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We’ve written in the past about a pregnant woman’s lowered immunity. Good nutrition, sanitation habits, rest, and exercise all help to strengthen the pregnant woman’s immune system—yet she will inevitably be exposed to viruses and other immune challenges. Pharmaceutical remedies may prove too strong or be contraindicated in pregnancy, so we wondered about herbal remedies. […]

Birth is often a mystery—at least that’s what we’re led to believe. But closer examination reveals basic physiological truths that underpin normal birth for both the mother and baby. Certain truisms can indicate risk, such as a pregnant woman’s prenatal nutrition and medical history, but, in the end, birth is a complex orchestration of hormones, […]

Each woman arrives at a new pregnancy from a different starting point. One woman may have planned for months to get pregnant, taking vitamins, eating healthy, and exercising. Another might be classified as medically obese and is worried about how that will affect her pregnancy—should she lose weight or focus only on eating healthy? […]

When a woman first discovers she’s pregnant, the birth can seem distant, an event that happens at the very end of pregnancy. There are nine months to get through first. She knows the birth will be something big, but it’s still a somewhat abstract idea—and maybe even a little scary. She can prepare by taking […]

I just read Gloria Lemay’s blog post “Are You A Good Candidate For A Hospital Birth?” and it really got me thinking about how to reach more people to help them understand the range of choices that exist for childbirth. I think if first-time moms really understood the challenges inherent in a hospital birth experience, […]

When a newborn emerges from the womb, it leaves behind a warm, dark, and physically stimulating environment that includes the mother’s heartbeat, the sounds of children or other adult voices, and the rocking, jostling, and rhythmic steps of the mother moving about. Upon birth, a baby will turn toward the familiar sound of its mother’s […]

Pregnant women are more at risk for acquiring infection or viruses given the altered immune state that accompanies pregnancy. Most care providers and health agencies agree that the flu is a risk in late pregnancy and recommend certain types of flu vaccines. But there are also natural ways to aid the pregnant immune system. Habits […]

photo credit: Carmen Hibbins For most women, navigating pregnancy is difficult. There are decisions to be made: maternity care, labor preferences, place of birth, newborn care, breastfeeding, etc. Not to mention vaccines. Currently the CDC recommends the influenza vaccine for all pregnant women. When making the decision to accept or decline the flu vaccine, it’s important […]

Get ready for a major soapbox post. I get it. Those of us who choose to birth outside the box are different. We make choices that don’t necessarily follow mainstream society norms. Our choices may not be in alignment with what is embraced by the obstetrical model of care. Our choices may make medical professionals […]

It’s that time of year. The time when we bake cookies and fudge and tasty pies. The time when the workplace break room is littered with holiday candy and plenty of chocolate. It’s a time when it feels almost obligatory to feed the sweet tooth. But what if you’re pregnant? Does pregnancy give you an […]

You did everything “right.” You took Bradley Method childbirth classes. You hired a doula. You hired a midwife to attend your birth. Your diet has been perfect. You rented the birth pool. You took all of the right supplements, attended prenatal yoga classes, had regular chiropractic care, and gained a good amount of weight — not too much, […]

People who have never given birth outside of a hospital may have no idea of the differences between hospital and out-of-hospital birth. What’s the big deal? You can have a natural birth in the hospital. Why would someone want to have their baby at a birth center or (gasp!) at home? The answer is not […]

Gratitude is the fairest blossom, which springs from the soul – Henry Ward Beecher. The old adage, “Avoid politics at family gatherings,” is particularly prescient for the 2016 Thanksgiving holiday. Some have family members who enjoy political arguments or the ability to get a rise out of those who hold different beliefs. But if this […]

If you’re new to breastfeeding or have been breastfeeding for a while, but could use some encouragement, read and savor this special list.

There’s a midwife for every woman. What’s right for one woman may not be right for another. So, how do you choose the right midwife for you?

Visualize what would make you most comfortable. Sit with that image awhile. When there is clarity around what you want, everything else will fall into place.