Articles related to birth & postpartum.
Key Takeaways Postpartum Mood Signs Mood After Birth Postpartum depression can feel like sadness, fear, anger, panic, guilt, numbness or distance from your baby. You may feel like your mind is slow and your body is heavy. You may love your baby and still feel unable to cope with normal tasks. ACOG describes postpartum depression … Read more
Key Takeaways Early Recovery Rest Comes First The biggest postpartum healing mistake is rushing back into normal life too soon. Your body has just grown a baby, given birth, lost blood, shifted hormones, made milk for many women and started tissue repair. A short hospital stay or a normal looking birth does not mean your … Read more
Key Takeaways First Days After Birth Bleeding & Clots Postpartum bleeding is called lochia. It is blood, mucus and tissue from the uterus as the body clears the old pregnancy lining. It usually starts bright red, then turns darker, lighter, pink, brown and then pale or yellow white over time. Some bleeding is normal after … Read more
Key Takeaways Birth & Immune Training First Microbe Contact Your baby’s immune system learns from the world right after birth. The gut, skin, nose and mouth meet bacteria from the mother, the room, caregivers and feeding. Vaginal birth gives the baby more contact with microbes from the birth canal and nearby body areas, while C … Read more
Key Takeaways Preeclampsia Basics Blood Pressure Preeclampsia is a pregnancy condition where blood pressure rises and the body shows signs of organ stress. It usually appears after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Protein in the urine is common, but preeclampsia can also be diagnosed when high blood pressure comes with low platelets, kidney strain, liver strain, … Read more
Key Takeaways Pain Has A Rhythm Labor Waves Labor pain usually comes in waves. A contraction rises, peaks and fades. The break after each wave is part of the work because your body uses it to reset. Your breathing, face, hands, shoulders and hips can either soften during that break or stay tight until the … Read more
Key Takeaways Build Your Birth Base Body Strength Childbirth preparation starts weeks before labor. Your body needs strength, stamina, blood sugar control, steady minerals, good sleep and enough fuel. Birth is physical work. The uterus is muscle tissue, the pelvis needs room to move and the nervous system works better when you are not running … Read more
Key Takeaways Birth Plan Basics Your Main Wishes A birth plan works best when it tells your care team what you want in clear words. You do not need a long document. One page is often enough. List the choices that affect your labor room, your body, your baby and your first hour after birth. … Read more