Due dates get talked about a lot in pregnancy. It’s often the first question a pregnant person will get asked. While most babies are not actually born on their due date, it can still lead to a lot of frustration when that much-anticipated day comes and goes. Thinking of your due date as more of a reference point can be a really helpful mindset shift.

So many people wait until the second trimester to announce their pregnancy at work. It can be stressful to share this news. Plus, the risk of pregnancy loss is higher in the first trimester. But does it really benefit you to wait? Here are three reasons to consider telling your boss you’re pregnant as early as possible in your pregnancy.

We need a bit of a mindset shift when it comes to medical interventions. It’s not uncommon for people to have a negative association with them when it comes to birth. But, medical interventions themselves aren’t the problem. Let’s talk about what is.

A vision board is a collage designed to inspire and motivate. Creating one for birth and beyond could be a useful tool in your preparations. In this post, I talk more about vision boards, as well as how to use Pinterest to easily create one.

While you may not be going through pregnancy or giving birth, there are so many ways to be a savvy and supportive partner and nurturing parent. The twelve tips in this post will give you guidance and ideas on how.

You are the ultimate decision-maker when it comes to your body. Obtaining informed consent prior to performing an exam or administering a medication or beginning a procedure is how your care provider honors and respects your right to bodily autonomy. This includes the right to refuse medical treatment and to say no. But there’s more to this conversation.

Cervical exams can provide very specific information on how far labor has progressed. When we want or need to limit or avoid cervical exams, however, there are some alternative methods. In this post we will explore the emotional signposts of first stage labor, what contractions can tell us, and more.

Check out ten items to add to your to-do list before (or while) trying to conceive. From scheduling a preconception appointment to focusing on health and wellness, it can be so beneficial to be proactive for preconception and pregnancy.

During pregnancy, the placenta forms to serve multiple functions before being birthed at the very end of the labor process. Typically examined and discarded as medical waste, you have other options for this amazing organ. This blog post contains five ideas: view, consume, create, bury, and donate.

Adequate amounts of folate help prevent neural tube defects, which are birth defects of the brain and spine. In addition to folate found naturally in foods, supplementing with folic acid (a synthetic form of folate) is widely recommended before and during pregnancy. Learn more about current recommendations and why they are being challenged by some. I also include five reasons to trust the current recommendations.

Affirmations are short, positive statements designed to challenge negative and unhelpful thoughts. Why use positive affirmations in pregnancy? Which types of affirmations are most effective? How can positive affirmations be incorporated into pregnancy? Get answers to these questions, as well as some ideas for affirmations to try.

Food safety is always important, but pregnancy increases our susceptibility to foodborne illness, like listeriosis and toxoplasmosis. Also, seafood is an amazing source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which is an important nutrient in pregnancy. At the same time, some seafood options are high in mercury content, which can negatively impact a developing fetus. In this post, learn all about preventing foodborne illness and choosing safe seafood options.

Navigating substance use in pregnancy can be as simple as just “avoid” for some. For others, it is an unbelievably complex issue. Learn why our widespread abstinence-only approach doesn’t work when it comes to improving outcomes and how taking a harm reduction approach could have a more positive impact.

Learn all about ovulation and how tracking it proactively can be helpful for some people. I also cover some factors that affect fertility, when to seek help, early signs of pregnancy, and more.

What should you pack in your hospital bag? This post contains a list of items you might want to bring, as well as some helpful tips and what to do if you’re not planning a hospital birth.

This blog post outlines my four-part manifesto in support of freedom and physiology in birth.

Get ideas for how you can have more support and less stuff when it comes to postpartum. Besides specific ideas, there are also links to alternative registry platforms you can use.

Rh factor is a protein found on the surface of red blood cells in most people. Those with this protein have an Rh+ blood type. Around 15% of people do not have this protein and are considered Rh-. While this normally isn’t an issue, it can have an effect during pregnancy. Read on to learn more about Rh incompatibility, Rh sensitization, and treatment options.

Having a baby is a major life change that means additional responsibilities and expenses. This checklist can help you get started in planning for your new arrival.

I’ve experienced two miscarriages. In honor of October being Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month, I share five things I’ve learned from my two difficult experiences in this post.