The United States as a whole has the worst maternal mortality rate of any first world country, but as far as Black women are concerned, we have completely failed. Black women have a maternal mortality rate that is 3-4 times higher than White women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum in the United States (CDC). As …
With how much stuff I brought to the hospital when I had my first child, I am still surprised at how much I wished I had packed in my hospital bag. And it was all so disorganized, I couldn’t find anything. With my second baby, I was way more prepared. Not only did I bring …
Once labor and delivery (congrats new mom!) is over, you will be holding in your arms the precious little stranger who will be yours to take care of for the next 18 years. It’s pretty daunting, and new parents understandably have so many questions and anxieties. My favorite part of being a pediatric nurse and …
Whether you are planning a hospital birth or a home birth, an epidural or no epidural, labor can be long and exhausting. It is physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. While some women do have fast labors, there is no guarantee. First births tend to take longer (even days sometimes) especially if you have to be …
It is hard to know what to expect when labor starts since you have never done it before and it is unlike anything you have ever experienced. Every feeling, every sensation, can be alarming. What is normal in labor and what should raise red flags? There are some hard truths about delivery that no one …