To help celebrate their new prenatal program Pampers has asked P&G Moms to share birth stories and best tips for new moms. They are also offering a cool prenatal pack giveaway. I started to write out the birth story for my first daughter, but then realized folks might not want to wade through 500 words to find their Pampers giveaway. So here's the short cheat version, my … [Read more...]
Being Difficult, A Birth Story
"She's being difficult. Don't let her go until she signs". Those were the words the obstetrician said as he walked out the door. The nurse nodded, glanced in the room and then shut the door on me. I stood there feeling furious and helpless and trying hard not to cry. I was late into my third trimester and my biweekly meeting with the OB had quickly gone south when he started … [Read more...]
Just Imagine… Birth Centres in Ontario
Guest Post from Canadian Blogger Little Miss Kate Imagine giving birth in a place that is specialized in supporting women in healthy birth. Where your care provider will be with you for the duration of your labour, and care for you and your baby post birth as well. A place with a multitude of options for helping your labour progress and pain management including baths, … [Read more...]
Postpartum Depression in the 1950s, my Grandmother’s Story (or A Short History of Postparturm Depression, from 1950-Now)
In 1951, after giving birth to her first child, my grandmother developed postpartum depression. She was diagnosed as having a "nervous condition". Her treatment took the form of electroshock therapy. She was twenty years old at the time. Separated from her family she was sent to a mental hospital in St. Thomas, many miles away from her home. In the meantime, my grandfather was … [Read more...]
C-Section Fears and Motherhood Scars
My mom had all three of her children by c-section. The sight of the dark scar running vertically down her belly used to fill me with disgust and dread. I had this irrational fear of having a c-section myself. I can't really explain it. That's the thing about irrational fears, they're not rational. For many years my fear kept me from seriously considering childbirth. When … [Read more...]