News Moms Need

According to Claire Kamp Dush, an assistant professor of human development and family science at Ohio State, family stability (regardless of whether it’s a one or two parent household) may help a child succeed in school and life. Her findings appear in “Marriage and Family: Perspectives and Complexities,” a recently published book that she co-edited.

She looked at information gathered from nearly 5,000 households nationwide during two long-term periods over three decades. While many past studies show an advantage for children growing up in married households, Kamp Dush notes those did not distinguish between family structure and family stability. “Our results suggest that the key for many children is growing up in a stable household, where they don’t go through divorce or other changes in the family, whether that is in a single-parent home or a married home,” Kamp Dush said.

 Lindsay wrote a post about the stress of being a single parent. Click here to read her tips for coping.

During the third trimester of pregnancy there are numerous changes occurring to help the body prepare for labor and delivery. Some mother’s may have conflicting emotional feelings about their pregnancy during this time, too. It is not uncommon to hear women say that they are done being pregnant. This doesn’t mean that they do not want or love their baby. The combination of physical discomfort, exhaustion and concerns about labor and delivery are real and can be overwhelming — sometimes to the point where they’ll consider a Cesarean delivery for relief. 

Pregnancy is a stressful time for many women and coping isn’t always easy, but opting for an elective C-section is definitely not the answer. An elective C-section is done before labor begins, whether or not it is medically indicated. Preterm birth is on the rise and experts agree that the increased rate of elective C-sections may be responsible. Preterm babies are more likely to have medical problems than those born full term.

If your healthcare provider is the one recommending a Cesarean delivery make sure you ask why and what will happen if you choose not to. You want to be sure that surgical procedures are performed out of necessity and not convenience.  

If you are feeling overwhelmed about your pregnancy reach out to your health care provider, family and friends for advice and support. Explore creative ways of managing discomfort and stress through meditation, yoga, counseling, swimming, writing in a journal, listening to music, gardening, napping or visiting with loved ones. Have you registered for your childbirth education course yet? If not, this is a wonderful opportunity to socialize with other expecting women who are most likely experiencing similar changes and emotions.

Hang in there as best you can. After all, nine months is the best gift you can give your baby.

Posted by Anne