2020 Year in Review - Best of the Blog

I can hardly believe that it's time again for our Year in Review post! What a year 2020 has been -- and that's an understatement. Despite the topsy-turvy, turmoil, disruption, and devastation, people still turned to Lamaze and Giving Birth with Confidence for resources, stories, and information on safe and healthy birth. Every year, we share with you our top 10 viewed posts. This year, we're also sharing some popular themes that emerged based on the most visited posts, some of which come as no surprise. 

Most Popular Themes

• Covid, of course
• Aches & pains in pregnancy
• Typical hospital procedures during birth, including ones you can decline
• Can I [.....] while pregnant?
• Mindfulness
• Top products for pregnancy, labor, breastfeeding, and new baby
• Celebrating Black parents, babies, bloggers
• Nutrition
• Sex and relationship tips
• Childbirth classes
• Preparing for labor and tips for birth

Top 10 Posts of 2020

Several of the following posts contain content related to Covid-19, which has been an ever-evolving situation in terms of what we know and what is recommended. When reading resources, from this site and any other, always check the date to be sure that the recommendations being given are recent and up-to-date. Some of the top 10 posts below may contain outdated Covid recommendations. 

#10

Attend Childbirth Classes Virtually During Coronavirus Pandemic

Childbirth educators are providing families with invaluable resources by providing live online virtual classes, which gives access to a live teacher, from the comfort and safety of your own home. 

#9

How the Coronavirus Can Affect Having a Doula During Birth

If you have hired, or are considering hiring, a doula, and want to know if there are current limitation policies in place due to COVID-19, call your hospital's labor and delivery unit to find out. It's important to talk with your doula leading up to your birth to discuss the what ifs and back-up plans. 

#8

Getting Respectful Maternity Care During Covid-19

Whether or not a pandemic is going on, humans are entitled to basic rights and standards of care, dignity, respect, and treatment in the hospital setting. These universal rights protect our health and safety, which ultimately contributes to good health outcomes.

#7

Why It's Worth Waiting to Go Into Labor

"Letting labor begin on its own" is the first of the Lamaze Six Healthy Birth Practices, and is almost always safer and healthier to follow than scheduling an induction. 

#6

Five Black Mom and Family Blogs to Check Out

We want to highlight a handful of the great blogs out there for and by Black mothers and families. These blogs provide helpful resources, informative and relevant voices, and a welcome blend of humor, wisdom, and compassion.

#5

Breastfeeding Safety if You Have Coronavirus

If you are breastfeeding and you become ill with Coronavirus, there are precautions you can take to prevent passing on the virus onto your child. 

#4

Is It True?? (A Series): You Need a Catheter for Labor

You've probably heard: you'll have a catheter in labor -- everyone gets one. The truth is, no, not everyone is required to have a urinary catheter during labor. 

#3

Online Childbirth Classes From Lamaze During Coronavirus Quarantine

Prerecorded online classes from Lamaze don't offer the same level of dynamic format and the advantage of a live instructor, but they can be taken from the comfort and safety of your own home and they include access to a real Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator for follow up questions. 

#2

Putting Your Knees Together Can Help Push Your Baby Out!

Imagine my surprise when I read about the success of pushing positions with "knees together" (KT) on the Facebook groups to which I belong. I read things like: “Mom had been pushing for 2 hours and it was starting to look doubtful… so when the doc briefly left the room we tried three KT pushes and the baby flew out!”

#1

What to Know About COVID-19, Pregnancy, Birth, and Breastfeeding

This post is dedicated specifically to what we know, so far, about how COVID-19 impacts pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. (March 11, 2020)