% safer for the baby's shoulder, and much better for the mothers. The research team believes an episiotomy should only be carried out when it is absolutely necessary. 'Episiotomy will only eliminate soft tissue barriers to delivery, whereas rotating the infant will realign its shoulders to fit within the mother's pelvis. It is the bony pelvis that is widely acknowledged as the main cause for the infant getting caught in the birth canal,' she said. Episiotomies are very unpleasant and sometimes dangerous for the mother as she is at a much higher risk of developing an infection, bleeding and having pelvic floor disorders. A mother may suffer long term pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse. She can experience urinary incontinence or flatulence. Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine; in simple terms, to pee when you don't intend to. It is the inability to hold urine in the bladder because voluntary control over the urinary sphincter is either lost weakened and flatulence. The doctors at John Hopkins University said maneuvering is better for the baby as it suffers fewer shoulder injuries. The benefits for the mother are obvious as she does not experience unnecessary trauma. Then why are unofficial episiotomy rates in hospitals 99% for vaginal births? It is because guidelines recommend an episiotomy is performed to benefit the doctor as it gives the doctor more room to maneuver the baby. Doctors normally reason that the procedure is to “prevent perineum tears” however such tears are normal and will heal faster than an unnatural cut and normally without extended complications. It is of no benefit to the delivery of the baby. In your Birth Plan remember to include whether or not you prefer to have an episiotomy in an emergency situation and discuss it in detail with your doctor. Ask your doctor for his/her personal rates of episiotomies and the hospital rates. Ask him/her what they normally do in a situation when a baby gets stuck. Keep in mind that your doctor may not have much experience in maneuvering babies and an episiotomy may be the first choice of procedure in any emergency. Whatever decision your make sure you are comfortable and know what will happen in the labor room. Read more great articles about postpartum wellness on our blog: http://www.mypostpartumwellness.com/?page_id=607 and like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PostpartumWellness

naturalwellness - 476 days ago.
The perineum is the area between the vagina and the rectum. This area may be very sore from stitches, slight tearing, or stretching to let the baby through. During a vaginal birth the perineum is stretched during childbirth and often will tear. A natural perineum tear will follow along the tissue and therefore heal faster than a medical incision or episiotomy. An episiotomy is when an obstetrician uses a scalpel to slice the through perineum tissue and an angle that normally wouldn’t tear during natural childbirth. It is an “unnatural tear” or incision of the perineum area. In the first few hours following childbirth you may use an ice pack covered with cloth for relief of swelling and pain. Later, a warm, shallow bath will speed the healing process. A herbal bath with specific postpartum healing herbs would be even more effective. A squirt bottle of warm water when you urinate will help with the stinging as it dilutes the urine and serves also to clean the area. Try sitting on two pillows, spaced a few inches apart, with one buttock on each. Tearing of the perineum and/or an episiotomy can be extremely painful and add greatly to the recovery time after a vaginal birth. Massaging the perineum prior to childbirth stretches the skin and prepares the tissue. It also helps you learn the sensations of birth and how to control the muscles in this area. Read more great articles about postpartum wellness on our blog: http://www.mypostpartumwellness.com/?page_id=607 and like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PostpartumWellness

naturalwellness - 477 days ago.
Lochia Lochia is vaginal discharge during the postpartum period. It comes from the Greek word that means 'relating to childbirth.' It consists of blood and sloughed-off tissue from the lining of the uterus. For the first few days after birth, lochia contains a fair amount of blood, so it will be bright red and look like a heavy menstrual period. It may come out intermittently in small gushes or flow more evenly. If you've been lying down for a while and blood has collected in your vagina, you may see some small clots when you get up. If everything proceeds normally, you'll have a bit less discharge each day, and by two to four days after you've given birth, the lochia will be more watery and pinkish in color. By about ten days after the birth, you should have only a small amount of white or yellow-white discharge, mostly composed of white blood cells and cells from the lining of the uterus. The amount will taper off before it stops; a process that generally takes another two to four weeks, though a small number of women continue to have slight lochia or intermittent spotting for a few more weeks. If you've started on the progestin-only birth control pill (the 'minipill') or gotten the birth control shot (Depo-Provera), you're likely to have spotting for a month or more, and that's perfectly normal. If your locia turns bright red after it has been brown, you are probably exerting yourself too much. Lie down with your feet elevated for the remainder of the day. Staying off your feet as much as possible for the first five days postpartum will help prevent excessive bleeding. If your locia smells foul, or if bleeding becomes heavy, soaking two large pads with blood in less than 30 minutes within the first 24 hours following birth, call your health-care giver. Another cause for concern is persistently passing clots 20 millimeters in diameter or passing a clot larger than a golf ball. Your bleeding should not be excessive. If you suddenly gush blood, call your health-care provider immediately. Read more great articles about postpartum wellness on our blog: http://www.mypostpartumwellness.com/?page_id=607 and like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PostpartumWellness

lotusmoonuk@yahoo.co.uk - 483 days ago.
Holographic Breathing is making some head way in the area of childbirth. It is great for reducing the pain of labour and generally helping in childbirth. In 2009 I taught the midwives at The Birth Centre - founded by Caroline Flint in south London. This was the first birth centre to be formed and Caroline Flint is a founder member and activist of the natural birth movement. This has also inspired others, and now over 30 birth centres and hospitals have become involved and are passing Holographic Breathing on to mothers. In the new year I will be starting therapist trainings for people who want to be therapists in this breathing/healing system either for birth, meditation or healing. Free Audio Seminars and lectures can also be downloaded from my web site at www.holographic-breathing.com

LadyJade - 527 days ago.
Hello everyone, not sure if I am posting this message in the right spot, anyways, I am 31 from South Africa and we have just started trying for a baby. Will be my third, I have two sons who I had over a decade ago. I was just wondering if there are any other over 30 moms who are pregnant or TTC and would like to chat about how its going, wondering how long we will have to try before success. This site is awesome btw , really great...okay....bye for now

Linny - 553 days ago.
If you are nursing, you can take your baby in public right away as you share the same immunity.

mommi2be! - 557 days ago.
I had a general question when do moms start taking their babies outside such as restuarants, indoor soccer games etc.

JessieGirl91 - 563 days ago.
Thalia- I recently had my first baby and at the last minute was given a pethedine shot. I actually feel it was given to me to late so i felt everything, if not it only took the edge of it. I didnt have an epidural for the same reason as you, i was scared of it harming my daughter. i would keep the Pethedine in mind as i was still awake and aware of what was going on. it didnt really take the experience away from me =)

lea - 576 days ago.
Hi all, anyone out there as pregnant as me tonight? 38 weeks with 2nd boy, i should be in bed but im feeling wierd. had some lower cramps couple of days ago and now im in overdrive to get house straight, nesting! just finished packing my hospital bag. my partner is away. i feel unreal and a bit lonely so much to organise and no hubby here to help and a toddler whos just entered terrible 2s 3 months early! anyone feeling the same?

rosie2010 - 581 days ago.
hey all thought i should write here. im 13 weeks and 2 days pregnant and i felt like a little kick earlier today did any of u feel bubby move so early or was it something else. this is my 4th pregnancy. please someone write back.