There are so many things that I've learned between my first pregnancy and my second... All of which have been incredibly helpful for me. Some of this knowledge has come easily, and some of it has taken a lot of research. I hope to include as much as I can think of, as I think of it. Honestly, just because I want to save it all up for my daughters one day. But I would be delighted to the depths of me if any of it could help anyone else in any way. I hope you benefit from it! And feel free to ask me questions, I don't know it all, I'm not a professional, but I'd love to offer up what I have learned. -Lydia My Top 5 Recommendations Seeing a Chiropractor During Pregnancy Can Make All the Difference --- This is huge! I recommend this to everyone. (So does my care provider.) It is so beneficial. I really think seeing a prenatal chiropractor could have helped me avoid my induction at 42 weeks in first pregnancy, and avoid the c-section as well. (I explain why in the article.) But if nothing else, I could have felt SO much more comfortable during pregnancy. I had no Backaches during my second pregnancy, I could hardly leave the couch at the end of my first for my aching back! The Importance of Exercise During Pregnancy --- My Personal Experience on Each End of The Spectrum --- My second pregnancy (during which I stayed very active) was phenomenally easier and more comfortable than my first (during which I was very sedentary). And there are benefits for baby too! Healthy Pregnancy Diet --- Limiting carbs is how to manage both mother and fetus's weight gain -- too many carbs can mean too many pounds, both both! Ways to Help Your Baby Engage -- AKA How to Encourage Labor --- This is awesome. So many inductions could be avoided by helping the baby get down onto the cervix. Starting these habits early on is a great idea, but its never too late to try them! {In My Opinion} The Best Way to Prepare for Labor --- If someone asked me what they should do to get ready for labor...this is what I would tell them. Extremely Helpful Stuff Hormone Free Birth Control, Which Alternately (When Desired) Can Aid in Achieving Pregnancy --- You don't have to use the typical means to plan your family. And even if you don't choose to use this method, its very empowering to at least understand your body in this way! An All-Natural Remedy for Pregnancy Headaches --- The only thing that worked for me during my first trimester full of really bad headaches. The Business of Being Born --- These films are a great place to start when considering your options for birth. I talk about what the films mean to me in this post. Questions To Ask A Provider When Hoping To Avoid a C-section --- This list is very useful for finding someone who will be on your side. (I've also included questions to ask to facilitate a enjoyable c-section, if needed.) "I Think, I Might Want To Think About A Home Birth" --- If home birth is something you occasionally ponder, even just a little bit, I hope you read this post on: Thinking that you MIGHT want to think about a home birth. Red Raspberry Leaf Tea --- lots of benefits, for all women, and could possibly help during your labor. Proper Posture Can Mean a Better Outcome in Labor and Delivery -- Your posture can affect the way your baby lies inside, and having baby in an optimal position improves labor and delivery outcomes. Easier Childbirth with Fetal Positioning -- There are ways to encourage your baby to get into a better position --- both during pregnancy, and during labor. This can mean the difference in having a vaginal birth or a c-section. The Benefits of Birth Balls During Pregnancy and Beyond -- These are one of the best places to sit during your pregnancy to encourage a good good fetal positioning. They can be great during labor. And they can even be soothing postpartum. History and Benefits of Belly Dance in Pregnancy & Birth --- Belly Dance originated as an aid to birth. My Take on Hypnobabies --- Hypnobabies really made a big impact on my second pregnancy and labor. The confidence I gained from it was invaluable to me. In this article I break down what it is, how it works, and how I saw it interplaying with my Christian faith. What I Think Helped My Second-Time-Around-Labor Be Such a Good Experience -- I listed out the things I think made a big difference between how I labored the first time, and the way I labored the second time. (The second time was WAY more comfortable and enjoyable.) Labor Visual Aids/ Mediations -- Working through your fears and concerns before labor is a great idea. This is what I did to help the process. Maybe you could make your own set of photos for yourself, when facing your delivery -- no matter your circumstances. (If you don't use photoshop, just print out photos and use a sharpie!!) For the New Momma Postpartum Body Image -- It can be really hard to process all the changes, I came across a website for mothers that upheld me through the hard days, when the mirror really just hurt my feelings. How To Alter a Bra -- If you are now a hard to find size, you can alter ready-made bras to fit. See how here. Postpartum Belly Binding -- Does it really work? Postpartum Hip Binding -- Does that really work? How I Lost the Baby Weight -- My experience of losing 41 pounds of pregnancy weight, and going on to lose 15 more, to reach a healthy BMI, after my first baby. My Favorite Postantal Workout DVDs -- The DVDs I thought were the most effective How to make a Babywearing "Coat" -- Keep you and baby warm together Other Baby Accessories -- The posts I've done on cool baby things (mostly DIY) Nursing Stuff As a stay at home mom, who didn't use many bottles, did I still need an electric pump? This was something I questioned a lot before my oldest was born. Having a hard time nursing on the go? I did too. This was my solution. DIY Nursing Pads -- Save some cash! An Easy (No Sew) DYI Nursing Top Solution --- Have Scissors? You can do this! And it works with TONS of clothes! My favorite cozy nursing bra -- great for hard to find sizes. How To Alter a Bra -- If you are now a hard to find size, you can alter ready-made bras to fit. See how here. Treating Thrush with Coconut Oil -- I finally got rid of a really stubborn thrush infection with coconut oil. Recovery from a Cesarean How To Care For A Mother Who's Had A C-Section -- A great read for friends and family of women who've had c-sections. Emotional Recover From A Cesarean -- There was a lot for me to process after my c-section What VBAC-Lydia Would Tell C-Section-Lydia --- I talk to my old induction-turned-c-section self, after having had a VBAC at home. My Experience with ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) and the healing it brought me --- ICAN is way more helpful than I had imagined VBAC Questions To Ask A Provider When Hoping To VBAC -- This list is very useful for finding someone who will be on your side. Inspirations -- Photos I used to work through my c-section set backs and fears, to face my VBAC. (Maybe you could make your own set of photos for yourself, when facing your delivery -- no matter your circumstances. If you don't use photoshop, just print out photos and use a sharpie!!)