Expert-reviewed reads
Articles on pregnancy, birth, nutrition and the postpartum weeks, written from trusted sources and reviewed by an obstetrician-gynecologist.
Nutrition
Supporting your iron levels through food
In pregnancy your blood volume increases and your baby needs iron to grow. A well-planned plate is the most natural way to support your iron stores, but it…
Read articleNutrition7 foods that boost iron absorption
What you eat alongside iron-rich foods matters as much as the iron itself. The 7 foods in this article either contain easily absorbed iron or help your body…
Read articleNutritionFood safety in pregnancy: foods to avoid and foods to handle with care
Most of the foods you eat during pregnancy are safe. But during this time, some germs can harm you and your baby more easily. Knowing which foods to avoid and…
Read articleExercise
5 stretches that help with lower back pain
Back pain is one of the most common complaints in pregnancy. Hormones loosen the ligaments around your joints, your growing belly shifts your center of gravity…
Read articleExerciseExercising safely during pregnancy
In a healthy pregnancy, regular activity is good for you and your baby. Exercise can help ease back pain and constipation, improve your sleep and mood and help…
Read articleBirth
Birth plan: write down what you do and don't want
A birth plan is a short list of preferences that tells your doctor and birth team what you would like to happen during and after the birth. Writing it down…
Read articleBirthHow can you tell labor has started?
In the last weeks, it's natural to wonder with every twinge, “Is this it?” Knowing the signs that labor has started, and when to go to the hospital without…
Read articleBirthCoping with labor pain: breathing, movement and epidurals
Every woman experiences labor pain differently, and there is no single right way to cope with it. Getting to know your options in advance, from drug-free…
Read articleBirthVaginal birth and cesarean: what you should know
How your baby will be born is one of the things you think about most during pregnancy. Both vaginal birth and cesarean have benefits and risks. The best way…
Read articleBirthIf your baby is breech
If, close to birth, your baby is lying bottom or feet first instead of head down, this is called a breech position. It's very common earlier in pregnancy, and…
Read articleBirthBraxton Hicks or real labor?
Noticing your belly tighten and relax from time to time is very common, especially in the last months. These are usually false contractions, but it's still…
Read articlePostpartum
The first 40 days: practical breastfeeding tips
The first 40 days after birth are a time of learning for both you and your baby. For some mothers and babies breastfeeding clicks right away, for others it…
Read articlePostpartumBaby blues or postpartum depression?
In the days after you meet your baby, joy, exhaustion, worry and tears can all come at once. Some of these feelings are very common and pass on their own…
Read articlePostpartumRecovering from a cesarean
A cesarean is major abdominal surgery, and you're recovering while also caring for your newborn. Knowing what's normal in the first weeks, how to look after…
Read articlePostpartumThe first six weeks after birth: bleeding, stitches and warning signs
In the first weeks after birth, your body is recovering from a huge change. Some symptoms are expected during this time, while others need medical help right…
Read articlePostpartumYour newborn's first days: cord care, bathing and safe sleep
The first days at home with your baby are wonderful and full of questions. A few simple rules for cord care, bathing and safe sleep can help these days feel…
Read articlePostpartumNewborn jaundice and screening tests
In the first days after birth, your baby has some routine screening tests, and the care team also watches for jaundice. Knowing what these tests are for and…
Read articleSleep
Why does sleeping position matter in the second trimester?
In the second trimester your belly grows noticeably and your sleep starts to change too. It is a good time to get used to sleeping on your side, because after…
Read articleSleepSleeping comfortably with reflux during pregnancy
Heartburn and reflux are very common in pregnancy, and they often get worse at night when you lie down. Small changes to your evening habits and your bed setup…
Read articleSleepSleeping better in the third trimester
In the last three months, a growing belly, frequent trips to the bathroom, leg cramps and thoughts about the birth can interrupt your sleep. Sleep problems are…
Read articleBaby's development
What does your baby sense as they get ready to open their eyes?
Between weeks 24 and 28, your baby's senses develop quickly. Their eyelids, closed since the end of the first trimester, are getting ready to open, and sounds…
Read articleBaby's developmentWhat does the detailed anatomy scan show?
For many parents-to-be, the detailed ultrasound in the middle of pregnancy is the first chance to see their baby in this much detail. Also called the…
Read articleBaby's developmentKeeping track of your baby's movements
Your baby's movements are one of the most important signs that they are well. Getting to know their movements and pattern makes it easier to notice when…
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