When I first contemplated my impending journey into motherhood, I was filled with excitement but also apprehension. The question posed by my midwife about how I wanted to deliver my first child was met with an instinctive response: I wanted to forgo an epidural. Why did I feel that way? A mix of needle phobia
giving birth
The decision by Covis Pharma to withdraw Makena, their injectable progesterone drug intended to prevent preterm birth, marks a critical turning point in maternal healthcare. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel’s conclusion that Makena is ineffective highlights significant flaws in the drug’s approval process. Originally greenlit in 2011 through the FDA’s accelerated drug
Having a child is often painted as the most beautiful experience in life. However, for many mothers, the journey is fraught with unexpected challenges and hitting emotional roadblocks. My experience delivering my son was a moment that would forever change me, highlighted by an uninvited C-section scar. This journey is not merely about coping with
Pregnancy is often painted as a joyous journey filled with expectation and excitement, yet for some, it can morph into an unpredictable saga of waiting and uncertainty. I vividly recall the moment that marked the pinnacle of my experience—standing in line at Whole Foods, where the cashier innocently queried, “When are you due?” The stark
Recent studies, including a stark 2023 report by the CDC, reveal a troubling reality: 20% of women report experiences of mistreatment during labor. These reported incidents range from outright negligence to psychological undermining in the form of verbal attacks and emotional dismissiveness. Such experiences highlight a pervasive issue within maternity care that must be addressed
The anticipation that comes with nearing the end of a pregnancy often leads expectant mothers to seek various methods to induce labor naturally. As the weeks progress, particularly as the due date approaches, many women find themselves willing to try anything that might help bring their little one into the world. Among the plethora of
Life has a way of challenging our best-laid plans, especially when it comes to significant milestones such as childbirth. Kasie Hunt, a prominent anchor at CNN, recently experienced a remarkable intersection of anticipation and the unexpected when she gave birth to her daughter on the bathroom floor. Initially, Hunt had laid out a straightforward birth
Becoming a parent is an experience that often encapsulates a whirlwind of emotions. My journey with my firstborn, Rye, in 2016 can best be described as a profound mix of pain, persistence, and unexpected insights into the healthcare system. At that moment in history, there was a palpable sense of hope; the political climate seemed
Before the arrival of my first child, the thought of labor frightened me to my core. I was skeptical about whether the baby could be delivered as seamlessly as my healthcare providers described. To conquer my fears, I immersed myself in research, engaging with educational documentaries and enrolling in extensive childbirth classes for three months.