Stress can make our heart race, our blood pressure rise and our bodies go into fight or flight mode. The negative effects of stress on pregnancy have been well studied. In fact, studies have shown that the effects of stress during pregnancy don’t just affect a fetus’...
It is commonly understood that exercising while pregnant is important. But why exactly? While exercising does not guarantee that your birth will be shorter or “pain-free”, it does engage the major muscles that are needed in childbirth. This means that you are priming...
In the United States, an ultrasound is typically scheduled for 35 weeks of pregnancy. Providers are looking for a few different things during this imaging, one being the position of the baby. The optimal position for childbirth is a baby in the head-down position....
When one parent suggests hiring a doula (and it’s the dad/partner more often than you think), one of the most common responses the other parent expresses is “Do we really need one?” Partners may feel like supporting the mom/birthing person is their job. The...
Most new families feel like the first months after birth are a blur. With Covid, and social distancing measures in place, it can feel isolating! While we all hoped that this virus would be short-lived and that we all quickly return to pre-pandemic life, it is clear...
Pregnancy can be a time filled with joy, excitement, and love, but it can also be a time of stress, anxiety, and fear. Studies have shown that “prenatal stress can have significant effects on pregnancy, maternal health and human development across the lifespan”. While...