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OB-GYN vs. Doula vs. Midwife: The Ultimate Guide to Your Pregnancy Dream Team
Pregnancy—the magical time when your body transforms into a deluxe Airbnb for a tiny human. Along with weird cravings and unsolicited belly rubs, you’ll find yourself navigating a world of birth professionals with titles that sound like they belong in a medieval court: OB-GYNs, doulas, and midwives. Who are these people? Do you need all of them? Some of them? None of them? Let’s break it down.
Can Your Baby Hear You Talking About Them in the Womb? (Spoiler: Yes, and They Have Notes.)
Ah, pregnancy. The magical time when you realize that heartburn is your new personality trait, and you develop the bladder capacity of a walnut. But while you’re busy navigating cravings and unsolicited belly touches, your tiny tenant is doing something pretty incredible—listening.
Understanding the Science Behind Getting Pregnant
My husband and I are actively trying to get pregnant with our second child. It’s been 6 months of loosely tracking my period, using ovulation strips infrequently, and giving it a proper go. When we started this time, I had it in my head that it would take up to a year to conceive. Not sure exactly where I got that amount of time other than hearing from a handful of women around my age (36) that it took them about a year to get pregnant with their second child. So, without any evidence that this would be my situation, I set my expectations to avoid getting upset if it didn’t happen quickly.
Episiotomy 101: What You Need to Know (Without Squirming Too Much)
Ah, childbirth—the beautiful, magical, life-altering process where you bring a tiny human into the world. It’s also when you hear medical terms that sound like they belong in a medieval torture manual. One of those words? Episiotomy. So, what is it? Should you be worried? Let’s break it down with science, stats, and just enough humor to keep it tolerable.
Cortisol & Parenthood: Why You’re Stressed, and What Science Says About It
Parenthood—the glorious adventure that starts with sleepless nights and bottle warmers, then somehow escalates into chasing a sticky toddler who’s sprinting toward traffic while yelling, “I AM A DINOSAUR!” Whether you’re dealing with a newborn’s 3 AM existential crises or a toddler’s meltdown because you dared to pee alone, there’s one thing quietly working overtime in your body: cortisol—the VIP of stress hormones.
Why Hair Loss Peaks 3-4 Months Postpartum: The Science Explained
Having a baby is a life-changing event in many ways—including what happens to your hair. For many new parents, the joy of welcoming a newborn is accompanied by a less joyful phenomenon: significant hair loss. If you’ve noticed more hair in your brush or shower drain a few months postpartum, you’re not alone. Let’s unpack the science behind postpartum hair loss, its timeline, and what you can do about it.
Why Do I Still Look Pregnant?! Your Postpartum Belly
So, you’ve delivered a baby—congratulations! 🎉 You’re officially a superhero. But wait… why does your belly still look like there’s a part two to this pregnancy? Before you panic and start Googling “alien twin syndrome” (spoiler: it’s not a thing), let’s break down the totally normal, slightly mystifying, and completely scientific reasons why your postpartum belly hasn’t packed up and left just yet.
How Age Affects Fertility
For many people, the journey to parenthood begins with understanding how age impacts fertility. While pregnancy is possible from puberty to menopause, the likelihood of conceiving changes significantly over time. Here’s an in-depth look at what the data says about getting pregnant at different ages and why age matters.
Cradle cap AKA “Baby Dandruff”
After the haze of labor and delivery wore off and my family was back at home getting rest and getting to know one another, my husband and I realized our son had these fair-sized flakes on his scalp. Since at least a couple of days had passed, it couldn’t be from being in utero. He had a couple of sponge baths by this point. It looked like dandruff or a skin issue. It wasn’t alarming but felt pretty natural. Come to find out, it was cradle cap. He didn’t have a bad case, pretty light in comparison to what my Google search came up with. We ended up using a Frida Baby bath mitt when we were bathing him over the following days, and with time, water, and a little gentle rubbing, it all flaked off. His head was totally fine, no blood or obvious discomfort. Just another thing to learn about in the steep learning curve of being a first-time parent. Parenting is a wild ride.
Everything You Need to Know About Getting Breastmilk Through Airport Security
When my son was three months old, I returned to work. By the time he was four months old, I had a travel job that required me to fly across the country. As an exclusively pumping mom with a strong milk supply, my plan was to pump consistently during the trip to maintain my supply and hopefully bring some milk home for my son towards the end of my trip. Luckily, I had pumped enough milk in advance to cover his needs while I was away, but I didn’t want to waste any milk during my travels. My goal was to bring a couple of bags back to keep my stock up.
What the fuck are mongolian spots?
When our son was born, we were basking in that golden-hour glow of newborn euphoria—until we noticed dark spots on his lower back near the top of his bum. They looked suspiciously like bruises, and naturally, I low key panicked. “Was this from the birth canal? Did we do something wrong?” But when the pediatrician did their rounds, they didn’t even mention the spots. That’s when I did the worst thing possible: Googled it. Spoiler alert: Googling your baby’s symptoms is like playing medical roulette.
To Share or Not to Share: The Great Baby Name Debate
Ah, baby names—the ultimate test of parental diplomacy and creative flair. Choosing the right name for your baby can feel like climbing Everest, only to reach the top and face the next dilemma: Do you shout it from the rooftops or keep it under wraps until your baby makes their big debut? Welcome to the Baby Name Wars, where opinions are as plentiful as diaper changes, and the stakes are sky-high.
New year, new routine: Babies first dentist appointment
Isn’t "New Year, New You" the phrase we hear every January? It’s the season of wellness tips, workout routines, and a fresh start. Maybe it was all the positive propaganda, but we decided this would also be a perfect time to reboot some habits and routines—for our 1.5-year-old!
What I Wish I Knew as a New Parent: Lessons from the Past Year
What I Wish I Knew as a New Parent: Lessons from the Past Year
Becoming a parent is a life-altering experience. The moment you hold your little one, your world shifts dramatically. But let’s be real: the first couple of years are as much about parents learning and evolving as they are about the baby growing. Here are some things I wish I had known as a new parent that might have saved me some sleepless nights, self-doubt, and way too many ugly cries in the shower.
Silent Labor: When the Christmas Miracle Comes Without the Drama
Ah, Christmas—the season of joy, twinkling lights, and the occasional unexpected surprise. Speaking of surprises, let’s chat about silent labor. No, it’s not a new holiday special or a trend in meditation; it’s a real phenomenon in childbirth that might just leave you scratching your head (and probably laughing).
Breastfeeding: The Secret to Shrinking Your Uterus
Ah, breastfeeding—a beautiful bond between mother and baby, right? If you choose to do it and / or if you are able to (check out other blog posts on those topics). But did you know it also packs a punch of benefits for the momma too? Let’s dive into the science of what happens to a woman’s body and brain when she breastfeeds. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about nourishing the little one; it’s a whole wellness journey for you, too!
Oxytocin: The Love Hormone That Helps You Labor Like a Boss
Let’s talk about the ultimate VIP in the world of childbirth: oxytocin. This little hormone is like the hype squad of labor and delivery, and trust us—it deserves a standing ovation. But what exactly is oxytocin, and why does it get all the glory during childbirth? Grab a snack, get comfy, and let’s dive into the fascinating (and slightly gooey) world of this superstar hormone!
Can I sell my placenta on the black market for $50,000?
Ah, the placenta—the mysterious organ that deserves its own superhero cape. It’s often touted in whispers and rumors as a hot commodity worth a staggering $50,000 on the black market. But is there any truth to this intriguing claim, or is it just another wild tale? Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and find out if you can cash in on your placenta, or if it’s just a fabulous piece of misinformation.
What the fuck is a mucus plug?
Let’s talk about one of the most unsung heroes of pregnancy: the mucus plug. If you’re a first-time parent-to-be, you might be thinking, “What in the world is a mucus plug?” and “Why does my body need a glorified booger?” Fear not, dear reader! We’re diving into the gooey world of mucus plugs—complete with all the fun facts and not-so-fun names!
When should babies stop wearing onesies?
Welcome to another adventure with the Fresh Diapie Social Club, where we tackle the important (and occasionally perplexing) aspects of parenting with a splash of humor and a dash of insight. Today’s hot topic: When should your little one trade in their beloved onesies for big-kid clothes? Grab a coffee, sit back, and let’s dive into this sartorial transition!