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...
Home births were the norm until the 1900s, when hospitals become the choice location for childbirth, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Home births are once again becoming a serious consideration for expecting couples. The comforting...
Packing your hospital bag long before your first serious contractions ensures that you bring all of your necessities. A checklist of items to bring keeps you organized as you gather your hospital essentials. The specifics of your hospital...
You've spent months preparing for your child's birth. Now, as your due date gets closer, you're faced with the task of packing for your trip to the hospital. It may seem overwhelming to decide what you need, so keep it simple by sticking to the...
You have waited nine long months and finally labor has begun. You may be nervous, distracted, excited and focused on your contractions. You did a wise thing by packing your hospital bag a month ago and leaving it where your coach/partner can grab...
During natural childbirth, an infant may acquire an eye infection from bacteria present in the birth canal. In many states, the law requires that the hospital apply prophylactic eye drops or ointment to reduce the risk of newborn conjunctivitis....
Having basic knowledge of the course of labor and safe childbirth may be helpful when childbirth is proceeding. Healthcentral.com says emergency measures are necessary when childbirth is imminent and no medical help is available. Indications can...
Whether for an illness or a happy reason like childbirth, if you stay in a hospital you will be put on a diet. The prescribed diet meets nutrient needs specific to your condition. A clinical dietitian often visits patients to provide details about...
Nearly all HIV-infected children under the age of 13 in the United States contracted the virus during childbirth, according to the Children's Hospital in Boston. The symptoms of HIV and AIDS in children are highly dependent on the child's age....
Epidural anesthesia is a frequent choice of pain relief for women in labor. During this procedure, a needle is inserted into the epidural space of the spine and an anesthetic medication is injected via a small catheter that remains in the back....
Caring for a new mother at home after the birth of her baby is important for her recovery and to relieve her stress. The Lucile Packard Children's Hospital recommends that a new mother concentrate on taking care of herself and her baby during the...
Pregnancy is a time of great change. As a woman's body changes, her emotions change as well. When you experience negative feelings or fear during your pregnancy, your first instinct may be to hide or suppress those feelings. This isn't the best...
A mom-to-be makes changes as soon as she learns of the pregnancy, from improving her diet to avoiding alcohol. She begins bonding with the baby with each movement she feels. Your husband may have more difficulty feeling a connection with the baby...
Pregnancy is an exciting time of bringing forth new life, but the birth process can wreak havoc on a mother's pelvic muscles. Many women struggle with urinary or even fecal incontinence following the birth of a child because the pelvic muscles...
Packing for your trip to the hospital can be frantic and stressful, particularly if you are experiencing contractions and have multiple suitcases to fill. Unfortunately for expecting mothers, childbirth isn't as simple as showing up at the...
When you think of the word epidural, you likely think of childbirth. An epidural can be used to ease the pain and make for an easier delivery of a child. An epidural can also mean anesthesia used for surgery on the lower extremities. Another form...
As a teen mom-to-be, ask your healthcare provider for advice about breast-feeding. Why? Because the American Academy of Pediatrics says that for the first six months after birth, being fed nothing but breast milk saves babies' lives. Even so, most...
In some instances, bathing a baby in a bassinet is most convenient and practical. Many nurses teach mothers how to bathe their newborns right in the bassinet in the days following childbirth and prior to discharge from the hospital. Sponge-bathing...
A pregnancy is considered term between 37 and 42 weeks. Labor induction, whether at-home or by a medical worker, should be avoided prior to that time to ensure that the baby is fully developed. Any woman considering at-home remedies to start her...
Part of a well thought-out birth plan involves selecting items to include in your baby bag. Because you will need items for labor and delivery in addition to those you will use after the birth and when returning home, Childbirth.org recommends...
Bringing home a baby, as overwhelming and foreign as it can be, surprisingly doesn't come with an instruction manual. Sure, there are countless parenting books, and many people rely on their own parents' methods. But most moms and dads want all of...
Your body is an amazing machine; most of what it needs to function properly is automatic, such as sending signals to nerves and muscles by your brain, the beating of blood through your heart and the flow of air through your lungs. If healthy, your...
An inflated ball is a conditioning tool utilized by a wide variety of exercisers at all fitness levels. It’s a versatile piece of equipment that goes by many different names, including stability ball, Swiss ball, fitness ball, exercise ball...
Labor, otherwise known as childbirth or parturition, is the three-part period of gestation involving the birth of one or multiple infants. You can choose to undergo labor in one of several ways, including a natural birth at home, water birthing or...
Entonox is the brand name of a 50 percent nitrous oxide and 50 percent oxygen gas mixture. It is a pain killer and sedative, meaning patients experience a relaxed state without losing consciousness. It works quickly and is therefore effective in...
Swimming after childbirth helps you lose weight and restore muscle tone. It also boosts your strength and energy, which may be sapped after your pregnancy and delivery. Swimming is particularly beneficial because it works your upper and lower body...
When packing for a birth there are many important things to remember, including supplies needed both for labor and after the baby is born. Learn how to pack for labor in this pregnancy video.
