Vaginal checks during labor, used to determine cervical dilation and the progression of labor, is one of the most dreaded and uncomfortable procedures for a laboring woman. Vaginal exams can also increase the risk of infection as bacteria is forced toward the cervix, especially after the membranes have ruptured. For low risk labors, vaginal exams […]
birth
IV Fluids Given At Birth Affects Newborn’s Weight; May Impact Breatfeeding
We’ve all heard stories, some of us have even lived them. Your newborn has lost more than 10% of their birth weight, causing concern in hospital staff. The concern is that your milk production is not adequate and you are told to supplement with formula. As you can imagine, this can be a huge blow […]
6 Date Fruit Per Day…
If you are in your last few weeks of pregnancy, I have some news for you! Did you know that eating 6 date fruit per day for the last 4 weeks of pregnancy could have an impact on your labor? A 2008 study at Jordan University of Science and Technology indicates that women who […]
Postpartum Breast Cancer
A breast cancer diagnosis is rare if you are a woman 45 years of age or under. However, of the 25,000 cases of breast cancer in women in this age bracket, one-third of them are postpartum mothers. For unknown reasons, the risk of breast cancer goes up in the first five years postpartum. “It’s likely […]
The Gut’s Influence on Eczema
If you have ever suffered from eczema, you know that it can be a painful, itchy condition, often leaving open sores. But now, there may be a way to avoiding this inconvenient and painful skin condition in children. The amount of microbial bacteria an infant is exposed to in the first week of life […]
How Mother Nature Makes Your Baby A Brainiac
New research from Yale has identified that vaginal birth prompts the secretion of a special protein that promotes the development of the baby’s hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for learning, memory, and stress response. This protein is also a key component of breastmilk, possibly explaining the link between early nurturing from the mother […]