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Pregnancy & Infant Loss

In 1988, President Reagan declared October Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month to recognize the unique grief of bereaved parents who would otherwise go unnoticed and unsupported. I was eight years old playing with my baby dolls and roller skates that strapped on to my shoes when the whole country wrapped parents with empty arms in a symbolic hug. I didn’t know exactly twenty years later that social support would be a hug for me as well because I’d be lighting my first candle, two of them actually, to honor the memories of my sweet girls alongside thousands of other parents across the county.

Pregnancy CareSprigs LifeSeptember 27, 2021Comment

10 Ways to Combat Pregnancy Nausea

During my recent pregnancy, I was blessed to only experience nausea three times. It was not a good feeling. This was particularly the case when accompanied by cold sweats, dizziness, and a strong feeling of both hunger and not wanting any food at all. It was quite the experience because I wanted to eat as little as possible; however, I wanted to make sure I was eating enough to support my growing fetus. I didn’t want to use typical over-the-counter medicine so I used tactics such as taking deep breaths, acupressure, placing a cold compress on my forehead and neck, and eating dry foods like corn muffins or crackers. In this article, we will cover natural and herbal remedies for nausea during pregnancy.

Pregnancy CareImani ColesJune 15, 2021pregnancy, Women's Health, natural remediesComment

Nancy’s Postpartum Journey

Postpartum can be a great experience. Before I share my postpartum update, I wanted to share something I truly believe. Postpartum doesn't have to be all hardship if you are intentional. Take some time while preparing during pregnancy to read about the fourth trimester.

Pregnancy CareNancy J. LaudonMay 4, 2021PostpartumComment

What to Eat for a Healthy Pregnancy

In this article, we will be looking at what types of foods we should be eating for a healthy pregnancy – those that will give both mom and baby all of the nutrients they each need. Once conception takes place, all of the nutrients your baby needs to grow and develop will come from your body. If the mother’s body is weak and nutrient depleted, the baby will have a difficult time obtaining the building blocks (nutrients) he/she needs to develop properly.

Pregnancy CareSandra Ellis, MHMay 4, 2021pregnancy, diet, nutritionComment

Taking Care of Yourself and Your Growing Baby When Raising Other Children

We moms need a good reminder to take care of ourselves when we are pregnant because doing so is taking care of our child living inside of us. We can’t neglect that amongst the business of our other children. Here are some tips for taking care of yourself and your growing baby when raising other children.

Pregnancy CareImani ColesApril 8, 2021motherhood, self care, pregnancyComment

Postpartum Movements To Heal Diastasis

Six to eight weeks after birth is when you can start to consider adding in your new movement routine, not much before. Remember your body just went through a major event and needs to heal. Please allow yourself that time to heal before you consider exercising.

Pregnancy Care, Women's HealthNatalie SemmelmannMarch 31, 2021postpartum, exercise, pregnancyComment

How Your Body Changes from Conception to Birth

Our incredible human body is such a miraculous, efficient vessel and never is this more evident than in the process of birth! This past month I have had the privilege of welcoming two new granddaughters into our family. My daughter and my daughter-in-law both had perfect labors – although both were very different.

Pregnancy CareSandra Ellis, MHMarch 18, 2021pregnancy, birthComment

Understanding Food Allergies in Babies & Children

Healing a leaky gut and/or food allergies is not going to happen overnight, so be patient and remember that the body is a miraculous thing which is always trying to maintain homeostasis (balance). As soon as it has the tools it needs, it will do everything in its power to heal and mend. In as little as 7 to 10 days, there can be major changes taking place in the microbiome.

Pregnancy Care, Children's HealthSandra Ellis, MHFebruary 8, 2021food allergies, pregnancy, new born, baby healthComment

How to Survive Your First Hour of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is so incredible! It’s so awesome to have those first moments of connecting with your baby after feeling them in your womb for the past 9-10 months. Sometimes, in the face of all the excitement from pregnancy, labor, and giving birth, your first time nursing can take a metaphorical backseat. By this I mean, it can become the last thing on your mind. If you are interested in learning tips to apply to your first breastfeeding session or if you simply want a refresher, this article is for you.

Pregnancy CareSprigs LifeFebruary 8, 2021breast feeding, pregnancyComment

Working Through The Challenges of Breastfeeding

I often hear stories about how breastfeeding is magical, the baby latches in seconds, and the mother is glowing with joy. Although breastfeeding is special, we aren’t always given the tools to succeed in it. Breastfeeding is natural but, for mothers entering the fourth trimester, we need to equip and prepare ourselves for the process.

Pregnancy CareNancy J. LaudonJanuary 12, 2021breast feeding, pregnancy, postpartumComment

Folic Acid vs. Folate: Is One Better Than the Other?

Whether you're a first-time momma or a momma of several children, we all desire the absolute best for each one. Just recently, I’ve had some mommas calling and asking about the difference between folic acid and folate. Which is better? Which one should I be using? Is there a difference?

Pregnancy CareNancy J. LaudonJanuary 11, 2021folate, folic, folic acid, mama bear prenatal, pregnancy, nutritionComment

Is Hair Loss During Pregnancy Normal?

Postpartum hair loss is so common and typically only lasts a few months up to one year. However, although it is normal, it is certainly not optimal. We know that a lot of our hair loss is inevitable but there are some things we can do to help it not get so out of control that it brings on more stress.

Pregnancy Care, Women's HealthNatalie SemmelmannDecember 29, 2020pregnancy, Postpartum, Women's Health, hair lossComment

Five Ways to Eliminate Your Fears of Childbirth

Birth is such a beautiful experience. There is nearly nothing more empowering than growing life inside of you, your body changing, and giving birth through your strength. Something I found interesting is that we tend to focus on the pain, the intense “painful” labor, and we forget to highlight the amount of love and joy that is exploding from our bodies.

Pregnancy CareNancy J. LaudonDecember 7, 2020birth, home birth, pregnancyComment

Pregnant with PCOS

I never knew how much I wanted to be pregnant until I was told that there was a chance it might never happen. A few weeks before my wedding, I was 22 and getting some routine bloodwork done at the gynecologist. I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and told there was a 30-40% chance I would have children naturally. How was I going to tell my husband to be this? How would this affect our marriage? The doctor had said if we were going to have kids, that we needed to start trying right away because the chances would decrease even more after I turned thirty.

Women's Health, Pregnancy CareJoel MindlerOctober 13, 2020pregnancy, Women's HealthComment

Is it Normal to Have Periods While Nursing?

The amount of time it takes for you to start menstruating after giving birth varies greatly from woman to woman. The average time for a mother who is nursing full time is six months, but it is possible to start within weeks.You can delay your menstrual cycle up to 16 months or longer by doing the following:

Pregnancy Care, Women's HealthSandra Ellis, MHSeptember 21, 2020pregnancy, PostpartumComment

What to Eat and Drink During Labor

Eating and drinking during labor can help you feel more comfortable and give you the energy you need to give birth. Labor is a physical task that requires stamina and restricting your food intake may cause stress, nausea, vomiting or headaches.

Pregnancy Care, Women's HealthSprigs LifeAugust 24, 2020labor, pregnancyComment

What Can I Do To Reduce My Chances Of Having A Miscarriage?

Miscarriages can be devastating for someone who is excited about the birth of their child. Nutrition and hormonal balance can greatly decrease the risk of having a miscarriage. In today's world of fast food, heavily processed foods and microwavable foods, it can be difficult to get the nutrition we need to maintain a healthy pregnancy.

Pregnancy Care, Women's HealthSandra Ellis, MHAugust 12, 2020pregnancy, miscarriageComment

Survival Guide for Awkward and Embarrassing Birth Moments

There are so many things in life we can’t predict or control! Childbirth comes with a colorful variety of these things. From pooping yourself during childbirth, tearing your downstairs, your baby getting “stuck”, or your vagina never being the same again, there are some inevitable, uncontrollable, awkward, and uncomfortable birth moments that remind us how little control we have over our bodies. But perhaps the worst thing is that there is no knowing whether or not a series of things will happen to you during childbirth.

Women's Health, Pregnancy CareTatiana SchmidtAugust 7, 2020pregnancy, lab, birthComment

Baby Blues or Something More?

The baby blues, feeling sad and a little overwhelmed after having a baby is a real thing that most moms experience. Even more than that, the baby blues, also known as postpartum depression, are a much bigger problem than most mamas care to admit. Thousands of women are silently suffering from postpartum depression and don't recognize the symptoms or are too scared or embarrassed to speak up.

Women's Health, Pregnancy CareCrystal Uptain, CNM MSNJuly 30, 2020Women's Health, pregnancy, PostpartumComment

Social Injustices in the Birthing World

One evening I was sitting next to a woman doctor at a charity dinner. I was excited and eager to ask her about her views and thoughts on social injustices in maternal health. Her story was not what I wanted to hear, but what I knew I would.

Maybe this conversation got too deep for a first meeting, but these stories need to be told and heard. She began to share with me, “I did my residency on the labor and delivery floor of a small Florida hospital where there was a large Haitian population. The Haitian women have a cultural song that is sung to the woman in labor, it’s a song of ceremony and community.” I knew what she spoke of, I have heard this hymn. She then explained, “The staff made fun of it, they had their own version they would sing in the staff room, but their version was not beautiful or kind, they were mocking and cruel.”

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