• Last updated 9/23/10 by Mothering Editorial

By Katrina Hinton-Cooper Web Exclusive January 22, 2007 When Walter was born I expected to relax, lean back in my bed, and be waited on hand and foot by the caregiver for a couple of weeks. That's how it works here in the Netherlands; why should it have been different for me? I had an excellent team of midwives standing by and all the check-ups and ultrasounds had gone very well indeed. Walter was going to be small, we knew that, but well within the normal range. I had it all planned out—getting started with the breastfeeding, introducing him to our pets and the... read more

• Last updated 3/14/13 by mamazee

I haven’t blogged much about what I talk about most days – childbirth – but today feels like the right moment. Sitting on my virtual desk this morning were two very important articles. The first I received from Robin Guy, the woman who organized a performance of my play “Birth” in Ottawa, Canada last year. The play helped to raise money for the International Breech Birth Conference in Ottawa last summer. It was also performed at the conference. That’s why I was so excited to see a piece written in the Ottawa Citizen, “Giving birth, the natural way.”... read more

• Last updated 10/13/10 by Mothering Editorial

By Katherine Horvath Web Exclusive I went to see my doctor yesterday for what was going to be an uneventful first prenatal visit. I was almost nine weeks along, and figured that it was too early to hear my baby’s heartbeat through the Doppler. Also, I wasn’t really showing yet (although I was a few pounds heavier than my normal pre-pregnancy weight!), so there was nothing to measure or palpate. Furthermore, I wasn’t scheduled for an ultrasound, which would offer me the excitement of actually seeing my baby and witnessing the flutter of his or her beautiful little... read more

• Last updated 9/29/10 by Mothering Editorial

Swimming can be done throughout pregnancy. It provides aerobic exercise, strengthens and tones the entire body, and is at once both relaxing and invigorating. If you already have a swimming routine, you should still be able to use it during pregnancy. Just adjust to your new energy level. Here are some simple ways to relax in the pool. Use a flotation vest if you like. Go the deep end of the pool. Do flutter kicks as fast as you can for about 30 seconds. Then do them as slowly as you can for another 30 seconds. Repeat this three to five ... read more

• Last updated 3/14/13 by mamazee

When I was 17 my friend John told me that his mother said having a baby was like trying to push a watermelon out your rear end. Sound like fun? Not really. “Fun” and “labor” aren’t two words you usually read in the same sentence. But labor actually can be fun. Really and truly. Here’s how: 1) Keep a sense of humor and have someone tell you dumb jokes: Laughter is better than valium when it comes to relaxing and when a woman in labor laughs her body loosens up and opens up. In my third labor I remember telling the homebirth midwife, “Okay, I’m... read more

• Last updated 4/2/10 by Mothering Editorial

April 2, 2010 A call from the Bumi Sehat Foundation International-Haiti, requesting your help in supporting birthing moms in Haiti's earthquake affected areas. It has been less than three months since the devastating earthquake struck Haiti. The emergency is not over and women and children continue to suffer and die every day. Bumi Sehat Haiti has opened the doors to their birth center and is supporting pregnant women and their children through prenatal visits and labor and birth support. Their midwives are skilled at gentle birthing techniques intended to offer women... read more

• Last updated 3/27/11 by Mothering Editorial

  Early pregnancy is an excellent time to start a regular exercise program that fits in with your changing body and energy levels. Movement is good for your health and for your baby’s health, of course. Exercise is known to facilitate digestion, improve your mental outlook, and help individuals avoid depression.     Exercise can also help you to get to know your body. Merely taking time out for yourself to exercise can enhance your self-worth. Focusing on yourself through movement will help you to understand the language of your body. You might discover areas that are... read more

• Last updated 9/29/10 by Mothering Editorial

Part of this early time of celebration of your new pregnant state includes taking stock of your lifestyle. Are you living a life that is compatible with the growth of a new human being? Are there changes you need to make? Most women start by questioning their health practices. Many worry about what they may have done in the weeks just prior to finding out they were pregnant. It's important not to get too hung up on what you've done before this moment. You can't change the past, but you can start to take care of yourself and your baby now. It is best to approach this... read more

• Last updated 3/28/10 by Mothering Editorial

Moxa, or mugwort, is traditionally used to strengthen the mother’s overall system and tonify her uterus after birth. This hot-burning herb, commonly used as an accompaniment to acupuncture, can be purchased in stick form at health food stores. Light the moxa stick and blow on the tip until it starts to glow. Hold the moxa stick over your belly, 1 to 2 inches from your navel and slowly move it around in a circle.With your other hand, rub your belly to disperse the heat. After 5 to 10 minutes, stop and distinguish the moxa stick by cutting off the... read more

• Last updated 10/1/10 by Mothering Editorial

By Catherine McTamaneyWeb Exclusive It never occurred to me that anything might go wrong. My partner and I had asked all the big questions as we got ready for the birth of our son. We'd prepared ourselves both physically and spiritually for what we expected to be a smooth, beautiful childbirth assisted by our midwife. It just never occurred to me that we would need anything besides each other to welcome our child into this world. Okay, okay. I can hear the knowing chuckling of mothers everywhere. Yes, we should have known better. But we didn't. We were... read more