UTI stands for Urinary Tract Infection and is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract. UTIs are common in pregnancy because of hormones that change the urinary tract, as well as from pressure on the urinary tract from the growing uterus that may impede proper draining of urine. Some of the things that exacerbate UTIs in pregnancy are not urinating after sex, having a low fluid intake, eating an unbalanced diet that is high in sugar or meat. You are also at a higher risk for UTIs in pregnancy

One of the hot topics in our homebirth practice right now is tongue ties and lip ties in our newborns. Many (if not most) of our babies over the past couple years have been born with a restriction of movement in the mouth that impedes the initial success of breastfeeding. This blog post here goes into more detail about what tongue tie is. Not only does this issue effect breastfeeding but it can have lasting effects on eating and speech habits that can follow a child through adulthood. We started

TERRATOGEN: is a factor or agent that causes defects in the developing baby, including exposure to radiation, medication, infection and chemicals. The most concerning defects are caused by exposure to harmful toxins early in pregnancy, often before the mother realizes she is pregnant. The effects of many toxic exposures remain unknown until the child is older and questions arise about abnormal growth and development. Examples of know effects of toxins include physical abnormalities,

Breastfeeding for the first time can represent quite a conundrum sometimes. Most women understand breastmilk is what is best for their baby, and yet many new moms lack the support and preparation to keep breastfeeding a priority after the initial weeks. Sometimes I think this is due to the IDEA that breastfeeding is natural and biological- and this is true- but breastfeeding isn't as normal as it was when "everybody was doing it". What I mean is, we don't grow up seeing it, learning it just by

Preparing meals before baby’s arrival is one way to ensure that you will have nutritious, well-balanced meals during your postpartum, without the added stress of having to prepare these meals while you’re recovering from birth and caring for baby. One of our favorite meals that’s easy to prep, freeze and serve hot at a later date is savory pies. They’re also a great way to get in a full, balanced meal in one dish! Our favorite is a classic chicken pot pie, with chicken, veggies and a creamy

How to Work More Greens onto Your Plate We are inspired near this St. Patrick's day to focus on the color GREEN, and we mean the greens you eat! After prioritizing great sources of protein and healthy fats, greens are next on the nutrition priority list for us. Check out some of our favorite recipes for incorporating more greens without feeling like your eating like a bunny all day long. We picked out some combinations that will freshen your repertoire in an uncomplicated way. Remember the

Bonding with your brand new baby will be instinctual and rewarding, but here are some special ways to get it off to the best start possible. Practice connecting with your baby during pregnancy. It takes a little work, but being mindful and aware of your baby's movements and activities can help you guys start bonding before she is even born. Pay attention to the more active periods your baby has in the day and respond with belly rubs and massage or singing and talking to your baby. Your baby

07 Feb, 2018

The Two Essential Ingredients To Have An Empowered and Confident Birth Journey!  (This guest blog has been contributed by birth doula Dara DeSoto. More information about Dara can be found at the end of this post.) As a birth doula, it is an honor every time I am invited into the birth of another. Every mother that seeks to interview me, brings one, two or all three things with them to our interview.  First, they have an idea of what they DON'T want for their birth. Often this is the fruit of a

Pregnancy Nutrition Nutrition in pregnancy cannot be overemphasized. Being one of the most important times to provide your body with the right building blocks and fuel, consider what might be important for you to change about your diet to ensure the most successful pregnancy possible. Nutritionally dense foods enable your body to fully undergo the natural processes of pregnancy and labor, and fill your body with the needed supplies for successful breastfeeding. During pregnancy, your body