What You Can Do about the Inequitable Care for Black Birthing People in America
You may know that Black birthing people are “3 times more likely to die” from pregnancy, birth, and postpartum complications than white birthing people. We know that around 60% of pregnancy-related mortalities are preventable. Thirteen state review committees have studied the data and have found no significant differences in preventability by race/ethnicity. We’ve known that this is a problem for a long time and in recent years, knowledge of this disparity has gone mainstream bringing forth conversations and legislation designed to close the gap.
The Role of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Before and After Birth
Preparing your body for the birthing process should include a visit with a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist (PFPT). One part of pelvic floor therapy for birth is coaching people to coordinate their breath with each contraction, and learning to lengthen their pelvic floor, can help ease the baby down the birthing canal without increased tension.
One Man's View of Childbirth
I had always wanted to be a father, and we planned our pregnancy, so I thought I was ready. But what a thrill to think about having our own baby. During that first pregnancy, nothing else mattered as much as preparing for the birth.
Why Eat Dates in Pregnancy + 5 Delicious Date Recipes
What if I told you that you could eat a single food in the last weeks of pregnancy that may increase your likelihood of spontaneous labor, increase your cervical dilation and effacement upon admission, decrease the likelihood of Pitocin use in labor, and might cut your active labor time nearly in HALF? If you’re in your third trimester, I sense your ears perking up right about now. Maybe so! Consuming date fruit appears to help in all of these areas and more.
Katrina's Fiber-Rich Fudge Recipe
Fiber may be the unsung hero when it comes to nutrition in pregnancy and postpartum. Most of us know about the benefits of prenatal vitamins, iron-rich foods, and even what foods carry risks with them during pregnancy (we miss you, sushi), but we don’t see a lot of mainstream discussion about the importance of fiber in pregnancy and during the postpartum time. Fiber is known to promote bowel regularity, increase satiety, improve gut health, and help to maintain stable blood glucose levels — all truly heroic feats when it comes to looking at a singular factor.
Natural Hospital Birth: New Life Birth Services Book Club
Because I have so many expectant parents who have planned a hospital birth, I without hesitation recommend Natural Hospital Birth — The Best of Both Worlds by Cynthia Gabriel to them. Many of my clients have already researched their childbirth options and a hospital birth is their only choice, but they have the desire to have as much of a “natural” birth as possible. This book, chapter by chapter, advises, encourages, and educates the reader so that they are well prepared for their hospital birth experience. This is especially beneficial for first-time parents.
Inclusive Support for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Community during Pregnancy and Postpartum
We teamed up with a member of the New Mexico Commission for Deaf & Hard of Hearing (thanks Trevor!) to develop a resource list as a step toward making sure DHH community members are properly supported through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood.
Tips for Managing Stress in Pregnancy
Parents can experience stress even in the most blissful pregnancies! From decision fatigue to jumping down the “Google Rabbit Hole”, there are many reasons why someone may experience stress in pregnancy. We know that experiencing prolonged levels of stress isn’t good for parents or their unborn babies, but what can be done about it?
How Doulas Support Through a Pandemic
Faced with rapidly changing circumstances, we at New Life Birth Services are increasingly committed to supporting families. We're still attending births in Albuquerque at the places that we are welcome. In hospitals that have now put increased constraints on the number of support people allowed during labor, we are providing support before our clients head into their place of birth and virtually throughout the experience.
Mindfulness for New Parents
Mindfulness is the practice of intentional, non-judgmental awareness of yourself and your surroundings in the present moment. Bringing your thoughts away from past events or future planning for just a few minutes each day can help reverse your body’s reaction to stress and promote emotional regulation. Non-judgmental mindfulness involves checking in with yourself both physically and emotionally on a regular basis.
Body Image in Pregnancy and in the Postpartum Time
Weight. Celebrated and vilified. Perpetuated on social media. How does this impact our views about our bodies during pregnancy and during the postpartum time? When I was pregnant with my first daughter, I remember seeing these beautiful pregnant bodies on social media with perfect silhouettes and glowing skin. When I was newly postpartum, I remember seeing ad-after-ad about “losing the baby weight” and “getting your pre-baby body back”.
How TENS Can Reduce Pain in Labor
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive, drug-free technology which can be used to empower laboring mothers by relieving pain. The TENS unit is a small, lightweight, battery-powered, handheld control, like a TV remote with wires that connect to small adhesive pads placed on the lower back. We are excited to offer this effective pain management tool!
