The Hospital Delivery Room: What to Expect
Preggie Pals
You think you're having contractions, so it's off to the hospital you go! So, what should you expect when you arrive? At what point are you provided with a labor and delivery room? How many people will be caring for you as you await your baby's big debut? And what typically happens after your baby is born?
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Signs Your Baby is Dropping During Pregnancy
Preggie Pals
As an expectant parent, there are so many terms to learn and new “feelings” to identify in pregnancy. What does the term “the baby has dropped” really mean? What does it feel like? How do you know what’s going on? And what does this mean for your labor and delivery? Learn more about the signs your baby has dropped in pregnancy.
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Delivering a Breech Baby
Preggie Pals
You were planning for a vaginal birth, but then you learn your baby is breech. Fetal position is often overlooked until late in the pregnancy, so what are your options? Should you try and get your baby to turn? Can you deliver a breech baby vaginally? What are the concerns for both mom and baby?
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Buying Maternity Clothes: New and Used
Preggie Pals
Your body is changing- growing belly, growing breasts- so your wardrobe is bound to change. So, how do you adapt to all these changes without breaking the bank? What are some essential pieces you can use during and after pregnancy? Do you have to buy everything new? What about buying gently used clothing from second hand stores or borrowing from friends? Plus, we'll discuss the benefits of renting maternity clothes that perfectly fit you during each trimester!
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Putting VBAC Risks into Perspective
Preggie Pals
Your first baby was born via c-section and with this time you're hoping to have a vaginal birth, or VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). You may have heard about some of the risks, but what does it all actually mean? Are VBACs more risky than having a repeat c-section? What factors should you consider before making this big decision for both you and your baby?
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Making Sex Comfortable During Pregnancy
Preggie Pals
Sex during pregnancy is different for every woman. You may have a huge sex drive... or the thought of your partner giving you the entire bed while he sleeps on the couch may sound more appealing. If you do want to have sex, you may be concerned about your overall comfort. Is sex during pregnancy different than "regular sex"? What changes can you expect? What positions work best for a growing bump, and what should you avoid altogether? Yep, this one's explicit.
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Pregnancy Forums: Cracking the Code of Acronyms
Preggie Pals
There are tons of pregnancy forums online. Finding these forums isn't the hard part, but trying to understand what people are trying to say can be quite a challenge. Why are these forums full of acronyms? What are the most common acronyms used during pregnancy and what do they actually mean? We're decoding this secret language so you can be better prepared when seeking help online.
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Pampering Yourself During Pregnancy
Preggie Pals
Pregnant women usually experience symptoms such a extreme fatigue, body aches, and nausea. You may also be on your feet all day at work or at home running around as you care for your other children. Bottom line: the world isn't going to stop simply because you're pregnant. What can you do to pamper yourself a bit so you can enjoy the experience more? We've got some great ideas to help relieve stress and improve your physical and emotional well being.
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Choosing Your Health Care Provider: Pediatrician
Preggie Pals
You're in the process of picking out your dream team when it comes to pregnancy and birthing your baby. But what about picking a pediatrician to help care for your baby? That's right! Choosing your pediatrician is highly recommended prior to your baby's birth! How do you find a pediatrician that's right for your family? What important questions should you ask them? And what type of care can you expect shortly after delivering your baby?
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Eating While In Labor
Preggie Pals
Most women have been told not to eat anything while in labor, but why? What are the risks to both you and your baby. How do current guidelines vary for vaginal versus cesarean births? Today we'll discuss why most medical providers restrict what you can eat and drink prior to the birth of your baby, and you'll learn more about a new study indicating a light meal during labor can actually be helpful for low risk pregnancies.<!--more-->
info_outlineIn addition to caring for an amazing newborn baby, your postpartum period will almost certainly bring more stress and challenges than you anticipated. Preparing a postpartum plan can help make this transition into parenthood a bit smoother. So, what should you consider when creating your postpartum plan? When should you create it, and who should be part of the process?