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You searched for midwife
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Pregnancy
With the various types of obstetric providers that can care for you during your labor and delivery, some women choose to be seen by a midwife. Different categories of midwives exist, but the bottom line is that they all care for low-risk women....
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Pregnancy
Historically, midwives in the United States emerged in the 1920s, though they have been practicing around the world for thousands of years. These types of midwives were usually women in rural communities who had been taught to assist with birthing,...
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Pregnancy
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Pregnancy
Unfortunately there is no one thing that always happens to all pregnant women when they go into labor. In fact, what a woman experiences as her body prepares to give birth can vary greatly between different women and even different pregnancies. But...
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Blog
If you think that all you are hearing about nowadays are the announcements of babies being born by what seems like the bucketful, rest assured you are not hallucinating. It turns out that in the United States, most births occur in the late summer...
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Pregnancy
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Pregnancy
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Pregnancy
When you’re pregnant, it can seem like a new symptom pops up every day, from swollen feet to varicose veins to needing to urinate all the time. While most changes in pregnancy are completely harmless (if a little annoying), some should be taken...
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Parenting
After you have your baby, your doctor or midwife usually wants to see you in the office for a postpartum visit about six weeks after you deliver. However, a recent study that looked at moms who delivered in Maryland showed a pretty depressing...
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Parenting
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Pregnancy
All women have some vaginal bleeding after giving birth. However, sometimes it can be hard to know what is considered normal and what might be too much. It is normal to bleed for up to 6 weeks after giving birth, and this is independent of whether...
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Pregnancy
If you are planning to get pregnant, have you talked to your obstetrician or midwife yet? Or do you think you don’t need to see an obstetrics provider until you see two lines on a pregnancy test? In fact, getting a clean bill of health before you...
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Pregnancy
While a vaginal delivery is often the goal for most mothers-to-be, there are a few scenarios where that just isn’t possible. Sometimes this only becomes obvious in labor, when a baby is not fitting through the birth canal or his heart rate shows...
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Blog
Every new parent-to-be has questions—and I’m here to answer yours. Thanks to our supporter Healthy Families New York, I was happy to participate in a Facebook Live event recently in which I got to answer common questions from new...
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Blog
Pregnancy can be a time of joy, but also a time of worry. Am I eating the right foods? Am I gaining the correct amount of weight? Am I allowed to dye my hair? These questions and more are really just the first way a woman becomes a mom: by...
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Blog
It’s the New Year, and many men and women are gearing up to make (and hopefully keep) their New Year’s resolutions. However, if you are pregnant, here are some resolutions you should probably skip. 1. Getting healthy by trying a juice cleanse or...
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Blog
Lifetime has an all-new “unscripted” series, “Born in the Wild,” which documents couples’ decisions to forgo birth in a hospital and instead give birth in nature on their own terms without assistance. “In this new series, families take one step...
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Blog
The media had a field day recently when results from a new study about the flu vaccine and its safety in pregnancy were released. Despite the authors themselves saying that practices should remain unchanged based on this one small study, many...
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Pregnancy
For many women who deliver vaginally, a tear or laceration can occur at the time of giving birth. Some women may also have an episiotomy, though doing these routinely is becoming less common in the United States. So how should you care for this...
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Pregnancy
When you go to a hospital or birth center when you are in labor, your baby’s heart rate can be monitored to make sure he or she is tolerating the labor appropriately. This is a longer version of when your doctor or midwife checks on your baby’s...
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Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, having a partner who can help you before, during, and after labor can be essential. For some families, that partner is your husband or wife, while for others it may be your mother, close friend, or other family member. Whoever...
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Pregnancy
Most women have heard that it’s normal to leak a little urine after you’ve given birth to your baby. While that is definitely true, it doesn’t mean that all urine leakage is created equal. Some types of urine leakage, or urinary incontinence, are...
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Pregnancy
When preparing to give birth, many expectant moms have heard about episiotomies and wonder if they will have one performed when they deliver their baby vaginally. A common question that they may ask their OB/GYN or midwife is if it is better to do...
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Pregnancy
When you leave the hospital after delivering your baby, your doctor or midwife will send you home with paperwork that discusses what normal and abnormal recovery looks like. In case you misplace it (or you want to study ahead of time!), here are...
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Pregnancy
We’ve already discussed some old wives’ tales that have not yet been proven to help get you into labor, but fear not—there are some things that actually do work! If you are interested in trying either of these methods, be sure to discuss it with...
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Pregnancy
Experiencing a preterm birth for the first time can be a scary, stressful experience. Whether you delivered at 24 weeks or 34 weeks of pregnancy, bringing a baby into the world sooner than you were mentally prepared for can really make thinking...
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Pregnancy
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Pregnancy
A cervical exam is when your doctor or midwife inserts two fingers into your vagina to assess your cervix. This can be done at a prenatal visit if you are having contractions or are close to your due date, or when you are in labor to see how your...
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Pregnancy
You’ve just spent nearly 40 weeks growing a human, carefully watching what you eat and how much you weigh. Now that you’ve given birth, you might be anxious to get the extra pounds off and, more importantly, focus on getting your body back in...
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Pregnancy
The Big Day is coming, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything you want to take care of before your baby is born. There are a few decisions that honestly can wait until you meet your little one: it’s not crucial you’ve got the colors of...
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Pregnancy
While the second trimester probably left you energized and nausea-free, for many women, the last trimester can herald the return of a few unwanted pregnancy symptoms. Some women experience all of these, while others only notice one or two. And if...
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Pregnancy
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Pregnancy
The most common procedure done on labor and delivery in the United States is electronic fetal monitoring, or EFM. This is when a monitor is applied on your abdomen in the form of a belt so that your baby’s heart rate can be heard and recorded. An...
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Baby
Mastitis occurs in 3-20 percent of breastfeeding women, depending on the definition used. While it is most common in the first 6 weeks after delivery, it can happen anytime during breastfeeding and for some women may occur repeatedly. A bacterial...
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Pregnancy
From the moment you get the big news you are pregnant, you spend time preparing yourself mentally and physically for “labor day.” While this big event will come in good time, be aware there may be a few false starts before the actual day arrives....
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Pregnancy
At some point after your baby is born, your doctor or midwife will place two clamps on the umbilical cord. He or she (or your partner, if they want to) will then use scissors to cut between the clamps and separate your baby from the placenta. If...
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Pregnancy
Many women report uncomfortable and unpleasant first trimester symptoms, so it can be a wonderful relief to enter the second trimester and realize that many of the worst symptoms are fading. Oftentimes, women in the second trimester report feeling...
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Pregnancy
The term “fetal kick counts” refers to a pregnant woman consciously monitoring her baby’s movements, usually over a specific period of time, to determine whether or not her baby is moving normally or not. This is done to reassure the mother and her...
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Pregnancy
When it comes to how your baby is positioned in the birth canal, being head down is the best way to be. Other positions (known as “presentations” in the medical community) are known as malpresentations. Some malpresentations may make a vaginal...
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Parenting
It’s no secret that having a baby can change your body and your sex life—but that doesn’t mean all the changes are bad. Here are some great tips for great sex after your new baby arrives. 1. Wait until you get the green light—From your doctor or...
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Pregnancy
As soon as most women have a positive home pregnancy test, they call their doctor to set up their first prenatal visit. This doctor is usually the same OB/GYN who has provided their well-woman care, but your options don’t end with your OB/GYN to...
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Pregnancy
Miscarriage is unfortunately a common occurrence, complicating approximately 25 percent of pregnancies. Another term for a miscarriage is a “spontaneous abortion.” Dealing with this can be very difficult, so it is important to understand your...
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Pregnancy
Morning sickness is a side effect of pregnancy that no woman likes to experience, yet up to 85 percent of women do at some point. With this being such a common issue in pregnancy, expectant mothers should know some guidelines about the treatment of...
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Pregnancy
If you are pregnant with your first baby, your doctor or midwife has likely told you that contractions can be a sign of labor and that at a certain point, you should come to the hospital to be seen. But how exactly do you time them, and how do you...
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Pregnancy
Pitocin is a drug that is used daily in every Labor and Delivery unit in this country. This medication is actually the brand name of the man-made form of oxytocin, which is a hormone made in the pituitary gland located in the brain. Pitocin can be...
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Pregnancy
Ideally, all women who are planning for pregnancy should have a preconception check-up to make sure they are in good health and have all the information they need to get their pregnancy off to a good start. However, if that is not possible, it is...
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Pregnancy
When it comes to pregnancy, women tend to fall into one of two groups: those who will only follow their doctor’s recommendations and are wary of trying anything deemed “alternative” for fear of harming their babies, and those who would prefer...
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Pregnancy
Almost every pregnant woman notices swelling at some point in her pregnancy, whether it is in her feet, legs, hands, or face. It’s important to know that while most of the time this swelling is not a problem, there are a few signs you should not...
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Pregnancy
Unfortunately, complications do arise over the course of some pregnancies. Issues like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or bleeding may make a previously carefree pregnancy filled with anxiety, worry, and sadness. A delivery that comes too early...
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Baby
Engorgement is a term that is sometimes incorrectly tossed around anytime a nursing mom says her breasts feel very full. This fullness can be a sensation she notices when her milk first comes in (usually a few days after giving birth) or if her...
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Pregnancy
If you’re one of those moms who didn’t exactly expect to get pregnant, this is right around the time you will probably suspect that those odd symptoms you’ve experienced over the past few weeks might be pregnancy related—especially after you miss...
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Pregnancy
A few recalls have made headlines over concerns of fruit contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. This bacterium can cause the infection listeriosis, which can have serious effects in a pregnant woman. If a pregnant woman consumed a...
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Pregnancy
While the media seems to focus on how quickly celebrity moms bounce back after pregnancy, we are covering the more realistic way your body goes back to its pre-pregnancy state (hint: it’s not a matter of days, or even a few weeks!) and what you can...
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Pregnancy
One of the less glamorous symptoms of pregnancy is an increase in vaginal discharge. This can happen at any time, but many women notice it more in the second and third trimesters. However, not all discharge is created equal, and knowing what is...
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Pregnancy
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Pregnancy
A cervical exam tells your doctor or midwife a few things about your cervix. However, the number most pregnant women focus on is how open, or dilated, the cervix is. Sometimes it can be confusing to know exactly what this number really does (or...
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Pregnancy
Chances are if you are pregnant, someone has talked to you about back labor (whether you asked them to or not). They may have also mentioned that their baby was “facing the wrong way” or “sunny side up” in labor. What they are referring to is when...
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Pregnancy
If you are pregnant and planning for your delivery, you may or may not have heard of birth plans. A birth plan is simply a document to help expectant parents communicate their wishes during labor and delivery to their healthcare providers. In a...
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Pregnancy
Everyone knows that babies can arrive in one of two ways: vaginally or by C-section. But does that mean it’s a good idea to schedule a C-section so you can meet your baby once you are full-term? Or is it better to let nature take its course? In...
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Blog
We’ve all seen the crazy headlines when media outlets cover the latest health trend, or what you must do to have a healthy baby—or else! These stories sometimes seem a bit outlandish, and at other times may go against the advice your doctor has...
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Pregnancy
Once you get a positive pregnancy test, you will probably start wondering how your new baby is going to affect all the aspects of your life. For women who work outside the home, many start to think about when to tell their bosses they are pregnant...
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Pregnancy
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Pregnancy
If you are pregnant and anxious to meet your little one, you’ve probably spent some time looking into methods to kick-start your labor. There is no shortage of suggestions when it comes to ways to get the process started, but which methods have...
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Pregnancy
While home births account for only about 0.6 percent of all births in the United States, they have gained increasing visibility in recent years, especially in the media. Women opt for home births for various reasons: they want the comfort of being...
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Pregnancy
With approximately 26 percent of American teens and young adults infected with genital herpes, herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. That means 1 in 4 pregnant women may potentially carry the virus, and since it can...
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Pregnancy
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Pregnancy
There is definitely one pregnancy symptom that is not at all enjoyable: hemorrhoids. They can show up during pregnancy or in the postpartum period, and up to 35 percent of pregnant women will experience them. Either way, they can be a nuisance....
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Pregnancy
For many women, pregnancy is a time when they scrutinize everything that goes into their body for the sake of their developing baby. With flu season officially here, now is a good time to dispel a few myths about the illness and reiterate the...
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Pregnancy
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Pregnancy
Heartburn, also known as acid reflux, can be a major inconvenience for many pregnant women. It often surfaces later in pregnancy, such as in the third trimester. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to feel better if this annoying pregnancy...
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Pregnancy
When gearing up to deliver a baby, most moms have spent time considering how they might cope with labor pain. While many options exist, some women prefer to avoid the use of narcotic drugs. Here are some ways to prepare for an unmedicated delivery....
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Baby
If you are breastfeeding and do not want to become pregnant, you should consider using some form of birth control unless you meet all of the strict criteria for lactational amenorrhea. With so many contraceptive options out there, it is important...
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Pregnancy
With up to 75 percent of all pregnant women experiencing back pain at some point in their pregnancy, many want to understand why this happens and how to make it better. Back pain can leave you sore, short on sleep, and unable to enjoy your normal...
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Pregnancy
Before the pandemic, telemedicine was something that wasn’t used that often in the American healthcare system. All that changed in March 2020, however, when clinics everywhere were left figuring out how to deliver care safely to their patients....
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Pregnancy
While the common cold is always annoying, it is even more of a bother to catch one while pregnant! Pregnant women are more susceptible to infections because of their decreased immune system, so this can make colds happen more often and last longer....
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Pregnancy
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Pregnancy
The baby blues and postpartum depression (PPD) are conditions most parents-to-be and new parents have heard about. This is good, considering that 50 to 85 percent of women experience some form of the baby blues and about 15 percent going on to...
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Pregnancy
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Pregnancy
Medicine is rarely so straightforward that it can offer a “one size fits all” pattern. In fact, there is a reason it is called the “practice” of medicine or the “art” of medicine — because oftentimes a doctor or midwife needs to carefully consider...
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Pregnancy
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Pregnancy
Opioids are a type of prescription medicine that is commonly used to treat pain. Drugs that fall into this category include morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and codeine, to name a few. While these drugs are legal and play a role in pain management,...