Physical recovery after childbirth involves managing surgical wounds, understanding hormonal shifts, and identifying early indicators of active labor.
Cesarean births are not unusual in the United States. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released in 2007 show that almost a third of births involve c-section deliveries. Yet while this procedure is common, it is not without significant risks to both women and their babies.
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A cesarean section, or c-section, is the surgical removal of a baby through the mother’s abdomen. C-sections are generally considered safe but they are associated with risks and those risks continue to increase with each c-section.
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While nothing in life is certain, there’s a good chance that your second labor will differ from your first in a number of ways. Both you and your uterus have been down this road before, so you know -- or think you know -- what to expect when labor starts.
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Chamomile is a herb that closely resembles and is closely related to the common daisy. Scientifically, chamomile is called Matricaria recutita or Chamomilla recutita. There is no reputable evidence that chamomile can induce labor.
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Itching is a side effect associated with the administration of an epidural for pain relief. An epidural is pain medication or anesthesia delivered by injection to the spaces that surround the sacs called dura in your spine. Not everyone who has an epidural experiences itching, and the intensity of the sensation varies.
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Menstrual cycles cease during pregnancy. After a woman gives birth, menstrual cycles may not occur at the same interval or last the same amount of time as they did before pregnancy. Some women also experience a change in menstrual flow, with periods becoming lighter or heavier.
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As your pregnancy progresses, the excitement and anticipation continues to mount. You likely dream of what your baby will look like and long to hold her in your arms. Throughout this experience, your body has been going through major changes, and you've probably experienced a wide range of symptoms.
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Stillbirth is the death and delivery of a developing baby that takes place after the 20th week of pregnancy. After fetal death has occurred, the baby must still come out of the womb. After the delivery of your stillborn child, difficult decisions face you even as you cope with your grief.
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As you near the end of your pregnancy, or if your baby is already past his due date, you may start trying to think of ways to induce your labor. It is possible to get your own labor started, but it is wise to follow a couple of guidelines.
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Cesarean section is a surgical procedure in which a doctor creates a surgical incision in the abdomen to deliver a baby. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, complications are rare, but they do sometimes occur.
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You’re a bundle of nerves awaiting a bundle of joy. The 40-week mark is looming on the calendar and “labor day” will soon be here. Mired in the maternal mix of excitement, anticipation and anxiety is a whole lot of impatience. After all, you’ve practically been pregnant “forever.
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As a pregnant woman’s body prepares for labor, many changes occur internally to ensure that her baby shifts into the proper position. Unborn babies descend into the pelvis in preparation for labor and delivery, which can cause their mothers to experience several new signs and symptoms.
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You're done. Maybe you're close to your due date, or just a little past. But the joys of pregnancy are waning and you wish to see your little one, or perhaps just your feet. It's not clear what actually triggers labor, but there are some tried-and-true approaches that may have you winging your way to the hospital.
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According to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, essential oils are "highly concentrated aromatic extracts which are distilled from a variety of aromatic plant material including grasses, leaves, flowers, needles and twigs, peel of fruit, wood and roots."
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It is natural for a woman to experience some bleeding following a C-section, but uncontrollable bleeding may occur when the major blood vessel is damaged during surgery, according to the website eMedTV. After delivery, some women experience C-section complications such as postpartum hemorrhage or severe bleeding.
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Women recovering from a cesarean birth often require pain medication. When the patient is also a breast-feeding mother, medication should be kept to a minimum to avoid causing side effects in the nursing newborn. According to breast feeding resource Kellymom.
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Lightening is the medical term used to describe the baby settling deeper into a woman's pelvis. The American Pregnancy Association points out that although this does indicate the body is preparing for labor, it might occur several weeks or only a few hours before actual labor begins.
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