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Birth Meditations
You feel a warm, weight on your chest. You look down and you see your baby. So warm and small. Look at your partner and see the family that has been born.
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Braxton Hicks: What You Should Know About “False” Labor Contractions
“Don’t worry, you’ll know when you are in labor!” seems like a pretty unhelpful statement when it’s your first pregnancy. Even seasoned pregnant people can experience different signs and symptoms of labor for each pregnancy. Braxton hicks contractions are false labor contractions that your body does as a way to “practice” for the big event.…
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Round Ligament Pain: What Does it Feel Like?
The round ligaments are two bands of supportive tissue that run from the lateral aspects of your uterus, out through your pelvis, and to your groin region. When these ligaments are stretched it can feel like a sharp stabbing or stretching pain, sometimes shooting down to your groin. You may experience this jolt of pain…
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Nosebleeds in Pregnancy: Is it normal?
Nosebleeds during pregnancy are fairly common and most stop quickly with pressure. While unexpected nosebleeds can be unsettling, there is a fairly simple explanation. Pregnancy hormones lead to an increase in blood in the nasal mucosa (the tissue that lines your nasal passage). Something as small as blowing your nose or dry air can cause…
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Nasal Congestion in Pregnancy: What causes it?
If you find yourself stuck with a perpetually stuffy nose during pregnancy, you might be experiencing pregnancy rhinitis. Around 30-40% of pregnant people report nasal congestion (+/- watery clear nasal discharge), without other common cold symptoms. After ruling out a virus or sinus infection as the cause, the most likely culprit is pregnancy hormones. It…
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Varicose Veins in Pregnancy: Treatment & Prevention
Varicose veins can develop during pregnancy as a result of hormonal changes and your uterus placing pressure on the veins that drain blood from your lower body. This can cause veins in your legs, vulva, and vagina to become swollen, sore and blue. Occasionally they become painful and hard and require evaluation and treatment with…
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Linea Nigra: Dark Pigmentation on Your Belly
Though it often goes unnoticed prior to pregnancy, there is a line of skin that runs from your belly button to your mons pubis known as the linea alba. During pregnancy, this line becomes more distinct (hence the name change to linea nigra) due to hormonal changes that increase the production of melanin. Those with…
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Melasma in Pregnancy: Causes & Treatment
Pregnancy hormones can lead to an increased production of melanin in the body. Melanin is the substance that gives color to your skin and hair. Throughout pregnancy, dark patches might appear on your skin as the increase in melanin becomes more concentrated. While these dark patches, known as melasma, typically fade during postpartum, for some…
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PICA: Craving Non-Edible Items in Pregnancy
If you find yourself craving non-food substances like clay, cleaning products or starches, it’s time to call your Ob provider since these are not considered normal pregnancy cravings. This type of craving, known as Pica, is sometimes associated with iron deficiency and can lead to harmful health consequences. Whether or not you have consumed these…
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Leg Cramps in Pregnancy: How to Get Better Sleep
While the exact causes are unknown, experiencing leg cramps in pregnancy is common, especially during the second and third trimester. Often occurring at night, painful calf and foot cramps are due to involuntary muscle contractions. Since comfortable sleep during pregnancy is hard to come by, follow these tips to help prevent and alleviate leg cramps:
