Tag Archives: childbirth

Five Basic Exercises for Successful Labor

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Delivering a baby requires a little flexibility. I’m not talking about compromising your birth plan, either. When you’re trying to squeeze a seven or eight pound baby through a space that is pretty small to begin with, you’re kidding yourself if you think you won’t have to contort into a number of rather awkward positions to make it happen. If you don’t stretch and limber up your muscles beforehand, you can expect quite a bit of extra soreness after you deliver. Who wants extra pain? Getting your body ready for delivery is not difficult, it just takes a little planning … Continue reading →

Let’s Talk About Who’s Catching the Baby

Did you catch, or would you catch, your own baby if you could? This question was posed to me recently, and gave me pause for thought. I distinctly remember, while pushing my second daughter out, being encouraged to “just reach down and grab her”. It sounds a little bit easier than it is. I was very much in the middle of something – namely, pushing another human being out of myself – so I had little concentration to devote to the task. Ultimately, it wasn’t something I was intensely interested in, and so I don’t regret replying to the suggestion … Continue reading →

Let’s Talk About the Mirror, the Crown and the Miracle

Aside from the experience as a whole, there will be some specific magical elements present in the delivery room. The Mirror – This item is often found in delivery rooms, inconspicuously set to the side and given little thought throughout most of labor. It will present itself to you at the most awkward moment, where you will most likely expect it the least and initially be slightly annoyed at its appearance. Its purpose will then become clear to you: It is merely a temporary talisman. You may use it simply for encouragement if you so choose, or you may use … Continue reading →

The Let’s Talk Pregnancy Blog Top Ten: How to Induce Labor Naturally

If you’re attempting to have the most natural labor possible, you’re going to want to avoid artificial induction at all costs. Not only are artificially-induced contractions often significantly stronger and more painful, but starting labor unnaturally can likely lead to further complications. The current state of your cervix will determine how likely the onset of labor is. No amount of any of these, save number one maybe, will produce a baby if it’s not time. Sure, there are plenty of old wive’s tales for starting labor naturally, including eating spicy foods or taking a ride down a bumpy road. But … Continue reading →

Let’s Talk About Your Bishop Score

What is my Bishop Score? When you are overdue and you healthcare provider is suggesting induction, this is one of the most important questions you should ask them before consenting. The current state of your cervix, coupled with other factors, will determine how soon the onset of labor may be. There are several ways to gauge how “ripe” your cervix is at any given time. The tallying of these factors is referred to as the Bishop Score. To see a simple chart to calculate your odds, go here: Bishop Score. The total score is achieved by assessing the following five … Continue reading →

Let’s Talk About the Affect of Prior Birth Trauma

A negative birth experience can typically do one of two things to the person that endured it: It can put them off of birth entirely, or it can compel them to strive for and demand a better subsequent birth. Being put off of birth can translate to several different avenues of a woman’s pregnancy and delivery. For one thing, a woman may experience anxiety concerning delivering over the course of pregnancy, which can affect her well-being. She may also be very fearful of birth, and fear can translate to pain, affecting the success of labor. Or she may decide to … Continue reading →

The Let’s Talk Blog Mid-Month Review

We’re halfway through the first month of the year, and already have touched on some interesting topics! I’ve really enjoyed reading everyones comments and hope that we can continue discussing pregnancy-related issues so openly. We opened the month by talking about pregnant bellies in Let’s Talk About Handling Unwanted Belly Touching. Let’s Talk About Handling Unwanted Belly Comments got several comments, and I’m not surprised – it’s a serious issue for many pregnant women. If you’re looking for help in choosing a baby name, Let’s Talk About Naming Your Baby offers plenty of suggestions – some well-known, and some not … Continue reading →

The Let’s Talk Blog Top Ten – Ways to Achieve a Normal Birth

TEN: Allow labor to begin on its own. Getting induced with Pitocin tends to lead to further complications and more painful contractions. Inductions should be reserved for medical indications only. NINE: Allow yourself movement. You’ll be more comfortable if you are able to move freely during labor. Your labor will most likely progress quickly if you are able to keep active and respond to your labor pains by changing positions. EIGHT: Say no to routine interventions. Ask for intermittent, instead of constant, fetal monitoring. Having belts, cords or wires on your person can tie you down and won’t allow you … Continue reading →

Let’s Talk About Elective Cesareans

Could we assume for a moment that an elective cesarean is in the same category as a nose-job or a face lift? All three are typically unnecessary surgeries that nonetheless carry all the risk of any surgery, and yet the instance of c-sections is on the rise in America. In fact, between the years 1994 and 2001, it rose eight percent and then by 2004, it rose at least eight percent again! If we put elective c-section in the same category as cosmetic surgery, we would have to understand that many people do unnecessary things to their body. There is … Continue reading →

Let’s Talk About the Cultures of Childbearing

In our Western, “modern” culture, childbirth is often viewed as a highly medical event. Many women, be they educated or not, have little understanding of the process of pregnancy and delivery and tend to regard it in fear. When a Western woman finds herself expecting, she often has mixed thoughts of joy and apprehension concerning childbirth. In total contrast, the rest of the world has a surprisingly different take on childbirth. Even in equally civilized countries such as Holland and Sweden, childbirth is considered a natural, coming-of-age occurrence and is rarely interfered-with medically. Interventions are done on an emergency basis, … Continue reading →