Pregnancy Pillow Advantages And Disadvantages

Proceeding to the next step, comes side/stomach position. For this position, you will lay the baby on his/her stomach/side on either in your arms, lap, or your shoulder. Make sure that their arms are to their side. Usually doctors will tell you to lay them on their back to reduce the risk of SIDS, but since your newborn wants to feel like they are in the womb again, it is ok to lay them on their side/stomach. Just make sure that you turn them to their back once they fall asleep.

Bed-rest has been used as a treatment since the 19the century and its effects were seen in writing as early as 1892 in The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. In the article The Bed-Rest Hoax by Alexandra Kleeman she goes to point out how bed rest is negatively affecting patients who are prescribed it because of inactivity. While Kleeman points out many flaws in why bed-rest should be put to rest many researchers still believe that bed-rest can have astounding effects on pregnant women. Although in Kleeman’s article she tested out bed-rest on her own healthy body it is more often prescribed to pregnant women at this day in age to help with pregnancy. Because of its many benefits such as normalizing the body and increasing blood flow to the placenta bed rest is overall good for pregnant women.

**Hormonal changes** occur throughout pregnancy. During your third trimester, high levels of relaxin hormones are working to help loosen your pelvic joints, in preparation for childbirth. This, and the fact that you're carrying a significant amount

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE, 2007) Intrapartum guidelines state that during the first stage of labour women should be encouraged to adopt the position they feel most comfortable in. This is what the student was trying to encourage even though her mentor did not.There are various positions the woman can adopt in labour which are generally grouped into upright and recumbent. The positions classed as upright are; standing, walking, kneeling, squatting, on all fours and sitting, and the recumbent position could include; supine, lithotomy, semi-recumbent or side lying (Johnson and Taylor, 2011). The upright position appeared to be more beneficial in Sarah’s case and the author wants to determine if this is always the case. It is evident that sometimes there will be constraints such as continuous fetal monitoring but it is important that the midwife does

There are more than eighty massage techniques, but the safest one to indulge in during pregnancy is Swedish Massage. It uses long, gentle strokes to soothe and relax tightened muscles. Swedish massage helps the mom relax, eases tension, and promote a calm, peaceful inner self. It is also preferable – and more comfortable – for the client to avoid lying face down – even on specially designed pregnancy massage tables. Instead, you should lay on one side supported comfortably by pillows.

Perineal massage increases the elasticity of the perineum and is a way of preparing the tissue to relax, enabling the descent of the head during delivery. As well as improving the elasticity, perineal massage helps the mother to know what it feels like when the perineum is stretched, therefore she will be familiar with the feeling of the perineum opening up (NHS, 2014).

Another important factor is doing daily activities as tolerated. Exercise in moderation, and incorporate stretching lower and upper extremities with rest period. Also monitor daily weight daily and notify physician if any critical change. The pregnant woman will be encouraged to practice deep breathing exercises and this can be used to minimize anxieties and promote energy. This will also prepare the pregnant woman for proper fitness and endurance during delivery and caring for the newborn. These regimens mentioned will minimizes fatigues both on the mother and the developing fetus.

Dr. James McKenna of Notre Dame University’s Mother Baby Sleep Laboratory said “the bodies of women and their babies are more in sync when they sleep together, which helps the baby sleep better. Babies are designed to feel the presence of their parents. It is only a very recent and very strange cultural innovation that babies would be sleeping apart from their mothers. It is very much a departure from the normal human pattern.” (McKenna, et al., 1994)

Hormone Levels: When people have babies, their hormone levels get out of whack. Mom, baby, and even dad will have fluctuation in hormones that are intended to help parents become parents, and help the baby adjust to this new world. One of the fastest ways to get hormone levels back under control is to indulge in some baby cuddles. In today’s world, it’s hard to find the time to sit around and just cuddle the baby. However, with baby carriers, parents don’t have to worry about finding the time because they can wear their baby while continuing on with

Most women experience a great amount of back pain during their pregnancy. As the body grows and develops, pressure is placed on the organs and especially the spinal column. It is a known fact that as your baby grows, he or she gets heavier. The weight of your growing baby alters your body, affecting

While exercise may not be able to eliminate all of the discomfort associated with pregnancy, it can help with circulation, digestion, and constipation, as well as improve posture and muscle tone, which you will need to support joints that are loosened by various hormones as your body prepares for childbirth. Additionally, exercise can counteract the changes in body image and self-esteem that you possess. Most importantly, an appropriate exercise program can help prepare for the mental and physical demands of labor and delivery.

Proper alignment is key to a healthy and comfortable lifestyle. When you add pregnancy into the mix, it can become quite challenging to maintain proper alignment. With appropriate clearance from your obstetrician, chiropractic work can be the key to a comfortable and healthy pregnancy. Below are 3 ways you can benefit from visiting your chiropractor during your pregnancy.

Anybody can attempt acupuncture to alleviate discomfort, but many therapists will deny seeing somebody in the course of pregnancy. If you have a lot more days ahead to expect, it's generally safe to go under acupuncture therapy.

Along with back pain relief, they also get relief from circulation problems and heartburn. Research shows that many women who regularly see a chiropractor during pregnancy have less painful and shorter deliveries.

It has been shown through studies that exercising aids in strength, flexibility, muscle tone and endurance, all in which help in areas such as carrying extra weight, preparing for the physical stresses of labor and contributing in shedding the pounds postpartum (Gulino 2). Exercise also helps in relieving that excess weight gain, swelling, varicose veins, fatigue and leg cramps. It helps to prevent depression and establish confidence both before and after labor. Exercise lowers stress and improves emotional health. It has been shown through studies that women who exercise during pregnancy have shorter labors as well as a decreased need for painkillers and an epidural during labor and delivery (Hudson 1).