After three years of secondary infertility, countless blood draws and ultrasounds, several failed embryo transfers, two pregnancy losses, and a fresh round of IVF, I’m finally pregnant with my third IVF baby.  But that still feels weird to say out loud, when it’s been hard enough to believe for myself.  I should say that this experience has been nothing like my previous attempts at getting pregnant. Following years of heartbreak and (unexpected) IVF failure after the birth of my twins in 2018, I took an indefinite break from treatment, unsure of what our next steps would...

In 2024, it’s practically impossible to think about wellness culture without thinking of red light therapy. Obviously, red light therapy is buzzy for its use as a skincare tool (see: LED face masks), but the buzz is going far beyond that: People are also considering red light therapy to help with wound healing, pain management, hair loss, burn scars, and more.  This is one of those social media wellness trends that has real credibility, too: Research has indicated that red light therapy can be effective for treating photodamged skin, wound healing, and more. But there are...

Pregnancy can be an incredibly beautiful experience, but it’s totally normal to feel a little anxious during those anticipatory months. One concern usually on the mind of expecting mamas is preeclampsia, a common and serious condition that is usually not caught until your blood pressure gets dangerously high and, if not caught early, can lead to some pretty severe complications for you and your baby. These can include poor growth of your baby, preterm birth, NICU or prolonged hospital stays, maternal seizures, organ damage, and other life-threatening conditions with lifelong impacts. Understanding all the risks of...

Whether you’re navigating your first pregnancy or this isn’t your first rodeo, it’s not out of this world to still feel like a beginner. Your body is changing and reacting to growing a baby, which can look unique for each person and each pregnancy. For some women, this can include intolerable morning sickness, unexpected random cravings, or developing conditions like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.  While nausea and fatigue may bubble to the surface in your first trimester, the early signs of preeclampsia — a pregnancy complication related to your blood pressure that can impact both mom...

Pregnancy is a time when your body goes through some pretty amazing (and sometimes challenging) changes, and it brings a lot of questions about what is safe to do or try. One wellness trend that’s gained a lot of attention recently is ice baths or cold water immersion. But when you’re expecting, is jumping into an ice bath a good idea? Let’s dive in (pun intended) and take a closer look at what moms-to-be need to know about ice baths. Why ice baths are trending Over the past decade, ice baths have gone from something only...

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...