What's on our mind...

Research has consistently linked breastfeeding to a myriad of benefits for both mom and baby, yet the decision to breastfeed can still be a challenge for many women. A recent study conducted at the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing shows that education and community support play critical roles in increasing breastfeeding rates, especially in rural areas where expecting mothers can struggle to find breastfeeding support. 

Now that summer is in full swing, we want to remind our Birthly parents about the importance of staying hydrated. Proper hydration during pregnancy not only facilitates the absorption of essential nutrients, but also creates a protective environment for your baby in the womb. Neglecting hydration can lead to complications and affect your baby's development, so it’s important to understand why and how to prioritize hydration throughout your entire pregnancy journey.

During pregnancy, a baby is contained in a sack of amniotic fluid that helps them move and grow while protecting them from outside germs. For the majority of pregnancies, that amniotic sack breaks at some point during labor from the pressure of contractions. This is also known as “membrane rupture” or “water breaking.” However, in 8-10% of pregnancies, the water breaks before the start of labor. Birth professionals refer to this as Pre-labor Rupture of Membranes or PROM. 

Maternal mental health is a dense topic that typically enters the conversation after childbirth - but what about during pregnancy?  While postpartum mental health concerns like postpartum depression and other mood and anxiety disorders are generally top of mind when it comes to maternal mental health, it is equally important to shift our focus towards mental health in the prenatal stages.

In many cultures, the first 40 days of the postpartum period are considered an incredibly sacred time for the birthing parent. La Cuarentena, The Jappa, Zuo Yue Zi, Lying In. Each of these terms hold the same meaning:  a 40-day rest period following labor and birth. 40 days to rest, recover, bond with baby and allow your village of friends and family to care for you and help with day to day responsibilities. One way we can bring this ancient tradition into modern  society is to build up our postpartum support village in the prenatal period. 

As people living in a hyper connected world, we are constantly bombarded by the "highlight  reels” of others. In particular, there is an emphasis on social media of what appears to be the picture perfect pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience. This constant display of “perfection” during these vulnerable periods can lead to unreasonable expectations and ultimately to disappointment, shame, anxiety and potentially the onset of Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs). Let’s examine some common expectations in the postpartum period versus the reality-based perspectives. 

Preparing for the postpartum period is a bit like preparing for a series of inclement weather. With weather, we can make preparations based on forecasted events, location, and prior storm activity. With the postpartum period, we can prepare ourselves based on our own predictions of how we may feel, the amount of support available to us, and prior experience with mental health or medical challenges. Though the postpartum period can be full of sunny days, it’s important to understand the potential for storms. The intensity of these storms may range from a common rainstorm in the form of the Baby Blues, to something more severe like Postpartum Depression or Postpartum  Psychosis. 

Communication is key, we hear this phrase a lot, but in the delivery room, it’s imperative. As childbirth complications and maternal mortality continue to challenge health systems across the country, certain hospitals are looking at communication as a way to improve the safety and quality of maternity care.

Healthcare providers know that the risks in childbirth can vary from simple to complex, predictable to unpredictable.