If you’re currently pregnant or planning for pregnancy, cord blood banking (saving the blood and tissue from the fetal umbilical cord to preserve potentially healing stem cells) might not be the number one thing on your radar, but it’s an important health decision to make for your family.  The preservation of stem cells can be a worthy investment, particularly if you have a history of certain health conditions in your family (stem cells have been used to treat more than 80 health conditions).  There are some misconceptions about cord blood banking, including that the pricing is...

When my editor at Rescripted reached out to me about trying Trilastin and sharing my honest opinion for a piece, I was thrilled. I was just about 38 weeks pregnant, and although I have no issues with my stretch marks from my first pregnancy and even take pride in them, I was profoundly itchy this time around and willing to try anything to help.   I’ll cut to the chase here and share the short of it: this stuff works. Trilastin: What is it? Trilastin is a pregnancy-safe skincare line that helps hydrate your skin, produce collagen,...

After all of the endless blood draws, ultrasounds, trigger shots, egg retrievals, embryo transfers, and two-week waits, you’re finally pregnant! For some women, however, it’s hard to feel optimistic after living with infertility. Especially when pregnancy loss is part of the infertility experience for so many people. It’s natural if anxiety is eclipsing any desire you may have to celebrate your good news because pregnancy carries a new set of risks even for those who didn’t go through infertility. Risks like preeclampsia.  According to a recent large U.S. study, preeclampsia affects 1 in 12 pregnancies. It...

Pregnancy can be a time of immense joy, but it can also be accompanied by intense worry and anxiety, especially for those who have experienced loss before. In the digital age, we have access to various online tools designed to provide information and reassurance. One such resource that has gained popularity is the Miscarriage Reassurer. But what exactly is this tool, and should expectant parents rely on it? Let's dive in, so you can manage your expectations as best as possible during pregnancy.  What is the Miscarriage Reassurer? The Miscarriage Reassurer, developed by Datayze, is an...

Let’s face it: pregnancy after loss can make for a complex and emotionally charged nine months. While the joy of a new pregnancy is undeniable, it often comes intertwined with a wide range of feelings stemming from past grief.  First, it’s crucial to recognize that these difficult (and often opposing) emotions are completely normal and valid. However, there are ways to honor these feelings while also making room for joy and happiness on your pregnancy journey. Read on for expert tips on incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine during pregnancy after loss.  Understanding the emotional complexity...

When it comes to giving birth, there’s one prevailing narrative most people hear: “The day you meet your baby is the happiest day of your life.” For many people, that may be true — but for many others, the experience of giving birth can be scary, painful, and even dehumanizing…and the effects of that can last long after that baby is born. Birth trauma is real. It’s also far more common than you might expect, especially because it’s so rarely discussed.  Birth trauma, like any other trauma, can take time to show up. Identifying the issue...

When it comes to women's health, there's always something new to learn. Today, we're diving into a pregnancy complication that might sound unfamiliar to many: incarcerated uterus. Don't worry if you've never heard of it before — you're not alone! Let's explore what this condition is, how it can affect you, and what signs to look out for.  What exactly is an incarcerated uterus? An incarcerated uterus, sometimes called a trapped uterus, occurs when the growing uterus becomes wedged in the pelvis during pregnancy. Normally, as the uterus expands, it rises out of the pelvis into...

The moment you give birth, in addition to having a new member of your family, there are a number of changes that take place, including within your body. One particular change that happens quite immediately after delivery is called uterine involution, which occurs when the uterus shrinks back down toward its pre-pregnancy size. The main reasons for uterine involution are to reduce the amount of weight you have to carry, and to allow the uterus to regain fertility.  “Basically, the uterus grows over the course of a pregnancy to accommodate the fetus, amniotic fluid, and placenta;...

You’ve likely heard the phrase “cutting the cord” used to describe the moment a newborn separates from the person who birthed them. Traditionally, the birth partner gets to cut the umbilical cord, symbolizing the baby’s grand entrance into the world. But what happens to that cord after it’s cut? That’s where cord blood banking comes in.  Let's clear up the confusion around cord blood banking — what it is, why it’s gaining popularity, and address some common questions and misconceptions you might have. What is cord blood, anyway?  Cord blood, found in your baby’s umbilical cord...

If you’ve given birth via C-section and noticed your midsection looks different than it used to, you’re not alone. Known as the “C-section shelf”, this bulge that can linger around your C-section scar long after you’ve delivered your baby. It’s been five years since my own C-section, and I still absolutely notice that my belly area doesn’t look the way it did in my pre-baby life — and I’d be lying if I said that I’ve completely accepted my own C-section shelf. But, I try to tell myself what I would tell anyone else: Bodies change....