Pregnant women should begin exploring their pain-relief options several weeks or months before labor begins. Even women who plan to have a natural birth without pain-relieving drugs need to learn what options exist for coping with contraction...
During labor and delivery, massage can dramatically relax a woman's muscles, ease her pain and improve her sense of overall well-being. The response to massage varies widely, however, from one individual to the next. The chief concern when...
A Caesarean section is a major abdominal surgery. If you've recently had a C-section, your body will need several weeks to heal. Your doctor may tell you not to use the stairs for a week or more following the procedure. Always follow your doctor's...
Your baby spends nine months swimming in a warm, watery environment. Home birth supporters feel that transitioning the bay from one warm, wet environment to another is more calming and soothing and thus helps to prevent complications, according to...
The pain of childbirth causes fear in many expectant mothers. Knowing your options for relieving the pain and making the delivery easier prepares you to make decisions when you go into labor. A birth plan offers a way to document your preferences...
Sweet almond oil is a commonly prescribed aromatherapy aid for pregnant women because it is a fairly mild oil that's appropriate for most skin types. According to the book "Aromatherapy and Massage for Mother and Baby," the moisturizing and...
You've carried your baby for nine months and you've finally started having contractions, your water broke, or both. Just as going into labor can vary from woman-to-woman, so is the entire delivery experience. Some women are in the delivery room...
Weight gain during pregnancy is a source of anxiety for many expectant women. Not only do pregnant women feel self-conscious or worry about returning to pre-pregnancy form, but health care professionals also monitor weight as a standard practice...
Don't forget Mom when buying gifts for a newborn or a baby shower. Late-night feedings, extra laundry and the needs of the rest of the family often push Mom's needs aside. Many new moms have trouble reconciling their new role with their identity,...
Parenting classes cover a wide variety of topics. Some brand new parents need classes on childcare basics, breastfeeding or childbirth. Seasoned parents may seek to improve their skills, more effectively communicate with their children or better...
The TENS machine, also known as transcutaneous nerve stimulation, is a machine that uses electrical impulses to treat pain. Normally used in patients with arthritis and cancer, the TENS machine is also used to relieve labor pains during the birth...
Whether this is your first pregnancy or your fourth, the prospect of laboring to deliver your baby can be both exciting and frightening. As you count down the last weeks of your pregnancy, remember that very few babies are born on their due dates....
Pregnancy nutrition focuses on eating healthy, which means choosing foods from all food groups and eating the right number of calories daily. Eating eggs every day can have some benefits during pregnancy, but there may also be risks associated...
Pregnant women and those in labor often find a birth ball indispensable throughout the process. The positioning allowed by the ball helps alleviate much of the pain and discomfort present throughout the last trimester and during birth. In addition...
A certified nurse midwife, or CNM, is a health health professional with training and licensing in both nursing and midwifery. These highly skilled women and men must have, at minimum, a bachelor's degree at an institution of higher education...
When you become pregnant your body goes through a drastic transformation to prepare itself for the delivery of your baby. The ancient practice of yoga eases some of the discomfort that comes along with this transformation, but it also increases...
A holistic approach to health care involves treating the entire person. Holistic practices involve a team of professionals, each specializing in a different facet of health care and wellness. Increasingly, parents with a holistic mindset seek a...
If you're a new mother-to-be getting ready for labor, it can seem as though there are numerous things on your "to do" list to check off before your baby arrives. Your hospital bags are packed. Your newborn's crib, changing table and diapers await...
Ginger root has been used for centuries as a seasoning in foods and in traditional herbal medicine. Before refrigeration became widely available, ginger was either used fresh, dried and powdered, pickled, or preserved with sugar. When ginger is...
Exhaustion often accompanies the first few months of your baby's life. A baby nurse supports you and your baby at home after the delivery, providing advice and care for you and your newborn. According to the California Pacific Medical Center, a...
Shopping for pregnancy clothes can be daunting. Whether you want to highlight your curves, or support your back, you don't want to drain your wallet before your child is born. Although tight clothes will not hurt your baby, they may be...
Postpartum depression is a serious condition which affects many women after giving birth. This type of depression, commonly known as "the baby blues," is gaining attention as a serious condition which sometimes accompanies postpartum recovery....
Toxemia, also referred to as pre-eclampsia, is a rare but serious complication that can develop during pregnancy. According to the Preeclampsia Foundation, approximately 5 to 8 percent of women develop the disease. Toxemia can quickly become a...
Reflux, commonly known as gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD, is a weakness of the lower esophagus that allows food and acid to enter from the stomach. If left untreated, reflux can cause considerable damage to an infant's stomach lining and...
Colic usually begins in the first weeks of a newborn's life and only in rare cases lasts longer than three months. Doctors do not know what causes colic, but they do know that a colicky baby suffers from stomach pain. Parents should not only stay...
Colic begins within the first weeks of a newborn's life and continues until about 3 months of age, although, in some cases, it can last up to six months. A colicky baby cries inconsolably for at least three hours each day. About 20 percent of...
It took nine months to get here, and the result will be a beautiful -- and hopefully healthy -- baby. You have prepared the nursery, bought enough outfits to last her through the first year and prepared an array of toys to greet her when she comes...
Childbirth and labor are associated with significant pain from uterine contractions. Many women may use some form of anesthesia to dull the pain and make labor more manageable. Other women may choose to not take any pain medication and use other...
Arnica is used in homeopathic first aid. It comes as an ointment or cream and is used to treat pain and inflammation. Derived from a perennial herb that grows in Europe, arnica has a distinctive yellow flower that, if consumed, can be toxic. Most...
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