Oxytocin’s Role in Natural Childbirth
Childbirth is one of the most transformative moments in a woman’s life. The human body is designed to go through labor with the help …
Pregnancy By Design Articles
All Topics
Latest Posts
Becoming a Father: A Comprehensive Guide to Supporting the New Mom During Pregnancy
The moment you find out that your wife is pregnant, everything changes. The excitement, the anticipation, and even the nerves start to build …
Understanding Your Birth Place Options: Hospital, Birth Center, or Home?
There are 3 birth place options available in the US; hospital, birth center and home birth. It’s important to choose a place where you …
The Best Prenatal Vitamin
When Should I Take Prenatal Vitamins and Minerals? Ideally, you start taking prenatal vitamins before you conceive. Get those daily vitamins …
What is a Doula? And Why You Need One At Your Birth
Birth Doulas A birth doula is a non-medical, professional birth worker that you hire to be with you during labor and delivery. They help …
Hospital or Birthing Center? What are the Differences?
Hospital or Birthing Center? What are the Differences? Trying to decide whether to have your baby at a hospital or birthing center? This …
20 Week Ultrasound – What to Expect at the Baby Anatomy Scan
20 Week Ultrasound – What to Expect at the Visit The 20-Week Ultrasound, a.k.a. the 20-week anatomy scan, is a screening test in …
A Guide to the First 48 hours After Birth: Newborn Care
The first 48 hours with your newborn can be equally exciting and scary. You have been waiting nine months to meet your little one, and now …
Tips for Managing Stress During Pregnancy
Managing Stress During Pregnancy It is normal to feel some amount of stress during pregnancy. After all, pregnancy brings about lots of …
Old Time Birth Practices that are Back En Vogue
Back Again Many of our increasingly popular birth practices are not new, but rather revivals of what are some of the oldest and most organic …
A Guide to the First 48 Hours After Birth for Mom
You carried your baby for nine long months, and now they are finally here! After laboring and birthing your baby, they are out in the world …
What is Lightning Crotch? And Natural Tips to Alleviate Shooting Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy
Lightning Crotch or pelvic pain during pregnancy is exactly what it sounds like. It is an electric or sharp, shooting, stabbing sensation …
Homebirth: Making an Informed Decision to Birth at Home
Homebirth is on the rise in the US. In fact, according to the CDC, homebirths increased nearly 20% between 2019 and 2020. So while …
Getting Baby into the Best Position for Birth – Pregnancy Day to Day
You know the baby is supposed to come out head first, but did you know that there are other aspects of baby’s position that can impact …
Benefits of a Natural Birth. Why Choose Natural Birth?
Why Choose Natural Birth? The term natural birth is usually described as giving birth without pain medication. Why would someone choose to …
3rd Trimester of Pregnancy
You made it! Welcome to the 3rd Trimester, the home stretch! From 27 weeks until the baby comes, you’re in the last trimester of pregnancy. …
OB or Midwife? Choosing a Birth Care Provider
Choosing a Birth Care Provider That is Best For You You will have many choices to make during your pregnancy and birth, some more important …
Waterbirth: Understanding the Benefits of Birth in Water
As waterbirth has been found to be a safe birth choice, this article covers the most common questions about waterbirth. Birth is a …
What is a Baby-Friendly or Mother-Friendly Hospital?
What is a Baby-Friendly Hospital? You may be asking yourself, “Aren’t all hospitals baby friendly?”. This article will explain the long and …
Overcoming Fear of Childbirth: 3 Ways to Transform Fear into Confidence
Fear of childbirth is a significant factor that shapes how a woman experiences labor, and even what kind of birth outcome she’s likely to …
What Birth Choices & Birthing Options Do I Have?
What Birth Choices Do I Need to Make? If you have preferences (most pregnant women do) about how you are treated or what happens during …
Understanding the Cascade of Interventions in Birth
Reducing The Cascade of Interventions in Birth Maternity care in the United States tends to be intervention-heavy. This means that …
What to Eat When Pregnant
Foods to Eat During Pregnancy You are what you eat. When you’re carrying a baby, your baby is eating what you eat as well. Here are some …
Sex During Pregnancy? Is Sex Safe While Pregnant?
Is Sex Safe During Pregnancy? Many women wonder can you have sex while pregnant? Sex during pregnancy is perfectly safe and good for …