Childbirth is painful, and modern medicine provides many coping methods. Two-thirds of laboring women in the U.S. use epidurals for pain control, according to Epidural Analgesia in Labor, which appeared in the August 2004 issue of "Continuing...
Giving birth naturally provides a sense of empowerment to the new mother and minimizes potential side effects for the baby, but it can be painful. Planning ahead is key to having a successful natural delivery, but you should also be prepared to...
If you or a loved one is expecting, it can be helpful, even reassuring, to learn about and prepare for the possible ways to deliver a baby. Every pregnant woman's situation is unique. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor and other...
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...
Few events in a person's life can equal the emotion and drama of giving birth. Modern medicine has given pregnant women many options while having a baby; however, as a process that has been around since the beginning of time, the basics haven't...
Welcoming a new child into the world is an event many women look forward to with anticipation and some degree of apprehension. The prospect of childbirth can be daunting, especially for first-time mothers. Fortunately, there are several...
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....
Colloidal silver is a natural broad-spectrum antiseptic that fights infection, suppresses inflammation and promotes healing. Silver has been used for centuries to treat infection and disease. Ancient Greeks and Romans used silver as a disinfectant...
Stretch marks, or striae gravidarum, are long, wrinkled lines that may appear on various parts of the body, including the upper arms, belly, breasts, buttocks and hips. Stretch marks occur when the collagen fibers in the dermis layer of the skin...
After nine months of pregnancy, the much-anticipated delivery of the baby arrives. A woman and her doctor choose the type of delivery, with things like beliefs about childbirth and the health of mother and baby taken into account. Many pregnant...
A prolapsed uterus, with its symptoms of pain and pressure in yoru pelvis, can result in your uterus protruding into the opening of your vagina and possibly even moving outside your body. Kegel exercises are not exclusively Pilates, but can be...
Clary sage essential oil is considered to be beneficial for a number of ailments including depression, anxiety, migraines, digestive disorders, skin inflammation and other stress-induced symptoms. This therapeutic plant oil is also recommended for...
Borage oil and other natural prostaglandins, such as evening primrose oil and black currant oil, are sometimes used by alternative health care providers to soften or ripen the cervix for birth. The use of herbs during pregnancy is the source of...
There are a number of ways to deliver a baby. Understanding the different possibilities can help a woman prepare for anything. Women often create a birth plan, or written explanation of how they prefer to deliver the baby. While all those involved...
Pelvic rocking exercises are popular in prenatal and postnatal workouts. They relieve aches and pressures in the lower back and create more flexibility in the pelvic area. They are also terrific stretches for desk-bound workers and students and...
Methods of delivering a baby fall into four basic categories: natural, medicated, assisted and Cesarean section. Everyone hopes for a smooth labor and delivery without complications, but sometimes, circumstances can change rapidly and medical...
Though delivering your child is one of life's most beautiful experiences, it can be stressful and painful. Being prepared is one of the best ways to reduce stress in the delivery room. There are also techniques to make child delivery easier on...
Sitting up tall, take a deep breath. Feel your stomach inflate, lungs fill and rib cage expand. Hold it. Now, slowly exhale and relax. If you are feeling better than you were, you have just experienced one of the benefits of this simple practice....
A cystocele is a medical condition also known as a prolapsed bladder. It occurs when a woman's bladder bulges down into the vagina, according to MayoClinic.com. Cystoceles are caused by the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles responsible for...
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...
From walking, having sex, drinking castor oil and eating spicy food, there is a plethora of ways to induce labor. If you're full-term or overdue, ask your doctor if you can use natural methods to begin the labor process. One popular method is...
Feelings of tightness in your body's muscles are often caused by muscle contractions. While many people seek the help of aromatherapists to reduce tightness in their muscles, the ability to induce contractions may be beneficial depending on your...
Breathing is automatic. The average adult does it over 20,000 times per day. Learning how was never necessary. But learning to breathe during labor takes preparation and a trusted methodology. Since the introduction of the epidural--used for...
In the United States, most pregnant women are tested for group B strep, or GBS, during the last few weeks of pregnancy. Group B strep is a type of bacteria that is found in one-fourth of healthy women. It does not pose a risk to the mother, but in...
The PC muscle, or pubococcygeus muscle, is located in the pelvic region of both men and women and is used during sexual intercourse, urination and bowel movements. In women, the PC muscle often weakens during natural childbirth, resulting in a...
If you're opting for a natural childbirth, or simply want better control over your breathing while giving birth, breathing techniques can allow you simultaneously to relax and focus on the task at hand. Through breathing, you can focus your...
Pilates balls, also called Swiss Balls, yoga balls and exercise balls, are common fixtures in gyms and fitness centers. They're also popular in homes and offices due to the convenient but effective workouts they provide. They have many...
Lamaze has become a common term for any prenatal birthing class. Lamaze is its own specific view of natural birth whose principals have been used to form other birthing techniques. The main Lamaze technique that has migrated to other birthing...
Pelvic rocking exercises are commonly prescribed by doctors for expectant mothers, and can help strengthen your lower back and abdominal muscles that are heavily used in childbirth, according to NaturalChildbirth.org. These exercises are also...
The Lamaze childbirth method is more than just a type of labor breathing. It includes a natural, holistic approach to pregnancy and labor that tends to promote natural childbirth. Learn how to practice the Lamaze childbirth method in this...
A cesarean section is a surgical birthing procedure wherein the pregnant woman's uterus is cut open to deliver the baby, chosen when natural child birth is deemed dangerous. Get professional tips and advice on childbirth in this video.
The pushing stage of labor occurs once the cervix is dilated and the baby is in the birth canal. Learn how to push during labor with expert childbirth tips in this pregnancy video.
