Pregnancy


How do you know if you need a perinatal mental health therapist?

The most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth is perinatal (loosely defined as the time from pregnancy to postpartum) depression and anxiety. During this time, new parents face many changes, physically and emotionally. Becoming a parent can be a pretty stressful time – everything’s new and it can take a while to find your feet. Add into the mix difficulties with feeding, sleeping, or settling your baby and things can start to feel a bit overwhelming. If your anxious feelings are getting in the way of daily life, it is time to seek help....

Incontinence during pregnancy and postpartum – Q&A with a Physical Therapist

I’m Dr. Sneha Gazi. I’m a physical therapist and owner of Sneha Physical Therapy, a NY-based in-home and telehealth practice. I’m the founder and Executive Director of Physical Therapy International Service Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that brings free PT to underserved communities globally. I am also the host and creator of “Fit As A Fiddle” – a health and wellness podcast featuring guest speakers from various fields and available in all major podcast platforms....

How Virtual Doulas Can Help in the Age of Coronavirus (and Beyond!)

While there have been virtual doulas for a while now, the appearance of the novel coronavirus has transformed this once largely in-person role into a remote and critical one. We are living in unprecedented times, and many of us have been ordered to stay at home unless absolutely necessary. As hospitals work hard to reduce the possibility of transmission, extra people, including doulas and, in some cases, partners, are currently not allowed in several hospitals to support laboring people. We must protect healthcare workers and flatten the curve, and we empathize with how challenging it will be for partners to not be there physically....

Pregnant and preparing for the coronavirus

Concern about how to prepare for the coronavirus has certainly reached new heights this week. But if you’re pregnant, you probably have some unique worries about how this virus might affect your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period. Now is a good time to think through your game plan in the event that the coronavirus strikes close to home....

How Acupuncture Can Help During Your Third Trimester and During Birth

As an acupuncturist who often works with pregnant patients, I have at times been amazed by the significant physical and emotional shifts acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine modalities can make. The positive impact of acupuncture during the third trimester and labor can be truly remarkable.I’ve seen a case of severe sciatic pain that resolved after only one session; a tense, anxious mom who walked out relaxed and laughing. So many breech or transverse babies who ended up turning into the vertex (head down position), that I’ve lost count! ...

When To Call A Pelvic Floor Therapist

“I pee every time I sneeze… is that normal?” “Every since I had a baby, sex is so painful…does everyone experience that?” “Every since I gave birth, I feel so much pressure down there… is that ok?” “My baby is 6 months old; I’ve almost lost all the “baby” weight but I still look pregnant and my lower back is super sore… is that normal?” “I am so constipated… should I be worried?”...

Helpful Dental Tips for Pregnant Women & Nursing Mothers

helpful dental tips for pregnant women& nursing mothers DR. AMANDA TAVOULARIS (dentably.com) Dental health may not be on the forefront of your mind during your pregnancy or while you’re breastfeeding. However, it’s important that you take care of your teeth and gums during this time because up to 75% of women develop inflammation of gums, or gingivitis while they are...

Why can therapy help prevent perinatal depression

Did you read the latest news on preventing the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth? Back up…do you know what the most common complication actually IS? Diabetes? Nope. Preeclampsia? Try again. Believe it or not, perinatal (loosely defined as the time from pregnancy to postpartum) depression and anxiety are actually the most common ailments that women face during this time. Between 11 and 17% of pregnant and new moms suffer from depression and/or anxiety. The good news is that perinatal depression and anxiety are treatable AND, as we now know, preventable....

7 Important Tips for Surviving a Stay in the NICU

November 17 is World Prematurity Day—part of an entire month devoted to Prematurity Awareness. In recognition, we’ve compiled some critical tips and information about NICUs. More babies than ever are spending time in NICU—up to 15 percent—potentially due to higher rates of cesarean birth, more screening for things like gestational diabetes and Group B Strep infection (meaning more mothers will test positive for these conditions), and more epidurals (which may lead to more fevers in mothers). ...

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