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]]>Birth Control After Baby:
Birth Control After Baby: Popular Methods And Options By Dr. Christine Sterling M. D.
Birth Control After Baby: After having a baby, it is best to wait at least 6 weeks before resuming intercourse. Once you become sexually active again, pregnancy becomes possible. To minimize pregnancy risks, the World Health Organization recommends delaying pregnancy for at least 18 months after giving birth.
Lactation
Many women believe that breastfeeding prevents pregnancy, and it does sometimes. However, relying on lactation to prevent pregnancy is tricky. To be an effective form of contraception, all of the following conditions must be met:
- Less than 6 months postpartum
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Breastfeeding exclusively with no more than 4 hours in between feedings (no supplementation of any kind, including food)
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Not having a period. It is important to note that you can ovulate and get pregnant before your first period after birth.
BREASTFEEDING YOUR NEWBORN: WHAT TO EXPECT
Combined-hormonal contraception- the pill, ring, and patch
These forms of contraception contain both estrogen and progesterone. They are not generally recommended for women who are breastfeeding as the estrogen can decrease milk supply. For those who are not breastfeeding, these forms of contraception can be initiated after 6 weeks.
Estrogen-containing birth control increases the risk of blood clots. Women who are less than 6 weeks postpartum should not use this form of birth control. These forms of contraception are about 91% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Copper intrauterine device
This highly effective form of contraception has no hormones and is placed inside your uterus by your doctor. The chance of getting pregnant while using the copper IUD, known as ParaGuard in the US, is less than 1%. Your doctor can insert it in the office and it is effective immediately.
The Paraguard IUD is best for women with light to moderate periods. As it can increase the amount of bleeding during your time of menstruation. Some women also report increased cramping with their periods, though this typically gets better within 6 months of placement. The copper IUD is FDA approved for 10 years of contraception, but research supports effectiveness for up to 12 years.
Progesterone-containing intrauterine device
There are 4 different progesterone containing IUDs on the market in the US. They are all small T-shaped devices that are placed in your uterus by a doctor in a simple office procedure. Placement typically takes under a minute. The IUDs differ in size and progesterone dose. The Skyla and the Kyleena are the smallest in size.
The Skyla has the lowest dose of progesterone hormone and lasts for only 3 years. Higher doses of progesterone mean the IUD works for longer. Also, better able to decrease the amount of menstrual bleeding. The Kyleena is small, like the Skyla, but has a higher dose of progesterone. That is why it works for 5 years and is more likely to decrease or stop your periods.
The Mirena and the Liletta have the highest dose of progesterone. The Mirena lasts for 6 years. Furthermore, 1 in 5 Mirena users no longer have a period after 1 year of use. The progesterone IUDs are over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. Also, can be used to treat heavy periods and pelvic pain. They are effective within one week of placement. Also, can be removed before their expiration date should you decide to pursue pregnancy or change your mind. Removal is usually a quick and painless process.
HOW TO STRENGTHEN YOUR PELVIC FLOOR AFTER BIRTH
Birth control implant
In the US, Nexplanon is the only available birth control implant. Nexplanon contains progesterone hormone and is the most effective form of contraception available. It is even more effective than getting your tubes tied, though it is not permanent.
The Nexplanon is a small device about the size of a matchstick. That is inserted in the upper arm by a doctor under local anesthesia. Insertion takes only a few minutes, and it prevents pregnancy for 4 years. Most women experience a decrease in their monthly menstrual flow. However, some women have irregular bleeding for the first 6 months or so.
Nexplanon can be removed at any time. Removal, like placement, is typically a simple procedure done in the office with minimal downtime.
Progesterone-only pill
This oral contraceptive, called the “mini-pill” by some. This is a pill that must be taken at the same time every day in order to be effective. Ovulation and pregnancy can occur if you miss a dose by more than 3 hours. For many remembering to take a pill every day at the exact same time is challenging.
This may help explain why it is only 91% effective at preventing pregnancy. On the upside, it does not require a separate office visit for insertion. Like the long-acting reversible contraceptive devices (IUDs and Nexplanon).
Progesterone injection
In the US, Depo-Provera is available as an injection you get every 3 months. This injection of progesterone is 94% effective at preventing pregnancy. It can cause weight gain and cannot be removed once the injection is given.
About the Author:
Join us over at the PB Moms Exclusive Circle. Where we invite healthcare experts to prepare us for life after childbirth and motherhood. Go to: pregnancybeyond.com/exclusive-circle.
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The 3 Biggest Baby Sleep Mistakes and How to Avoid Them, By Dr. Cathryn.
Dear Mom and Dads,
Do you really need to send your baby off to boot camp or leave him to cry-it-out to encourage healthy sleep habits?
Thankfully, the answer is a resounding no. After working with literally tens of thousands of families just like you, I’ve uncovered 3 big sleep mistakes that many new parents (innocently) make that can lead to days, weeks, months, and even years of sleep problems.
Let’s take a look at the 3 mistakes you can deliberately avoid, once you’re aware of them:
1. FIRST WE ALLOW BAD HABITS TO FORM AND THEN WE GO TO EXTREMES TRYING TO BREAK THEM
Our culture goes about sleep completely backward. First, we allow bad habits to form and then we go to extremes trying to break them!
Many adoring parents make the mistake of delaying sleep training because they think it will be easier on their baby. But here’s what I really want you to know: When you encourage young babies to develop good habits right from the start, it’s easier on them (and you) because you won’t need to break stubborn habits down the road.
2. MISSING THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO GENTLY ENCOURAGE HEALTHY SLEEP HABITS.
The Window Of Opportunity is an invaluable and fleeting moment that occurs around 6 – 8 weeks of age. During this sensitive period, the first sleep habits your baby is exposed to are typically the ones that stick. When your baby begins to smile socially,…i.e. you smile at your little cupcake and she smiles back at you, this implies her neural circuits have multiplied and matured and she’s ready to pick up cues from the environment. This is the time to loosen ineffective sleep habits and encourage good ones. Read on to discover how.
RELATED: THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR NEWBORN
3. OVER- HELPING WHEN IT’S TIME TO HOLD BACK.
Babies are born with built-in self-soothing capabilities. In other words, they have the tools they need to fall asleep, they just need our direction and encouragement to use them.
What does that mean in practical terms? It means giving your baby a chance to learn to self-soothe starting at a very young age. Tiny babies need you to direct them to pick up self-calming and falling asleep skills.
But I’m not talking about sleep-training. New babies are too young and vulnerable for sleep-training…and honestly, it isn’t necessary!
Most parents assume a baby can’t fall asleep and with the best of intentions rock, jiggle, or feed him until he nods off. This is very appropriate early on, but when parents innocently continue to do this long after it’s needed, babies become dependent on these strategies to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Instead, give your baby plenty of opportunities to learn to fall asleep on his own. This means when your baby is nice and sleepy, put him in his bed or cradle and give him a few moments to try and nod off. If he fusses, calm him with your voice….”sh-sh-sh.” Say the same thing over and over. If your baby is quiet or only lightly fussing, stand back and give him the room he needs to find ways to relax and fall asleep.
Depending on your baby’s nature, it may take weeks or even months before she becomes skilled at self-soothing. But the more time she gets to practice this skill, the quicker she’ll learn.
I wouldn’t expect to boost your baby’s sleep overnight or even within a week. But if every single day, you give your baby the chance to discover ways of letting go and falling asleep, she’ll learn to sleep better and longer without crying-it-out or sleep-training.
Remember—-babies are brilliant and more capable than we think!
You can start encouraging good sleep habits that last a lifetime starting tonight!
Respectfully yours,
dr. Cathryn
About the Author – Baby Sleep Mistakes: Dr. Cathryn is a pediatrician, a trained midwife, a two-time author, and the mother of four amazing kids. She spends a big part of her day, every day, helping parents (just like you) overcome sleep problems. Her celebrated books have been translated into several languages and have benefited parents all over the world. Her work has been featured in NY Times, LA Times, Washington Post, Globe & Mail, Dear Abby, Parents, Todays Parent, Canadian Living, etc. Currently, she provides daily sleep tips on Instagram and has recently developed the long-awaited online mini-sleep course, Choose sleep! for new parents. Find more of her on www.drcathryn.com and on her Instagram page.
Join us over at the PB Moms Exclusive Circle, where we invite healthcare experts to prepare us for life after childbirth and motherhood. Go to: pregnancybeyond.com/exclusive-circle.
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Sex After Pregnancy – Here’s the 411 By Dr. Angela.
We received a number of emails from new moms wanting to know when it is okay to start having sex again after Pregnancy and childbirth. Dr. Angela graciously shares her professional tips on this topic.
Sex After Pregnancy….Here’s the 411:
Six weeks post delivery, vaginal or c-section, is when a woman typically follows up with her obgyn for her routine, postpartum check. This visit is to ensure that mom is doing well, and has healed appropriately. As long as there are no signs of infection, or vaginal sutures that haven’t completely dissolved, most are cleared to resume sexual activity. Even patients that are status post a c-section can be cleared for sex at this point. Things to consider would be, has the incision completely healed? If you are someone that labored and then ended up with a c-section, has the cervix healed/closed?
Girl on top, girl on the side, girl on all fours…all of these are safe modes of intercourse as long as you have been physically cleared by your obgyn.
You may want to consider using a heavy lubricant for several reasons. One, the hormones of pregnancy may yet still be in flux. Two, breastfeeding tends to lead to a low estrogen state. Both translate into DRY VAGINA, and hence, painful sex.
Patience is a MUST, as your body is certainly different post delivery. Some women feel embarrassed, or ashamed of their post delivery bodies due to weight gain, leaky boobs, c-section scars, etc. Remember, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! Pregnancy is beautiful. Your body was and still is AMAZING! Going with the flow and having an open mind will carry you and your partner far as you both delve into the adventures of sex post baby.
For those of you who can’t seem to wait 6 weeks and are wondering if things like masturbation are safe before you hit that magical mark, I encourage you to keep in mind that tears, lacerations, etc., can occur almost anywhere; i.e., the cervix, the perineum, the labia, the urethra, in, near, or around the clitoral hood. The reason to mention these things is that if there was an insult to the aforementioned areas, you want to give them an adequate amount of time to heal; hence decreasing the risk of wound disruption, as well as infection.
If none of the aforementioned applies to you and you had no lacerations or tears “down below,” you might entertain external masturbation, i.e., clitoral stimulation. I would, however, avoid putting anything into your vagina; hands, fingers, toys, etc., until you’ve been cleared by your friendly obgyn. Safety first. The idea here is to decrease the risk of infection. You want the cervix, vagina, etc., to have adequate healing time.
Hoping today’s blog has been informative. Don’t forget the lube and perhaps a glass(or two) of wine!
Until next time,
Look Better. Feel Better. Be Better.
Dr. Angela
ALSO SEE: HOW TO FIX YOUR POST-BABY BELLY FLAP
About Dr. Angela : Wife, mother, Midwesterner, and award-winning OB/GYN, Dr. Angela is equal parts best girlfriend and bold professional, supporting women’s health with innovative approaches to care and heavy doses of humor. Dr. Angela has done more than launch a successful practice, she has defined herself as a voice for a new generation of womanhood, established her ASK DR. ANGELA brand committed to authenticity, and built a community rooted in trust, candor, and compassion. Find more of Dr. Angela on her website and on her Instagram account.
Join us over at the PB Moms Exclusive Circle, where we invite healthcare experts to prepare us for life after childbirth and motherhood. Go to: pregnancybeyond.com/exclusive-circle.
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“We Beat Infertility”: Woman Recounts Her Near-Death Experience
A year after her daughter was born at 25 weeks gestation, the mama of one Jules Paige recounts how she nearly died when a driver hit her, in a head-on collision while pregnant with her miracle baby, Juliana.
She wrote on Instagram:
“This is us then. 1 year ago tomorrow we were hit in a head on collision by a driver that fell asleep at the wheel. After 10yrs of trying to have a baby Juliana was my miracle. She was born via emergency c-section at 25 weeks. My placenta was abrupted by 70 percent & my uterus was filled with blood. Our doctor said it’s a miracle we both survived. God definitely had us covered. In this photo my husband and I were both headed into surgery at the same time. His whole leg was crushed including his femur. Our nurses brought us together as we prayed and chose a name for our baby girl. We asked the doctors to please give our baby a fighting chance no matter what. We’ve come a long way in a year and we’re so excited to share all the changes in a special family post tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who has prayed for our family, watched Juliana grow and cheered us on. It means more than you guys will ever know. We’re blessed & grateful. 
”
Speaking to pegnancybeyond.com, Jules says holding Juliana for the first time was magical. “I waited 18 days to hold her.. I was nervous because she was so tiny. That feeling quickly went out the window and I couldn’t stop smiling. It felt so good to have my tiny fighter skin to skin. All these feelings quickly turned into tears. I was overwhelmed with happiness.”
Narrating the first moments with her daughter, Jules described how she had to put Juliana back into her isoletter 5 minutes after holding her “She was still critical and fighting for her life. She couldn’t adjust and started having bradycardias and low oxygen. I was sad that she didn’t last longer but I wanted what was best for her. She stabilized better once she was back in her isolette”.
..
Jules went on to describe how she felt when she became a mom for the first time. “Thinking about the way I became a mom for the first time makes me overwhelmed. I can’t describe the feeling except for I’ve never been so in love. Things didn’t go the way we planned but I’m glad I’m here to witness my miracle grow up. She is everything to me.”
Thank you for sharing your story and best wishes to you and your family.
SEE ALSO:- PREGNANT WITH CANCER – BEAUTIFUL PHOTO OF MOM BREASTFEEDING AFTER MASTECTOMY
12 Cute And Funny Onesies For Your Baby
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]]>The post Health Benefits of Breastfeeding For Mother & Baby appeared first on PregnancyBeyond.
]]>Health Benefits of Breastfeeding
August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month and no better time than now to remind parents about the significant health benefits of breastfeeding for both the mother and the baby.
Ideal Nutrition For Your Baby
Breast milk is the optimal nutrient mix for infants, it has everything your baby needs to grow — vitamins, protein and fat. It supplies all the necessary nutrients in the proper proportion and balance of the proteins allows for quick and easy digestion.
A Healthier Baby
Breast milk acts as baby’s first vaccine. It contains many hundreds to thousands of distinct bioactive molecules that help your baby resist infections and strengthens the development of your child’s immune system. The antibodies in breast milk also has the ability to fight off viruses and bacteria that could be harmful to your baby’s health.
An Intelligent Baby
Breast milk promotes healthy brain development for your baby. A study has shown that babies who nursed had a higher IQ at the age of 30 (about 4 points higher), compared to babies who were formula fed.
Reduces the Risk of Infections
Diarrhea and pneumonia is a leading cause of infant mortality worldwide. The WHO has said that breastfeeding during the first six months is critical in preventing pneumonia , diarrhea and many other infections.
Uterine Contraction
Breastfeeding stimulates oxytocin production and oxytocin helps your uterus to shrink more quickly to its pre-pregnancy size . Oxytocin may also help reduce uterine bleeding.
Weight Loss
Some of the weight gained during pregnancy serves as an energy source for lactation. As you burn many calories during lactation you being to lose some of your pregnancy weight without compromising either your health or your baby’s health by dieting.
RECOMMEND – MY BUMP STYLE: YUKI AKINOSHO
Lower Risks of Cardiovascular Diseases and Cancer
Research has shown that breastfeeding can reduce a mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, and obesity. Previous studies suggested that mothers only get short-term health benefits from breastfeeding, such as weight loss and lower cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose levels after pregnancy.However, a new study in China found that women who breastfed their babies had about a ten percent lower risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease or stroke.
Combats Postpartum Depression
Prolactin, the milk producing hormone relieves stress and promotes relaxation. Also, the hormone that stimulates the release of milk, or let-down, is called oxytocin; this causes calmness plus feelings of love and nurture. For that reason it is often called the “bonding hormone.” And finally, breastfeeding releases endorphins, the body’s natural analgesia and feelings of well-being. These hormones work in combating postpartum depression.
READ: VBAC Tips: How To Prepare For A Successful VBAC
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My Bump Story: Selina K.Romney.
First-time mama, Selina K.Romney who gave birth to a beautiful baby girl this past April took the time to share the highlights of her pregnancy journey with us in her bump story. Read on for a lovely interview and some stunning photos!
….
What was your first reaction when you found out you were pregnant?
Overly excited! I couldn’t believe it. My husband read the pregnancy test because I was too scared to look (LOL), then he said with so much joy “we’re gonna be parents”! I still couldn’t believe it and then he said “yeah baby you’re a mother now” and I then jumped on him, while laughing and screaming thank you, God! I couldn’t help but shed a tear.
Your funniest memory over the 9 months?
There were so many funny and beautiful moments. My husband and I were thrilled that whenever we rubbed my belly, our baby girl responded by kicking back! She never responded to touch from anyone else. t was such a beautiful way to bond with our baby.
What do you think every woman should know before getting pregnant?
How would you describe the 9-month journey?
Did you have any maternity wear hacks?
Did you have any weird and wonderful cravings?
I tried hard not to give in to my pregnancy food cravings. I never liked chocolate pre-pregnancy (yes I’m one of the few women that don’t.. LOL) but now I like brownies and white chocolate with nuts. Although all through pregnancy I had like five brownies in all.
What did you struggle with most being pregnant?
Name a mama you find inspiring and why?
How was your birth experience?
How do you intend to get your groove back?
What do you think every expectant mom should know before having her baby?
What are your hopes and aspirations for your daughter?
Thank you Selina for your time and for sharing your story with us! Follow her on Instagram: @skromney and be sure to leave your congratulatory messages and baby wishes in the comments below!
READ Best Labor And Birthing Positions
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First Moments! 24 Adorable Photos Of New Moms and Their Babies.
Childbirth can be both exhilarating and exhausting at the same time! Hearing your baby’s first cry, holding the tiny fingers in your hand and cradling the soft bundle can be an overwhelming experience. Scroll on to see adorable and beautiful photos that capture the moment, just after childbirth, of mothers meeting their newborns for the first time!
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Read 6 Ways To Prepare Your Child For A New Sibling
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]]>Newborn Shoot
We know you can not wait for your newborn to arrive and introduce them to the world so we have curated 25 insanely adorable photo ideas and inspiration for your newborn shoot that will definitely create some special memories.
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