Doulas have been around for a long time but only recently have they become a regular part of the discussion in birthing classes and among friends looking for a unique type of support during birth. Did you have the support of a doula when you gave birth? Please take a brief survey and share your experience. Considering Hiring a Doula? Doulas are certified professionals who are well-trained in... 

Having a baby is a time of great excitement and anticipation.  A LaborKit is a pre-packed canvas bag with all the necessary items to help you prepare for birth and practical items to help make baby’s delivery and your recovery as stress-free as possible.  We have consulted with many nurses, doulas and mothers to create the most practical and affordable range of LaborKits for expectant moms (four... 

As we review the results and over 200 pages of comments, we will post the results to each question individually. These links will take you to our main website for complete articles. Question #1: How many Cesarean Births Have you had?  From the comments in subsequent questions we can see that many women who have had just one cesarean experienced it with their first birth. This also provides some insight... 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                      Survey Reveals Overwhelming Support for Vaginal Birth After Cesarean and Desire for Better Care      In a recent survey, hundreds of mothers shared positive and negative feelings about their cesarean birth.... 

This is the first of a series of blogs written by Danielle Elwood summarizing the results of the Post Cesarean Feelings Survey. When Theresa Shebib and I embarked on a small survery about cesarean section mothers, we never imagined it would skyrocket so nearly 861 mothers worldwide.  Starting as a simple project of two cesarean mothers, and a passion for internet blogging we threw together a survey... 

If you search online for birth affirmations you will likely find lengthy poems, guided imagery information and many sites referencing “The Secret” but birth affirmations can still be powerful tools while being a simple practice. Reflective and affirming thoughts or spoken words can help you focus on what your body CAN do, what is natural and beautiful about childbirth and affirm the strength... 

GBS disease may be more common than you think even if you have just heard about it for the first time. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Group B Strep is the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns. The bacteria is one of the many common bacteria that live in our digestive tracts and is not a reflection on personal hygiene or cleanliness. Group... 

There is no easy answer to this question. Ideally the hospital would provide EVERYTHING, and some do, but many don’t. More and more, hospitals are asking you to bring the basics like diapers, femine pads and water bottles. Others, usually birthing centers, pamper you with Egyptian cotton robes, free local calls and cable TV. I think it’s pretty safe to assume your needs will be met. You... 

by Michelle Strutzenberger When the finally arrives for your baby to enter the world there will be several stages of labor to work through. Knowing what to expect at each stage and some advice for getting through can help you as you prepare for this momentous event. Early Labor Early labor may either begin with your water breaking and/or the start of mild contractions. How do you know if your water... 

Nausea in pregnancy is common and not usually something to be concerned about. There are many things you can do to feel better and get through the day. When you wake up, take your time getting up out of bed. Sudden movement, sometimes any movement can aggravate nausea. Move slowly and ask for help from family. Something as simple as having someone else make you a bowl of cereal will allow you to sit...