Preparing For A Vaginal Birth After Tearing Or Episiotomy
In an ideal world, no birthing person would suffer vaginal or perineal trauma during birth, either spontaneous or by episiotomy. The reality is, these things do occur and can be quite traumatizing. If you are among those that has had to recover from a vaginal/perineal tear or episiotomy, the thought …
Where to Birth?
Pros and Cons in Choosing a Birthing Location: Hospital, Birth Center (hospital or free standing), Home Birth, or Unassisted Congratulations! You’re pregnant, have a million things on your checklist, and you’re whittling away at them while you can. But should birthing location be a question of consideration? When our …
Must Reads for Birth Partners
Is your birth partner wishing they could learn more to support you during your motherhood transition? Check out this list of “must reads!” The Birth Partner – This birth classic written by Penny Simkin talks about preparation for labor, when to know labor has started, epidurals and other medications …
The Benefits of Lifting Weights for Women
Women Lifting Heavy? Until recent years women weren’t typically all about the barbells and squat racks. Even today, as weightlifting is becoming more normal for women, we are still surrounded by stereotypical ideas about what fitness should look like for us and we are faced with unrealistic ideas of …
I Tested GBS Positive, Now What?
Pregnant women are tested for Group B Streptococcus (Group B Strep, GBS) during the last trimester of pregnancy – typically around 35-37 weeks gestation. Most providers solely recommend IV antibiotics during labor, but some women express concerns regarding side effects of this treatment, including being tied to an IV during …
How to Keep Your Feminine Rhythm without a Menstrual Cycle
You can use the following wisdom to create harmony within your body whether you’re pregnant, nursing or do not have a menstrual cycle for other reasons. Did you know that the phases of the moon mirror the phases of our cycle? We can tap into this celestial rhythm in order to …
Fitness Adaptations While Trying to Conceive
One season of the motherhood transition is preconception and/or trying to conceive. It is important to know that everything affects everything and the way we intentionally eat, think, and move plays a part in conception. So how does a woman who is actively trying to conceive approach this? …
#MOMCRUSHMONDAY: Meet Joanne
Mom Crush Monday #MCM Joanne walked into my office during her second trimester with her first child. She was a vibrant, funny, and determined soon-to-be new mom who couldn’t wait to bring a life into this world. Joanne initially presented to my office with the common musculoskeletal complaint of …
Standing Alone and Asking For Help
Mom Crush Monday #MCM Why is it that we, as mothers, so often feel the need to conquer the world on our own? Although for some, it may be an issue of control (who doesn’t like to be in control?), I think many women feel pressure from some archaic, socially …
Breaking Up is Hard to Do – How to Change to a New Provider During Pregnancy
So you’ve decided it’s time to break it off with your current OB GYN/Midwife in search of a better fit. Now what? How do you best handle the transition to a new provider during pregnancy without anxiety or guilt? First things first, you need to make sure you know who …