Birth Archives - MotherWise

Here’s Why You Might Want To Ditch The Newborn Eye Drops

Posted on December 4, 2017March 10, 2018 by MotherWise

Most babies in the United States receive newborn eye drops shortly after birth. But why? Turns out, it's an unnecessary intervention. If you're anything like me, your first pregnancy was pretty typical in terms of common interventions. Ultrasounds? Of course!...Read More

Recommendations Finally ‘Allow’ Women to Eat During Labor

Posted on November 10, 2017 by MotherWise

For years, women have fought for their right to eat during labor. The research is finally catching up. I wasn't allowed to eat during labor. Like most mothers in the U.S., my first birth took place in a hospital. The...Read More

Research Confirms That Homebirth is Safe, Costs Less

Posted on October 11, 2017October 11, 2017 by MotherWise

Considering a homebirth? Good news! Two recent studies found that mothers with low-risk pregnancies should be considered safe candidates for giving birth at home. Not only that, but homebirths save "an average $2,338" compared to hospital births. I had my second...Read More

14 Harsh Truths All New Moms Need To Know

Posted on September 19, 2017September 21, 2017 by MotherWise

Originally published at Mothering.com Congratulations! You just had a baby. Holy crap! It's intense isn't it? Here are 14 harsh realities about new motherhood. 1. Your body will change. New mom, you just carried a human in your body...Read More

Kate Hudson Called Her C-Section “Lazy.” Here’s Why That’s Okay.

Posted on September 19, 2017 by MotherWise

Actress Kate Hudson recently stated the laziest thing she's ever done was get a c-section. Here's why that's ok. In an interview for the October issue of Cosmopolitan, actress, athletic wear designer, and mother Kate Hudson answered a list of...Read More

Doulas Have A Duty To Talk About Circumcision

Posted on March 25, 2017January 4, 2018 by MotherWise

Do doulas have an ethical obligation to ensure that all new parents know the truth about circumcision? These doulas say yes. When I was pregnant with my first baby nine years ago, my doula was a personal friend, someone whose...Read More

This Is What Women Around the World REALLY Think of U.S. Maternity Leave

Posted on December 10, 2016December 10, 2016 by MotherWise

Originally posted on Mothering.com Did you know that every developed country in the world offers its families some form of paid parental leave? Every country except the United States, that is. Most American mothers are offered 6-12 weeks of unpaid...Read More

Two US States Just Did Something AMAZING For New Parents

Posted on August 15, 2016August 15, 2016 by MotherWise

Originally published at mothering.com The United States is one of the only developed countries lacking affordable healthcare, fair access to higher education, and paid parental leave. This is despite the fact that there is ample evidence that these social programs...Read More

Pregnant? You NEED To Know About Belly Binding

Posted on June 26, 2015November 18, 2017 by MotherWise

Have you heard of belly binding? I hadn't until I took Gena Kirby's Rebozo class, where she demonstrated (among the many uses of Rebozo) prenatal belly binding for comfort and support. Belly binding has a long history in many different...Read More

Pregnancy and Birth Etiquette in the Internet Age

Posted on June 21, 2015August 27, 2016 by MotherWise

Using social media to share our experiences with pregnancy and birth is a beautiful thing; through sharing our journeys, we build communities of informed mothers who feel empowered and supported. Yet with the information age comes a peculiar sense of...Read More

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Category: Birth