Mother Brings Newborn Back From Dead

By sarajean on 8/31/10 9:26am
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When I was a young pregnant mother-to-be, I’d never even heard of “kangaroo care.” Sure, I’d planned on cuddling my baby once she was born, and looked forward to breastfeeding and bonding with her. But when she was born early—at just over 25 week’s gestation—everything changed.

During the first two weeks, I could not touch her aside from stroking her tiny, see-through arm softly through the incubator. This ultimately broke my heart more than so much else did at the time—not being able to touch her, to be connected with her, as we’d been for months (for a lifetime, if you count her status as an egg in my body!).

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Help End Obstetric Fistula

By sarajean on 8/27/10 2:37am
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 I never knew what obstetric fistula was until The Breast Cancer Site started to run a campaign to help women with this terrifying condition. In fact, I’d never heard of the disease, period. Obstetric fistula, for anyone else who is unfamiliar with the condition, is the development of a fistula, or hole, between the rectum and vagina or the bladder and the vagina. It can happen after a woman undergoes a very hard childbirth. Poorly orchestrated abortions, female genital mutilation, and pelvic fractures may also cause the condition.

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Ending Breastfeading

By hellenwyeth on 8/16/10 4:36pm
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There will come a day when it is time to stop breastfeeding your little one. For some it comes sooner than expected and this can be for many reasons. A lot of babies begin to wean themselves the closer they get to the one year mark whether you are ready to stop or not as mine has decided to do. When you stop breastfeeding it can cause some discomfort but there are several ways and techniques to use to make the process less uncomfortable for your body. Sore, firm breasts that can severely hurt to the touch are not necessary.

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Pregnancy Care for the Summer Sun

By hellenwyeth on 7/7/10 9:08am
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Summer time is here and no matter how far along you are in your pregnancy, the heat can be miserable to live with. With the added weight and doubled up blood volume in your body, even a fair 60 degree day of weather can really take its toll on you and your expanding body. More importantly, the heat and sun can also be dangerous for a pregnant woman. During the summer time it is so important to take some extra precautions to be sure that you and baby are safe when the temperatures begin to sky rocket.

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Stages of Labor

By hellenwyeth on 7/7/10 9:00am
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There are several stages of labor leading up to giving birth. Depending on what pregnancy you’re on will generally determine how long each stage will last for you but it also isn’t the rule. Every woman and pregnancy is different. For first time pregnancies, labor and delivery tends to last a good deal longer than for women who have already had at least one vaginal birth. With this in mind, new moms should really consider making a birthing plan to help them get through the long hours ahead of them.

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Premature Labor and Warning Signs

By hellenwyeth on 7/7/10 8:55am
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Early signs of labor are a must know no matter what pregnancy number you are on. Knowing what to look for and understanding your body could save you on complications later with you and your baby. Going into labor too early could risk your baby’s life and health. As you move further into your pregnancy your doctor or midwife should discuss with you in more detail about the warning signs of early labor and when to go to the hospital. If you are not yet 37 weeks into your pregnancy, labor at this point would be considered premature.

Signs of Premature Labor:

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Normal Cramping While Pregnant

By hellenwyeth on 7/7/10 8:48am
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During pregnancy, there are a lot of different feelings and sensations that are new. Some can be a little nerve-wracking and flat out scary like cramping. If you are in your first trimester, cramping can make you think and expect the worse. But don’t fret yet because there are some explanations behind the cramping and things you can do to help them lighten up or make them completely go away. As always, you should make sure to inform your doctor or midwife of the cramping to be on the safe side.

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Braxton Hicks

By hellenwyeth on 7/7/10 6:05am
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They don’t call it “labor” for nothing because it is exactly that. Actually being in labor for most of the population, is extremely painful and a lot of work. During your pregnancy you experience a lot of different aches and pains and the closer you get towards the end of your pregnancy you may find yourself having some pretty uncomfortable contractions. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you are in or going into labor though. Your body is working hard and around the clock to prepare you for what is to come very soon.

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What to Put on Your Baby Registry

By hellenwyeth on 6/26/10 9:18am
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Exited about your upcoming baby shower? Going to stores like Target, Wal-Mart and Babies R’ Us to create your gift registry is so much fun. With your gift bag and scanner in hand you’re off to pick out all the cute baby stuff you’ve had your eyes on since that test showed up positive. But, in addition to cute clothes and toys there are many other things that you are going to want to make sure that are on your list.

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At Home Pregnancy Tests

By hellenwyeth on 6/26/10 9:11am
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Think you might be pregnant? Wondering and waiting to be far enough along to take an at home test can be agonizing. Each day that goes by feels like an eternity when all you can do is look at the pregnancy test box. But how do you know when it is time to take the at home test and which home test is the best? How do you know that your positive results are in fact positive and can a false pregnancy test be wrong? There are many different brands of tests out there and they all vary greatly in price so if you are trying to get pregnant make sure that you are making the right choice as you will probably be buying multiples.

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