Top Ten Pregnancy Articles on Associated Content

I'm a childbirth educator who has been teaching childbirth prep classes for three years. I've also not only had two births of my own, but attending four births as a labor support person. So pregnancy and childbirth is something I feel very passionately about. I love helping women educate themselves at a time when they are experiencing SO many changes in a short few months.

Some of these articles are ones I've written, while others are fantastic resources I only WISH I had penned first. All of them share some great information related specifically to the nine months of pregnancy and your unborn baby.

1. Child Birth: Planning for the Birth of Your Child
This article provides a great overview of some choices available to pregnant women, the process of labor and delivery, and ways to cope with labor. While nothing is discussed in detail, and none of the risks/benefits are assessed, it does at least give parents a place to begin looking at the options available. Often, I've found with my students, they don't hear that they HAVE choices available, so I appreciated seeing the list of options broken down for parents-to-be.

2. Best Books for Pregnancy and Childbirth
This article is a review of a handful of the top, most well-balanced and helpful books available. There are SO many titles that pregnant women have to choose from, but this childbirth educator will help you select the top five must-reads. Books listed are not only geared toward the mother, but also for any support people as well.

3. Best Pregnancy Websites for First Time Parents
I enjoyed looking over the website choices she mentioned and have to agree with most of them. Babycenter.com especially, is a website I frequent often and am often on the Childbirth Choices bulletin board. I've also used reference materials from American Baby.com in my childbirth education classes.

4. Fetal Senses and Development
Want to know what's going on in there? This article will take you in the womb to see what you baby is doing and when he or she is able to do it. Can a baby smell? Hear? When can he or she do these thing? A much more in-depth look than the simple week-by-week charts!

5. Top Tips for Staying Fit During Pregnancy
While there were several articles on pregnancy and exercises this was one of the best overviews. The author listed specific examples of exercises, both what is ok to do, and what to avoid and spoke with her doctor about what is safe. I loved that she included swimming as one of the exercises for pregnant women to consider because it is one of my personal favorites.

6. Let's Talk About Sex - During Pregnancy
This article is just that; a straight-forward look at sex during pregnancy. The author takes you trimester by trimester and lists what physical and emotional changes to expect as well as ways to deal with those changes. Very helpful article that is actually a handout I give out in my childbirth education classes. It addresses all the things people want to know, but are afraid to ask their doctor about.

7. Quick Tips for the First Trimester from a BTDT Mom
BTDT stands for "Been There, Done That" and this article is a brief overview of the first trimester of pregnancy and what you might expect. It's written in a personal style that is easy to relate to, yet manages convey some terrific nuggets of wisdom at the same time.

8. Using a Birth Ball During Pregnancy, Labor and Beyond
This article is a great one for learning how to use a birth ball. Selection and care are covered, as are tips for posture and back pain relief. The article also talks about using the birth ball during labor, and some exercises for the post partum period that you can do with your birth ball.

9. Herbs During Pregnancy
With so many Americans beginning to investigate alternative medicines it is important to make sure you don't inadvertently take something harmful during pregnancy. This articles gives an overview of what herbs are considered safe, and what herbs should be avoided during pregnancy.

10. How to Avoid a Cesarean - Ten Steps to Take for a Healthy Delivery
Another of my class handouts, this article gives a brief look at ten things you can do during pregnancy and childbirth to help minimize your risks of a surgical, Cesarean delivery. It also explores some common Cesarean myths.

There is my top ten list of pregnancy resources to be found on Associated Content. Of course, this isn't even close to all of it but a sampling of what is available. Enjoy browsing!

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