The moment you give birth, in addition to having a new member of your family, there are a number of changes that take place, including within your body. One particular change that happens quite immediately after delivery is called uterine involution, which occurs when the uterus shrinks back down toward its pre-pregnancy size. The main reasons for uterine involution are to reduce the amount of weight you have to carry, and to allow the uterus to regain fertility.  “Basically, the uterus grows over the course of a pregnancy to accommodate the fetus, amniotic fluid, and placenta;...

You’ve likely heard the phrase “cutting the cord” used to describe the moment a newborn separates from the person who birthed them. Traditionally, the birth partner gets to cut the umbilical cord, symbolizing the baby’s grand entrance into the world. But what happens to that cord after it’s cut? That’s where cord blood banking comes in.  Let's clear up the confusion around cord blood banking — what it is, why it’s gaining popularity, and address some common questions and misconceptions you might have. What is cord blood, anyway?  Cord blood, found in your baby’s umbilical cord...

If you’ve given birth via C-section and noticed your midsection looks different than it used to, you’re not alone. Known as the “C-section shelf”, this bulge that can linger around your C-section scar long after you’ve delivered your baby. It’s been five years since my own C-section, and I still absolutely notice that my belly area doesn’t look the way it did in my pre-baby life — and I’d be lying if I said that I’ve completely accepted my own C-section shelf. But, I try to tell myself what I would tell anyone else: Bodies change....

The joy of pregnancy is never without challenges, even if you are relatively healthy. There are nonstop doctor’s appointments, dietary restrictions, fatigue, swollen ankles, constantly needing to pee, nausea, and countless other physical and mental health changes.  But imagine having an autoimmune disorder — a condition where your immune system fights against normal cells — on top of pregnancy. Specifically, one that puts you at increased risk for recurrent pregnancy loss, blood clots, eclampsia, pre-eclampsia, placental insufficiency, and preterm delivery.  Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder where the body makes antibodies that attack a fat (phospholipids) in your cells....

Whether you’re newly pregnant or counting down the remaining weeks until you meet your baby, you probably already know that you would do anything to protect your future child. Still, you may be surprised to learn that your baby's umbilical cord contains cord blood and cord tissue, both rich sources of powerful stem cells which are being researched for their ability to help our bodies heal. So, what does that mean for you? While the decision to pursue cord blood banking is a personal one, this guide will explore some of the potential ways cord blood...

If you’ve already had a child via cesarean section, you may be curious, or even adamant, about trying for a vaginal delivery for your next baby. In many cases, a VBAC, or a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean, is considered safe and has a 60 to 80 percent success rate, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).  While there are certainly risks associated with both vaginal deliveries and cesarean sections, VBACs often result in shorter hospital stays, fewer blood transfusions, and a decreased risk of postpartum fever. And although there is an increased possibility...

I was recently at lunch with a group of moms when the topic of postpartum recovery came up. While we all had very different stories leading up to the deliveries of our babies, we could all agree on one thing: We were all completely, utterly unprepared for the physical, mental, and emotional realities of the postpartum period. The Unseen Challenges of the Postpartum Period Personal Stories from New Mothers One mom reported that she had no idea how long she’d bleed after giving birth. Another said she had no idea she’d bleed at all after delivering...

The term “OCD” is often misused, with people saying things like “I’m totally OCD” when referring to being meticulous, highly organized, or extremely clean. The reality? OCD is so much more than that. It’s a mental health condition that can really affect a person’s quality of life. Like other mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, OCD can be triggered or exaggerated by pregnancy. Being a new parent is already incredibly tough, and perinatal OCD can add a layer of challenge to a person’s experience. That’s why it’s so critical that we address the...

The third trimester of pregnancy with my twins was anything but ordinary. I was commuting 30 minutes to and from the office daily, spending most of the workday just trying to get comfortable. I had a standing desk that I used whenever a little leg was snuggled too close to my rib cage. I napped in my car during lunchtime. I had to excuse myself from most meetings for a bathroom break (or two). There was a cushioned bench outside my office that I sometimes laid down on with my laptop when my colleagues weren’t...

When a Times Square digital ad featuring cookbook author Molly Baz made its debut, I imagine a lot of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers felt seen and celebrated. The ad featured Baz, who is pregnant, wearing an unbuttoned shirt and holding two lactation cookies over her breasts. This is fitting: The ad was for Swehl, a brand that creates breastfeeding essentials, and was meant to advertise lactation cookies. It’s refreshing to see a product meant to help mothers breastfeed that actually acknowledges the role a woman’s body plays in that process. Baz’s body and the incredible...