The Childbirth Experience

A skinny pregnancy is probably the newest and latest "fad" for a childbirth experience. I have heard the term "pregorexia" get tossed around lately. Basically, women who experience Hyperemesis Gravidarum (as it is medically referred), are suffering from several months of extreme morning sickness. On average, women should gain 25-30 lbs. Your doctor will discuss this with you and determine your specific weight gain for your body type. This new quest for Becoming Skinny After Childbirth starts during the prenatal months. The days of enjoying your full figure pregnant body seem to be coming to an end. The reality is, it's not because of the baby, the baby is going to get what it needs. The most likely cause of weight loss during pregnancy is mom's caloric intake being low. It boils down to this, it takes about a year to recover from pregnancy and birth. Eat well balanced, smaller portions, take your prenatal vitamins, and you will stay ahead of the game.

It's here!!! Pregnancy without Pounds, here's the link Click Here!
. I have searched high and low, and have come across this little gem of a book. The author is a health nutrition coach for the last 15 years. I'm amazed at the content that has gone into this book. A few of the many topics that are covered, Preventing Stretch Marks, Having an Easy Delivery, Safe Exercise while Pregnant and Staying Tone, just to name a few. New moms indulging their pregnancy cravings is the first thing I read. WOW! It's so important to arm yourself with as much knowledge during your pregnancy, this is definitely a must have to staying fit during pregnancy and it will carry you well after delivery.

This is one of the most common fears of the childbirth experience. The fear is that your bowels will not exactly behave themselves on this very important day. There's also the fear that everyone will have a front row seat to this embarrassing moment. I guess your rethinking camera angles right about now. For those who have never had a baby, giving birth is the equivalent to having the biggest bowel movement you will ever have. You're using the same muscles to push the baby out. So, it kind of makes sense that "other" things will come out before or even with the baby.

Here are some facts about the crap:

*Your body will most likely cleanse itself during pre-labor. Loose stools or diarrhea can be a sign of early labor.

* Limiting your food intake is not the answer. You need energy for your childbirth, unless it's a c-section. Eat if you are hungry. You should
also drink approximately 4 ounces every hour.

* Enemas will NOT decrease the chances of pooping during birth. They can however, cause more pain and distress to a laboring woman.

* The pressure you feel in your rectum during labor is not poop, it's the baby.

* Once in labor, basically everything else goes out the window.

* Pooping is actually a GOOD sign that things are....ehem.... moving along. In other words, you ARE pushing correctly.

* You probably won't even know you pooped.

* It gets cleaned up very quickly.

* You're not alone, it has happened to the best of moms.

If all else fails, have your partner and the rest of those you love stay up by your head. This will make it easier to avoid any later discussions of poop sightings.

For more information on having the best pregnancy and childbirth experience: Click here to visit GivingBirthNaturally.com.

Typically, we think of pregnancy and childbirth as a pretty standard practice of prenatal visits, ultrasounds, shopping for baby, registering for our baby shower, trying to sleep and breath at the same time during the final trimester. When labor starts, going to the hospital, delivering the little bundle, endless pictures of baby in the hospital, and finally, going home after struggling to make sure the car seat is properly installed.

With all that said, what are the traditions of other cultures? Here are some of the more common birthing experiences from around the world:

~China-- It's believed that the husband should carry his wife over burning coal in order for the pregnancy to be successful. It's said to be bad if a pregnant woman gossips or laughs too loudly. To ease the pain of labor, Chinese women drink a special herbal potion. After birth, the mother-in-law helps her daughter-in-law while she stays home for what is called the "sitting month".

~Mongolia-- They believe two pregnant women should not touch each other for reasons that the babies sex will be changed.

~Japan-- The Japanese frown on pregnant women eating any spicy or salty food. They are also forbidden to eat raw fish. They believe that
birthmarks on a baby were because the mother had looked into fire during her pregnancy. During birth, the laboring mother is
supposed to stay quiet, otherwise, it's a sign of embarrassment.

~Sweden-- When a woman gives birth, it's never viewed as anything less than an accomplishment.

~In the Mayan Culture, women sleep with and will NOT be separated from their babies for 20 days. At which time they return to their
normal activities.

~In the Jarara community of South America, childbirth is so common it usually takes place in a location where the whole village can watch.

~In most countries worldwide, the home is the primary place to have a child.

~The United States laboring women will typically have their shoulders propped up while they are on their backs during labor and delivery.
Most women in other cultures will give birth in vertical positions such as squatting, sitting, kneeling, standing, and occasionally hanging.