Who is a doula? Doulas are people who provide care and assistance throughout pregnancy and childbirth. Doulas are not licensed medical practitioners. They do not give childbirth or medical treatment. A certified doula is someone who has completed a training program and an exam on how to assist pregnant women during this wonderful but difficult…
What To Do Instead Of Douching
Douching refers to the act of washing one’s vagina with water. It is a practice that some women perform with the hope of cleaning the body thoroughly and preventing odor. However, this is wrong. Image: Vagina Douching In most cases, vinegar is combined with the water, while some premade douche treatments contain baking soda or…
Preparing For an Optimal Postpartum Period
Whether you are having your first baby or your fifth, many expectant parents worry about the early weeks and months after the baby’s arrival. And for good reason. Up to 80% of new parents experience baby blues, which are defined as a normal adjustment period in the first 2-3 weeks after birth that resolves without…
9 Signs That Labor Is 24 to 48 Hours Away
If you have been pregnant for 8 months or more, you’d know that the day of child delivery is close. There are unique signs that labor is 24 to 48 hours away which can include menstrual cramps, loose joints, water gushing, etc. However, these signs vary depending on the individual. Despite the uncertainty in perfectly…
Choosing Vaginal Birth After a Previous 4th Degree Tear
Written by: Anne Ferguson One of my recent clients wanted to share her success story using Hypnobabies and One Strong Mama among other strategies for anyone looking for answers and wrestling with what to do after a previous fourth-degree tear. My client’s story: 4 years ago I had a 4th-degree tear. Labor was not productive, no coaching or support from staff,…
Why More Moms are Choosing Fewer Cervical Checks During Their Birthing Time
by Anne Ferguson During pregnancy and during a person’s birthing time (labor), care providers (nurses, doctors, and midwives) may offer to check a birthing person’s cervix. It may not always be presented as your choice but it is! And, more and more, I find that families I support are choosing few if any cervical checks…
Sinus Infection While Pregnant
Being pregnant with a child and the process of birthing is a mixed experience with the good and the bad. There are days when you’re joyous, thinking of the baby’s appearance and expecting the future. In other times, you may be sick and depressed. One example is having a sinus infection while pregnant. Sinus infection…
Vaginal Boil During Pregnancy
Vaginal boils during pregnancy are ones that grow in that area and are loaded with pus and are inflammatory. It is possible for these lumps to appear on the vaginal wall, in the pubic region, in the groin folds, or in the labia. Hair follicles that are blocked or infected can cause them, but there…
What is Fetal Ejection Reflex?
Fetal ejection reflex is one of the most misunderstood terms in childbirth. Some women say their babies “flew out” of their wombs without any effort on their part. When you gave birth, perhaps your body took over and you didn’t feel any urges to slow down. You didn’t have to be told to “push” by…
Saline Sonogram: Everything You Need To Know
What is a saline sonogram? A saline sonogram is a well-detailed examination of a female uterine cavity. Physicians use this procedure to study valuable information about the uterine lean mass wall and the ovaries by using basic ultrasound. They can detect ovarian cysts and normal ovarian follicles with a simple ultrasound exam at home. An…