Birth Confidently.
We hope this collection of articles will help you prepare for birth — Body, Mind and Heart.
These articles are general information. They are not intended to specifically diagnose or treat any condition.
Please ask your care provider for specific support.
If there’s a topic you are interested in that is not covered here, please let us know. We’re happy to answer your questions.
Anxiety & Depression
Preparing for the birth of a baby can be stressful for anyone. But, for women who struggle with anxiety and depression, pregnancy can be a very distressing time. This article discusses possible strategies to support pregnant women who struggle with anxiety and depression.
Blood Pressure
One of the most important “pieces of the puzzle” of health and wellness for both mother and baby is the mother’s blood pressure. This article explains the significance of elevated blood pressure, and strategies to help.
Cough & Cold
When you catch a cold or bug during pregnancy, it’s difficult to know what you can take to help feel better fast. This article includes a list of safe options.
Fatigue
It’s not uncommon for women to be tired in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Growing a person is hard work! Most women find it helpful to take a nap and/or go to bed a little earlier than usual. Sometimes “tiredness” is more severe and turns into “fatigue.” Women with extreme tiredness or fatigue, feel like their energy level is so low, and their exhaustion so extreme that they are not able to enjoy life.
Frisco Midwifery has created this resource to help you understand what’s going on with your pregnancy, and offer you some evidence-based options to help you manage fatigue.
Headaches
Most expectant mothers experience headaches, especially during the first 3-months of pregnancy when hormones flood your body. They can also return in the last 3-months when posture and stress may trigger muscular pain. Headaches may even be an indication that there is a significant health problem we need to investigate. Frisco Midwifery & Birth Center has created this resource to offer you some evidence-based options to help you manage headaches.
Iron Deficiency
During the first half of pregnancy, you increase your blood volume by 50%. Then, you have to add extra red blood cells to all that extra liquid. In the meantime, you will probably have low iron. This link explains how to increase your iron.
Nausea
Up to 85% of expectant mothers experience “morning sickness”, In some cases it can interfere with a woman’s ability to function. In severe cases it can even be a serious cause for concern. We created this resource to help you uderstand what’s going on with your pregnancy, and offer you some evidence-based options to help you manage pregnancy-related nausea.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Did You Know that many of the things your mother and grandmother told you were “normal” for pregnant women or even women in general are NOT normal? There are many things that may be typical but they are a sign that some healing, strengthening or correcting work needs to be done. One great team member in your care that can help restore your body to functional health is your Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist.
Urinary Tract Infections
During pregnancy, the growing uterus can apply pressure to the bladder, making it difficult for the bladder to fully empty, trapping bacteria. If the bacteria grows, it can cause a UTI. This article explains how to prevent and treat urinary tract infections in pregnancy.
Vaginal Birth After Cesarean
Unfortunately, many physicians are unwilling or reluctant to attend a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). So, women who had a cesarean birth who don’t want a repeat cesarean without a medical reason often turn to midwifery care for their births. Frisco Midwifery has created this page to help you understand the benefits, risks and special considerations of Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC).
Varicose Veins (& Hemorrhoids)
As pregnancy progresses, the weight of the uterus compresses some big blood vessels making it even more likely that blood will pool in the veins in the lower half of the body. If this pooling is in the veins of the legs or vulva, they are called varicose veins. If the pooling is in the anus, it’s called hermorrhoids. We created this link to suggest ways to prevent and treat varicose veins in all their forms in pregnancy.