It happened to me. The thing no mom ever wants to happen. I heard those words: “I didn’t know you were expecting!” Then the uncomfortable silence and a quick mumbled response, “I’m not.” I was at the orthodontist for my oldest (trying to help her with mouth breathing!). That sure started the appointment awkwardly! And […]
What is Diastasis Recti and What Can You Do About It? Read More »
That moment when I saw a young pregnant mom in a bar drinking a beer (or two or three), long before I was a real food blogger, long before I was a mom myself, and even before I was of drinking age…I gaped in horror. I knew nothing about prenatal nutrition, health, or growing a
The Perfect Birth Won’t Guarantee Healthy Gut Flora for Baby Read More »
Coal miners had their canary, I have the itchy spot on the base of my hairline. Ever since I fought candida off and finally had a name for the little itchy spot on my neck that spread over my chest and arms in 2013, I figured it would be an indicator of when I’d pushed
Two-month-old’s giggles may just cure cancer and create world peace, my husband quipped the other day. We’re in the baby giggles stage now, those amazingly heart-melting “hyuk-hyuks” parents are rewarded with when we smile and laugh with baby, nuzzle his neck with our kisses and tickle his belly. Yes, dear reader, babies do bring joy
Giving Birth at Home: Pros and Cons of our Homebirth Decision Read More »
I sure made you wait a long time for part 2! I would say it’s appropriate because I had to wait to meet this baby, but he was only (barely) a day overdue, so that would be quite the exaggeration. Life (and editorial calendars) march on…but now I’m back! Be sure to start with part
Surprises, Being Wrong and Discovering a Name (Birth Story, Part 2) Read More »
Ah…baby number four. Poor child has almost no chance of having a baby book – maybe a baby folder with a few things tossed haphazardly in it? – but at least, because his mom’s a writer online, he’ll have a very complete record of his own birth story. ‘Cause that’s super important when you’re a
Mac and Cheese and Having a Baby (Birth Story, Part One) Read More »
Magnesium spray for morning sickness… does it help? Magnesium for morning sickness is worth trying if you’re down for the count! Magnesium may help alleviate nausea and other morning sickness symptoms. The following is a guest post from Emilie from The Toups Address. Morning Sickness Nausea Down for the Count That’s where I live during
Has Morning Sickness Got You Down? Learn the Ultimate Secret Remedy {GUEST POST} Read More »
First time parents quickly realize that suddenly being thrown into THIS new job – no training, no breaks, no going home at the end of the day to decompress and refresh – likely has the steepest learning curve they’ve ever experienced. It can be totally overwhelming just sustaining the new little life, let alone realizing
I went into my first labor like a warrior to battle, out to defeat the evil enterprises of medicine that would try to make me take drugs, have repeated interventions and cause my birth to be stressful instead of relaxed, medical instead of natural and healthy. Turns out I was actually pleasantly surprised that my
Labor, Delivery, and Saying "NO"–5 More Interventions We Refuse Read More »
Last week when I shared 5 Prenatal Standards That I Refuse, the conversation, if I can call it that, got a little heated on social media and I hadn’t even mentioned the orange glucose drink yet. Some folks were up in arms that I would say no to my doctor about anything, apparently, or they
Guess How Many Times This Pregnant Mama Has Consumed That Orange Glucose Test Drink? Read More »
To be a good parent, you’ll quickly find that you have to say “NO” an awful lot. I was surprised to find when first pregnant that the fine art of NO actually starts well before the child even leaves the confines of the womb and has nothing to do with discipline. If you want to
You Can Say NO to Your Doctor – 5 Standards We Refuse in the Womb Read More »
I’ve always thought that even though the blessing of meals after childbirth is such a wonderful gift, women really need them more during first trimester. Unfortunately those first twelve weeks are typically when not enough people even realize the poor tired mama needs help. Many women experience food aversions or nausea during the first trimester
It seems like we live in a world where everyone thinks they have a right to an opinion about everyone else’s family size (and parenting strategies, but that’s another post entirely). Many people think two is the most appropriate number and are fascinated by asking the question, “Are you done now?” Some Catholics get a
Stitches in human skin are no fun. Stitches on an extremely sensitive area that move and pull every time you sit, stand, walk, talk, cough, sneeze, and use the toilet? Now those are really a barrel of fun, don’t you think? In case you’re single and/or have never given birth, you might want to stop
Natural Remedies (and Natural Products) for Postpartum Pain Read More »
“How many hours were you in labor?” I still can’t figure out what my answer is going to be. A week? A day? 2 hours? For my first two, labor was much more defined: 13 hours, 5 hours. Much like with number two, however, my body was preparing for this number three for many days
We all get worn out sometimes, and after a busy day or week (or month!) there are occasions when I’m just. too. tired. to cook. Whether your fatigue comes from parenting, pregnancy, or a busy work or school schedule, we all need some quick meals in our repertoire that don’t take much effort to get
The first trimester of a pregnancy, for many women, is like no other time in their lives (except maybe having the flu). I have been meaning to write a list of “changes I experienced during the first trimester” since December, but…I didn’t get around to it. Fatigue sometimes makes the list, as many of you
Natural Remedies for Morning Sickness and Prenatal Vitamins Read More »
This is the second in a two-part series of guest post from Donielle of Naturally Knocked Up, where you can always find great advice on foods for fertility. Now that you know how important your diet is before conception, let’s look at foods specific to promoting a healthy pregnancy. Once you see those two little lines
During pregnancy, food is a very common topic among pregnant women; either they can’t keep it down, or they can’t get enough! But do you know exactly how important the foods you eat during pregnancy really are? This is a guest post from my dear friend Donielle of Natural Fertility and Wellness, where she dishes
What Foods to Eat Pre-Conception to Increase Fertility {Guest Post} Read More »
