Preparing for Baby: Creating the Perfect Nursery on a Budget

Bringing a new life into the world is a joyous occasion but comes with its fair share of financial responsibilities. As parents-to-be, creating a perfect nursery for your little one is an exciting project, but it can be daunting, especially when you’re on a budget. However, with some planning, creativity, and resourcefulness, you can design

The Second Trimester

Congratulations, you’ve made it through the first trimester! The second trimester of pregnancy, weeks 13 through 27, is often referred to as the “honeymoon phase” of pregnancy. During this time, many women start to feel more comfortable and experience fewer of the unpleasant symptoms that can accompany the first trimester. Here’s what you can expect

Prenatal Testing: Group B Strep (GBS)

What is GBS “Infection” can be a scary word, especially in pregnancy. Group B Strep (Group B Streptococcus, or GBS) is a transient bacteria that can “come and go”. A person can test positive temporarily, or consistently and having colonization does not mean there is or will be an infection. Most of the time the

Fetal Kick Counts

One of the more exciting milestones in pregnancy is feeling your baby move. First fetal movements can usually be felt between 16-25 weeks of pregnancy. If this is your first pregnancy, you may not feel movement until closer to 25 weeks. Some individuals—those who have had a baby before, for example—may feel movement as early

Are Ultrasounds Risky?

The use of a fetal doppler in pregnancy can give valuable information to both you and your medical provider. But does using a ultrasound or a fetal doppler “for fun” pose any dangers to baby, and if so, are there any alternatives? Background As a very basic explanation, a doppler is a form of ultrasound

5 Pregnancy Symptoms to Never Ignore

Ahhhhh, pregnancy! You’ve either waited a long time to experience it, or no time at all. It may be smooth and fairly uneventful, or you may encounter some bumps along the way such as morning sickness, vivid dreams, and fatigue. These are relatively harmless pregnancy symptoms and generally don’t require medical attention, however; there are

Considering a Home Birth?

{Originally published April 2020} These last few weeks have been filled with uncertainty. But one thing you know for certain is that you’re going to give birth. You may be having second thoughts about your chosen hospital and find yourself considering birthing at home. You’re not alone! Families all over our area are asking questions

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea: What You Should Know

You may have heard of this herb or the popular tea found in most grocery and health food stores. Clients often ask about Red Raspberry Leaf Tea (RRL) and whether or not it will help to induce labor or at least help labor move along. It is important to note that there’s not a whole

Braxton and Hicks Walk into a Bar

…..and nothing happens! But is that really true? In my early days of doula-ing, I was sitting with a client during one of our prenatal visits. She had a question about Braxton Hicks contractions and was concerned they would turn into preterm labor, or that she wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between them