Sex to Bring on Labor?

You are past your due date.  And you are ready.  Oh. So Ready! After carrying a baby for 9 months, not being able to sneeze without peeing on yourself and hardly being able to get out of bed or see your feet without doing some sort of creative pregnancy gymnastics – you are more than ready to have your baby.

Once a woman passes her due date, this generalized state of anxiety sets in. After all, you have waited long enough – and so you start scouring the internet and baby books about ways to bring on labor. Of course, there are hundreds of different pieces of advice you will receive from well meaning friends and family about how to bring on labor. “Take a walk,” they will say. “Sex will bring on labor,” they will mock.

Can sex really bring on labor? And even more curious, is how in the world are you going to have sex with your partner when you are in such a precarious state?

The notion of sex and nipple stimulation to bring on labor has been around for eons. According to a Reuters Survey, around 39.9% of women are still having sex with their partners in the third trimester. The ‘thinking’ behind sex to bring on labor is that it will help to cause the kind of rhythmic uterine contractions that will jumpstart labor. Additionally, sperm and the hormones released during the female orgasm are said to contain prostaglandins that ‘can’ induce labor and help to efface the cervix.

The reality is that sex to bring on labor won’t hurt anything. In fact, it may be a great way to get your mind off the stress of NOT being in labor and passing your due date, which can be therapeutic on many levels. However, some new studies coming out are saying that sex to bring on labor is quite simply an old wives tale – and that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that sex can actually induce your labor and delivery. In fact researchers who studied sex in pregnant women past the 37th week of pregnancy found that having sex or not having sex made little to no difference in how quickly the pregnant mother went into labor. What the study did inadvertently show is that conclusively, in a healthy pregnancy, sex in the third trimester is safe and can be enjoyable.

Labor is triggered by such a complicated series of chemical reactions and hormones, that no one thing – such as taking a walk, or having sex, can be credited for starting labor. Both the mother and baby have important, innate, physiological jobs to do when it comes to starting labor and delivery. While the introduction of sperm can help to soften and efface the cervix, it probably isn’t the cure all to starting labor and delivery.

Still – you are likely desperate. And choosing between taking a walk with swollen feet, getting diarrhea by ingesting something disgusting and having sex is a no brainer. So go ahead and in the infamous words of Nike, “Just do it!”

What tips do you have for women who want to bring on labor?  Have you or anyone you know tried having sex to bring on labor?

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @MOM-SPIRATIONAL

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

How Accurate is Your Pregnancy Due Date?

During your first prenatal visit that confirms pregnancy, your doctor will also provide you with something pretty significant, which is your DUE DATE!

This is a special date, that in your mind will become so solidified with meaning that you will spend the bulk of your time over the next nine months in serious countdown mode to this particular ONE DAY!

But just how accurate is your pregnancy due date?

When your doctor gives you a due date, they are taking into consideration a variety of factors. The most important of which is the date of your last menstrual period. From that date, they will try – using broad generalizations, to figure out when you ovulated – and thus exactly when you became pregnant. Even if you know the exact date that you became pregnant – you might be off by a few or more days to the time when implantation actually occurred. Since every woman’s body operates on its own unique schedule – using the date of your last menstrual period to come up with your due date, is quite simply NOT 100% accurate and is just the best generalized way to estimate how far along you are and when you might deliver your baby.

Additionally, as you progress through the pregnancy and your doctor begins to measure the size of your uterus (fundal height), uses Doppler technology and Ultrasound to check on the progress of the baby, your due date may change considerably. In many cases, your due date may change several times throughout your pregnancy. Sure, this can be frustrating, and even though you know in the beginning of your pregnancy that your due date is only a mathematical calculation not a certainty – you might find yourself frustrated. The reality is that only as few as 5% of women give birth within a day or two of their ‘due date.’

In fact, the good news is that around 80% of all women deliver between the 37th and 40th week of pregnancy, which means your baby could be here sooner than you expect. And likewise, most physicians will safely allow a woman to sail 2 weeks past her due date if she and the baby are doing well before initiating any sort of labor inducement.

One of the beauties of pregnancy and childbirth is that we as humans, learn to recognize that we do not have control over every little thing in our lives. You’re little one will arrive on exactly the day when he or she is ready to come. While keeping track of your due date gives you something to look forward to, and count down to – you shouldn’t regard the date as something etched in stone.

Written by Stef, Mother of 4 @MOM-Spirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

7 Things to Do on Your Due Date

Only around 5% of babies are born on their estimated due dates. Of the 20 women in your prenatal class, just one will welcome her baby on the due date, so the chances of that being you are not great. Well, one in 20, to be precise. So, rather than spending the whole day sat anxiously clutching your hospital bag, waiting for the contractions to begin, here are seven ways to occupy yourself:

  1. The first rule of due date club is no screen time – it’s your due date, all of your friends and family are waited with bated breath for the birth announcement. When I say waiting, I mean texting/calling/tweeting/Facebooking/smoke signalling you for news. Every time you so much as step near a communication device, you will be inundated with reminders that your baby is late for the party. To protect your sanity (and stop yourself from swearing at your sweet little grandma when she unwittingly becomes the fifth person to ring in an hour), go off grid for the day. Keep your phone with you, of course, because you’ll need it if you are one of the 5%, but keep it switched off until you need it.
  2. Do something fun – get your best friend to take the day off, so that she can take your mind off the date. Do something you won’t be able to do for a while. Go to the cinema, get a facial or just go for a picnic at your local park. Change your surroundings, go somewhere different, and have fun gossiping with your best friend.
  3. Have a fancy meal – go out for a slap up meal with your partner. It might be the last date you have for quite some time, so make the most of these last few days together. Try a new fancy restaurant, or eat at your favorite eatery. Just make sure you enjoy yourselves.
  4. Have your photo taken – some women love pregnancy and feel more beautiful than ever, and others mourn the loss of their body. Whatever your view, you are likely to one day look back and, even just for a second, think fondly about your pregnancy body. In a few months, you won’t even be able to remember quite how big you were at the end of the pregnancy. Why not organise a pregnancy photo shoot to help you remember? You could do it yourself, with the help of a camera-savvy friend, or pay a professional to take some shots.
  5. Write a letter to your baby – now that your due date has arrived, you may be feeling quite emotional. The wait is finally coming to an end, and you will soon meet your baby for the first time. You may feel overwhelmed by emotions, and writing it down may help you to feel more in control. Why not start your baby book with a letter written on the due date, detailing your feelings and emotions on the day.
  6. Hang out with some mums – what every heavily pregnant woman needs, is some time talking about the great things about birth and babies. What could be better than hearing lovely birth stories, breastfeeding triumphs, and newborn sleep tricks from those in the know. Organise a due date party, inviting your closest mum friends to celebrate with you and help to prepare you for the birth ahead.
  7. Be a cliché – there’s no point leaving this off the list, since you’re probably going to do it anyway. Go for a walk, eat a curry and have sex. After all, you’ve been waiting for this baby long enough!

How are you planning to spend your due date?

Why not start reading up on what to expect when your baby is there? Whilst you wait for your baby’s arrival, download our new Baby App for iPhone / iPad or Android. Click Baby+ iOS or Baby+ Android to install the App, and prepare for the arrival of your little one(s).

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Preparing Your Pet for the Baby

Congratulations, you’re expanding your family. You are getting ready to welcome your first child into the home, and while over the moon, you may be a bit worried how your pet will react. Whether you have a dog, cat, rabbit or budgie, your pets are likely a central part of your family.

While on the one hand you may be worried about your baby’s safety around the new pet, you are probably also concerned that your pet will feel pushed out or lonely once the baby arrives. You may worry that you won’t have the time to commit to looking after your pet once you become a mother. How can you go about preparing your pet for the baby?

Firstly, there is no need to get rid of your pet because you are expecting a baby. You can prepare your pet for the arrival of a baby, help them to deal with any stress and uncertainty it may cause, and prepare them for life as part of a larger family now.

How will my pet react?
When the baby arrives, your pet may feel a bit jealous, something similar to the sibling rivalry experienced by older children. It is unavoidable that with the addition of a baby to the family, you will have less time to spend with your pet. One way to make the transition easier, is to prepare your pet for this during pregnancy.

Rather than a sharp decrease in the time and attention your pet receives, try to decrease it gradually throughout the pregnancy. If your pet is particularly attached to you, encourage your partner to build a strong relationship with the pet to compensate for when the baby is hogging most of your attention.

Preparing your pet
The more preparation you do during pregnancy, the easier the transition will be. With that in mind, here are some simple tips to help prepare your pet for the new baby:

  • spay or neuter your pet – sterilized pets are calmer and less likely to bite
  • go to the vets – make sure your pet is up to date with vaccinations and has had a full health check before the baby arrives
  • deal with any behavioural problems – if your pet nips or pounces, now is the time to break that habit
  • keep your pet’s nails short
  • train your pet not to jump into your lap until invited
  • apply double sided sticky tape to any furniture you don’t want your pet to jump on – the crib or changing table for example

When baby arrives
Allow your pet to sniff a blanket or item of clothing with the baby’s scent on. This will allow your pet to become accustomed to the new smell. Introduce your pet to the baby carefully, and be sure to have treats handy to reward good behaviour. Try to make it a positive experience for your pet. Never leave your baby alone with your pet.

Routine is important for animals, and they can easily become stressed by routine changes. If you always walk your dog at a certain time, try to stick as closely to the routine as you can once baby arrives. This even allows you to get some exercise and fresh air each day!

Do you have any tips for how to allow your baby and animal to build a strong bond?

Have you enjoyed this article? If so, you can find plenty more great articles and useful tools in our new Baby App for iPhone / iPad or Android. Click Baby+ iOS or Baby+ Android to install the App, and prepare for the arrival of your little one(s).

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

What is Hypnobirthing?

Hypnobirthing is the use of hypnosis during labour. The practice aims to replace feelings of fear with confidence, and to allow women to experience labour in a positive way.

How does hypnobirthing work?

Hypnobirthing techniques can reduce your need for other forms of pain relief during labour. It can also help you to feel calm and positive during labour, rather than feeling scared or in pain. When you feel scared, your body initiates the fight or flight response. During this response, stress hormones, including adrenaline, flood your body. This reduces blood flow to the uterus, which can slow labour. The stress hormones can alter the amount of oxytocin released by your body. Oxytocin and other feel good hormones are released during labour and play a vital role in natural pain relief; without this, you may find labour to be more painful.

Where can I learn more about hypnobirthing?

There are a number of different ways to learn the basics of hypnobirthing:

  • One on one – you can have individual sessions with a hypnobirthing practitioner, and they will teach you how to use the techniques and tools to ease yourself into a calm state of mind.
  • Group sessions – you can attend classes to learn these techniques whilst also meeting other expectant parents. The classes are usually quite intimate, with only a small number of couples attending each one. Be sure to take your birth partner with you so that they can learn how to help you use hypnobirthing on the big day.
  • Learn at home – the most affordable option is to use hypnobirthing CDs. The CDs help you to get into the correct state for labour. You should listen to them during pregnancy to help yourself get used to hypnobirthing, and then use them once your labor begins. You can also try an App.

You should get your birth partner involved in hypnobirthing from an early stage. Your birth partner should learn the breathing, relaxation and visualization techniques to be able to guide you during labour. You should practice your hypnobirthing techniques together at home as often as you can before the birth. You should aim to know the techniques so well that they become second nature to you during labour.

When should I start hypnobirthing?

The ideal time to attend classes or start listening to your CD, is between 25 and 29 weeks. By this time you will feel focused on the impending birth, and yet will have enough time left to learn the techniques. However, you can start at anytime, so do not feel that at 34 weeks it is too late for you start. The relaxation techniques will be useful during labour, no matter when you start to learn them.

During labour

Once labour starts, use the hypnobirthing relaxation techniques to stay calm. Listen to your hypnobirthing CD, and ask your birth partner to read through the visualization scripts and help you with the breathing techniques during surges.

Are you planning to use hypnobirthing, or have you used it before? Please share your experiences in the comments below.

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Sometimes You Shouldn’t Listen to Childbirth Stories

You may have noticed that since becoming pregnant, your personal life has become public property. Your mother-in-law, work colleagues and strangers at bus stops are now only too happy to give you (unsolicited) advice.

Many women complain that the worst part of this (yes, even worse than strangers grabbing at your bump), is the childbirth stories – especially horror stories. Where the sight of a pregnant woman should cause people to refrain from sharing horror stories, in fact it seems to have the opposite effect. People seem to go out of their way to casually drop into conversations the terrible birth experience of their friend.

Why do people like telling not-so-helpful childbirth stories?

You shouldn’t assume the entire world is out to get you. The people telling you the stories probably aren’t giving much thought to your feelings – they’re just excited to tell that reaction-invoking story again. Some may even think they’re doing you a favour by preparing you for what could happen.

Ignorance is bliss

Some people like to know all the facts, and know every possible outcome, before an event so that they feel prepared. Pregnant women that fit into this category probably do like to know about interventions and complications, so they can feel prepared for any eventuality. It’s important to remember, however, that not all pregnant women will feel that way. For some, hearing about traumatic births can make them feel terrified and unprepared for labour.

The science

Feeling scared during labour, can actually increase your risk of interventions. Grantly Dick-Read, an experienced midwife, attended to labouring women all over the world, and found that the women who suffered most during labour were those who feared it.

The science behind this is that when we’re scared, our bodies initiate the fight or flight response. During labour, this can mean blood is directed away from the uterus (where it is needed) and to the legs for running away. This redirection means the uterus is not able to contract as strongly, thus leading to a longer (and potentially more painful) labour.

There is a lot of emphasis on relaxation during labour. Hypnobirthing, water births and breathing exercises are all used as a way to keep women calm during labour. These relaxation techniques can lower your risk of medical intervention, so it’s important to stay relaxed and free from fear during labour.

How to stop the negative childbirth stories

If you can tell someone is about to launch into another horror story, stop them. Explain politely that, while you understand births can sometimes be traumatic, you would rather not hear about it. Explain that you want to approach the birth feeling positive, and that you don’t want any horror stories keeping you awake at night.

Alternatively, share this blog post with your friends and family – they’ll soon get the picture!

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

BabyTime: NICU Bonding on an iPad

California’s Cedars-Sinai Hospital is using iPads to help new mums bond with their newborns. The iPad app, BabyTime, allows recovering mothers to log on twice a day, and speak to and see their babies on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) via a secure server.

Up to 30% of new mums who deliver by caesarean section feel unable to move around easily within the first 24 hours after the birth. Unfortunately, this means that many new mums are missing out on quality bonding time with their newborn baby on the NICU. For some mothers, the wait to see their baby can be even longer.

New mothers separated from their babies often report feeling helpless, powerless and isolated after the birth. Experts believe BabyTime will allow new mothers to take a more active role in their baby’s care, even if they are not able to attend the ward in person. It is also hoped that this initiative will allow new mothers to bond with their babies, in spite of the separation.

“The BabyTime program will reduce fear and stress in the new moms as they are able to see their babies and also communicate with the doctors and nurses,” said Selma Braziel, nurse manager for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. By using the iPad, the new mother can ask questions to their baby’s medical team, as well as communicating with the newborn baby.

“BabyTime is an excellent marriage of healthcare and technology, allowing us to securely use new technology to keep our patients more informed and more comfortable during their stay,” said Darren Dworkin, senior vice president and chief information officer at Cedars-Sinai.

For the new mums unable to be with their newborns, it is hoped that this initiative will offer reassurance that the baby is well and being looked after. It can be scary for new mothers to be on different wards, unable to see or hold their newborn, and hopefully this app will make that unfortunate event a little easier to bear.

Newborn babies are comforted by familiar sounds, and instantly recognise their mother’s voice. By talking to their baby over BabyTime, new mothers can help to reassure and soothe their babies. Being told your baby is fine, just isn’t the same as seeing it for yourself.

Does your hospital use technology to allow babies and mothers to connect when they can’t be together? Is this something you wish had been available when you had your baby?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.