True Birth

Obstetrical forceps have played a significant role in the history of childbirth assistance, but their use has declined in recent decades. One reason for this decline is the complexity and skill required to effectively and safely use forceps. Mastering the technique of forceps delivery requires extensive training and experience. The risk of complications increases when forceps are not applied corre...

As pregnancy progresses, expectant mothers may experience a range of sensations and bodily changes. One common occurrence during the latter stages of pregnancy is Braxton Hicks contractions. These contractions are often misunderstood, leading to confusion and concern. In this blog post, we will explore what Braxton Hicks contractions are and how they differ from real contractions. Understanding Br...

This episode is a continuation of the episode #104 on "What to Expect When Getting Induced" a step by step guide from getting admitted to delivery of the baby.  This episode focuses mainly on how an induction of labor dosen't need to drag on for days when it is actively managed and how Maternal Resources goes about utlizeing an active induction plan of care for their clients.  Pregnancy is a beaut...

Childbirth is a miraculous and transformative experience, marking the beginning of a new chapter in a woman's life. While many women choose to opt for pain relief measures like epidurals during labor, there is a growing movement of mothers who seek to embrace the raw intensity of childbirth without medical interventions. In this blog post, we explore the empowering journey of childbirth without an...

The placenta, a remarkable organ facilitating the vital exchange of nutrients and waste between mother and fetus, exhibits incredible diversity in its structure and composition. Beyond the conventional placental configurations, such as the discoid shape, several intriguing variations have been discovered. In this blog post, we embark on an enlightening journey to explore and understand four distin...

Navigating the complex world of healthcare can be overwhelming, especially when you're faced with the task of advocating for your own needs. However, being an active participant in your healthcare decisions is essential for ensuring that you receive the best possible care. In this blog post, we will explore practical strategies and tips to help you effectively advocate for yourself in healthcare s...

Extramural delivery is a term used to describe a situation in which a woman gives birth outside of a hospital or birth center setting. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as a fast labor, lack of transportation, or unexpected complications. While extramural delivery is relatively rare, it can be a stressful and dangerous situation for both the mother and baby. So, what can you do if you...

  Modern Ways of Finding Out Your Baby's Gender: A Sneak Peek into the Womb Discovering the gender of your baby is an exciting milestone for expectant parents. With advances in technology, there are now several ways to determine the gender of your unborn child with remarkable accuracy. There are several ways not to determine the gender of your baby which differs much more than a few decades ago. ...

The umbilical cord is a vital part of pregnancy, connecting the fetus to the placenta and providing essential nutrients and oxygen to support its growth and development. This cord is formed early in pregnancy and typically measures around 1 feet in length at birth. During pregnancy, the umbilical cord acts as a lifeline between the fetus and the mother. It contains two arteries and one vein that t...

Acupuncture, Chiropractics, Massage and other complimentary medicine practices are safe in pregnnacy.   Complementary and alternative medical therapies, such as acupuncture, acupressure, chiropractic, and massage, are often sought out by pregnant women to relieve common pregnancy-related discomforts such as back pain, nausea, and fatigue. Many women wonder if these therapies are safe during pregna...

The overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 was a significant legal decision that has generated strong reactions from various groups and individuals across the United States. Some see it as a positive development, arguing that it aligns with their moral and ethical beliefs regarding the sanctity of life and the rights of the unborn. Others see it as a negative development, believing that it represents...

For some women, the risk of premature birth or second trimester miscarriages are real and imposing concerns in pregnancy.  In some cases, a cerclage may be recommended to help prevent these complications. Here's what you can expect when you get a cerclage during pregnancy: What is a cerclage? A cerclage is a procedure in which a stitch or band is placed around the cervix to help keep it closed and...

A scar pregnancy is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy where the fertilized egg implants in the scar tissue of a previous cesarean section or other surgical procedure in the uterus, rather than in the lining of the uterus where a normal pregnancy should occur. This can occur when the scar tissue is not fully healed or is weakened, allowing the fertilized egg to implant and grow in the scar tissue wh...

What would happen if Mother Nature opened a labor and delivery unit? In a world where labor and delivery were left to all things natural, and there were no doctors to guide the process, how would women and babies fair?  Before the advent of modern medicine, women relied on Mother Nature to ensure a safe delivery. But without medical intervention, complications were much more common than they are t...

VBAC stands for Vaginal Birth After Cesarean, which is a delivery method chosen by women who have previously had a c-section but want to deliver vaginally for their next birth. VBAC2, on the other hand, refers to the second or subsequent vaginal birth after a c-section. VBAC and VBAC2 are two different terms that can be confusing for new parents. Women who have had a previous c-section may be wond...

Cervical lacerations are cuts or tears that happen to the cervix during labor and delivery. These types of laceratsion are different from the typical 1st and 2nd degree lacerations that occur during labor and delivery normally.  Generally they tend to have more blood flow and can be responsible for more blood loss.  They also may have an effect in a subsequent pregnancy and labor.    Today's episo...

What happends when a cesarean birth is not planned.  Gving birth is a life-changing experience, and while most women hope for a smooth vaginal delivery, some may end up having an unplanned Cesarean section (C-section). A C-section is a surgical procedure in which the baby is delivered through an incision made in the mother's abdomen and uterus. While a planned C-section can be a positive experienc...

On today's episode of True Birth, we're talking about labor coaches, birth coaches, and doulas.   Dr. Yaakov Abdelhak and Certiied Nurse Midwife Kristin Mallon highly recommend having a birth coach during labor. They share some of their positive experiences with the recommended birth coaches and doulas on their site www.maternalresources.org.   It helps to have already a reputation of being practi...

Today's episode of True Birth is all about circumcision. Circumcision often falls under the category of obstetrics, and many obstetricians are the ones who perform circumcisions at the hospital because it's considered surgical.   It's rare to need a suture or have bleeding complications after an infant is circumcised, but having someone familiar with surgery perform the procedure is an added advan...

What is the optimal timing for delivery when a pregnancy goes past the due date?  How far past a due date is it recommened to go? Is it safe to go?  Why are there different recommendations for each type of pregnancy?  A postterm pregnancy is when the pregnancy goes on beyond beyond 42 weeks (294 days) from the calculated first day of the last menstrual period. A postdates pregnancy is a pregnancy...

Cervical cerclage is a fantastic tool used to prevent preterm labor.  The placement of a cerclage is a surgical procedure in which a synthetic suture or tape is used to reinforce the cervix. This mechanical enhancement of the tensile strength of the cerclage reinforces the cervix, keeps it closed and is very successful at lengthening many pregnancies.  This podcast covers the different types, why...

Molar pregnancies, also known as hydatidiform moles, are rare usually unviable pregnancies that develop when trophoblasts (the cells that normally develop into a placenta) grow abnormally. Today's episode is all about this rare issue in pregnancy, its treatment, and possible complications.   As you may know, human cells should contain 23 pairs of chromosomes; one set from the mother and the other...

Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a depressive period or series of depressive episodes that can happen after the birth of a baby.  While there is some debate, most psychological and OB/GYN experts agree that any depression that occurs within the first 12 months after birth may be related to the birth.  This type of depression affects 1 in 7 moms and 1 in 10 dads.  Postpartum Depression is not to be c...

We've included a list of the most common acronyms and short hand lingo used common in with medical professionals in labor and delivery.  This is a great refrence for when you are surronded by new medical lingo and acronyms and you need some help naviating through.    We'd love to hear from you and hear what topics you would like us to cover. If you are interested in more information about our prac...

Obstetrics and Gynecology can be a wonderful beautiful experiene as a place to work but also have its fair share of challenges. In this episode, Dr. Yaakov Abdelhak, Maternal Fetal Medicne Specilaist, and Kristin Mallon, Certified Nurse Midwife, disucss why someone chooses the field of OB/GYN.  The choice of a medical specialty is a significant decision for physicians, influenced by a combination...