A lot of changes happen in your body while you’re pregnant! Pregnancy swelling, or edema, is extra fluid that collects in your tissues. It is considered a normal part of a healthy pregnancy and is caused by the increased blood volume your body produces to provide the baby with all its nutritional needs.
The medical definition of “postpartum” is the first six weeks after you give birth. But talk to anyone who has had a baby before and they will tell you that the postpartum period is much longer than that! This time after birth has also recently been referred to as “the fourth trimester,” which would imply that it is actually about 12 weeks long since each trimester is about 12 weeks. But the reality for many new mothers is that the postpartum lasts for about 12 months after giving birth. During this time, your body is healing, replenishing, and recovering from birth AND from the 9 months of pregnancy. Let’s talk about ways you can support your body and mental health during this recovery process.
The first hour after birth is referred to as “the golden hour” because it is a unique time of transition for both the birthing parent and the baby. When a baby is placed on the mother’s chest or abdomen and receives early skin-to-skin contact, this intimate connection helps both individuals begin the physiological adaptations to life postpartum. In addition to supporting the physical changes happening during this time, immediate skin-to-skin contact promotes bonding and emotional safety, which decreases stress levels for both. Although the first hour after birth is particularly important, you can get the benefits of skin-to-skin contact with your baby at any time! Let’s take a closer look at what you can your baby will gain from skin-to-skin contact in the postpartum and how it can benefit your breastfeeding relationship.
Did you know that the time after you give birth to your baby is called the “Fourth Trimester?” The first three months after delivery is a time when there are enormous changes happening in your body. You’ve spent the last nine months growing and nourishing your baby inside. Now you are continuing to support your baby once they’re on the outside, so this is a time where you need to focus on taking excellent care of your physical self. Your body needs physical, emotional, and nutritional support during the Fourth Trimester to transition from pregnancy to postpartum in a healthy and uncomplicated way.
Bringing a new life into the world is a miraculous experience, but it also comes with a unique set of challenges, especially if you delivered your baby by cesarean section (C-section). Whether you had a planned surgical birth or the events of labor led you to having a cesarean birth, recovering from a C-section involves more than just physical healing--it requires holistic self-care that encompasses your body, mind, and spirit. Here’s some tips to help you nurture yourself during the postpartum if you gave birth via C-section:
If you’re pregnant or planning to get pregnant this year, I want to help you start the year feeling your absolute best! First thing we’re going to look at is your sleep during pregnancy. How much are you sleeping? Do you wake up in the morning feeling rejuvenated or exhausted? Are you in a comfortable sleeping position or wake often in the middle of the night? When you sleep and how you sleep can have such a profound impact on how you feel and function throughout the day. This is because sleep is a vital part of our life. Our bodies need a restful night to flush out toxins and to repair and restore on a cellular level. A lack of good sleep will eventually affect us on a mental, emotional, and physical level. So what can you do to create an environment that enables you to get the best sleep possible? Here are my top 5 tips to help your body get the rest it needs at night so you can feel your best during the day:
Updated on 4/7/2026
When you are pregnant, there is often significant attention to helping you prepare for birth. You might attend a childbirth class and make a birth plan. You may have chosen your healthcare provider based on your birth experience preference. Some people also hire a doula to support them in the birth process. At some point in your pregnancy, someone will usually mention the baby’s part in your big day—finding the “optimal fetal positioning". Don’t be fooled by this term! Let’s explore various maternal positions to provide you with a better understanding when professionals discuss this information.
One of the most common questions I get as a midwife is: what are the best comfort measures to use during labor for someone who wants a natural birth? One basic truth of labor is that it is a lot of hard work and everyone who is planning an unmedicated birth is trying to figure out methods that will help them work through the labor surges. And I’m so happy to be able to share this information with you! Another birth truth is that pain management in labor doesn’t have to mean medications or an epidural, it can also mean incorporating movement, aromatherapy, and other support people to help you cope with the pain and intensity of labor contractions. Everyone’s birth will be different but having a positive birth experience depends, in part, on feeling capable of the work you need to do. So let’s talk about some pain relief options that are available for people who desire to give birth without medications.
One of the first decisions you’ll make when you start planning to have a baby is who you will see for your prenatal care. The majority of pregnant women in America plan to have their baby in the hospital with an Ob/Gyn, often the same provider they go to for their yearly women’s health needs. But recently more families have been choosing a midwife as their healthcare provider during pregnancy. Midwives are medical professionals who specialize in women’s health care, particularly during pregnancy and childbirth. Some midwives also provide well-woman and newborn care. In this blog we will speak about my top three reasons a midwife can benefit your pregnancy.
I don’t know about you, but love the fall! I love the crisp feel of the air, the changing leaves, and wearing sweaters. It’s one of my favorite seasons and it reminds me of how you feel so good in the second trimester after dragging through the first trimester (for me that’s the heat of summer!). Because I love fall so much, naturally I think that being pregnant in the fall is just about the best thing ever. Here’s my thoughts on why this is the perfect time of year to be growing a new little person inside:
