Pregnancy Through Postpartum

Things Every Breastfeeding Mother Should Know

This article is written by Dr. Stephanie Canale
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I am a Family Physician at a large academic institution,. My practice is largely made up of moms, through their many different phases of life, and their babies.

Everyday I see expectant mothers. I have now made it a point during pregnancy to always discuss nursing. I often recommend taking a breastfeeding class before baby arrives in order to help better prepare. And I always alert expectant moms that many women find nursing more difficult than the actual labor and delivery!…

Do Supplements Really Work to Increase Milk Supply?

This article is written by Dr. Stephanie Canale
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My patients often ask me about the efficacy and safety of the supplements that claim to increase your milk supply. Do they really work? …

This article is reposted from Count the Kicks with permission.
For more on this topic, check out the full Pregnancy Through Postpartum collection

Many doctors recommend kick counting as a way to monitor your baby’s health in the third trimester.

Scientific studies indicate kick counting, a daily record of a baby’s movements (kicks, rolls, punches, jabs) during the third trimester, is an easy, free and reliable way to monitor a baby’s well-being in addition to regular prenatal visits.

When you start your 3rd trimester, it’s time to start counting.

Here’s how you do it:

Download the FREE Count the Kicks app.
Count the Kicks every day, preferably at the same time.
Pick your time based on when your baby is usually active.
To get started, sit with your feet up or lie on your side. Count each of your baby’s movements as one kick and tap the foot on our app until you reach ten movements. After a few days you will begin to see a pattern for your baby (how long it takes you to get to ten).
Most of the time it will take less than a half hour, but it could take as long as two hours.
Save your kick counting sessions in the app to see your baby’s movement history.
Knowing what is a normal movement pattern for your baby is key. When “normal” changes, this could be a sign of potential problems and an indication to call your provider.
Your kick counting history can be useful for visits with your provider.
The app will record the amount of time it took to get 10 movements, or you can log your times into a downloadable Count the Kicks chart.

Don’t forget!

Every pregnancy and every baby is different.
- The most important thing is to count your baby’s kicks every day so you will know what is normal for your baby. For example, if you normally count 10 movements within 30 minutes and then you notice that it is taking two hours to record 10 movements that is a change in your baby’s movement pattern.
Babies don’t run out of room.
- Babies do not slow down at the end of pregnancy. While they may run out of room for somersaults, babies move all the way up to and during labor.
Don’t hesitate to contact your provider or go to the hospital if you notice a change.
- If you notice a change in what is normal for your baby, contact your provider immediately. Your provider will want to hear from you with any concerns during your pregnancy. Trust your instincts!

For more on this topic, check out the full Pregnancy Through Postpartum collection

Featured Contributor: Count the Kicks

In the early 2000s, five Iowa moms endured the heartache of losing a daughter to stillbirth or infant death. After being connected through friends and pastors, a strong bond quickly formed between Jan, Janet, Kate, Kerry and Tiffan. During many connected conversations over coffee, the women decided to channel their grief into stillbirth prevention efforts to keep other families from facing the pain of losing a baby. Read their full story here!

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What Every Woman Should Know About Her Postpartum Body

This article is written by Sandra Noojin
For more on this topic, check out the full Pregnancy Through Postpartum collection

During pregnancy, a woman’s body drastically changes in a very short period of time. It is important for women to be aware of these changes so that they are better prepared to address them. Women should prepare for the following changes to occur:…

Jewel of Change

This article is written by Tyler E. Johnson
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Cutting my hair was somewhat of an impulsive change I made one day when I was secretly having a melt down. An action that was birthed from a moment of despair has blossomed into something so liberating. I feel empowered, confident, and nothing short of boss. My creative mind is running wild and everyday I become more comfortable with myself and trying new things. The power of change, the different aspects of change, and how amazing continuous elevation feels is very real. …

One Handed Snack Ideas for Moms

This printable is created by Shari Medini
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As a mom, you get really good at doing things one-handed! Most of your days are spent snuggling that sweet baby in the postpartum period, which can make it tough to get some real food in your system… here’s a free printable that you can save to your phone or print out & hang on the fridge for easy reference :)…

Fed is Best

This piece is a Q&A style article with co-owners, Shari Medini & Karissa Tunis
For more on this topic, check out the full Pregnancy Through Postpartum collection

The first year of motherhood is downright difficult, and the last thing that moms need is more judgement and guilt about how they feed their baby. There are so many different factors at play when it comes to breastfeeding or formula feeding, & each mom needs to make those decisions based on what is best for everyone involved. Mom’s health, happiness, & well-being are so important when it comes to raising healthy, happy kids, which means that Mom’s individual needs also need to be taken into consideration! There is no reason to pit breastfeeding against formula feeding in an effort to determine what is best because at the end of the day… fed is best.

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Pumping Hacks

This article is written by Michelle Stulberger
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Pumping sucks….but it doesn’t have to!

For many families, pumping is an unavoidable activity: you may return to work outside the home, you’re working to increase your milk supply, or baby has special feeding needs. It’s no surprise that pumping can feel like a chore, but there are ways to make your pumping routine a little easier on everyone….

Dear First Time Breastfeeding Mother

This article is written by Sandra Noojin
For more on this topic, check out the full Pregnancy Through Postpartum collection

As a first time mother of a 4 month old, I have found breastfeeding to be one of the most wonderful experiences of motherhood. When my son was 2 months old, I finally let go of the way I thought breastfeeding was supposed to be and embraced the reality of what it actually was. Mothers, here is my advice (based on personal experience) if you are planning to breastfeed.

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Managing Birth Expectations

Every mom wants that magical birth experience; but no matter how much we plan & prepare, the reality is that things don’t always go according to that plan!