Labor & Delivery

By Jacque Shannon-McNulty

During childbirth classes, as soon as everyone is comfortable and ready to get down to the nitty gritty details of birth, almost ever mom confesses an often very specific and gory fear about tearing during birth. Vaginal and perineal injury is a major concern among pregnant women. Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to keep your pelvic floor strong and protect it during your pregnancy, birth and postpartum. (more…)

By Karen Prior

When to Start Practicing
Women should take it easy for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy to allow their bodies to adjust to the changes of pregnancy. Prenatal yoga classes are for healthy women in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters and can be safely attended right up until you go into labor. Consult with your physician/midwife before starting any exercise program. (more…)

By Jacque Shannon-McNulty

Midwifery is enjoying an explosion of popularity with moms-to-be. More and more women are choosing to give birth with midwives. The term “midwives” used to be a one size fits all label for a woman helping another woman give birth naturally. In the United States, however, there are now several classifications of midwives, making it finding the right midwife complicated for even the savvy mom-to-be. (more…)

By Melissa Ingold

More and more women are forgoing the aid of pain relieving drugs in favor of a natural labor and delivery. In fact, a few hospitals no longer offer women in labor the option of an epidural, saving it only for scheduled and emergency cesarean sections. (more…)

By Lisa Poisso

There’s some wonderful, inspiring books out there for natural families! Parents-to-be will enjoy Deepak Chopra’s Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives: A Holistic Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth. (more…)

By Anne Smith

In the United States, nearly one in four births is a cesarean birth. Many of these cesareans are unexpected, so it is a good idea for the expectant mother to become informed and educated about the procedure before her baby arrives. (more…)

From The Thinking Parent newsletter

Although labor may be more comfortable with epidural anesthesia, it may also act to make the pushing stage (known as the second stage) of labor longer. (more…)