No amount of preparation, no number of birth stories, no level of research can fully prepare you for the reality of having a baby and going through the postpartum period. There’s a prevailing narrative about the experience: That those first few weeks after you welcome your baby are just blissful. Exhausting, yes, but blissful.  People refer to the day they gave birth and the weeks following it as the best, most magical times in their life. They talk about falling madly, instantly in love.  That’s the narrative that’s considered socially acceptable, but it’s not the only...

Mental health is a part of whole health, even during pregnancy. While parts of a pregnancy may spark joy and immense gratitude, some triggers can surface or exacerbate mental health conditions.   Everything from family history to past personal history with mental health conditions could make an individual more likely to experience perinatal mental conditions, explains Dr. Meggie Smith, Attending Physician at Nashville Fertility Center.  According to studies, it’s 1 in 5 birthing individuals who will be diagnosed with perinatal mental health conditions during pregnancy.  Dr. Sarah Oreck, MS, Reproductive psychiatrist and the CEO and co-founder of...

“I imagined myself getting hit by a school bus and not caring, because at least that meant I could rest.” –Erin Sarris, 40, content strategist and infertility children’s book author “My thoughts ranged from wondering how I could break a leg just to ‘get a few days away’ to picturing myself pushing the stroller into the middle of an intersection.” –Frenchie Ferenczi, 35, consultant “I went into labor seven weeks early with my first. It's not surprising that when I did the postpartum ‘Are you at risk of postpartum depression’ survey, I was flagged as a...

“Sleep before the baby comes” is often easier said than done — especially if you’re dealing with sciatica during pregnancy. Sciatica is a pain that originates along the sciatic nerve, which extends from the back of the pelvis down the back of the thigh, and it can be uncomfortable, to say the least. It can also seriously disrupt your sleep, making those precious months of rest before the baby arrives elusive.   If you’re tossing and turning, wondering how to manage your sciatica pain so you can enjoy a more restful night’s sleep, look no further. Here,...

We’ve all seen it depicted in mainstream media: A woman vomits in the early morning hours and soon realizes she’s pregnant. We can’t say it isn’t true to life. Morning sickness is a common condition experienced by around 70-80% of pregnant women, and it can be an extremely uncomfortable and challenging aspect for expectant mothers.  No one wants to experience nausea and vomiting during what is supposed to be one of the most exciting times of their life. However, amidst the discomfort of the first (and sometimes also second and third) trimester of pregnancy, there is...

Let’s face it: Pregnancy can be equal parts beautiful and terrifying. Growing a life is one of the most world-changing experiences a person can go through. But for some expectant mothers, pregnancy can be fraught with challenges — one of the potential complications being preeclampsia.  Between 5-8% of all pregnant women develop preeclampsia or another hypertension-related disorder, including 400,000 in the U.S. annually. So, what is preeclampsia, exactly, and how do you know if you are at an increased risk for the condition? Let’s dive in.  What causes preeclampsia? Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure...

You’ve just given birth, and let’s be real: sex with your partner is probably the last thing on your mind. While you have a pass for the first 8 weeks following a Cesarean delivery, once you are given the all-clear by your doctor at your first post-natal appointment, you may begin wondering how to go about having safe (and enjoyable) intercourse post-C-section. Thankfully, there are plenty of empowering positions to explore to help you reconnect with your spouse during this time. Let’s dive in!  How soon can you have sex after a C-section? A C-section is...

In the months before and after giving birth, it is completely normal and even expected to feel more on edge than you usually do. After all, you are now responsible for growing and nurturing a new life. It’s when that edginess begins to impact your day-to-day responsibilities that it becomes an issue. This is typical for women who suffer from postpartum anxiety.  As someone previously diagnosed with general anxiety disorder (GAD), I was aware postpartum anxiety could be something that might affect me after having my baby. I’ve been on Lexapro for a number of years...

From the minute you find out you’re going to be a parent, your life changes. Whether due to hormonal fluctuations, lack of support, sleep deprivation, or the overall shift in life circumstances, symptoms of anxiety or depression can arise for parents during pregnancy as well as in the months following the baby’s arrival.  1 in 5 new or expecting mothers suffer from a mental health condition during or after pregnancy, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Over the past few decades, there have been significant efforts to make new parents aware of the signs and...

Stretch marks: they’re often a newly pregnant woman’s biggest concern as it relates to their changing body during the prenatal period. While stretch marks are an incredibly common side effect of pregnancy, there is no shortage of products on the market claiming to help you prevent or reduce their appearance.  First and foremost, stretch marks are normal — and nothing to be ashamed of. But if you do want to learn more about this pregnancy phenomenon, including why stretch marks occur, how to minimize their appearance, or even how to embrace their beauty, we’ve got you...