Current Events: Structural Racism and Maternal Morbidity
Once a month we discuss current events in maternal health care. In this installment, we look at a study conducted to quantify the rates of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) based on the intersection of race/ethnicity and insurance status to see how they may impact structural racism. Keep reading for more …
Movement Insight: Pull-ups During Pregnancy
Can I do pull-ups during pregnancy? Should I do pull-ups while pregnant? When we say pull-ups we are referring to strict pull-ups, kipping pull-ups, butterfly pull-ups, and you could even throw ring strict and kipping muscle-ups in the mix. Pull-ups are a gymnastics movement that requires strength, coordination, …
Current Events: VBAC Rates in the U.S.
Once a month we discuss current events in maternal health care. In this installment, we look at a study conducted to better understand the current rates of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) in the United States. Keep reading for more details! Demographic, Socioeconomic, Health Systems, and Geographic Factors Associated …
7 Ways to Support a Newborn’s Microbiome
The topics of gut health and the microbiome have been at the forefront of wellness recently, and for good reason. We are each covered in bacteria — trillions of microbes. In fact, about three pounds of our body weight is made up of those microbes. The balance, or imbalance, of …
Current Events in Maternal Health Care: October 2020
Once a month we discuss current events in maternal health care. In this installment, we look at a qualitative study of the experiences of Black women and the intersection of race, gender, and pregnancy. Keep reading for more details! Black Pregnant Women “Get the Most Judgment”: A Qualitative Study …
Clean Beauty: Does It Really Matter During Pregnancy?
Clean beauty. What is it? In short, clean beauty includes products made without ingredients that are known to be harmful or questionable. Some refer to it as non-toxic beauty. Clean beauty includes cosmetics and personal care products (shampoo, lotion, body wash, etc.). Surprisingly, the U.S. has very few regulations in …
Labor and Delivery With a Prolapse
“Is it okay for me to try and have a vaginal delivery since I have a cystocele?” “Should I schedule a c-section since I have a prolapse?” “Is it safe for me to get pregnant since I have a prolapse or will it get worse?” Like most things surrounding …
Adding Sit-Ups Back Into Your Postpartum Workout
Here at BIRTHFIT, we are generally “Team No Sit-Up” during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. If you want to know why we take this stance check out this Instagram post. But what happens after that first year of postpartum? As much as we are #teamnositup, we are also “Team …
Five Ways Becoming a BIRTHFIT Professional Transformed My Practice
I’ve been a registered nurse since 2009 and a nurse practitioner since 2012. Despite taking some time away from clinical practice to be home with my babies, I’ve continued to support families through the parenthood transition as a coach, educator, BIRTHFIT Professional, and doula. I discovered BIRTHFIT just a few …
Breastfeeding After Breast Reduction Surgery
There is a common misconception that you cannot breastfeed following breast reduction surgery, so I am here to share my alternative experience. Let me start by sharing why I decided to undergo this surgical procedure, even though I knew how important breastfeeding would be to me. When I was in …