Wondering what you can expect from childbirth? Take a look at our breakdown of what happens and when during labor and delivery. Stage One: Early Labor (Phase 1/Stage 1) What to Expect: Stage one is a huge part of your labor and delivery. This first stage is when everything happens but the birth of your baby. During … Read more about Understanding the Phases of Labor
Childbirth isn’t easy, and many women don’t realize there are several options when it comes to birthing positions. Find out what position might work best for you. Think back to the last time you saw a birth scene on TV or in a movie. How was the woman positioned? Chances are, whether the woman was … Read more about Don’t Take Childbirth Lying Down—New Labor Positions You May Want to Try
You may feel worlds removed from finances while holding your snuggly baby, yet parenthood is a strong motivation for seeking professional financial advice, regardless of the size of your holdings. Here’s why and how! Working for a hedge fund manager, Lynn Palmer, 35, of Suffern, NY, is used to having reams of financial research at … Read more about Family Financial Planning 101
Giving birth is a lot like running a race: it takes preparation of mind and body. By eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep, you can tone and prep yourself for the childbirth experience. My husband was a long-distance runner in high school. He spent his teen years training, eating and sleeping well, and teaching … Read more about 7 Tips to Prepare You for the Marathon of Labor
Looking for a noninvasive birthing tool? Consider hypnosis to decrease anxiety and pain during childbirth. Learn from a licensed hypnotherapist how this increasingly accepted practice can help minimize pain during natural childbirth. For some women, childbirth is a very fearful event, but it needn’t be. As a natural childbirth and hypnosis instructor, I’ve seen how … Read more about No More Pain: Hypnosis for Childbirth
While all childbirth classes aim to educate participants, their philosophies vary considerably. Familiarizing yourself with available options can help you pinpoint the class that’s right for you. The only thing more overwhelming than naming your baby and finding the perfect stroller is choosing a childbirth education course. While all classes aim to educate participants about … Read more about How to Choose a Childbirth Education Class
Nightgown or pajamas Find out if your hospital requires you to wear one of their gowns. If not, you may prefer to bring a gown or pajamas from home. If you are planning to nurse, be sure to bring pajamas that open down the front (you don’t want to be lifting up a long gown … Read more about What to Pack in Your Hospital bag—from the essentials to the nice-to-haves
Peanut butter? Milk? Fish? Find out what foods you should stock your pantry with for the next nine months. Nosh on our list of 12 delectible and healthy goodies to help both you and Baby get the nutrients you need throughout pregnancy. Protein Why you need it: Protein is essential to the very foundation of your … Read more about 12 Pregnancy Diet Essentials – The best foods for you and your baby
Pregnancy is a time to pamper yourself, but you may be feeling too stressed to enjoy it. Try these simple techniques for bringing more balance to your life. While pregnant with baby number three, I had a hard time feeling relaxed. I couldn’t find a comfortable sleeping position, and my growing baby’s favorite activity involved doing … Read more about 10 Ways to Fight Stress during Pregnancy
Stress can get the best of anyone. The key to successful coping is to discover the strategy that works best for you. Your stomach gets tied in knots each time you wonder if you’ve timed it right to conceive this month, or your heart is pounding as you sit in traffic and contemplate the presentation … Read more about Your Personal Rx for Stress