As hopeful, expectant, birthing and parenting people, all the uncertainty and unknown around conception, childbirth and the postpartum year can often feel overwhelming at times. To simplify some of the congestion, we can look to evidence based information to inform our choices. We can turn to findings from neurobiology and endocrinology, the study of our…
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Many of us mothering people sense the mental complexities of this special time. In so many ways, as we embark on the metamorphosis of becoming a parent, it’s the messy becoming ‘undone’ that takes center stage. This week, we in the Birthways community shine a light on the importance of compassionately caring for our mental…
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Who should we worry about? It’s not our babies. Coronavirus, also known as “SARS-CoV-2” is a viral pathogen that causes the respiratory infection “COVID-19” and it’s impacted hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. It has certain characteristics that are leading to its rapid spread and that lead us to take these precautions that have impacted…
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If you’re expecting a baby, there’s a lot on your mind as you plan for ways to have a healthy pregnancy and get off to a great start. When the world adds stressors and worries about possible pandemics, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. We share tips from past pandemic situations (H1N1) and what we are…
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You’re on the edge of meeting your baby and want to get off to a great start! Planning your babymoon with awareness from our experienced ‘travel guides’ (aka postpartum experts, moms, doulas) can help you have a joyful beginning and fewer difficulties. “Plan for some jetlag” The postpartum time is at least leg 3 of…
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Signing up for and arriving at your first childbirth preparation class is often a significant “this is really happening” moment. You’re reminded that the fetus that is kicking you and pushing against your ribs and bladder will actually want to come out of your body and that this will require a bit of coordinated effort…
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Are you hitting the couch at 6pm, too tired to get to the grocery store or to walk the dog? For many women, pregnancy can bring a fatigue that is unlike anything they have experienced. You feel so overwhelmingly tired and yet you can’t sleep. You are not alone; nearly 78% of women are plagued…
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ALL ABOUT CARBOHYDRATES Macronutrients: Carbohydrates We have already covered protein and fats in your diet during the childbearing year, so let’s talk carbs. The body’s fuel If fat and protein are building materials, carbohydrates are the ‘fuels’ we take in to sustain our body’s energy needs and to meet the…
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ALL ABOUT FATS Macronutrients: Fats As I mentioned in my last post, our bodies require the macronutrients of proteins, fats and carbohydrates to function well. This week we are focusing on fats and learning about their role in your health and the health of your baby. What we need and what we…
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ALL ABOUT PROTEIN Introduction: What our bodies need Our bodies require the macronutrients of proteins, fats and carbohydrates to function. We also need vitamins and minerals, the ‘micronutrients’. We are also discovering there are more and more benefits from ‘phytonutrients’, or plant elements, that serve to clear our bodies of free radicals, protect tissues, and…
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