pregnancy

Growing your family, one baby bump at a time. All about the ups and downs of nature's 9 month miracle.

TSC: Pregnancy, Family Planning, and Coping with the Reality of Things
In general, most people that want to start a family, can just have sex and then hope for the best. But what about the people who have disorders that love children with all of their hearts, but worry they will struggle to have a child of their own? Well, now that I've introduced you to the depressing disorder Tuberous Sclerosis Complex itself, I am going to explore the idea of pregnancy and planning a family while living with TSC. First off, I have never been pregnant, but I've thought about what would happen when I discover I am expecting.
By Jennifer McIntosh6 years ago in Families
What Happens If the Epidural Doesn’t Work?
Going into labor and just assuming you are going to take the epidural and all will be well is exactly what I was assuming... But that isn’t always the case. Which was very unfortunate for me. I hope it doesn’t happen to you, but if it does here are some tips.
By Rich Burton6 years ago in Families
Benefits of Meditation During Pregnancy
Meditation is simply the exercise of training your mind to redirect your thoughts and focus. Practicing mindfulness has many more benefits in the form of positive mood alleviation, healthy sleep, pain tolerance, and self-discipline. According to a study published by National Center for Biotechnology Information, mindfulness does not only have a positive effect on stress reduction in specific populations, such as those with maternal health and pain, but can be beneficial for healthy individuals, emphasizing mindfulness as a promising intervention to improve stress levels. Furthermore, mindfulness-based stress reduction was found to reduce ruminative thinking and trait anxiety, as well as increase empathy and self-compassion, suggesting that mindfulness-based interventions are also able to reduce stress levels in healthy people.
By Dibyendu Halder6 years ago in Families
Take Charge of Your Postpartum Health
Pregnancy is a time with many restrictions and rules to ensure the health of you and your baby. You can’t drink alcohol or eat some foods, you need to do certain exercises and you have to avoid some types of activities. However, taking care of yourself doesn’t stop when you give birth. Follow these tips to help your body heal from pregnancy, labor and delivery.
By Paisley Hansen6 years ago in Families
The Day I Became Infertile
TW: This story involves a discussion of medical details such as bleeding, surgery, and infertility. On November 11th, 2017, at 16 days postpartum, I had an emergency, life-saving hysterectomy. I had no warning signs, no symptoms, and no knowledge of just how serious postpartum complications are. My story is not an anomaly.
By Jessica Grace Raso6 years ago in Families
I Almost Died During Childbirth
Firstly, let me just start off by saying that I'm the most atrocious writer in the history of man. EVER EVER LOL, so bare with me lovelies!
By Milcah kelly6 years ago in Families
Birth Story
I am a first time mom and I recently gave birth to my first son in July 2018. I was not prepared for what was about to happen next. I am the type of person that thinks that she knows everything so I thought that I had this in the bag and I was going to be the type of mom that had her life together, and it was going to be easy. The day I gave birth—my water broke at 3 AM and I didn't know what my water breaking would feel like, so I thought I had peed myself, changed, and went back to sleep. I woke up again to the thought that I had peed myself again. I got worried and sent my mom a text asking her what your water breaking felt like, and sure enough she assured me that my water had broke. I woke my husband up to tell him that it was time to head to the hospital and he decides to jump in the shower and start SHAVING!!!!! I was wondering why he decided to start getting ready like if we were going out and he said, "I have to get ready to look nice for the hospital pictures." I was so worried and scared that I couldn't even bring myself to laugh. I was ripping open the box that contained the car seat and stroller that we had not assembled yet. I was also sad cause I wanted to do my hair so that I could look nice in the hospital photos too. He finished showering and getting ready and we got in the car while I wrapped a towel around my legs and put it on the seat so I didn't dirty the seat, and we arrived at 4:15 AM. Once we arrived we were so confused, because nobody was around until we saw a nurse and my husband is very impatient and kept telling me to ask the nurse if I was in labor because he had to go into work at 8 AM the following day. Once it was confirmed that I was in labor I thought I was a badass, 'cause I kept thinking to myself 'I don't even feel any type of pain, I totally got this.' WOW!!! I was totally wrong!!! They gave me medication to speed up my contractions, and when I got to five centimeters dilated I was in tears because I could not handle the pain. I did not want to get the epidural but I really could not handle the pain, so I got it and when I tell you that saying it was the best four hour nap that I have had in my whole nine months of my pregnancy was an understatement. After waking up and feeling just pressure the epidural started wearing off, and I found myself trembling a lot. I kept getting asked if I was cold, but I wasn't—it was the fact that my body was starting to feel the pain. Finally, it was time to push, and finally my son came out and I could not contain my excitement—I was beyond blessed. I was crying because I could not believe that I was able to do what I just did. Being a mom is super scary, especially giving birth at such a young age and not knowing what's in store for you. I love being a mom and I have so much respect for moms now because of what they go through on a daily basis. We experience something so beautiful yet so dangerous, that I feel is amazing; women are amazing.
By Delilah6 years ago in Families
Behind the Scenes of Donor Insemination
The idea of making a baby… well I did not imagine it would involve an uncomfortably short bed, clinical white walls, a syringe full of sperm, gloves, and the smell of disinfectant. But here I am.
By Eady Grace6 years ago in Families
6 Things You Find out When You're 30+ with No Kids
I'm 31 and have been married for four years to a wonderful man. We have been trying for children for about that time, but no luck. We've been tested and so far, my infertility has been unexplained. So I do want kids, but I get lumped into the category of not wanting kids because of the infertility.
By Kathryn Parker6 years ago in Families
Unmother
Being a woman, in any society really, is difficult. Because in all of them, the top thing for women is to be a mother. To give birth. To procreate. Which inherently isn't a horrible thing. It can be a beautiful thing. But it also puts an incredible amount of pressure on us. Those who aren't ready. Those who may never be ready. Those who want but can never ever have. Those who know for sure they never want them.
By Aurelie M Jones6 years ago in Families
How Can You Predict Your Pregnancy Due Date?
When you’re an expecting mom you definitely want to know your due date. The sheer excitement of knowing when your bundle of joy will arrive is priceless. However, your next doctor’s appointment may be a few weeks away, and yet you want to know your baby’s birthday right now.
By Thomas Wright6 years ago in Families
Postpartum Anger
Memories flood my social media account everyday. As I look fondly at a photo from last year of me and my four-month old baby, I am guessing that it did not ever hint the turmoil I was suffering inside. Who would ever know? I was all smiles, and mums were supposed to be exemplars of strength.
By C.J.Erolan6 years ago in Families