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Tips for Rocking Your Return to Work After Parental Leave
Dr. Sterling shares her tips for a smooth transition back to work after baby.
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The Accuracy of Early Pregnancy Detection
How early can I take a pregnancy test? It depends which test you are using. Blood tests can sometimes detect pregnancy hormone (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin- hCG) as early as 6 days after fertilization. However, home pregnancy tests, which rely on urine testing, take longer to show a positive result. The most sensitive urine pregnancy tests…
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Worried About Pooping During Labor? Read This.
Well, you might. And that’s ok – it’s completely normal. It may feel hard to think about, but you will be working hard, your partner will be distracted by the bigger picture, and your providers will dispose of it right away (you might not even know you did it!). The muscles you’ll use to bear…
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Early vs. Active Labor & the Stages of Labor
Labor consists of three basic stages. Within the first stage of labor there is latent (more commonly known as early) and active labor. Below you will find explanations of the different stages of labor. First Stage: The first and longest stage of labor consists of two phases. The early labor phase, or latent labor, can last anywhere from…
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Navigating Cervical Exams: What to Expect During Pregnancy and Labor
First things first, you always have the right to decline a cervical exam. You also have the right to ask if and why they are needed when they are offered to you. A cervical exam involves the insertion of two gloved fingers into the vagina to assess: If you do not want to have a…
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Evaluating Pregnancy Sources
It’s so important to find trusted resources when learning about trying to conceive, pregnancy loss, pregnancy and the postpartum period. There is so much information overwhelm on the internet (product of being a millennial parent!) that sometimes it feels impossible to know where to turn and what to trust. That is why Sterling Parents exists!…
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Understanding Labor Monitoring: What to Expect and Why It Matters
During labor, your care team will monitor the baby’s heartbeat and your contraction pattern. This can be done in a number of different ways. In addition, your team will be intermittently monitoring your vital signs by assessing your temperature, blood pressure, pulse and oxygen saturation. Fetal Monitoring
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Real Life: All About Bedtime Routine
Dr. Sterling shares her family’s bedtime routine as an example of how to craft a routine that works for your family.
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Membrane Rupture: When will my water break?
When your water breaks, the amniotic sac (also known as membranes) around the baby opens and releases amniotic fluid. You may hear your Ob provider call this “membrane rupture” or “rupture of membranes.” This often feels like a gush of fluid coming from the vagina, but it can also feel like a trickle or a…
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A Quick Guide to Anxiety and Depression in Pregnancy
The awareness of postpartum depression and anxiety has grown over the last decade. Parents are sharing their experiences, struggles and triumphs, helping families feel less alone. However, many are unaware of how prevalent prenatal depression and anxiety are. More than 1 in 10 pregnant people will experience one or both of these disorders. Signs and…
