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A developing pregnancy is not immune to complications, risks, or shortcomings. However, a well-educated team of care providers is typically available for each person who needs it to ensure a healthy pregnancy. A blood clot is a significant risk and concern for some who are pregnant, but clots are manageable and treatable with proper care. Discover why blood clots are important to monitor during pregnancy and explore potential risks and reduction measures. Pregnancy and Blood Clots: What You Need …

The pitter-patter of your baby’s heartbeat is miraculous. It’s in those first moments of hearing the heartbeat that an expecting parent understands how just how precious life is. But listening to your baby’s heartbeat requires structure and delicacy as your care provider uses various detection devices to gain clarity. When Can I Hear My Baby’s Heartbeat?Depending on when you make your first prenatal appointment, the first sign of a viable heartbeat can be detectable as early as 6 weeks gestation …

After finding out you’re pregnant, the next big task to consider is who will walk with you every step of the way. A partner, family member, or friend usually makes the list first. However, finding the right obstetrician is a significant step. Here, we offer you a few tips to help you make a decision. Partner With Your Insurance ProviderPartnering with your insurance provider can help you avoid seeing doctors who are out of network. Some prefer to call area doctors and inquire about their network …

Creating the perfect birth plan includes choosing your birth location and environment wisely. Finalizing the vision for a water birth comes with a lot of insight from your providers and support team. We created a list of safety precautions during a home water birth to offer our support for your plans.Water Birth Pool CleanlinessThe cleanliness of the pool itself and the water are essential factors to consider before, during, and after engaging with the birth pool. The risk of infection is high a …

The reflex hammer is a simple medical instrument, but it has a long medical history. Whether you use a reflex hammer in your daily medical practices or you’re a patient anticipating a knee-jerk reaction, a reflex hammer is a highly valuable tool in medicine. We created this history-rich guide to the different kinds of reflex hammers and their uses.The Reflex Hammer: How It StartedIt all started when two physicians, Karl Friedrich Otto Westphal and Wilhelm Heinrich Erb, combined their expertise a …

One of the first things some mothers want to do after finding out they’re pregnant is to hear their baby’s heartbeat. Depending on how far into her pregnancy she is, this may only be possible with certain devices and enough time. Below, we take a closer look at the devices that can achieve this for both professional and personal use. The Importance of the Fetal HeartbeatThe fetal heartbeat is one of the first and most essential markers of a healthy, growing pregnancy. Not only can hearing the he …

Whether you’re pregnant right now or planning for the future, the buzz around stretch marks looms in the back of the mind of every mother and mom-to-be. The fear associated with stretch marks leads women to reject their presence and label them negatively. The good news is stretch marks, in general, are a normal facet of life. And when they appear in pregnancy, they’re almost always temporary. What To Know About Pregnancy Stretch MarksPregnancy stretch marks occur as a natural response to the gro …

What’s old is new, and what’s new is old—this may be the case for listening to a baby’s heartbeat with a fetoscope. Midwives everywhere carry a variety of tools and instruments in their kits, whether they’re doing an in-home prenatal visit or attending a birth. Here, we discuss when, how, and why midwives use fetoscopes and take a closer look at two variations. The “When” for a FetoscopeMidwives particularly love the use and access of fetoscopes as it helps them do away with electric dopplers. W …

When a woman finds out she’s expecting, the marathon is on as her body encounters many changes, challenges, and monumental milestones over the next nine months. An integral part of this unique experience is how the baby grows and evolves inside the womb with the help of amniotic fluid. Below, we take a closer look at how these fluids lend a hand to the baby and mother and the various changes accompanying the process.The Importance of Amniotic Fluid Amniotic fluid is a fundamental ingredien …

For some mothers, there comes a time during the postpartum period when newborn bliss can turn into discomfort and the going gets tough. When that happens, it’s important to not give up; instead, you should lean on your support people for reliable assistance. Additionally, when breastfeeding begins causing discomfort or pain, it’s essential to keep these must-have soothing supplies on hand. Learn more about these handy supplies and discover some solutions for navigating the discomfort. Common Cau …