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 …
Minimizing Risk of Perineal Tears During Labor
The thought of perineal tearing causes shivers to run down most mama’s backs. The perineum is the area between the vaginal opening and the anus that sometimes tears during labor. In fact, 53-79% of women who have a vaginal delivery will have some type of tearing or laceration to the …
Top 5 Practices for Shifting Mindset from Competition to “Training for Birth”
High-intensity fitness classes tend to draw a lot of “Type A” go-getters. These are people who can buckle down, put in hard work, and get it done. Pushing the limit of our capabilities through training and regularly testing ourselves through competition can be a great way to stay motivated and …
What Is Prodromal Labor? How Do I Know If I’m Having It?
Much to my amazement, significant evidence-based research on the topic of prodromal labor, historically and unfortunately termed “false labor,” is lacking. There is nothing false about the preparatory work of the maternal body and baby. As midwife Anne Frye states, “false labor” lends “credence to the myth that one is …
Current Events in Maternal Health Care: Week of June 1, 2020
Once a month we are discussing current events in maternal health care. A lot has happened since our last installment! Take a look at studies released in the last month below. In an article published by The Lancet: Global Health, a study analyzing the indirect effects of the COVID-19 …
Three Tips for Exercising While Pregnant
“I want to exercise, but I’m so tired I fall asleep instead.” “I know I should exercise, but I just don’t have the time.” “I feel like I am running out of steam and just going through the motions.” Movement during pregnancy is a beautiful thing. If …
Why Do So Many People Believe Out-Of-Hospital Birth Is Illegal?
Midwifery is an ancient art and profession that spans almost all cultures since time immemorial. Over the past 150 years, midwifery in the United States suffered massive social, cultural, and political setbacks that directly impacted public perception of the safety, legal status, access to, and affordability of out-of-hospital birth (nowadays …
Six Things Active Duty Military Moms Need to Know When Preparing for the First Postpartum Physical Fitness Test
Being a new mom is hard. Being a new mom and being in the military is even more demanding. Over the past few years, the military has made strides in maternity leave, operational deferments, and breastfeeding policy. One area that many active duty moms still find frustrating, though, is returning …
Should You Take a Childbirth Education Class?
When you are going through pregnancy, you often receive information from everyone and everywhere – whether it’s your neighbor, the internet, or books. With so much information available, it can be hard to decide what you and your partner want out of birth. This is exactly why a childbirth education …
Current Events in Maternal Health Care: Week of May 4, 2020
We have a new addition to the BIRTHFIT Blog! A couple of times per month we will be discussing current events in maternal health care. Take a look at our first installment below! In these ever-changing times as a result of COVID-19, it is important to be up-to-date with …