The following is a sponsored post by Merck for Mothers
A woman will never forget the moment she became a mother. Birth is one of the most transforming and important experiences in any woman's life, but unfortunately for many women in this country and around the world it ends tragically.
In 2012 the National Association of Mothers’ Centers asked me to write a letter to my children in recognition of Mother’s Day, as a way to impart to the world what wisdom I would like to pass on to them. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever written, by far, especially since it is only 650 words or so.
Recently I wrote about the shameful state of women’s health care in America and how America’s broken health care system affects women.
Lady Gaga’s tour operators, Live Nation, announced February 14, 2013 that she would be cancelling the remainder of her tour due to a hip injury.
As a physical therapist for women’s health, this headline immediately got my attention. And because hip labral injury diagnosis is on the increase, you should be interested too.
The idea of women’s empowerment is a touchy issue. It has been correlated with the myth of the “male decline” and other scare tactics put forth by those who may seek to sweep women’s issues under the proverbial rug.
However, one fact stands very clear.
I have had the absolute joy of giving birth three times. Although I have other secret weapons for labor and delivery, I believe this one is the most important for managing pain, preventing panic or anxiety, and maintaining adequate oxygenation, no matter what type of birth you
My first son was born after a difficult 36 hours of labor. The labor was hard and fast, with protracted contractions 2-3 minutes apart and no more than 4 minutes apart for 30 hours.
Studies have, for a long time, shown that deep breathing, mental imagery, deep massage or acupressure, and the presence of a constant companion or coach during labor can ease labor pains, making the miracle of birth more, well, enjoyable.
The Birth Experience As Empowering
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Confucius
