Giving Birth
with Confidence

Trusted resources, stories and answers for parents.

4 Simple Things You Can Do to Prepare Your Body for Labor & Birth

March 26, 2019 | by: Cara Terreri, LCCE, CD(DONA)

You wouldn't run a race without training; you wouldn't take a test without studying (ok, most wouldn't); you wouldn't host a big party without spending time planning it... so why would you show up in labor without any planning or preparation? Here's the thing: labor and birth is a normal, natural,

When Is it Too Late to Hire a Doula?

March 22, 2019 | by: Cara Terreri, LCCE, CD(DONA)

Answer: almost never.* *If you're in the hospital and pushing, it might be too late. One of the great things about using a doula is that you can decide, even late in your pregnancy or even (sometimes) when you're in labor to hire one. Many people think that if they haven't hired a doula by a certa

How to Cope When You Hate Being Pregnant

March 20, 2019 | by: Cara Terreri, LCCE, CD(DONA)

If you found this post, chances are you're not exactly feeling that "pregnancy glow." And here's the thing: it's ok. If you hate being pregnant, you're not alone and you're not doing anything wrong. Some people -- more people than you might think, in fact -- just don't like being pregnant. The

Top Tips for a Low Tech Birth

March 19, 2019 | by: Cara Terreri, LCCE, CD(DONA)

Low tech, low intervention, natural, physiologic -- these are all words that describe birth when it's closest to it's original form, free from (or as little as possible) medical intervention. Of course, birth can't (and shouldn't) always be this way -- and we're all very thankful for the medical

Top 20 Baby Names: Most Popular vs. Most Rare

March 15, 2019 | by: Cara Terreri, LCCE, CD(DONA)

What's in a name? For expectant parents, there's often a lot of joy -- and a lot of stress. If you're making the decision to name your baby together with your partner, you'll likely encounter some strong opinions for and against certain names. Ultimately you have to come to a resolution that works f

What Happens During Crowning?

March 11, 2019 | by: Cara Terreri, LCCE, CD(DONA)

Hint: there's nothing royal about this kind of crowning, but you certainly could call it a regal event! "Crowning" refers to the time during birth when your baby's head begins to appear at the opening of your vagina and does not retract (go back in) after pushing with a contraction. Cue the song:

What to Know About Endometriosis and Pregnancy

March 07, 2019 | by: Cara Terreri, LCCE, CD(DONA)

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is a condition, with no cure but many treatments, that causes the same kinds of cells (tissue) that line the uterus to also grow outside of the uterus on nearby organs, usually within the pelvis. Because these cells grow and shrink corresponding

Five Reasons You'd Want to Call an IBCLC for Help

March 05, 2019 | by: Cara Terreri, LCCE, CD(DONA)

It's March 6 -- Happy IBCLC Day! Wait, what's an IBCLC? Good question! IBCLC stands for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Translated, that means: professional breastfeeding super helper. More technically, an IBCLC is a healthcare professional who specializes in breastfeeding and

How to Prevent Birth Defects

March 03, 2019 | by: Cara Terreri, LCCE, CD(DONA)

On World Birth Defects Day, we want to take a brief moment to share information on the things you can do to reduce your chances of giving birth to a baby with a birth defect. Before we list that information, it's important to know two things: most birth defects cannot be prevented because their

118 Labor & Birth Playlist Songs

March 01, 2019 | by: Cara Terreri, LCCE, CD(DONA)

Music changes the chemistry of your brain. We all react to and interact with music differently, depending on the type of music being played and our interests or dislikes in songs, artists, and genres of music. Practically everyone is impacted by the positive effects of music. For example, the right

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About the Blog Manager

Cara Terreri is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, certified DONA doula, and a professional writer, editor, and content specialist. She has been part of the Lamaze International team since 2004. Cara manages and writes for the Lamaze parents’ blog, Giving Birth With Confidence. She lives and works in the Orlando, FL, area with her husband and three children.