pregnancy

choosing a birth place, a care provider, and other support people

Why does my choice of caregiver matter, and what are some factors to consider? (Childbirth Connection: multi-page article)

Questions to consider asking a healthcare provider about informed consent (Solace for Mothers)

Why does my choice of birth setting matter, and what are some factors to consider? (Childbirth Connection: multi-page article)

What are the midwifery and medical models of care?
(Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth)

See also (Childbirth Connection)

What are the basics of choosing a place of birth and healthcare provider? (Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth)

How can I find out more about providers and birth sites in my area? (The Birth Survey)

What’s labor support, and what are some factors to consider as I choose support people? (Childbirth Connection: multi-page article)

Healthy Birth Practice: Have Continuous Support (video; Lamaze International)

I plan to support my partner/friend/daughter/whatever during labor. What can I do to help? (PDF; Mother’s Advocate)

Read Penny Simkin’s book The Birth Partner and/or the pregnant person’s favorite birth book.
Be as familiar as possible with this individual’s particular wishes, fears, priorities, and needs.

What’s a doula? (Our Bodies, Ourselves Health Resource Center)

See also (DONA International)

I can’t afford a doula—where can I find someone to support me for free or for a small fee? (a partial and growing list of volunteer doula programs at Radical Doula)

Google “volunteer doula” and your city or state.
Email or call area doulas to ask whether they know any doulas in training, who can often offer excellent support at reduced or no cost in exchange for gaining experience at your birth.

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anxiety and depression in pregnancy

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I’m supposed to be blissfully happy, but I’m struggling with sad/blue/anxious feelings. What’s the deal? (Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth)

More information (The Cradle)
Lucy Atkins, “At Last, Prenatal Depression is Being Taken Seriously” (The Guardian)

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physical challenges of pregnancy

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Is this (apparently bizarre and/or annoying sensation I’m experiencing) normal? And what can I do to make myself more comfortable? (Cleveland Clinic)

What tends to happen physically and emotionally in the first trimester? (MayoClinic.com) [Just bear in mind as you read this stuff that individual healthy pregnancies vary wildly in virtually every way imaginable.]

See also (Childbirth Connection)

The second trimester? (MayoClinic.com)

See also (Childbirth Connection)

The third? (MayoClinic.com)

See also (Childbirth Connection)

I’m nauseated and/or vomiting. What can I do? (PDF; “Share With Women,”  Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health)

More tips (MayoClinic.com)
More detailed information, geared toward health professionals but useful for pregnant people (American Family Physician)

My back hurts. What can I do? (PDF; “Share With Women,”  Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health)

More information/ideas (MayoClinic.com)
At-home massage during pregnancy (apologies for the heteronormative language) (Babyzone)

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other concerns/questions

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What medications are safe for me to take during pregnancy? What are some other things to try first (for colds, headaches, allergies, heartburn, constipation, & diarrhea)? (PDF; “Share With Women,”  Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health)

More detailed information (Motherisk)

What is “fundal height”? (useful image at MayoClinic.com)

What is gestational diabetes? (PDF; “Share With Women,” Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health)

“Sexuality and Pregnancy” (Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth)

“Pregnancy After Infertility or Previous Pregnancy Loss” (Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth)

“Questions to Ask Your Health Care Provider about Non-Routine [or even routine!] Prenatal Tests” (Childbirth Connection)

Prenatal testing for birth defects (PDF; “Share With Women,”  Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health)
Prenatal testing for Down syndrome (PDF; “Share With Women,”  Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health)

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fetal development

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What’s typically happening each week of the first trimester? (MayoClinic.com)

Overview of first-trimester fetal development (Childbirth Connection)

The second trimester? (MayoClinic.com)

Overview of second-trimester development (Childbirth Connection)

And the third? (MayoClinic.com)

Overview of third-trimester development (Childbirth Connection)

What do my insides look like? (illuminating illustrations that may help understand what you’re feeling if you’re asking, for instance, what on earth is my round ligament? or where have my intestines gone?: pre-pregnancy, 6/7 weeks, 12 weeks, 20 weeks, 28 weeks, 36 weeks, & two views at 40 weeks; Childbirth Connection)

pregnancy

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