Five of my seven deliveries have been natural, and it's my preferred mode of operation. "But why on Earth would you want to go through that pain if you don't have to?" I'm sometimes asked. It's a reasonable question. Maybe this post will help give you some perspective. Unpleasant as it is, labor pain has a couple of very important functions, and can even save you from birth complications and needless surgery. Pain can clue you in to how far along you are. I can easily push a broom or mop Continue Reading
5 Things to Know Before Giving Birth Naturally
Today's post is all about preparing for a natural (i.e. unmedicated) birth. If you're looking for facts about epidurals, check out this article. Birth without drugs is painful, to varying degrees. I guess we've all heard about painless births but they must be very rare exceptions. So it helps to have a good idea of what to expect so you can have coping techniques on tap. Changes in behavior and moods. I can't say how you'll act, but I do know that the pain, stress and hormones of Continue Reading
How to Change a Child That Fights Diaper Changes
I've had mothers tell me that changing diapers is a nightmare. "By the time we're done," said one "I'm sweating and exhausted." Some just get frustrated and angry at having to "fight" a baby or toddler at every change. And this could all be easily avoided. Honestly. I've changed 7 babies so far, and it doesn't have to be a struggle or a fight. This is what I teach my children about getting a diaper changed: We're going to do this thousands of times in the coming years, so you're going to Continue Reading
10 Things to Know Before Getting an Epidural
I wish medicated birth vs. unmedicated birth wasn't such a testy subject. As Dr. Sears wrote "Birth is not a contest to see who can cross the finish line with the least medical assistance." Personally, I love hearing any mother's labor story, no matter what kind of a birth it was. A new baby is something to celebrate! Two of my labors involved epidural anesthesia. The last five have been natural. There are pros and cons to both approaches. I remember wanting to kiss my anesthesiologist when Continue Reading
Sobbing Spasms, Gasping, and Prolonged “Hiccups” in Babies
I keep this post updated and continue to read and/or respond to comments. However, I can only share my experiences and advice; I'm not a doctor, so please seek out a professional! (2021) Babies do a lot of weird things when it comes to breathing, and most of them are normal, but when faced with something that looks alarming, parents get understandably scared. Is it just hiccups? Is it from too much crying? Well, something very odd happened to Benjamin (our 4th) when he was a baby, and then Continue Reading
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