Pregnancy & Birth
Pregnancy & Birth
June 05, 2025
Every birth is unique—so how do you decide what is best for you and your baby? If you’re currently deciding what you want for your birth or simply want to learn more about the different types of birth, you’re in the right place. Today we’re sharing everything you need to know about cesarean sections (also called C-sections or abdominal births), especially compared to vaginal births. We’ll take a closer look at the pros and cons of c section and the pros and cons of vaginal birth to help you decide whether a vaginal birth vs C-section is right for you and your baby. If you’re weighing the decision of C-section vs vaginal birth, this guide covers key differences, risks, and recovery. C-Section vs Vaginal Birth: What’s the Difference?
So what’s the difference, technically speaking? A vaginal birth is when a baby is born through the vagina. Labor may begin spontaneously and continue until the baby is born, but in some cases, labor needs to be started by induction. In comparison, a cesarean
Pregnancy & Birth
Motherhood
June 27, 2022
Having a baby is a beautiful and exciting stage of anyone’s life. However, it can be taxing emotionally and physically for your partner. We can read all the books and attend all the courses, but sometimes there are just the things no one tells you. Your partner will need all the help they can get, but sometimes it can be hard to know how exactly to help them. Here are a few ways that you might be able to help your partner after they give birth.
Caring for Your Partner During Labor and Delivery
Get drinks or ice from the machine - If you are having a hospital birth, chances are your partner won't be able to eat solid foods. Ice is always a welcome alternative to water as a change in texture.
Remind the partner to drink water - "Your body needs to be nourished and in top condition before and during the race. Days leading up to the marathon, long-distance runners will load up so they don’t run famished on the day of the race. And most importantly, marathoners are hydrated throughout the race....The
Pregnancy & Birth
Motherhood
September 15, 2020
One thing I remember about my first pregnancy was having this deep internal need to be prepared for everything. I read books and articles about infant sleep training and breastfeeding. My husband wanted to wing it when putting in the infant car seat, but I wanted to read the manual and watch a video to make sure we installed it right. I talked to all my mom friends to make sure we bought the right baby gear and nursery items. I also read online and asked veteran moms what I should pack in my hospital bag.
So what should you pack in your hospital bag? Are there must-have and just nice-to-have items? When do you need to have your bag ready to go? Let me share with you what I’ve learned after having three babies.
When to Pack a Hospital Bag
Whether your OB has said they think you’ll go into labor early or late, the truth is you never really know when a baby will come (unless you have a scheduled c-section or induction). Recent due date statistics show that 80% of women deliver on time. That
Pregnancy & Birth
Motherhood
January 03, 2020
It’s so wonderful to be expecting another child into a growing family. Pregnant women and their bodies are amazing while growing a new little life. However, we are more cautious as pregnant women, and one thing some moms worry about is whether or not baby carriers are safe to use with their toddlers while they are pregnant with their next little one.
Is it safe to babywear while pregnant?
One of the main concerns I hear as a chiropractor is, “Is it safe to wear my child while pregnant?” The short answer is yes, babywearing is OK and safe while you’re pregnant. You, of course, want to get the OK from your prenatal physician for physical activity first, though, because most consider babywearing a type of physical activity. The benefits of babywearing while pregnant are no different. Babywearing is an excellent way to bond with your older children, and it can still be comfortable even with a growing belly when you use the right baby carrier, choose the most comfortable babywearing position,
Pregnancy & Birth
Motherhood
December 21, 2017
So you're having a baby. It's such an exciting time! Your due date is getting closer, and you've packed and unpacked your hospital bag more times than you can count- folding and refolding that first, cute outfit for baby to wear home, tiny socks, a nightgown for you...but what do you really need? How do you pack for something you've never experienced before? If you're like many parents it can all seem a little overwhelming. Today I wanted to share five things I'm glad I brought along (or wished I brought along!) for each of my three children's births.
Comfortable pajamas. This was only something I packed with my third baby, and I was so happy I did. It was a wonderful, refreshing feeling to put on comfortable (nursing friendly) pjs after taking a shower at the hospital. I brought this set along from Target. In the past, I had always just worn the hospital gown but I actually found these button front pajamas a much easier choice for nursing and just feeling good while in recovery.
Pregnancy & Birth
Postpartum
Motherhood
December 19, 2017
Body image is an issue that’s really close to my heart and I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how it affects new moms. It seems to me that women’s feelings about their postpartum bodies often get overlooked, likely because there’s rarely discussion about it. To start the conversation, I reached out to my amazing community of women, “Hey mama friends, I'm writing a piece about embracing your beautiful postpartum body. Would love to hear your experience!” The poignant, real responses I received from my friends made me cry. I chatted with each of them, thanking them for their honesty and asked if it would be okay to share their stories. They all graciously agreed. In the words of my pal Lindsey, “Anything in the name of female empowerment.” I’m so honored to share their strength, humor, and open-heartedness with you.
Lindsey
I think the first step is just like the first step in any change - acknowledging that your body is different and that it’s okay to hate it. It’s okay to hate your stretch
Pregnancy & Birth
Motherhood
May 19, 2017
Being an IBCLC is more than making sure that babies get their mama's breast milk. There's a very nurturing side to many of us that are in this profession. Someone asked me what I do as a postpartum doula and Lactation Consultant. It didn't take me long to write a list of the things I do. I dedicate this to all the mama's and babies I've worked with... I massage the feet of an exhausted mama desperately needing a gentle touch I hold a straw steady for a mama breastfeeding her twins to quench her thirst because her hands are occupied I catch falling tears from faces of new mamas that don't think they can make it through the night I give reassuring glances to nervous fathers and encourage them to stay present I listen, without judgement, to the woman that explains why she stays in an unhappy relationship I defy culture in the context of parenting and teach mothers to use instinct rather than google I help women make peace with their vaginas and not be ashamed of their womanhood and femininity
Pregnancy & Birth
Motherhood
May 03, 2017
1. Be Open Minded Expectant parents have a lot on their plates. From researching and interviewing pediatricians, to reading about the stages of pregnancy and development, and then everything in between, it’s easy to see how overwhelming and stressful it can be to bring new life into the world. Oftentimes new moms and dads blaze their way into parenthood with a solid set of principles in mind. While these principles often have nothing to do with those of us on the outside, our responses to them can make a new parent feel guilty or “wrong” for choosing what they did. It’s vital for the support people to listen to the mother and validate her thoughts and fears while reassuring her that the decisions she’s making for her family need only be what’s best for them, not anyone else.
2. Be Supportive of Deviations in Their Plan
Things don’t always go according to plan, and that can sometimes leave new moms feeling lost or defeated. Perhaps mom had planned for a home birth but was later
Pregnancy & Birth
Motherhood
March 03, 2017
Patiently awaiting the arrival of your new bundle of joy can often be easier said than done. Many soon-to-be moms in their third trimester are more than ready to have their baby join them on the outside of the womb. But how will you ensure you’re prepared to bring that baby home and have as smooth of a transition as possible? I’m going to tell you exactly how with these 5 Nesting Tips for First Time Moms.
Pack Your Hospital Bag EARLY
Don’t wait until the last minute to gather all of your gear to head to the hospital! Ensure you’re cool, calm, and collected (at least as much as possible) by creating a list of everything you want to take with you, and have those bags packed and placed in the trunk of your car by 35 weeks. Don’t forget stuff for your partner, too! You never know when you might go into labor, so it’s best to have your bags somewhere close by at all times. Not sure what to pack? Here’s a great list of things you might consider.
Embrace Freezer Meals
It’s not rare for eating
Pregnancy & Birth
Motherhood
February 01, 2016
Congratulations! You’re going to be a Mama! Have you been feeling the urge to tackle the garage clutter? Clean out the attic? Organize everything in your house? Guess what - you’re nesting! The nesting instinct is a primal instinct that goes back thousands of years. It’s nature’s way of helping you feel confident and ready to protect, nurture and welcome a child into your home. While this can be a productive moment to accomplish great things — like taking a birthing class, decorating your nursery or organizing your house —it is also important not to get too overwhelmed and stressed out. Remember, your baby doesn’t care if you haven’t organized your sock drawer.
Getting Ready For Baby
A great way for you to have some control and knowledge about what is to come is to educate yourself and make your plans known. While the urge to scrub clean all the grout in your entire house may be strong, take some time and make a list of the highest priority items that you feel must be accomplished