With nearly a third of all U.S. deliveries occurring via cesarean section, it’s no surprise that healthcare providers and families alike are working to improve outcomes and the overall birth experience associated with surgical delivery. While the risks and health impacts of c-sections have long been studied, the emotional and psychological impacts have often been overlooked. Gentle cesarean sections (sometimes called family-centered cesarean sections) offer a solution that serves to improve both psychological and physical outcomes for parents and newborns.
Given that persistent DRA is often blamed for postpartum concerns like low back pain, pelvic floor issues, and lingering frustrations with post-pregnancy body image, it’s no wonder that it has become one of the hottest topics in the postpartum-rehab world. Can we prevent it? Why does it resolve in some people and not in others? Can we restore core function after birth even if we have stubborn DRA? What core exercises or ab exercises can heal diastasis recti?
Let’s take a look at what we know about DRA, and what we can do to address it.
As mothers, we carry an enormous load for our families. But often, the physical, mental, and emotional burdens that we carry go unseen and underappreciated by most of the world. Instead of being celebrated for all that we’re doing, we’re often critiqued for all that we are not doing. Let's take a closer look at a self-compassion practice called “Compassionate Letter Writing” that is a tool to cultivate emotional strength and is rooted in an evidence-based approach to mental wellness.
Motherhood is overwhelming. So it is completely normal and natural that instead of interpreting a partner’s physical touch as a time to connect, that we see physical intimacy as just another thing on our long list of to-dos-for-others. There are a number of ways to be able to honor feeling “touched-out” while still connecting with your partner in the hopes of kindling emotional intimacy…and maybe even just a little physical intimacy (when you’re ready, of course).
Childbirth is physically traumatic, even under the best circumstances. Talk to any mom you know, and you’ll find that going through postpartum recovery for the first time can come as a major shock. What if we knew more about what possibilities to expect and where to turn for support in our recovery? Would that knowledge make the whole experience less stressful and traumatic?
Most moms spend time preparing for birth and the newborn that comes with it. But what about our own recovery? We know the early weeks of postpartum recovery will be difficult, but are we really prepared for the long haul? Real moms share what they really wish they'd known about postpartum recovery before birth.
Most of us don’t know enough about the pelvic floor to decipher what pieces of advice & information are true, versus those that are not. Because this group of muscles is responsible for supporting our pelvic organs, stabilizing the pelvis & core, and is essential to our everyday lives, we pulled together the top myths heard by a Pelvic Floor Therapist and carefully debunked each one.
This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Jennifer Jordan, Director of Mom & Baby.
When new moms were surveyed, 90% said they would recommend other new moms spend more time preparing for their own recovery after giving birth. We hope to improve the postpartum experience by making sure moms have access to the best products and resources, like Lansinoh's new line of birth recovery products.
After almost a year without a period, you might be wondering when Aunt Flo is going to drop in. Will she call ahead and let you know she’s coming, or will she just show up unannounced? Will your usual tampon/pad/cup routine do the trick, or should you stock up on something different? From cramps to cups, things might be different after pregnancy and birth. Let’s take a look at some of the most common questions about postpartum periods and offer a few solutions along the way.
Some new parents seem to be back on their feet in no time at all after birth, while others require a longer rest period. And even though many first-time parents take childbirth classes, most don’t have a whole lot of information about what to expect regarding recovery during the postpartum period. There are some signs and symptoms that might seem “normal” during this postpartum adjustment period that may actually be related to more serious health concerns.
