Crowning Lotus Blog

Helpful Pregnancy Related Information

8/20/2015

Pregnancy is an interesting and beautiful time in your life! There is nothing on Earth like this experience. Just about everything that you do, you will be constantly aware of the life growing within you, and it will consistently influences much of your life.

Below we have compiled helpful links and videos on topics related to pregnancy to help inform and support you on your journey.

Prenatal Care - Midwife, CNM or OB?

You will need to decide what kind of care provider you wish to work with. Understanding the difference between an OB/CNM and Homebirth Midwife is important. If your pregnancy is healthy and normal, a Home Birth Midwife or CNM (A "Certified Nurse Midwife" who usually delivers in hospital) may be an option for you - if it is high risk, you may need to see an OBstetrician and have a hospital birth.

It's important for you to know that you can make the most out of whatever care you end up needing to go with and to always follow your intuition. What's right for you won't be right for everyone and vise-versa. Do your homework, ask questions, and DO YOU.

Pregnancy & Birth Doulas

Most people are not pregnancy and birth experts when they get pregnant, and, it's easy to assume that our care providers are going to fully inform and support us through the process...but, that's not the case. Your care providers job is to take care of you from a medical standpoint. Not to prepare and inform you, not to provide you with hands on support, and, not to prepare you for parenting.

It's easy to become overwhelmed with questions, concerns, or even knowing which directions to go seeking the information you (actually) need. hiring a Pregnancy or Birth doula is the best way to clear the fog and rest assured that you are being provided the most up to date, evidence based information AND receiving the support you and your partner will need.

Follow-Up Articles:

Self Care in Pregnancy

Lesson #1 in becoming a mother is SELF-CARE. It is so important that you prioritize your needs and find ways to take care of yourself from head to soul. Massage, Yoga, Meditation, and nutrition - these are simple ways to incorporate self care into your life that can become an integrated part of your every day. Developing these habits now will help you immensely when the baby comes and you will need these breaks more than ever.

We seriously suggest checking out and investing the $15 into the "Spinning Babies Daily Essentials" video which will guide you through daily and weekly practices that will promote healthy, more comfortable pregnancies and births by encouraging Optimal Fetal Positioning. Their website is also a wealth of knowledge!

Let's Talk About SEX, Baby!

A common concern for couples can be how pregnancy will effect your sex life. Every woman - and every pregnancy is different, but, generally - sex is not only safe, but healthy during pregnancy!

Pregnancy & Sex

Pregnancy Kama Sutra

Music for Baby's Development

Choosing a song to sing to your baby from around week 32 (when the baby can really start picking up sounds outside of the womb) can have a wonderful impact on both parents and baby. Sing this song to your baby every day and then let it be the way that you greet him or her when they get here. Even if you think you "can't sing" - your voice is the most beautiful thing your baby has ever heard.

Music in Pregnancy

Penny Simkin on Singing To Baby

Sleep During Pregnancy

Getting plenty of rest and sleep is sometimes easier said than done. Taking good care of your body through yoga, meditation, and nutrition will also help you contribute to easier sleeping patterns. Sometimes eating a bowl of oatmeal and a banana before bed can help sustain your body and assist in longer sleep sessions along with positioning, warm baths or showers.

How To Sleep While Pregnant

Rolling Over In Bed When Pregnant

Pregnancy Related Complications

Most pregnancies are completely normal, however, a small percentage of women will experience one or more of these complications. Taking good care of yourself prenatally is a great way to prevent these things from happening, however, sometimes no matter what we do we may have something come up.

It's important to research ALL options regarding prevention and treatment BEFORE consenting to interventions such as induction or cesarean (unless it is an emergent situation, in which case you must do whatever necessary to have the healthiest outcome possible).