No matter how a baby’s birth unfolds ― whether it’s a first-time mom having a C-section, or a third-time mother fighting through a labor that lasts two full days ― childbirth is hard and it is messy.But in between all the, well, laboring are moments of love. Love between partners, love between families and doctors, doulas and midwives, and that very special love when … [Read more...]
This smiling preemie baby is melting the internet’s collective heart
On Dec. 2, 2014, Lauren Vinje snapped a picture of her five-day-old daughter, Freya, to send to her husband. The baby, who was born almost two months premature and weighed just four pounds, four ounces, looked up at her mother and gave an enthusiastic open-mouthed smile.Nearly two years later, that picture has gone viral, as the internet has fallen in love with Freya’s … [Read more...]
A Loving Start: Full-Spectrum Care Gives Families Their Best Start
Having a baby is a major, life-changing experience. SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Madison Director of Women and Children’s Services Robbie Sonnentag says quality care spanning pregnancy, labor and birth is vital to giving families their best start.Prenatal CareAs soon as a woman thinks she is pregnant, she should call for an appointment with her primary care … [Read more...]
10 Things About Giving Birth Your Doctor Won’t Tell You
Choosing an OB/GYN or midwife when you’re pregnant is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make and one most moms give a lot of thought to. In fact, 89 percent of women said the reason for selecting their provider was because the person’s values were in line with their own, according to a study in the Journal of Perinatal Education.Although your provider’s … [Read more...]
Prenatal vitamins: Why they matter, how to choose
Wonder if you need to take prenatal vitamins? Which brand is best? Or what to do if they make you queasy? Get answers to these questions and more.A healthy diet is the best way to get the vitamins and minerals you need — but even if you eat a healthy diet, you might fall short on key nutrients. If you're pregnant or hoping to conceive, prenatal vitamins can help fill any … [Read more...]
