May 17, 2023 | by: Cara Terreri
Adapted from Giving Birth with Confidence, 3rd Edition.
Many doctors and nurses discourage laboring people from pushing until their cervix is completely dilated and/or encourage them to hold their breath and push as hard as they can without a natural urge once their cervix is fully dilated (called "directed pushing"). There's no research to support these practices. Breath holding without the natural urge to do so is exhausting and deprives a baby of much-needed oxygen.
Read More
May 27, 2022 | by: Cara Terreri
There's more than one way to push out a baby -- in fact, there are several ways! But what about the "best" way? Is there even such a thing? When asking this question, people are often trying to understand the most effective (read: quick, more comfortable) way to position their body for pushing during a vaginal birth. That said, there are so many variables to consider when it comes to choosing a position for pushing
Read More
May 29, 2020 | by: Cara Terreri
A helpful way to prepare for labor and birth is to imagine different scenarios and prepare how you might react and respond in those situations. Read through each of the following labor scenarios, paying close attention to the details of time, dilation, and what's going on. After each description, answer what you think is going on (ie, is it early labor, active labor, pushing
Read More
January 11, 2018 | by: Cara Terreri, LCCE, CD(DONA)
Oh Google -- you plethora of information overload, you. This morning, in preparing to write today's post, I found by accident the top questions people search for when it comes to childbirth. This is what appeared:
Read More
November 06, 2015 | by: Cara Terreri, LCCE, CD(DONA)
Coming in at number six on our list in the Top 10 Childbirth Fears series is "Will I really poop when I give birth?" This fear, though it has nothing to do with the health or safety of mom or baby, is HUGE in the minds of many expectant mothers. The ide
Read More