Search Results for: blog how to prepare for labor and delivery

Preparing For Labor

Like all good things, each pregnancy will come to an end. What awaits at the end of pregnancy? Labor and delivery. While I am a firm believer in not telling labor stories to anyone who is pregnant, I am also a firm believer in being prepared for the experience of labor. Preparedness for labor is less about which childbirth class you take or which technique you plan to use than it is about having made a plan for how you would like to proceed. At its most basic, preparing for labor includes talking to your health care provider and getting … Continue reading →

Labor Pain

Pain in labor is, for most women, inevitable. As I anticipated the birth of our daughter, I knew that before I held my newborn in my arms, I would have to undergo a certain amount of pain. Pain is not something that I seek out, but the pain of labor was something that I had tried to prepare myself for the only way I knew how; by not dwelling on it. I had already experienced a pretty intense labor with my son. I chose to do an intervention free labor and delivery with my son. I found a midwife that … Continue reading →

Photos in the Delivery Room

I got a few pictures in the delivery room when my son was born, but most of them were from when we were waiting and then there were several afterward. I wish I had some more pictures of the actual delivery. I don’t necessarily want pictures of the birth itself, front and center, but I would have liked to capture the look on my husband’s face when my son first emerged, or my son’s first moments on my tummy. In the weeks following my son’s birth, I would often repeated ask my husband to describe the scene for me. I … Continue reading →

Creating a Photo List for the Delivery Room

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Your baby’s birth will be a whirlwind of activity. From the moment she enters the world, time will seem to speed up and she’ll grow up right before your eyes. In the first few days of life, a baby’s appearance changes dramatically. Everything from her skin tone, to the shape of her nose, to the curve of her tiny head, morphs as she recovers and adjusts to her new surroundings. After all, she was crammed in a pretty tight space for nine months; she’s bound to have some serious bedhead, among other things. In all the hustle and bustle, you’ll … Continue reading →

Five Basic Exercises for Successful Labor

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Delivering a baby requires a little flexibility. I’m not talking about compromising your birth plan, either. When you’re trying to squeeze a seven or eight pound baby through a space that is pretty small to begin with, you’re kidding yourself if you think you won’t have to contort into a number of rather awkward positions to make it happen. If you don’t stretch and limber up your muscles beforehand, you can expect quite a bit of extra soreness after you deliver. Who wants extra pain? Getting your body ready for delivery is not difficult, it just takes a little planning … Continue reading →

Do Rheumatoid Arthritis and Pregnancy Mix?

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Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease which causes inflammation in the joints and surrounding tissues. It can lead to deformities in the hands and feet, anemia, decreased range of motion, numbness and tingling, pleurisy, and other mild to severe symptoms. It is a long term disease that can be managed (but not cured) by drugs that are incompatible with a healthy pregnancy. Does that mean women who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis can’t carry a pregnancy? Fortunately, that is not the case! Conception The pain and discomfort associated with RA may affect a couple’s sex life and account for the fact … Continue reading →

Add a Little Pizzazz to Your Delivery Experience

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When my son was born, I packed the basics and didn’t think much beyond the toothpaste and underwear while throwing my hospital bag together. The next time around, however, I plan on going the extra mile by adding a little glamour. Anyone who has ever seen pictures of themselves after delivery knows how nice it would be to add a little sparkle to their tired face and the baggy hospital night gown, as well as the bland delivery room. First of all, I’m putting my sister on beauty duty. It will be her job to make sure my lips are … Continue reading →

How To Calm Those Delivery Fears

If you are nearing the end of your pregnancy and you find that each Braxton Hicks contraction is making you cringe at the thought of a real one, it may be time to unwind and relax. Labor hurts, it’s true, but it’s not something to be afraid of. Getting stressed about your impending delivery will have no impact on the pain. Worrying about the pain won’t make it go away. That said, you might as well make the most of your final weeks, by enjoying the quiet nights and free time that you will undoubtedly miss once your bundle of … Continue reading →

“Grey’s Anatomy” Star Prepares to Adopt Baby from Korea

Katherine Heigl is apparently blowing off biological babies in much the same way she did with her recent Emmy bid. According to the National Enquirer, the “Grey’s Anatomy” star is planning to adopt a baby from Korea with her husband of less than a year Josh Kelley. The 29-year-old actress, who has become a target of critics since she hit it big on the popular ABC drama and started flapping her lips without thinking, is reportedly going the adoption route because she doesn’t want to have to take time off from working to accommodate the labor and delivery process. According … Continue reading →

Writing a Birth Plan for VBAC Delivery

All women should write a birth plan. Your plan expresses your wishes for your labor, birth and the time immediately following the birth. Having a well written plan makes it easier for your support people and medical personnel to carry out your wishes. There are special considerations in a VBAC birth that make a good plan even more valuable. Medical interventions are sometimes instituted sooner in a VBAC situation than in a typical vaginal delivery. The concern for complications can cause some doctors to jump the gun in suggesting interventions or a repeat c section. A well thought out plan … Continue reading →