While every pregnancy is unique, there are a lot of common things that you’ll experience. It’s important to know your body and to be aware when things are new, severe, and persistent. Bleeding -- Anything more than spotting warrants a call to your health care provider. Vision, Weight, Skin -- Blurry vision, rapid weight gain … Continue reading 5 Things to Watch for During Pregnancy
Category: Childbirth
While nothing can totally prepare you for childbirth, there are several things you can do to help you feel at ease. Journal Spend a few minutes each day focusing on your baby, writing down your feelings, questions, and thoughts for the future. This can be a great way to connect with your baby. Childbirth Education … Continue reading 5 Ways to Prepare for Birth
As summer begins and the weather heats up, it’s especially important to remember to keep hydrated if you are pregnant. Dehydration occurs when the body is losing water faster than it is taking it in. A woman needs to consume more water when she is pregnant. Since water is used to regulate the body’s temperature, … Continue reading Summer’s Here! Drink Up!
Dads are parents too! As we approach Father’s Day, I’d like to thank all dads as they take on the task of parenting. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, or a mother who works outside the home for pay, there still seems to be a tilt toward mothers being the primary caregivers. This is not … Continue reading Dads Don’t Babysit
What is the connection between birth and fear? Why is fear such a common component of birth? Why are we afraid of something that billions of people have done (and every one of us has experienced – even if we don’t remember it?) And what effect does that fear have on labor and delivery? When … Continue reading Fear of Birth
It's the big day! Time to bring baby home! And time for your dog to meet your little one! What can you do to make the first introduction go smoothly? The most important thing to remember is to be calm. Dogs can sense when you or others are agitated or anxious and they react accordingly. … Continue reading Puppies and Babies – Part 3
What are some things you can do in the weeks leading up to bringing baby home that can make the introduction go more smoothly? It's important to remember that dogs handle change in different ways, some better than others. First, know your dog and how he responds to new people and situations. Then take some … Continue reading Puppies and Babies – Part 2
Our 4-legged babies are a part of the family. But as much as we may anthropomorphize them, we need to remember that they are animals. The friendliest dog can still be unpredictable in certain situations. I recently attended a workshop about introducing your baby to your dog given by Robin from Fydoland. She gave us … Continue reading Puppies and Babies – Part 1
This year's theme for World Doula Week is #doulasbenefiteveryone. World Doula Week's Facebook page posts a challenge for each day of the week, which celebrates doulas all over the world as they empower families during childbirth. One of the challenges is to tell a brief story about how being a doula has benefited me in … Continue reading World Doula Week
If you're in the birth world, you of course know about April -- and you may have been watching her 24/7 or you may be tired of seeing blog posts about her. If you're not in the birth world, you may have no idea what I'm talking about. For those who don't know, April is … Continue reading Waiting with April
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